The two sisters-in-law helped in washing pots and dishes in the kitchen. Zhou had already put away the food that Chunxiao had bought and only grabbed two handfuls of peanuts and put them on the table.
"Mom, why are you putting the food away? Why don't you take it out and give it to everyone to eat."
"You silly kid, you can't finish all this in one meal. We still have a few days to go before the New Year. If you leave it open like this, with so many people here, it will be gone in no time. Aren't there peanuts on the table?"
Chunxiao was really at a loss for what to do with her mother. "Mom, we still need to have a meal tonight. Why don't we go to other people's homes in the village to get some vegetables? We don't have any other delicious vegetables at home except tofu and radish."
"I've already thought of dinner for you. I'll make you some dumpling soup with three eggs in it. It's the best. You should have had your fill of meat today."
"How can this meat taste so good!" Chunxiao knew that her mother was used to being frugal, and she didn't want to argue any more. As long as everyone had no objection, she would just do as she pleased. Anyway, she had done her best.
Seeing her father standing at the gate of the yard, he walked over and asked, "What are you looking at, Dad?"
"I think it will only take another two days to clean up this land. It's actually faster than we expected."
"Of course. I really want to thank you this time, especially my two sisters-in-law. They haven't rested all day. I just saw my second sister-in-law pounding her waist. I'm afraid she must be very tired. I think I will do the rest myself and let them have a good rest."
"You can't do that. You still have to burn charcoal in the morning. You're right. Anyway, there are only two acres left. From now on, it's just me and your brother. What are you going to do with the weeds that are so tall over there?"
"Just put it there. I'll burn it and use it as fertilizer at the beginning of the new year. By the way, Dad, I want my fifth uncle to make me a box with a handle. It will be convenient for me to put some things in the box."
"Then let him get a big one, preferably one that no one else can move."
"That's good," Chunxiao smiled. "Have we fed the cows?"
"Shufeng was taken out for an hour this morning and came back after eating. I heard you talking to your brother about buying bean dregs. What are you going to do with them? Feed them to the cows?"
"No, I also use bean dregs to make fertilizer."
"You're being too particular about composting. First you asked me to collect cow dung for you, then you got a lot of lime powder, and now you have bean dregs. What else do you want? Did you read this in a book?"
"Yes, this is enough base fertilizer. When the time comes, mix it together according to the proportions and leave it for a while."
"Proportion?"
"Anyway, there is a recipe."
Yan Bingfa looked at her and felt that his daughter seemed to know more than she had imagined. "Didn't they say that studying is worth a lot of money? I didn't think so before. Even when you got married, I thought it was respectable, but I didn't think so. Now it seems that studying is really useful. Yesterday, your eldest brother discussed with me that he had some money on hand and wanted to send one of the children to the private school in the next village at the beginning of the year. I just don't know whether to send Shuwen or Xiaoqi. Originally, according to the order of seniority, Shuwen would naturally go first, but Shuwen is now eleven years old. Other children usually start their education at six or seven, so Xiaoqi is just the right age. If we have two children, we really can't afford it, and we are worried."
This is indeed a bit difficult, "What is my sister-in-law's opinion?"
"Your sister-in-law wants to send Xiaoqi. She said Shuwen is already old enough and will be an adult in a few years. He is also learning calligraphy from you now. She thinks it's a good idea for Shuwen to stay with you. If Xiaoqi learns, he can still teach his elder brother when he comes back."
"Then have you asked Shuwen and Xiaoqi for their opinions?"
"What's the point of asking children about something that adults have decided?"
She unconsciously adopted the idea of equality. "Ultimately, the decision on this matter will be made by my eldest brother. No matter who it is, explain it clearly to the two children. Don't let them feel disappointed. A year of private schooling costs a lot. Is there anyone in our village who goes to the private school in the next village?"
"There are two. The village head's grandson, Wuzhong, and your fifth uncle's grandson, Yanlong. They are both ten years old. Xiaoqi will be nine at the beginning of the year, just in time."
It turns out that there are still children in their village who are studying. It seems that everyone wants the younger ones to go. In fact, it is true. Shuwen is only 12 years old. Here, you can get married at the age of 15 or 16. Maybe she is the only one who treats Shuwen Wenfeng as a child. In fact, she is already a grown-up girl.
She looked at Shuwen and Shufeng in the yard again. After her efforts, the children were no longer skinny and shriveled, and their hair became shiny. Especially Shufeng, now that her face had flesh, she looked very smart. However, her temperament was still childish and not quiet enough. Tian often complained that she had raised a daughter who was so unruly and was afraid that she would suffer when she went to her husband's family.
Shuwen hadn't grown up yet, but boys grow taller every day. If he had good-looking features, he wouldn't have trouble finding a wife. Their family had some good genes.
In the afternoon, several children were playing games on the playground.
The adults were relaxing and chatting in the sun, while the women had a rare moment of leisure. Tian dozed off in the sun, and Chunxiao asked her to go inside to sleep, but she refused, saying it was fine this way, and that it was relaxing to listen to the jokes of others. However, the relaxing days didn't last long, and she began to feel uneasy.
The next day, Dashan went to town, Yan Bingfa and Dahe worked at the end of the village, and Tian, Zhang, and the children stayed at home to rest. At lunchtime, Tian suddenly came over.
"Why are you here at this hour? Is there something wrong at home?" Zhou was a little surprised when she saw her.
Tian frowned, "Mother, our aunt is here and is sitting at home now."
Zhou frowned when she heard this, "She's alone?"
"No, Chong'er and Erbao are here too. You and Dad should go back quickly."
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