Chapter 86 Feeding Ciba There was a small circle on the gap of Ciba, and...
Lin Shu heard the voice and looked back. She coughed lightly and asked, "Why did you call me?"
Zhou Ye said, "Aren't we going to make a teapot? Tell me how to make it."
"Why are you in such a hurry? I've told you this now, but you can't do it right away. You need to go to Grandpa Gao's house and borrow a knife first. If you can borrow a metal saw or something, you should borrow it too. A metal saw makes a smoother cut."
Lin Shu said there was no rush, but she still explained it to him in detail.
Getting a tight-fitting lid on this teapot is actually quite simple. Simply cut a bamboo tube with joints on both sides in half, 2:8 ratio. The longer end will form the pot, and the shorter end will form the lid. Evenly scoop out the outer edge of the pot, while the inner edge of the lid is evenly scooped out. This creates a concave and convex surface, and when the two are joined, the lid is securely in place.
If this happened in the future before the end of the world, when all kinds of decoration tools were available, it would be very easy to grind out smooth bumps and grooves. But now, it all depends on manual skill.
"It's okay if the jar and lid fit together roughly; it's impossible to make them fit perfectly." Lin Shu said, then asked with a smile, "Do you want me to draw a diagram of the bamboo rocking chair for you, Brother Tianluo?"
Zhou Ye listened to this, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly, but he quickly pressed it down, "If you have nothing else to do now, you can draw it for me."
"Why is there nothing else? I'm busy~"
"No rush, draw it when you have free time."
Lin Xiaopu, who was standing next to him, scratched his head awkwardly, feeling a little annoyed.
She felt she shouldn't be here.
but--
Hehe, she was right to create a chance for Sister and Brother Aye to be alone. She felt that there was a subtle atmosphere flowing between the two of them. They had definitely made progress, and it was not a small progress!
Just when Lin Xiaopu was struggling over whether to find another excuse to go out and play or stay in the house, He Guixiang came back with her bamboo basket and a smile on her face.
In addition to the several balls of twine she had twisted today, there was also a pair of straw sandals in the bamboo basket. They were straw sandals for men and were extra large in size.
"Aye, come and try on these new straw sandals. Your Third Aunt made them especially for you, so I can't refuse even if I want to. You're the only one in Tianshui Village who can wear such big sandals."
Zhang Qiaohua had already woven this pair of extra-large men's straw sandals yesterday. She didn't give it as a return gift just because of the two big fat fish. She had originally given another pair of straw sandals to Lin Dashan, but He Guixiang insisted on not accepting them, saying that she could make them herself. The men in the village all wore straw sandals made by their wives, so why would they ask their younger brother's wife to make them? Zhang Qiaohua then gave up.
But Zhou Ye had no choice but to accept this pair of straw sandals. Such big straw sandals were only suitable for Zhou Ye to wear. If he didn't accept them, the sandals would be made in vain.
"Aye, you helped your Third Aunt look after the shoe stall earlier, and you also helped Yushu carry back the brushes, inkstones, and paper. Although it was a small thing, your Third Aunt still remembers your kindness. She hasn't changed at all. She's been like this since before the family split up. If she takes advantage of me, she'll pay me back somewhere else."
Lin Shu said, "Third Aunt is still being polite, but the straw sandals are already made, so we can only accept Third Aunt's kindness."
After saying that, she took the straw sandals and examined them carefully. After looking at them, she shook her head and said, "I can't tell how they were woven."
He Guixiang laughed and said, "If you could tell just by looking, then anyone could do what your Third Aunt does."
Lin Shu also laughed, "Mother, believe it or not, I am also very skillful. Weaving these is no problem. I was not familiar with Third Aunt before, but now I feel that I am very familiar with her. If Third Aunt is willing to teach me, I will make all the straw sandals for you and father in the future."
After hearing this, Lin Xiaopu immediately responded: "Sister, if I'm not good with my hands, who else can be?! So, sister, you can't just think about daddy and mommy, what about me?"
"Don't worry, yours won't be missing." Lin Shu pinched her face and felt that it felt much better than before. This was because she had been eating well recently and had gained some weight.
Lin Xiaopu's eyes rolled, and he immediately added, "Where's Brother Aye? We can't leave him alone, right?"
Lin Shu pretended to be annoyed and said, "You think about him so much, aren't you afraid that my hands will get rough from weaving straw sandals too much? Tell me, are you on my side or on his? If we can only choose one, which one will you choose?"
Lin Xiaopu was stunned. He didn't expect that just because he said a few words, he would be asked such a terrible question by his sister.
"Sister, of course I choose you!" After saying that, she immediately looked at Zhou Ye and explained, "Brother Ye, don't be sad. In my heart, you are my real brother. It's just that Sister has a childish nature, so I have to coax her a little."
If weaving a few pairs of straw sandals would wear out your hands, the women in the village would have nothing to do. Weaving straw sandals and making insoles were considered the easiest jobs for the women in the village. It was clear that the elder sister was teasing her on purpose.
Lin Shu laughed angrily, "You answered the question but then you teased Ah Ye in front of me, you little traitor."
Zhou Ye looked at Lin Shu and finally couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Here, try them on." Lin Shu handed him the straw sandals.
Zhou Ye knew the sandals fit him without having to try them on, but since everyone was watching, he tried them on in front of them and said, "They're a good size. I'll thank Aunt San in person next time I see her."
Then he said to Lin Shu, "Ah Shu, if you learn how to weave these straw sandals, come back and teach me. I think I'm quite capable of doing it, so I can weave them myself once I've learned. I won't bother you."
Lin Shu was startled when she heard this, then asked slyly, "If you're really worried about me getting tired, how about you pack all my straw sandals for me in the future?"
Before Zhou Ye could respond, He Guixiang laughed and scolded him, "Stop teasing Ah Ye. You don't have to make straw sandals for your mother and father. Although my work isn't as good as your third aunt's, I've made your father's straw sandals over the years, and he's worn them for so many years."
Lin Xiaopu looked around and followed suit, "I have thick soles, so I've worn the straw sandals my mother made all these years, and there's nothing wrong with that. Sister, you don't have to make them for me, but you can make just one pair for me, and I'll keep them as a treasure, hehe."
Lin Shu glared at Zhou Ye first, then said angrily, "Okay, okay, no one needs me to make straw sandals for you, right? If you have the guts, don't eat the food I cook."
Lin Xiaopu hurriedly coaxed her and blew a string of flattery to her, which made Lin Shu smile and laugh continuously.
Zhou Ye listened and watched carefully, as if thinking about something. He continued to work on the bamboo lounge chair while thinking about it.
He Guixiang put the things away and went to make dinner. Lin Shu and Lin Xiaopu helped her by adding firewood and washing vegetables.
"Xiao Pu, I have something to ask you."
"Sister, what is it?"
"That brat Wang Yingen said a lot of bad things about you in the past. Do you really forgive him just like that?"
Lin Xiaopu hesitated, "Sister, actually what he said is not bad. Everyone in the village says so."
Lin Shu said earnestly, "Xiao Pu, you can't assume that just because so many people say it, it's not bad. Did you feel bad when Wang Yingen said those words to you? If so, he hurt you. Do you want to forgive someone who hurt you so easily? Xiao Pu, if you feel lonely and want a playmate, we can pick one out again. There's no rush. Our Xiao Pu is such a good person, we'll definitely find a playmate who suits your taste."
Lin Xiaopu was stunned for a moment, then replied, "But sister, if I care so much, then many people in the village have called me a little medicine pot and a short-lived ghost, and many aunts and sisters have said that I am a debt collector. The difference is that Wang Yingen says it out loud, while others say it behind my back. If Wang Yingen is unforgivable, then these people in the village are also unforgivable?"
Lin Shu rubbed her head and smiled faintly, "Our little Pu is very generous, and all the good fortune is in the future. I was just worried that you would be wronged, but after hearing what you said, I am no longer worried."
Lin Xiaopu hugged her arm and chuckled, "I know Sister is afraid that I'll suffer. Don't worry, Sister, I won't let myself suffer. I used to be a little afraid of Wang Yingen and didn't dare to talk back, but after seeing Sister silence him with words, I wasn't so afraid of him anymore. Later, when I saw Aunt Li spank him, I was even less afraid. Although Wang Yingen is strong, he's not as smart as me."
Lin Shu was amused by her, "You are quite confident. But my little Pu is indeed smart, that's true."
He Guixiang was happy to see the two sisters talking together.
Perhaps it was blood ties that played a role. When Ayao was around, Xiaopu wasn't as close to her as Ashu. It wasn't that Ayao treated Xiaopu badly; she treated her younger sister very well. Every time she earned money embroidering handkerchiefs, she would secretly buy Xiaopu candy. It was just that Ayao wasn't someone who could get close to anyone. Her temperament was calm and composed, completely different from Ashu's.
I wonder how Ah Yao is doing in the capital now. Ah Shu said she's found her ideal husband, so I guess she'll be getting married soon. Being the daughter-in-law of such a prestigious family isn't easy. I just hope Ah Yao has a smooth life.
When dinner was almost ready, Wang Yingen suddenly arrived with a basket. When he opened the cloth covering the basket, he found a small plate of freshly made glutinous rice cakes, fried to a golden brown.
Wang Yingen rubbed his red ears, too embarrassed to say anything. When his mother found out he'd taken a bamboo jar of sauce from Sister Shu, which was made by frying in oil, she grabbed his ears and scolded him, leaving them red. But thanks to Sister Shu, his mother fried a large plate of the glutinous rice cakes she usually didn't want to eat, and then gave him a small plate to bring back.
"Lin Xiaopu, my mother just fried some glutinous rice cakes with bean powder sprinkled on them. They are so delicious. I'm giving them to you!" Wang Yingen stuffed the small plate of glutinous rice cakes into the hands of Lin Xiaopu, who was closest to him, and ran away with the empty basket without waiting for others to stop him.
He didn't want to be dragged around, so his method was the best: just put the things down and run away.
Lin Xiaopu didn't like to argue with others, but Wang Yingen ran too fast. She was confused with the plate of glutinous rice cake in her hand.
"Ashu, what did you do? Why did your Aunt Li ask Wang Yingen to bring a plate of glutinous rice cakes?" He Guixiang asked.
In Tianshui Village, people only make glutinous rice cakes during festivals, and most of them are steamed. Fried glutinous rice cakes use too much oil, and oil is expensive, so most people can't afford to eat them. Why did Sister Li send such expensive food?
Lin Shu explained, "It's probably because of the jar of chicken mushroom sauce I gave her. Didn't Ah Ye go to Aunt Li's house and ask for a big jar with a hole in it? I didn't know how much a big jar was worth, but I found out when I went to the market in town. The price shocked me. Although the jar Aunt Li gave me had a hole in it, it wasn't completely unusable. Last time, she also gave us a big bowl of green Sichuan peppercorns. Today, Wang Yingen happened to be playing in the yard with Xiao Pu, so I asked him to bring back a jar of chicken mushroom sauce. I didn't expect Aunt Li to be so polite and even return this plate of glutinous rice cakes."
Ciba is a delicious food, and she was also greedy. When Ah Ye bought her two pieces at the market, she still couldn't eat enough. Aunt Li was really generous and sent her a whole plate of ciba!
After hearing the whole story, He Guixiang finally understood what was going on and said with a smile, "Mother forgot. We should return some things. Your Aunt Li is a generous person. Since she sent us this glutinous rice cake, we will accept it."
Lin Xiaopu was already drooling over the glutinous rice cake. "Mother, this glutinous rice cake tastes best when eaten hot. But let's wait for Father to come back and eat it together. At worst, we can just fry it in the same oil that Sister uses to fry the chicken mushrooms."
He Guixiang took the initiative and said, "There's no need to wait for your father for this snack. Just leave one piece for him and eat it while it's hot."
Lin Shu thought of something and said hurriedly, "Wait, I'll get some sugar to sprinkle on it. It will taste better this way."
Lin Xiaopu nodded vigorously, "Okay, okay, sprinkle some sugar!" They are the ones who have sugar at home!
There was a small plate of glutinous rice cake. There were five people in their family, so the glutinous rice cake was exactly five pieces, and each piece was not small.
Lin Shu scooped a spoonful of sugar from the sugar jar and sprinkled it evenly on the glutinous rice cake. She shouted to the man who was still working hard, "Aye, stop working and come and eat the glutinous rice cake!"
Zhou Ye looked at her and said, "Ah Shu, I don't like this. You and Xiao Pu can share my portion."
Lin Shu picked up a piece of glutinous rice cake and went to find him. She waved it in front of him and asked, "You really don't want to eat it?"
Zhou Ye shook his head, "I don't like sticky food like this."
Lin Shu took a bite right in front of him and exclaimed as she ate, "This glutinous rice cake is fried to a golden and crispy texture, and sprinkled with bean powder and sugar. It's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a sweet aroma. It's so delicious that I feel like I'm floating all over!"
As he spoke, he passed the glutinous rice cake that he had taken a bite of to his lips, "Try it, Aye, it's really delicious. If I lied to you, I would be a pig."
Zhou Ye's hands were very dirty from work, so he couldn't take it. He looked down and his eyes inadvertently fell on the gap in the glutinous rice cake. It was a small circle with teeth marks visible, small and neat.
His ears suddenly turned red again.
Lin Shu, however, held up the bitten glutinous rice cake and continued to pass it to his mouth, smiling and asking, "Aye, you don't want to eat it because you dislike me having taken a bite?"
The voice was lowered so that He Guixiang and Lin Xiaopu on the other end could not hear it.
"No, no."
"If not, go ahead and try it. I'm not lying, it's delicious."
If it were before today, Zhou Ye would have asked Lin Shu to give him half and he would eat the half without the tooth mark. But this time, he looked at Lin Shu's bright smile and opened his mouth as if possessed by a magic spell. He took a big bite down on the round tooth mark and ate the whole part with the tooth mark.
He chewed it carefully, and his ears and chest turned red.
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