Chapter 135: Preferring Ice Jelly + Teapot + Ah Shu’s Preferential Taste…
Lin Shu rubbed the juice as much as she could, and after it solidified, she got a full basin of Guanyin tofu.
Holding a long bamboo stick, she cut the large piece of emerald-like Guanyin tofu into smaller cubes than those used for cold dishes.
The sliced Guanyin tofu and the green beans steamed in the pot were cooled with the cold mountain spring water.
Taking advantage of this gap, Lin Shu peeled the two melons sent by Li Chunmiao, cut them into cubes, and put them separately in a bowl. She also cut the fresh cucumber brought by Lin Zhaodi into cubes and put them in another bowl.
Then he took the empty clay pot, scooped up half of the mountain spring water, knocked down a small piece of rock honey, crushed it and threw it in to dissolve it, thus getting half a pot of sugar water.
Of course, rock honey is expensive, and Lin Shu was reluctant to use too much sugar. This small piece of rock honey was thrown into the pot of water, and the water was only slightly sweet. However, that hint of sweetness was enough.
"Xiao Pu, help me get seven clean bamboo jars." Lin Shu shouted.
"Okay, I'll be there right away!" Lin Xiaopu went to the kitchen and came back with seven bamboo jars.
Farmers' pottery bowls are based on the number of people in their homes. They usually have four or five more than the number of people in their household, and no more. After all, these things cost money. If guests come to the house, the extra four or five are usually enough. If not, they have to borrow tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks.
This time, Uncle Zhao and Aunt Lin borrowed the stove at home to cook. Although they brought their own bowls and chopsticks and borrowed some from Aunt Li, they had enough. Lin Shu didn't use any additional ceramic bowls.
There are many bamboos in Tianshui Village, and every household has bamboo tubes and bamboo pots. These are natural storage containers given by nature. These bamboo tubes and bamboo pots are convenient for drinking water or storing beans. Poorer families also use these bamboo tubes and bamboo pots to store rice and soup.
After Lin Xiaopu placed the clean bamboo pots on the table one by one, Lin Shu scooped the cut Guanyin tofu with a spoon and poured it in.
She used a large spoon and only poured a small amount into each bamboo jar to fill it halfway.
Then, he scooped a spoonful of diced melon and cucumber from the bowl, and then added a full spoonful of steamed green beans.
Finally, pour a large spoonful of rock honey syrup in. The fruit jelly is ready.
Lin Xiaopu watched intently from the side. When Lin Shu finished mixing the fruit jelly in the seven bamboo jars, she immediately asked, "Sister, there are exactly seven of us, including Wang Yingen and me. Are these made for us?"
Lin Shu nodded. "This is for you. We don't have enough bowls at home, so I'll have to ask you to eat from this little bamboo pot."
Lin Xiaopu quickly pulled one of them in front of her and said, "Why are you feeling wronged? Wang Yingen and the others will be so happy! Sister, let me eat one first. After I finish, can you give me another one?"
Lin Shu smiled and tapped her nose. "You are my sister, so naturally you are different from others. I'll serve you another bowl."
"Hehe, sister is so nice." Lin Xiaopu started eating while talking, and kept saying it was delicious!
After buying rock honey at home, Lin Xiaopu likes to eat sweet Guanyin tofu more. Now this Guanyin tofu has been made into ice jelly by his sister, and Lin Xiaopu loves it to death.
I don’t know if it’s because my sister changed her technique, but the Guanyin tofu she made today is softer, tenderer and smoother, mixed with diced melon, diced cucumber and mung beans. I put a spoonful of it into my mouth, and the smoothness of the Guanyin tofu, accompanied by the sweet fragrance of melon and the fresh fragrance of cucumber, spread in my mouth. The soft mung beans are sweet and soft when I chew them carefully. Then I take a sip of the rock honey syrup in the bamboo jar, which is icy, sweet and refreshing, and it makes the dryness in my body disappear in an instant!
Woohoo, so delicious!
There are so many drinks in town, and Lin Xiaopu has never tried anything except mung bean soup. But even if she hasn't tried it, she is sure that the fruit jelly made by her sister is better than those drinks!
"That's nothing. If we had more kinds of fruits, the fruit jelly would taste even better." Lin Shu said.
Last time at the market, Lin Shu took a stroll and discovered that the town didn't have many varieties of fruit. She hadn't caught up with the loquats, which were almost out of season and expensive, so only the town's wealthy could afford them. At this time of year, the main fruits were peaches, plums, and apricots. The peaches and plums of ancient times couldn't compare to those of later generations; not only were they much smaller, but they were also more sour than sweet.
There are not many fruit farmers in Jingxi Town. Most people plant one or two peach and apricot trees in front of or behind their houses. If they can't finish eating them at home, they take them to the market to sell.
Lin Xiaopu finished the ice jelly in her hand in a few big mouthfuls. Upon hearing this, she immediately said, "Sister, how about wild fruits? Many wild fruits in the mountains and fields are almost ripe! The loquats are the most delicious, sweet and juicy. They start to ripen when the rice planting is underway. They are sour, sweet and juicy. But the ones growing in the back mountains have long been picked by Wang Yingen and his men, so we have to look elsewhere. Later on, there will be sea buckthorns and wild grapes..."
Lin Shule said, "That little bit of wild fruit isn't enough for you kids to fill your stomachs. Just eat it as a snack."
Lin Xiaopu licked his lips and said, "The fruits in the mountains are indeed not enough for the children in our village to eat, but don't we have Brother A Ye? He can go to the deep mountains and pick all kinds of fruits for us!"
Lin Shu was lost in thought. If there were enough wild fruits, she could make a lot of different ice jelly dishes. Unfortunately, the ice jelly tree hadn't been introduced yet. Otherwise, ice jelly made from the tree and dyed with fruit juice would be both beautiful and delicious.
After giving Lin Xiaopu a bowl of fruit jelly, Lin Shu served a few more bowls, one for her and her mother, one for Aunt Lin, and one for her father as well.
After everything was divided, Lin Shu called He Guixiang and Lin Xiaopu to move things together.
Lin Shu carried the large bowl of cut Guanyin tofu, He Guixiang carried the clay pot of rock honey syrup, and Lin Xiaopu carried two bowls of diced cucumbers and sweet melons in a basket. He held the remaining bowl of mung beans in his hands because he couldn't put them all in.
The mother, daughter and three sons went up to the "construction site" where the house was being built.
It was the peak of the day at noon, so Uncle Zhao and Zhou Ye and the others did not work. Instead, they found a shady spot on the slope in front to rest.
There is ready-made thatch. You can just grab a handful and spread it on the ground, and lie down or sit on it.
Lin Zhaodi poured a bowl of cold tea for Zhao Laosan and sat beside him, and the couple chatted.
Liu Erzhuang couldn't help but ask, "Aunt Lin, is Sister Lin Shu really making snacks for us in the courtyard? How come you've been out for so long, and the snacks aren't ready yet?"
Lin Zhaodi knew that this kid was greedy. "Do you think it's so simple to make a meal, that it can be done in a quarter of an hour? Just picking and washing the vegetables takes a lot of time, not to mention steaming and boiling them. Do you know how long we women worked on making the wild vegetable dumplings you ate yesterday? Not to mention mixing the stuffing, just wrapping the wild vegetable dumplings, you have to roll out the dough and wrap it. Ah Shu worked with us to make three big pots of wild vegetable dumplings, and it took us a long time to wrap them."
Liu Erzhuang scratched his head embarrassedly and said, "Aunt Lin, thank you for your hard work."
Lin Zhaodi quickly waved her hand and said, "What's the hard work? Cooking is just a time-consuming job, not very strenuous. It's nothing compared to you guys. This time, thanks to you guys, otherwise we wouldn't be able to build this thatched house."
Liu Erzhuang's work wasn't easy, but working in the fields was also tiring. After a long day, he could only eat porridge and pickles. He was very content to be able to enjoy such a sumptuous meal while building a house for Uncle Zhao San's family. When he heard Aunt Lin say that Sister Lin Shu was going to make them a snack, he felt that this trip was worthwhile!
"Brother Zhou Ye, why don't you go back and take a look to see if Sister Lin Shu needs any help? Can you lend a hand?" Liu Erzhuang looked at Zhou Ye who was sitting aside fiddling with a bamboo jar.
Zhou Ye was taking advantage of his lunch break to make a bamboo jar. He was using a small knife he had borrowed from Grandpa Gao to polish the lid of the jar. This was a delicate job, requiring careful polishing, and only when the jar and lid were polished properly could they fit together.
Hearing Liu Erzhuang's question, he stopped what he was doing and replied, "I'm dirty, so I won't go near Ah Shu."
He wasn't going back to rest even though he was close because he felt dirty. Hands and face could be washed clean, but clothes stained with mud and dust couldn't be cleaned. Changing clothes and going back to rest was too much of a hassle. Besides, for Zhou Ye, just sitting down and not doing any heavy work was considered rest.
Wang Changshun, who had been quiet nearby, accidentally overheard what A Ye said. When he heard A Ye mention Lin Shu, he couldn't help but look at him with envy.
Although he wasn't as strong as Zhou Ye, he was still quite big, and he worked silently and focused on his work. He felt that he was quite similar to Zhou Ye, except that he was not as tall or handsome as Zhou Ye. But he was not as likable as Zhou Ye.
Now Zhou Ye has such a capable and beautiful wife, which is really enviable.
Wang Changshun also wants to get married.
It wasn't because his mother urged him to do so, it was because he wanted to do so on his own. However, his family was poor, and he himself was not very motivated, so he couldn't even see the shadow of a wife.
Sometimes he thought, why not just become a son-in-law like Zhou Ye? After all, his parents thought he was stupid, and having a younger brother at home to show filial piety to them was enough. But he knew his parents would not agree. Even if he had to be a bachelor for the rest of his life, he had to stay in the Wang family.
Zhou Ye's situation is different from that of a son-in-law. He is homeless, his parents are dead, and he sold himself to the family of Second Uncle Lin. When he did this, people praised him for his righteousness. After all, he sold himself for food for the sake of his clan.
If other people in the village followed his example, they would be abandoning their roots and would be criticized. His parents would rather die of poverty and starvation than let him abandon this person.
If Wang Changshun wants to get married again, he has to give up this idea.
"Brother Zhou Ye, why don't you go to the gate of the courtyard and take a look? You don't have to go close to Sister Lin Shu, but just taking a look will be fine, right?" Liu Erzhuang offered a bad idea with a smile.
Zhou Ye looked calm, "Why rush? Just wait. Ah Shu will definitely come."
The lid of the bamboo jar in his hand was almost finished. Zhou Ye put the lid on, polished it a little more, and then put the two finished bamboo jars aside.
Thinking of something, he grabbed a handful of straw and carefully wiped off the dirt and dust on the outside of the bamboo pot.
Liu Erzhuang felt bored when he saw him like this. He turned around and looked at Wang Changshun. Well, that one was even more boring.
Fortunately, Liu Erzhuang didn't talk for too long. Not long after, he suddenly heard someone coming over here. He stretched his neck and saw that it was Aunt He and her daughter Saner.
He's holding something in his hands!
Liu Erzhuang was about to get up to help, but unexpectedly Zhou Ye next to him had already stepped forward and rushed straight towards Lin Shu.
"Ashu, let me do it." Zhou Ye took a few big steps to Lin Shu, took the wooden basin from her hand, held it easily with one arm, and took the basket from Lin Xiaopu's hand with the other hand.
Although the things in the basket were not heavy, Lin Xiaopu was holding a bowl in his hand, and if it slipped accidentally, the bowl would fall.
As for He Guixiang, she was used to odd jobs, carrying a clay pot of rock honey syrup steadily and without needing Zhou Ye's help. Unlike Lin Shu, her hands were sore from just holding the large basin of Guanyin tofu. Because the place was close, she didn't even rest, holding her breath as she carried it. When Zhou Ye saw her, her waist was bent, as if she was about to give up at any moment.
Lin Xiaopu's hands were free, so he immediately said thank you with a smile.
Lin Shu didn't say anything, but a smile appeared between her eyebrows.
She walked side by side with Zhou Ye naturally, and together they put all the things next to the wooden stool where the tea was placed.
The tea bowls that the men drank from were still placed on the wooden stool. They were all empty ceramic bowls and could be used directly.
"Ashu, what did you and Sister He bring?" Lin Zhaodi looked at the basin of something curiously. It was green like jade, and she didn't know what it was made of. It looked very smooth, a bit like tofu.
"Aunt Lin, I'm going to make a fruit ice jelly today." Lin Shu said with a smile, and then followed the previous steps to prepare four bowls of ice jelly, just enough for each of the men working.
While Lin Shu was preparing the ice jelly, Liu Erzhuang stared with wide eyes. As soon as the four bowls of ice jelly were ready, he immediately took his bowl and scooped a large spoonful into his mouth. "Mmm, delicious, delicious, smooth and tender, the melon is sweet, the cucumber is fragrant, and the mung beans are soft and juicy. It's so delicious! Even the water in it tastes sweet! Sister Lin Shu, did you add sugar to this snack?"
The melon inside alone is not that sweet!
Lin Shu pointed to the clay pot beside her and said with a smile, "This pot of water is all sugar water made from melted rock honey."
It turns out to be the sugar water made from melted rock honey, no wonder it’s so sweet!
Sugar is a precious thing these days, and rock honey is especially expensive. Sister Lin Shu is really willing to spend it!
Liu Erzhuang was talkative and praised the food while eating, but the others were just focused on eating, scooping spoonful of ice jelly into their mouths.
It is so comfortable to have such a cold snack on a hot day!
"It's so comfortable. This drink made by Ashu is so delicious!" Uncle Zhao praised generously. After finishing the ice jelly and other dry foods in the bowl, he drank up the sugar water as well.
Lin Shu quickly prepared another bowl for him and said to the others, "Two bowls per person, there won't be any more."
Liu Erzhuang quickly handed over his empty bowl and asked in confusion, "Sister Lin Shu, isn't this a big bowl? Why can't I only have two bowls?"
"That's for Aye. After you each finish two bowls, the rest will be Aye's." Lin Shu said truthfully.
As soon as these words came out, Zhou Ye immediately received several glances.
He didn't show it on the surface, but his heart was as sweet as the sugar water in the ice jelly.
In the past, Zhou Ye's big appetite only brought him endless troubles and annoyances, but now, his big appetite has brought him Ah Shu's favor.
He liked this preference.
After each person finished two bowls of ice jelly, Lin Shu did what she said. She scraped the remaining diced melon, cucumber and green beans in the bowl into the basin with a spoon, and poured all the rock honey syrup in the ceramic pot into it without leaving a drop, making a large basin of fruit ice jelly.
"Aye, these are all yours, take your time to eat."
Zhou Ye held a bowl of ice jelly in his arms, as if holding some rare treasure, and asked, "A Shu, have you eaten it?"
"No, mine is on the table. I'll go back and eat it." Thinking of something, Lin Shu turned to Lin Zhaodi and said, "Aunt Lin, I also left a bowl for you. It's just been cooled with mountain spring water, so it's quite cold. You can wait a while before eating it."
Just now, when no one was paying attention, Zhao Laosan secretly fed Lin Zhaodi a spoonful of soup. She had already tasted it and it was indeed delicious! But with so many people around, she didn't feel comfortable sharing a bowl with Zhao Laosan. She took a quick bite and didn't have time to savor it carefully.
She originally thought that Ah Shu brought all the prepared dishes and gave the rest to Zhou Ye, so she had nothing to eat. Unexpectedly, Ah Shu left a bowl for her!
Lin Zhaodi laughed immediately and said, "Let's go back and eat!"
She had been outside for so long that she was already feeling stuffy all over. This bowl of sweet ice jelly was just the right thing to relieve the heat!
"Aye, I'll go back first. When you're done eating, bring me the empty bowl. I'll need it when I make dinner." Lin Shu looked at Zhou Ye and said, with some different emotions in her eyes, which made Zhou Ye reluctant to look away.
He nodded in response, and after Lin Shu and the others had gone far away, he picked up a bowl of ice jelly and ate it with big mouthfuls of a spoon.
Liu Erzhuang looked at it with some envy. He could have eaten three more bowls of such delicious ice jelly! Now he could only stare at Brother Zhou Ye while he ate.
Zhao Laosan patted him on the shoulder and said, "What are you looking at? Are you still not satisfied after eating two bowls? Normally, you have enough to eat."
Liu Erzhuang: ...
It would be fine if Sister Lin Shu was partial to her, as she is Brother Zhou Ye's destined wife. Why is Uncle Zhao also partial to her?
How could Zhao Laosan not be partial? Zhou Ye's work in a day is equivalent to that of three or five people! What's wrong with him eating more? He deserves it! Besides, it was made by his wife, so he can give Zhou Ye as much as he wants.
Zhou Ye finished the ice jelly in the bowl without delay. He informed Uncle Zhao San and sent the empty bowl back. When he left, he specially took the two bamboo jars he had made with him.
I don’t know what Lin Shu said to Zhou Ye, but after this kid came back from his trip, he looked no different from before. The corners of his mouth were flat, but his eyebrows were smiling. Liu Erzhuang said that he looked so happy!
In the main room, Lin Shu arranged the bamboo jars that A Ye had just delivered along with the two previous ones, looking at them with a smile in her eyes.
Four teapots, no more, no less: one for pine needle tea, one for kudzu flower tea, one for bamboo leaf tea, and the remaining one for mulberry leaf tea. If there is any left, you can also make mulberry leaf tea or lychee tea.
"Sister, what did you say secretly to Brother A Ye just now?" Lin Xiaopu asked curiously.
Lin Shu said mysteriously, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask. Anyway, it's not something you, a child, should know."
Lin Xiaopu snorted softly, thinking to herself, she could have guessed it would be some corny words. When Sister's mouth was sweet, it was like honey, so sweet that it could make Brother Aye dizzy.
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