Qiao Baozhu knew that children of this age were not spoiled and would do some housework within their ability.
She only planned to let a few little girls help her twist the hemp rope for a while and give them some candies.
Unexpectedly, the girls were very honest.
As soon as they entered the house, they started looking for work to do. They especially found that Qiao Baozhu's house was beautifully decorated and they couldn't take their eyes off it.
Someone picked up the rag on the stove and wiped it carefully.
Someone took a broom from the yard and wanted to sweep the snow for Qiao Baozhu, but was stopped by Qiao Baozhu and then swept the floor inside the house.
The little girl who said she could heat the kang was not lying. Her skill in heating the kang was much better than Qiao Baozhu's.
While lighting the stove, Qiao Baozhu observed how the little girl heated the kang.
The little girl first filled the stove with dried corn stalks. Then she piled some dried corn cobs on the stove mouth, broke off a few dead branches and stuffed them under the corn cobs. She lit the dried corn leaves with a match and stuffed the corn leaves under the dead branches.
Normally, when it comes to this step, Qiao Baozhu would simply use a fire poker to pick up corn stalks or wood, watch the fire grow, clean up the stove, and that would be the end of the job.
But the little girl didn't do that. After the fire started, she slowly took a few corn leaves and fanned the flames.
After fanning for about 2 minutes, I picked up a half-burned corn cob and stuffed it under the corn stalk.
Seeing the corn stalks burning, he asked Qiao Baozhu for credit: "Aunt, Aunt, I've done it."
This smooth operation stunned Qiao Baozhu and made her feel frustrated.
After all, he is an elderly man, but his skill in heating the kang is not as good as that of a child.
"Aunt, am I doing well?"
The little girl looked at Qiao Baozhu nervously, her clear eyes full of anticipation.
Not only this little girl, but the other girls were also looking at Qiao Baozhu eagerly.
Qiao Baozhu raised her hand and ruffled the little girl's hair, praising her loudly.
"It's more than good, it's great. There's such a strong wind outside, but this kang doesn't even emit a single whiff of smoke. It's amazing."
The little girl wanted to laugh but was too embarrassed to do so after receiving praise from Qiao Baozhu. She pressed the corners of her mouth hard, and her little mouth was raised high, looking very adorable.
Qiao Baozhu followed suit and praised the other girls highly.
She didn't just make some pretentious compliments, but praised specific things.
"You cleaned the cabinet well. There were two spots of dirt on it. I couldn't wipe them off when I usually wiped the dust. I didn't expect you to wipe them off. Well done!"
"The floor was swept well, and the base of the wall and behind the radiator were also clean."
"Hey, which good boy helped me clean the mirror?"
Every time Qiao Baozhu looked at a place, she praised the girls with surprise, recognized their work, praised their attentiveness and ability, and filled the emotional value.
Finally, he generously opened the tin box full of snacks and handed them to the little girls.
"Originally I was going to give each of you two fruit candies, but you did such a great job that you deserve a better reward."
"You can each choose three snacks from this box."
Several little girls stared at the tin box in Qiao Baozhu's hand with ecstasy, swallowing their saliva continuously.
"You're welcome. Choose whatever you want to eat."
Seeing that the children were hesitant, Qiao Baozhu placed the tin box on the kang.
The little girls gathered around the tin box, choosing carefully. Even though there were not many types of snacks in the box, the little girls were still shocked.
"White Rabbit, I like to eat White Rabbit milk candy."
"Shrimp cakes. During the Chinese New Year, my dad bought some shrimp cakes for my grandparents. I've tried them. They're delicious."
"What is this? The candy wrapper is so shiny that it looks like it's made of silver."
"Stupid, this is Cuban candy. Cuba, you know, that's foreign candy."
“I haven’t seen Cuban candy.”
Qiao Baozhu really likes the little girls getting together to chat, chattering non-stop, and each of them looks bright and youthful.
It can also be seen that among these young girls, Hao Chunmei lives the best at home. As expected of an old woman, Hao Chunmei has seen and tasted more and is more confident.
After about ten minutes, the girls all picked the candies they liked. They huddled together with their candies in their mouths, leaning against each other in satisfaction, except for the girl who could heat the kang.
"They've all made their selections. Haven't you made yours yet?"
Qiao Baozhu curiously pulled the little girl's hand. The little girl raised her head, her eyes filled with tears, and she uttered a few words with difficulty.
"Aunt, I saw some peach cakes in your cupboard. I don't want candy anymore. Can I exchange three pieces of candy for one piece of peach cake? I have never eaten peach cake before. Half a piece will do..."
The little girl looked at Qiao Baozhu timidly. Before Qiao Baozhu nodded, she heard Hao Chunmei's loud scolding voice.
"Du Mengting, you are so shameless. Auntie asked us to pick out the candies in the box, and we can pick whatever we want. You even want peach cakes. You are so shameless, does your father Du Fuping know?"
Du Mengting's face turned red with embarrassment after being scolded rudely in public by Hao Chunmei.
Du Mengting didn't dare to look up at Qiao Baozhu. She couldn't imagine how terrible and humiliating it would be to be despised by such a beautiful and gentle woman.
"Hehe, her dad can beat her to death. He can flatten her with one slap, hahahaha."
"I won't smack her, I'll kick her to death, hehe."
The ridicule of her friends made Du Mengting even more unbearable. She clenched her fists, turned around and ran out.
Qiao Baozhu was quick and took two steps forward to hug Du Mengting in her arms. A tear as big as a soybean fell on Qiao Baozhu's wrist.
The little girls did not realize how hurtful their behavior was. When they saw Du Mengting crying, they laughed even louder.
The crystal tears on her wrist and the laughter of Hao Chunmei and others intertwined, evoking the unbearable memory deep in Qiao Baozhu's memory.
The experiences of being abused, ridiculed, and encouraged during those years were like a thorn in the flesh that kept popping up in every part of Qiao Baozhu's body.
"Shut up!"
Qiao Baozhu screamed out of control, scaring Hao Chunmei and others so much that they dared not say a word.
Du Mengting, who was nestling in her arms, was so scared that she stopped sobbing, held her breath and dared not move.
Realizing that she had frightened the girls, Qiao Baozhu took a deep breath, tidied her hair and walked to the kang holding Du Mengting's hand.
Looking at the little girls who were so frightened that they dared not breathe, he pretended to be angry and complained: "There are many people in this world who have never eaten peach cake. If you don't believe me, go to the commune downstairs and ask one by one. There are many children who have never eaten peach cake, let alone heard of it."
"I've heard people say that you are the most outstanding girls in the family compound. After meeting you today, I found that you are not only positive and hardworking, but also diligent in study and helpful."
"How can you, who are so outstanding, laugh at others?"
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