Chapter 116 Chapter 116 Under the sunset, eating hot pot around the stove
Today's dinner was set up in the yard. There were five people including Qin Suyun and her group, and five people including Lin Jiaye. It would be a bit crowded for them all to sit around one stove, so two stoves were set up. Lin Chuntao accompanied Qin Suyun and her group to eat, while Lin Chunxing and Duo'er ate with Lin Jiaye and his group. The table was placed in the middle, and the vegetables and meat were all on the table, making it convenient for everyone to get the dishes.
Afraid that Pei's mother and the others couldn't get used to spicy food, Lin Chuntao didn't add any fried dried chilies to today's stewed chicken with pork belly. Instead, she added a few Sichuan peppercorns for seasoning. The thick white soup was topped with golden chicken oil, and the color was pure. After it was boiled, the whole yard was filled with fragrance.
Qin Suyun said during the day that she wanted to eat chicken noodle soup. Lin Chuntao scooped up the soup and got some fried pork skin and put it in the soup. After waiting for the soup to boil again, Lin Chuntao added the chopped black fungus and cabbage.
While she was cooking, Qin Suyun stood beside her. She smiled and asked, "Chun Tao, do you know how to make the cross-bridge rice noodles?"
Lin Chuntao laughed when she heard that.
"will do."
"But it's not convenient to do it at that small stall. We'll do it when we open a shop."
As she spoke, Qin Suyun nodded, "That's true."
"When will you open the shop?"
Lin Chuntao glanced back at her and said, "If you want to eat it, I can make it for you. I don't know when the shop will be open."
After hearing what she said, Qin Suyun came closer with a smile.
This time, the chicken soup noodles were cooked without any sauce or chili. It looked very light, but it looked very appetizing.
The soup on the stove had been boiling for a while. Lin Chuntao cooked the noodles and brought them out, then asked everyone to start eating.
You can choose to eat rice or noodles.
Mother Pei looked at the pig stomach and chicken cooked by Lin Chuntao and felt that it was done very casually, but the finished product smelled very fragrant. She also washed a bunch of vegetables and put them on the table, saying that she would cook them with the vegetables after eating the meat.
Qin Suyun loves the noodle soup made by Lin Chuntao and her friends, but the soup is pink and smells fragrant, but it always feels spicy, and she has never tasted it.
Just now he mentioned cooking noodles, and she thought he was going to cook another pot of red noodles.
Unexpectedly, Lin Chuntao brought out a pot of plain soup without any chili.
Qin Suyun tasted it right after it was cooked. It was very fresh and the saltiness was just right. She said to Pei's mother, "Mom, you don't dare to eat that braised pork noodle soup. Try this. It's not spicy, but it's also delicious."
Pei's mother took a look and stood up to serve some noodles. Qin Suyun took the bowl and said, "Let me serve it for you." Then she took the bowl, filled half a bowl of noodles for her, and scooped some soup into it for dipping.
Watching Mother Pei eating, Father Pei said, "Let me try it too."
Father Pei sat next to Pei Ying. When he finished speaking, Pei Ying took the bowl and served it to him. Father Pei said, "Half a bowl will do."
Pei Ying nodded, served it and handed it to him.
While greeting them, Lin Chuntao turned around and called out to Lin Jiaye and the others, "Jiaye, Jiayang, do you want noodles? I'll serve you some."
Today, we killed two chickens and cooked two pig stomachs. They were divided into two pots and both were quite a lot. But they ate a big bowl of noodles in the morning and not much in the evening. Seeing that Qin Suyun and the others loved it, Lin Jiaye replied, "Sister, let's eat first. You don't have to worry about us."
Lin Chuntao smiled and said, "Just put in whatever you want to eat later."
"good."
The last time she slaughtered a pig, Lin Chuntao kept the pig's stomach. She originally wanted to stew it with chicken, but she didn't buy any chicken. The pig's stomach was not that big, so Lin Chuntao washed it and fried it directly.
It is crispy when fried and spicy. You can't taste much of the pork belly flavor, it's more like eating crispy strips.
Lin Chuntao had said before that stewed chicken with pork belly was delicious, and the sisters had been looking forward to it for a long time. Now, looking at the pot in front of them, they were filled with joy. If there were no guests, they would have exclaimed in surprise.
But since there were guests, they had no choice but to smile and concentrate on eating.
Pei Jing was not used to sitting outside and eating in the open air, but when he looked at Qin Suyun beside him, and Pei's father and mother who all looked very happy, he didn't understand what was so happy about it. If a gust of wind blew, how could he eat?
Fortunately, there was no strong wind that evening, and the chicken and pork tripe tasted great. The bland-looking soup noodles also tasted fresh and fragrant. I was still a little greedy after eating, so I drank another bowl of soup.
While drinking soup with the bowl in his hand, he moved the stool and wanted to turn around, but when he turned around, he saw the sky full of fiery clouds, and the trees on the mountain were connected to the clouds. He turned his head slightly again, and saw that their shadows were stretched very long, the soup in the pot was still boiling, and hot steam was floating above the pot. The sound of chickens clucking came from not far away.
Pei Jing held the soup in his hand, his thoughts drifting away. When he was in Guangling, his teacher asked him to write an article. He boasted that it was well written, with quotations from classics and profound insights. However, after he handed it in, his teacher said that his writing was empty.
He never understood where the void was.
But at this moment he seemed to suddenly understand that the smoke rising from the people's stoves, the aroma of food wafting out of the house, the chickens returning from foraging, and the tranquility of working from sunrise to sunset are all pictures that can only be seen in a peaceful world.
The teacher once asked him to go to the dock market to see, but after seeing it, he would think of everything about himself and the Pei family. He was once a little beggar without a father or a mother. It was because of Pei's mother's misunderstanding that he had this great fortune and became the son of the Pei family with fine clothes and delicious food.
The period when Pei Ying came back was the most painful time for him.
Later, Pei Ying left and he felt relieved, but at the same time he was puzzled as to why Pei Ying left.
Now we meet again, sitting in a small courtyard in the countryside, eating a meal around a stove.
Pei Ying and Lin Chuntao sat together, they didn't talk much, and when they found something the other liked to eat, they would put it in the other's bowl without saying a word, their movements were natural and skillful. The sisters and cousins next to them were sweating while eating from the pot, but their smiles were innocent and bright, and they looked so at ease.
Pei Jing then understood that he had never felt so at ease before.
Perhaps it was because he knew from the beginning that what he owned was never his.
The soup in the bowl gradually cooled down. Pei Jing slowly picked up the bowl and drank the soup. Pei Ying also finished eating. They both put down their bowls and chopsticks. Lin Chuntao and Qin Suyun were still eating the vegetables. Although the soup was clear, she and Qin Suyun put a lot of chili peppers in the dipping sauce. They both ate with great relish.
Pei's mother did not leave after eating. Looking at Lin Chuntao and Qin Suyun like this, she thought it would be nice if Lin Chuntao and Pei Ying could also go home so that the family could be reunited.
But she looked at the children who were still eating next to her. Three of them were Lin Chuntao's sisters. In the countryside, she built such a big house that each of her sisters had a room. She knew that Lin Chuntao was very good to these three sisters.
It was impossible for her to take her three younger sisters back with them, and it was even more impossible for her to leave her three younger sisters behind and go to the Pei family.
Pei's mother sighed softly. She could see that Pei Ying and Lin Chuntao had a good relationship.
Perhaps, this is exactly the day Pei Ying wants.
Although they are not wealthy, they live a comfortable life, with fulfilling and peaceful days.
After dinner, before sunset, Qin Suyun and the others were about to go back. Lin Chuntao removed the firewood, covered the pot, and prepared to send them away before coming back to clean up.
Lin Chuntao and Pei Ying walked them to the village entrance. Mother Pei took Lin Chuntao's hand and said, "When you have time in a few days, bring your sisters to our house."
Lin Chuntao nodded in agreement and said to Pei's father and mother, "Dad and Mom, please take your time when you go back. Pei Ying and I will come home to see you after we finish this busy period."
The two elders nodded slightly.
Qin Suyun and Lin Chuntao waved hand. She and Lin Chuntao could see each other at any time, so there was no need for so many polite words.
The carriage drove away, and Pei's mother was still thinking about what Lin Chuntao had just said. It was just an ordinary sentence, but it made her feel at ease.
After seeing them off, Lin Chuntao and Pei Ying walked home hand in hand.
Pei Ying said, "Thank you for your hard work. You've been busy all afternoon."
Lin Chuntao smiled and said, "It's not that hard to cook a meal. But you, aren't you unhappy?"
Facing Lin Chuntao's worried look, Pei Ying smiled and shook his head.
If he was unhappy, it was true. He was unhappy that Pei Jing and the others came to disturb his life.
But when he saw Lin Chuntao and Qin Suyun together, his unhappiness faded a little. Lin Chuntao was sweet-spoken and nice-speaking. After spending half a day together, the atmosphere became much more harmonious. After the meal, they didn't say much and went home as if they were visiting relatives.
When we got home, Lin Chunxing and the others had already cleaned up the pots and pans, and Lin Jiaye and the others were helping to hang the bean sprouts.
Pei Ying and Lin Chuntao also went over to help. After all the bean sprouts were hung, the sun had already set and Lin Jiaye and the others were ready to go back.
Lin Chuntao asked them to wash their hands. Qin Suyun and the others had brought several bags of snacks and candies today.
There were osmanthus sugar cakes, chestnut powder cakes, sugar biscuits, etc. They should have been bought from a famous pastry shop in the county town. The prices were much higher than those in the market, and Lin Chuntao had never been there to buy them.
She brought some for them.
The few of them had eaten chicken and pork tripe tonight and were already very full. When they saw the food Lin Chuntao handed over, they waved their hands repeatedly.
"Sister, we were too full just now and can't eat anymore."
The cakes were also made small and delicate, and you could eat one piece at a time without taking up much space in your stomach.
Lin Chuntao said, "One piece per person, so you can enjoy the flavor without filling up your stomach. This is a gift from a relative. I don't have the money to buy it myself, and if I don't eat it, it will be gone."
After hearing this, Lin Jiaye and the others reached out to take it, "Sister, let's go back first."
Lin Chuntao nodded. After they left, Lin Duoer tasted a piece of chestnut flour cake. Her eyes widened, "Sister, try one. It's delicious."
Lin Chuntao shook her head. She had just eaten a full meal and drank some soup, and she felt a little full. Now she couldn't eat any more even if there was an elixir.
Pei's mother and the others brought clothes, including those for Lin Chuntao and Pei Ying, as well as Lin Chunxing and Lin Duoer. Lin Chuntao guessed that these should have been prepared by Qin Suyun, a complete set from clothes to shoes.
The fabrics include cotton and silk. Lin Chuntao doesn’t know the specific names, but they are very suitable for making summer clothes. The fabrics are smooth, shiny and thin, and they can be used to make summer clothes until next year.
Lin Chuntao put away the cloth and called Lin Chunxing and the others to take their clothes and shoes back to the house to try them on.
Qin Suyun is very attentive, and both the clothes and shoes fit her feet perfectly.
Lin Chuntao and Pei Ying's also looked suitable, so she put them away without trying them.
As for the two boxes, Lin Chuntao opened them and saw that one box contained a pure gold headpiece, and the other contained jade ornaments, from bracelets to earrings and hairpins. They were emerald green in color and looked extremely shiny. These two sets of items were very valuable.
Lin Chuntao took a look and put the things away.
Seeing her putting things away, Pei Ying handed her a lotus root and said, "You can keep this too."
Lin Chuntao looked back at the lotus bud and asked with a smile, "What is it?"
Pei Ying: "Silver note."
Lin Chuntao was a little surprised. She had never seen a banknote before. "Did the old lady give it to you?"
"Yes, the old man gave it to me."
Lin Chuntao took it, opened the lotus purse and looked at the amount. Her eyes widened when she saw it. "So much?"
Pei Ying said, "I didn't want to accept it at first, but when I thought about how many houses we had in the past, I accepted it. Even if I don't need it now, I'll keep it."
Lin Chuntao nodded slightly: "The old man gave it to you. You can accept it to make them feel more at ease. Is there an expiration date for this banknote?"
When Lin Chuntao asked this, Pei Ying replied, "No."
As for this silver note, it's nothing in a peaceful and prosperous era with a stable economy, but if something unexpected happens, it will be worthless. Lin Chuntao thought for a moment and said, "If it's convenient later, we can exchange it for silver and keep it."
Pei Ying also nodded.
After putting the things away and locking them, Lin Chuntao hid the key.
It was dark, and Lin Chuntao and the others packed up their things, boiled water, washed up, and went to bed after they were done.
Early the next morning, Lin Chuntao had just returned from picking bean sprouts by the river with Lin Jiaye and others when the man shouting about renting a cow came again.
Sun and Aunt Guizhi also came to ask Lin Chuntao: "Chuntao, do you want to rent the cow next year?"
Lin Chuntao said: "We should rent it, but we'll have to wait until next year."
"Why? Didn't that person say it could be much cheaper?"
Lin Chuntao said, "It's not convenient at hand."
At present, anyone may be in financial difficulty, but Lin Chuntao and her family have income every day, so it is impossible for them to be inconvenienced with the money they earn from renting the cows.
She said this just to make an excuse. Sun and Aunt Guizhi asked in a low voice: "Is there any reason for his renting the cattle?"
Lin Chuntao looked at the two of them and whispered, "If we pay now, what if there's no cow available when the time comes, or they keep putting it off until we have to wait in line, and we can't get the cow? What then?"
Lin Chuntao still felt that these people were good. They didn't even refund her the money for those two days last time. These people were not good people either.
Buyers are not as shrewd as sellers. Everything is easy when the money is in their own hands, but they become passive when the money is in someone else's hands.
She didn't go into details, but since Lin Chuntao didn't want to rent it, they didn't plan to rent it either.
Many people in the village were watching and waiting. If the Lin Cunzheng family rented the house, they would rent it. But the Lin Cunzheng family didn't rent it, so they all gave up.
The person beating the gong was a young man. Several families in each village and stronghold had paid him a visit, but no one in Shuangzi Village moved.
After walking around, he arrived outside Lin Chuntao's yard.
Zheng Qiao knew Lin Chuntao, and when he came over, he asked her, "Mrs. Lin, would you like to rent a cow? It's cheap right now."
Lin Chuntao smiled and said, "It's still early now. Let's wait and see next year. If it's available for rent, I'll go back home."
After hearing what Lin Chuntao said, he paused, but his expression did not change.
He had tasted the sauce made by Lin Chuntao at his second uncle's house, and he also heard from his second aunt that Lin Chuntao's sauce was selling well in the county. In the future, maybe a silver phoenix would fly out of our place, and plucking a feather could make people rich.
Every year, a few families rent their cows, but most people think it is too expensive and dig the ground themselves. Zheng Qiao thought that Lin Chuntao and the others were so poor before but they still rented it. Now that they are rich, they may not care about this.
"Mrs. Lin, when I came here, my mother asked me to ask if I could buy the sauce directly from you instead of going to the county town. How much is it per pound?"
Lin Chuntao had thought about this before. Since she was in the countryside, she would not sell it for eighteen cents, but only allow people to buy a few pounds for their own consumption.
"We are all from the same village. If you buy a few pounds for yourself, it's 14 cents per pound."
Zheng Qiao smiled and said, "Then I'll ask my mother to get it tomorrow. I didn't bring the jar today."
Lin Chuntao smiled and nodded.
Niu Hongxi and Lin Miaomiao thought that Lin Chuntao and the others had signed a contract to rent the cows. When they saw Zheng Qiao leaving, they chased after him. They rented the cows for eight days, paid 280 coins, signed the contract with their seals, and went to take the cows during the spring planting season.
Lin Miaomiao was just taking a gamble, and Niu Hongxi thought it was a good idea. It was twelve acres of land, and it was so far away from the village. If he had to dig it out himself, he wouldn't be able to do it.
It just so happens that I have sold the tree and still have the money, so I should rent it while I have money.
Yesterday, Aunt Guizhi and the others were working in the backyard, and Qin Suyun also went for a walk in the backyard. Lin Chuntao introduced them as friends, but there were more than just Qin Suyun, there were also two old people, and their accents were not from Yizhou. Sun and the others were really curious and couldn't help asking Lin Chuntao.
Lin Chuntao whispered, "It's Pei Ying's parents, brother, and sister-in-law. Aunt and grandmother, please don't tell anyone else."
Sun and the others widened their eyes, filled with surprise: "Didn't Xiao Pei say... that his parents were gone?"
"They had a fight, and they moved to Yizhou, so they came to visit my house."
After Lin Chuntao finished speaking, Aunt Guizhi asked, "Is Xiao Pei going back?"
Lin Chuntao shook her head: "No, his brother is married, and they are living their own lives. It's just like dividing the family."
After hearing this, they all breathed a sigh of relief and patted Lin Chuntao's shoulders with a smile, "That's good, that's good. Your new house has just been built, and your life will be getting better and better. It will be less troublesome if you live alone."
Lin Chuntao smiled and said, "I think so too."
Lin Chuntao chatted with them for a while, then took Lin Jiaye and the others to continue picking beans. There were only two plots of land by the river left, and they would try to finish picking all of them today.
After all the beans are harvested, she has to go to the county town to check the prices of beans and chili peppers. She needs a lot of chili peppers to make sauce, and just collecting them is not enough. She wants to exchange them for more chili seeds. It will be more convenient for her if more people plant them.
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