Chapter 149 Household Registration Documents
Seeing that Jiang Ling had spoken so earnestly, the women looked at each other and, unable to refuse any longer, finally smiled and agreed.
"...Then thank you for the snacks, Miss Jiang!"
The atmosphere immediately became relaxed and lively again.
The villagers quickly split into two groups. Xiao Ran, carrying the money box, began distributing wages to the men who had lined up. Every twenty coins she counted out earned her a hearty "Thank you, Miss Jiang."
On the other side, Jiang Ling and Xiao Yi brought out several boxes of loose biscuits and candies, packed a little of each, and distributed them to each of the women who came to help.
"Thank you so much, Miss Jiang! My girl will be so happy!"
"If there's anything I can help you with in the future, Miss Jiang, please don't hesitate to ask!"
"Thank you, Miss Jiang!"
Jiang Ling finished distributing the goods, and Xiao Ran finished as well.
It was lunchtime, and everyone received their wages and snacks but didn't linger. After thanking everyone, they went home to cook.
Jiang Ling, Xiao Ran, and Xiao Yi were also hungry, so they prepared to clean up the mess at the door and go back to cook.
Jiang Ling turned around, only to find another figure at the door.
Grandpa Zhao, holding a pipe in his hand, the copper bowl on the pipe gleaming with an old light, was staring blankly at the empty shop.
Jiang Ling walked to Xiao Ran's side, took out a small piece of silver, about an ounce, from the money box, and sincerely handed it to Grandpa Zhao.
"Uncle Zhao, thank you for your hard work today. Jiang Ling knows that these villagers were all organized by Uncle Zhao."
Xiao Ran is just a little kid; she definitely can't get so many people to come.
So many adults were willing to unconditionally believe what a child said and put down their work to help; it must be Grandpa Zhao organizing this behind the scenes.
Jiang Ling also knew that she was able to live so peacefully here thanks in no small part to Grandpa Zhao's help.
Grandpa Zhao didn't even glance at the silver; he simply pushed it back, his white eyebrows furrowing slightly, his tone carrying a hint of an elder scolding a younger person:
"Miss Jiang, I'm not staying here to ask you for money!"
He sighed and said earnestly, "It's not easy for a young woman like you to run a shop and do business. Even if you know some high-ranking officials and wealthy people, you shouldn't spend money like water! The world is not peaceful these days. You need to plan more for yourself and not always think about helping others and emptying your own savings."
Hearing these words warmed Jiang Ling's heart, as if someone had poured warm water on it.
This was the most genuine yet precious care she had ever heard since she came into this world, something that moved her more than any gold or silver jewelry.
She silently put away the loose silver coins in her hand, lowered her head, and said sincerely:
"Yes, Uncle Zhao, you're right. Jiang Ling has learned a lot. It's precisely because the villagers treat me with such sincerity that I'm even more willing to do something for them."
When Grandpa Zhao saw that she had taken his words to heart, his expression softened, and a look of relief appeared in his eyes.
He took a neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Jiang Ling:
"I'm relieved that you think that way. Here, this is for you."
Jiang Ling took it with a puzzled look: "Uncle Zhao, what is this...?"
Grandpa Zhao lowered his voice slightly: "This is your household registration document."
Jiang Ling was startled and quickly unfolded the paper.
On the yellowed official paper, neat small regular script was written with a brush, beginning with the four characters "household registration document".
Her name, Jiang Ling, was clearly written below. Her place of origin was listed as Jishui Village, and her address was the same as the address of her general store. Next to it was the red official seal of the Ping'an County government, with the ink still carrying a faint scent of cinnabar.
This is her proof of identity in this world.
She looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with surprise: "Uncle Zhao, this..."
Jiang Ling had always known about the concept of household registration in ancient times. Without household registration, one was considered a "floating household" and would be questioned wherever one went.
She hadn't initially planned to stay there for long, nor did she intend to go very far, so she hadn't considered this issue.
If we get caught someday, we can just close the shop and never open it again.
But now, she seems to be growing more and more attached to this world, and has more and more worries about it...
What she didn't expect was that Grandpa Zhao would consider these things for her.
"Your past identity and origins are no longer important. From now on, you are a member of our Jishui Village. With this, no one can call you an outsider or a rootless drifter. From now on, just settle down and live your life here."
Jiang Ling held the household registration document in her hand, her fingertips able to feel the roughness of the hemp paper, but her heart felt filled with something, both warm and bittersweet.
"Thank you, Uncle Zhao."
All my words can be summed up in this simplest expression of gratitude.
Grandpa Zhao tapped his pipe: "Alright, this old man should go back and cook! You all go about your business."
After saying that, he held his pipe and slowly walked towards the village.
Jiang Ling put away the documents and smiled at Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi,
"Come on, let's go home and cook! You've all worked hard today, let's have braised pork!"
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi cheered and followed Jiang Ling into the shop.
Xiao Yi didn't know what braised pork was, but he was happy as soon as he heard it was meat.
Although the shop's goods had been moved away, a pile of dust and scraps of paper remained.
Jiang Ling decided to divide the work: Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi would clean the shop, and she would cook lunch today.
There's a piece of fresh pork belly in the refrigerator, perfect for making braised pork.
She cut the meat into cubes, put it in a pot of cold water to blanch, and immediately steam rose from the pot, carrying the aroma of meat.
After the meat was blanched, Jiang Ling poured some peanut oil into the pot, added a few rock sugar pieces, and slowly melted it over low heat. When the sugar turned amber, she added the meat pieces and stir-fried them. Instantly, the whole house was filled with the aroma of caramel and meat.
Xiao Yi, who was cleaning the shop, smelled the aroma of meat and unconsciously moved closer to the kitchen.
Although I was able to eat my fill at Xiao Ran's house these past two days, there was basically no meat.
He was drooling over the meat gravy rice and white flour meatballs he had eaten at the shop last time.
Seeing that he was only focused on smelling the aroma of the food and had no interest in cleaning, Xiao Ran tapped the table with displeasure in her eyes.
As soon as Xiao Yi saw it, he immediately lowered his head and got back to work.
Every time I see that look in Xiao Ran's eyes, I'm reminded of the time I spent the night outside the shop seeking shelter from the wind, only to be chased away by him.
He never wanted to go back to his days of wandering.
Those days were so cold and hungry, it was truly unbearable...
After the braised pork was stewed until tender, Jiang Ling stir-fried a plate of green vegetables and cooked a pot of rice.
The food was ready, and Xiaoran and Xiaoyi had already cleaned up.
"Come and eat," Jiang Ling called out.
The three sat down around a small table, on which were glistening braised pork, vibrant green vegetables, and a bowl of clear soup.
Xiao Yi stared intently at the plate of bright red, oily pork belly.
"Eat up," Jiang Ling said, picking up a piece first before the others dared to start eating.
This wasn't the first time Xiao Ran had eaten braised pork. He picked up a piece of pork and ate it with rice, enjoying it very much.
Xiao Yi then shakily reached out his chopsticks to pick up a piece of pork belly. He blew on it before putting it in his mouth. The aroma of the meat spread in his mouth, rich but not greasy, and his eyes lit up.
It's so delicious!
It tasted better than any meat he had ever eaten before!
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