Gensheng's mother was sewing shoe soles at home. The little boy's feet grew too fast and the speed of making shoes could not keep up with the growth of his feet.
When Gensheng's mother saw Gao coming, she stood up and went out to greet her, saying, "It's Sister An, come in quickly, why are you free today?"
Gao followed Gensheng's mother into the house with a smile on her face and said, "Sister, I came here today because I want to ask you for help with something."
Gensheng's mother said, "Sister An, just tell me what you want to say. You and Brother An have helped us a lot in the past few years. If there is anything I can do for you, I will definitely help you."
Seeing Gensheng's mother's attitude, Gao's smile widened, and she no longer concealed it from her. She said, "This is what happened. I found out I was pregnant two days ago. I can't stand the smell of cooking fumes, and Dashan and Daya have other things to do, so there's no one to cook at home. I want to ask you to come to my house and help cook three meals a day. We'll pay you a day's wages. Do you think you can do this?"
Gensheng's mother didn't expect this favor. She was stunned for a moment and said, "Sister An, are you pregnant again?"
In ancient times, it was incredible for Gao to be pregnant at this age, so Gensheng's mother was so shocked. Gao smiled and nodded, saying, "Yeah, I didn't expect it either."
Gensheng's mother nodded and said, "It's not a big deal. It doesn't take long to prepare three meals a day. There's no need to pay the workers."
Gao said, "Sister, this is not a matter of one or two days. If it was just one or two days, I wouldn't ask you for your salary."
Gensheng's mother thought for a moment and said, "Since An Dasao trusts me so much, I won't refuse. I'll go and help with the cooking tomorrow morning." Gao smiled and nodded. The two chatted for a while, and then Gao left Gensheng's house. Uncle Liu heard Gao leave, and then he shouted, "Gensheng's mother, what is An Dashan's wife doing here?"
Gensheng's mother smiled and said, "Dad, it's a good thing. Just now, Sister An came to me and asked me to help cook three meals a day. She said she would pay me twenty cents a day. I thought it was just three meals a day and it wouldn't interfere with my housework, so I agreed."
Uncle Liu nodded and said, "This is Dashan and his wife helping our family. You have to serve them well."
Gensheng's mother nodded and said, "I understand, Dad."
Gao came back home from Gensheng's house and saw the father and daughter practicing again, so she didn't disturb them and went back to the house. An Ning's clothes were already made, and two sets of clothes were enough for her and An Dashan, so she started making clothes for the baby in her belly.
However, Gao always remembered the instructions of the father and daughter. After making clothes for a while, she would get up and walk around for a while and rest. She would start working again when she was not so tired. An Ning, on the other hand, practiced martial arts with An Dashan with both pain and joy.
That night, An Dashan cooked dinner again. Although it was still not delicious, it was still better than lunch. The next day, An Ning and An Dashan were practicing martial arts in the yard, and Gensheng's mother came over to cook.
After the few people greeted each other, An Ning took out all the breakfast items for Gensheng's mother and said, "Aunt, everything is here. Just make them as you see fit. You don't have to save any for us."
Gensheng's mother nodded and said, "I understand. Go and get busy. I'll call you when the meal is ready."
An Ning nodded, returned to the yard, and continued to practice martial arts with An Dashan.
Gensheng's mother prepared breakfast and said to the father and daughter who were practicing vigorously in the yard, "The meal is ready and is warming in the pot. I will clean up after you finish eating."
An Ning said, "Aunt, just eat here, so you don't have to go back and forth."
Gensheng's mother rejected An Ning's kindness and said, "No, I have something to do at home. I'll come over after you finish your meal. It's only a few steps away."
Seeing that Gensheng's mother was determined to do so, An Ning did not beg for mercy, but just nodded and sent Gensheng's mother away. The three of them sat together and started to eat breakfast. Although this breakfast was not as delicious as An Ning's, it was much better than An Dashan's.
Not long after the three of them finished breakfast, Gensheng's mother came over and helped An Ning clean up the dishes.
As soon as Gensheng's mother left, the owner of the butcher shop came over. After An Dashan paid the money, he sent the butcher shop owner away.
The father and daughter started a series of operations, including cutting meat, chopping meat, washing offal, marinating meat, and enema. In this way, after making bacon, An Dashan and his daughter practiced martial arts, and after practicing martial arts, they made bacon again.
By the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the first batch of bacon had been prepared. An Dashan and his daughter An Ning hitched a mule cart and took the first batch of bacon to the county town. An Ning was confident in her bacon. An Dashan was a little unsure at first, but after eating An Ning's cooking once, he was also full of confidence.
The two of them came directly to the gate of the county town, and happened to meet Zhao Meng on duty. An Dashan pulled Zhao Meng aside, exchanged a few words, took out a piece of bacon and three sausages from the car, handed them to Zhao Meng, and said, "Brother, this is made at home. Take it back and try it. If you like it, I'll bring you more next time."
Zhao Meng looked at it for a long time but couldn't understand what it was. He asked in confusion: "Brother An, what is this? How do I eat it?"
An Ning pointed at the bacon and said to Zhao Meng, "Uncle Zhao, this is called bacon. When you want to eat it, boil it in water for a while, then wash it, cut it into thin slices, and stir-fry it with celery or garlic sprouts. It's delicious."
Then he pointed at the sausage and said to Zhao Meng: "This is sausage. Wash it and steam it in rice, or steam it directly in water. After it is steamed, cut it into thin slices and you can eat it."
Zhao Meng nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go home and let your aunt try it. When you're done, come to my house for dinner."
An Dashan waved his hand and said, "No, your sister-in-law is still waiting for us at home!" Then he leaned close to Zhao Meng's ear and said mysteriously, "Your sister-in-law is pregnant again. I am worried about her being alone at home. It is better to go back early."
After hearing this, Zhao Meng raised his hand and gave An Dashan a helping hand, saying, "Brother An, you can do it!"
An Dashan laughed and said, "I don't want to chat with you anymore. I have something to do. Let's go first." After that, he drove away in the mule cart.
After An Dashan put the mule cart in the storage place, he carried the backpack and An Ning to the largest restaurant in the county, Juxianlou. Since it was not meal time, there was no customer in the restaurant, only a few waiters were there cleaning.
A waiter saw An Dashan and An Ning coming in, and hurriedly came forward to greet them, saying, "Please come in, my two guests."
An Dashan and his daughter followed the waiter in and said, "Excuse me, is the shopkeeper here?"
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