The next day, Yan Qingqing got up early, took the children to exercise, and then went into the kitchen. She wanted to make beef jerky from the leftover beef from the previous day.
Yuan Huiniang knew that her mother-in-law was going to cook something delicious again, so she followed her into the kitchen to help Yan Qingqing.
Seeing this, Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "Si Lang is going back to the academy today. I'll make some beef jerky for him to take with him. I think Si Lang has lost weight since he came back this time."
Yuan Huiniang chimed in, "Yes, Fourth Brother is at the age where he's growing. It's definitely not the same as being at home at the academy. How about we have Second Brother bring Fourth Brother lunch every day?"
Yuan Huiniang knew that her mother-in-law doted on Li Xiangkang, and as the eldest sister-in-law, she also felt sorry for him.
Yan Qingqing shook her head and said, "No need. When Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will first test their will, strain their muscles and bones, starve their body, leave them destitute, and thwart their endeavors. So that they may be moved to patience and perseverance, and thus increase their abilities."
Yuan Huiniang couldn't understand what Yan Qingqing was saying, but she knew that her mother-in-law's words contained profound truths.
Xiao Mochen, who was about to enter the kitchen, also heard it. Yan Qingqing's words surprised him, but at the same time, they also made him feel enlightened.
To his surprise, Yan Qingqing knew so much; this was not something an ordinary woman could say.
And Yan Qingqing's words are exactly what he is talking about right now. To be honest, staying here these past few days has really benefited him a lot.
Xiao Mochen made up his mind to follow Yan Qingqing around and learn more from her.
After saying this, Yan Qingqing began to process the beef in her hands.
While processing the beef, Yan Qingqing explained to Yuan Huiniang, "You must cut this beef along the grain, like this, into strips about the thickness of a finger."
Then add the prepared scallion segments, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and seasoning sauce to the pot.
After doing all this, Yan Qingqing asked Yuan Huiniang to start a fire. During this time, she also prepared a five-spice powder and a chili powder.
After the beef was cooked, Yan Qingqing took it out and drained the water. Then she heated oil in a wok, put the beef in and stir-fried it until the water in the beef was evaporated. Only then did Yan Qingqing take the beef out and sprinkle it with her homemade five-spice powder.
After finishing the beef jerky, Yan Qingqing was exhausted. She was probably still weak after giving birth, and she felt as if her body had returned to its former state.
Yan Qingqing looked up and rubbed her lower back, only to find Xiao Mochen standing outside the door watching her every move.
Yan Qingqing didn't think much of it and waved to him. When Xiao Mochen saw Yan Qingqing calling him, he quickly came over and called out, "Auntie."
Yan Qingqing smiled and stuffed a piece of beef jerky into his mouth, saying, "Try it and see if your auntie makes it well?"
Yan Qingqing's actions were so intimate and natural, so natural that it seemed like she had done it a thousand times before, so natural that Xiao Mochen felt it was how it should be, and this feeling made Xiao Mochen feel very comfortable.
Seeing Xiao Mochen standing there dumbfounded, Yan Qingqing urged him, "Try it and see if it's good. Although I don't cook often, it shouldn't be bad."
Yan Qingqing was quite confident in the food she made.
Xiao Mochen then realized what was happening and started chewing the beef jerky. At first, he didn't think much of it, but the more he chewed, the more fragrant it became. In the end, Xiao Mochen nodded repeatedly.
After she finished eating, Yan Qingqing put another one into his mouth. Xiao Mochen was good-looking and had good dining etiquette, so watching him eat was a pleasure.
They ate one after another, and Xiao Mochen ate several pieces in a row, without even noticing when Li Xiangkang stood next to him.
Li Xiangkang said with a wronged expression, "My mother used to always think of me first when there was something good to eat, but she has really changed her mind while I've been away studying."
Yan Qingqing felt a headache coming on when she saw Li Xiangkang's resentful look. With so many children, there are bound to be one or two who get jealous of each other. There's nothing she can do but coax her own child.
Yan Qingqing quickly picked up the beef jerky and stuffed it into his mouth, saying, "You heartless wretch! Who is your mother busy all morning for? It's all for you."
"Your mother knows you're working hard at school, so she specially made beef jerky to give to you to take with you."
Li Xiangkang then realized that he had misunderstood Yan Qingqing. He also felt a little embarrassed that he was now a scholar and was still doing such jealous things.
Yan Qingqing ignored him, put the beef jerky on the cutting board, and went to rest after a long morning.
After breakfast, Li Xiangkang was about to return to school, and Yuan Huiniang packed a bag full of beef jerky for him to take with him.
Li Xiangkang was also very reluctant to leave his home. He only had a day off every two weeks, and he would only rest at home for one night before returning to the academy.
Moreover, he and Xiao Mochen got along very well. Xiao Mochen was far superior to him in terms of both knowledge and experience, and he wanted to learn more from him.
Xiao Mochen was also reluctant to part with Li Xiangkang, because he felt at ease playing with Li Xiangkang. He believed that Li Xiangkang was straightforward and honest, and he didn't have to worry that Li Xiangkang had ulterior motives towards him.
Seeing that the two were reluctant to part, Yan Qingqing asked Xiao Mochen, "Do you also want to go to school with Silang?"
Xiao Mochen naturally wanted to go, but now that he was living under someone else's roof, he dared not even think about it.
Yan Qingqing thought for a moment and said, "Let's wait until after the New Year. After the New Year, I'll send you to study with Silang. You have a foundation. I'll buy you some books to look at first."
Xiao Mochen was somewhat incredulous. Although the Li family was wealthier than the average farmer, in his opinion, they weren't much better off. Otherwise, why would they only send Li Xiangkang to school? Why would Yan Qingqing, who was not related to him, go to such lengths for him?
Yan Qingqing seemed to see through his thoughts and said with a smile, "Since you call me aunt, I will naturally treat you as my own child."
It's not that I don't want to send your three cousins to school, it's just that they're past the age for school, and their ambitions don't lie there.
There are 365 professions, and every profession can produce an expert. No matter what you do, as long as you are diligent and hardworking, you will eventually shine in your field.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't moved, but Xiao Mochen couldn't express his gratitude, because he felt that saying anything at this moment would be superfluous.
After seeing Li Xiangkang off, Yan Qingqing called Yuan Huiniang over and instructed her, "Go and prepare a spare courtyard for Mo Chen to live in."
I didn't think things through before; it's not convenient for the children to live with me now that they're older.
Also, prepare a courtyard for Silang so that he can move out of my place as well.
Remember, from now on, Mo Chen will also be your younger brother; treat him the same way you would Si Lang.
Although Yuan Huiniang was somewhat surprised to hear this, she still nodded obediently, thinking that her mother-in-law must have her reasons for giving such an instruction.
Yan Qingqing didn't explain. She did have her own selfish motives, but it was enough for her to know them herself.
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