Yang Niannian was not idle at home. She borrowed a shovel and a coal miner from Wang Fengjiao and dug a lot of yellow mud from the river outside the family compound. Under Wang Fengjiao's guidance, she mixed the yellow mud and coal in proportion, poured water and stirred them evenly.
Wang Fengjiao gave instructions in a loud voice, "Yes, that's it. Put your foot on the edge of the coal machine and press it hard a few times, then lift and press it with your hands and it's done."
Wang Fengjiao taught her how to make coal briquettes step by step. After making several broken briquettes in a row, Yang Niannian finally mastered the essence.
After dinner, the military wives had nothing to do, so they came over with their children to join in the fun, "Hey, Fengjiao, are you teaching Nian Nian how to make coal briquettes?"
"We all burn firewood in my hometown. Nian Nian just got here and has never used coal briquettes and doesn't know how to make them, so I'll teach her," said Wang Fengjiao.
Ye Meijing, who also came to join in the fun, rolled her eyes and said, "Why can't you do this? Isn't this something you can do just by seeing it?"
She can't do this or that. What if Yang Niannian is a pampered rich girl in the city?
Yang Niannian looked up at her and said, "I'm stupid. I can't do it without someone teaching me."
“…”
Ye Meijing originally wanted to express that Yang Niannian was stupid, but Yang Niannian really admitted it herself, leaving her at a loss for words.
Wang Fengjiao felt that these people were getting in the way. Seeing that Yang Niannian had learned it, she winked at her and said, "Niannian, I'm going to go back first. Call me if you have anything you don't know."
She then said to her sisters-in-law who were watching the fun, "They are making coal balls here. There is coal dust everywhere on the ground. Don't step on it. Go back to do what you need to do."
Who wants to be here?
Ye Meijing rolled her eyes and walked away. Just as she passed Wang Fengjiao's house, she was pulled over by Yu Hongli.
"Let me tell you, Captain Lu's young wife is amazing. Not only does she know how to act like a spoiled child, she also knows how to coax men. She's only been here for one day and she's already persuaded Captain Lu to hand over the financial power to her. This morning, she went to the city and bought a bunch of things. She bought a whole bag of candy, but she didn't even give An An a piece. I heard she even beat An An..."
…
Without being disturbed by others, Yang Niannian made coal briquettes very efficiently and had already made more than a dozen. The two craftsmen next to her were also busy, making a small foundation according to Lu Shishen's requirements.
“One, two, one…”
A loud slogan was heard, and Yang Niannian looked up and saw Lu Shishen running towards them with a group of soldiers holding shovels and spades. They stopped at the gate of the courtyard. There were at least twenty or thirty people in the group.
Especially these people were staring at Yang Niannian.
Yang Niannian was stunned by this scene. She was at a loss as to what to do with the coal briquette machine and her face turned red unconsciously. She had never seen such a scene in her life.
Lu Shishen also noticed the soldiers' gazes, and shouted in a deep voice, "Stand at attention!" The soldiers immediately straightened their heads, but their eyes were slanted, and they all grinned foolishly with their big white teeth bared.
Hey! These past few days, everyone has been going crazy behind the scenes, saying that the group leader's wife looks like a fairy, and they finally saw her.
You know what, she’s really pretty.
Her skin is as white as tofu.
No wonder the team leader wanted to build a toilet and bathroom at home. He definitely didn't want to show his wife to outsiders.
Lu Shishen glanced at everyone, "The first platoon leader will lead the team to start digging along the gate, the second platoon leader will lead the team to start digging from the middle, and the third platoon leader will lead the team to start digging from the base of the wall..."
"yes."
The leading soldiers of the three teams led their teams to work according to the instructions. After a short while, the ground was lifted up to the depth of their feet.
Seeing that everyone was busy with their work, Lu Shishen turned to look at Yang Niannian, who was staring blankly at the coal briquette machine. Her skin was tanned into an apple color by the sun, her forehead was covered with sweat, and her face was made like a little cat by the coal dust. With her chubby cheeks, she looked like a child playing in the mud.
He couldn't help but look away, looking at the unfinished coal on the ground and said, "Leave it there for now. I'll come back to do it in the evening."
Yang Niannian shook her head and said, "I'll make it now and use it in the evening." The sun was shining brightly and the coal briquettes were about 70% dry after being exposed to the sun for an afternoon.
Lu Shishen wanted to say something, but he pursed his beautiful lips and said nothing. "If you are tired, take a break and do it again."
"Just go do your thing and don't worry about me."
Yang Niannian turned around and continued to make coal briquettes. Although she looked thin, her work was no worse than other military wives.
More than 200 kilograms of coal is not a small amount, and it will take her a long time to do it.
As soon as Lu Shishen left, the craftsman who was mixing cement said, "Little girl, your man is a good husband."
Another craftsman followed suit and praised, "You're not bad either. You two look like a perfect match."
Yang Niannian glanced at Lu Shishen's sturdy back, her eyebrows curved into crescent shapes, "I think so too."
I'm in a good mood and I'm more energetic when stepping on the coal briquette machine.
…
The progress of digging the drainage channel was good, almost on par with Yang Niannian's progress in making the coal balls. Both craftsmen were shocked by the speed.
Yang Niannian took advantage of the fact that no one was in the bathroom as it was almost time for dinner, and went to take a shower with her clothes. When she came back, Lu Shishen had already returned from the cafeteria with his meal, and An An had just arrived home.
After a tiring afternoon, Yang Niannian was already hungry. She took the lunch box that Lu Shishen pushed over to her, picked up the chopsticks and prepared to eat, but she gasped in pain and subconsciously let go of her hand.
Lu Shishen looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's okay." Yang Niannian picked up the chopsticks again. "There are a few blisters from the briquette machine. They will be fine in two days."
Lu Shishen looked over and saw that she was holding the chopsticks awkwardly and didn't dare to use force. He frowned and said, "Buy ready-made coal briquettes next time."
"It's more economical to make coal briquettes at home." Yang Niannian hasn't made any money yet, so she can only try to reduce her expenses.
An An poked the rice with chopsticks in his hand and suddenly lost his appetite. His father's attention was all attracted by Yang Niannian.
He was a little jealous and said with a pout, "Dad, when I came back from school just now, I ran into Aunt Yu. She asked how the three of us slept at night. I said we slept in the same bed, and she laughed at me for sleeping with my aunt at my age."
The word "Aunt" here refers to Yang Niannian. He doesn't want to call her mom. Yang Niannian and Lu Shishen don't intend to force him, so let him get used to it slowly.
Knowing that some married women like to tease their children, Yang Niannian glanced at Lu Shishen. He happened to look over at her, and their eyes met. Yang Niannian pretended nothing had happened and lowered her head to continue eating.
Seeing that the two of them were silent, An An pulled her little face and continued sullenly, "Aunt Yu also asked me if I heard any noises when I slept at night. I said that Aunt Yu was not a good sleeper, always humming and moving around, and I didn't sleep well. She even put her legs on your legs..."
When An An said the last sentence, there was a hint of displeasure in her tone.
“Ahem…”
Yang Niannian was so excited that she choked on the rice grains. She didn't know whether it was because of the choking or because of shyness that her cheeks turned red. Lu Shishen scooped a bowl of water from the kitchen, but she waved her hand to refuse, "I don't drink raw water."
People nowadays like to drink raw water, and they drink water directly from streams and wells. However, Yang Niannian is not used to it. She always feels that raw water contains more bacteria.
An An pouted, so pretentious.