"That's true, but how come she's dating someone all of a sudden? She didn't even tell me or her dad about it. She should have mentioned it to me at least." "Mrs. Luo pursed her lips and said, "If I hadn't gone to the cinema to look for her, I would have just happened to run into her and a man together. She wouldn't have admitted it."
After Zhao Qing started working at a movie theater in Jiang City, he found it troublesome to take two boat trips every day, so he rented a small house in the city and only returned to the island on weekends.
Since September last year, she has not returned to the island on her weekends. When asked, she said she was too busy at work and too tired to have time.
Mrs. Luo thought that since Zhao Qing was busy and she had no time, she decided to go to Jiang City to see Zhao Qing and brought some pickled vegetables she made. Unexpectedly, as soon as she arrived at the cinema, she ran into Zhao Qing embracing a man.
Ning Tang asked, "Did she admit to you that he was her partner?"
"I asked her, and she said no. They were hugging each other and she was still trying to make excuses. After my repeated questioning, she told me reluctantly that the man was her boyfriend." said Mrs. Luo.
Ning Tang nodded, "That's good. Zhao Qing is alone in Jiang City. You and Political Commissar Zhao can't visit her all the time. It's good to have someone to take care of her."
Mrs. Luo frowned and said, "But when the man heard Qingqing calling me mom, he was so scared that he ran away without even looking back. It was a bit rude."
Ning Tang: "Have you seen what he looks like?"
"I couldn't see her face clearly, only her body shape. She wasn't tall, probably around here." Mrs. Luo pointed to the top of her head, about two or three centimeters away.
"So short?" Ning Tang blurted out.
Mrs. Luo is about 1.58 meters tall, two or three centimeters taller than her, just over 1.6 meters tall, and boys generally look shorter than girls, so...
Mrs. Luo sighed, "If you say Qingqing is short, that's fine, but Qingqing is tall. When they stand next to each other, Qingqing is at least half a head taller than him."
Zhao Qingsui, Political Commissar Zhao, is considered tall among southern girls, about 1.65 to 1.68 meters tall.
Moreover, people these days are generally not tall. Zhao Qing's height is unique.
She is thin, which makes her look even taller.
It would definitely be a nice sight if the two of them stood together. Ning Tang finally understood why Mrs. Luo looked so bad when they were at the port.
"It's not like there aren't some good points." Mrs. Luo added, "That boy looks pretty fair."
Also? Zhao Qing became even darker.
Zhao Qing grew up on Hailang Island and likes to run outside every day, so her skin is darker than that of other girls.
I say so much not because I judge people by their appearance, but Ning Tang and Mrs. Luo know nothing about Zhao Qing's partner right now. The only thing they know is her appearance and figure, so they can only judge her based on this aspect.
Ning Tang comforted him, "Qingqing's boyfriend may be a little short, but if he is a good person, motivated, responsible, and works in a good company, then we can still find him."
"That's what I thought, too." Mrs. Luo sighed, "But when I asked her what that boy did, where he worked, and how many people were in his family, she refused to say a word. I continued to ask, and she got even more angry, and just said she wouldn't tell me, and then she went on."
"Xiao Ning, what do you think of Qingqing's partner?" Mrs. Luo looked at Ning Tang, with a hint of expectation in her eyes that she didn't notice. "You are good at judging people. Can you help me evaluate them?"
Ning Tang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Sister-in-law, you're really making things difficult for me. I've never seen him in person, nor have I ever talked to him. But, I guess..." She stretched out her voice.
"Guess?" Mrs. Luo asked hopefully.
"I guess the conditions are not very good?" Ning Tang said, "Let me give you an example."
She waved to call Da Wa over, "Da Wa, come here."
The eldest child was drinking coconut water in the yard. Hearing this, he ran over and looked up and asked, "Mom, what did you call me for?"
"How many points did you get in the Chinese entrance exam?" Ning Tang asked him.
The eldest boy's eyes rolled around, hesitating and shaking his head, "No, I didn't get much in the exam."
Ning Tang waved his hand, "Okay, go play."
The eldest child was dumbfounded, with a dull look on his face: "Mom, are you kidding me?"
So why did they call him from the yard just to ask this?
And it’s fine if you just ask, but you don’t even get to the bottom of it. Are you kidding him?!
Ning Tang ignored him and continued to talk to Luo's wife, "See, if Da Wa did well in the Chinese language test at the beginning of the semester, I would ask him and he would tell me without any hesitation. I wouldn't even have to ask him. He would show off in front of me every day and say, 'Oh, how did he do in the Chinese language test?'"
Mrs. Luo understood everything immediately and believed it deeply.
If Zhao Qing's partner was particularly good, she would definitely not avoid talking about it. She would even write to tell him that she had a partner and how good the partner was, without waiting for Mrs. Luo to ask.
Similarly, Zhao Qing's partner's conditions are not very good. His height and appearance are not impressive, his job is not very good, and his family conditions are not good either. That's why Zhao Qing is so evasive.
After listening for a while, Da Wa understood that Zhao Qing had found a partner, and Ning Tang was using him to make an example for Luo Saozi.
He muttered, "Mom, can't you just say it directly? You have to use me as an example."
It reminded him of his poor Chinese grades, and even coconut water no longer tasted sweet to him.
Ning Tang: "Do you have any opinion?"
The eldest boy shrugged and said, "I don't dare to."
Luo Saozi went home with a lot on her mind. After seeing Luo Saozi off, Da Wa asked Ning Tang, "What do you want to eat today?"
Ning Tang thought for a moment and said, "Fish and lamb hotpot."
In April, the weather hasn't warmed up yet, so it's just right to have a hot pot.
Erniu came over and asked, "What is fish and lamb hotpot? Is it delicious?"
"It's a fish hot pot with mutton bone soup." Ning Tang took out a piece of paper and a pen and wrote the word '鲜'. "Look, isn't this word '鲜' half fish and half mutton?"
"Really?" said Sanwa.
Ning Tang: "So, the fish fillet cooked in the soup made with sheep bones is delicious. Do you think it's delicious?"
Erniu smiled and said, "It must be delicious."
The eldest child drew inferences from the past, "Then the hot pot made with mutton in fish soup is also very fresh and delicious, right? It's delicious."
Ning Tang was amused and pinched his little face, "You are the best eater in our family."
The eldest boy chuckled and said, "Fish fillets alone are not enough. Let's try something else."
April is the season when mackerels are on the market. Mackerels are best used to make fish balls.
"Buy a mackerel and make fish balls. You can make the fish balls round, rectangular, or intestinal-shaped. Add some water chestnuts or seaweed inside. It has a salty and fresh taste and is crispy and chewy," Ning Tang said. Pan Pan, "Finally, add some vegetarian dishes. Corn, romaine lettuce, or enoki mushrooms are all fine."
He added, "If you're worried about not being able to fill your stomach, I still have some instant noodles that I bought at the supply and marketing cooperative. You can make some noodles."
She teased the eldest child, "You should be full now, little greedy cat."
The eldest boy nodded vigorously, "I'm full." He took a sip of water and said, "When do we start eating?"
"Wait? I'll go to the market to buy some vegetables and come back." Ning Tang glanced at the wall clock. It was only four o'clock. After buying the vegetables and cooking the meatballs, the time would be just right.
She was out for more than half an hour, bought a mackerel and a lot of vegetables, and then led the three children to make fish balls.
The mackerel has already been killed, so there is no need for Ningtang to process it, but it takes some effort to puree the fish meat.
After pounding with the pestle for a while, she felt her hands sore.
Fortunately, the eldest, second and third kids were able to help her. They took turns and the fish balls were ready soon.
"It's a good thing that you guys helped, otherwise we wouldn't have had a chance to eat hot pot after your dad got off work." Ning Tang rubbed his arm and said, "Should I teach you how to cook? From now on, it won't just be your dad and I who cook a meal. There will be three more little chefs in our family."
The eldest child said, "Mom, aren't you afraid that teaching your apprentice will starve you to death?"
Ning Tang was happy, "What are you afraid of? If my cooking skills can be passed down, then it won't be me and Team Leader Shen who will be worried."
"Who is that?" Erniu asked, tilting her head.
"Your future partner." Ning Tang laughed.
The eldest child made a face and said, "Mom, you are so embarrassed."
Ning Tang said, "I'm telling the truth. You three can only stay with me and Captain Shen for a maximum of twenty years, and the rest of the time you spend with your partners."
Erniu said, "Then I won't get married."
Ning Tang was happy, "Okay then, if you don't want to get married, then don't get married. Just stay at home and cook for me and Captain Shen every day."
Erniu: "Then get married."
Ning Tang was amused by her and laughed out loud.
In the evening, Shen Lie returned home. As soon as he arrived at the door, he smelled the strong aroma of mutton soup.
He couldn't help but sniff, and saw a pot on the table with a charcoal fire burning underneath. The milky white mutton soup in the pot was bubbling, and meatballs of various shapes were bobbing in the soup, which simply aroused the gluttony in his stomach.
At first glance, the three little ones were sitting at the table with soup in their bowls. They were staring at the meatballs in the soup without blinking, and it was obvious that they had already eaten a round.
Shen Lie instructed Da Wa, "Pick up a meatball for me to taste."
The eldest child turned around and asked, "Dad, when are you coming back?"
"Didn't you hear the footsteps?" Shen Lie said, "You can tell he was eating? He was too focused."
"It's really good. It's delicious." Big Boy said with a chuckle.
The fragrance kept coming into Shen Lie's nose. He swallowed and asked, "What kind of pill is this?"
"Fish balls are made of mackerel, with seaweed and water chestnuts added in. They are crispy and chewy when chewed." Erniu continued.
"Hurry up and give it to me to try." Shen Lie urged.
"Don't bother with them." Ning Tang came out of the kitchen and handed him a clean bowl and chopsticks. "Your bowl and chopsticks, if you want to eat, pick them up yourself."
After saying that, he glanced at him again.
Shen Lie took the bowl and chopsticks and put them on the table, "Understood, wash your hands first, okay?"
He muttered, "I didn't wash my hands once and you caught me."
Ning Tang: "You said it yourself, I caught you once, then how many times did you not catch me?"
She dared to guarantee that if it wasn't hot pot that was being cooked today, but cold vegetables and fried foods, Shen Lie wouldn't even have to call on the three little ones and would have been able to do it on his own.
While Shen Lie was washing his hands in the yard, Ning Tang said to the three children, "I'll go to the clinic tomorrow to ask if they have insecticide for sale. I'll buy some and give it to your dad first."
The three little ones were so amused that they fell backwards.
Shen Lie came back after washing his hands and asked, "What bad things did you say about me?"
"No." Ning Tang said casually, "You think too much. We are discussing what dish to serve first."
Shen Lie took a quick look and said, "Put the mustard greens in first, and some bamboo shoots as well." He liked that.
Ning Tang was amused, "You're still picking it up? Do it yourself."
"I'll do it." Shen Lie put the dishes on the table, waited for a while, picked up the colander, and served Ning Tang and the three little ones a bowl full of fish slices and fish fillets, and put some side dishes on top.
I had a delicious meal, and when I was about 60% full, I added some noodles to make me 80% full.
The Shen family was enjoying their hot pot, but the Su family next door was aroused by the constant aroma coming from the hot pot.
Su Junyan swallowed hard and muttered, "What did the neighbor next door cook today? It smells so good."
Are you greedy for twins? No.
Su Yaozu sniffed, "Good? It looks like mutton soup."
Drinking a bowl of mutton soup in this weather is a wonderful thing.
Su Guangzong's stomach was rumbling. "Dad, Mom hasn't come back yet?"
Su Junyan frowned and said, "Who knows her?" He said in a cold voice, "It's already this late and she still doesn't go home to cook for her husband and children. Do you still have the manners of a woman?"
Ever since that day when Su Junyan said such hurtful words as "It's better to marry Ning Tang than Ning Xue", Ning Xue has become cold-hearted. She no longer rushes home after work to cook for Su Junyan and the twins like she used to. Instead, she puts off the marriage as much as possible.
It just so happened that the new year had just begun and the Women's Committee had a lot of work to do during this period, so Ning Xue had an excuse to go home late.
Su Yaozu was so hungry that he went forward and grabbed the corner of Su Junyan's clothes, "Dad, I'm so hungry."
Especially the aroma coming from next door kept coming, making him even hungrier.
He swallowed and said, "Why don't we go next door and ask Uncle Shen and his family if they have made something delicious and if they can share some with us."
"No." Su Junyan refused without thinking about it. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of Shen Lie.
Su Guangzong collapsed in a chair, guzzling boiled water in an attempt to fill his stomach.
But water is just water after all. No matter how much you drink, it can't satisfy your hunger. It only makes you feel like peeing, and after you pee, you feel even hungrier.
Su Guangzong was so hungry that he was in a daze. Suddenly he remembered that not long ago, Da Wa and the other two were also very hungry and came to their house to beg for food.
Now, how come it's reversed?
Shen Family
After dinner, the three little ones helped Shen Lie clear the table, while Ning Tang continued to organize her newly bought books.
The three little ones came out after washing the dishes and saw that there were several more books on the bookshelf.
The eldest child said, "Mom, did you buy a new book?"
"Yeah, I bought a few." Ning Tang said, "Wait until you guys finish reading, then I'll go buy new ones."
The eldest child said, "Mom doesn't need to pay, we have saved the money ourselves."
Ning Tang was happy, "How much have you saved?"
The three kids ran upstairs to their respective rooms and brought down their piggy banks.
The eldest still used the small clay pot to save money, the second girl also used her own biscuit box, and the third child was the same as before, not using anything to save money, just stuffing a little here and a little there.
He was also the slowest one to go downstairs. Ning Tang seriously suspected that this kid must have searched under the pillow and under the bed before finding the bills in his hand.
The three little ones each counted the money they had saved. The eldest saved seven yuan, the second girl saved ten yuan, and the third child saved the least, four yuan.
After counting the money, Da Wa and Er Niu contentedly put the money into a small ceramic jar and a biscuit box, while San Wa casually put the money into his pocket.
Ning Tang took a quick look and found that the small clay pot used by the eldest child seemed to be used to store oil in the past, and there was a hole at the mouth of the pot. The biscuit box used by the second girl was rusted, and the third child didn't even have a piggy bank.
She simply said, "Let's make a piggy bank for you to save money."
"How do I make a piggy bank?" asked the eldest child.
Ning Tang glanced at the empty coconuts piled in the yard. There were coconut trees everywhere on the island, and coconuts matured all year round. A while ago, a batch of coconuts ripened again, and the Women's Committee organized people to climb the coconut trees and pick all the coconuts. On average, every household could get dozens of coconuts.
These past few days, the whole family has been drinking coconut water whenever they have free time. However, there are only two adults and three children in the family. Even if the three children drink so much that you can hear the sound of water when their bellies shake, there are still many coconuts that have not been consumed.
Ning Tang was also planning to cook some coconut chicken soup in a few days. Coconut chicken soup is sweet and nourishing, and she starts drooling just thinking about it.
The garbage hasn't been thrown away yet today, but the yard is already piled with coconuts that have been drunk by the eldest, second, and third kids.
"Use the coconut shells you used to drink from." Ning Tang said.
Erniu didn't believe it, "How can a coconut shell be made into a piggy bank?" But she took a look and saw that the coconut shell was round. If she opened a hole in it, maybe it could really be made into a piggy bank?
The coconut that Da Wa and his three friends drank was empty and there was still a thick layer of soft shell on the outside. They had to use a big kitchen knife to peel off the soft shell along the hard shell inside.
This job was too dangerous, so Ning Tang asked Shen Lie to do it.
As Shen Lie was splitting the soft shell, he said, "You really know how to manipulate me. If you want a piggy bank, just buy one. Go to the department store and you can buy any kind you want, iron, ceramic, whatever."
"But it's not made of coconut shells. This is called recycling." Ning Tang said, "I think you just made too much money and got carried away. You don't know the principle of making big money and saving small money."
Shen Lie was stunned. It's no wonder that the welfare benefits of the army have been getting better and better in recent years. He can get a salary of about 100 yuan a month, not to mention various subsidies. When he buys things, he doesn't care so much about the price.
He gave himself a warning and warned himself not to do that again.
She told her three children, "When you grow up and make money, don't learn to be extravagant like your father. Money doesn't come from the wind. Spend it now, or you will cry when you can't afford it in the future."
The eldest child asked, "What do you mean by being unable to pay?"
Ning Tang thought for a moment and gave them an example, "Let's say your father and I are sick and lying in the hospital. The doctor tells you that it will cost fifty yuan a day to treat us. The two of us will have to spend seven hundred yuan for a week, not to mention the miscellaneous expenses for hiring a nurse. If you don't save money and spend it recklessly, you will definitely not be able to come up with this amount of money. This is called a time when you can't come up with money."
When Da Wa thought of Ning Tang and Shen Lie lying in the hospital and he had no money, his face turned pale and he clenched his fist and said, "When I grow up, I must make money and save money well, and try to pay for your medical expenses."
Shen Lie pulled the corner of his mouth and slapped the boy on the head, "Then I thank you in advance."
Erniu was also frightened and turned pale. She gently pulled Ningtang's hand and blinked at her with her big eyes, "Mom, please don't get sick, okay?"
Ning Tang couldn't make a promise to her, so he patted her head and said, "This is a long way off, I was just kidding you guys."
After hearing this, Erniu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Sanwa pouted, "You don't need to buy too many vegetables to cook tomorrow." He clenched his fist and said, "I, I can? I can eat less at each meal, only half a bowl of rice per meal, to save money for the family."
Ning Tang was happy, "Third kid, our family is not that poor yet. Don't worry, your father and I can still afford the food for you three. Besides, saving money doesn't mean being timid and cutting back on food and clothing. As I always say, it's better to spend money on good food than on medicine. If you eat well and feel better, illness will naturally stay away."
Fearing that Sanwa might be worried, she added, "Besides, using coconut shells as piggy banks only reduces unnecessary expenses."
"What is unnecessary expenditure?" asked the eldest child.
Shen Lie: "Change your name. Don't call me Shen Dawa anymore. Why do you call me that?"
It would be a long way to explain to the eldest child and his friends what necessary expenses and non-essential expenses are.
Ning Tang simply didn't say any more to them. Coincidentally, at this time, Shen Lie had also cleaned the coconut shells.
She called the three little ones over and planned to teach them how to make a piggy bank out of coconut shells.
Ningtang drew the rough shape of the coconut shell piggy bank on paper, and then started making it.
The round part of the coconut shell is used to make the pig's body, which is also the main body of the piggy bank. Two coconut slices cut into the shape of pig ears are glued to the coconut shell with glue for decoration. A pig's nose is made in the same way. Finally, the pig's eyes are replaced by two round black conches.
"Okay, it's done."
Ning Tang looked at the coconut shell piggy bank that he had made. The color was simple and elegant, and the round body looked honest and cute. He felt very accomplished. "Isn't it any worse than the piggy banks sold in department stores?"
Shen Lie was convinced and gave a thumbs up, "It's much better than the ones sold in department stores."
Erniu likes it? No, "It's so cute, this piggy bank."
The eldest child also sighed, "If I had a piggy bank like this, I would be more motivated to save money."
Sanwa pulled Ningtang's hand and said coquettishly, "Mom, make one for me too."
Ning Tang followed suit and made two coconut shell piggy banks, one for each of the eldest, second and third children.
The three little ones are holding their piggy banks and they are so happy.
Shen Lie looked at the piggy bank and always felt like something was missing.
He glanced at the soft coconut shell on the ground, and an idea suddenly occurred to him. He plucked a handful of coconut hair and glued it to the pig's 'butt' with glue. "How can a pig be like this? It has no tail. This is the only way to be complete."
Ning Tang was amused. "This doesn't look like a pig anymore. It looks like a pony."
"Then make a pony." Shen Lie said, "That's perfect. I'll put it in my office. I also want to save money."
The eldest child ruthlessly exposed him, "You have already handed over all your wages to Mom, what money do you have to save?"
"Hey, kid." Shen Lie waved, "Big boy, come here, I have some candy for you."
The eldest child ran up to the second floor and made a face at him, "Dad, I'm an adult now, it's not good? I lied."
Shen Lie stood up, and Ning Tang patted his arm. "Okay, stop scaring him. As long as you have coconut shells, I'll make you some ornaments. You can put them in your office. That's it."
"Okay." Shen Lie felt as if he had drunk a bag of honey and was overjoyed.
Hehehe, there's something else? Let's show it off.
When Ning Tang said she wanted to make it as a decoration for Shen Lie, she took it and put it in the office.
The three little ones were unhappy and wanted more even though they were making a fuss.
Ning Tang was annoyed by them? No, raise your hands in surrender, "Okay, okay, I'll do it."
The three little ones immediately turned their gaze towards the coconuts in the yard, with blazing fire burning in their eyes, and it was obvious that they were ready to have a "big battle" with the coconuts.
Ning Tang was afraid that they would get upset if they drank too much, "You can only drink two a day, no more."
Erniu pouted and said, "Only two."
It’s not that she likes drinking coconut water very much, but she drinks up all the coconut water and has the coconut shells, which can be used to make coconut shell ornaments.
"We're going to have coconut chicken in a few days. It'll take at least three or four coconuts to cook one meal. That should work, right?" Ning Tang said.
"Okay!" the three little ones answered in unison.