Chapter 175175

"Ailian, is it okay for me to cut the meat to this thickness?" asked a woman who was helping to cut vegetables in the kitchen.

Nowadays, there is still a shortage of meat in the countryside. Meat is indispensable for weddings and banquets. In order to make the dishes look better, people cut the meat thinly and put it on the top. In fact, the bottom is all vegetarian.

The aunt who cuts the meat knows this principle very well. She cuts the Jiang family's brined meat thinly and beautifully.

Jiang's mother didn't know that the aunt of the first wife had such a good knife skill. After all, the first and third wives are separated by the second wife. One is at the head of the village and the other is at the end of the village. They are far away and don't usually interact with each other.

Another vegetable washer, holding a basket of vegetables, said: "Ailian, there is no well in your yard. Your house is close to the old well. I will fetch water from the old well for you to wash the vegetables!"

"Ailian, how about making candied lotus roots with these lotus roots, mix six cold vegetables, and stir-fry lotus root slices?"

"Okay! You are better at cooking than me. I will learn from you!" Most of the meals in the Jiang family are cooked by Jiang's father. Jiang's mother is not good at cooking. The aunts are much better than her. Soon, the kitchen chores were taken over by the aunts from the fourth room, and Jiang's mother became a handyman. Occasionally, when new relatives came and she was needed to entertain them, the aunts would enthusiastically urge her to go out.

There were a lot of guests, and the gifts were 30% higher than usual. Of course, in order to get back their money, these people basically came with their whole family. If it weren't for the fact that the Jiang family's house was really big now, the main hall alone could accommodate eight tables, and Grandpa Jiang's room on the left was empty, which could accommodate three tables, and the large room at the back with the corridor could also accommodate four tables, there wouldn't be enough seats for everyone that day.

Later, three more tables were added to the upstairs room that was originally used as a reception room, specifically to accommodate unmarried young men and women, and only then could all the guests be accommodated.

The ingredients that the Jiang family had prepared were far from enough, but after Jiang Guotai returned to the neighboring city on the second day of the Chinese New Year, he sent him half a pig and many other side dishes on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year, which made the banquet look good. As soon as the plates of meat came up, they were immediately snatched up by the people at the table, especially the elderly who had experienced the hungry years. They didn't care about dignity, and their mouths were full. So as soon as each dish came up, they quickly put it into their own bowls and into the bowls of their grandsons squatting beside them.

The elderly also liked to talk loudly and spit everywhere. Of course, the table of strong men, those who drank, those who punched, and those who approached Jiang's father to talk about how high-spirited he was in the past.

The fighting power of the women was unmistakable, especially the table of Jiang's mother, brother and sister-in-law, which was also divided into men and women.

Jiang's father was beaming with joy and led Jiang Xiao and Jiang Bai to toast the crowd. Jiang Xiao was fine, as she was not uncomfortable with being a tool to be shown off. Jiang Bai was very uncomfortable. Facing all kinds of compliments from so many people, he just smiled shyly and nodded, unable to say anything. Jiang Xiao was the one doing all the talking.

She treated everyone with a friendly and approachable attitude, and never treated them as outsiders. If you didn't know, you would think they were not distant relatives who hadn't seen each other for many years, but close relatives and neighbors with very close blood relations.

But Jiang Xi's warm and polite words made everyone who came for her and Jiang Bai feel like spring breeze, and their hearts were very comfortable. The smiles on their faces became more sincere, and the flattery became more exaggerated. When

the tables of Jiang's mother's family were toasted, Jiang's mother's family saw Jiang Xi and Jiang Bai, and they couldn't recognize them. These two were actually the two little guys who followed Jiang Song when they were young, and they couldn't see them at all?

The cousins ​​looked at Jiang Xi and Jiang Bai, the two cousins, and trembled even more, full of intimidation.

That was the natural fear and admiration of the poor students facing the god of study.

Jiang's mother's sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law all praised Jiang's mother: "Ailian has suffered so much for so many years, and finally the hardship has paid off." They

also said to Jiang Xi and Jiang Bai: "It was not easy for your mother to raise you for so many years. Now that you have made it, you must be filial to your mother in the future."

Wang Ailan said to Jiang Xi: "We were all raised by your mother. She has been both a sister and a mother since we were young. When I was a teenager, At such a young age, she went to work on river embankments and river dams. People outside said she was capable. She really had suffered a lot. She originally thought that she could finally live a good life by marrying your father. Who knew that such a thing would happen after just a few years of good life. Now that you have become talents, your mother can finally take a break. You should not let your mother worry about you and love her more. "

Jiang Xiao smiled but said nothing.

Wang Ailan looked at her niece's smiling but silent expression. She understood that her sister had broken her heart all those years.

After all, a girl of only fourteen or fifteen years old had such good grades and was admitted to No. 1 Middle School. Many people would be so happy that she sent Xiao Xiao to work in her brick factory.

The brick factory made money, but the work was exhausting. Her cracked hands showed that she had suffered a lot as a 20-30 year old strong laborer. Not to mention that Jiang Jiang was still a child at the time. No matter how good she was, she was only 24 or 25 years old when she went to the brick factory. She had grown up. Their Shijian Township was poor and they couldn't find a place to make money. They had no choice but to go to the brick factory.

Jiang Jiang was a natural talent for literature. Jiang's mother was willing to let her immature daughter work in the brick factory. Other parents who had such a clever and smart daughter would not do such a stupid thing even if they loved her very much!

But her elder sister could do such a stupid thing.

It was because those years were too difficult. If her sister didn't find a reason to vent those hardships, she would never be able to bear the huge debt that seemed to have no end in sight in this lifetime.

Jiang Wu and Jiang Bai were just polite so as not to make them feel alienated, and they also maintained a sufficient attitude. They drank warmly with their uncles, aunts, uncles, cousins, and went upstairs.

Wang Ailan thought about her niece's attitude and sighed in her heart. After thinking about it, she still had to persuade her elder sister to be nicer to Wu. What happened in the past was in the past. Wu was so successful now. If she continued to treat the child like in the past, wouldn't she be pushing people further away?

When you are old and can't move in bed, do you still expect your daughter-in-law to take care of you?

Jiang Ma's brother, as her eldest brother, should sit at the main table, so he is not here.

Her brothers and sisters, plus their children, and the grandchildren of her eldest uncle, although they are not socially anxious, are all sensible and sit in the room on the right behind the main hall. After all, there are six families, plus the two families of her eldest uncle's two daughters, a total of eight families, all came in a neat row. They alone occupied three of the four tables in the back. Those who are sensible went to the kitchen to help Jiang Ma.

Wang Ailan went to the kitchen to find Jiang Ma.

During the most difficult years, Jiang's mother relied on her mother's family for support. After all, her mother's family was her foundation. Her father was once the captain of Tanshan. Her brothers and sisters often came to Jiangjia Village to give her gifts and support her, especially her younger brother.

Jiang Xiaojiu is ten years younger than Jiang's mother. His child is only four or five years old now. He is a very gentle and introverted child who timidly follows Jiang Xiaojiu.

The child was born weak and often sick. Jiang Xiaojiu only has this one child, and he is very worried about this only child.

Jiang's mother felt sorry for her younger brother, so when no one was paying attention, she pulled Jiang's uncle into the room and quietly stuffed 500 yuan into his pocket.

Jiang's uncle refused to take it, and Jiang's mother glared at him angrily: "I didn't say no when you stuffed the money into my pocket. Now that the family debt has been paid off, life is not as difficult as before. You can keep it without worry!"

Jiang's uncle really needed money now, so he didn't refuse.

Jiang's mother asked him again: "Did I tell you to find a train station to sell lunch boxes?"

Jiang's uncle smiled bitterly and said: "You know the skills of Hongling and I. We made some money at the beginning, and then my second brother found out about it and opened a shop next door."

Although Jiang's second uncle and his wife didn't cook their food cleanly, they just cooked and sold it casually, but his second aunt had a good skill in cooking. It didn't matter if his food was not clean, the dishes were delicious and she was willing to use more oil. The migrant workers coming and going at the train station liked to eat there. What

made Jiang's uncle angry was that there were so many train stations in the world, but his second brother didn't go anywhere else, but came to his place to steal his business. Now he and his second brother don't even talk to each other, and the two families are at loggerheads.

Second Uncle Jiang said with a clear conscience: "If guests don't come to your house for dinner, what can I do? If I don't make money, won't outsiders make it anyway?"

But that's what he said, but it doesn't make sense.

Uncle Jiang was already in a difficult situation, and being stabbed in the back by his own second brother made him even more uncomfortable. This year, he also showed some bitterness on his face, and his Adam's apple on his thin neck became more prominent.

Mother Jiang was also helpless about these conflicts between her brothers from her mother's side. Second Uncle Jiang and Mother Jiang were not much different in age. Although she was also the one who raised them when they were young, younger brothers and sisters were born soon, and her energy naturally focused on the younger brothers and sisters. In recent years, among these brothers and sisters from her mother's side, the ones she interacted the least with were her second brother and fourth sister.

Jiang's mother advised him: "Why don't you stay here for a few days and learn from your brother-in-law for a few days. If you can't do it, you can go to Shenzhen with me and learn the skills from your brother-in-law first, and then find a stall to set up."

Thinking of the troubles he and his second brother had, Jiang's younger uncle was tempted, but he was afraid that his brother-in-law would not agree: "

Will my brother-in-law agree?" Jiang's mother rolled her eyes: "Why would he disagree? It's not a big deal. We don't set up a stall in the same place!"

Jiang's mother didn't comment on the character of Jiang's second uncle, but she knew Jiang's younger uncle very well. During her most difficult years, no matter how difficult it was for him, he never forgot her, his elder sister.

Jiang's younger uncle really didn't have the idea of ​​competing with his sister and brother-in-law for business, but he came here for another reason.

Jiang's mother was stunned when she heard this: "You want Xixi to hold Xiaolong?"

Jiang's uncle nodded a little embarrassedly, touched his son who was quietly in his arms, and said: "Our Xixi is the reincarnation of Wenquxing in the sky. I want to let Xixi hold Xiaolong so that Xiaolong can get some of Wenquxing's blessings. Even if he can't get his sister's blessings, it would be good to get some of his sister's literary spirit." He touched the soft hair on his son's head. "Xiaolong will definitely not be able to do farm work. He can only go to college like Xiaoxiao. It would be best if he can work for the government. If not, he can learn accounting or something. It is also a skill. He will never starve to death."

Uncle Jiang has always been worried about his son's future. Knowing his son's weak constitution, he has never thought about what kind of physical work he will do in the future, so he can only go to college.

Mother Jiang's expression was a little complicated.

At this time, there was a knock on the door of the room. Because the door of the room was locked and the key was pulled out from outside, people outside could not get in and could only knock on the door.

All the cash they brought back and the gifts from relatives and friends were locked in this room. Of course, the door had to be locked.

There was an urgent knock on the door outside, Jiang's mother opened the door, "Knock, knock, what are you knocking for?"

Jiang's father said anxiously: "Why are you still in the room at this time? So many relatives and friends are coming to drink, you are the one who needs to entertain them!"

He and Uncle Jiang were entertaining the male family members, and Jiang's mother was needed for the female family members. Jiang's mother was talking to Uncle Jiang, and forgot about it for a moment, and said: "I'm coming."

Jiang's father saw that his brother-in-law was also inside, and asked: "What is going on between you two that you can't say outside, and you have to say it behind closed doors?"

Jiang's mother glared at Jiang's father, paused, and then avoided his gaze and whispered awkwardly: "Ai Dang said that he wanted to hug Xiaolong."