Wanwan responded and turned to wash her face at the hand pump in the corner of the yard.
The icy well water splashed on my face, instantly dispelling the last trace of drowsiness.
As she wiped her face and walked toward the stove, Gu Mingyue had already ladled the sesame paste into a rough porcelain bowl and sprinkled a pinch of white sugar on top.
"Come on, try it and see if it tastes like Grandma Wu's."
Gu Mingyue handed over the bowl, then picked up another bowl and scooped sesame paste into it.
Lu Wanwan blew on the steam, took a sip, and the rich sesame aroma spread in her mouth. It was sweet but not cloying, and she immediately smiled: "This is the taste! Before, when we stayed at Grandma Wu's house, we would wait for her to make sesame paste for me."
Gu Mingyue smiled and nodded, her hands still moving: "Then you can learn from me today, so you can make it yourself whenever you want to eat it in the future."
As she spoke, she picked up the earthenware jar containing sesame paste, "First, scoop two spoonfuls of sesame paste into a bowl, stir it with warm water to prevent lumps, then pour in boiling water while stirring, and finally sprinkle some sugar on top."
Lu Wanwan quickly put down her bowl and leaned over to look at it: "So simple? I always thought it would be much more complicated."
She imitated Gu Mingyue, scooped two spoonfuls of sesame paste into an empty bowl, and carefully added warm water while stirring.
But I wasn't careful and poured in too much water, making the sesame paste too thin.
"Pour slowly, or it won't be thick enough." Gu Mingyue reached out to help her hold the bowl, and added another half spoonful of sesame paste.
"Grandma Wu once told me that her sesame paste recipe has been passed down for three generations. When frying sesame seeds, you have to use a low heat and stir-fry them slowly. You also have to add a little salt when grinding them to make them fragrant."
Lu Wanwan stirred the sesame paste in her bowl and couldn't help but laugh: "Grandma Wu loves me the most. When I had a cold a while ago, she specially made me sesame paste."
As Gu Mingyue listened, a warm feeling welled up in her eyes: "Next time we go back to our hometown, let's visit her again and bring her some dried fish from the island."
After eating the sesame paste, Gu Mingyue led Wanwan toward Lu Lin's office.
Every now and then, soldiers in military uniforms would pass by, smiling and greeting Gu Mingyue.
Several women from the family compound were sitting under a tree picking vegetables when they saw an unfamiliar girl with Gu Mingyue. They curiously gathered around and asked, "Comrade Gu, who is this girl? She looks very unfamiliar."
"This is my sister-in-law, Lu Wanwan. She just came from our hometown," Gu Mingyue introduced with a smile.
"Oh, it's Commander Lu's sister!" The aunties' eyes lit up instantly, and they surrounded Wanwan, looking her up and down, their tone incredibly warm.
One of the aunties, Aunt Zhang, held Wanwan's hand and praised her, "This girl is really pretty, her eyebrows and eyes look just like Platoon Leader Lu's. By the way, Wanwan, how old are you this year? Do you have a boyfriend?"
Upon hearing this, the other aunties chimed in, "There are quite a few young men in our compound, all reliable and dependable. Should we keep an eye out for them for you?"
Lu Wanwan had never seen anything like this before. Surrounded by a group of people asking her questions, her face instantly turned red to her ears. Not knowing where to put her hands, she quickly hid behind Gu Mingyue, her voice barely audible: "I...I don't have a boyfriend."
Seeing this, Gu Mingyue quickly came to her rescue: "Aunties, don't frighten the child. She just arrived and hasn't rested yet. Let's call home first, and Wanwan can have a good chat with everyone later when we have time."
As she spoke, she pulled Wanwan toward the office. Wanwan glanced back at the aunties who were still gossiping and whispered to Gu Mingyue, "Sister-in-law, why are they so direct?"
Gu Mingyue couldn't help but laugh: "The aunties in the family compound are all like that, they're all warm-hearted, and they want to help matchmake any good girls they see."
As they talked, they arrived at Lu Lin's office door. Lu Wanwan patted her chest, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
She had barely arrived on the island when she was bombarded with questions about her boyfriend, which really startled her.
Once inside Lu Lin's office, Gu Mingyue helped him dial a number from his hometown.
As soon as I handed the microphone to Wanwan, I heard her mother's anxious voice on the other end: "Wanwan? You've arrived at the island? Is everything alright?"
Lu Wanwan held the microphone, her nose tingled, and her voice softened instantly: "Mom, I've arrived. My brother and sister-in-law are both fine. It's my fault. I shouldn't have run out without saying a word and made you worry."
She paused, then added softly, "Is Mom still angry with me? I promise I won't be so impulsive again."
Lu Qinming sighed on the other end of the phone, but his tone softened: "How could your mother really blame you? She was just worried about your safety on the road. Knowing that you are safe and sound, we are relieved."
As they were talking, Zhong Yuxiu's voice came from the other end of the phone. Although it was still a bit serious, it was full of concern: "Stay at your brother's place and don't keep causing trouble for your brother and sister-in-law. Also, about He Xiao, the family won't pressure you. When you two meet, you can have a good talk. If you really don't want to, your father and mother won't force you."
Lu Wanwan was stunned, not understanding what her mother meant.
Gu Mingyue, who was standing nearby, also came over to listen. She heard Zhong Yuxiu continue, "He Xiao, that kid, knew you went to the island and was worried about you. He set off for the island early yesterday morning, saying he wanted to talk to you in person and also see your brother."
"He's coming to the island?" Wanwan was so shocked she almost dropped the microphone. The blush that had just faded from her face returned, and she felt flustered and confused. "What's he coming for?"
Zhong Yuxiu laughed on the other end of the phone: "Silly child, he's just worried about you. When he arrives, you two should have a good talk. Don't keep arguing with him."
"Alright, give the phone to your sister-in-law, I want to talk to her for a bit."
Gu Mingyue took the phone, chatted with her mother-in-law for a few minutes, and reassured the old woman that she could rest assured.
After hanging up the phone, Lu Wanwan remained rooted to the spot.
Gu Mingyue patted her shoulder: "Don't panic. Now that you're here, talk to him about your thoughts. It's better than misunderstandings at home."
Lu Wanwan nodded, but her heart was pounding with anxiety.
She ran away to hide from He Xiao, but she never expected him to chase her all the way to the island. Now there's really no escaping him.
Lu Wanwan stood there, her fingers unconsciously stroking the cold microphone, her mind a jumbled mess. The thought of He Xiao's perpetually icy face made her frown.
"He definitely did it on purpose. He knew I was hiding here, yet he still chased after me." Lu Wanwan stomped her foot, her tone tinged with grievance.
"Sister-in-law, what do you think he's here for? I don't want to see him."
Gu Mingyue pulled her to sit down on a chair and smiled as she helped her catch her breath: "Maybe he really wants to have a good talk with you? Back when you were at home, he always teased you, but he never really bullied you. Your brother said that when you were little, he was the one who helped you out when the kids from the neighboring compound blocked your way."
Lu Wanwan was taken aback, but then remembered that such a thing had happened.
She went to buy candy earlier and was stopped and robbed by two boys. He happened to run into He Xiao, who rushed up and chased them away without saying a word, and even gave her the candy he had bought.
But the thought of her family wanting to marry her off to He Xiao made her hesitant: "That won't do either. We don't get along. We always argue whenever we meet."
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