"If your second son hasn't paid back the money in ten days, come find me. Don't tell him this. As for the small business you and Gu Nian are trying out, you two do it first, and your father and I will have a taste," Grandma Gu said after a moment of silence.
“Yes, Mother.” Cai Xiaolian nodded.
"Go back now! It's getting dark, and the second son isn't home either. Remember to lock the door before you three go to bed tonight," Grandma Gu instructed again.
“Okay, Mother, then I’ll take the children back,” Cai Xiaolian said.
Grandma Gu didn't go out with Cai Xiaolian. A little while later, Grandpa Gu came in.
"If the second son can settle his gambling debts this time, and he wants to go to school, we'll help him out!" Grandma Gu sighed.
The tone she used when speaking to Grandpa Gu was different from how she spoke to other people outside; it was much gentler.
“Lanlan, three hundred taels is no small sum.” Grandpa Gu walked over, sat down next to Grandma Gu, and then sighed, “Well, we can’t keep indulging him like this. If he can settle this gambling debt in just ten days, no matter what method he uses, that’s his skill.”
"Hmm." Grandma Gu leaned on Grandpa Gu's shoulder and responded, "My second son's wife said she and Gu Nian are thinking about a small business, but I don't know if they can make it work. I'm not worried about them, I just feel sorry for Xin Xin."
“Niannian is a good cook; she made that meal just now. She mentioned it to me, and I’m quite interested. If it works out, they’ll have another source of income. Perhaps the second son will turn over a new leaf after seeing how much his wife and daughter have done for him.” Unlike Grandma Gu, Grandpa Gu didn’t have much faith in their small business; he seemed quite confident in Gu Nian.
"I hope so!"
...
Back home, the mother and her two daughters continued picking chili peppers, intending to finish before it got completely dark.
I didn't have time to realize what I had planned to do that morning: plant the seeds and see how they would turn out the next day.
In the end, the mother and her two daughters did not finish picking the chili peppers and had to wait until tomorrow.
It wasn't until the morning of the second day that all the chilies were picked.
When Gu Xin was feeding the chickens, she discovered that there were dozens of eggs in the coop again. She picked them out, and Cai Xiaolian and Gu Nian were no longer so surprised.
"With so many eggs, let's steam a cake tonight!" Gu Nian suggested.
"Sister, is cake made from eggs?" Gu Xin asked curiously.
"That's right! Our little Xinxin is so smart, she even knows that! Little Xinxin, can you go to Grandma's house and borrow a guillotine? I need it." Gu Nian tapped Gu Xin's little head and asked with a smile.
“Great! I’ll carry some radish leaves over to Grandpa and Grandma’s house.” Gu Xin turned around and went to find the basket.
"What do you need a guillotine for?" Cai Xiaolian asked after Gu Xin left.
"Mother, I wonder if you've ever eaten pickled chili peppers?" Gu Nian asked instead of answering, her face full of mystery.
"I've had it. I had a project in the southwest before, and the person in charge there treated us to a meal at a local farmhouse restaurant. Twice-cooked pork with chili sauce, um, just thinking about it makes my mouth water." Cai Xiaolian smacked her lips, her mouth watering just from hearing the name. You can imagine how much she loved that flavor.
“I know how to make it! I’ll have Xin Xin borrow a cleaver to chop these red peppers. Let’s make it this afternoon! I saw we have a lot of earthenware pots at home, that’ll be perfect.” Gu Nian also looked like she wanted to eat it.
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