Taking a deep breath, the aroma of rice cakes was so strong. Chen Hengyu said, "Sister-in-law, let me take a look at the front."
I was really shocked when I saw it. There were more than a dozen stone mills on the left side of the front yard, and a stove pit in the middle, with five or six connected together, which were bigger than the ones at home. Wooden barrels were steaming on top, and steam was rising. There were more than a dozen stone mortars on the right side, and they were surrounded by people. The stone mills and mortars were operated by several strong men in only thin clothes, and they were replaced from time to time.
"Whose bucket of rice noodles is this? Come and get it. The store below is ready." The host was taking notes and shouting at the top of the door.
"My home, my home."
"The rice you have is quite sticky. Where did you buy it?" someone asked.
"The one at the East Gate. We buy it there every year. This year they mix some glutinous rice into it. I heard it's more flavorful."
Chen Heng wandered among them, looking around curiously. She realized that this was how rice cakes were made. "Auntie, did you put orange peel in the rice?"
Although she didn't know them, the sister-in-law still said enthusiastically: "This is the fat that will be dried in the sun to make rice cakes. It's very fragrant when made with orange peel. There is also a basket with sesame seeds."
One of the men was spreading out the rolled-out rice cakes on a bamboo mat. Seeing Chen Heng curiously watching him do it, he took out a hot rice cake and handed it to her: "You look so greedy. Your family hasn't had their turn yet, right? I'll give you one. Eat it while it's hot."
"How embarrassing!" Shen Heng refused.
"I made it at home, there's nothing to be embarrassed about." The man stuffed it directly into her hand and continued to work.
The woman next to her took out a pickled radish from her own bowl and gave it to her: "Eat it with the pickled radish, it's delicious."
After Shen Heng came here, the Xie family had always been excluded. This was the first time she was treated so warmly: "Thank you, Auntie."
I took a bite, mu~~, it was soft, sticky and hot. Although it had no taste, it was fragrant. The texture was amazing. I took another bite of the crispy radish, wow, how could it be so delicious.
Her eyes inadvertently turned and saw Xie Jian looking at her with disgust.
Chen Heng: "..." She laughed dryly twice, twisted off a small portion and gave it to him: "It's delicious. I'll share some with you."
Xie Jian stared at the steaming rice cake in her hand for a while, then took it and started eating it bite by bite.
This time it was Chen Heng who was stunned. She just asked politely, thinking that Xie Jian would not want it, after all, he had such a disgusted expression. She didn't expect this guy to be so down-to-earth.
"What are you looking at? Don't eat too much, you'll feel full." Xie Jian said and returned to his place in line.
By the time it was the Xie family's turn to grind the rice cakes, an hour had already passed. From grinding the flour to steaming it, and then to beating the rice cakes, another half hour passed.
Xie Jian took the strips of rice cake from his sister-in-law, and Chen Heng took it from Xie Jian and put it on the bamboo mat beside her. She enjoyed doing this job very much.
By the time everything was done, the three of them were exhausted and out of breath.
"It's already this late, why hasn't Min'er come back yet? The rice cake won't taste good if it's cold." Xia looked outside and saw many people queuing.
"I wrapped the rice cake in clothes to prevent it from getting cold. It should still be edible when he gets home," said Xie Jian.
When Chen Heng stood up, she saw a small figure not far away and said happily, "Min'er is back."
"Mom, uncle, aunt." Little Xie Min ran in excitedly, swinging his school bag.
"Why are you back so late?" Xia quickly gave him the hot rice cake she had prepared and a small plate of brown sugar, as her son liked sweet food.
Little Xie Min dipped the cake in brown sugar and took a big bite, looking very happy: "An old man fell over the bridge, and I helped him up. The old man drew this for me, saying that my scar won't be ugly at all." As he spoke, he lifted up the loose hair on his forehead.
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