Xu Manman estimated the time very accurately. Not long after she returned to the room, Chen Ming came back.
"Manman!" Chen Ming excitedly pushed open the door and handed over the oil-paper bag in his arms.
Xu Manman unwrapped the layers of oil paper and asked, "Is this... an oil dumpling?"
"Yeah, it's new from the state-owned restaurant. I saw a lot of people lining up, so I went in and bought a few."
Chen Ming had been wrapped in cotton clothes and was keeping warm. It was still warm. Xu Manman took one and handed it to him first, then ate it herself.
"It tastes really good!" Although it is not as crispy as when it is just out of the pan, it is still fragrant and oily. Making this requires a lot of oil. Now there are no snack stalls, and you can only buy it in state-owned restaurants.
But they don't sell it often. They only sell it every few days, and they are gone once they are snapped up. In the past few years that Xu Manman has been working in the countryside, she has only encountered it twice.
The brother and sister each finished a bag of fried dumplings, and drank some tea to relieve the greasiness, and their lunch was done.
Time flies, and it is New Year's Eve.
Because of the college entrance examination and waiting for admission notices, this year's Chinese New Year is the most crowded one yet.
They didn't all cook together in the big kitchen. Each family contributed dishes according to the number of people, and the dishes were served together to eat. They also provided their own food.
This is convenient and lively.
Xu Manman and Chen Ming, the brother and sister, served one meat dish and one vegetable dish. The meat dish was braised meatballs, and the vegetable dish was cold seaweed salad.
Xu Manman prepared a lot of meat, but there were also many people, so the meatballs were not made big enough so that one could fit in one bite. This way, a large plate was made and everyone could get three or five.
Kelp was not new to the educated youth, but it was indeed quite rare in the countryside during the New Year. Xu Manman used vinegar and chili peppers to make a cold dish, which was simple and appetizing.
On the table were stewed fish, sauerkraut vermicelli stewed with tofu, rabbit stewed with potatoes, Chinese cabbage with oil residue, scrambled eggs, pickled Chinese cabbage, red sausage, braised eggplant with sauce, stir-fried shredded radish, and bone and radish soup...
Two kang tables were filled with food. Each family’s dishes had their own characteristics. Even if the ingredients were the same, the cooking methods and taste were different.
Xu Manman tried all the dishes except the two she brought with her. They all tasted good. With such simple ingredients, everyone showed their best cooking skills.
"This should be the last year we spend together. For so many years, we have been companions, friends, and relatives without blood ties. I am lucky to have everyone by my side along the way.
Here, I, Lin Zuxin, wish you all a bright and successful future. "
"Good! A bright future! A brilliant future!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank, perhaps because they were happy, perhaps because they were sad about the impending departure. On this day, no one left the table early. Even the three babies were held by their mothers and participated in the party.
Until late at night, Xu Manman looked at her watch and counted down with everyone.
"...Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!!"
"Happy New Year!"
"Ga gaga, ah ah ah!" Even the children cheered with them.
It was the middle of the night and the children were still young and couldn't stay up any longer, so the girls left early and left the battlefield to the boys to clean up.
Xu Manman turned off the lights and returned to the space, "Xiao Jin, look at my New Year's gift."
The countdown had just ended and the sign-in reminder appeared on time. Xu Manman still had high expectations for this once-a-year New Year gift package.
Last year's fireworks display directly extended her life. I wonder what good things will happen this year.
The system light screen in front of him flashed a gorgeous special effect, and what fell at the end was... a peace charm?
?
Is there not enough funding this year?
This is a small brocade bag with exquisite embroidery. It is not only very similar to the amulet that her father hung on the car in her previous life, but it is exactly the same. Xu Manman bought it for 9.9 yuan at a roadside stall when she was traveling.
This one just feels more textured when held in the hand. If you want to buy it, it might be a little expensive. Giving this to her as a New Year's gift, is Xiao Jin's main world going to go bankrupt?
"Host, this isn't just a simple amulet. It increases your luck and can also dispel any residual energy around you. If you're in danger, it can automatically activate a protective shield."
...Why does it feel like it's connected to metaphysics?
Xu Manman studied it over and over again. "This thing... is it waterproof?"
“…It has a water-repellent function.”
Xu Manman handed it over and said, "Okay, then you can help me make a longevity lock that can be opened and put it in. I will hang it around my neck when the time comes."
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