Qiao Xiaoni got up as soon as she heard the rooster crow for the first time. She had been getting up later than everyone else the past few days, but today she got up earlier than everyone else.
When I passed by my parents' room, I saw that they hadn't gotten up yet. I carefully went to the kitchen, filled a basin with water to wash my face, dried my face with a towel, rolled up my sleeves, and started my busy morning.
The bones were cooked last night, and I'm processing them a second time today. I'm still a bit clumsy at starting a fire; it took me several tries to get it going.
When Li Meihua arrived in the kitchen, she saw her daughter already busy at work. She casually gathered her hair and tied it up with a hair tie.
"Why are you up so early?"
Qiao Xiaoni turned around and said, "I slept a little too much last night, so I woke up early this morning."
"Mom, you go pick some vegetables in the backyard; I'll take care of the kitchen."
Li Meihua walked outside, saying, "I'll go next door and wake your sister-in-law up so she can help you start the fire."
Qiao Xiaoni stepped forward to block her way, "No need, I can handle it by myself. Let her get some more sleep. You guys did all the work last night, I didn't participate at all."
"Are you sure you can manage on your own?" Li Meihua asked uncertainly.
Qiao Xiaoni patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, I can handle it by myself. If I really can't, I can call my sister-in-law. You can go to the backyard to pick vegetables without worry! We don't need to make so many vegetable pancakes today. We mainly sell pork head meat."
Li Meihua patted her hand, "Okay, then I'll pick a little less. Remember to call your sister-in-law if anything happens, and don't cause any trouble!"
Qiao Xiaoni: "Okay, go ahead and don't nag!"
I watched as Li Meihua left with her basket.
Qiao Xiaoni turned around and got busy, paying little attention to anything except for the trouble of starting the fire. This was all thanks to a program that was once set in a rural courtyard, which allowed her to truly see how to use a large pot.
Tao Chunfang woke up groggily and saw that it was already daylight. She realized she had gotten up late. She glanced at her daughter sleeping next to her, reached under the covers to check, and found that the blankets were dry. She breathed a sigh of relief, then turned and nudged Qiao Dashan, who was still sleeping beside her.
"Wake up, don't sleep anymore, it's dawn. I woke up late today, and I don't even know what time it is now."
Qiao Dashan opened his eyes and sat up, leaning against the wall for support. "I accidentally drank too much last night, and I slept so well."
Tao Chunfang quickly got dressed and got off the bed. "You rest on the kang for a bit. I'll go check on the kitchen. I got up late today and I don't know what they've been up to."
Qiao Dashan rubbed his head. "Go ahead! I'll sit for a while longer."
Tao Chunfang hurriedly put on her shoes and went to the kitchen, where she saw her sister-in-law putting the pot lid on.
Why didn't you call me?
Qiao Xiaoni turned around and said, "Sister-in-law, you're up just in time. Help me check the fire under the stove. I'll go and mix some sauce to take to town. Maybe we'll need it then."
"Okay!" Tao Chunfang agreed without hesitation, sat on the stool watching the fire, and smelled the aroma of meat wafting from the tip of her nose. "Xiao Ni, what are you stewing in the pot?"
Qiao Xiaoni was peeling garlic. "I reheated the bones I bought yesterday to enhance the flavor, and I'm taking them to the market to sell today. When they're done cooking, I'll pick out a leaner piece for Manli."
Tao Chunfang shook her head, "Children don't need to eat so much meat. You can take it to town to sell, and when you have the money, you can buy other things."
Qiao Xiaoni said, "Sister-in-law, children need to eat more meat to grow up healthy. It's not like we're missing out on this bone. When we have more money in the future, I'll make sure Manli eats meat every day."
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