An'an came over excitedly, her little hands smelling sweet after washing them. She wanted to help, and Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang didn't stop her, patiently teaching her how to knead dough and how to shape small steamed buns.
An'an listened attentively and her hands moved quickly, soon shaping the buns into cute little buns. Although they were still a bit crooked, Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang found them full of childlike innocence. The little buns An'an made were quite well-defined in shape, so Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang let her do as she pleased. They figured they could just pick out the ones she made for themselves later; it was their daughter's thoughtful gift, and they would give them to others as gifts.
Soon, Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang had made three hundred small steamed buns, steaming pot after pot. They planned to give 10 small steamed buns to each household. They didn't know how many households there were, but it was always better to prepare more.
After more than two hours of fussing, they finally finished steaming all the buns. Since they didn't have many containers to put the buns in, they simply used a clean, large bamboo basket, lined it with parchment paper, put the buns in, and then took chopsticks with them, ready to set off.
Xu Zi held Yuan Yuan in one arm and An An in the other, while Yu Jiu carried a basket and chopsticks, preparing to distribute small steamed buns to everyone.
Everything was ready, and they came out. Just as they were closing the door, Lin Xiaonong came over with his little niece. Seeing that the family was about to leave, but they were holding chopsticks in their hands, he asked curiously.
"Where are you going? Why did you bring chopsticks? This is my little niece, Lin Yue. You can just call her Yueyue."
After asking, he introduced his little niece. However, although she was called his little niece, she looked like a little boy. Her hair was short, only a little longer than a buzz cut. Her skin was dark, and her eyes were unruly. She looked like a naughty little boy. If Lin Xiaonong hadn't said that she was his little niece, they would definitely have mistaken her for someone else.
"Hello, Yueyue, my name is An'an!"
Little An'an is very willing to make friends. When she saw someone her age arrive, her eyes lit up immediately, and she took the initiative to go over and introduce herself. Yueyue is also a cheerful little girl, and the two immediately got to know each other, even whispering to each other. They seemed to hit it off immediately, which put Yu Jiu at ease. Only then did she look up to answer Lin Xiaonong's question.
"We're new here and want to get to know our neighbors, so we made some small steamed buns to deliver to them. Since you're here, why don't you come with us and introduce us to the people in each household?"
"Come on, try some of my little steamed buns first."
As Yu Jiu spoke, she smiled and placed a small steamed bun on Lin Xiaonong's plate, and then placed one on Lin Yue's plate as well. Lin Yue looked at her uncle, unsure whether to accept it, but little An'an immediately took it and handed it to her.
"Try it! My parents make really delicious little steamed buns, and I even helped make some!"
She said proudly.
"Take it."
Lin Xiaonong didn't hesitate; it was just a small steamed bun, and Lin Yue accepted it as soon as he asked.
"Thank you, Auntie."
She thanked him very politely.
"Why."
Yu Jiu smiled and agreed, then put a small steamed bun on An'an's plate, telling them to eat together, and that she would give them more when they finished.
"Come on, I'll take you to knock on doors. Let's start with the nearest ones. How many households are you planning to deliver to?"
Lin Xiaonong asked with great interest, swallowing the small steamed bun in one bite. It did taste quite good, and its small size was actually more suitable than sending a large one separately. Each family member could have one, so there was no need to fight over it. This family was very thoughtful.
"It would be best if we delivered them to all the neighbors. How many households are there here? We made two or three hundred small steamed buns, so we'll deliver about 10 to each household. If there aren't that many households, and we have enough small steamed buns, we'll deliver them according to the number of people in each household."
Yu Jiu shared her thoughts, and Xu Zi silently followed beside her, holding little Yuan Yuan, without interfering.
"Two or three hundred is enough. My suggestion is to just send them to the neighbors in these two rows. There are thirteen households. Some families have more than ten people, but most have five, six, seven or eight people."
The row that Lin Xiaonong was referring to was actually the alley where they were located. They wouldn't deliver to the alleys next door, or to any of the more distant ones.
"Okay, then we'll do it your way. Could you please tell us how many people are in each household?"
"no problem."
Lin Xiaonong said he would take care of it, so the group started by delivering the goods to the first neighbor's house.
"This family has eight members: two adults and four children, none of whom are married yet. The eldest son works in a machine factory, and the second son is..."
Lin Xiaonong even went into detail about what each person in each household did for a living. Sure enough, since they lived in the same alley, Lin Xiaonong knew this place like the back of her hand.
"Uncle Zhang, Uncle Zhang, are you home?"
"Hey, you're here, Xiao Nong. What's up? And who are these two?"
The person inside immediately came out to open the door, and found two unfamiliar faces standing at the door, which puzzled him.
“Our new neighbors are right next door. They are my friends. This is Yu Jiu, and this is Xu Zijiang. They are a couple who have come to visit their neighbors and bring you some steamed buns. Uncle Zhang, go and get a bowl.”
"Oh, is that so? So you're the ones who moved next door. I heard some noise yesterday, but my door was closed, so I didn't see anything. I'll go get the bowls now."
Uncle Zhang chuckled and went to get a bowl, accepting Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang's kindness. The two even chatted with him for a while before leaving.
"Uncle Zhang, let's go visit our other neighbors first, and help each other out if needed in the future."
Xu Zijiang smiled and said, and Uncle Zhang nodded repeatedly.
"Of course, no problem."
He seemed quite satisfied with Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang. Sure enough, it was a good idea to visit them in person to buy things, especially with Lin Xiaonong, a local, helping to introduce them.
An'an and Lin Yue had finished their small steamed buns, and Yu Jiu gave each of them another one.
"Eat as much as you like, there's plenty."
"Mom is so good."
An'an nodded happily. These small steamed buns were also small for a child, and eating a few wouldn't cause indigestion or any problems.
The group then went to the next neighbor's house, knocking on each door, explaining their purpose, and offering small steamed buns. Most people happily accepted them. The small steamed buns were made with fine grains; although there were only a few, it was the thought that counted. Moreover, delivering to so many households was a considerable expense, which also showed that Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang were well-off.
Moreover, they have good temperaments and personalities, and everyone welcomes them as neighbors. However, some picky people feel that the steamed buns are too small and beneath them. Although they accept them, their words are laced with sneer and sarcasm.
Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang left without changing their expressions, without talking to them. Only after they had gone far away did Lin Xiaonong speak to them.
"Don't pay any attention to him. That's just how he is. His whole family is not easy to get along with. But since everyone has already given gifts, it wouldn't be good if they didn't. Just do your part and avoid him in the future."
Some people aren't home; you can deliver it again when they get off work in the evening.
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