Mo Yuan looked up, took down a basket hanging from the roof beam, and lifted the cloth covering it.
Inside were three different kinds of food, each a different color; and you have to admit, the colors were actually quite well-matched.
Yellow cornbread, black bean flour bread, and red boiled sweet potatoes.
This is a staple food at home, and a familiar memory instantly flooded my mind. Yes, it's 1980 now.
It will be another three years before we can truly have enough to eat at home and eat white flour to our heart's content!
Normally, this is the staple food for most people in the village at noon. More particular families might cook a pot of soup at most.
A plate of pickled vegetables will suffice. If you're too lazy, a bowl of tea and some dry rations will do.
Even the wealthiest families might stir-fry a plate of vegetables picked from their own garden!
Everyone's gotten used to it; that's how it's been all these years!
Mo Yuan wasn't going to have such a simple meal, especially since today was Lin Xue's first proper meal at home.
Even if the rest of the family were still living the hard life they used to endure, eating only coarse food and wild vegetables...
What's the point of my rebirth then?
Mo Yuan was confident he could lead everyone to a better life, so when he found the only eight or nine pounds of flour at the bottom of the jar...
Without thinking, I poured everything into the basin, added water, and prepared to knead the dough!
Out with the old, in with the new! Let's eat and drink our fill and celebrate first!
With limited resources, I can only make one meal of hand-pulled noodles. It seems that to truly use my culinary skills to cook good meals for my family, I still need to earn money!
There's no meat or fish, no white flour buns or rice, so it can't be considered delicious or tasty!
Despite this, Mo Yuan still took this meal very seriously. This meal was a declaration of his newfound rebirth!
With a practiced set of movements, a large dough ball was transformed into a round dough sheet under the manipulation of Mo Yuan's rolling pin.
Sprinkle with a little flour to prevent sticking, fold back and forth, and cut into even strips with a knife.
Just then, the large pot of water that had been boiled beforehand also came to a boil. Mo Yuan had been lucky enough to find two eggs at the bottom of the jar earlier; they must have been collected from the henhouse that morning.
Without saying a word, they turned into two plump, white poached eggs in the noodle pot!
Although it was just simple hand-pulled noodles, Mo Yuan tried his best to make it to the best of his ability.
Just before taking it off the heat, each person had half a spoonful of lard, a grain of salt, and a touch of soy sauce added to the bottom of their bowl.
Then he ladled the soup and noodles into a bowl and sprinkled chopped green onions on top!
Then Mo Yuan sighed helplessly. It was just a little less perfect; a few drops of sesame oil would have made it even better.
Unfortunately, there wasn't any. Not even sesame oil, let alone soybean oil!
Even so, if my mother saw that such a big chunk of lard was missing from the jar, she would probably nag me endlessly and scold me for using a month's worth!
Mo Yuan didn't call for anyone to bring the bowls; instead, he carried them to the table himself, one trip at a time.
I just called everyone to get ready to eat!
Everyone gathered around and saw the bowls of noodles on the table, adorned with vibrant green hues and glistening with oil.
They all gasped.
"hiss!"
When Chen Qiaoyun, the eldest sister-in-law, returned, she exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, it really is my younger brother's cooking! Amazing! When did you learn this skill?"
"Hehe, sister-in-law, I'm smart, I've seen others do it before!"
Mo Yuan didn't want to dwell on this issue.
"Quickly, quick, sister-in-law, try my cooking! Mother, this is for you, Lin Zhiqing, this bowl is for you!"
Everyone looked at the two bowls of noodles Mo Yuanfen had made, then looked down at the noodles in their own bowls, and their expressions varied!
Looking at the white poached eggs, Yu Xiue was not moved by her son's filial piety. Instead, she complained, "These were just taken out this morning. I was planning to save up a few to exchange for some things at the supply and marketing cooperative. You've ruined them all in one meal?"
Then, realizing that it was a bit inappropriate to say it like that, he immediately smiled and said to Lin Xue, "Lin Zhiqing, eat! You're so thin, eat more!"
While thinking to herself, she thought, "There's an old saying: 'A mountain boy has a long tail, and once he marries, he forgets his mother.' This youngest son isn't even married yet, and he's already doting on his wife. But it's alright, at least he still thinks of his mother. I haven't spoiled him for nothing!"
As she spoke, she placed the poached egg from her bowl into the bowl of her eldest son, Mo Gang. In the past, she would have insisted that the egg be given to her youngest son as well.
However, for some reason, Yu Xiu'e didn't like Mo Yuan today, so she didn't give it to him!
Mo Gang didn't say anything, just chuckled and honestly gave the eggs to his wife!
I've been married for over a year and still haven't gotten pregnant. My health is weak, and people in the village are starting to gossip about it. Perfect timing, I'll take some tonics!
Chen Qiaoyun blushed at her husband's actions. There were people in the room, including Lin Zhiqing, and he didn't seem to care that they would laugh at him!
However, she still gladly accepted the man's kindness, thinking happily that although her man was a bit slow-witted and not as smart as her second or third son, at least he knew how to care for people!
Shyly, I started eating my noodles with my head down, and as soon as I started eating, I was immediately surprised!
"Wow, how did you make this? It's so delicious!"
The second sister interjected, "Sister-in-law, it's made with wheat flour, how could it not taste good?"
"Oh no, you guys should try it!"
So everyone, including Lin Xue, started to pick up their bowls and taste the food.
Let's celebrate the New Year today!
Soon, everyone was drawn to the bowl of noodles that Mo Yuan had carefully prepared.
No one spoke anymore, and even Lin Xue disregarded her image and started eating one bite after another!
Since I was sent to the countryside, I haven't had a proper meal much!
For a moment, the room was filled with the sound of slurping noodles!
After finishing his meal in one go, Mo Youshan put down his chopsticks and let out a long sigh of relief!
"That feels great! Even the richest landlords in the past wouldn't dare to eat like this!"
Mo Yuan was about to help serve more when he said, "Dad, there's still some in the pot. Let me get you a bowl!"
Yu Xiu'e, after all, felt sorry for her son. Seeing that Mo Yuan hadn't eaten yet, she took Mo Youshan's bowl.
"Okay, you go ahead and eat! It'll get soggy!"
After saying that, he took the bowl and went to the kitchen!
The eldest sister-in-law and second sister were very curious about how Mo Yuan made it. It wasn't just because of the white flour; the taste was indeed very good!
Mo Yuan then told the two of them how he did it. The two of them were often in charge of the family's meals, so they naturally took this kind of thing very seriously.
Even Lin Xue turned her body to the side to listen attentively, seeing Mo Yuan explaining carefully and thoroughly.
Looking at his face, Lin Xue suddenly felt that this decision wasn't so bad after all.
Of course, it would be even better if Mo Yuan could turn over a new leaf and live a down-to-earth life in the future!
However, she also knew that this was wishful thinking, as his reputation was known far and wide!
People hate him, and even dogs hate him.
Just as the atmosphere inside the room was harmonious and everyone was chatting enthusiastically,
Suddenly, a lithe figure darted in from outside.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Yu Xiu'e, who was angrily shouting at Mo Yuan.
"Where's the noodles? Where's the lard? Are you trying to ruin your life? You've squandered the whole meal! I'll beat you to death, you wasteful wretch!"
…………
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