"Changshun also grows watermelons, on the slope, because he can't bear to give up the good land for growing grain."
After talking about her second son, Gui Xiang couldn't help but think of her eldest son.
"Planted on a slope? We'll have to be careful once the melons grow. They're round and plump, and they'll just roll down the slope. If one melon rolls down, it might pull up all the seedlings."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Wang couldn't help but speak up.
"I really hadn't thought of that. Oh dear, my brain! I was wondering why something felt off. I was just thinking about how such good melon seeds were being wasted. Planting on a hillside is no better than planting in a field. We could just intercrop them. Even if we harvested less, we wouldn't have any at all. Thank goodness, I called the brigade leader that night to remind Changshun."
Gui Xiang slapped her thigh.
"It's not too late, it's not too late."
Aunt Wang comforted them, saying that the melons weren't very big yet, so even if they rolled, they wouldn't damage the seedlings.
"The chicken you brought yesterday was so easy to stew. I was thinking that such a big one would take a long time to stew, and it almost fell apart. Luckily, you specifically told me about it yesterday, so I paid more attention."
Gui Xiang changed the subject.
"I was just about to ask you, how did you braise this chicken? It smells really good."
Aunt Wang was also curious. Although it wasn't smoked chicken, the braised chicken tasted quite good even when it cooled down. She had noticed that everyone seemed to like it, especially the children gnawing on the chicken feet; it was a delightful sight.
"I didn't braise it, Lianxiang did. Lianxiang said it was hot, so she prepared spices and sauce and stewed the whole chicken. It soaked for a long time, then hung it in the well to cool. It was only taken out and torn apart before serving."
Gui Xiang said with a smile.
"Lianxiang can do this too, that's amazing."
Yang Yufen never expected that it was Lianxiang who did it.
"In order to supplement her family income, Lianxiang worked as a cook for others. When she was cooking for a master chef who prepared banquets, Lianxiang remembered it."
"I'll ask Lianxiang about it later. I think this scent is good. We can try to figure out how to dye it based on this."
Aunt Wang tasted another piece and looked at Yang Yufen.
"Okay, I think it tastes good too."
Yang Yufen also agreed.
After seeing all the guests off, Guixiang called Lianxiang over. As soon as Lianxiang heard the instructions, she immediately explained how to make the dish, specifying what to put in and how much to use, in great detail.
"We can't just take this recipe for nothing. Let's try it out in the cafeteria later. Lianxiang, you'll need to help out for a few days. Is that alright?"
Aunt Wang spoke.
"There's no problem with that, and I learned it from others."
Lianxiang was a little embarrassed.
"If we were just eating this ourselves, we wouldn't say anything. But we're planning to use this recipe to make and sell it, so it's different."
Aunt Wang explained.
"Can I sell it?"
Lianxiang was a little shocked, but then she realized that noodles and steamed buns could be sold, as could braised meats. Chicken was also meat, so of course it could be sold too.
"Of course, these white-feathered chickens grow quickly. We're worried that we might not be able to sell them all at once, so we're thinking of another way to sell them."
Aunt Wang replied with a smile.
“Auntie, I don’t want money. I want to start a business and earn some savings. I know my aunt is helping me by working here, and now that I’m married, I don’t want to ask anyone for money. I…”
Lianxiang said hesitantly.
"You want to make your own braised meat and sell it? Of course you can. The capital is so big, you should use your skills. Your Aunt Yang and I mainly raise chickens and grow fruit trees. If you can make it, it will save us some trouble."
Aunt Wang immediately smiled. The orchard was their main focus. They raised chickens for two reasons: to be self-sufficient and to compost.
Especially after her good friend Yufen said yesterday that she would be staying at the family compound at night from now on, Aunt Wang is also hesitating about this matter.
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