Ma Aning gently pushed open the door and returned to the room.
Sitting on the bed, Shen Zishan looked up at his wife, who had returned, with a suspicious expression. He asked with concern, "Wife, what's going on? Why did you come back again?"
Ma Aning smiled slightly and explained softly, "Brother Shan, I saw the village chief and the others coming when I got to the door. They were all here to help us out of kindness!"
"So I thought I should buy some meat and vegetables to treat everyone properly." With that, she walked to the cabinet, opened the door, and reached inside to take out a stack of banknotes.
Shen Zishan nodded repeatedly in agreement: "Yes, my wife is right. We should definitely buy more good dishes to treat them. After my leg injury heals, we should go to their door to thank them in person!"
Ma Aning nodded slightly, turned her gaze to Shen Zishan, and asked softly, "Brother Shan, do you really not need to go to the bathroom right now?"
Shen Zishan touched his nose somewhat embarrassedly and quickly shook his head, replying, "Oh, really, no need. Wife, you should go and come back quickly!"
After receiving her husband's affirmative answer, Ma Aning turned around with relief, carefully supporting her round belly, and slowly walked towards the door step by step.
After leaving her home, she first walked unsteadily to Aunt Liu's house in the village and bought more than 10 fresh eggs;
Then we went to Aunt Chen's house and bought some delicious cured meat that she smoked for the New Year;
Finally, she even went to Uncle Shen's house to buy a lot of fresh seasonal vegetables.
Although we grow some vegetables in our own plot of land, considering that we are going to use them to entertain guests, and that my sister-in-law and second sister-in-law might nag endlessly, it would be more appropriate to buy them from someone else.
By the time Ma Aning had bought enough groceries and was carrying her basket back home, more than an hour had passed.
Meanwhile, the village chief and his team were already working hard, and the yard was quickly repaired and tidied up.
As the saying goes, many hands make light work! Sure enough, although the house looked quite large, it was in pretty good condition overall and didn't require much repair, so it was all fixed in no time.
Just then, Ma Aning walked over carrying loads of various vegetables in both hands.
She didn't take the vegetables directly back to her own home, but instead took them to her new house. As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, her eyes were drawn to the brand-new and orderly yard.
In an instant, a relieved and satisfied smile involuntarily bloomed on her previously slightly tired face.
Immediately afterwards, Ma Aning spotted the plump woman, Aunt Liu, squatting in a corner of the yard, diligently weeding.
She quickly and carefully stepped forward, supporting her pregnant belly, and said sincerely to Aunt Liu, "Aunt Liu, I just went to the market and bought a lot of fresh vegetables. I was wondering if I could leave them at your house for now."
Could you please stir-fry something for everyone at noon? Also, could I borrow some cornmeal from you to make some steamed buns for everyone? I'll go home and get them later.
Hearing this, Aunt Liu quickly straightened up, took some vegetables from Ma Aning, and said with a smile, "Oh dear, Aning, why are you being so formal? We're neighbors, it's only natural to help each other out."
Besides, we only lent a hand with a small task; it's not worth you going to such lengths and buying so many good groceries!
However, when Aunt Liu kindly declined, Ma Aning replied with a serious expression.
"Aunt Liu, you can't say that! We will always remember your kindness in taking time out of your busy schedules to help us!"
Today I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude by treating everyone to a simple home-cooked meal. Please don't be shy about it!
At this moment, the people gathered around felt a warm glow and great joy as they looked at Ma Aning, who was sincerely trying to host a banquet for them.
After all, no one wants to help those ungrateful, heartless people!
And so, Aunt Liu finally couldn't resist Ma Aning's enthusiastic invitation and had no choice but to agree.
Afterwards, she, Ma Aning, and another woman named Qin Daya chatted and laughed all the way home. Aunt Liu opened the door, and the three of them soon got busy in the kitchen.
All three were quick and efficient workers, and they cooked five dishes in no time.
Each dish is not only generously portioned, enough to feed several people, but also exudes an enticing aroma.
In addition, they steamed many large buns using golden cornmeal.
After the house was completely tidied up, the group went to Aunt Liu's house together.
As soon as they entered, everyone's eyes were drawn to the dishes laid out on the table.
The table was laden with a sumptuous feast, making one's mouth water.
The first thing that catches the eye is a plate of golden-yellow chives and eggs. The tender chives and smooth eggs are perfectly combined, emitting a rich aroma.
Next came a large bowl of stewed green beans. The soft and tender green beans were soaked in the delicious broth, which made one's appetite very much.
The fragrant stir-fried cured pork with chili peppers, with its alternating layers of lean and fatty cured pork paired with bright red chili peppers, is so delicious that it makes your mouth water just by looking at it.
Then there's the jade-white tofu, which melts in your mouth and is bursting with the aroma of soybeans; finally, there's the refreshing cucumber salad and the crispy fried peanuts, adding a unique flavor to the whole meal.
Although the dishes are not numerous, each dish is served in a very generous portion.
Looking at the sumptuous feast before them, everyone couldn't help but swallow.
After all, in this era of scarcity, it was not easy to be able to taste so many delicious dishes at once.
Soon, the dinner table was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food and chatted happily.
Everyone's face was beaming with happiness, clearly very satisfied with the delicious meal.
Before long, the entire table of food was devoured in a flash.
At this moment, one of them spoke up: "Sister-in-law, our yard is all tidied up now. When are you planning to move? If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask us!"
Upon hearing this, Ma Aning looked up and saw Shen Yiyan, her husband's best friend in the village, and a smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you so much! If I could, I would move there right now!"
Ma Aning's eyes sparkled with joy; she couldn't wait to start her new life.
“Let’s go now,” Shen Yiyan was a man of action, and as soon as he heard Ma Aning’s words, he immediately turned around and headed towards the Shen family.
Seeing this, the others quickly followed.
Ma Aning was carrying a tightly wrapped bag containing extra food she had prepared for Shen Zishan.
And so, the group marched in a grand procession toward the Shen family's residence.
Before long, they arrived at the Shen family's residence.
At this moment, Chen Zhong and several other people were sitting around the dining table eating lunch.
Seeing so many people suddenly flooding in like a tide really startled me.
As Shen Zishan's closest friend, Shen Yiyan had long harbored resentment towards Shen Zhong's biased treatment of Shen Zishan.
He spoke first, saying, "Sister-in-law, you should go inside and tidy up. We'll help you move your things later."
Ma Aning smiled and nodded, replying, "Okay, thank you all for your help! Please wait a moment." With that, she gently pushed open the door and entered the room.
Upon hearing the noise, Shen Zishan, who was lying in the hospital bed, immediately struggled to sit up and exclaimed with joy, "Wife, you're finally back!"
Ma Aning walked quickly to the bedside, placed the bag in her hand on the table, and said softly, "Well, Brother Shan, this is food I specially packed and brought back for you. Eat it while it's hot."
"Let me tidy up our things first. Brother Yiyan and the others have already helped tidy up the yard. We can move in now. They're waiting outside to help us move."
Before she finished speaking, a bright and warm smile bloomed on Ma Aning's face.
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