On Chinese New Year's Day, Shen Anning also worked in the kitchen for a long time with her younger brother An Yu. The kitchen was full of smoke, so she asked An Xuan to take her little niece Xixi to play on the kang in the north room.
At noon, a few people simply had steamed buns with corn and pork ribs soup. The delicious New Year’s Eve dinner will have to wait until the evening when they bring their grandparents over to eat.
On New Year's Eve, people in the village usually only have two meals, a simple meal in the morning and a hearty meal in the evening.
Because the side dishes and things to be fried or cooked were all prepared in the morning, Shen Anning took a few children to play games on the kang in the afternoon. Now one year and four months old, Shen Zixi can already stand on the kang and take a few simple steps. Although he would fall down when walking, the little guy watched his aunt and uncle scattered in three different places, walking from one person's arms to another's arms, and had a lot of fun.
While walking, he kept calling out, "Ah, auntie, uncle, ah, Xixi, baby."
The room was filled with laughter, as if what happened in the outside world had nothing to do with them.
Geng Yue and Geng Chengyi's wife came together.
Speaking of which, Shen Anning had visited Geng Chengyi several times, but she only knew that his lover was Xu Qihong, an elementary school teacher. She was not at home every time she went there before, so this was the first time she saw her in person.
Xu Qihong looks very northern, about 1.7 meters tall, good-looking, and somewhat heroic. He might be a teacher. He has a gentle and strict temperament. Judging from his clothes, he is also very neat.
"Hello, An Ning. I often hear your uncle Geng mention you two. But I was always at work when you visited me before, and I couldn't come back for the Chinese New Year last year. This is my first time to see you, so please don't blame me."
Shen Anning smiled, brought the two into the house, and made two cups of brown sugar water. "Aunt Xu, you and Uncle Geng can remember me and help me so much. I really can't thank you enough. How can I blame you?"
Xu Qihong not only brought two cans of food, but also two packs of snacks and her homemade catfish stewed with eggplant. Shen Anning knew that she really wanted to give it to him, so she didn't hesitate. She thanked him and took the things and put them on the cabinet.
"Thank you, Aunt Xu. This catfish stewed with eggplant looks delicious." Shen Anning had heard that catfish stewed with eggplant would make the old man die of stuffing.
However, she is not a native Northeasterner, so even though she is following the instructions of the village auntie, she can never make the food taste like other people's. This may be related to the homemade sauce.
Xu Qilan smiled, looked at Shen Anyu standing beside her, and smiled, “An Ning, my aunt is here today, and I want to ask Anyu for help with something.”
Shen Anning was a little confused. "Hmm? You say."
"You know, our youngest son is a debt collector. He kept clamoring to be a Red Guard, and your uncle beat him several times before he finally calmed him down. He's only ten years old this year, and he's annoying people in the family compound in the city by teasing cats and dogs. I know An Yu's ability, and I'm thinking of sending him to study in the countryside this year, and letting his grandparents take care of him. I just want An Yu to help take care of him, exercise him during the day, and take him to school. If he annoys other children in the village, just beat him up until he's convinced. Don't be polite."
Shen Anning and Shen Anyu were a little stunned when they heard it!
this. . . . . .
Shen Anning knew that the first time she visited Uncle Cheng Yi, she encountered Geng Chengyi when he took leave to stay at home and beat Geng Ziwei.
She smiled and said, "Of course it's no problem, Aunt Xu. Anyway, the children from the two villages exercise and go to school together. I'll accept it on behalf of An Yu."
Shen Anyu stood by and wanted to laugh. He wanted to see who this guy was who was beaten at home by his parents after they asked him to take leave.
"Yes, Aunt Xu, don't worry, there's still National Day. The two of us will definitely help you keep an eye on the person."
Xu Qihong had solved a big problem. "Thank you in advance, you really helped me a lot."
A few people chatted in the house for a while, and seeing that it was getting late, Xu Qihong and Geng Yue got up to say goodbye. Geng Yue's grandfather and Geng Chengyi's father were brothers, so the two families had a good relationship. This time they came together, and Geng Yue also brought a bowl of braised pork elbow for Shen An Ning. Shen An Ning each returned with a large bowl of corn stewed with pork ribs, with less soup and corn and more meat.
Aunt Sufen and Aunt Erlan next door, as well as the village secretary's family, sent their children to give Shen Anning a portion of New Year's dishes before dinner. Although the quantity was not much, it was a thoughtful gesture.
Shen An Ning did not favor one over the other. The family returned with a bowl of corn and pork ribs soup. Fortunately, they were smart at noon and cooked a whole pot, waiting to use it now.
When it was almost dark, Shen An Ning crossed the bridge to pick up her grandparents. Tonight was still an incomplete family New Year's Eve dinner.
Because she wanted to deliver meals to Grandpa Cao and Grandma Cao in the cowshed, she made more this year than last year. This year she made eight hot dishes, including chicken, duck, fish, braised pork elbow, stir-fried cabbage with oil residue, steamed Chinese sausage, and four-happiness meatballs.
Grandpa Shen and Grandma Shen have been getting enough nutrition and are in good health these past two years because Shen An Ning is here.
While eating and drinking, Grandpa Shen felt that he was really content to have these good grandsons and granddaughters in his life.
"Come, this year Grandpa wants to toast you three siblings with a glass of wine. Grandpa and Grandma have witnessed your growth over the past two years. We've watched you shoulder the responsibilities of the family and keep the house in perfect order. Grandpa is really proud of you."
Grandpa's words made An Yu and An Xuan very excited. They grew up very fast during the time they lived in the countryside. Because they understood the current situation of their family, they became more thoughtful and sensible.
A meal full of warmth and affection for the family.
After the meal, Shen Anning still packed up the things, put them in the backpack, and sent her grandparents to the cowshed before leaving.
On the way back, she looked at the moon hanging in the sky. The gentle moonlight sprinkled on her and on the land where she would live for the next five years.
After tonight, 1973 will really come.
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