Chapter 218 Cucumber with Pork Jelly

This is usually what happens when a boy visits a house for the first time.

When facing a girl I like, no matter how many things I bring to her house, it always feels not serious enough.

Even though Xiao Ran's hands were full, he still felt weak in his heart.

Now that they are here, we cannot chase them away.

Hang Jinghua heard the commotion and came over.

Ouch.

Hang Jinghua's eyes lit up and he secretly gave his sister a thumbs up.

Apart from anything else, the boy looks really good.

Xiao Ran greeted everyone as soon as he entered the room, and anyone with a discerning eye could tell the value of the things he brought.

Wang Silan pulled Hang Jingshu into the house and asked, "Didn't I just say I would send you back?"

The posture and things she carries are almost the same as when the man came to the house for the first time.

Hang Jingshu was also very depressed: "The money is in his bag, and I can't stop it."

To be honest, this was beyond Hang Jingshu's expectations.

How did this happen out of nowhere?

It was supposed to be a simple matter of two parties getting together for a meal, but how did it suddenly become so formal?

Over at Hangren Mountain, he looked at Xiao Ran carefully.

Wang Xiangchun immediately understood what his father-in-law meant, and took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to him: "Brother, want one?"

Xiao Ran smiled happily: "Brother, I don't smoke."

Zhao Donglai also came over with a smile: "Let's have a drink later."

Xiao Ran paused for a moment and smiled modestly: "Okay, I'll drink with you later."

He doesn't smoke, but he drinks a little, which is more in line with Xiao Ran's age.

Xiao Jinbao and his sister were playing in the yard. They were both very interested in the new big brother and hid behind their mother to secretly watch Xiao Ran.

When Hang Jingshu came out of the room, he found that Xiao Ran was not in the yard.

"Dad, where's Xiao Ran?"

We had just spoken a few words when he disappeared.

Wang Xiangchun smiled quite complacently: "Just now your sister said that there was no soy sauce at home, and Xiao Ran volunteered to go get some soy sauce. Dad couldn't persuade him, so he let him go."

It doesn't make sense to ask customers to go out and get soy sauce after they come to your store.

Wang Xiangchun and Hang Jingshu winked at each other and said, "Little sister, don't worry about this."

Things had come to this point, and Hang Jingshu couldn't just chase his sister and brother-in-law away, so the simple meal turned into a family dinner.

When Xiao Ran came back, Hang Jingshu finally understood why he went out.

Xiao Ran not only brought back a bottle of soy sauce, but also a big bag of children's favorite food in his other hand.

Bulk animal cookies, fruit leather, peanut candy, and even a few bottles of chocolate champagne.

Wang Silan got anxious the moment she saw it: "Child, why are you still buying so many things? You're wasting money."

Xiao Ran was not unhappy when Wang Silan said this. Instead, he grinned happily: "Auntie, I didn't expect that my elder and second sisters would be here. These are all bought for the children. They are free."

Hang Renshan smoked silently, but he was muttering to himself: Who is your elder sister or your second sister? You little brat are so rude.

Every old father has an inexplicable sour feeling towards the issue of his daughter finding a partner.

The main reason is that this object appeared too quickly and unexpectedly.

The first two times his daughters got married, both sons-in-law were chosen under the watchful eyes of Old Man Hang, so it is not an exaggeration to say that he chose them personally.

When it came to the young lady's place, Xiao Ran suddenly appeared, and Father Hang was not mentally prepared at all.

It’s not that he was unprepared, as he had eaten peaches that were sent to him during the summer vacation.

Old Man Hang felt sour inside, especially when he saw how much his daughter cared about Xiao Ran. The old father's heart instantly broke into pieces.

When it was time for dinner, Xiao Ran was naturally interrogated.

After a few drinks, Xiao Ran remained calm, spoke clearly and even his eyes were not wandering.

Sometimes the relationship between men is very simple. After a few drinks, Zhao Donglai started to hug Xiao Ran and casually asked some questions that everyone wanted to ask: "Brother, it's not easy for you to come here. You must have a lot of things to do at home."

When my younger sister brought people back, everyone was surprised, but most of them were still willing to consider Hang Jingshu's interests.

Chinese people are more reserved and like to ask questions in a roundabout way about everything.

Since Xiao Ran was here, he was mentally prepared to be asked these questions.

He put down his glass, looked at everyone present sincerely, and then slowly said, "My parents were soldiers. They died in the counterattack a few years ago. Now I am the only one left. I heard that I have distant relatives, but I have never seen them since I was a child."

…

After these words were spoken, everyone present fell silent. The position of soldiers in the hearts of ordinary people is different, especially for soldiers who have participated in battles.

Seeing Xiao Ran saying this with a smile, everyone couldn't help but feel sad, even Hang Renshan couldn't help but look surprised.

When Wang Silan heard that Xiao Ran had lost his parents when he was just a teenager and had no relatives at home, she immediately felt that this child was really pitiful.

When Xiao Ran was still a little girl in his arms, he had to deal with the funeral of his parents.

Not to mention Xiao Ran, even the sisters Hang Jingmei and Hang Jinghua had never experienced such a thing before.

Although the family has sacrificed money to provide pensions, for a teenager, nothing is more important than the company of his parents.

Not having many relatives means that one has to endure a lot of hardships in the village, and since the children are young, there are even more people with ulterior motives.

This gives us a glimpse of what kind of life Xiao Ran lived as a child.

However, Hang Renshan also found it a little strange: "You have no relatives at home, so you should also be taken away."

The treatment of children of martyrs is still very good now, especially for people like Xiao Ran whose parents are both gone, there should be someone to arrange a place for them to go.

How much does it cost to raise a child? Xiao Ran can definitely receive a pension every month, and underage children also need a guardian. How could they just let Xiao Ran hang out in the village alone?

No matter how I think about it, there seems to be something wrong.

In response to Hang Renshan's question, Xiao Ran chuckled and explained, "I was already not a child at that time. There was no need for me to adapt to the family. The neighbors around me were all good. There was no need to suffer for a few more years."

Xiao Ran is undoubtedly smart. In an age when teenagers can take charge of the household, Xiao Ran is indeed a little old.

Even if you go to the home of your parents' comrades-in-arms, you may not be treated well. You may even receive more bullying.

The kids in the compound won't tell you these things. What's wrong with them being the children of heroes? If they need to fight, they will fight. Some brotherhoods are built through fighting.

Xiao Ran had been familiar with the village since he was a child and had grown up, so he didn't need to adapt to a new environment.

Even once you get there, there aren't many options.

His parents have passed away, and what Xiao Ran wants most is, of course, to live well and build his own family.

The warm moments in his memory became increasingly blurred. Xiao Ran looked at Hang Jingshu, who was also looking at him, from across the table. There was a hint of expectation and tenderness in his eyes. "I came here so suddenly this time. I'm sorry to have caused trouble for you all."

He likes the atmosphere of the Hang family very much.

It was through the Hang family that he understood where Xiao Hang's unique temperament came from. It was the warmth and kindness he had been looking forward to for a long time.

Finding a loved one and being able to depend on and take care of each other for a long time is what Xiao Ran has been looking forward to for a long time.

In one’s lifetime, it is best to die peacefully and simply.

As his thoughts spread, Wang Silan reminded Xiao Ran to eat: "Eat more, kid, this dish is not common."

What was pushed in front of Xiao Ran was a plate of cold dishes that were not common in winter.

Cucumber mixed with pork jelly.

The cucumber is fresh and juicy, obviously not an old cucumber. The crispy and tender texture makes everyone in the family feel very fresh. Paired with homemade pork skin jelly and a few cloves of garlic, it is the perfect dish to go with wine.

Xiao Ran and Hang Jingshu were classmates, so they knew what was good. "Is this... a greenhouse cucumber?"

The school is on holiday in January and it is not the New Year yet, so Hang Renshan has been very busy recently.

Mainly because cucumbers and tomatoes are selling so well.

He and Baozhu didn't even have to shout to attract customers, as the fruits were almost always sold out as soon as they were picked and brought to the farmers' market.

How much can greenhouse vegetables sell for in winter?

At first, Hang Renshan felt confused and sold it at three yuan per catty. Although many people were shocked at the time, there were still many buyers.

As a result, the next day, the cucumbers at 3 yuan per pound were almost sold out!

When they first saw the cucumbers growing little by little, Hang Renshan and Lin Baozhu were really happy.

But I am also worried. What if I really can’t sell it?

Since they had no connections, they could only pick the fruits and carry the baskets to the farmers' market to sell them.

The 3 dollars was snatched away immediately!

In the end, there were even some extra charges.

This is totally unexpected.

Lin Baozhu couldn't believe it at all. He discussed with Hang Renshan and the others for several days and finally raised the price to five yuan per catty.

As a result, there were still not enough to sell!

This business is so simple. All you have to do every day is put the cucumbers in the farmers' market and wait to get paid.

Because it sells so well, Hang Renshan rarely has the chance to take any home to eat, but today is an exception.

This crop of cucumbers has been sold out, and the remaining ones will have to grow for a few more days.

He and Lin Baozhu lived in a small house next to the greenhouse, and had to observe the cucumbers and tomatoes in the greenhouse before dawn every day.

Look at the weather and lift the straw curtain. It's too hot and the air needs to be released. Building a greenhouse is really not an easy job.

Fortunately, Lin Baozhu also had a junior high school education. When the two of them didn't understand, they studied the books left by Hang Jingshu and called Hang Jingshu frequently.

In addition, Hang Renshan himself has many years of experience in growing vegetables, so he managed to take good care of the cucumbers in the greenhouse.

Cucumbers love to bend when there is not enough sunlight. From flowering and pollination to pest control and picking, Hang Renshan has had a tiring but happy six months.

Seeing Xiao Ran was shocked, Hang Renshan smiled and said, "It is said that learning should be put into practice. If the daughter is promising, I, as her father, must keep up."

Xiao Ran really didn't expect this.

Then he stood up and toasted Hang Renshan with a glass of wine: "Uncle, this glass of wine is for you, you are so awesome!"

Wang Xiangchun was so amazed at what he saw. This boy's alcohol tolerance was unfathomable.

It is said that men from eastern Shandong are good at drinking. This time I really saw it.

Xiao Ran has drunk at least half a pound of liquor from the beginning till now, but nothing has happened to him.

The two sons-in-law of the Hang family looked at each other. This guy really couldn't be fed.

Faced with Xiao Ran's solemn toast, Hang Renshan naturally would not refuse.

From the moment Xiao Ran entered the door, everyone had been staring at him. After three rounds of drinks, all they could say was that this kid was really smart in what he said and did.

At the end of the meal, even though Xiao Ran had drunk quite a bit of wine, his eyes and eyebrows were still clear, he walked steadily, and he even helped his brother-in-law Wang Xiangchun carry Xiao Jinbao to the door.

The cold wind blew away the drunkenness as we went out, and everyone felt dispirited by the cold night wind.

Wang Xiangchun took his son, who was about to fall asleep, in a daze and waved to the people standing at the door: "Go in quickly, we are leaving too."

The couple came here by bicycle. It is not too late now and they can get home by 9 o'clock.

Hang Jinghua was holding the little girl in her arms and supporting the trembling Zhao Donglai as they prepared to go home.

Xiao Ran could only take care of the left side, but not the right side. The sight of the big guy supporting people on both sides looked a little funny.

Wang Silan and the others frowned as they watched. Finally, Hang Renshan spoke up: "Alright, alright, why are you going back so late? Just sleep here."

They are not outsiders.

However, when Hang Renshan saw Xiao Ran, he swallowed the words back.

Wang Silan felt sad just thinking about it, so she just tried to persuade him to stay.

I forgot there is this half-outsider person here.

Wang Silan saw Hang Renshan's hesitation and said directly: "Xiao Ran has drunk a lot of wine, and the room in the guesthouse is not close, so you can stay here too."

This kind of thing is not uncommon nowadays.

It was common for five or six brothers to sleep on one big kang when visiting relatives and drinking too much during the Spring Festival, except for one extra person, Xiao Ran.

The child's life experience is already pitiful, and now he is being left to sleep alone in a guesthouse?

Wang Silan felt sad just thinking about it, so she just tried to persuade him to stay.

Bang-!

Fireworks exploded not far away, and as the light spread, Hang Jingshu saw Xiao Ran's stunned and surprised face: "Is it okay?"

Since his wife had spoken, even if Hang Renshan felt it was inappropriate, he would not refute Wang Silan's words in public: "One more person is not too much, let's live together."

If distant relatives can live here, Xiao Ran can too.

Hang Renshan knew that Xiao Ran had a hard time and he had indeed drunk a lot tonight. When Zhao Donglai heard that he didn't have to go home, he moved forward and prepared to go back into the house.

He was so drunk that he was staggering and nearly fell, but Xiao Ran was tall and strong, and he stretched out his long arms to support him.

After all the commotion, several people finally settled down at the Hang family's.

Although the Hang family's yard was big enough, there was only enough room for a few people to live in. In the end, Xiao Ran and his two future brothers-in-law were squeezed into one room.

The three sisters slept together, and Hang Jinghua's daughter Xiao Niuniu also slept with the three sisters.

Xiao Jinbao went to sleep with Wang Silan and her husband.

As the night deepened, the Hang family courtyard, which had been bustling all day, gradually returned to silence.

The next day, Hang Jingshu got up early and washed up, while Wang Silan was preparing to make plans for going out tomorrow.

The Chinese New Year is coming soon, and Wang Silan took the whole family out to visit temples and burn incense.

Since 1984, the campaign to destroy the four olds has been gradually phased out, and now it is neither encouraged nor prohibited.

Ordinary people always have to have some hope in their lives. Some burn a few incense sticks to pray for wealth and good marriage. Everyone has some expectations from the bottom of their hearts, and the higher-ups just turn a blind eye to it.