Upon hearing this, Yu Yao and the others understood the implication.
Su Yu's sister-in-law's words were practically saying that Yu Yao got into the food factory through Wu Huaiqing's connections.
Wu Huaiqing frowned and explained, "Sister-in-law Su, you've misunderstood. Yu Yao got into the factory because of her own efforts, it has nothing to do with me."
Su Yu, who was standing to the side, also said awkwardly, "Sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense. Yu Yao helped the army catch a spy, and the division commander specially approved her for a job."
Sister-in-law Su Yu glanced at Yu Yao's petite figure.
Someone like her, she'd be more likely to be arrested by spies, let alone spies? If she's using connections, she can use connections; what's there to hide?
They haven't even confirmed their relationship with Su Yu yet, and they're already worried that they'll use connections to get involved.
If they officially become a couple, will they be able to benefit from the Wu family's influence?
Chen Xipo, the middleman, was sweating profusely and quickly changed the subject.
"Teacher Wu, you've cooked such a lavish meal today! We don't even have this kind of feast at home during Chinese New Year. If I were to become your daughter-in-law, I'd be so lucky to have such delicious food."
She was criticizing the woman's family, but they didn't listen at all.
Granny Chen originally thought Su Yu was a decent girl, which is why she was thinking of introducing her to Wu Huaiqing. She never expected that Su Yu's family would be like this.
They're so easily swayed; the relationship isn't even official yet, and they're not even trying to hide it.
Granny Chen spent the entire noon smoothing things over, barely eating a bite of food, but she managed to get through today's meeting.
Wu Wanying went to the dock and the supply and marketing cooperative early in the morning, buying meat and seafood. She was busy all morning and made a big table of dishes.
Originally, everyone was having a pleasant meal together to get to know each other. If there were no problems, they could move on to the next step.
As a result of the Su family's actions, the meal was somewhat less enjoyable.
Yu Yao didn't care much. She believed it was better to see the other person's family clearly before committing to a relationship than after they had started dating and gotten married.
Two days after that meal, Yu Yao heard from Wu Wanying that the matter had not been resolved. The Su family had agreed, but Wu Huaiqing did not.
On her way back to the military compound from the Wu family home, Yu Yao suddenly realized she had forgotten her coat.
I'm almost home now, I can only wait until I get off work to go pick it up.
Passing by the new family dormitory building.
Thinking of the medicinal wine that Sister-in-law Sun Yu had given her last time, Yu Yao estimated that it was about time and said to Lu Ze, "Lu Ze, you should go back first. I need to talk to Sister-in-law Sun Yu."
"Together, I happen to have something to say to Qin Ye."
Aunt Ge was cooking in the kitchen when she called Yu Yao in, "Yu Yao, I've already told Qin Ye and Lu Ze that you two can stay for dinner later. I've made your favorite dishes today."
The two families have a good relationship and often treat each other to meals.
Yu Yao didn't stand on ceremony. "Thank you, Auntie. Auntie, I still have some preserved duck that my mom gave me in my bag. It's made from Jiaji duck, and it tastes pretty good. I'll steam it for you."
"That's great! My aunt hasn't had much of an appetite these past few days and has been craving this cured meat."
Lu Ze and Qin Ye went to the study to talk. Yu Yao gave the preserved duck to Aunt Ge, and then Sun Yu pulled her into the bedroom.
Sun Yu looked around but couldn't find the medicinal wine she had made. Looking up, she realized that her husband had put it on top of the wardrobe sometime during the night.
Sun Yu went to the study to find Qin Ye, "Old Qin, come and help me for a bit."
As soon as Political Commissar Qin entered the room, he asked, "What is it?"
Sun Yu pointed to the basket covered by a blue rag on the wardrobe: "Help me take that basket down."
Qin Ye stood on tiptoe, took the basket down, and handed it to Sun Yu. "Is there anything else?"
His gaze fell on the basket, and Sun Yu quickly pushed him out, saying, "You should get out of here."
After waiting a week, Sun Yu waved to Yu Yao, lifted the basket, and said, "Yu Yao, come here."
Yu Yao peeked out.
Inside the basket were two small bottles of amber-colored medicinal wine, transparent in color and looking like honey.
"These two bottles are concentrated medicinal wine, they have a strong alcohol taste. Go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy some fruit wine to mix with them. The one on the left is for you, and the one on the right is for Commander Lu..."
Yu Yao silently noted down the precautions, planning to go to the supply and marketing cooperative tomorrow to buy fruit wine for Lu Ze to try.
Fortunately, he doesn't have any missions these days and is at the military base, so there's no need to worry about drinking affecting his training.
The next morning, Yu Yao went to work.
After the weekly meeting, Yu Yao and several workers from the workshop were called over by Zhao Shengli.
"A qualified sugar water mixmaker must be familiar with all the sugar-making processes. Today, the workshop is going to use sugarcane to make sugar. All of you come with me to help. You must learn carefully."
"Okay, Brother Zhao."
Yu Yao followed Zhao Shengli, listening to him explain the sugar extraction process while taking notes of the key points in her notebook.
The sugar-making process in the 1970s was relatively primitive, mainly relying on pressing.
After the sugarcane is washed and cut, the juice is extracted using a press. (Image included)
Then, after filtration and sedimentation to remove impurities and suspended solids, the resulting juice is heated until the water evaporates, yielding syrup. (Image included)
At this point, you need to stir constantly to help the sugar crystallize and obtain a thicker syrup. (Image included)
These thick syrups, after naturally cooling, become the brown sugar that women drink during their monthly menstrual periods. (Image included)
The initial stages of making white sugar and brown sugar are basically similar. The difference lies in the treatment of the concentrated syrup. If it is not cooled, the sugar crystallization can be further aided by controlling the temperature or adding seed crystals. (Image included)
Finally, the obtained sucrose crystals are separated, washed, and dried to obtain white sugar. (Image included)
Yu Yao knew about it before, but didn't know the specific steps. After listening to Brother Zhao's detailed explanation, she gained a deeper understanding of the sweet soup.
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