As soon as Chen Sisi returned home and put down her basket, she heard a kitten-like voice coming from inside the room: "Mom..."
Niu Niu is awake!
She didn't even have time to wash her hands before taking off her work gloves and running into the room.
The little girl woke up sometime earlier, and huddled fearfully under the covers, her timid eyes peeking out.
"Sweetie, when did you wake up?"
Niu Niu said in her childish voice, "I woke up a long time ago... I've been calling you, but you haven't answered me."
Her voice sounded extremely aggrieved.
She hugged the frightened little one with a tender heart.
Although this is a new home, it is still an unfamiliar environment for the children.
She was incredibly relieved that Niu Niu was well-behaved and didn't run off the bed; it would have been a real problem if she had gotten lost or caught a cold.
"Niu Niu was very good today, she knew to wait for Mommy in bed."
Chen Sisi touched the round little head, feeling a lingering fear in her heart.
Niu Niu let out a pitiful "woof": "Mommy said that if I can't find Mommy, I can't run around. I have to stay where I am and wait."
She was taken aback. She had only said it two or three times, but Niu Niu remembered it. What a smart little girl.
"I'm so sorry, Mom promises I won't leave you like this again next time, I'll take you with me."
"Pinky promise!" Niu Niu stretched out a short finger.
He thought for a moment, then made a pinky promise, cupped her slightly cool little face, and kissed it. It was so sweet and soft; it would be even better if she were a little chubby...
After fussing around for a while, I dressed Niu Niu in layers of thick clothes, then washed her face and brushed her teeth. It took me half an hour to finish.
Niu Niu's stomach was growling with hunger, and she rolled around on the sofa, clamoring for food.
He looked at the little imp, who was so impatient and restless, and wondered who he took after.
"Wait a minute, Mom will make you breakfast right away!"
She cracked two eggs, made them into an egg custard, added a fingernail-sized amount of lard and a little salt, and steamed it together with sweet potatoes in a large pot.
Soon, steam began to rise from the pot.
Taking advantage of the break, Chen Sisi washed the herbs she had picked that morning, and put them together with the herbs she had washed and dried yesterday in a large ceramic soup bowl, which was then steamed in another pot.
Soon, the aroma of herbs and food mingled and filled the air.
Chen Sisi carefully controlled the heat, first taking out the steamed egg custard, drizzling a few drops of soy sauce on it, and letting it cool down before taking it out to Niu Niu.
By now, the steamed egg custard wasn't so hot anymore.
Niu Niu smelled the aroma of eggs and couldn't wait any longer, so she climbed up from the sofa and licked her little pink tongue.
"Eat slowly, don't choke..." Shen Sisi carried her to the dining table.
Niu Niu is too short; she can't reach the bowl at all while sitting on the chair.
So her little feet quickly kicked off, and the shoe flew off her feet.
She knelt on the chair, grabbed a spoon, and wolfed down her food.
Chen Sisi smiled helplessly, then took a small blanket and covered her feet.
"Don't rush, there are still sweet potatoes after you finish eating..." Shen Sisi said affectionately.
She timed it perfectly; just as she finished the steamed egg custard, the sweet potatoes were ready too.
A few minutes later, Chen Sisi put the sweet potatoes into a bowl, took it out and put it on the table, only to find that Niu Niu had not finished her steamed egg custard, and there was still half left.
That half was dug out neatly, clearly left on purpose.
He frowned, and subconsciously wanted to pick up the bowl and feed her, but she refused.
Niu Niu pouted and turned her head to one side: "Niu Niu doesn't want to eat it, Niu Niu wants to save it for Daddy."
"Dad, want some?"
Shen Sisi quickly realized what was going on: "You're quite thoughtful, aren't you? Did you know your father was injured and want to help him recover?"
Niu Niu nodded and said, "Mom said that eating more eggs and meat will make me healthier. Niu Niu wants Dad to get better soon."
That's why they say daughters are their parents' little angels!
She's only three years old and already knows how to care for others.
However, Niu Niu reminded Shen Sisi that Gu Chengfeng was still injured. Although he said he was fine, his wound was still bleeding.
To avoid suspicion, he moved back to the military camp and gave the big house to the mother and daughter. Logically and morally, she should take care of him.
"Niu Niu, you should eat the egg. Daddy should have already had breakfast at the military camp. Mommy will make something even better later, stewed soybeans and pig's trotters, and send it to Daddy, okay?"
The image of that milky white soup flashed quickly through Niu Niu's mind; it smelled so good!
It's even more fragrant than her steamed egg custard.
"Yay!" Niu Niu excitedly climbed back onto the stool and obediently picked up her spoon: "Niu Niu wants to eat pig's trotters too."
She couldn't help but curl her fingers and gently stroke Niu Niu's reddened nose: "You little glutton...you'll have to..."
After pondering for a moment, she turned around and went back into the kitchen. She grabbed a handful of soybeans and soaked them in water. Then she took out half a pig's trotter from the cupboard and chopped it into small pieces.
There are specific techniques to stewing pig's trotters; if the steps are not followed correctly, the result will be very fishy.
She first put the pig's trotters into a basin, added water to cover them, then sprinkled in a handful of salt and soaked them in the lightly salted water for twenty minutes.
After soaking, put the ingredients in a pot of cold water with scallions and ginger to remove any fishy smell. Once the water boils, skim off any blood foam, then remove the ingredients and rinse them with warm water.
This method not only removes the fishy smell but also ensures that the pig's trotters are stewed until tender.
After washing the meat, she put it into a clay pot, added the soaked soybeans, and then simmered it over low heat without adding salt.
By noon, the pig's trotters were stewed until tender, and the broth had turned an enticing milky white.
Only then did Chen Sisi add salt, sprinkle in a few goji berries, and it was perfectly cooked.
Knowing that meals are eaten relatively early in the military camp, she decided to send some to Gu Chengfeng first.
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