One-year-old Xiao Jiu already has several teeth and can eat a lot of food, except for salty food.
For example, boiled cabbage, or radishes sliced thinly—her teeth are now like a little rabbit's, crunching and chewing with gusto.
But she ate very slowly and chewed carefully, as if afraid of choking. This was a sign that she valued her life, because it was really not easy for a child to grow up safely in this era.
A few days ago, a child choked on a peanut and suffocated to death on the street.
So Grandma took even better care of her. When she ate radishes, she made sure they were thinly sliced so light could pass through, and she kept away anything that could get stuck, like peanuts or beans.
Including chopsticks and twigs, I absolutely forbade her from holding them in her hands, for fear that she might accidentally fall and cause an irreparable tragedy.
I have to say, the green radishes of this era were really delicious. After peeling, they were sweet and juicy, with a slight spiciness, but it was bearable.
However, the carrots were too small and thin, so Grandma liked to slice them thinly and cook them into porridge for her, or steam them directly with old pumpkin, sweet potato, and potato. The steamed carrots were soft and mushy when you held them in your hand. Although they weren't mealy, they were sweet enough, and she loved them.
The carrots in her warehouse were as thick as her arm, and they were exceptionally clean with a rare and beautiful color. Although some had mud on them, they were still much larger than the ones she grew herself, making it too obvious that she usually didn't dare to take them out.
Unlike potatoes, which can be big or small (and some homegrown ones can be big), it's really rare to see carrots that are both thick and long.
Because it is so rare, she usually doesn't take it out.
Moreover, all the items she's taken out these days are just samples displayed outside the warehouse. She can't reach or drag the bags of ingredients that are actually in bulk.
She couldn't even open the door to the icehouse, let alone eat the meat inside.
Baskets of eggs, duck eggs, preserved eggs, salted duck eggs, goose eggs, quail eggs, and other protein sources were also piled up. Fortunately, there was a sample area outside; otherwise, she probably would have had to wait until she could reach and move them before she could eat these fresh ingredients.
She searched the warehouse but couldn't find any snacks or groceries, including milk. However, she could find vegetables, fruits, and eggs.
When the night is quiet, she will secretly eat a grape.
She is very good at controlling her appetite, only choosing fruits that suit her taste, and only taking small bites.
She won't eat without restraint, after all, she's young and her digestive system isn't fully developed yet.
You must be slightly hungry and not too full, otherwise it is easy to get bloated, have indigestion, or develop a fever.
The house they rented in front of them is now a noodle shop. An elderly couple leads a young couple to sell noodles every day from early morning to late at night. They mainly sell local specialty pulled noodles and hand-pulled noodles. Whenever they are making the broth, their whole yard is filled with a rich aroma that smells wonderful.
They are both small businesses, and seeing them reminds me of the hardships my parents endured.
In an era of scarcity, there were hardly any chain restaurants like the famous big fish and meat dishes, beer duck, dry pot chicken, pickled fish, and spicy crayfish that are now common in modern times. The small restaurants that people usually frequented sold things that ordinary people could afford, mostly noodles, steamed buns with big pot dishes, or stir-fries. Rice was rarely served, as it was considered too refined and was usually found in state-run restaurants.
Some neighbors even sell their own pickled duck eggs and pickled vegetables at their doorsteps, just to make a little money.
Regardless of whether the restaurant is large or small, it perfectly reflects the local customs and traditions, making it very down-to-earth.
As I grew up, I was at most carried on my grandfather's and older brother's shoulders, walking from one end of the market to the other, watching how people brought their agricultural products to sell or exchange for pots, pans, and daily necessities. Although they weren't rich or powerful, everyone's face was filled with a hearty smile, which was very comforting to see.
Grandpa took the ewe out to breed, because she was already a year old and could be weaned and drink rice water and eat egg custard. So Grandpa planned to have more lambs born from this ewe to sell.
Xiao Jiu naturally had no objections. Anyway, there would be another chance to drink after the mother sheep gave birth. The gestation period of a sheep is about 150 days. From estrus and mating to pregnancy and delivery, these grandparents have accumulated a lot of experience because they have been feeding sheep for more than just a day or two. They have taken such good care of Xiao Jiu for a year, and it is time to recoup their investment.
But who would have thought that the eldest sister, who was doing well at Tao Ji Snack Shop, would run into people from her village coming to eat?
"Oh my god, it really is Cuihua, Cuihua, what are you doing here? Go back and check on your parents, the house is in complete chaos without you all here."
Cuihua never expected to be recognized. She was wearing a mask! These people were really something else. She said they mistook her for someone else, and then forcibly ripped off her mask. It was disgusting.
Cuihua ignored them. "Why should I go back? I'm here to earn money to support my sister. If I go back home, I'll work myself to the bone and still not have enough to eat. Uncle and Aunt, do you have any pity for us? After you go back, don't mention anything. Consider this meal my thank you. If you don't think you can keep it a secret, then just eat, pay the bill, and leave. I don't think it's necessary to explain to you whether I go back or not."
Before they could say they would keep it a secret, Cuihua smiled and said...
"Fine, I don't think you'll keep this a secret. Besides, I don't have anything to hide. Tell me what you want to say. How much is this meal? Don't skimp on the bill! Go home and tell me right away. I'll take my sister and move on to another place. Anyway, I won't let you find me."
"You, how can your daughter be so capable? How can she go back on her word? You said you'd treat us, how could you change your mind before the words were even out of your mouth? Cuihua, you can't do this to people!"
While wiping the table and tidying up the trash and dishes, Tang Cuihua continued talking without looking up.
"It doesn't matter, say whatever you want. Two bowls of wontons for you two cost two thousand, and two baskets of steamed buns cost three thousand, totaling five thousand. Thank you."
Five thousand? That's so expensive!
The woman was unhappy and immediately accused them of robbing her, which infuriated Cuihua.
"Auntie, the wontons you just ate were filled with meat and scallions, and the steamed buns, a basket of them cost 1,500 yuan, were vegetarian with tofu filling and also had scrambled eggs added. How is that expensive? Isn't this the current market price? Food is more expensive than lodging. When you come out shopping, how can you sit down and eat without asking the price?"
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