Chapter 40 Chapter 40 Cotton Pants

"Zhang Liye, why don't you come back and have dinner!"

The discussion was interrupted by a sharp call. Zhang Liye covered his ears and gestured to the others: "Go home."

The four little ones scattered in an instant.

"Sister Zhenzhen, please come to my house for dinner."

Before running into the family building, Shi Wan grabbed Wu Zhenzhen who was about to go home, and she and Shi Shuwen pushed her into their home from the left and right.

Zhang Liye poked his head in through the door of his house, rolled his eyes and asked Liu Chaoxian who was sitting at the dining table: "Mom, have you delivered the bacon to Aunt Wang Nian?"

"Give it to me!" Liu Chaoxian rolled his eyes and simply put away the empty bowl beside him: "I knew you were going to eat for free, can your mother really be so shameless as to let you eat and drink for free?"

Zhang Liye chuckled twice, then quickly turned his head and went into the next room.

Granny Hu glanced at the stir-fried Chinese cabbage and tiger-skin green peppers on her dining table, which were half a bowl of water and half a bowl of vegetables, and snorted indifferently, "You're quite generous. You gave me the bacon that you couldn't bear to eat yourself."

Liu Chaoxian put a piece of tiger skin green pepper into the bowl and immediately retorted coldly: "The food was sent by others!"

"Don't say that! This cabbage looks old, but I didn't expect it to be so delicious when fried." Zhang Guiqiang tried to smooth things over.

Liu Chaoxian didn't intend to let it go, and continued with a clever tone: "Look at how many good meals our Liye had when he went there, so what's wrong with giving him a piece of bacon?"

After Zhang Guiqiang's attempt to smooth things over failed, he quickly turned around and joined his wife on the same front.

"Mom, they are good to us, we can't be stingy."

Only then did Liu Chaoxian pick up his bowl with satisfaction and start eating.

Granny Hu's face darkened, and she looked unhappy: "I'm the only stingy person in the family! I cooked a piece of bacon last year... and I didn't even get a single bite."

She's not really stingy...it would be reasonable for her to at least keep some for her family to taste before giving it away.

As a result, the daughter-in-law didn't even leave any of the lean meat that was stuck in her teeth when she ordered, without considering the family members at all.

Liu Chaoxian was speechless for a moment, and felt a little guilty.

Last year, in order to smoke this piece of bacon, my mother-in-law took turns with the neighbors to watch outside for several days in the middle of winter, thinking of using it to entertain guests during the New Year.

I was so happy to give the gift away at that time that I didn't consider my mother-in-law's hard work.

This matter...is her fault.

"Mom! I was wrong. How about... I go and get some back?" Liu Chaoxian said.

Zhang Guiqiang: “…”

"Okay!" Granny Hu wanted her daughter-in-law's attitude, and her expression finally looked better: "If you don't feel ashamed, then I do!"

"My bonus is high this year, so tomorrow we'll go find someone to exchange our meat tickets for some extra meat to make bacon." Zhang Guiqiang said hastily.

When Liu Chaoxian mentioned this, he wanted to ask about the R&D team. Just as he opened his mouth, Zhang Guiqiang suddenly looked towards the door and said, "Bacon!"

"Hey." Zhang Liye poked his head in from the door frame, holding a large bowl of bacon and walking into the house with a smile: "Auntie Wang Nian asked me to bring this bacon."

The highlight was a big bowl of fried winter bamboo shoots with pork, the portion was definitely half a piece.

Zhang Liye put down the bowl and turned around, then turned around and winked at a few people: "I heard what grandma said in the next room, how embarrassing!"

“…”

Only three members of the Zhang family were left, their faces flushed with shame.

On the other side of the wall, Wang Nian picked up some stir-fried cabbage hearts with chopsticks for Shi Wan, who didn't like vegetables.

Shi Wan pouted her lips and swallowed the cabbage leaves with a frown. After chewing for a few times, her brows slowly relaxed. The next moment, she took the initiative to pick up the cabbage with chopsticks.

The cabbage is sweet and crisp, and seems to have a meaty flavor.

"Auntie Wang Nian, please teach my mother how to cook cabbage!" Zhang Liye's mouth was full of oil, and he kept chewing the cabbage and bacon.

"Be willing to put oil in." Wang Nian said the four-word mantra.

Nowadays, most people’s food is not tasty. In fact, it is because they are reluctant to use oil, so the taste is always worse.

Of course...if Wang Nian added some pork bone paste, the taste would definitely be even better.

"Let's smoke some bacon this year." Shi Xiangming should have heard the conversation about bacon next door.

"There are no meat tickets at home."

Every three days, I would stew a pot of medicinal pork rib soup for the children to nourish their bodies. There was no meat coupons in the house to make bacon.

During the Chinese New Year, Nian, the Meat King, plans to go to the black market to buy some at a high price to satisfy his craving, and replace the rest with his own chickens and ducks.

Shi Xiangming hesitated for a moment and suddenly said, "I think I can find a way to deal with the ticket issue."

"Sister Zhenzhen, you eat meat."

While the two adults were talking, Shi Wan noticed that Wu Zhenzhen picked up the cabbage with chopsticks and only ate the rice in the bowl for a long time.

The little girl felt very much like the host and climbed onto the stool to enthusiastically pick up food for the guests.

"Zhenzhen, try the cotton shirt after dinner. I'll change the cotton for your pants tomorrow." Wang Nian also put some food into Wu Zhenzhen's bowl.

"Thank you, Auntie." Wu Zhenzhen bowed her head and thanked her, still carefully picking up the rice in the bowl.

Wang Nian raised an eyebrow at the other side. Zhang Liye, the smart boy, immediately understood what was going on. He stood up and picked up some food for Wu Zhenzhen: "Don't be polite, sister. Being at Aunt Wang Nian's house is just like being at home. Look at me... I can eat whatever I want."

Shi Shuwen ate very politely and even put down his chopsticks before speaking.

"Sister Zhenzhen, eat more meat so you can grow taller. When you grow taller, they won't dare to bully you."

Shi Xiangming sighed and finally spoke up: "If you don't have food at home in the future, come to my house. Uncle and aunt's family will always welcome you."

“…”

Wu Zhenzhen nodded, picked up her chopsticks and started eating the food.

It was self-evident who the child was looking at. Shi Xiangming was very intimidating whenever he sat there.

Seeing that she had relaxed, Shi Xiangming and Wang Niancai continued with the previous topic.

After dinner, Shi Xiangming took the initiative to stand up and said, "Shuwen, go wash the dishes with Dad."

Shi Shuwen stood up and started rolling up his sleeves without saying a word. Zhang Liye, who was slumped on the sofa after eating too much, also hurriedly offered to help.

Girls like to wear flowery cotton jackets, and it doesn't matter what he wears.

"What a beautiful cotton blouse!"

Wang Nian buttoned the last button, and Shi Wan circled around Wu Zhenzhen with envy in her eyes.

The pattern of the cotton shirt was dazzling to the 18-year-old Wang Nian, but it looked quite pretty to a five-year-old girl, especially with Wu Zhenzhen's name embroidered on the collar.

He raised his arms and moved them around without any restrictions on movement. Wang Nian finally patted the back of his cotton jacket with satisfaction.

"Do you like it?"

"Yeah." Wu Zhenzhen nodded heavily, stroking the fluffy cotton coat carefully with both hands.

The clothes are nice and warm, and the buttons are tightly fastened so that no cold wind can get in.

"It's getting late. Auntie will take you home to sleep."

Before cooking in the afternoon, Wang Nian saw Duan Hehua and her family of three returning home happily.

I didn't look for anyone after dinner, and as it got dark, I still didn't look for my daughter.

Knock knock knock——

I didn't expect that when I arrived at Duan Hehua's house, I saw that the house was dark and the curtains were drawn tightly.

There were three knocks on the door, and then three more.

Sun Xiumei and her husband from next door came out one after another, but there was still no movement on Duan Hehua's side.

Wang Nian frowned slightly and asked directly: "Is Comrade Duan here?"

“…”

"Is Comrade Feng Lianshan at home?"

"Cough cough——" The man coughed deliberately, and then there was movement in the room.

The lights came on, and it was Duan Hehua, who was dressed neatly. Wang Nian smiled and said coldly: "I thought Comrade Duan was asleep!"

"What's the matter?" Duan Hehua pressed down the corners of her mouth, with obvious displeasure: "If it's nothing urgent, let's talk about it tomorrow."

"It's not a big deal...it's just about sending the child back to you." Wang Nian emphasized the word "child".

Luo Shunli chuckled and turned his head away.

Maybe for other families, children are the most important, but for Duan Hehua, it may not be the case.

"I thought the child was already asleep." Duan Hehua's face froze, and she noticed that the girl in the flowered cotton jacket next to Wang Nian was actually Wu Zhenzhen.

"Zhenzhen's cotton shirt was torn, so I sewed a new one for her."

Wang Nian was too lazy to expose Duan Hehua's lie. She let her stepson sleep in the small room and her own daughter sleep in the living room. Only she could do such a thing.

Perhaps feeling a little embarrassed, Duan Hehua started to say a few words to make up for it.

It's nothing more than preparing to buy new clothes before the New Year, as children are naughty and can't wear too nice clothes.

Wang Nian let her talk to herself and smiled, "I thought this color was suitable for little girls, so I specially made it smaller for Zhenzhen. I hope Comrade Duan doesn't mind it being old."

"Don't mind, don't mind." Duan Hehua pulled Wu Zhenzhen's arm into the house, and Wang Nian didn't say anything more.

The door slammed shut with a deafening noise.

Sun Xiumei turned around and pushed Luo Shunli: "You go back first, I want to talk to Wang Nian."

"Don't knock on her door at night." Sun Xiumei pursed her lips and looked at Wang Nian with a twinkle in her eyes. She just didn't dare to look directly at him. After a while, she continued in a low voice: "The couple in her family are very noisy at night."

Wang Nian: “…”

"What time is it?" Wang Nian was speechless, and touched the tip of his nose a little embarrassedly: "This couple...really."

Then, a question suddenly occurred to me.

Even the two kids next door could hear it... Who could fall asleep so early?

"Duan Hehua must be anxious to have a baby, so she started to make trouble a long time ago. Sometimes she would start making trouble right after my family got off work and had dinner..."

Wang Nian: “…”

"Zhenzhen, this child..." Wang Nian sighed, feeling embarrassed and not knowing what to do: "What should I do?"

"Don't be so rude. If your child listens to you every day, it will be embarrassing for him when he grows up."

"I will go find Sister Qiuhong tomorrow, otherwise the child will definitely be ruined." Wang Nian decided.

Who said that people nowadays are reserved... When it comes to openness, even Wang Nian, who has lived two lives, can't compare to him.

***

431 Factory Square.

After the weather returned to normal, the vegetables in the employees' small vegetable gardens gradually increased, and the flow of people in front of the small square also returned to normal.

Wang Nian rushed out early before Shi Xiangming went to work, but still couldn't find an empty seat in the small square.

After looking around, I found a gap at the entrance of the vegetable stand.

After putting the backpack down, people can only squat behind it, and then squat a little lower and sit on the steps.

"The spicy one is not bad!"

As soon as I put it down, the woman who was also selling vegetables next to me looked into the basket in northwestern dialect.

There were also peppers in the lady's basket, but judging from the peppers still sticking out, it was clear that not many were sold.

Sure enough, the next thing the lady said was a sigh of regret: "No matter how good it is, it's hard to sell. Look at how many people are selling chili peppers in this square today."

Wang Nian thought that there were a lot of people, but not all the people in the square were selling peppers and cabbages.

"It's frozen in front, and everyone is tired of eating cabbage. Who would want to continue eating other vegetables?" the old lady added.

But now is the season for chili and Chinese cabbage, what can we do if we can’t finish eating them and don’t sell them…

He carried the basket across to take out the dishes and put them on the table, then Wang Nian simply sat down on the steps.

"There are a lot of people here today, let's try our luck."

"I don't ask for much, just some to give to my grandson to buy candy." The old lady said cheerfully.

Wang thought the old lady was optimistic, but he didn't know that she had set up her stall before dawn and had already gone through the process from expectation to disappointment.

To put it bluntly...it's actually none of your business.

Wang Nian smiled and said casually: "I'll sell it for any money I can get, just don't let it rot in the ground."

The old lady silently replied in her heart: That’s not necessarily true.

Most of the food was peppers, and there were only two heads of cabbage. Wang Nian also brought some pea tips and bamboo shoots.

Everyone sold the grass at a certain price per bunch. Wang Nian didn't have a scale, but he also planned to do the same, so he deliberately picked up a few bunches of grass on the way.

"Comrade, please go somewhere else. We can't set up a stall here."

As soon as I finished tying the bundle, the waiter who came out of the vegetable market immediately shouted to rush me away.

The opening was to be left for people entering and leaving the vegetable stand. Several people had already been driven away before Wang Nian sat down. The lady next to him was not kind enough to remind him.

The old lady still looked cheerful, and even rolled up her sleeves to help convey the message.

Wang Nian stood up quickly and said, "I was just changing seats and I didn't notice I was blocking the road."

"Comrade Wang?" the waiter called out in surprise, then walked down the stairs and grabbed the man: "Don't leave in a hurry, we are just looking for you."

Wang Nian was sure that he didn't know this person!

The waiter turned around and shouted at the food preparation station: "Huang Xiaohui, Sister Zhang, Comrade Wang is here to sell vegetables again..." After calling the people, he introduced himself to Wang Nian: "Huang Xiaohui and I live in the same building, and I also bought vegetables from you last time."

Although I still can't remember who that person was, I remember clearly that I delivered two baskets of vegetables to Huang Xiaohui's dormitory building.

"Hello." Wang Nian smiled.

"I've been waiting for you for several days, and you're finally here!"

"Comrade Wang." Huang Xiaohui walked out of the room with a flushed face. She was wearing a bulky cotton jacket and a work uniform, and looked very clumsy.

"Comrade Xiaohui."

Just by looking at Huang Xiaohui's face, you can tell that her newlywed life is pretty good; the complexion and expression can't lie.

"What dishes are you selling today?" Huang Xiaohui looked down at the basket on her back.

"Such big peppers, they must be good with meat." Sister Zhang, the manager of the vegetable market, rushed over and grabbed two peppers in her hand: "I want some pea tips and bamboo shoots."

"I want some too." Huang Xiaohui didn't bother to exchange pleasantries and hurriedly bent down to pick up two green bamboo shoots.

The movement quickly attracted many people's attention, and some of the more agile ones had already walked over here.

Sister Zhang simply picked up the backpack and said, "Go inside and take your time choosing. I'm just blocking the way here."

Wang Nian was dragged into the vegetable market by several people in a daze.

The lady who was ready to see a joke didn't see anything exciting, but instead felt very angry.

The pea tips were the fastest to be divided up. Sister Zhang grabbed most of them by herself, muttering, "There are many people in the family. If there are less, there won't be enough to eat."

"Comrade Wang, do you have any more in your hospital?" Huang Xiaohui asked hurriedly after she failed to grab it and stood up with difficulty.

Wang Nian shook his head: "How much can be planted in such a small yard!"

Even if the hospital has some, they can't really sell them all for money.

Shi Xiangming has now been promoted to the head of the R&D team. He doesn't know how many eyes are watching him in the factory. Wang Nian cannot be caught for being greedy.

"I've been thinking about pea tip and pork soup for several days." Huang Xiaohui cried and turned her gaze to Manager Zhang: "Sister Zhang, please give me some."

Since people said so, how could Manager Zhang pretend he didn't hear it?

"You're not pregnant, are you?" Manager Zhang gave up half of his hand and looked down at Huang Xiaohui's belly suspiciously: "I was wondering why you've gained so much weight?"

Huang Xiaohui smiled shyly: "Isn't it normal to get pregnant after getting married?"

If I remember correctly...Huang Xiaohui has been married for just over two months.

Even if it's fast, it's impossible for pregnancy to be obvious in more than two months.

Everyone knew what was going on, but they didn't expose it. They happily discussed how to empty Wang Nian's backpack. Even two cabbages were bought by Manager Zhang to be taken home to stew vermicelli.

After getting the money, Wang Nian prepared to go back.

Manager Zhang suddenly stopped her and waved at her: "Comrade Wang, do you want some beef? The beef we got today is pretty good."

Wang Nian definitely wanted it, but unfortunately... he didn't have any beef tickets.

Manager Zhang seemed to see Wang Nian's hesitation, pointed at himself and whispered, "I'll give you the spot."

There are employee benefits within the vegetable station. Waiters have one opportunity to purchase without a ticket every month, and managers have two opportunities.

During those few months of Frost, Manager Zhang never used any in-app purchase opportunity, but he accumulated nearly ten in-app purchase opportunities.

"That's embarrassing." Wang Nian waved his hand: "I'd better save it for when I have a family dinner."

"It will be gone after the Chinese New Year, so why keep it!" Manager Zhang laughed. By the end of the year, the internal purchase opportunities will be cleared out, so there is no point in keeping it.

"That's embarrassing." Wang Nian smiled. The same words could have very different meanings with different tones.

The additional meaning of this sentence is... I appreciate it.

"Five pounds should be enough, right?" Manager Zhang smiled, put the dishes on the counter and took Wang Nian to the back of the meat cabinet: "Old Liu, take out the beef that was specially reserved."

Old Liu let out an "ah" and squeezed his burly figure into the warehouse door. After a while, he came back carrying a piece of bright red beef.

There are many details to learn when selling vegetables at a vegetable market.

The meat ticket only states the quantity, but does not specify the part of the meat, and it is generally on a first-come, first-served basis.

The food stalls usually keep some good meat in reserve, which is either bought by acquaintances or placed on the table of a certain leader's home.

Otherwise, how could Huang Qiuhong's family buy spare ribs whenever they wanted?

Old Liu threw the meat on the counter, and Wang Nian picked it up and prepared to cut it before he could even see which part it was.

"Master Liu, wait a moment." Wang Nian hurriedly stopped him, then stretched out his hand and gestured on the meat: "Cut it like this."

This is a piece of rib-eye meat. You can see white fat strips in the middle. If you cut it according to Lao Liu's method, you will just miss the fat.

"Those are tendons, you can't bite them." Old Liu kindly reminded.

"I just want some oil." Wang Nian could only say: "It will be more delicious if it is stewed with a little oil."

Master Liu cut the piece cleanly and threw it onto the scale: "Five pounds is perfect."

The beef was specially wrapped in newspaper instead of strung with straw rope. Zhang Jingli was thoughtful and put the meat directly into the backpack.

"If there are any vegetables left, send them directly to the vegetable market instead of selling them outside."

Manager Zhang escorted Wang Nian to the door.

Of course, Wang Nian couldn't charge her for the vegetables she bought today.

"Girl." Wang Nian was about to get off the ladder when Manager Zhang suddenly called her and pulled her aside: "Girl, do you know how to make pickled cabbage?"

"Yes!" Wang Nian answered straightforwardly, and said very proactively: "It's easy to make pickled cabbage. I can help you make it tomorrow."

Favors are debts, the sooner you pay them off, the sooner you will feel relieved.

"Sister Xu said that finding you will definitely help, and it turned out to be true!" Manager Zhang was very happy.

People in the north have the habit of accumulating sauerkraut before the Chinese New Year. It seems simple, but it requires a lot of skill to make it.

The garlic oil made by Sister Xu tasted bitter, and the sauerkraut she made was not sour at all, and even had a smell like a stinky sewer.

After four consecutive years of failure, Manager Zhang is ready to never touch the sauerkraut jar again this year.

"Since you have troubled me, I will buy the cabbage from you. I will prepare the rest..."

After all, Wang Nian still benefited from it.

After all, this way one third of the cabbages in the field were sold, which was better than carrying two cabbages to the small square every day to sell.

***

Wang Nian took the time to look up at the sky.

A large patch of sunset glow appeared on the horizon, illuminating the sky with a golden and red hue. Every evening was beautiful in its own way.

This is the only advantage that can be found in cooking in the corridor.

After appreciating the sunset, I was immediately chilled by the mountain breeze and stamped my feet in place because of the cold.

The aroma of rice wafted from the steamer, which meant that the rice was almost done. Wang Nian suddenly stood on tiptoe and looked towards the bamboo forest.

The bicycle bell rang at the right moment, and Wang Nian smiled and waved.

As long as he doesn't work overtime, Shi Xiangming gets off work at this time every day. Even if he has work to do, he will bring it home to complete.

He would not let his family wait for meals, so Wang Nian was very good at timing his meals.

"Dad is back."

Shi Wan rushed out of the house dragging a broom that was almost as tall as himself, and stood at the stairs with one hand on his waist, looking very proud.

Shi Shuwen followed behind with a sigh, saying as he walked: "The floor hasn't been swept yet, and you're spreading garbage everywhere."

The little girl just stood there waiting, never letting go of the broom.

This child really seems to have a different heart. I can still clearly remember how cautious he was when he first came, but now he has become so lively that he actively asks for praise.

Shi Xiangming's figure gradually emerged from the darkness.

With a faint smile on his face, he reached out and touched Shi Wan's head before carrying the car upstairs: "Xiao Wan is really capable. We can enjoy happiness in the future!"

"Dad and aunt, just wait and enjoy your life." Shi Wan shook her head, looking very proud.

Shi Xiangming took the lunch box off the handlebars and said, "It would be even more helpful if you could help me take the lunch box home."

Snap——

Shi Wan immediately dropped the broom, took the net bag and ran into the house.

"I'm the most capable. I'm the most capable kid in the factory..."

"Do Dad a favor, too." Shi Xiangming never showed favoritism when doing things, and handed the briefcase to Shi Shuwen: "There are important documents in it, you must put it in the drawer on the left side of the desk."

Shi Shuwen, who felt that he was being reused, could no longer keep a calm expression and happily took the briefcase with both hands.

Snap——

Suddenly, there was another dustpan at the entrance of the stairs.

Shi Xiangming smiled and shook his head. He picked up the dustpan and broom and put them aside before he lifted the cart into the utility room and locked the door.

"What are we having for dinner tonight?"

There are two things Shi Xiangming looks forward to most when he goes home every day.

One is that his wife and children are waiting for him to eat.

The second thing is, of course, what to eat.

If he didn't want to make Wang Nian so tired, he would rather ride his bike home for lunch instead of eating in the tasteless cafeteria.

"We'll eat it tonight..." Wang Nian smiled and passed the marinated beef cubes in the bowl to him: "Beef."

Looks like there's going to be something delicious tonight!