Chapter 194: Give them a call
Seeing Yun Tangyin gazing absentmindedly outside the courtyard, still clutching the unfinished tiger-head shoes in her hand, Xiaolan skipped over and handed her the small bamboo basket she had just woven: "Sister-in-law, look at this bamboo basket I made! When Second Uncle and Second Aunt come back, we can use this to pack locust flower cakes for them, okay?"
Although the edge of the bamboo basket is a bit crooked, it is wrapped with a red rope, revealing the child's unique ingenuity.
Yun Tangyin took the bamboo basket, stroking the smooth bamboo strips with her fingertips, and nodded with a smile: "Okay."
She placed the bamboo basket on her knees and pressed a freshly peeled orange into Xiaolan's hand. "Try it! I bought this from the town's supply and marketing cooperative. It's very sweet. Your second aunt said the oranges in the city aren't as sweet as those at home. When the orange trees on the slope behind our yard bear fruit in the spring, we'll send some to them."
Zhou Desheng's wife came over with a sewing basket and in her hand was the cloth shoe soles she had sewn for Jiang Jianhua. The stitches were dense and even.
"Yinyin, do you think the pattern on the sole of this shoe is okay?" She handed it over. "I embroidered some lotus flowers according to the pattern you gave me. If Jianhua doesn't like it, I'll take it apart and embroider it again."
Yun Tangyin took the sole and looked at the lively pattern on it. She couldn't help but praise it: "This pattern is so beautiful. Second Aunt will definitely like it."
Aunt Zhang sat on the stone bench nearby, peeling peanuts. The peanut kernels were piled on a coarse porcelain plate, glistening with oil.
"When Yuanshan and Jianhua come back, we'll have a great time," she handed the peanuts to Zhou Ming and Zhou Liang. "I made an agreement with Old Wang from the back mountain the other day to leave us two fat chickens in the spring. We'll make chicken soup for Yinyin and let Yuanshan have a taste of home."
Fu Yucheng brought out bamboo strips from the house, preparing to weave a new trough for the rabbits. Seeing that everyone in the courtyard was talking about Fu Yuanshan and his wife, he smiled and said, "My second brother said in the letter that when he comes back in the spring, he will make a new stone mill for our courtyard."
He picked up a bamboo stick and gestured, "He also said he wanted to make a little wooden horse for Lan, so she could ride on it, just like the kids in the city."
When Xiaolan heard the word "little wooden horse", her eyes lit up immediately. She put down the orange in her hand and went over to it. "Will Second Uncle really make a little wooden horse for me? Will it be able to run very fast like in the story?"
Fu Yucheng reached out and ruffled her hair, then nodded with a smile, "Of course he will. Don't you believe in your second uncle's craftsmanship? Then have him carve patterns on the wooden horse and paint it red. I guarantee it will be the most beautiful wooden horse."
Zhou Ming took Zhou Liang's hand and moved closer to Fu Yucheng: "Uncle Fu, can Second Uncle teach me how to make a small stool when he comes back? I want to make a small stool for my mother so she can sit on it while she sews the soles of her shoes."
Fu Yucheng put down the bamboo sticks, squatted down and looked at the two children: "Of course, your second uncle is most happy to teach children crafts. When the time comes, ask him to find some soft wood for you. I guarantee that you can make beautiful little stools."
During dinner, the aroma of corn paste wafted through the kitchen. Fu Yucheng also steamed some sweet potatoes. The skin of the sweet potatoes cracked open, revealing the golden flesh inside, which was filled with sweet fragrance.
Yun Tangyin filled a bowl of corn paste and handed it to Aunt Zhang: "Aunt Zhang, try it quickly. This corn paste has some millet added to it, which is better for your stomach. You have bad teeth, so this is perfect for you."
Aunt Zhang took the bowl and scooped a mouthful with a spoon. The warm corn paste slid into her stomach, warming her heart. "It's delicious. Yinyin, your cooking skills are better than the chefs in the city restaurants."
Zhou Desheng took a sip of wine and suddenly remembered something. He said to Fu Yucheng, "Brother Fu, let's give them a call tomorrow. Ask them if they received the package, and let them hear what's going on in the courtyard so they don't miss home."
Fu Yucheng put down his wine glass and nodded: "Okay, I asked the post office the other day, and they said that the phone will be connected after the New Year. Let's go there after breakfast tomorrow."
Yun Tangyin put a piece of sweet potato into Fu Yucheng's bowl and said, "Don't forget to tell Second Uncle that the rabbits in the yard have grown strong. Snowball can now jump half a foot high, and Flower Ball will even run after Lan Yatou."
She remembered something else and said, "Also, tell Second Aunt not to stay up late to help Second Uncle grind wood. It's not good for your health if you get tired. When they come back, we can help them do it together."
The next morning, Fu Yucheng and Zhou Desheng walked towards the town on the light snow, leaving two rows of deep footprints on the snow.
The post office was warm and cozy. The comrade on duty greeted them with a smile when he saw them coming. "Are you calling your relatives out of town again? A lot of people have been coming here lately. The people on the other end of the line are so happy to hear the sounds from home."
Fu Yucheng picked up the phone and dialed the number Fu Yuanshan had left. The line beeped twice and was quickly connected. Jiang Jianhua's familiar voice came from the other end: "Hello, who is this?"
Fu Yucheng smiled and said, "Second sister-in-law, it's me."
Jiang Jianhua immediately became excited: "Acheng! Are you all okay? How are Yinyin and the child?"
"We're all fine," Fu Yucheng said with a smile, "Second sister-in-law, we sent you some bacon and rice cakes yesterday, as well as the locust flower cakes made by Yinyin. They should arrive in about a week. You must try them when you receive them. Yinyin specially saved the most delicious ones for you."
Yun Tangyin was feeding the rabbits with Aunt Zhang in the yard when she suddenly heard Fu Yucheng's voice coming from outside the gate. She quickly stood up and went to greet him: "How is it? Did you get through on the phone? What did your second sister-in-law say?"
Fu Yucheng smiled as he handed her the paper package. "I got through. My second sister-in-law said everything is fine with them. She also said she'll write back to us after receiving the package. This is something my second sister-in-law asked someone at the post office to forward. She said the little silver bell for the child can calm the nerves."
Yun Tangyin took the paper bag. Inside was a small silver bell. When she shook it, it made a clear "ding-ling" sound.
"It's really beautiful," she hung the silver bell on the child's cotton-padded jacket, "When the baby is born, he will wear this silver bell and we will be able to hear it wherever we go."
Xiaolan came over, touched the silver bell lightly, and said with a smile, "It sounds so beautiful! When Second Uncle and Second Aunt come back, I'll ask them to make a silver bracelet for my little brother. Then he will have a silver lock, a silver bell, and a silver bracelet!"
When the sun rose to the top of the bamboo shoots, Zhou Desheng's wife came with freshly baked scallion pancakes. The pancakes were still steaming, and the fragrance of scallions filled the yard.
"Try it now," she put the pancake on the stone table. "My mother said scallion pancakes are best with corn paste. You just came back from town, so you must be hungry."
Yun Tangyin picked up a piece of pancake and took a bite. It was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The aroma of chopped green onions spread in her mouth. She couldn't help but nod, "It's delicious."
Aunt Zhang sat under the eaves, sewing a cloth jacket for Fu Yuanshan. The fabric was blue coarse cloth bought last autumn, which was durable and comfortable.
Yun Tangyin leaned against Fu Yucheng, watching the busy people in the yard, listening to the children's laughter, and holding the small silver bell in her hand, her heart full of anticipation.
She knew that although Fu Yuanshan and Jiang Jianhua were not around this year, every concern and every handmade item brought everyone's hearts together.
When the locust flowers bloom in spring, they will definitely come back. The yard will be more lively and the sweet fragrance of locust flower cakes will spread farther. This kind of warmth will continue, becoming stronger and warmer year by year.
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