Chapter 173 Homemade Meals
Liu Cuihua and her group had just entered the gate of the compound where Mr. Jiang lived, carrying their things, when they ran into Bai Qing who was lighting the stove in the yard. "Hey, sister-in-law, are you just about to cook?"
Bai Qing looked up at the person who was talking to her and almost didn't recognize her. "Cuihua, why are you suddenly in Jing City? Oh, you haven't been here for two or three years."
Liu Cuihua smiled enthusiastically, "It's almost Chinese New Year, so I came to visit my parents. Also, my fifth son has settled down here, so why don't I come and see his new house? Oh, and where's my eldest brother? Is he off work yet?"
Hearing the word "new house", Bai Qing couldn't smile at all. "Your eldest brother is out driving and hasn't come back yet. You should go and see the old man quickly. The old man just came back."
After saying that, he carried the lit stove back to the house.
Liu Cuihua raised an eyebrow as she watched Bai Qing leave. "Xiaowu, didn't your uncle's family participate in the factory's housing exchange activity this time? Why does your aunt seem so uninterested?"
Jiang Hao walked over with his things and replied, "Yes, her two sons each got a small house of 30 square meters."
Liu Cuihua nodded knowingly, "Oh, then I know why she is unhappy."
When Mr. Jiang went out to dump the coal ash, he saw someone standing in the yard. "Cuihua, when did you come to Beijing?"
Liu Cuihua: "Dad, I just arrived today too. Dongdong, hurry up and help Grandpa dump the coal ash by the door."
Jiang Dong obediently took the dustpan from Grandpa Jiang's hand and ran to the door.
Mr. Jiang opened the door and said, "Okay, it's very cold outside. Come in first, old woman, the second son's family is here."
Old Mrs. Jiang greeted him with a smile. "Hey, why are you here this year? Second son never told me in your letter before. And you're still taking all these things. Your father and I are no less generous than you. Don't take them in the future. Hurry up and sit on the kang. It's warm there. It's almost dinner time. Why don't we go out to eat later?"
Liu Cuihua put the clay pot and paper bag of duck soup on the table. "What are we going out to eat? I brought sausage, duck soup, stewed goose, sticky rice dumplings, and rice cakes. Mom, do you have any vegetables at home? I'll stir-fry a few more dishes and make some pancakes. We can just have some home-cooked meals at home."
Shi Luo quickly placed the small basin of stewed goose on the table and said, "How about I go to the state-owned restaurant and grab some food."
Mrs. Jiang made four cups of milk powder for the group. "No need. You all brought the main dishes. We still have some side dishes at home. Your grandfather went to the state-owned restaurant to pack some Beijing-style shredded pork and braised pork elbows.
I'll stir-fry some shredded potatoes, cabbage, chili and eggs later. That'll be enough to eat. Oh, I also soaked some bean sprouts, so I can eat them today. Let's stir-fry them too. Oh, here's some stuff, right? You must be hungry, come on, have some glutinous rice noodles first."
Jiang Hao put the food away for the old couple, drank a sip of the freshly brewed milk, and held the cup without sitting down. "Originally, I said I would pick you up and take you to our place for dinner today, but my mother said it would get dark early and the road would be slippery, so she asked us to bring the food over. Okay, you chat with my mother and the others, I'll go cook."
When Shi Luo heard this, he also went downstairs with the cup in his hand, "I'll go help Brother Hao, it will be done in a moment."
Liu Cuihua did not refuse. "Okay, you guys go. I, as a mother, will also take the opportunity to eat the meal my son made."
Old Mrs. Jiang took a sip of water and pushed the melon seeds on the kang table forward. "How are you guys doing in the countryside? Why didn't the second son come with us?"
Liu Cuihua grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and began to eat. "We're all doing well. Jianguo wanted to come along, too, but our brigade's greenhouses are expanding this year, and several families are planning to build brick and tile houses. Jianguo simply can't leave."
Mr. Jiang looked at the child sitting next to him and said, "This must be Dahai's son."
Dongdong heard someone mention him and quickly called out, "Hello, great-grandfather and great-grandmother."
Mrs. Jiang said with a smile, "Okay, come and stay a little longer this time, and I'll take you around the city."
Liu Cuihua: "I guess we won't be able to play with you until after the New Year. We plan to go find Dongdong's father tomorrow and stay in his family compound for a while."
Grandpa Jiang nodded and said, "That's fine. Dahai has been busy these years and has less time to spend with you, especially the children. It would be nice to take the children over and spend more time there. Haohao can go with you, too."
Liu Cuihua: "Go, let's go together. By the way, Dad, Haohao told me about the house you bought for him. This is the second house you gave him. This is so inappropriate."
Mrs. Jiang listened to Liu Cuihua's words with a look of disapproval on her face. "There's nothing inappropriate about it. The things we have will be given to Haohao in the future. It's okay to give them a little in advance now."
Mr. Jiang said, "Alright, stop being so ungrateful. Remember to tell others that his brothers pooled their money to buy this so I don't have to worry about it. I'm going to go buy a few bottles of soda. If it's any later, the people at the supply and marketing cooperative will be off work by then. Is there anything you want me to bring?"
Mrs. Jiang said, "We don't have many melon seeds at home. Please weigh some and bring them back."
Even after hearing what Mr. Jiang said, Liu Cuihua still smiled from ear to ear and nodded obediently. After all, there was nothing more joyful than seeing her son really get some benefits.
"Mom, we're going to the sea tomorrow. Can you come with us?"
Mrs. Jiang shook her head. "No, I'm worried about your father being alone at home. His new apprentice is planning to take the exam before the New Year. As a master, he has to keep an eye on his apprentice, so it's not easy for him to ask for leave."
Liu Cuihua: "Okay, then we'll get together when we get back, and then we can go see Haohao's new house together. Haohao said he found it very well."
Jiang Hao was listening to the conversation between the two in the kitchen when he suddenly said, "Grandma, has my grandpa ever said when he plans to retire?"
Old Mrs. Jiang calculated the time. "Your grandfather signed a five-year re-employment contract with the factory. He's been working there for nearly four years now, so there's less than a year left."
Liu Cuihua sighed, "Dad is not young anymore. Long-term fatigue is not good for his health."
Mrs. Jiang said, "It's okay. The factory treats your father well, and the treatment is pretty good. Usually, your father just takes care of apprentices. The other busy times are exams. Your father also said that he will not renew the contract when it expires, and then he will rest and enjoy his retirement."
Old Mrs. Jiang also felt sorry for her husband. She didn't want him to go when he was re-employed. After all, he had enough money. His monthly pension was enough for him to spend, and if that was not enough, he still had the family savings he had saved before. But the old man insisted that he still had enough energy, and there was nothing fun in this world now, and it was boring to stay at home every day. It would be nice to have a class to attend. So, Old Mrs. Jiang was persuaded.
Jiang Hao and Shi Luo put the food on the table. Old Man Jiang also came back with something in his hand. Not only did he come back alone, but he was also followed by someone.
Mrs. Jiang: "Why are you here?"
Jiang Jianshe was holding the cardboard box with an embarrassed look on his face. "Mom, look at what you said. It's normal for me to come to my parents' house. I went to Jinshi to deliver goods a few days ago. The seafood there is very cheap, so I brought some scallops, prawns and hairtail for you and Dad. My sister-in-law just arrived in Jingshi today, right?"
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