Xu Zhi, who only half understood what they were hearing, was pulled up the mountain by Qin Xiaoxiao and Yang Tianzhen. Qin Xiaoxiao didn't dare to take them deep into the mountains, and they only played for a while halfway up the mountain before going back home when it was almost time to finish work in the evening.
Back home, Qin Xiaoxiao busied herself helping Grandma Qin cook dinner. Later, Qin Xiaoxiao felt that Grandma Qin was reluctant to use oil, so the dishes she made weren't fragrant. She then sent Grandma Qin out and cooked the food herself.
When Qin Yue learned that her older sister was in charge of cooking today, she happily ran to the kitchen to help. However, she accidentally knocked over a bowl of flour that Qin Xiaoxiao was preparing to fry meatballs, and the bowl ended up on its own, making them inedible.
Qin Xiaoxiao wanted to help cover it up, but before she could move, Old Mrs. Qin's angry roar rang out at the kitchen door.
Qin Xiaoxiao gave Qin Yue a look that said "good luck," and then turned and left the kitchen.
The kitchen door was quickly closed, and the sound of a "symphony" filled the air.
Hearing the noises from the kitchen, Qin Xiaoxiao trembled, especially when the old lady Qin hit Qin Yue with a feather duster; Qin Xiaoxiao twitched immediately afterward.
After waiting for a full five minutes, the kitchen door opened again, and Qin Yue walked out pitifully, rubbing her bottom, followed by Old Mrs. Qin, who was holding a feather duster.
Grandma Qin spotted the two new granddaughters-in-law standing behind her eldest granddaughter at a glance.
Grandma Qin acted as if nothing had happened, forcefully stuffing the feather duster into Qin Xiaoxiao's hand, then straightened her clothes, smoothed the stray hairs at her temples, and smiled with a loving expression.
"What are you looking at so intently? Look how pale your face is, and why are you sweating? Are you suffering from heatstroke?"
Xiao Xiao, quickly make some mung bean water for your two sisters-in-law; it's chilled in the well.
After saying that, Grandma Qin ignored the four girls' complicated expressions as they looked at her and walked out of the yard.
Qin Xiaoxiao looked awkwardly at her two sisters-in-law, "This child is disobedient and needs to be disciplined. It's okay, my sister is tough and has always been naughty. We're used to it. You'll get used to it too. Cough cough, Xiaoyue, didn't you hear what Grandma said? Hurry up and pour some mung bean water for your sister-in-law."
"Okay, I'll go right away."
Fortunately, Qin Yue knew that Qin Xiaoxiao was trying to save face for her, so she quickly slipped away while rubbing her bottom. As for who brought the mung bean soup, it didn't matter; it didn't matter who brought it.
After listening, Xu Zhi smiled and pulled Yang Tianzhen, who still wanted to speak, into the house first.
Seeing the two leave, Qin Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief, swept the dirty flour into the stove, and then took two bowls of flour from the cupboard to knead the dough again.
There wasn't enough time to fry the meatballs, so Qin Xiaoxiao decided to make four-happiness meatballs. This was convenient and simple; she could just steam them together with the meat.
When Qin Aiguo returned with Qin Feng and Qin Ye, Qin Xiaoxiao had already prepared the dishes. She sent Qin Yue to call Su Lu over for dinner, and the family washed up and sat down at the table.
Four Happiness Meatballs, Steamed Sea Bass, Stir-fried River Shrimp with Chives, Twice-Cooked Pork, Dongpo Pork Knuckle, Stir-fried Pig Ears (Pig Ears with Green Beans, also called Mi Dou, Mei Dou, or Qi Dou; Southern girls may not know this, but it's popular in Northeast China and Beijing), Stir-fried Cucumber with Eggs, a cold dish made with finely shredded cucumber, vermicelli, and cabbage hearts, plus a bowl of old hen soup with red mushrooms.
Eight dishes and one soup – a proper way to entertain guests.
If it weren't for the fact that people of this era don't like gnawing on bones, Qin Xiaoxiao would have liked to make some big bones to gnaw on, what a pity.
Yang Tianzhen eats well at home, but she has never eaten so many dishes in one meal. At this moment, her eyes are wide open, and she doesn't hear a word Qin Wei says to her.
Xu Zhi couldn't take her eyes off the food, but she had much better self-control than Yang Tianzhen. She resisted swallowing and didn't stare at the food for too long, but her eyes never left it.
The best chef is happiest when diners appreciate her cooking and finish their food. When Su Lu arrived, everyone couldn't help but start eating. Soon after, no one at the table spoke; everyone buried their heads in their food.
Actually, Qin Xiaoxiao's cooking skills weren't that good, at least not as good as Qin Hai's. They weren't even in the same league. But Qin Xiaoxiao was willing to use a lot of oil and added a variety of seasonings. She also added spiritual spring water to the dishes and soups from time to time. Even with poor cooking skills, she could still taste a different flavor.
After dinner, the family gathered together to chat.
Qin Aiguo inquired about the two families' situations, then explained his own family's situation. As the head of the family, he expressed his welcome to her and his approval of the two couples' marriage plans. Finally, he directly brought up the matter of the bride price.
"The grandsons are all equal, each receiving 300 yuan as a bride price, plus three turns and a radio. Those who don't want them can exchange them for money and give them all to the in-laws."
Regarding the housing issue, if you're capable of buying your own place outside, the family won't interfere or take advantage of you. You'll each have a room in the family home. As for how it will be divided later, that's your father's business.
Qin Aiguo naturally shifted the topic to Qin Feng, telling him to worry about it.
Qin Feng wasn't intimidated and laughed, "Xiao Wei and Sheng Zi should be the same. Your grandfather paid the 300 yuan dowry, and your mother and I, as the father, will pay 200 yuan."
The same applies to having children. I've talked about this with your dad before, and he felt the same way.
As for how you divide the family property in the future, that's your father's problem, not mine."
After a few words, Qin Feng turned the conversation to Qin Hai, but unfortunately Qin Hai wasn't there, and no one paid him any attention.
Qin Feng didn't mind and continued with a smile, "The division of the family property can only be carried out after you get married, but I can give you a heads-up first."
I only have two sons, Qin Ye and Qin Wei. You can divide the money equally and leave some for your mother and me to live on in our old age.
The house was bought by your grandparents and was given to me back then, so we won't divide it. If you want to come back and live here, there's always a room for you. If you don't want to come back, then we'll keep it and live here ourselves.
As for what to do with us after we pass away, that's up to you. Do whatever you want with us. I don't care, and your mother has no objection either.
After hearing this, Ma Dahua rolled her eyes at Qin Feng.
Of course I have no objections. The person is dead, what objections could I possibly have? Of course, they can divide the property however they want, and there's no way to interfere!
Qin Ye and Qin Wei were speechless for a moment. They looked at each other and sighed. Qin Ye responded first, "You don't need to worry about this father. Qin Wei and I have already discussed it."
We won't be living in the village forever; we'll have to go out and explore eventually. So, let's just leave the house here. When you decide to come with us, we'll get rid of the house. We don't want any money; you can keep it for yourselves.
As for your retirement, you don't need to worry about that at all. We brothers will split the money equally, and you can live with whomever you want; we have no objection.
Qin Xiaoxiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.
She didn't want to ruin family relationships over such a small amount of inheritance, turning into bitter rivalry and treating each other like enemies. This was fine as it was; there wasn't much money to begin with, so what was there to fight over?
Su Lu listened with a sigh, really wanting to drag his father over to hear how they divided the family property and how the brothers got along. "Aren't you ashamed?" he thought.
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