Lu Cheng and Lin Yuexi smiled at each other, then rode the bicycle and took the children to the courtyard in the county town.
Looking at the newly renovated house, Lu Cheng had to admit in his heart that the craftsman Zhao Gang hired was indeed skilled. He was probably the best in the county in terms of renovation skills.
The yard was clean and tidy, the doors and windows of the house were replaced with new ones, and some furniture was added.
Lu Ziyan and Lu Xiyun ran around the rooms excitedly, full of curiosity about this new home.
Lin Yuexi was also quite satisfied with all of this. The Chinese New Year was just a few days away. Last year she spent the New Year in the hospital, but this year she could finally celebrate the festive New Year at home.
After the four of them looked at the house, they were eager to move in as soon as possible to celebrate the New Year. However, Lin Yuexi took into account that the house had just been renovated and was afraid that the formaldehyde content might not meet the standards, so she decided to open all the windows for ventilation and move in after the New Year.
When Lu Ziyan and Lu Xiyun heard their mother say that they wanted to stay until after the Chinese New Year, they pouted and said, "Mom, why don't we live in our new house? Why do we want to move back to the house in the village..."
Lin Yuexi had to explain patiently: "Zi Yan, Xi Yun, our house has just been renovated, and perhaps some materials contain formaldehyde, which is harmful to the body.
If we move in now, you may cough, feel uncomfortable, and your health may be affected.
After the Chinese New Year, let the wind blow away all these bad things, and we can move in happily and healthily. "
Lu Ziyan and Lu Xiyun nodded as if they understood, but their little faces were still filled with disappointment.
Lu Cheng looked at the children, squatted down, smiled and comforted them: "My dears, although we can't live in the new house these days, we can prepare for the New Year together.
When we go back to the village, we can put up Spring Festival couplets, make rice cakes, and buy a lot of beautiful fireworks. When we move here after the New Year, you can have fun again, okay?"
When the children heard this, their eyes lit up instantly. Lu Xiyun took Lin Yuexi's hand and said coquettishly: "Mom, let's go back to the village quickly to prepare for the New Year. I really want to see the fireworks soon."
Lu Ziyan also echoed: "Yes, yes, I also want to write Spring Festival couplets. I have practiced calligraphy very seriously this year, and I will definitely be able to write beautifully."
Lin Yuexi smiled and nodded in agreement, and the four of them left the courtyard and went to the state-owned store in the county town to buy brushes for writing Spring Festival couplets, red paper, and other things needed for the New Year.
Lin Yuexi originally planned to take out candies and other things from her space, but Lu Cheng was eager to buy some. She couldn't tell him that she had a portable space, so she let the father and his two sons buy some each, but she didn't allow them to buy more.
After leaving the state-owned store, the family went to a state-owned restaurant and each ordered a dish they liked.
Lu Ziyan likes meat, so he ordered a braised pork elbow. Lu Xiyun likes light food, so she ordered a stir-fried seasonal vegetable dish. Lin Yuexi ordered a tender and fragrant steamed fish. Taking everyone's taste into consideration, Lu Cheng chose a home-cooked tofu with a mellow taste.
After a while, the dishes were served one after another.
The bright red braised pork elbow exudes an enticing aroma that makes people drool at the sight of it.
Lu Ziyan's eyes widened, and he couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks to pick up a piece and put it in his mouth. The skin of the meat was soft and glutinous, the meat was tender, fat but not greasy. He ate until his mouth was full of oil, and said incoherently: "Delicious..."
Lu Xiyun ate the stir-fried seasonal vegetables in small bites. The green vegetables were refreshing and delicious, and very refreshing. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
Seeing the children eating happily, Lin Yuexi's appetite also increased. She carefully picked out the bones from the fish and gave the tender fish meat to the children.
While eating tofu, Lu Cheng picked up some food for Lin Yuexi and said softly, "Yuexi, you should eat more too."
The family enjoyed this delicious lunch in a warm atmosphere, and their laughter could be heard from the restaurant from time to time.
All the expenses in the county town that day were paid by Lu Cheng, because he really had no place to use the various bills issued by the army? If he didn't use them now, when would he use them?
After finishing the meal, Lu Cheng paid for the tickets, and the family strolled around the county again. Lu Ziyan and Lu Xiyun held Lin Yuexi's hands, skipping and jumping on the street, and stopped from time to time to look at the small things on the roadside.
Happy times always pass easily. As the sky gradually darkened, the four decided to return to the village.
After returning to the village, the family began to prepare for the New Year.
Lu Ziyan and Lu Xiyun were helping Lu Cheng hang up lanterns for the New Year in the yard, while Lin Yuexi was considering whether to make dumplings now.
It is better to act than to think. Thinking of this, Lin Yuexi immediately walked into the kitchen and entered the space while Lu Cheng, Zi Yan and Xiyun were concentrating on hanging lanterns.
As you step into the space, you’ll be greeted by a vibrant scene.
The lush fruit trees are neatly arranged, laden with fruits and filled with fragrance; in the vegetable fields, all kinds of fresh vegetables are growing well and are green and juicy.
Lin Yuexi walked straight to the grain storage area, where there were several bags of wheat flour. She picked up a bag easily, and it seemed to have no weight in the space.
Then she came to the breeding area, where chickens, ducks and geese were strolling happily.
Lin Yuexi selected two plump hens and cut them cleanly and neatly.
Then, she found a jar of sauerkraut that she had made herself in a corner of the space. The rich sour taste was exactly what she wanted.
After everything was ready, Lin Yuexi took the ingredients out of the space and returned to the kitchen.
She poured the flour into a large bowl, slowly added an appropriate amount of water, stirred it into flocs with chopsticks, and then began to knead the dough.
Her hands were very skillful, and the dough gradually became smooth and delicate in her hands. After a while, a plump white dough was born. She covered it with a wet cloth and let the dough rise quietly.
While the dough was rising, Lin Yuexi started to prepare the chicken. She cut the chicken into small pieces, put it into the pot and blanched it, then removed the blood and foam and fished it out.
Next, pour a little oil into the hot pan, add the scallions, ginger and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, then add the chicken pieces and stir-fry until the surface is golden brown.
Then she added sauerkraut and appropriate seasonings and started stewing it.
The rich aroma soon filled the entire kitchen.
After the chicken and sauerkraut filling has cooled, Lin Yuexi takes out the dough, puts it on the chopping board, kneads it to release the air, then rolls it into long thin strips and cuts it into even-sized pieces.
She picked up the rolling pin and skillfully rolled out the dumpling skins. One by one, the dumpling skins were thick in the middle and thin at the edges.
Lin Yuexi picked up a dumpling wrapper, scooped a spoonful of chicken and sauerkraut filling in the middle, and nimbly pinched the edge of the dumpling wrapper with her fingers. With a gentle fold and pinch, a plump and round dumpling was wrapped. Her movements were done in one go, and soon, the dumplings filled the lid.
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