Zhang Hongmei looked at Liu Jingze in surprise, "Brother Jingze, I didn't mean to distance myself from you, I'm just not used to it."
"That's fine, I'll go back and get the radishes."
"No need, just eat the cabbage leaves, not the cabbage stalks. I'll go get some garlic; it'll taste better with garlic sauce."
"You don't need to move. Just tell me where it is, and I'll go there."
Zhang Hongmei sighed helplessly. Was this person treating her like a child? "There are some dried chilies hanging on the wall of the warehouse. Take a few over and fry some chili oil."
"Okay, go inside. The kitchen's cold." Liu Jingze said, then walked past Zhang Hongmei out of the kitchen to get garlic and chili peppers from the storeroom.
Zhang Hongmei reluctantly went into the house, thinking, "If he's willing, then let him do it."
Raising a son is a real money pit; his family, even his parents, may never have eaten his cooking.
Liu Jingze was unaware that Zhang Hongmei was secretly criticizing him. "Hongmei, how do you make chili oil?"
"There are scissors in the kitchen. Cut the dried chilies into small pieces, add a few peppercorns and a little salt, heat the oil until it's hot, and then pour it over the chilies."
Perhaps Liu Jingze really has a talent for cooking; the chili oil smells quite fragrant.
A moment later, Liu Jingze set up the kang table, served finely shredded pickled vegetables, chili oil, and a bowl of noodle soup with two poached eggs on top.
"Jingze, you should eat with us too."
"I'll go heat up yesterday's noodles. You eat first, don't wait for me."
Zhang Hongmei couldn't really eat first; she sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) with her legs bent, just like a wealthy landlord.
Liu Jingze brought in a bowl of mushy noodle soup, a truly appalling sight. He placed it on the table, took off his shoes, and climbed onto the kang (heated brick bed).
Zhang Hongmei placed an egg into Liu Jingze's bowl and said, "Brother Jingze, hurry up and eat."
"You can eat it."
"One egg is enough for me." After the two finished eating, Liu Jingze cleaned up the kitchen again. He added a thick piece of wood to the stove, went home to get a basket of sweet potatoes and a pumpkin, and put them in the pot to steam, otherwise he would just boil water.
Zhang Hongmei leaned leisurely against the pile of quilts, holding a book and eating roasted pine nuts, looking very content.
When Liu Jingze came in, he saw Zhang Hongmei smiling like a cat that had just stolen some fish.
How about we play chess?
"No, I'll go to your house to see your great-grandmother in a little while."
"Go when you're better."
"I'm not sick, I'm perfectly fine."
Zhang Hongmei got out of bed, put on her shoes, coat, scarf, hat, and gloves.
Liu Jingze snatched the two pounds of brown sugar from her. She shrugged, locked the door, and went to the old lady's house.
"Grandma, why are you sitting outside? It's so cold."
"It's not cold, it's bright outside. Are you feeling better? Is there anything bothering you?"
"No. I'm fine. I was just a little startled in the car yesterday, but it's nothing." Zhang Hongmei didn't take her period seriously at all, and thus misunderstood the old lady's words.
"Come on, let's go inside."
"What are you doing? You have something good for me?"
"Yes, there's something good. I've already prepared it for you."
"Can't I choose?"
"Take whatever I give you, and I'll let you choose before I die."
"Then don't make me choose. You should just stay alive."
The mother and daughter bickered as they went inside. Liu Jingze went to the kitchen, boiled water, made a large pot of brown sugar water, and took two teacups into the old lady's room.
Liu Jingze stared intently at the phoenix crown on Zhang Hongmei's head. He then heard Zhang Hongmei complaining to the old lady, "I don't want this, it's too expensive, and besides, I can't wear it out in public."
"Who told you to wear it out? You can wear it at your wedding."
"We don't even know when we'll get married yet. Besides, you can't wear this now. You should save it for Jingze's wedding."
Zhang Hongmei took off her phoenix crown and placed it in a box on the kang (a heated brick bed).
"Grandma, I really don't want it, I just want this safety amulet."
The old lady angrily closed the box and forcefully placed it on Zhang Hongmei's lap. "Take it if you want. I won't leave anything for them. In the future, I'll give my good things to whoever I like. Take it, and don't make me angry."
Zhang Hongmei was still holding the safety buckle in her hand when she stared dumbfounded at the exquisitely carved wooden box on her lap.
"Really for me? I feel like I'm burning my hands. Such an expensive gift makes me feel guilty."
"What burden is there? I can't refuse a gift from an elder. Have I wasted all my education?"
Zhang Hongmei had no choice; the old lady was truly anxious. She thought, "Then I'll just take it. I'll deal with it later."
"Will you give me back the safety amulet?" Zhang Hongmei asked jokingly.
"Here, take all the jade ornaments in this box."
"Isn't that too much?"
"Look at your stingy attitude, what's this little bit of stuff?"
"Grandma, the truth is hurtful. I am not your blood relative, and I feel guilty for taking your things."
"You don't need to worry about these things. I've always considered you my junior."
But that's not the case.
"How can you be so old-fashioned at such a young age? Do you think I'm senile?" The old lady took the brown sugar water that Liu Jingze handed her and took a big gulp.
Zhang Hongmei also took the teacup, glancing helplessly at Liu Jingze.
“Hongmei, just accept what your great-grandmother gives you. She can give her things to whomever she wants.”
"I'm just afraid others will have opinions about it!"
"Who would dare? I know who's good to me. Alright, take your things and hurry back, the cafeteria will be opening soon."
"Grandma, shall we not disband the cafeteria?"
"Nobody wants to break up, so let's just keep eating like this. They're all a bunch of people who won't cause you any trouble. Hurry up and go back. Stay home quietly for the next few days. If you're alone, let Jingze come over."
"Hehe, no need, Jingze will keep you company, I'll read by myself."
Liu Jingze didn't leave after taking Zhang Hongmei home. The sweet potatoes and pumpkin in the pot were mushy and just right to eat.
"Hongmei, would you like to eat sweet potato or pumpkin?"
"I want to eat pumpkin. I remember reading that eating sweet potatoes after eating eggs is bad for your health."
"Then don't eat sweet potatoes. Go sit on the kang (heated brick bed) and wait. I'll bring them up for you."
"Brother Jingze, I'm really alright now."
“My mom said you can’t catch a cold. Since I’m here, I won’t let you get cold. There’s nothing I can do when I’m not around.”
Zhang Hongmei suddenly blushed, remembering that this was now, not the future; these things were taught in class, and things were still very traditional.
Liu Jingze couldn't help but laugh as he watched Zhang Hongmei flee in a panic, her face flushed. What a slow-witted girl.
Zhang Hongmei kept her head down, eating pumpkin with a spoon, ignoring Liu Jingze.
"Hongmei, don't go to the cafeteria for lunch. I'll get it for you."
"No, I want to go see them. I miss everyone."
"Wouldn't it be the same to go after you've recovered?"
"No, it's fine, I'm not sick or in pain. Oh, right, I need to take the radio to the canteen. I'm not taking it with me when I go to the capital; I'll leave it in the village."
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