10,000 words updated! Thanks to Xia for the reward!
"Girl, you should go back now! I've arranged accommodations for this comrade, and I'll also let Hongmei know."
"Alright, Uncle Village Chief. I'll head back now."
"Wait a minute, ma'am, I'd like to take a look at this camera now, is that alright?"
"Hehe, I really don't know that. Uncle Village Chief, where should we arrange for this gentleman to stay?"
"Let's stay at my house!"
"Okay, comrade, you go and settle in first. I'll go back and find someone to go to the village chief's house to find you."
"Alright, then I'll be waiting for you."
Wang Ying drove home and, seeing the door open, skipped and hopped inside.
“Hongmei, I bought the camera and handed it in. The instructor came with me too. He said he wanted to see the camera.”
"Hehe, well done."
"Hehe, it's just that this guy insists on looking at the camera right now."
"You should ask Xiao Li about that."
Xiao Li didn't care and went to Wang Hongxi's house with Wang Ying.
The photographer saw the camera in Xiao Li's hand and immediately rushed over, his eyes flashing with enthusiasm. This was truly a good camera.
Xiao Li handed him the camera, and Wang Ying was afraid he would drop it because his hands were shaking. So she stood cautiously beside him.
This guy was really something else; his expression was like that of a starving person seeing delicious food. His frenzied energy made Wang Ying, standing to the side, shudder.
The driver was quite sensible; he returned the camera to Xiao Li after five minutes.
"Can I use it to shoot tomorrow?"
Xiao Li nodded, and only then was the man completely relieved.
"I'm sure I'll take some really great photos tomorrow." After saying that, he sniffed the air. Was that the smell of meat?
Wang Hongxi was a shrewd man. He smiled and said to the photographer, "Comrade, you're in for a treat this time. There's meat tonight, and more tomorrow at noon."
"Hehe, then my trip was truly worthwhile."
"Don't mention it, we should be thanking you, comrade."
Dinner consisted of mixing all the vegetables together, along with bean curd sheets, tofu, blood tofu, and bok choy from the field, plus ten large pots of white rice weighing two hundred catties.
Zhang Hongmei didn't dislike the dish, but she was worried that Zhang Shouyi wouldn't be able to eat it, so she leaned closer to him and whispered, "Brother Zhang, can you eat this? Or I'll cook you some noodles when we get back."
"Hehe, I'm not that delicate, don't worry. Besides, although this food is leftovers from lunch, no one has touched it, and I think it tastes pretty good."
"As long as you can eat it, that's fine."
The photographer was truly amazed. Although the wheat harvest was bountiful this year, there was no luxury of eating pure rice.
Meat? Tofu and bean curd sheets? What kind of day is this? This little hillside nestled against the mountain is not to be underestimated.
The village chief was also very hospitable, always taking care of his meals, and he finally got to eat meat this time.
And they even have entertainment; they can listen to the radio while eating. What kind of life is that? As city dwellers, we always have a sense of superiority, but after seeing their life today, all that's left is disheartening.
I ate three large bowls of rice, and I estimate I ate another two large bowls of vegetables. I'm really full tonight.
After dinner, Li Cuihua refused Zhang Hongmei's help, saying, "This little bit of work will be done in a moment. Xiaoling, soak the rest of the beans. We still need to make tofu and bean curd sheets tomorrow."
Seeing that she was no longer needed here, Zhang Hongmei went home with Zhang Shouyi.
The next morning, Wang Ying got up early and cooked noodles, tomato noodle soup. She also poached a few eggs. Nowadays, outside of the busy farming season, they usually eat two meals a day.
However, the four of them were used to eating three meals a day, so they really couldn't get used to not eating breakfast.
We had just finished eating and hadn't even touched the table when Stone came running over.
"Sister Hongmei, hurry up, the photographer is waiting at the brigade headquarters."
"Okay, I'll go right away. Would you like some noodle soup? I'll cook you a bowl."
"No need, I'm not hungry, I'm waiting to take pictures."
Xiao Li, carrying a tin box, followed Shi Tou ahead.
Wang Ying didn't ask Zhang Hongmei to do the cleaning, so Zhang Hongmei and Zhang Shouyi wandered off to the brigade headquarters. Yesterday, only one photo was taken of the last thirty people, and there are still thirty negatives in the camera. So today we can really take as many photos as we want.
Zhang Hongmei left after standing there for a short while to help out in the cafeteria. Zhang Shouyi wanted to follow her, but Zhang Hongmei refused. What kind of man would follow him around all the time?
Meat is being blanched in the canteen right now, and the offal is already being boiled. The number of people cooking in the canteen has now increased to twelve. One person is tending the fire while watching two pots. Seeing them busy at work, I realize that this job is really not easy.
"Auntie, what can I do?"
"You don't need to do anything. There's still soy milk in the pot over there, and brown sugar over here. Go pour yourself a bowl and drink it."
"Okay, I am actually a little thirsty."
After finishing her drink, Zhang Hongmei came over again and said, "Third Aunt, let me help you start the fire."
"Go ahead, you need to keep an eye on the two pots, and tell your aunt to come over and start applying the caramel."
Lighting a fire in the summer is truly exhilarating, especially with two pots side by side. Before long, sweat beads on your forehead. It's true that women have it tough. Even after working in the fields, they still have to cook, take care of the whole family, clean the house, do laundry—all of that is part of their job.
But during the off-season, they still have to take apart and wash bedding and cotton-padded clothes, so there is never a time when they can really relax.
Li Cuihua and the others coated the pork skin with caramel coloring and took it all out. At this time, the meat cutter also cut the meat into small square pieces. The four large pots were stir-fried at the same time with caramel coloring.
This is a technical skill; experienced people know when to add soy sauce and water after stir-frying the meat to a certain consistency.
The two stoves Zhang Hongmei was currently overseeing were for stewing offal, so they weren't exposed to the fumes. However, even just smelling them made her lose her appetite. Just as everyone was busy working, the cameraman came over with his camera and started snapping away at the bustling crowd in the canteen.
Zhang Hongmei felt that this person must be a photography enthusiast, because she could feel his love for photography and how much he cherished his camera.
This person suddenly stopped next to Zhang Hongmei, pointed the camera at Zhang Hongmei, and thought to himself that this girl was really too beautiful. Her bangs were past her forehead, revealing her big, watery eyes, and her features were exquisite. She was simply a masterpiece of God.
At this moment, Zhang Shouyi came over and patted the photographer on the shoulder, saying, "Her photos don't need your help."
After saying that, he walked over to Zhang Hongmei, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the sweat from her forehead and nose.
The man snapped a picture of this beautiful scene with his camera. The handsome man bent down and used a clean white handkerchief to wipe the sweat from the angelic young girl's brow.
The little girl tilted her head back slightly, a hint of disdain on her face. The photo happened to capture their profiles.
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