“That’s enough, five jin! Let’s go ask Grandma how many hawthorns we need to buy!” Zhang Hongmei was excited; she always got particularly energetic when food was mentioned.
"Well, we should put the bag at home first. Open the door."
Zhang Hongmei, feeling both embarrassed and haughty, went to open the door. She hadn't even noticed the bag was in her hand; she'd forgotten about it.
The two arrived at the old lady's house. "Grandma, Grandma, I want to eat candied hawthorns."
"You little brat, all you ever think about is food. Go ask your grandma, her cooking skills are passed down from generation to generation."
"Aren't you going to eat it once it's glued back together?"
"I'm not eating it. I've almost lost all my teeth, and these are the only ones I have left. It would be a problem if they fell off. I'm saving them for eating."
"Hehe, I'll eat, and you watch."
"You brat!" The old lady was amused by Zhang Hongmei's words.
Liu Changhe's wife was called into the old lady's room by Liu Jingze. "Hongmei, Jingze said you want to eat candied hawthorns?"
"Yes, Grandma, Jingze and Great-Grandma all say your cooking is exceptionally good. I was just about to ask you, I have five pounds of white sugar, how many hawthorns do I need?"
"No need to buy any more. I picked plenty of them on the mountain after autumn, that's enough."
"Then I'll buy some sour pears? Will they be okay to use for gluing?"
"Hehe, your great-grandmother always said you only know how to eat, now I finally understand. Okay, sour pear can be used too, I'll make you some hawthorn cake in a few days."
"Grandma, you're so skillful! I'll go to the market tomorrow and see if they sell any sour pears."
"No need, we have everything at home. Just bring the white sugar, or even better, rock sugar."
"I also have rock sugar, but only a pound."
"A pound is fine too, just mix it with white sugar, that way the sugar on the candied hawthorn will be crispy. I'll fry some sesame seeds later, they'll make it even more fragrant when they stick on top."
The old lady listened to the two of them having a lively discussion and said, "Look at you two, the old and the young, you never stop talking about food."
"Grandma, isn't the point of living to eat? No matter how you eat, you should eat well."
"You're full of twisted logic. Here, these are milk candies, I'll give them all to you." The old lady took out an exquisite tin box.
"Giving me something and then scolding me, that's really not cute at all."
"Go back and get the candy, I'll make it for you today. So you won't keep thinking about it."
"Let's make it again tomorrow or the day after, when everyone who's going to school comes back. It's better to share than to enjoy it alone, so everyone can have some."
Liu Jingze watched Zhang Hongmei joking around with the old man with doting eyes.
"Yes, I really admire your generosity and understanding, girl." Liu Changhe's wife looked at Zhang Hongmei with a smile.
Zhang Hongmei was embarrassed by what was said and said, "How could I be that good?"
The two elderly people chuckled.
"Grandma, I'm going back now. Are you going to the market tomorrow? I'll go with you."
"Forget it, it's snowing heavily. My old arms and legs are too weak, you guys go have fun by yourselves."
Liu Jingze went to Zhang Hongmei's house to get candy. He didn't stay long. Now that he had a better understanding of Zhang Hongmei's preferences, he was gradually changing his way of getting along with her.
When there's nothing to do, I play chess; it's always a way to kill time.
At noon, Zhang Hongmei went into her personal space and ate a few steamed buns and drank a glass of milk. She felt fortunate; without the space, she probably wouldn't have survived even a month.
After taking a nap, I left the space feeling refreshed.
In the afternoon, I had company. Actually, there are many girls in the village who are about my age, but I don't want to associate with them. One reason is my personality, and the most important reason is that we don't have anything in common. I like to gossip, but I always talk about this and that, and it's all baseless nonsense.
We can only wait for Er Ya and Shi Tou.
Zhang Hongmei didn't get out of bed until dinner time. She took her rice bowl to the canteen and asked for more this time, as she still had to save some for Shi Tou.
When I got home, I pushed my bicycle to pick up Er Yazhu.
Liu Jingze seemed to know what Zhang Hongmei was doing, and was waiting outside the door wearing a coat.
"Hongmei, I'll go pick her up. It's too cold outside."
"Brother Jingze, let me go."
“You didn’t feel cold when you were walking, but it’ll be different if you’re riding a bike. Listen to me, I’ll go. Besides, the road is really slippery, it’s too dangerous.”
Zhang Hongmei couldn't persuade Liu Jingze otherwise, so she had to give him the bicycle. She couldn't help but imagine him riding it with a pillar sitting in front of him—it was so horrible, she didn't dare think about it anymore.
When they returned an hour later, Zhang Hongmei had already roasted several large sweet potatoes, preparing to give Er Ya and the others an extra meal.
It had been almost half a year since they last met, and Er Ya was especially excited. "Hong Mei, well done! You got into the Capital University. I used to think that Brother Jing Ze was unattainable and the most promising person in our village. Now my sister got in too, hahaha."
Zhang Hongmei kept giving Er Ya meaningful glances, saying, "Big sister, they're right behind you. Is it really okay for you to say that?"
Er Ya was too excited to understand Zhang Hongmei's meaningful glance and continued to laugh to herself.
“Hongmei, our teacher is very regretful and annoyed that we were unable to invite you to give a speech to us.”
"Forget it, that's why I came back early. I hate these things the most."
"Hehe, they're just eager to show off."
"Here's a sweet potato for you. Hurry home and eat, we're going to the market tomorrow morning!"
"Alright, you wait for me. Hongmei, haven't you noticed the change in me after all this time?"
"I know, I know, you've grown taller, but you're still half a head shorter than me," Zhang Hongmei teased Er Ya.
"You little brat, you're so unlovable!" Er Ya stormed off.
Looking at the playful and adorable Zhang Hongmei, Liu Jingze felt a tickle in his heart; she was just too lovable.
The next morning, Er Ya brought Shi Tou and San Ya over. Zhang Hongmei had steamed pumpkin flour buns the night before for the three of them to eat.
A little while later, Liu Jingze also came over, and Zhang Hongmei handed him a steamed bun, saying, "Try it, it's especially sweet even without sugar."
"It's delicious! Aren't you going to send some to Grandma?"
"Sure, I've already packed it all up. I'm just waiting for you to finish eating before I deliver it."
"I'll go after I finish this." Liu Jingze finished his meal in a few bites, picked up the cage, and went home.
Zhu Zi came over and ate a steamed bun, along with Shi Tou and a few of his friends. The whole pot of steamed buns was gone.
"Brother Zhu, I have a task for you. Go to the livestock shed tomorrow and see if there are any sheep that are producing milk. If there are, milk some of their milk. I want to eat sheep milk buns."
"I know, I know, there are two milk-producing goats in our village, I'll go ask for them tomorrow." Shi Tou was very enthusiastic, he really wanted to eat goat milk buns, Sister Hongmei's were especially delicious.
Zhu Zi rubbed Shi Tou's head.
When Liu Jingze returned, he found that the steamed buns were gone, and helplessly shrugged at Zhang Hongmei.
Zhang Hongmei said softly, "That's all we can do. I'll steam goat milk buns tomorrow."
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