Chapter 30 Preparation before making tofu
After returning from the cemetery, they had a simple lunch and rested for a while before going to Wang's house.
Xie Shuangbai and Wang Shunyi want to go see the stone mill.
He had to calculate the distance to see how to conveniently transport the soy milk he ground every day.
The stone mill was in a thatched shed next to Wang's house.
The Wang family lives in the center of the village, and the millstone was placed here as a result of a village vote.
If anyone needs to grind flour or other things, just come and use it. If possible, use a donkey or mule.
Those who don’t have the conditions, such as Xie Shuangbai, need to pull it themselves.
He remembered that the stone mill was quite large, but he was still shocked when he saw it today.
A huge stone mill was placed in the thatched shed, and a family was grinding wheat.
The miller obviously recognized him and called out, "Little scholar, are you here to grind wheat too?"
Xie Shuangbai had no impression of him and replied with a smile: "Uncle, I'm not going to grind, I just came to take a look."
The old man looked puzzled: "What's so good about this? It's just a millstone."
The old man seemed to understand something in an instant, and said with a smile, "You scholars have different brains from us farmers who dig for food!"
Xie Shuangbai: "..."
He smiled awkwardly, looked at the millstone, and then pulled Wang Shunyi back.
"Brother Wang, please help me grind the beans for the next two days. I'll tell Uncle Wang that we need to buy a mill. The one in the village is too big."
Wang Shunyi also felt that the big millstone in the village was not suitable for Xie Shuangbai to use, and even he found it too strenuous.
"Okay, it's no big deal if I just put in some effort."
"You can't work for nothing these two days. Thirty cents a morning."
Wang Shunyi refused outright: "How can I accept money? My mother would break my legs if she knew."
Xie Shuangbai glanced at him without saying anything. When they arrived at Wang's house, Xie Shuangbai told Wang Da that they still needed to buy a mill and asked him to help buy it. He also mentioned that he would pay Wang Shun his wages.
"Uncle, listen to me. Brother Wang can't work for me for nothing. Even if he goes out to work, he can still earn a few dozen coins. Brother Wang has two children."
Wang Dadi was silent and took another puff of his cigarette: "Okay, you decide."
"Then let's put it this way: 30 wen for half a day's work."
"20 cents is enough. He works so hard outside until dark and only gets 50 cents. 30 cents for half a day is too much. Otherwise, don't ask him to go." Wang Dadi said.
"Yes, 20 cents will be enough." Cui also said.
Xie Shuangbai felt that 30 wen was not too much, considering the grindstone was so heavy.
"Aunt, uncle, listen to me, 30 cents is really not much. That millstone is quite heavy. Just listen to me and give me 30 cents. I still think it's not enough. I will definitely give you more when I make money."
Wang Dadi couldn't persuade him.
"Then starting tomorrow, after breakfast, Brother Wang will go grind the beans. Uncle, do you have soybeans at home? I want to buy a few bags."
A light bulb went off in his head, and he thought it would be better to make tofu at Wang's house, as it was closer.
"Uncle, will you still use the kitchen after breakfast? Can I rent it?"
Wang Dadi got anxious when he heard this. "You're asking for a beating, kid! You can use the kitchen anyway you want, and you're not even renting it!"
Xie Shuangbai forgot again that this was not the modern world, and he seemed very... very snobbish by always mentioning money.
He hurried to Wang Dadi's side to give him a back rub: "I was wrong, uncle. I will make soy milk directly at your house tomorrow, so that Brother Wang can save himself the trouble."
Wang Dadi thought it was convenient to grind right in front of his house, "Why not? Just grind as much as you want."
"Okay, you have to pay for the beans. I'll buy five bags first to try."
"It's not a big deal, just a few bags of beans. Try it first and we'll see."
Xie Shuangbai didn't dare to mention money again and nodded obediently.
Wang Dadi asked Wang Shunfa to move five bags of soybeans from the grain storage room.
Xie Shuangbai soaked half a bag.
"Brother Wang, wait for me tomorrow morning and we'll go grind together."
Xie Shuangbai went into the house again to see the three sisters making clothes. Xie Shuangbai said that he would go back first and asked them to keep an eye on the time. The three nodded in agreement.
Wang Tiantian and Manman fell asleep after playing tired, which just saved Tiantian from being unhappy about him leaving.
Wang Shunfa offered to give him a ride, but Xie Shuangbai disagreed because it was such a short distance and he didn't bring anything with him.
He left the Wang family alone and returned to the old house.
The villagers on the road greeted him enthusiastically when they saw him. There was an old woman with triangular eyes in the crowd who stared at him intently. He took a look but couldn't recognize who she was.
There's no way around it. The original body is either reading or sick, so it's really hard for him to recognize people.
Xie Shuangbai also stared at her straight without blinking.
The triangular-eyed old woman was stunned, as if she had not expected him to be so bold. She spat at the weeds by the roadside in anger and cursed, "Shameless vixen!"
Xie Shuangbai: "..."
What the hell is going on?
Xie Shuangbai didn't bother to pay attention to such a lunatic and walked quickly towards home.
There are a few abnormal people in the village, so keep the door closed.
He went to the main room and wrote down the steps of making tofu.
After thinking about it, I found that I was still missing a tool. I had to go to Carpenter Zhang's house. Also, the cabinet for the kang bed should be almost finished a few days ago.
He got up, closed the door and went to Carpenter Zhang's house.
Carpenter Zhang was still in the yard making the cabinet he mentioned. He saw Xie Shuangbai and called out, "The young scholar was looking for you!"
Xie Shuangbai asked, "What's wrong, Uncle Zhang?"
"Do you think this cabinet is okay?" Carpenter Zhang was a little nervous.
"It looks like it's correct. If you follow the size I said, it should be fine."
Carpenter Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. "The cabinet is finished. All that's left is the paint. I'll send it to you in a couple of days."
"Okay, Uncle Zhang, how much is the salary?"
"These little cabinets are easy to find. 50 coins will do the job."
"Uncle, your calculation is correct. There's not enough wood, right?"
"This is wood from our back mountain. It's free. Just give me the labor fee."
"It'll take some strength to pull it back. I'll give you 80 coins. I'll pay you back when you return it in a few days."
Carpenter Zhang rubbed his hands and said, "Okay, there's no rush for money. Try it first. If you can't fix it, I'll give it to you."
"That's easy. Uncle, do you have a square box at home?"
Carpenter Zhang came into the house and looked around. "We have whatever size you want."
Xie Shuangbai compared the size to him.
About 80*80.
Carpenter Zhang rummaged through a pile of finished items and finally found one, handed it to him and said:
"There's another one. I made it for fun with some wood to practice with. You can take it."
Xie Shuangbai didn't refuse: "Okay, Uncle Zhang, I'll try this one first. If it suits you, I'll order a few more. Then I'll go back first."
"Okay, go slow. I'll deliver the cabinet in the next two days."
After Xie Shuangbai hurried back, he washed the wooden box and found the gauze he bought yesterday, which was a perfect pad to put underneath.
There was a knock on the door. Xie Qiushi and the other two had returned. He got up and opened the door.
It’s getting late, time to make dinner.
"Brother, what do you want to eat tonight?"
Xie Shuangbai suddenly remembered the noodles made by the old woman in town and smacked his lips: "Let's make some noodles."
"Okay, brother, what are you going to do with the green beans in your kitchen?"
Xie Shuangbai slapped his head and forgot about it.
"I'll teach you how to grow bean sprouts after dinner."
"Wow, what are bean sprouts? They sound delicious!
"Little sister, you only know how to eat!" Xie Xiachan teased her.
Just as Xie Chunmiao was about to speak, Xie Shuangbai interrupted her: "You're not going to say you're protecting me, are you?"
Xie Chunmiao didn't expect Xie Shuangbai to tell him in advance, and he muttered sullenly, "I just want to protect my brother."
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