Chapter 43
Because there is a river, people in Wangjiazhuang eat a lot of fish. Not only the usual fish meat, but also fish balls and fish skin.
Ever since Gu Xinxin entered the village, she always felt that she could smell a fishy smell.
As soon as they entered the Wang family's gate, a short, plump old lady rushed over. "My darling, you're finally here! I urged your uncle to leave long ago, but he kept putting it off. Let me see if my precious granddaughter has lost some weight."
As he spoke, he touched Gu Xinxin's cheek affectionately. His rough fingers scratched her face, but it didn't hurt, just... it made people feel a little touched.
"Grandma." Gu Xinxin called out with a smile, and the old lady kept saying, "Good, good, you look more energetic. I hope your stepmother hasn't done anything bad recently?"
"I'm the head of the Gu family now." Gu Xinxin didn't mention the past. It was in the past, and there was no need for her to bring it up again and make others worry about it. Besides, besides having Uncle Wang beat up Gu Chen, what else could she do?
Gu Chenshi is now...very poor.
Gu Qiuhe never touched the family's money. She saw that Gu Wenshu was studying all day long and was not at home. Old Mrs. Gu had such a bad temper that she didn't even have anyone to talk to at home. If she did anything, Gu Daniu would treat her like a thief. Gu Chen had no words to say, and knew that "good days" were yet to come.
Furthermore, she intended to avenge the original owner herself and did not want the Wang family to intervene.
Old Lady Wang heard about this for the first time and hurriedly pulled Gu Xinxin aside to ask. Gu Xinxin didn't hide anything and told her about how she taught Gu Daniu how to do business. "I was just about to ask you, Grandma, if you guys want to start a small business? If you are willing, I have some ideas."
She had seen it the moment she entered the village. There were plenty of fish and shrimp in the water. The big ones could be used for cooking, and the small ones could be used for business. Oh, and there were also fish roe and fish fowl. These were all good things that could make money, especially the fish fowl, which were best cooked in a dry pot.
Spicy fish is the best partner for watching TV series besides potato chips.
Wangjiazhuang also has fish balls, but Wang Fengshou said they're mostly boiled or used in stews. Grilling and frying them are rare, so she could definitely come up with a better way.
Grandma didn't agree immediately, but pondered for a moment: "You said before that you got your mother's advice?"
Gu Xinxin nodded, and her grandmother sighed: "Your mother gave you some advice, it must be because your life is too difficult. Your mother wants to find a way for you to make a living. You only need to know these ideas. If you tell others, I'm afraid it will damage your blessings."
"Grandma, how can this be considered a loss of fortune? This is clearly a matter of accumulating merit. Look, everyone is rich and living a good life, so shouldn't we thank my mother? Even if we don't burn incense for my mother, just silently saying a few good words about her in our hearts, that is considered accumulating merit for her."
Gu Xinxin said with a smile, and Old Lady Wang pondered for a moment: "Hey, that makes some sense."
Grandpa waited for a long time but no one came into the house, so he came out and asked, "What are you talking about?"
After hearing what grandma said, grandpa asked Gu Xinxin, "Don't we know your mother? She can cook, but that's just so-so. Even if she were to teach you, she certainly wouldn't tell you such detailed instructions. So, tell me honestly, did you figure out these cooking methods on your own? Your mother's advice, at most, just made you smarter."
Gu Xinxin blinked. That was a difficult question to answer. Even if she had come up with it on her own, the Gu family didn't have that many spices for her to figure out, right? How could she know what those spices tasted like, and what they tasted like when combined?
"My mother pointed it out. As soon as she told me, I suddenly knew what these seasonings looked like and what they tasted like," Gu Xinxin said. Grandpa wanted to ask more, but grandma patted him on the back and said, "How could our ancestors' guidance be half-hearted? It's just like the opera singers. With a single move of their hands, the fog before our eyes dissipated, and we became wiser."
Grandpa moved his lips, but decided not to argue with the old woman anymore. He called Wang Fengshou, "Let's go to the kitchen and see if there's anything to eat. Your niece just got home. Let's have some hot food first. Where's your wife?"
My aunt came out of the kitchen quickly and said, "I was cooking when I saw the carriage from afar. I hurried back to cook. Please wait, niece. It will be ready in a moment."
Wang Fengshou called out to his daughter, "Dabao'er, take your cousin to your room. You can live with her."
Wang Fengshou's eldest daughter was named Dabao'er, and his youngest son was named Xiaobao'er. Of course, these were nicknames; their full names were Wang Hui and Wang Zhan. "Zhan" means to stand, and folk names often have similar meanings. For example, my grandfather's name was Wang Dingxia, meaning to stay and remain, meaning that the God of Hell cannot take him away.
Because there are few males in their family, my uncle's name, Fengshou, means a large family and a good harvest.
There are also "tie up" and "keep", which all mean the same thing.
Wang Hui is about ten years old this year. She has two dimples on her face when she smiles. "Cousin, let's sleep together. My bedding is freshly washed. Don't be disgusted. Tell me about the things that your aunt taught you. I love to hear them."
Gu Xinxin smiled and said, "Okay, actually there's nothing much to say. I was sick and was drifting back and forth between sleep and wakefulness. Then I saw my mother. She reached out and touched my head, and I suddenly became lucid. Can I tell you a ghost story?"
Wang Hui clapped her hands happily: "Okay, okay, cousin, please tell me quickly."
Gu Xinxin coughed lightly and began to tell her story vividly. As she was speaking, she heard a noise near the window. She and Wang Hui were startled and turned to see a little kid standing by the window, rubbing his head. He urged Gu Xinxin, "And then, cousin, please continue. It doesn't hurt. It doesn't hurt at all."
"Come in and listen." Gu Xinxin waved at him, and the little kid immediately came in and squeezed in next to Wang Hui: "And then? Did the headless ghost find his head?"
Gu Xinxin blinked and nodded: "Found it, the headless ghost's head is in his stomach."
My aunt called out from outside: "Xinxin, it's time for dinner."
A braised fish, a pot of fish soup, a plate of stir-fried meat, and a bowl of rice.
It was obvious that these dishes were not often eaten at home. The cousins standing aside were drooling. Gu Xinxin divided the food into half and said, "This is enough for me. My uncle and cousins can eat the rest too."
Wang Fengshou came back with her and must be hungry too.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
