In just two days, Dunzi had already boasted about Gu An'an to the skies, making all the children who were envious turn into crying babies when they got home.
"Mom, I want to eat fries and shrimp balls."
"Do I look like a French fry? Or a shrimp ball?"
"I think you're the real shrimp ball, not just a shrimp ball, but a complete scoundrel!"
"I don't care. Da Bao and Er Bao get to eat fries and shrimp balls. They're just kids. Why don't I get to eat them?"
How do you know what they ate?
"Dunzi said so. He even ate it with Dabao and Erbao, saying it's one of the most delicious things in the world. No way, I want to eat it, I just want to eat it!"
This kind of situation happens in many homes, making the mothers so angry that they want to use brooms to teach the children a lesson.
Some parents, unable to bear the pestering, thought that since fries are made from potatoes, they shouldn't cost much, so they decided to learn how to make them to deal with their naughty children.
Not everyone dares to ask Gu An'an directly, and Liu Li became the representative.
"Learn to make French fries and shrimp balls?"
"Well, I really have no choice. My son just goes on and on about every kid he meets. Now everyone says that a mother has to pay for her son's debts. What can I do? I can't let so many people come looking for you!"
As she spoke, Liu Li rolled her eyes at Dunzi.
"I'll learn how to make shrimp balls next time. I'll buy them at the supply and marketing cooperative when I get some. These are the things I brought. You can teach me how to make French fries first."
Liu Li couldn't possibly come empty-handed, so she brought potatoes, starch, and oil.
"What are you doing? My family doesn't need this. Take it back."
After Liu Li finished learning, she sighed, "They think French fries have the lowest cost, but if they knew that making French fries requires so much oil, they definitely wouldn't be willing to use it."
Even she only does it once a month at most. As for that shrimp ball thing, forget it, it's definitely not cheap.
Gu An'an agreed with this point; people in this era are indeed frugal.
After Liu Li explained how to make the fries, many people backed down, completely disregarding how much their children were crying.
"What are you talking about? We don't even have enough oil to make two batches of fries in a month. If we finish the fries, we're doomed this month, aren't we?"
When they said this, they deliberately ignored the fact that the remaining oil could be reused.
"If I can't, why can other families eat it but we can't? I won't stand for it."
"You still won't listen? I think you're just asking for it. Honey, you should give him a good beating."
The innocent man who had been caught in the crossfire looked up and asked, "Why me?"
"Just hit him when I tell you to. Why are you asking so many questions?"
Then he muttered to himself, "If I could do it, would I need you?"
Hearing the cries from her neighbors and looking at her son happily eating fries, Liu Li knew he was going to get a beating if he kept going like this.
Of course, he got beaten up by his other friends.
"Why hasn't school started yet?"
Dunzi, who was enjoying his meal, suddenly lost his appetite upon hearing this. "Mom, can you please not say such discouraging things when we're having such a happy time?"
The Xiao family made ample preparations for their second New Year's celebration in the family compound; they spent several days preparing the food alone.
Commander Zhao took a deep breath. "Xiao Xiao is really lucky. This food is the best in our family compound."
Political Commissar Fang's actions weren't as exaggerated as Regiment Commander Zhao's, but he still silently took a few more breaths. "This brat is really lucky. He married a capable wife, and now he's living a good life too."
"Yes, we're stewing mutton tonight."
The two had just arrived home when they smelled the same aroma, and their eyes lit up immediately. "Did Xiao Gu bring the mutton?"
"That's right. I just brought some local specialties that my family sent over, and they brought over a big bowl of mutton. I couldn't refuse it no matter what I said."
"If we can't refuse, we'll just give it a try. Next time, we'll bring some new things over. There's no need to be so polite with them."
Back when that brat was single, they worried about him a lot, so now he can eat a couple of pieces of meat with confidence.
When they sat down to eat, both families were amazed by the mutton.
"It's delicious, with no gamey smell at all. These ingredients are only being wasted because they've ended up in the hands of the Xiao family."
"That's right. I ate mutton once before, but I couldn't even stand the smell. It was too fishy."
They were naturally happy to get a taste, but those who could only smell the aroma but not eat it were not so happy. Not to mention the children who were clamoring for meat, even the adults couldn't stand the smell.
"Oh my, is this any way to live? This smell is making my mouth water."
"It's good to be able to make money. With money, you can eat better than other places. I also want to make money."
The allowances for everyone in the military are quite transparent. The reason why everyone is poor is because of the women in their families. Everyone in the family compound knows that Gu An'an is good at making money. Now, there is no jealousy, but there is definitely longing.
Gu An'an didn't know what others were talking about; she only knew that it felt great to eat meat like crazy.
"Uncle Qin is really helpful; he actually managed to get half a sheep for our family."
"You don't even know how many classified documents you've translated for them. You have to keep important people in your fold, otherwise what will you do when you have them lining up for you later?"
Xiao Yuheng teased his wife, but his tone was mostly one of pride.
"That's right, you're benefiting from being with me."
Da Bao and Er Bao looked up, their greasy mouths peeking out, "Mom, we got some too!"
"So, did we benefit from this too?" Mr. and Mrs. Xiao asked, wiping the oil off their children's mouths as they ate.
"Yes, Grandpa and Grandma also benefited. It's a pity that my great-uncle and great-aunt, great-grandfather, great-grandmother and great-grandmother didn't come, otherwise everyone would have benefited."
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, although the Xiao family did not need to visit relatives and friends, they still got up early. As Xiao's mother said, if you are diligent on the first day of the new year, you will be diligent throughout the year.
Although Gu An'an thought this was nonsense, she still got up early.
But they had only been up for a short while when there was a knock on the door. When Xiao Yuheng opened the door, his friends, led by Dunzi, rushed in.
"Happy New Year, Uncle Xiao, Aunt Xiao, Grandpa Xiao, and Grandma Xiao! May you have good health and happiness."
Gu An'an didn't expect such a bunch of kids to rush into her house so early in the morning, but she still took out the food she had prepared to entertain them. In addition to the snacks and candies bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, the food was also prepared by the Xiao family themselves.
When Gu An'an stuffed a handful of food into each of their pockets, the children whispered to each other, "I told you there would be good food at Da Bao's house, and I was right."
"You're so smart, Da Bao and Er Bao are so lucky. There are some things I've never even seen before."
"If only every day could be like Chinese New Year, I would really like to visit Da Bao's house to wish him a Happy New Year every day."
"Look at you, so pathetic. I'm different from you. I regret not being the older brother of Da Bao and Er Bao. Otherwise, I could live the same kind of life as them every day."
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