There was a hint of helplessness in Sister Feng's eyes, but Xu Qinghe's words wiped away the fatigue on her face.
"Sister Feng, your supply and marketing cooperative has so many people every day, it must be so hard!" Xu Qinghe leaned against the counter.
After hearing this, Fengjie's eyes turned into crescents with a smile. "It's not that bad actually. There are only so many things. Once they are sold, we can close the shop. No matter how many people there are, we can only do this."
Changing the subject, Sister Feng sighed helplessly, "I just hope we can get more vegetables, at least so I can share some with myself. Vegetables are so expensive now, and my family hasn't had fresh vegetables for several days."
Although there are certain benefits as an employee, Fengjie seems unable to afford the high prices and is unwilling to give herself special treatment.
Xu Qinghe smiled brightly upon hearing this. "We're lucky in our village. We can grow enough in our own vegetable gardens to feed ourselves. As for meat, we have to go to the city to buy it. Sister Feng, the cabbages in my yard are in season. I'll bring you a couple next time you come!"
When these words came out, people around them thought they were old friends for many years. They never thought that this was just the first time they met.
Sister Feng was slightly taken aback, an embarrassed look on her face. "Oh, how can I be so embarrassed? Thank you so much for your kindness. You can keep it for yourself."
Xu Qinghe waved his hand sincerely, "It's okay, it's just a few cabbages. We got along well, so it's only right that I give them to you."
Her sincerity was without a trace of falsehood. Feng Jie was amused by her innocence and whispered, "Okay, I won't be polite. If you want to buy something in the future, just come to me directly and I'll save some for you."
"Really? That's great! My husband is going back to the army soon, and I want to make him some dry food for the journey. If it's convenient, could Sister Feng save some extra beef for me?"
In that era, beef was expensive and a luxury for ordinary families. Xu Qinghe not only wanted to buy it, but also wanted to buy more, which shows how wealthy her family was.
Not to mention her mention of her husband returning to the army, which clearly reveals that this is a family that supports soldiers.
Soldiers carry the expectations of the country and the people, and their families are therefore respected and well-liked by people.
Based on these, Fengjie agreed very readily.
"It's a piece of cake. I'll reserve it for you right now!"
Fengjie turned around swiftly, with a smile on her face, and while talking in a low voice with the familiar butcher, she pointed skillfully at the bright red piece of finely textured beef on the chopping board.
With the tacit understanding of the insider, Xu Qinghe did not need to wait in line. With an embarrassed smile, he gently withdrew from the line, stood quietly aside, and waited patiently for Fengjie's return.
The crowd around her was still bustling, but no one seemed to notice her special treatment.
But after a moment, Fengjie's figure reappeared, holding a heavy cloth bag in her hand. The bag was filled with selected beef. The bag was so heavy that even bystanders found it difficult to estimate its exact weight.
Xu Qinghe looked at the bag that was about to burst, and couldn't help but exclaimed: "So much, can we finish it?"
I silently estimated in my mind that this bag of beef probably weighed about seven or eight kilograms.
"I can finish it! Thank you so much, Sister Feng!" Xu Qinghe replied gratefully.
She quickly paid all the money according to the market price without any hesitation.
Then, she pulled out a bag of carefully prepared five-spice melon seeds from her small bag. She had personally roasted them, and the aroma was fragrant. She handed it to Sister Feng as a small thank you gift, "Sister Feng, I'm going back first. Next time I'll bring you some fresh vegetables from my own garden!"
Feng Jie happily accepted the gift and laughed heartily, "Okay, come often when you have time, I'll save whatever you want for you!"
Even if Xu Qinghe didn't mention sending vegetables, Fengjie would be happy to help her because of Xu Qinghe's kindness.
"Done!" Xu Qinghe answered readily, then stayed in the market for a while, picked out some essential seasonings, and then set off on his way home.
She was thinking that Yin Yunjie would be leaving tomorrow, so she decided to prepare a delicious spicy beef dish herself, which would be convenient to eat during the journey and could be kept for a long time after arriving at the army without spoiling easily.
When I got home, the sun was still lazily hanging in the sky, and the afternoon in the countryside was quiet and peaceful.
The neighbors were busy in the fields, occasionally hearing the sound of farm tools banging and the low mooing of oxen plowing in the distance.
Xu Qinghe knew that cooking at this time would not disturb anyone, and there were not many neighbors around her house, so she began to prepare with confidence.
Although Zhu Yunxiu had difficulty walking, she was moved by her granddaughter's kindness. She walked to the kitchen with a trembling cane and wanted to help light the fire.
Xu Qinghe did not stop this seemingly easy job. While busy with the work at hand, he told Zhu Yunxiu about the process of buying meat.
Zhu Yunxiu listened and couldn't help but smile, secretly praising her granddaughter's ability.
Xu Qinghe did not tell Yin Yunjie about the plan for spicy beef in advance, so when Yin Yunjie came back in the evening and saw the two large jars of tempting and fragrant beef on the table, he couldn't help but show a look of surprise.
At that time, Xu Qinghe was busy cooking, the wok in her hand flying flexibly. As she worked, she explained, "This is something I prepared specially for you. It can satisfy your cravings on the road, and you can share it with your comrades in the barracks. It goes well with rice."
"I also want to make some pickles. I'll send them to you when they're done. Don't think I'm being nagging. I'll choose the ones that are simple to make and ready to eat right out of the lid."
Xu Qinghe's back looked particularly resolute under the light, and the wok in his hand kept turning.
Yin Yunjie stood aside, feeling an indescribable warmth surging in his chest, and he was choked for a moment.
Is this the taste of home?
Or has the feeling of being deeply missed become reality?
At this moment, an unprecedented thought quietly arose in his mind - he was somewhat reluctant to leave this warm home and return to the iron-blooded military camp.
"Huh? Why aren't you talking? Don't you like it?" Xu Qinghe was still chattering there, but got no response. She mistakenly thought that Yin Yunjie was not satisfied with her waste or that the food she made was not what he liked. She couldn't help but look back, only to see Yin Yunjie standing there in a daze.
"No, I like it very much. You have worked hard." Yin Yunjie suddenly came to his senses, tried hard to adjust his mood, and tried to make himself look normal.
Xu Qinghe didn't delve into it. After hearing this, he felt relieved and continued to cook.
"It's not that hard at all. I'm happy to do this for you. Remember to write to me when you're done eating, and I'll make more for you and send it to you."
Her marriage to Yin Yunjie made Xu Qinghe feel that life had more meaning. Therefore, she always wanted to do her best in these small details so that Yin Yunjie, who was traveling far away, could also feel the warmth and peace of home.
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