At the same time, while the sisters were getting along well, Huang's mother was on pins and needles.
Xiaofeng, who lived next door, had been missing since early morning. She returned, dusty and grimy, just as Huang's mother had finished making the first batch of steamed bread and put it into the steamer. Huang's mother hurried over and asked, "Xiaofeng, what's wrong with you? Why are you so messed up?"
Xiaofeng looked up and saw Huang's mother's concerned eyes, and she burst into tears. She sobbed and said, "Sister-in-law, they are so bullying! Wuuwu... Yesterday, Maodan's mother said she would take me to collect coal ash, so I went with her early this morning. When we got to the railway, we did pick up a lot of coal lumps, and I even gave some to her. But a group of women came not long after, and she ran away as soon as she saw them. The group directly snatched everything in my basket, saying that this was their territory and that if I dared to go there again, they would break my legs... Wuuwu..."
Aunt Qiu heard the noise and ran out of the house and asked, "What's going on?"
After listening to Xiaofeng's sobbing, she sighed: "Oh, that Maodan mother is really a piece of shit. She knew that the people on the railway were very protective of their food, so how could she still encourage you to go? She ran away as soon as she saw people, leaving you behind. You... why didn't you come and ask me?"
When Huang's mother heard this, her heart skipped a beat and she was glad that her children had persuaded her not to go.
Xiao Feng lowered her head and sobbed, "I thought that Aunt Qiu, your family is well-off and you definitely wouldn't be tempted by such a small advantage. Sister Huang, who doesn't even have enough steamed bread to sell every day, would definitely not be interested in such a small thing. I just wanted to make some money, so I believed what Mao Dan's mother said."
Aunt Qiu comforted Xiaofeng for a few words and then went out to talk to Maodan's mother. Huang's mother poured a basin of hot water and handed her a towel to wipe her face. Before she could say anything comforting, Xiaofeng raised her red and swollen eyes and said to her:
"Sister-in-law, I really want to make money. I don't have any other skills. Can I follow you to make steamed bread and sell it in the village?"
Huang's mother didn't know how to answer for a moment and could only clench her hands and stammer: "Everyone knows how to steam dough and make steamed buns. If you want to sell them, you can...but..." She was interrupted by Xiaofeng before she finished speaking.
"Sister-in-law, I knew you were a generous person! To be honest, I've had this idea for a few days, but my husband said we couldn't hurt the relationship between our two families and wouldn't let me do it. If this hadn't happened today, I wouldn't have said anything. Thank you so much, sister-in-law!" Xiaofeng said and went straight back to the house, leaving Huang's mother there at a loss...
When they returned home from school, they saw Huang's mother sitting by the chopping board, her brows furrowed, looking troubled. As soon as she saw Xu Mengyao, Huang's mother immediately approached her anxiously, took her hand and said, "Juan, you're back. Come on, give me some advice."
Xu Mengyao gently patted the back of Huang's mother's hand and soothed her softly, "Mom, don't be anxious. Tell me slowly. What happened?"
Huang's mother sighed and told the whole story in detail. Huang Wenbin heard it and shouted angrily:
"I was wondering why she always comes to our house instead of staying in her own room. It turns out she's trying to steal our mother's cooking skills!"
Huang's mother quickly waved her hands and tried to excuse herself: "You can't say that. Steaming buns is not a skill. Everyone can do it."
Huang Wenrong also interrupted and said, "Brother is right. She must have some ulterior motives, otherwise she wouldn't keep coming to our house and saying she wants to learn from you." Ever since the last fight at school, the younger sisters have been adoring their eldest brother, Huang Wenbin.
Xu Mengyao thought for a moment, then smiled and said to Huang's mother, "Don't worry, Mom. Everyone's steamed buns are different, and hers may not be as beautiful and delicious as yours. Besides, I was thinking of trying something new when the weather gets colder, otherwise it would be hard for you if the dough doesn't rise well."
Huang's mother asked curiously, "Change the pattern? What do you want to change?"
Xu Mengyao explained, "Mom, we won't be selling steamed bread anymore. The profit isn't as high as with flower rolls. And haven't you noticed that lately, when flower rolls are sold out, people are buying steamed bread because there's nothing left to buy? It'll be even harder to sell steamed bread when the weather gets cold. Just make three pots of flower rolls a day, and we can add some vegetable boxes to sell."
"How do you make the vegetable box?" Huang's mother asked curiously.
Xu Mengyao patiently explained, "It's easy to make. Just roll the dough into the size of a steamed bun, put the prepared filling in, crack an egg in it, cover it with a steamed bun, press it down, and then fry it in a pan over low heat until cooked."
Huang's mother nodded and said, "That sounds easy. I'll knead the dough now. Let's try it out first."
"Okay, let's use leeks as the filling. I'll go to Grandma Qiu's house to get some." After saying that, Xu Mengyao ran out briskly.
Grandma Qiu had a small vegetable garden behind her house, and the Huang family usually bought their vegetables from her. Since the old lady didn't want to accept payment, Huang's mother would send her some extra food in exchange. After greeting Grandma Qiu, Xu Mengyao picked a large handful of fresh chives. After washing them and bringing them back home, Huang's mother had already divided the dough.
Xu Mengyao handed the chives to Huang's mother: "Mom, chop the chives into small pieces, preferably the same size, put them in a bowl and add some oil to prevent the chives from releasing water. Then add various seasonings like you would for dumpling fillings. I'll roll out the dough."
As he said that, he picked up the rolling pin and rolled it while saying, "Don't make it too thick, a little thinner than dumpling wrappers like this, this size is enough."
The three remaining siblings watched from the sidelines, and the eldest sister asked, "Juan, what can we do to help you?"
Xu Mengyao assigned tasks with a smile: "Sister, you go and boil the pot, and keep the heat on low the whole time. Xia, go get me some eggs." The two sisters took action.
After Huang's mother prepared the filling, Xu Mengyao poured some on the raw dough and cracked an egg into it. Finally, she covered it with another piece of raw dough, pressed it down, and then carefully placed it on a bamboo steamed bun basket and carried it to the pot.
She reminded me, "Watch carefully, Mom. Just flip it over in a minute. Wait until both sides are browned."
Soon, the first pot of vegetable boxes came out of the pot. Xu Mengyao scooped them out, cut them up, and brought them into the house, setting them on the table. The yellowish dough wrapped around the emerald green chive filling and the yellow and white eggs exuded an enticing aroma that made everyone gulp.
Huang Wenbin couldn't wait to pick up a piece: "Let me try it for you first!" He took a big bite and said incoherently: "Delicious, delicious, crispy on the edges and soft in the middle. Juan, how can you even think of such a thing!"
The remaining noodles were made into five more, and the mother and mother ate until their stomachs were full. After the meal, Xu Mengyao walked over to Huang's mother and said softly, "Mom, don't rush to sell these vegetable boxes tomorrow morning. Let's see how Aunt Feng's noodles are doing first."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
