Crackling and popping!
Early in the morning, the sound of firecrackers filled the streets, with both big and small kids running around the alleys, creating a lively atmosphere. Several children in the courtyard had also run out to play. Today was the 30th, and even the most financially strained families would splurge a bit to buy some small firecrackers for their children.
Hutou and Xiao Yanzi had already dashed out early in the morning. Their neighbors, the Jinlai brothers and the Li Junjun and Li Weiwei brothers, along with other kids, formed a group and ran wildly outside. By mid-morning, the large courtyard began to waft with a delicious aroma.
Today was a rare holiday, and Old Man Zhuang, despite the cold, was sitting outside with a stool, playing chess with his eldest son Zhuang Zhiyuan. Both were poor players, and the onlookers couldn't help but point and comment.
Zhao Guihua, with her eldest daughter-in-law Liang Meifen in tow, was busy preparing lunch at home. She had bought a large piece of pork ribs and cut off a third of it, chopping it vigorously. Liang Meifen watched enviously; such good ribs were a rare treat for her.
After chopping the ribs, Zhao Guihua started slicing the pork. She cut the fatty and lean pork into thin slices, added firewood, and then fried the meat in a wok. The sizzling sound was immediately followed by the aroma of the meat, which released a lot of oil as it cooked. Zhao Guihua continued to stir-fry until the meat slices turned golden brown, then added pickled cabbage and vermicelli before pouring in water and covering the pot.
Turning around, she saw Liang Meifen's drooling expression and said, "Why are you standing there like that? Go and clean the fish. We'll make steamed fish for lunch today."
Liang Meifen happily replied, "Alright!"
She quickly got to work. Zhao Guihua called out, "Zhixi, Zhixi."
Zhuang Zhixi, who was watching the two poor chess players, immediately turned his head and asked, "Mother, what do you need?"
Zhao Guihua rolled her eyes and said, "Stop being so glib. Go to the cellar and bring up four cabbages."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Got it."
He quickly went to the cellar, where he saw Wang Xiangxiu. Their cellar was shared among the four families in the front yard, each with a designated area for storing winter vegetables like cabbage and radishes.
Wang Xiangxiu turned around at the sound of footsteps, and upon seeing Zhuang Zhixi, she gave a charming smile and said, "I thought who it was? Little Zhuang, why are you here?"
Zhuang Zhixi politely greeted, "Sister-in-law Su."
Wang Xiangxiu pouted slightly, saying, "Look at you, others call me Sister Xiangxiu, but you call me Sister-in-law Su. It sounds so distant."
Zhuang Zhixi raised an eyebrow and said, "It wouldn't be appropriate to call you Sister Xiangxiu. That would show a lack of respect. I'm addressing you as my sister-in-law out of respect for my brother Su."
He moved forward to take the cabbages, and Wang Xiangxiu softly said, "You seem to be struggling. Let me help you."
She directly stepped in front of Zhuang Zhixi, her large hips facing him, and bent down to help.
Zhuang Zhixi quickly said, "No, no, it's fine."
He was well aware that Sister-in-law Su's actions seemed like an attempt to seduce him. However, Zhuang Zhixi wasn't interested in her. He already had a beautiful and lovely wife, and there was no reason to stray.
Was he bored?
Zhuang Zhixi took the cabbages and left without even glancing at Wang Xiangxiu. He felt like he was in the same situation as the monk Tang Sanzang from Journey to the West, who once entered the Spider Cave. Zhuang Zhixi remained unmoved.
Wang Xiangxiu slightly frowned and stomped her foot lightly. She had always thought that young men without much experience were easy to manipulate, but he hadn't taken the bait. This made Wang Xiangxiu a bit unhappy. Her usual tactics usually yielded some benefits, even if not fully successful. Now, she got nothing. She bit her lip and glanced at Zhuang's winter vegetables but didn't dare to take any.
If Zhuang Zhixi offered, it would be one thing, but if she took it herself, the meaning would be different. She understood this. This small advantage was not worth it. Wang Xiangxiu looked unhappy at the winter vegetables, hesitated, and then went to the Bai family's section. Bai Fendou certainly wouldn't mind.
But after thinking about it, Wang Xiangxiu gave up. She couldn't risk it for small gains. The Bai family was a sustainable resource. She sighed and took her own vegetables. Her family hadn't bought many winter vegetables this year, and they were almost out by the time of the New Year. Wang Xiangxiu's mood was heavy.
Zhuang Zhixi, like Monk Tang, decisively left the temptress and quickly emerged from the cellar with the cabbages. He felt he deserved praise from his wife. Unfortunately, his wife wasn't home, or he would have asked for a kiss right away.
Zhuang Zhixi carried the cabbages into the house and mused, "How nice it would be to eat like this every day."
Zhao Guihua glanced at him and said, "Maybe in ten or twenty years, that will be possible."
Zhuang Zhixi: "..."
He pouted, "Mom, you're really good at bragging."
Zhao Guihua: "Maybe in ten or twenty years, you won't even want to eat meat and will prefer vegetables!"
Zhuang Zhixi widened his eyes and said, "That's impossible. If I could eat meat every day, I'd be over the moon. Not wanting meat? I wouldn't even dream of such a thing."
Zhao Guihua smirked at him, too lazy to argue with this ignorant fellow. He couldn't imagine that by the time he was in his forties or fifties, he'd be obsessed with health, eating meat in measured amounts, and boiling vegetables without oil.
At that time, he wouldn't want anything greasy or rich in fat.
So, who could see ahead?
Oh, wait, she could.
Zhao Guihua was lost in thought for a moment but quickly snapped back to reality and said, "Today we have four main dishes for lunch, and we'll cook dumplings in the evening. Will you take lunch to your wife, or will she eat at her unit?"
Zhuang Zhixi: "She said she'll eat at her unit. Their cafeteria seems to have meat today. If she doesn't eat, she'll miss out. But make sure to save two pieces of ribs for my wife."
He was very protective of his wife.
Zhao Guihua gave him a sidelong glance and said, "Don't worry, I've made enough. No need to save any. We'll make more in the evening, so she won't miss out."
Zhuang Zhixi saw that there were still two-thirds left and immediately snapped his fingers, saying, "Got it, got it. I'll do as you say. No wonder Mingmei says you're the one who dotes on her the most. It's true, you really are."
Liang Meifen peeked at her mother-in-law, feeling a bit sour. As the eldest daughter-in-law and the mother of the eldest grandson, a boy at that, why did everyone like her sister-in-law more? She had just married in a few days and didn't even have a child yet.
Thinking about this, Liang Meifen's mood dimmed as she looked at the delicious food.
Was it because she had given her job to her brother that they disliked her so much? But he was her brother, the one who could support her. How important was her family? Didn't Zhaodi and Laidi send so many things back to their families?
She hadn't done enough.
But no one understood her.
Liang Meifen felt her heart sinking into bitterness.
She felt extremely sad, but seeing that no one else paid attention to her, not even her husband, she felt even more miserable.
She wanted to cry, wanted to go to the bathroom and cry!
Liang Meifen sank into endless self-pity, while Zhuang Zhixi had no time to care about her. He pulled Zhao Guihua and said, "Mom, come here. I have something to tell you."
Zhao Guihua: "What is it?"
Zhuang Zhixi: "Come here."
He pulled his mother into the inner room, and Liang Meifen immediately perked up, trying to eavesdrop at the door. What was this brother-in-law up to now? Was he trying to scam his mother's money?
She couldn't let that happen.
Zhuang Zhixi didn't know his sister-in-law was eavesdropping, but he could guess her usual behavior. He wasn't here to talk about her, though. He whispered something in his mother's ear.
Zhao Guihua's eyebrows shot up, and she angrily cursed, "Shameless!"
Zhuang Zhixi quickly covered her mouth and said, "Don't let others hear and guess. We know what's going on in our hearts. Anyway, I won't be fooled. I'm a man of strong will, but my dad and elder brother... You should remind them. That woman can target me, and she can target them too."
He didn't want his family to be tricked by that woman. Wang Xiangxiu, once you get involved with her, it's hard to get rid of her. She and her family will always come looking for favors.
Take Bai Fendou, for example, he's a perfect example of what not to do.
Zhao Guihua glared at him and said, "Do you think I don't know that? Alright, stop talking about this."
Zhao Guihua despised Wang Xiangxiu a million times over but didn't want this to come out from their family. She added, "I'll remind your dad and elder brother."
Zhuang Zhixi smiled, "That's good."
Zhao Guihua waved her hand and said, "Alright, get out."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Got it."
As he lifted the curtain, he saw his sister-in-law trying to dodge out of sight. Zhuang Zhixi teased, "Sister-in-law, you're eavesdropping again. You can eavesdrop on my conversation with mom, but don't eavesdrop on me and my wife at night, or I'll pour wash water outside."
Liang Meifen's face turned red with embarrassment and said, "How could I do such a thing? I wasn't eavesdropping. I just wanted to ask mom if the sauerkraut is ready."
Zhuang Zhixi chuckled softly and said, "Sister-in-law, your excuse isn't very good. You know how to cook, next time find a better excuse, or mom will get mad again."
Zhao Guihua: "Alright, shut up! Get out and stop bothering me here. And you, Liang Meifen, get your head straight! Always thinking about nonsense, you're really muddle-headed."
Liang Meifen hung her head and quickly helped with the chores.
Zhuang Zhixi strolled out and saw Bai Fendou coming over. Bai Fendou's family only had him and his dad, and there wasn't much festive atmosphere for the New Year. While every household was preparing for the reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, he was just strolling around, not in a hurry at all.
Zhuang Zhixi laughed and said, "Fendou bro, that's not right, huh? Leaving Uncle Bai alone at home preparing lunch, not even helping?"
Bai Fendou scratched his head and said, "Hey, don't say that. What kind of person do you think I am? Am I the kind who only cares about myself and doesn't care about my dad? Dad's not doing any work at home either."
He said with some pride, "Someone's helping with our lunch."
He looked at the Su family next door and said with a relaxed smile, "Aunt Su is helping us cook, and she'll bring it over later. Speaking of Aunt Su and Sister Xiangxiu, they're truly rare good women. The Su family is really blessed."
Too bad the early deceased father and son didn't have the fortune.
He thought to himself, if he had a wife like Sister Su, he wouldn't want to leave early. Leaving them mother and child to live a hard life, such a good woman deserves the best life.
Zhuang Zhixi let out a long "Oh," and teased, "Aunt Su's family is already struggling, and you're taking advantage of them."
Bai Fendou: "Hey, you little rascal, how do you talk? I'm not that kind of person. I bought chicken, meat, and fish."
Everyone understood what he meant. Bai's family bought all these good things for the Su family to cook, and the Su family would probably keep most of it after sending a plate over.
But Bai Fendou probably knew that too, and he was willing.
Zhuang Zhixi smiled and said, "You bought quite a lot."
"Of course, it's New Year's, who doesn't eat well? Your mom's stingy, but she still eats well during the New Year, right?" Bai Fendou said mockingly.
Zhuang Zhixi immediately retorted, "Can you speak properly? My mom's not stingy, she knows how to live. Besides, our family lives well. If it weren't for my mom's planning, could we live so comfortably? You, a family without a woman, don't understand the importance of a woman."
Bai Fendou snorted and didn't bother arguing with the young man, saying, "Always talking about women, as if having a woman is such a big deal."
He was jealous, but he didn't say it.
Zhuang Zhixi chuckled and said, "Isn't it important? Can't you see?"
He pointed to the men in the house and said, "If it weren't important, could we be so relaxed?"
Bai Fendou pouted and said, "What's so great about it? I have help too."
"You're not helping for free."
Zhuang Zhixi knew the Su family well. He smiled and said, "I say, Fendou bro, are you really not planning to get married? You're not young anymore."
"Yeah, Fendou bro, you're three years older than me, and my son can already run errands." Bai Zhiyuan teased, also thinking it was time for Bai Fendou to get married.
Being mixed up with a widow all the time wasn't good. The widow's children weren't his.
One still had to have their own kids.
Bai Fendou actually wanted to find a wife, but it was hard. Everyone in their courtyard had a good wife, and he didn't want to be worse than them. He looked at Zhuang Zhiyuan and said, "Why don't you introduce one to me?"
He heard there were many pretty girls working as conductors on the train, and the conditions were definitely good.
Bai Fendou immediately clung to Zhuang Zhiyuan, who said, "...
He thought for a moment and said, "It's not good for a man to be a matchmaker, it's not proper. Why don't you ask Aunt Wang? She's famous for matchmaking, she's matched many people. I'm sure she has many suitable candidates."
Zhuang Zhiyuan wasn't passing the buck, he really thought Aunt Wang was good at this. Although their family brothers weren't introduced by her, people like Wang Xiangxiu and Zhou Qun's wife Jiang Lu were introduced by her. Jiang Lu's father was the director of the supply and marketing cooperative, with considerable power.
Such a good family could be introduced, showing Aunt Wang really had good candidates.
Bai Fendou pouted and said, "The ones she introduced to me weren't good! Either without a job or a country girl. With my conditions, I can't possibly find a country girl."
Nowadays, if you have a rural household registration, you don't have a grain book, and it's even harder to have children, because the child's household registration follows the mother's.
If the mother is a rural household registration, the child is also a rural household registration, without the city's fixed quantity.
You see, Liang Meifen doesn't have a job now, even if she didn't have a job from the start, she's better off than a country girl, because her household registration is urban, and her child is an urban household registration. If you marry a country girl, the father's pressure is great, having to bear the food for the whole family, the life must be very difficult, the burden is very heavy.
Compared to decades later when there's no difference between urban and rural areas, now the urban household registration is much more important than the rural household registration. Generally, unless there's a big problem, a city worker won't find a country girl.
That's why Bai Fendou's expression was so bad when he mentioned country girls.
And he felt he wasn't any worse than Zhou Qun, how could Aunt Wang introduce Jiang Lu to Zhou Qun, even if Jiang Lu couldn't have children, but at the time of introduction, they didn't know, did they?
When it came to introducing to him, they were all ugly, he wasn't happy. So he had a little opinion of Aunt Wang.
Bai Fendou didn't have a big heart, his expression showed it, Zhuang Zhixi laughed and said, "Fendou bro, times have changed, Zhou Qun got married more than ten years ago. He was young then, with more choices, now you're thirty-one, the choices are naturally fewer."
Actually, that wasn't the point, the point was you're entangled with a widow, good families don't want to marry you.
Bai Fendou: "Then should I ask Aunt Wang again?"
Zhuang Zhixi: "I think that's a good idea."
Bai Fendou, a grown man, spoke with a hint of shyness: "Aunt Wang isn't willing to introduce anyone to me." He had seen several prospects fall through, and Aunt Wang felt her reputation was at stake, especially since Bai Fendou didn't seem appreciative. Naturally, Aunt Wang was displeased.
Zhuang Zhixi chuckled: "Why don't you try a roundabout approach? Ask Yang Lixin for help."
Yang Lixin was the son-in-law of Chef Li and Aunt Wang.
As they chatted in the courtyard, their voices carried, and Wang Xiangxiu, who was eavesdropping, bit her lip, glaring at the courtyard with resentment: "This Zhuang Zhixi is such a troublemaker, always stirring up chaos."
Aunt Su understood what Wang Xiangxiu meant and gently patted her hand in comfort: "Look at you, getting flustered over such a small matter. Bai Fendou has seen enough of the women in our courtyard. Do you really think he'd accept someone of average conditions?"
As the saying goes, an old ginger is hotter than a young one. Aunt Su had hit the nail on the head.
Wang Xiangxiu: "But..."
Aunt Su spoke softly but with malice: "Even if they do get together, what's the big deal? Couples can easily break up. It's hard to bring them together, but it's easy to tear them apart, don't you think?"
Wang Xiangxiu pondered for a moment and nodded.
Still, she was indignant: "This Zhuang Zhixi just loves meddling in other people's business."
"Did you just..."
Aunt Su looked at Wang Xiangxiu and asked.
Wang Xiangxiu: "He doesn't fall for it. The guy just doesn't appreciate my charm."
Aunt Su thought for a moment and said: "Take it slow! I heard they earn about sixty yuan a month, give ten yuan for living expenses, and still have fifty left. They don't have to worry about food and drink, so how could they spend all that? As neighbors, we should help them out. Of course, they should help us too. We're a widow and her child, so pitiful."
"You're right."
Aunt Su: "Alright, let's start cooking. Later, we'll take some to the Bai family. I'll give Old Bai a talking to. He's the father, and if he doesn't agree, Bai Fendou's marriage plans will be tough."
Wang Xiangxiu smiled: "You always have a way, Mom."
She opened the window to cook, and as the smoke dispersed, she happened to glance up and saw Zhou Qun coming out of his house. Their eyes met, and Wang Xiangxiu gave a charming smile before quickly looking down, as if nothing had happened.
Zhou Qun, as if nothing had happened, joined the group around Old Man Zhuang, watching him play chess. Zhuang Zhixi made room and said: "Zhou Qun, come stand here, it's less windy."
He politely made space, and as luck would have it, Zhou Qun's position allowed him to see Wang Xiangxiu cooking. Zhou Qun smiled and stood there contentedly, saying: "Mind if I join in?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Bai Fendou rolled his eyes: "Do you even know how to play?"
They were the same age, both thirty-one, but one lived in prosperity while the other was alone, naturally they didn't get along.
Zhou Qun, unbothered, smiled: "I know a little. Fendou, want to join?"
Zhuang Zhixi teased: "Fendou can't join, he's waiting for Yang Lixin."
Just as they mentioned him, Yang Lixin came out to use the toilet. Zhuang Zhixi called: "Yang Ge."
Yang Lixin: "What's up?"
Yang Lixin was different from men like Zhou Qun and Bai Fendou. He was very slender, looking like a small man. Most chefs were burly, but he was exceptionally thin, like a bamboo pole, yet fair-skinned. If you didn't know, you might think he was a scholar rather than a chef.
"You come, you come!"
The men gathered, and Yang Lixin quickly understood what they were up to. He glanced at Bai Fendou's appearance and deeply felt that Bai Fendou was delusional!
With looks like his, he was far from being as good as himself, yet he wanted to find someone of good conditions. Was that even possible?
With the current fervor of going to the countryside, those who could stay behind all had jobs, and families who gave jobs to their daughters were definitely well-off. Why would they choose you?
Although Yang Lixin was a son-in-law, he looked down on Bai Fendou. But he didn't want to cause trouble in the courtyard, so he said: "I'll talk to my mother-in-law and put in a good word for you."
Bai Fendou's eyes lit up: "You're a true friend. When this works out, I'll treat you to drinks." He reached out to put an arm around Yang Lixin, who quickly dodged, flicking his fingers with a delicate gesture: "Just talk, don't touch, it's gross."
Bai Fendou: "Eww~"
He couldn't stand Yang Lixin's mannerisms, not very manly.
He said: "Look, I'm offering to buy you drinks."
Yang Lixin pursed his lips: "..."
With that attitude, forget about the drinks.
This guy just wasn't going to work out.
But Yang Lixin didn't say it out loud, just chuckled. Zhou Qun glanced at Yang Lixin, then looked towards the Su family's direction, with a meaningful smile.
The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but whether everyone had their own motives was another story.
When the Su family's mother and daughter heard Yang Lixin was willing to help, they whispered: "That busybody, a useless egg meddling in so much!"
Their voices were low, so no one heard, but Bai Fendou was quite happy. He said: "I knew everyone was anxious about my marriage. One day, when I have some progress, I'll treat everyone to a feast. Little Yang, you have to cook for us, you're the chef."
Yang Lixin frowned, brushing it off: "We'll see, we'll see."
Was he a chef supposed to work for free? What a nuisance.
The men quickly resumed their banter. The noise from the courtyard attracted more people. Zhao Guihua, hearing the buzz like flies outside the window, said: "These people have nothing better to do."
Liang Meifen: "..."
Her mother-in-law's mouth!
Zhao Guihua had just finished cooking fish and opened the window, calling: "Zhuang Zhixi, go call Hutou and Xiao Yanzi back for dinner."
Zhuang Zhixi: "Why is it always me? I had to fetch the cabbage, and now I have to call the kids. They're my brother's kids, after all."
He grumbled but went to the door and shouted: "Hutou, Xiao Yanzi, come home for dinner!"
As soon as he finished, the two kids ran home like little puppies, fast as lightning. Of course, kids knew when the food was good and didn't waste any time.
Playing with Hutou and Xiao Yanzi, Li Junjun and Li Weiwei also asked: "Uncle Zhuang, is it time for dinner at our place?"
Zhuang Zhixi: "Not yet, but soon. You should come back too!"
"Okay!"
Influenced by Zhuang Zhixi's words, the kids hurried home, too eager to play anymore. Hutou was the fastest, rushing back and hugging Zhuang Zhixi's leg, looking up excitedly: "Uncle, is there meat?"
Zhuang Zhixi: "Yes, hurry home and wash your hands."
Hutou dragged his sister to the tap in the courtyard, the cold water making them shiver, but they were used to it. After washing, they ran home: "Grandma, we're back!"
Zhao Guihua: "I made braised spare ribs. Come, try one first."
"Wow!"
Hutou's eyes sparkled. He knew Grandma loved him and Xiao Yanzi the most. He eagerly looked up, and soon, the two kids each got a piece of rib. He grinned happily.
Zhao Guihua: "Time to eat!"
Her shout echoed through the courtyard, and the chess group immediately dispersed. The men who were chatting just moments ago scattered, and the Zhuang family of three entered their home. The aroma of the food was so intoxicating.
The meal was simply too delicious.
The whole family sat down, and Zhuang Zhixi lamented: "Poor little wife, still working today. It's so tough."
Zhao Guihua: "There's still ribs, fish, and meat. She won't go hungry. You don't need to keep reminding me." She knew exactly what that little rascal was thinking.
Zhuang Zhixi chuckled: "True enough."
Such a good meal, no need for many words, just dig in, as this is the last day of the year, and tomorrow is the first day of the new year, Zhao Guihua said, "All the blessings are in the dishes, eat up!"
No matter how many big truths you speak, it's useless, just eat. With these words, everyone quickly started wielding their chopsticks. Zhuang Zhixi immediately picked up a piece of spare ribs. The meat on the ribs is different from pork belly, but the taste is surprisingly good, fragrant and not greasy, leaving an endless aftertaste after a bite.
It's simply the best.
He gnawed through a piece of ribs in a few bites, then turned his attention to the pork belly with sauerkraut, sizzling! Each has its own deliciousness, neither is bad! Such a feast is not common, Zhuang Zhixi ate his rice in big mouthfuls, not relaxing at all.
Not just him, everyone else at home was the same, even little Xiao Yanzi, a four-year-old, could swing her tiny chopsticks quickly, not relaxing at all.
The little one's cheeks puffed up as she ate, like a little squirrel.
She also pouted and mumbled, "Delicious!"
Everyone had the tacit understanding to eat the fish last, not because the fish wasn't good, but because it had bones, so one had to be careful. Eating meat first was just right.
"Mom, your cooking is really good, not inferior to Chef Li," Zhuang Zhixi said while eating, flattering.
Zhao Guihua: "As long as you're willing to put in the ingredients, how can it not be delicious? Besides, not everyone can make ribs taste bad, that takes some skill."
"That's not necessarily true, Mom, your cooking, I'm the most convinced of."
This flatterer is always likable no matter when, although Zhao Guihua claims never to fall for this, the corner of her mouth lifting betrays her true feelings.
She wasn't as calm as she appeared, she was happy.
Zhuang Zhixi finished his meal, rubbed his belly, and slumped in his chair, saying, "That was refreshing!"
Despite preparing six dishes, the meal was eaten clean, not a scrap left. Zhao Guihua looked at the few who were full and said, "No one is allowed to go out in the afternoon, we're all going to make dumplings together."
Liang Meifen immediately said, "Mom, you and I can handle it, if we can't, Sister-in-law can come back to help, no need for the men."
Zhao Guihua shot her a sharp look and said, "Aren't they family? Why should everything be done by us women? It's New Year's, what's wrong with making dumplings together? If you can do it all by yourself, then do it, if not, keep quiet and don't wait for me to lecture you! This family isn't run by you!"
If you think about it, if Zhao Guihua hadn't been reborn, she might have thought the same as Liang Meifen, except for families like Chef Li's where the man is a cook. In most households, the cooking was done by women, men didn't usually step into the kitchen. But Zhao Guihua doesn't think that way now, why must we divide by gender? What's wrong with a family doing things together?
Zhao Guihua yelled fiercely, and Liang Meifen silently lowered her head, whispering, "I'll listen to you."
This person is like that. If you want to talk to her nicely, she always wants to jump, but if you're fierce, she thinks it's natural.
Zhao Guihua feels her bad temper is entirely due to this daughter-in-law.
She took a deep breath and said, "Since it's New Year's, eat heartily, prepare for tonight and tomorrow morning, I don't think the cabbage is enough, go get a few more in the afternoon."
"Okay."
Hutou cooed, "Grandma, Hutou can help too."
His behavior made Zhao Guihua laugh, the previously overcast sky now sunny, she said with a smile, "No need, you're a child, you can't make dumplings. If you want to show off, sweep the floor after New Year's."
Liang Meifen wanted to say something, but upon meeting her mother-in-law's cold gaze, she immediately quieted down, inwardly complaining about her son being so foolish, a boy, how can he do work?
Besides, he's so small, the mother-in-law is really something.
But despite having a thousand thoughts in her mind, Liang Meifen didn't say a word, staying quiet. Hutou, however, wasn't obedient, he wiggled his little bottom and said, "Grandma, I want to go out and play."
Zhao Guihua: "Go ahead."
Kids can't sit still at home.
The little guy immediately pulled his sister and ran out, Hutou, although a mischievous boy, always knows to hold his sister's hand.
Xiao Yanzi followed her brother, never lagging behind.
The two kids ran out the door, their family didn't eat early, by this time other kids had already finished eating and were playing outside, Hutou quickly joined in.
The kids played hopscotch.
Hutou: "I'm the best at hopscotch, no one can beat me!"
"I can too, I can too!" Xiao Yanzi chimed in.
Kids are different, some have better conditions, are more spoiled at home, have firecrackers to play with, some are younger or poorer, can only play hopscotch.
Hutou and his sister are young, their family wouldn't let them play with many firecrackers, not safe. So the two kids mingled with the hopscotch kids.
"You hit one, I hit one..." Xiao Yanzi played patty-cake with the older sister next door.
"Oh, you're playing hopscotch! Hehe, we have firecrackers," the kids were playing happily when they saw Jinlai and his two brothers come out, their mouths oily, arrogant and proud, "We have firecrackers..."
Sure enough, this remark drew envious glances from the other kids.
Jinlai became even more proud, raising his chin and saying, "You, you, you, I won't play with you, the rest, if you want to see us set off firecrackers, follow me!"
Forming cliques.
Hutou pouted, he huffed, "Don't play with us, then don't!"
A few kids who usually didn't play well with Jinlai and his brothers were immediately excluded. Hutou was a little envious, but he wouldn't show weakness!
He pulled his sister and said, "We can have just as much fun playing hopscotch, we'll set off a lot of firecrackers tonight~"
Xiao Yanzi: "Okay~"
A soft, sweet little voice.
Jinlai glanced at them, snorted, and said, "We won't play with you! We big kids play different things, we don't play with little kids."
A few kids who wanted to play with firecrackers surrounded Jinlai and his brothers, asking, "What are you playing?"
Jinlai's eyes scanned around, suddenly spotting a stray dog, he pointed proudly, saying, "Bomb it!"
"Ah? Isn't that bad?"
Jinlai's eyes bulged, "Want to play or not? If not, get lost!"
He's the boss here.
He lit a firecracker and threw it at the stray dog... boom!
The stray dog, which was happily foraging, suddenly got attacked, quickly fleeing, Jinlai laughed loudly, chasing and throwing more, "Watch this!"
Yinlai: "Me, me!"
Boom!
One after another!
The stray dog got bombed again and again, howling, suddenly turning and baring its teeth, charging over... Hutou, sharp-eyed, saw Jinlai and his friends provoke the stray dog from afar, pulling his sister, turned and ran: "Run fast!"
