Zhuang Auntie stood up from her seat, “How come it’s so busy tonight?"
She said as she went to open the door, and saw Le panting heavily at the door.
"Le?" Zhuang Auntie looked at him in surprise.
Si Le was panting with flushed face, "I... I knocked because I saw the lights on..."
"What's wrong, did something happen?" Zhuang Auntie hurriedly let him in.
Si Le hemmed and hawed, "Do you have..." As he walked in, he saw the cute little baby sitting at the table holding a bowl and drinking happily.
"Xiao Shitou!" Si Le ran up to him anxiously, "Where did you run off to? I've been looking for you for half a day!"
Seeing his brother, Xiao Shitou was not afraid either, and stretched out his soft arms and called out softly for his brother to hug him.
Si Le picked him up, first smelling his sweet milky scent, followed by the delicious fragrant rice smell.
He couldn't help but swallow.
Xiao Shitou held out his dirty bowl for him to eat, "Brother, eat."
Si Le smiled, "Brother doesn't eat, Xiao Shitou eat."
Zhuang Auntie said in surprise, "Xiao Shitou is your child?"
Gong Sister-in-law served Si Le a bowl of egg drop soup, "Come and sit down to eat, and talk slowly."
Si Le sat down shyly, and Xiao Shitou sat next to him licking his bowl.
"Xiao Shitou is my brother," Si Le said, "but we don't have the same father."
"My mother didn't find out she was pregnant until her belly was very big. That man didn't have children, and my mother agreed to give birth to Xiao Shitou for a sum of money. My mother didn't care about him, but that man did."
"Xiao Shitou was given away as soon as he was born, I hadn't even seen him yet."
"A few days ago Xiao Shitou was sent back because that man did a DNA test and said Xiao Shitou wasn't his pup."
"My mother didn't care, and the man left after abandoning him, so I could only take care of him."
Si Le scratched his head, "But I really don't have much time, so I had him wait for me at the school gatekeeper."
"I forgot to bring him food today, he must have been hungry."
Zhuang Auntie was already listening with tearful eyes. She couldn't help but hold Xiao Shitou in her arms, "Oh, the poor child, he's so young and still has to go to school."
Ding Sha thought for a moment, "This can't go on like this. How about this, when you go to school in the future, just leave Xiao Shitou here."
"I'll pay you a salary every month."
Si Le eagerly nodded, "I can, I can! I'll tally it up very quickly!"
Ding Sha handed a stack of cards to Si Le, "I'll have Gong Sister-in-law wait for you at the door two periods before class ends, just give her the order sheets."
Si Le took the thick stack of cards, and was immediately filled with motivation.
He would definitely do a good job on the task the boss lady gave him!
The weather was slowly getting cold. Ding Sha got up early that day, and pulled Xiao Jun to find the old brine she had asked for from Aunt Zhang in the village from a pile of jars.
The fresh white radishes, carrots, broad beans, small chili peppers, bell peppers and bamboo shoots were all washed and dried.
Some ginger and garlic were also cut, and a large handful of chili peppers and Sichuan peppers were prepared.
It was a pity there was no tender ginger to soak.
The processed vegetables without water or oil were packed into the empty jar, then a few pieces of rock sugar, bay leaves and star anise were added, followed by the chili peppers and Sichuan peppers, and finally the salted alkali water was poured in to submerge the ingredients, then two spoons of old brine were added.
Finally, the jar mouth was sealed with water and placed in a shady place to ferment.
Generally it can be eaten after one week of fermentation.
The sour and spicy crispy pickle is appetizing and helps with digestion.
However, Ding Sha often fished it out after three days, cut it into small pieces, added some chili oil and vinegar, mixed it up, and served it as a topping for congee, rice, or noodles, which was very popular.
Ding Sha's pickles were also usually the fast-selling items in the small shop. These delicious freebies were often seen being enjoyed by the tall and sturdy men from the northwest, crunching on garlic pickles with satisfaction on their faces.
Ding Sha finally bid farewell to her morning sickness, and began entering the stage of wanting to eat everything in sight.
She expanded rapidly like a balloon, especially her belly, making her look round all over.
Xiao Jun had obviously developed "expectant father syndrome", sleeping even worse than Ding Sha. He dreamt every day of Ding Sha suddenly going into labor.
He looked very worried all the time.
Ding Sha was a restless person. She called Gong Sister-in-law to buy a bag of chestnuts from the door, and that afternoon when they were free, they washed, steamed and peeled chestnuts.
They were blended with milk in a blender until smooth with no lumps, then mixed into a small pot with honey and butter, and slowly pan-fried over low heat.
Finally they were pressed into molds to make patterns.
Fresh steamed chestnut cakes were ready.
On a cold windy day, eating a piping hot chestnut cake felt like the chill in your chest instantly warming up.
A small warmer box filled with the sweet chestnut cakes was placed at the store entrance. Not only were the passing children unable to walk by, even the adults picking up kids from school were willing to stop and buy a jin to take home.
"It's delicious but tiring," Zhuang Auntie said, massaging her waist, "I get worn out after making just a few jin."
"Let's just make it occasionally to sell, not regularly. Next time make less, just for ourselves to eat," Ding Sha said, touching the well-behaved Xiao Shitou nibbling on the chestnut cake next to her.
"I have to go get the order sheets, can't be late for Le's class." Gong Sister-in-law packed a few pieces of chestnut cake into a box and hurried off towards City Junior High.
Ding Sha waited a long time before seeing Gong Sister-in-law leading the bruised Si Le back.
"What happened?" Ding Sha was shocked.
Xiao Jun also frowned and got up to take out the first aid kit.
Gong Sister-in-law sat Si Le down, "I waited for a while before seeing him sneak over, so I went to get him from the teacher."
"What happened?" Xiao Jun treated his injuries while asking solemnly.
Si Le hesitated for a moment, "I was beaten up by a boy from the class next door."
"His family runs the cafeteria. Lately everyone's been ordering meals from me, and not going to the cafeteria anymore, so he came to pick a fight."
Si Le honestly said, "I can't beat him, but I scratched his face."
Ding Sha couldn't help laughing a little at first from anger, "You should've just run if you can't win."
Xiao Jun's actions became gentler, "After you recover, I'll teach you how to fight."
"Okay!" Si Le said loudly, clenching his fist.
Ding Sha couldn't help but slap Xiao Jun, "Why don't you teach him something nice."
Xiao Jun said seriously, "I'm teaching him self-defense. Otherwise how will he protect Xiao Shitou in the future? Let alone protect his wife."
Si Le hurriedly interjected, "I don't want a wife!"
Zhuang Auntie was the first one unable to hold back her laughter.
Then Gong Sister-in-law and Ding Sha also laughed.
Even Xiao Jun revealed a faint smile.
Xiao Shitou didn't know what was so funny, but laughed along foolishly.
Si Le scratched his head, "I don't want a wife."
He really hadn't thought about getting married, he was still young!
Xiao Jun ruffled his short hair, "I'll go with you tomorrow to talk to your teacher."
"Ah? Brother Xiao, what are we going for?"
Xiao Jun smiled.
"To make trouble."
