Early in the morning, a big fat sheep bumped into the room. In the past, one would have to thank God and worship the mountain god for such a good thing. But now, in the new society, feudal superstitions are not allowed. Old Mrs. Li swallowed her words, thanked him silently in her heart, and happily urged Li Muwu to slaughter the sheep.
At this time, everyone in the family, except Zhenzhen, had no appetite for dinner. Old Mrs. Li led her grandson to stand in a circle in the yard, all of them eagerly looking at the hanging sheep. Mingbei nudged Mingnan with his shoulder: "Third brother, isn't there an idiom called 'waiting for the rabbit by the tree stump'? What do we call this? Squatting at the gate waiting for the sheep?"
Mingnan hugged his shoulders and looked at the sheep and laughed: "This sheep is also a fool. It must have lost its way from the flock. I don't know where it got lost in the mountains and ran to our house. I may not encounter such a stupid sheep in the future."
"Actually, I'm not picky. A roe deer or something will do." Mingbei looked expectant. "A blind bear wouldn't be bad either. I heard that bear paws are really delicious. I haven't tried them yet."
Mingnan slapped Mingbei on the back of his head and said, "You are stupid. It's okay if a sheep hits our big wooden door, but if a black blind monster comes, it will knock the door off in one go. Who knows who will be eaten by then."
Mingbei touched the back of his head and immediately became cowardly. He shrank his neck, looked at his own door and sighed. Mingnan wanted to kick the door open when he saw his melancholy look.
Inside the room, Zhenzhen sat on the kang, with a bowl of steaming egg noodles in front of her. Wang Sufen took a spoonful of egg noodles and fed it to Zhenzhen. Zhenzhen dodged and pushed the spoon to Wang Sufen's mouth: "Mom, eat first!"
Wang Sufen felt warm in her heart, and couldn't hide the smile on her face: "No wonder my daughter is so thoughtful. Look at how she thought of letting me eat the delicious noodles first."
Guihua was bringing pickled vegetables and hot pancakes to the table. Seeing Zhenzhen trying to refuse, she smiled and said, "This is because our Zhenzhen is sensible. She knows that her child's birthday is her mother's hardship day. Mom, I think you must eat this mouthful of noodles. This is our Zhenzhen's filial piety."
Zhenzhen immediately showed a sweet smile, her voice soft but very insistent: "Mom, eat!"
"Okay, I'll eat first!" Wang Sufen took a bite and then fed Zhenzhen. The mother and daughter ate the bowl of noodles one bite at a time and wiped Zhenzhen's mouth. Wang Sufen listened to the laughter and talking coming from outside and shook her head: "This meat can only be eaten at noon. Now we can't even take care of breakfast."
Zhen Zhen was delighted when she heard this. She grabbed Wang Sufen's hand and drooled: "Stew the meat!"
"My baby wants to eat stewed meat!" Wang Sufen pinched her chubby face: "Your grandma said she would make mutton dumplings for you."
Zhenzhen pondered for a moment. The mutton dumplings were also delicious, and the stewed mutton was even more delicious. It was simply too difficult to choose between them. A hint of hesitation appeared on her face, but she quickly raised her head firmly and said, "I'll eat both!"
Wang Sufen and Guihua laughed out loud at Zhenzhen's appearance. Wang Sufen held Zhenzhen in her arms and kissed her twice: "This greedy little appearance is exactly the same as Mingbei's when he was a child."
Zhenzhen heard Mingbei yelling outside at the top of his voice: "Meat, meat, meat, meat..." and couldn't help feeling a little dissatisfied: I'm not as useless as Mingbei. I always say it silently in my heart and never shout it out loud.
Li Muwu has been hunting since he was a teenager. He is an expert at collecting prey. In just half an hour, he had collected the yellow sheep neatly. Old Lady Li picked a piece of meat with fat and lean meat, and put the rest on the snow in the yard. In such a cold weather, it only takes half a day to freeze it, and it will not go bad if it is stored for two or three months.
After entering the house and putting the meat in the kitchen, Old Lady Li washed her hands and led her son and grandson to sit on the kang. She picked up the pancake that was no longer hot and took a bite.
"Grandma, how do we eat the mutton?" Mingbei drank half a bowl of cornmeal porridge in one breath and looked at Grandma Li with anticipation.
"Making dumplings, lamb and cabbage. Today is your sister's birthday, so let's improve our lives. Hey, how can we have such a good thing?"
"The dumplings are delicious, but I don't think they are as satisfying as eating a big piece of meat. Grandma, can you stew a pot of mutton for us?" Mingbei looked at Grandma Li expectantly, waiting for her to nod in agreement.
"No way!" Mrs. Li refused without even looking at him: "There is only one sheep, and you have to use half of it to make dumplings and stew meat. You really don't know how to live!"
Zhenzhen was sitting on the kang eating her dried blueberries. When she heard that the braised mutton she had been dreaming about was gone, she immediately became anxious. She stood up and ran to Old Lady Li, stretching her chubby little face in front of Old Lady Li: "Grandma, stew the meat!"
"Oh, my little baby wants to eat stewed mutton? Okay, can grandma ask your mom to stew mutton and carrots for you at noon?" Seeing Zhenzhen nodding repeatedly, Mrs. Li touched her little face and said, "Okay, then let's eat stewed meat instead of dumplings."
"Eat!" Zhenzhen took two steps and quickly ran back: "Eat all."
Mingnan and Mingbei were immediately happy, but they dared not say anything with their mouths open, for fear that grandma would get angry and slash them with a pipe. Old Lady Li looked at the chubby and fair Zhenzhen looking at her eagerly, and her heart softened immediately: "Okay, okay, Zhenzhen has the final say on her birthday today, we'll have stewed meat for lunch and dumplings for dinner."
"Ah!" Mingnan and Mingbei howled immediately, twisting and turning on the kang. Old Lady Li picked up her pipe and banged it on the kang twice: "Why are you howling? Shut up. After dinner, go to the mountain to carry firewood."
Mingnan suddenly became depressed: "Grandma, the firewood we brought back is almost as high as the roof. Where are we going to put all this firewood?"
"I'm back just in time to stew meat for you." Old Mrs. Li glanced at him, stuffed the last bite of the biscuit into her mouth, put on her shoes, and squatted in front of the stove with her pipe in hand to smoke.
Mingxi stretched his neck and watched Old Lady Li go out. He immediately made a silent carnival expression and shook his head and arms, which made Mingnan and Mingbei very upset.
"Grandma, look at my second brother!" Ming Bei's eyes turned red with anger, and he stretched his neck and howled.
"What's wrong with you looking at him?" Old Mrs. Li shouted from the kitchen.
Mingxi immediately replied: "Grandma, I don't know how to solve a problem. I want to ask my brother after dinner."
"Yes!" Old Lady Li shouted vigorously, "It's just right for your brother to show you the test paper."
Mingdong was having a great time with Guihua at that time. When he heard Mingxi using him as a shield for him, he got so angry that he kicked Mingxi to the ground.
Mingnan and Mingbei were so happy that they quickly moved to the side, and several of them sat with their legs spread out, occupying Mingxi's dining space, leaving him standing on the ground staring.
Zhenzhen sat on the chopped bed and watched her brothers frame each other, giggling with joy. These days were more exciting than watching a TV show.
After dinner, everyone went back to their own work. Zhenzhen refused to stay on the kang and ran around the room in her little cotton shoes. At first, Grandma Li was afraid that Zhenzhen would fall and bump into things, so she followed behind to protect her. But after a while, Zhenzhen's legs didn't get weak, so she let her run around without worry. She also boasted about her granddaughter: "Our Zhenzhen has strong legs since she was born. She is only one year old and walks so steadily. When she grows up, she will definitely..."
"Oh my god!" Zhenzhen remembered what Old Lady Li said when she was born, that she would be able to kick over a pig when she grew up. She was so scared that her legs went limp immediately: This skill is really not suitable for girls!
Just after breakfast, Wang Sufen had already started stewing mutton. Zhenzhen had to stew the mutton until it was soft and tender. She scooped a spoonful of soybean oil and heated it, added chopped green onions and two slices of ginger and stir-fried them until fragrant. Wang Sufen poured the blanched mutton into the pot. With a sizzling sound, the meat went into the pot. The smoke and fragrance filled the kitchen and spread to the rooms on both sides.
Mingnan and Mingbei, who had just changed into cotton jackets and hats and were about to go out, could not move when they smelled the smell. They lingered at the door, neither of them wanting to open the door and go out. Old Lady Li saw them from the west room and shouted, "Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Mingnan and Mingbei immediately rushed in, each holding an arm around Old Lady Li. For the first time, Mingbei used his coquettish skills and pinched his voice, "Grandma, you see, the weather outside is not very good. It's cloudy and looks like it's going to snow. I'm a little scared."
Old Mrs. Li was so frightened that she almost dropped Zhenzhen. She hugged her precious granddaughter tightly in her arms with lingering fear and glared at Mingbei: "Speak human language!"
Mingbei immediately became timid: "I want to help my mother light the fire in the kitchen."
Old Lady Li was so angry at her greedy grandson that she laughed. She took out her pipe and hit him on the buttocks, then scolded him with a smile: "Go, help your mother peel some potatoes or something, don't just wait to eat."
Zhenzhen looked at Mingbei, who was only good-looking but not smart, and remembered that all she had been thinking about lately was eating. She couldn't help but feel worried: I hope I will become a foodie like Mingbei.
After eating delicious braised lamb and dumplings with lamb and cabbage, Mingdong's wedding day was getting closer and closer. But the closer it got, the longer it felt. He couldn't concentrate on reading at home every day. He would just follow Guihua around. When Guihua washed her face, he would pass her soap. When Guihua swept the floor, he would wait beside her with a dustpan. When Guihua mended clothes, he would sit beside her and watch her without blinking, which made Guihua blush and her heart beat fast. She couldn't do anything well.
What makes the whole family laugh the most is that Mingdong follows Guihua all day long. It's normal for a couple who are about to get married to be a little affectionate with each other, but Zhenzhen, who is the most idle in the family, likes to follow Mingdong and Guihua with a handful of dried blueberries and a curious look on her face.
Zhenzhen stuffed a dried blueberry into her mouth and watched the young couple with relish. They looked at each other secretly when no one was paying attention, and then they were as happy as idiots. It was really silly and cute. She was not gossiping. She was really bored staying indoors during this long winter. At least there was a live version of a love movie to watch, which was better than being bored.
Zhenzhen was happy to see this, but Mingdong was very depressed. He could have secretly pulled Guihua's hand and whispered to her when no one was around. But now Zhenzhen was always by their side. Even if Mingdong wanted to reach out, Guihua would hit him back. The only time they could be alone was when she was sleeping in the afternoon.
Fortunately, the days passed faster and faster while Mingdong was counting the stars and looking forward to the moon. Seeing that there were only a few days left before the wedding, Mingdong took Guihua to get the marriage certificate and bought some candies with the marriage certificate. But the most sad thing for Zhenzhen was that when Guihua came back, her long black braids were gone, replaced by short hair with bangs, which made Zhenzhen beat her chest and stamp her feet in pain.
But there's nothing we can do about it. Nowadays, only older girls can braid their hair. Most young wives cut their hair off when they get married. There's no regulation on this, it seems to be a customary practice.
The wedding date was set on the day of the Little New Year. Relatives and friends who received the news came early. Wang Sufen's relatives from her mother's side, several good colleagues from Li Muwu's unit, and close neighbors filled the four large rooms of the Li family.
Mingnan and Mingbei set off a string of firecrackers at the gate, and the wedding began. Mingdong and Guihua were both wearing newly made cotton-padded jackets, and they were a little shy being surrounded by people in the middle of the room. The person who presided over the wedding was a member of the labor union of Li Muwu's unit. He clapped his hands, motioned for everyone to be quiet, and then he said in a hoarse voice: "Chairman Mao taught us: Husbands and wives have the obligation to love and respect each other, help each other, support each other, live in harmony and unity, work and produce, raise children, and work together for family happiness and the construction of a new society. Today we are fortunate to witness Comrade Li Mingdong and Comrade Wu Guihua come together for a common revolutionary goal..."
Zhenzhen stared in amazement at the wedding that was completely different from what she had imagined. She saw Li Mingdong and Guihua holding the Little Red Book and reciting a passage from Chairman Mao's quotations with a righteous look on their faces. Then they bowed to the picture of Chairman Mao and then bowed to Wang Sufen and Li Muwu.
In that era, getting married was just a formality. The participants sang two revolutionary songs together, and the wedding was over. Wang Sufen and Li Muwu quickly took out the prepared candies and cigarettes and distributed them to everyone.
Liu Xiulan led the two daughters-in-law who came to help and worked hard to add firewood into the stove. On one side, a pot of steaming whole lamb soup was cooking, and on the other side, sauerkraut was stewed with large bones in a pot, which smelled delicious.
There was a pot of mutton soup, a pot of large bones stewed with sauerkraut, a pot of cabbage and pork stewed with vermicelli, and a pot of pork belly stewed with potato cubes. All four dishes had meat in them. When they were placed on the table, the guests who came to the wedding were immediately stunned.
The men sat at one table, accompanied by Li Muwu, and the women sat at another table, with Old Lady Li at the top, preparing the dishes for everyone. Zhenzhen sat obediently in Old Lady Li's arms, and Wang Sufen took a small bowl and poured her a bowl of mutton soup and placed it in front of her.
Relatives and friends who came to the wedding had heard that the Li family had a granddaughter last year. They treated her like a baby. Some had seen her and some had not, but they all came over to see the novelty. Zhenzhen was of course not unfamiliar to anyone, and she smiled cheerfully at everyone who came to see her. However, if anyone wanted to reach out and touch her face, she would immediately turn around and hide in Old Lady Li's arms: I worked so hard to get that chubby face, it's not for you to pinch.
The author has something to say: Today the weather is too cold. I went out for a meeting and when I got home in the evening, my finger joints and body joints hurt. I took out the thermometer and it was 38 degrees. I have been too busy at work at the end of the year. I have been busy during the day for two consecutive weeks and writing until midnight. I guess Kaka's strong body can't bear it. I will update a little today, only 4,000 words. I am going to go to bed and try to be energetic tomorrow morning.
Starting from this chapter, the v-article has set up anti-theft chapters, because Kaka really doesn't want the article he worked so hard to write to be taken away by the plagiarism website to make advertising fees for them. However, considering that some readers may like to jump orders, the anti-theft ratio is set at 50%. As long as you buy half of the v-articles, you can read it normally. If it is not enough, you can also read it 24 hours after the article is posted.
I will send the red envelopes for the previous chapter tomorrow during the day. Just a reminder, comments with more than 25 words have a high chance of winning. Muah~~~