"Mom, didn't they say it was going to rain just now? Should we go home quickly? I remember our clothes are still drying outside, should we go home and collect them?"
The 14-year-old boy, wearing a gray short coat, held his head high and pulled Wu Meili's sleeves, and asked with a pale face.
When Wu Meili heard this, she shook her head slightly and said without any doubt.
"Looking at the weather, it won't rain for us for a while. Let's eat something to fill our stomachs, drink some tea, and then return home. You have been traveling for more than half an hour. It’s already a bit unbearable, but if you drive back for more than half an hour, you will have to lie in bed unable to get up.”
"Thank you, mother,"
Zhou Lang's eyes lit up and he said cheerfully. But not all people have such treatment and can eat something in the town.
But in the next moment, he became a little worried and asked with a frown.
"But, mother, do you still have any coins in your hand?"
Pointing her finger on her youngest son's forehead, Wu Meili said confidently.
"Third brother, you don't have to worry about money. Your mother still has three coins in her hand, which is enough for us to have a meal."
After hearing this, Zhou Lang breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn't help but put down the hand holding Wu Meili, and followed Wu Meili obediently.
Look at Zhou Dalang, Zhou Erlang and their wives, all of them are in high spirits.
Farmers have always been frugal and would not spend more money if they could.
This time I was able to try something new in the town. No matter whether I could eat something good or not, it was all thanks to the heavy rain that was about to begin.
The family decided, and under the leadership of Wu Meili, they walked towards a small stall in the town.
That's right, it's a small stall, very cheap, and even an unhygienic one.
A family of six, with a cow, and only three copper coins in hand, how could they go to a good place
"Da Lang, go and tie up the ox cart. Lu Ya, support your sister-in-law."
Wu Meili gave the instructions in a familiar manner and let go of the reins.
Zhou Dalang nodded and said excitedly.
"Okay, Mom, I'll go right away."
After saying that, he turned around and handed the daughter-in-law beside him into the hands of his younger siblings. Then, pulling the rutting cow, he drove the cart aside.
Luya took over her sister-in-law, smiled and held Lotus's arm, and said to Wu Meili.
"Mom, don't worry, I will take good care of my sister-in-law and I will not let her get any harm."
Wu Meili nodded with satisfaction and took the lead to take a few steps forward and sit on the tables and chairs placed outside the stall.
Tuesday Lang and Zhou Lang quickly followed, and finally they were the sisters-in-law who were supporting each other.
While Zhou Dalang was still handling the bullock cart, a middle-aged woman in her 40s came over and asked with a smile.
"Guests, what would you like to eat?"
The juniors didn't say anything, they all looked at Wu Meili expectantly. Wu Meili glanced at the stall and replied with the same smile.
"Help get three pies, cut them with a knife and bring them up. Also, your millet (su millet) rice porridge is free, right? Isn't it enough?"
"These guest officials are sensible people and must have known that it has not rained for several months. So now we can't keep enough of the corn porridge. We can only eat one pie per bowl."
The 40-year-old woman smiled and replied calmly.
When several juniors heard this, they felt a little disappointed. Even Zhou Dalang, who had just returned, looked a little sad.
There is a big difference between free tubes and only one pie and one bowl.
However, Wu Meili's expression remained unchanged, she raised her head and pointed at the sky.
"Sister-in-law, you don't know. Look at the weather, I'm afraid it won't be long before it rains. When it rains again, are we still worried about lack of water?"
The proprietress of the stall looked in the direction pointed by Wu Meili, and sure enough, the once cloudless sky now had white clouds, which looked very thick.
"Sister, there are clouds in the sky, but it may not rain!"
The landlady lowered her head and said sadly. But if you take a closer look, you can easily find that there is a smile on the corner of her mouth.
When Wu Meili heard this, she lowered her head, looked at the proprietress standing not far away, and said without changing her expression.
"Sister-in-law, you are right, clouds do not necessarily mean rain, but you have forgotten one thing. It has not rained in our place for more than four months, and there are no clouds. I heard from the elderly that in this situation If there are clouds, there will be rain."
The landlady smiled and nodded, saying with relief on her face.
"Since the big girl said so, why not believe it once?"
Wu Meili finally had a smile on her face and asked tentatively.
"Sister-in-law, this corn porridge..."
"It turns out that the eldest sister has been talking for so long just because of this corn porridge."
The landlady joked with a smile on her face and waved her hand generously.
"Since the big girl has worked so hard, I have to give her face. This time, the corn porridge is still the same as before, free and full."
After receiving such assurance, the six members of the family all smiled cheerfully. In this way, they can save some food. Although it's not a lot, it's still a comfort.
"Okay, big sister, sit here for a while, and I'll go make arrangements for you."
The landlady rubbed her hands and said with a polite smile.
Wu Meili naturally had no reason to disapprove. She nodded slightly and watched the proprietress leave. What did she say to the boss next to the stall
As the eldest among the brothers, Zhou Dalang slowly stood up and whispered not long after the landlady left.
"Mom, I'm going to get a few bowls and bring back some porridge."
"Let the second and third sons go with you. Two trips back and forth are enough."
Wu Meili nodded and gave instructions casually. Then, she seemed to have thought of something and gave an instruction.
"When making corn porridge, remember to shake it with a ladle a few times to lift up all the corn porridge that has sunk to the bottom."
"Okay, Mom, I've written it all down."
After saying this, Zhou Dalang took his two younger brothers to the stall owner and his wife to get a few bowls. Following the method taught by Wu Meili, he made six bowls of porridge and delivered them to the table.
However, even so, the free corn porridge does not contain much millet, only a little bit here and there. It is better to say that it is a bowl of porridge than a bowl of water, but with some extra millet in it.
However, the six members of the family present were very satisfied and did not feel that they had been deceived. Food is not cheap, so the owner of the stall can give away a little for free, which is considered to be the most benevolent thing.
Zhou Erlang's daughter-in-law, Lu Ya, who was just 16 years old, suddenly raised her mouth and asked with some dissatisfaction.
"Mom, why don't you let me go? This kind of thing should be done by my daughter's family."
Wu Meili took a sip of corn porridge, raised her eyes casually, glanced at her second wife, and replied nonchalantly.
"Just take care of your sister-in-law. They can do this kind of thing. They all have hands and feet. What's wrong with making a bowl of porridge?"
Hearing this, Lu Ya felt that it made sense, but what was wrong with it? She thought for a long time and couldn't figure it out, so she nodded in acquiescence.
At the same time, the store also delivered the items ordered by a family of six. Each one is about the size of two adults' palms and two inches high. They are made from various grains ground into powder.
The three large pies have been cut open with a knife, revealing the thick layer inside. Although there isn't much meat, there are a variety of vegetables that work together to make it colorful.
The family of six looked at the oil flowing out of the pie and swallowed in unison. They were indeed a family that could set up a stall in the town. From the smell, they felt that it tasted very good.
After drinking corn porridge, eating delicious pies, and feeding the hard-working cow a little water, the family pulled the ox cart back home.
"Lotus, you are still sitting on the bullock cart."
Before leaving, Wu Meili pulled the bullock cart and said to the eldest daughter-in-law beside her without hesitation.
"You are a great contributor to my Zhou family. I cannot wrong you. Especially the child in your arms must not be harmed in any way."
He Hua smiled and agreed, and with the support of her younger siblings, she sat weakly and helplessly on the bullock cart.
After everything was assigned, the family left the town and continued on their way home. Just when we were halfway there, a strong wind suddenly started blowing between heaven and earth. It was blowing loudly, as if it could blow up a girl's skirt.
Wu Meili looked at the sky and said decisively.
"The wind is blowing, and it will definitely rain soon. The child in Lotus's arms is indeed a lucky one. Lu Ya, you also sit on the bullock cart and block the wind for your sister-in-law, so as not to hurt the child. . Let’s continue on our way and try to get home before it rains.”
"Mom, I'm going up right now."
Lu Ya responded and climbed onto the bullock cart happily. She was not willing to continue walking when she could just be lazy.
Zhoulang felt the strong wind blowing his hair around him, feeling a little worried in his heart, and it also showed on his face.
"Mom, can we go back before it rains heavily? It's okay for us people to get wet in the rain, but my sister-in-law has a baby in her belly."
Wu Meili looked at the sky, shook her head with a smile, and said calmly.
"Third brother, don't worry, it won't rain for a while after we get home."
A trace of surprise flashed in Zhoulang's eyes, and he asked with confusion on his face.
"Mom, how did you know?"
Wu Meili smiled and replied meaningfully.
"Lao San, when you live a long time and have some experience, you will be able to see the sky."
After hearing this, Zhou Lang nodded in understanding.
The author has something to say: Two o'clock in the morning every night is the time for metaphysics, and the fairies don't have to worry about it.