The postman who delivered the letter added two more words: "Do you have relatives in the northwest? It's not easy for this letter to get there. It took almost two months."
When Old Mrs. Xu saw the letter, her eyes were wet. It was okay because her younger son was by her side every day, but her older son had to go far away to suffer. How could a mother not feel heartbroken
Wang Ying chatted with the postman for a few words and sent him away.
This is the problem with the lack of entertainment activities nowadays. Everyone can chat with anyone, but it's a pity that seeing how excited Old Mrs. Xu is, we should send her away quickly and open the letter.
Xu Shuang graduated from junior high school, so she was more than qualified to read letters.
"Everything is fine here. The sky is very high, the wind is strong, and there are yellow sheep running around everywhere. The herders said that the yellow sheep meat is very fresh. I have never eaten yellow sheep meat. The fried noodles you sent are delicious, but a little choking. Remember to put some pecans in it next time... Tell mom that everything is fine here. My daughter also sent me eggs..."
Xu Ming chattered on and on, writing a full seven pages.
Old Mrs. Xu's eyes sparkled with tears as she scolded with a smile, "What a shameless person!"
Although Wang Ying had never met this uncle, she could feel his cheerfulness just by reading his words.
Not everyone can write about yellow mutton and blue skies in the northwest. This person has never eaten yellow mutton, but he wrote in detail about the taste of the mutton as described by the herders... He even smiled when he mentioned that a girl gave him eggs.
Wang Ying intuitively felt that Xu Ming's personality was much more cheerful than Xu Shuang's.
Finally, Xu Ming also greeted his sister-in-law Wang Ying, whom he had never met, and said that he would send her a cashmere hat later, saying that some herdsmen could weave it and it looked very warm.
Wang Ying felt relieved and thought Xu Ming was a very thoughtful person.
After Xu Shuang finished reading, Old Lady Xu wiped her tears and hurriedly asked Xu Shuang to write a reply.
Wang Ying: "There's no rush. We'll send something else in the next few days and put the letter in it. Then we'll go into the city and send it together."
It is too much trouble to get from here to the Northwest. It takes more than a month on the road, and three months round trip. We really can't wait.
I guess Xu Ming has eaten most of the fried noodles I sent him last time, so I have to send some more. Wang Ying thought she could send some dried vegetables and sugar, as it is difficult to get vegetables in the northwest. According to Xu Ming himself, there is no shortage of coarse grains, but there is a shortage of vegetables.
After Wang Ying said this, Xu Shuang agreed. Old Mrs. Xu felt a little embarrassed holding Wang Ying's hand.
Wang Ying didn't think it was a big deal. Who could live without this family? And it was really unfair for Xu Ming to be reduced to this state. He was doing well as a researcher in the provincial capital, but he was sent to the northwest to do manual labor. Well, I'll help if I can.
Wang Ying took the opportunity before entering the county to inform Cheng Shufen and Cheng Yu. Food rations have always been a problem for Cheng Shufen and Cheng Yu. They have no private plots in the brigade, and they rely on money to buy vegetables. In return, Cheng Yu would occasionally bring back some wild animals to supplement their meals.
Wang Ying felt that Qian ** should also know that Cheng Yu could get the fish, but Cheng Yu secretly told Wang Ying that Qian ** had never asked her where she got the fish from, but instead helped cover it up every time.
This is very appropriate, Wang Ying reminded Cheng Yu.
"Talk to your aunt recently and ask them to sneak up the mountain and get some wild game and fish. You can hide them in your aunt's water tank or dry them in the sun. It's good to have more food at home. You can also leave some dried vegetables..."
She gave these instructions to Cheng Yu because the two families now have a good relationship and often eat together. Wang Ying felt that it was not safe to leave the things with Cheng Shufen, but there would be no problem leaving the money with **.
Qian** raised pigs, which smelled strong, so few people came. In addition, Qian** was notorious now, so when she saw someone trying to steal her pigs' tails, she went to Tian Youfu and told him that someone was trying to steal the pigs' tails.
At first Wang Ying was speechless. What kind of crime was it to steal a pig's tail
But Qian** said that she had heard about stealing pig tails a long time ago. The pig would not die after cutting off its tail, and the pig tail could be taken home to add to the meat dish. So some people targeted pig tails and stole them.
With the money and the complaint, those who secretly came to break into the house didn't dare to come anymore.
Cutting off the pig's tail now is called cutting off the tail of socialism.
No one dares to do this.
Anyway, with the rich man here, it's like a magic needle that stabilizes the sea. Cheng Shufen and Cheng Yu won't be bullied just because they are alone.
After Wang Ying said this, Cheng Yu understood, and she nodded and agreed: "I'll go right away."
Sister Ying said some time ago that food would be in short supply this year and asked her to pay more attention to it.
As for what to pay attention to? Of course, stock up early.
Cheng Yu didn't tell Wang Ying in detail, but she had already found a dry cave in the mountains. She put some edible wild fruits and vegetables she found there, as well as some hay.
That's where she usually stays, and she occasionally takes a nap there.
Now, Cheng Yu felt it was time to start stockpiling.
She planned to prepare for both sides, first give Qian **'s family some meat and wild vegetables, and then put some dried meat in the cave. After all, she was the only one who knew the place, so it was better to be prepared.
After informing Cheng Yu, Wang Ying rubbed the two sisters Qian Maimiao and Qian Maisui who were writing in the house.
They both wore new clothes, but they were not made by Qian**, but prepared by Qian**'s mother.
Last time, Qian** changed the surnames of her three daughters, so she took the children back to her parents' home and told them everything.
My mother's family never expected that Qian** could do this, and the whole family was stunned.
In the end, it was Qian**'s father who went to find Qian's uncle, who took a puff of his cigarette and spoke.
"We'll talk about the family tree later. After all, they have the same surname as us, Qian, so we have the same ancestor. Ask your girl. If she comes back to our team, I'll ask the team leader if it's okay."
When asked this question, Qian** refused without saying a word.
She changed the child's surname not for the purpose of recognizing his ancestral roots, but simply because she didn't want the child to have the surname Tian like Tian Dazhui.
As for being included in the family tree and going back to her parents' home, she was not happy about it either. Why would she come back? Her parents' home was no longer her home. Her sister-in-law had married into the family and her brother had started a family, so it was her brother and sister-in-law's home. It was not her own home.
Her home is in Kaoshan Village and she has friends there.
Qian** brought the child back to tell the truth in order to give an explanation to his parents, so that people in his team would not hear about it outside and make random guesses.
Qian**'s father passed the news to her uncle, who didn't care about it but instead gave Qian**'s father a word of advice.
"Since she has our last name, she is a member of our Qian family. Regardless of whether it is a boy or a girl, you two should pay more attention to her and give your girl a hand. It is not easy for her to take care of three children by herself."
As for entering the family tree, if the person doesn't come back, there is no need for that. Who knows if the girl from the Qian family will remarry in the future.
When Qian**'s parents went back and thought about it, they felt that this was the meaning.
It is rare for a child to take his mother's surname. Since he does, the grandparents should also show their attitude.
So, despite Qian**'s sister-in-law's disapproval, Qian**'s mother found a large piece of cloth that was intended for making quilts and made a shirt for each of the two children.
Although it’s not good material, it’s the first time after all.
This was the first time Qian** received something from her parents' home since she got married, and she felt mixed emotions.
But the sisters Mai Miao and Mai Sui didn’t think so. They had grown up and it was a rare opportunity for them to wear new clothes, and it was not even during the Chinese New Year!
She was so beautiful that she refused to take off her clothes. Her hair was braided neatly and her face was washed clean. She looked so adorable.
Wang Ying gave each of them a candy. She deals with children a lot now, and like a beggar, she always carries a few candies in her pocket.
Mai Sui stuffed the candy into his mouth, and a small bag bulged out on his cheeks. Mai Miao collected it carefully, preparing to take it back and bite it into two halves, giving one half to the money man and eating the other half himself.
Qian** has been very busy these days. The team leader has said that a pig must be slaughtered before or after the double harvest, and if it weighs more than 150 kilograms, she will be given full work points. Qian** is busy fattening a few of the pigs, hoping to raise one that weighs 150 kilograms.
Wang Ying went to sprinkle the spiritual spring water again as usual, and then went home leisurely.
Time passed quickly, and within a few days it was time to go into the city.
There are a lot of things to do in the city this time. First of all, I have to mail something to Xu Ming, deliver dried vegetables to Chen Dong, take an exam, and buy a sewing machine.
If we calculate the time, one day is not enough. Not only will Xu Shuang's exam take most of the day, but the exam also has to start early in the morning.
Wang Ying suggested staying in the county town for one night so that everything could be done in two days.
Xu Shuang was going to take an exam, so she could stay at Chen Dong's house. However, it was not suitable for Wang Ying and Old Lady Xu, so they planned to stay at a guesthouse, since there was a guesthouse not far from Chen Dong's house.
So both sides made their own preparations. Wang Ying went to Tian Youfu to get a letter of introduction, saying that she wanted to take Old Lady Xu to the county hospital for a checkup. She directly issued a two-day letter of introduction. She also brought a lot of her recently prepared medicinal materials, and even some that were not yet prepared. Wang Ying also brought them.
Because she expected not to go into the city for the next two months, Wang Ying took all the tickets from home and prepared to make some purchases.
What to purchase
There's no oil at home.
This is a very realistic problem. Their family wastes too much oil. A bowl of lard can't last too long. Although the family's private plot has been planted with oil crops, it still can't sustain this consumption.
Wang Ying thought that she had to go to the city and go to the black market to get some oil coupons.
In addition to oil, there is also sugar, which is very scarce at home. There is also soap, toothpaste…
When you think about it, going out is a money-spending activity.
Even though Wang Ying had a four-digit fortune, she couldn't help but feel a strong sense of crisis.
It costs nearly 200 yuan to buy a sewing machine, and after the double harvest, I have to tear down and rebuild the house next door. With so much money to scrape together, the family assets are barely enough to survive.
Wang Ying started packing her things with full of worry, and Xu Shuang also asked for leave from Wan Guodong.
It was rare for Wan Guodong to go to the restaurant. It was the first time he heard Xu Shuang say that he wanted to take the second-level chef certificate exam. He felt a lump in his chest.
"You want to take the chef certification exam, how come I don't know?"
Xu Shuang: "Didn't I tell you? Didn't you stamp my application before?"
Wan Guodong was furious and secretly cursed Xu Shuang for being a mean person. He knew that he always stamped the items in the store without even looking at them.
Wan Guodong is not well educated and has a hard time reading things as he is older, so he always waits for Xu Shuang to finish organizing the documents and he only stamps and signs them where necessary.
Who knows which one is the application for the exam!
Wan Guodong's chest ached. After what happened at the beginning of this spring, he had been particularly displeased with Xu Shuang. The leader arranged a task for him, but he was always making excuses. It was obvious that he, Wan Guodong, was not taken seriously!
Originally, I was planning to delay Xu Shuang's exam, but she was so quick to apply and got it this year.
This made him very anxious. Xu Shuang had good skills, and once he passed the certification test, he said he would be able to be transferred to the county town after the Chinese New Year.
What if Xu Shuang reports him later
Or if another young man who is even more difficult to talk to comes along, can he continue with what he did with Xie Yuejin
Wan Guodong's face turned pale, and beads of sweat dripped down. He didn't want to embarrass Xu Shuang at all now, he just wanted to keep Xu Shuang. Even if he wanted to leave, he could only take Xie Yuejin out before leaving! Xie Yuejin became the chef, so that the two of them could continue their business.
It would be best if Xu Shuang didn't take the second-level certificate exam this year. What's wrong with just being a third-level chef
But he couldn't think of a way to stop Xu Shuang from taking the exam, so Xu Shuang took the stamped letter of introduction and left.
Wan Guodong found Xie Yuejin in despair and said, "Xiao Xie, you should also work harder. It would be best if you can pass the junior certificate exam this year."
The only solution now is to let Xie Yuejin take over Xu Shuang's job. We can't leave the store empty and ask the higher-ups to send someone in.
Xie Yuejin complained. He wanted to take the exam, but the problem was that he couldn't pass it.
If Xu Shuang didn't recommend him, he could still find someone to help solve the problem, but a while ago he went to the county town and found a chef, asking that person to help train him, at least until he could take the junior certificate exam.
But when the other party mentioned the examination content of the junior certificate, he was at a loss.
He couldn't even pass the knife skills test.
Xie Yuejin said bitterly: "Okay, leader, I will work hard."
As for how to work hard, it still depends on Xu Shuang.
Xie Yuejin felt that things were not going well for him recently. First, he was in a dilemma about holding a wedding banquet, and then he had to deal with the imminent certification matter.
But both of them have to rely on Xu Shuang.
Xie Yuejin didn't even have the energy to sigh.
Xu Shuang took the letter of introduction and a basket of dry goods. Wang Ying took Old Lady Xu to take a bus and asked Xu Shuang to ride a bicycle into the city to find Chen Dong first.
The three of them met up at Chen Dong's house in the city.
It was a lively lunch time in Chen Dong's courtyard. Wang Ying pulled Old Lady Xu in, but was stopped by an old woman with raised brows in the front yard. The old woman looked Old Lady Xu left and right, making her feel very uncomfortable.
Wang Ying stepped forward to block the other person's gaze.
"Ma'am, what can I do for you?"
The old lady with a frown on her face spat on the ground: "Fox spirit!"
Wang Ying, Old Lady Xu:
Just when the two were confused, another elderly woman interrupted and said, "Hey, Mrs. Ma, what are you doing? Do you really think you are Master Chen's wife? If you keep talking about an old woman, people who don't know would think you have already obtained a marriage certificate with Master Chen."
Wang Ying understood this sarcasm almost instantly.
Oh~ It's Master Chen's peach blossom~
Old Mrs. Xu looked helpless. She and Chen Dong did not have that kind of relationship. Even though Xu Shuang was learning skills from Chen Dong, the two of them were not familiar with each other at all!
However, Xu Shuang's father had some friendship with Chen Dong during his lifetime.
"Big sister, you really misunderstood. I am the biological mother of Master Chen's apprentice."
It would have been fine if she hadn't explained it. Once she had, the old lady with her brows raised became even more excited.
"Well, who are you? Your son comes here every day to steal his master's money. It must be you, his mother, who instigated him! I have never seen such a shameless disciple. He doesn't give gifts to his master, but instead he is staring at his master's family assets!"
This didn't make sense, so Wang Ying stepped forward and said, "This lady... I don't think you look like an lady at your age, so I'll call you grandma. You said that Master Chen gave all his money to his apprentice, but what does this have to do with you? Did you get married to Master Chen or do you live together? What right do you have to ask my mother-in-law such a question? It's really funny, she's just a neighbor, not even a relative. You're just meddling in other people's business, like you live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, it's none of your business!"
Wang Ying's series of remarks made the old lady with drooping eyebrows tremble.
Wang Ying didn't want to fight, she just pulled Old Lady Xu and walked to the backyard: "Mom, let's go. I'll go ask Master, now this neighbor is so nosy, if you don't know, you might think her house is the street office!"
Wang Ying displayed such great power that even when she reached the backyard she could hear the roar of the old lady with drooping eyebrows in the front yard.
"You little whore! If you dare to say bad things about me in front of Brother Chen, I will tear your mouth off!"
Xu Shuang arrived early and was already drinking tea with Chen Dong.
When I saw two people coming, I poured a glass for them both.
Chen Dong asked curiously, "What happened in the front yard? Why did I hear Sister Lian yelling there?"
Wang Ying: "… She's called Sister Lian? That's nothing, Master. You're really popular with women~"
Chen Dong stuck out his belly. As he got older, his belly couldn't shrink back no matter what he did. He looked like he was six months pregnant. "Ying girl, look at me like this. Do I look like a peach blossom?"
Wang Ying: "So if there really is someone who likes you, you would be willing to do it?"
Chen Dong waved his hands in panic: "That won't work! I don't want to get married. Isn't it good enough for me now? I can eat all the delicious food by myself, I don't have to support the family, and I live a happy life."
Old Mrs. Xu told Chen Dong what had just happened with embarrassment on her face, and his face instantly turned the color of liver.
"I don't!"
Chen Dong felt as if his innocence had been slandered, and he felt very aggrieved: "I haven't even said a few words to her! Why does she think that she and I are related? Even if I look for someone, I can't find someone like her!"
Wang Ying smiled and asked, "I think that lady is full of energy. Maybe if they are really together, she will be able to serve you well!"
Chen Dong was so anxious that his face turned pale: "Forget it, she is not attracted to me, but my family background. Her husband died last year, and she has three sons and a bunch of grandchildren. If I give in today, she will dare to live in my house with a bunch of children and grandchildren tomorrow. She will also serve me, but I am afraid she is hoping that I will die soon!"
Wang Ying didn't know there was such a secret, so she said jokingly, "What should we do? I see that old lady seems to be very confident. She is blocking the front yard and has a very sharp eye."
When he met an old lady of similar age, he quickly stopped her and warned her. He seemed very arrogant.
Chen Dong turned around anxiously: "If she does this again... I will report her to the boss!"
This courtyard is basically full of welfare housing for state-owned restaurants. Everyone is from the same unit. The old lady's husband was a vegetable washer in a state-owned restaurant when he was alive, but this job was passed on to her youngest son last year. Her eldest son also works in a state-owned restaurant and works as a cutter under another chef.
Although Chen Dong's cooking skills were not that great, he had donated a lot of his family property in his early years, and even the land and house of the state-owned restaurant were originally owned by him. Therefore, he had a lot of influence in the state-owned restaurant.
He thought that if it really didn't work, he would sue his leader.
The leader can always take care of it, right
Wang Ying made it clear to Chen Dong: "Tell me earlier, Master. If those aunties start to slander your reputation again, you will be in trouble!"
Chen Dong patted his head: "Right away!"
He can't let others think that he is preparing to find a partner. If this gets out, he will have trouble explaining himself!
Xu Shuang obviously thought further: "Master, please explain it clearly in the hotel."
The old lady's son is doing some cutting work, and who knows if he is planning to do something using Chen Dong's name.
Chen Dong could still treat the previous words as a joke, but after Xu Shuang said this, Chen Dong obviously became much more serious. He nodded and said "hmm".
After talking to the irrelevant people, a few people started to prepare for dinner in a lively manner.
Xu Shuang brought a fish and a rabbit, and Chen Dong was even more generous and went out to cut a piece of meat.
The dishes for lunch include rabbit with young ginger and double peppers, steamed pork with rice flour, fish head with chopped peppers, braised fish belly, and braised fish fillet.
Most of the dishes were staple food. Chen Dong also brought back a pot of wine, and his face turned red after drinking it.
Wang Ying tasted them one by one. The double pepper rabbit was spicy and numbing, fresh and delicious. The rabbit meat was very tender, and the taste was completely different from the dried rabbit meat she had eaten before. The tender and smooth rabbit meat tasted sour and spicy with wild pepper, which directly activated the taste buds.
The steamed pork with rice flour is soft and glutinous, the fish head with chopped pepper is spicy and pungent, the braised fish belly is rich in flavor, and the braised fish fillet maximizes the freshness of the fish.
Wang Ying enjoyed the meal very much.
Chen Dong even gave him a thumbs up: "Okay, you should have no problem passing the exam tomorrow."
The seasoning of these dishes is much better than his. If he still can't get the second-level certificate, then there's something fishy going on!
After finishing their meal, the three of them went out, first to deliver the medicinal materials, and then went to look at the sewing machine together.