Cheng Qiao smiled and nodded. Of course it hurt. It was bound to hurt to have a hole in the forehead.
"This Chen Chunhua, she has the best relationship with Xu Laidi, you have to be careful of her in the future."
"Thank you, Sister Chunmei. As long as her family has money to compensate, we can do it again."
"What nonsense are you talking about, girl? This is your own flesh and blood. I wonder if the wound will be big enough after the gauze is removed. Otherwise, your face will be disfigured."
Cheng Qiao nodded. She was not afraid of being disfigured, but she was afraid that Li Huan would be harmed by Xu Laidi again, so the most urgent thing was to get rid of Xu Laidi.
"Sister Chunmei, what are you eating today?"
"What else is there to eat? It's just corn paste with some wild vegetables and a few sorghum cakes. Now we don't ask for good food, we just want to be full. Oh, here are two pieces of meat for you."
"I bought a piece of pork and some rice and flour today. How about we make dumplings?"
"You... Cheng Qiao, you are really a lucky star in our educated youth camp. How come you can still buy pork and fine grains?"
"Sister Chunmei said I'm a lucky star, so of course I can buy it. From now on, you guys go to the fields to harvest in autumn, and I'll go to the county town to hang out when I have nothing to do. I'll buy whatever pork I see."
"Okay, where's the pork? I'll do it. You go back to your room and lie down."
"Okay, the pork and fine grains are in the house. Let's go get them."
Han Chunmei was so greedy when she saw the fat and lean pork and at least ten kilograms of flour that she almost drooled. But suddenly she remembered that she had no money or tickets in her pocket, and her face became embarrassed.
"This Cheng Qiao, I..."
"Sister Chunmei, have you run out of money and tickets? Don't worry. You know I'm going to marry a second-rate guy. Please help me make a wedding dress. You see, I brought back the material."
Cheng Qiao took out a piece of bright red khaki cloth, which could be made into a coat. If it was made a little bigger, it could be worn over the thin jacket, making it more festive when worn at a wedding.
Han Chunmei touched the material, and her eyes instantly turned into regret when she looked at Cheng Qiao. It was a pity that such a good girl had to marry a second-rate guy.
"Cheng Qiao, you..."
"Sister Chunmei, I am willing. Although Erliuzi is not very good, he saved my life after all."
"Cheng Qiao, you..."
"Go cook now, time is tight, I'll help you."
Cheng Qiao smiled and carried a piece of pork, and pulled Han Chunmei to the kitchen. Han Chunmei blinked her eyes to hide the wetness, and followed Cheng Qiao to the kitchen.
"Cheng Qiao, where did you buy this flour? Why is it so white?"
"Shh..."
Han Chunmei's face changed. She finally understood why Cheng Qiao was able to buy fine grains and pork. This little girl was risking her life by actually going to the black market.
"I'll add some cornmeal to it, otherwise it will be too white and it would be a waste."
Han Chunmei added a small amount of cornmeal without hesitation, mixed it with water, and began to knead the dough. Cheng Qiao also washed the pork, cut it into pieces, cut it into cubes, and began to mince the meat.
Han Chunmei kneaded the dough, went to her private plot, cut a cabbage, and picked a handful of green onions, preparing to make cabbage, pork and green onion filling.
The two of them worked very quickly, and soon, the plump, white dumplings appeared on the lid. Han Chunmei counted them and found that they had made a total of 168 dumplings.
"There are three male educated youths here, and there are six of us, a total of nine people. Each person can eat 18, and the remaining six are all yours."
"Sister Chunmei, give the remaining six to the male educated youth. They have big appetites, and eighteen probably won't be enough to fill their stomachs."
"As you wish, add some water to the pot and I'll light the fire."
Xu Laidi pushed the door open and saw Cheng Qiao sitting at the dining table. He couldn't help but sneer, "Oh, our eldest lady is back. You are so lucky that you can wait for dinner as soon as you come back."
"Xu Laidi, tell me clearly who is the eldest lady. If you can't explain it clearly, don't blame me for treating you with a big ear."
"You dare."
Xu Laidi took a step back, but still stood up and yelled at Cheng Qiao without giving in.
Cheng Qiao stood up and Xu Laidi took another step back. Zhang Yuefang just happened to walk in. Seeing that Xu Laidi was about to make trouble again, she bumped into him with her body. Xu Laidi was not prepared to be bumped into and almost fell to the ground.
Han Chunmei came out with a spatula and was about to help, but when she saw Zhang Yuefang's actions, she couldn't help but laugh, turned and walked towards the kitchen, where she was busy.
"Sister Chunmei, I'm starving. Is the meal ready?"
"It's ready, come over and help, we have something delicious to eat today."
"Really, what to eat."
Zhang Yuefang's eyes lit up, and she quickly followed Chunmei into the kitchen. When she saw the dumplings floating out of the big pot, she shouted happily: "Wow, we're having dumplings today."
When Xu Laidi heard that they were going to eat dumplings today, he couldn't help but look at Cheng Qiao. Needless to say, these things must have been brought back by Cheng Qiao. He felt a little regretful that he had offended Cheng Qiao just now.
"Cheng Qiao, I heard from Chen Chunhua that her family compensated you 300 yuan. You are so lucky. You have to pay 300 yuan for such a small injury."
"How about I push you to the old cow's feet and smash a hole in your head with a stone, and I'll give you three hundred dollars."
Cheng Qiao snorted coldly.
"Also, let her marry a second-rate guy."
When Zhang Yuefang heard Xu Laidi's words, she hurried out to support him.
Xu Laidi remained silent. He didn't expect that after all the twists and turns, Cheng Qiao would still marry this second-rate guy. It was really gratifying. But this idiot had an extra three hundred yuan in his hand, and he didn't know if he could cheat it out.
"Xu Laidi, if you don't want to eat, just stay away and don't delay everyone's meal."
Xiaoqin ran over and pushed Xu Laidi aside again. Xu Laidi was angry but dared not say anything. The two sisters were like brothers, and if one was offended, the other would definitely help.
"Cheng Qiao bought the flour and pork for today, so if you want to eat dumplings, you have to pay. A bowl of dumplings weighs 3 taels, a total of 18 dumplings, and costs 70 cents a bowl. You don't need food coupons or meat coupons. Just pay if you want to eat."
"I want two bowls. I'll give you one dollar and forty cents."
Qian Longkun took out 1.41 yuan and handed it to Han Xuemei without hesitation. You have to know that dumplings in a state-owned restaurant cost 20 yuan per ounce, and you need food coupons and meat coupons.
Jiang Guangrong was a little embarrassed because he had no money on him. Zhao Xiaobao pushed Qian Longkun and looked at Jiang Guangrong. Qian Longkun nodded and took out another 70 cents and handed it to him.
"The male educated youth have three bowls of dumplings here. Yuefang, go get the dumplings. Put eighteen in each bowl."
Zhang Yuefang nodded repeatedly and went to fish out the dumplings from the steaming pot with squinting eyes. Xiaoping, Xiaoqin and Xiaofang also ran to their dormitories to get the money.
"Han Chunmei, you have no money, how dare you eat dumplings?"