At noon today, there were more than ten or twenty people in the Song family.
There were already 20 people planting trees on the mountain, two aunties helping in the kitchen, three people helping to dig bamboo shoots, Zhang Yanping and Zhang Wangjia, and even old man Li who was watching the pond being drained were all invited...
Thirty-six people in total!
Fortunately, we had helpers in advance, otherwise we wouldn’t even have enough time to set up the tables, chairs and benches.
There were too many people, so we had to borrow plates from the neighbors. Fortunately, disposable bowls quickly solved the problem, so that the lunch didn't seem cramped.
but…
The people who were having dinner thought the yard was quite spacious, but my seventh cousin, who was hiding in the kitchen, felt that he had no room to move around anywhere!
Not to mention anything else, just the oil bottle. When we usually had big banquets, we would use a big iron spoon to scoop it directly out of the enamel pot.
But now, with such a small stove and pot, my seventh cousin can't even use a spatula... It may also be because he hasn't prepared a big banquet for several years, so his hands are not used to it, it's really awkward.
However, the fresh and tender bamboo shoots were fried in the pan, and the fresh and fragrant aroma made the seventh cousin smile proudly:
"Fortunately, I was invited in time. Otherwise, with so many people, my niece-in-law wouldn't be able to handle it!"
"Don't ruin my food."
There is a reason for saying this. Many people cook delicious food at home, but when there are too many people, they can’t control it. The food is either too salty or too bland, or their skills are not fully utilized...
Even if such good ingredients were not cooked well, Uncle Qi would feel that it was a waste.
Grandma Qi was helping him nearby and glanced at him:
"What are your vegetables? Did you grow them or buy them?"
"Besides, there are only so many people today. It's not like there are so many people every day."
My seventh cousin's shoulders slumped again in an instant.
People like them can only show their abilities when there are many people around!
But on second thought, even if there weren't more than 30 people, with this whole family plus the old couple, about 10 to 20 people would always be about the same.
With his old arms and legs, it's just right for him to cook for these people.
It's fun, it's a good exercise, there's work to do, and it's not too tiring—
“I’ve come to the right place!”
Meanwhile, Song Tan was asking her father, "Can we finish planting the peach trees today?"
"Yes." Song Sancheng vowed:
"You can go to the mountain and see that most of the crops have already been planted. After eating and working, we will be done around three o'clock."
Otherwise it would be a waste of hiring so many people!
Thinking of this, Song Sancheng couldn't help but sigh: "Don't mention it, you Zhang Boren are really meticulous."
This is about Zhang Wang's family.
"The fertilizer piled up on the hillside is all fertilizer, and the fertilizer brought from his home has been added to the soil as base fertilizer. As long as it rains again, the peach tree will take root and we will definitely see fruits this year."
I have to see it. I spent tens of thousands of dollars on this mountain of trees. How can I not be anxious if there is no result
"I just hope the weather is good this year!"
Seeing her father's expectant look, Song Tan was also full of confidence: "Don't worry!"
The meal was very lively and it seemed like the whole village hadn't gathered together like this for a long time.
While eating, someone praised the seventh cousin's cooking skills and asked, "Sancheng, you even invited the chef over. Will there be a lot of work in the future? Don't forget to call me when the time comes!"
Song Sancheng also laughed, showing his simple and honest character:
"When there is work to do, I definitely have to count on everyone's help. Now I don't have the final say in my family anymore. Everyone has to listen to Tan Tan."
Someone laughed out loud: "Tan Tan has only been to the fields a few times, what can she know? You have to make the final decision on matters in the fields."
As soon as this was said, someone else said, "Yes, I've been wanting to say this for a long time. What kind of hawk-billed peach is this? We haven't heard of it here. If we want to grow peaches, we have to grow flat peaches. They look ugly but are expensive."
"Then you are wrong. In fact, we should plant grapes. Grape seedlings are cheaper!"
"If you ask me, we bought too few saplings. I see other people's peach orchards are so crowded, while the ones here seem so sparse. Peach trees grow slowly..."
Everyone was holding their bowls and discussing enthusiastically, as if it were their own land, and the arrangement was made.
However, neither of their words nor their expressions showed that they took Song Tan, the head of the family, seriously.
Wu Lan's face was gloomy, but at this moment he took a deep breath and put on a smile. Just as he was about to say something, Song Tan patted his arm.
"Mom," she whispered, "There's no need to say so much now. When the fruit harvest is good and we can really sell it for money, then naturally someone will be willing to listen to me."
You don’t even have to wait for the fruit harvest. Just wait until the vegetables are ripe next month and let the villagers see for themselves whether they have made any money or not, and guess in their hearts.
This has been an old problem in the village for many years: the older people think the younger people are inexperienced, the men think the women are incompetent, and the adults don't take the children's words seriously.
Of course, it's not just in the village, it's the same all over the country. It's hard to say whether it's good or bad, and there's no need to argue about it now.
Wulan sighed: "I understand..."
Then she became proud again: "You underestimate me, your mother, don't you? Whether the dish is good this year or not, we still have to see if it's luck or our land is good. If the quality is the same in the future, then we can openly tell others about it."
"If you brag now and then turn out to be a bad person, it will be a disgrace to you. I, your mother, won't tolerate that."
"We have to keep quiet and make a fortune."
However, she kept silent, but the aunt did not interfere with the farming, but turned her attention to Song Tan's personal affairs:
"Hey, Tantan, you work in Ningcheng, why don't you find a local partner? It's so hard for a girl like you to come back and farm."
"That's right! How old is Tan Tan this year? I have a cousin..."
Song Tan: …
She was not afraid, but said calmly: "Okay, auntie, if you have a good-looking relative boy, just bring him here. If anyone can dig a tea mountain for my family for a month, I am willing to meet him..."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone burst into laughter.
Even the aunt who proposed it was all smiles: "Why are you so calculating? I guess your father himself doesn't want to do the work of digging tea trees..."
Tea digging is usually done during the summer vacation. It is very hot and scorching. Most people can't stand it! If a boy has this kind of perseverance, he will be looked up to wherever he goes.
Song Tan also smiled: "Look, aunt, I'm good-looking and strong, don't I have to pick twice more?"
This is how people chat in the village. Many people don't think carefully before speaking and just say whatever comes out.
Everyone is used to this carefree approach. The more carefree and relaxed you are, the more confident everyone feels.
At this moment, everyone understood in their hearts that Tan Tan from the Song family had very high standards and would not dare to introduce anyone to him!