Chapter 141. Lunar December
On the way back to her own home, Lin Qing He felt physically and mentally relaxed.
As for the old Lin family, she couldn't be bothered about them starting a new round of intriguing fight because of her military coat.
Don't assume she would be filial to her parents and take care of her siblings because she inherited the body of the original owner.
Of course, if they were nice, then she would help out a bit. As a human, one can't go overboard.
But were such parents and siblings nice?
Want Lin Qing He to give some support? It was impossible. Never be possible.
She went back to the old Zhou's house in a happy mood. Zhou Qing Bai was waiting for her at home. Seeing that she had returned so soon and her mood was obviously great, he said, "All fine?"
"Yup." Lin Qing He parked the bicycle properly and asked, "What do you want to eat at noon? I'll make it for you."
"You decide." Zhou Qing Bai looked at her and replied.
Lin Qing He entered the kitchen to busy away in a good mood.
Although it was cold, she can still make noodles served in soy sauce.
She made a lot of chili sauce a while ago and it was best to eat it with noodles at this time.
She made a little meat sauce and sprinkled the meat sauce on the noodles. If one wanted to have it spicy, then scoop a little chili sauce over it. That tasted even more flavorful.
When Lin Qing He was busy humming a small song in the kitchen, Da Wa just came back from playing outside and asked: "Mother, what are we eating for lunch?"
"Meat sauce noodles." Lin Qing He replied.
"Meat sauce noodles?" Da Wa's eyes lit up.
"It's not something rare. Do you need to react like that?" Lin Qing He remarked in disdain.
"Mother, why are you in such a good mood?" Da Wa said with laughter.
Lin Qing He glanced at him: "How do you know that I'm in a good mood?"
"It's written on your face." Da Wa grinned: "If you don't believe me, ask my father, see if that's the case."
"No need to ask. My mood is indeed good." Lin Qing He said and then continued to make the dough.
Soon, Er Wa and San Wa also returned from the old Zhou's house. What the two brothers currently like the most was going over to their grandparents to see little Su Cheng.
Of course, this was also because it was more lively with more children in the old Zhou family.
"Mother, I just told Brother Xia, I will leave a mouthful of tomorrow's milk and give him a taste," San Wa brought up.
The Brother Xia he mentioned was Zhou Xia, Second Brother and Third Sister-in-law's son.
Even though Lin Qing He and Second Sister-in-law's relationship was like fire and water, she had no problem with the children.
"You can use your own share. You can share it with anyone. Even if you don't drink it, I have no problem." Lin Qing He said.
"I want to drink." San Wa said.
"He likes to brag. He went over there to brag and that kid began to drool. He wants to drink it too." Er Wa explained.
"I promised him this time. Next time, I won't give him a drink." San Wa said.
"Okay, it's just a little milk. We're having meat sauce noodles at noon." Lin Qing He dismissively responded.
Both brothers' eyes lit up.
"All of you enter the room. It's very cold outside." Lin Qing He sent them away.
The two brothers went to their room. Zhou Qing Bai came over and burn the fire for her. Lin Qing He glanced at the big man sitting in front of the stove. She raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Old Second Lin is afraid of you."
Zhou Qing Bai directed a confused stare at her.
In a good spirit, she recounted how she beat Second Sister-in-law Lin, "Old Second Lin dared to take action against me, but I pulled you out. If he dares to touch me, I will let you go and break his dog legs."
Zhou Qing Bai grinned.
But if Old Second Lin really dared to touch his wife, then he would definitely not let him have it easy. In one go, he could beat the sh*t out of him, so that he would detour when he saw his wife in the future.
Lin Qing He didn't bring up the rest. There was no need to say, as it was all over anyway. For a short while, old Lin family won't be willing to see her, this cursed star.
The meat sauce noodles at lunch were naturally very delicious.
Zhou Qing Bai liked to eat spicy food. He mixed in a lot of chili, making this man gain a lot of sweat on his forehead. But it was undeniable that this man was extremely satisfied with the meal.
Not to mention him, Father Zhou also liked to eat spicy food. Da Wa too. They were all very addicted to it.
Er Wa and San Wa were still too young, so she only gave them a bit to taste. Both brothers found it too spicy. When seeing Zhou Qing Bai, the father, eating it like rice and scooped a large spoonful on top, the brothers' eyes looked at their father with obvious admiration.
This lunch was heavier in taste, so dinner had to be lighter.
White mantou was eaten with big bone and turnip soup.
Also a scrambled egg and nothing else.
At this time, the turnips were very sweet. Got to say, soup boiled with big bones tasted really great.
Despite the oily bone-turnip soup accompanied by mantou and scrambled eggs being simple, the nutrition wasn't bad.
At least Father Zhou and Mother Zhou were satisfied with the food.
At the same time, they finally had a thorough understanding, why their youngest son can't get thin at all.
With Fourth's wife, who cook creatively, holding the fort at home, how bad can it get?
In a blink of an eye, it had entered December. The twelfth lunar month of, December was really freezing.
The snow was pretty heavy.
Father Zhou and Mother Zhou were extremely thankful. This year, it was thanks to Fourth's wife, who gave them such a big quilt. It was extremely warm.
Although there was a kang, the kang will be cold in the middle of the night. It all depended on the quilt to keep warm. If the quilt wasn't warm enough, they will definitely wake from the chill.
Little Su Cheng was placed in Third Sister-in-law's room to sleep with Third Sister-in-law.
Because it was too cold to carry over and back now, so he put over there.
Third Sister-in-law didn't mind. It was just one more child. Not a big problem.
Of course, the reason why she can be so broad was because Su Da Lin knew how to act.
Don't look at him stammering and being unable to speak clearly, there weren't short of pork, chicken, fish, and eggs being brought back by him from the city.
In one week, he would bring back a basket of eggs, one piece of fatty meat, and a few fish. And one chicken in one month.
With this kind of treatment, how could Third Sister-in-law not treat little Su Cheng well? After all, little Su Cheng only requires her to breastfeed him.
He also slept with her at night. During the day, her mother-in-law was in charge of him, there was no need for her.
How easy was this?
No wonder Second Sister-in-law from next door spoke with jealousy. The sourness could float out and reach the next village.
But being jealous was useless. Zhou Xiao Mei had a bad relationship with her. If there was really no one to help, without any choice, she would ask her to help.
However, with Third Sister-in-law as an option, Zhou Xiao Mei would definitely not let Second Sister-in-law, who was petty, to breastfeed her son.
Zhou Xiao Mei's requirements for the quality of her son's rations were also very high!
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Chapter 142. Mother said a bad word
During the Laba Festival, Lin Qing He got up early in the morning and cooked a big pot of fragrant Laba congee.
Although it was only slightly sweet, the Laba congee made by Lin Qing He had a unique taste, very delicious.
In the previous year, Father Zhou and Mother Zhou didn't come over here, so they just sent some scoop over and each person got two bowls at most.
However, due to the lack of oil content, this era's people's appetite for each meal was really big. Despite the old couple's age, they can be compared to fifteen and sixteen-and-a-half years old when they have the intent to.
So how can two bowls be enough? At most, they'll be half full.
But this year was different. The old couple came here to eat three meals a day, so they naturally open up their stomach when having Laba congee.
"Last night, the snow was heavy. Father, Mother, did you sleep warmly?" Lin Qing He asked while drinking Laba congee.
Last night, Da Wa and Er Wa were both called by Lin Qing He to sleep in their room. The whole family on one Kang and slept very soundly.
Despite Da Wa and Er Wa being big boys, they were still delighted to come over to this side to sleep.
"Warm. That big quilt is soft and warm." Mother Zhou said with a smile.
Father Zhou also nodded.
Not only was the quilt warm, but also the new sweater knitted by his wife was very cozy.
Lin Qing He didn't say anything and had them drink more Laba congee.
Da Wa, the young lad asked: "Mother, will our family make bacon this year?"
"What? You still remember?" Lin Qing He looked at him in surprise.
She didn't make bacon last year, she did it the year before.
"I remember too." Er Wa took over.
San Wa asked, "What is bacon? Is it delicious?" He was still young at that time, so he must have not remembered.
"It's delicious. Steamed and fried pickles, there's no better meat than this." Da Wa said.
"Mother, I haven't eaten it yet!" San Wa immediately turned to his mother.
"What haven't eaten it before? You don't know how much you have eaten. It's just that you have eaten and didn't remember it." Lin Qing He replied.
"Then grandfather and grandmother must have never eaten it." San Wa said.
Father Zhou was silent. When he used to work for the landlord, the chef saw that he was young and given him a piece of bacon. Even til now, the old man still remembered that taste. He can really swallow his tongue.
Mother Zhou didn't know of it either, because Lin Qing He didn't make much, so she didn't send it over.
Then there was worry about being called extravagance and wasteful, so Lin Qing He didn't give it.
"Just say it if you want to eat it. Don't get your grandparents involved." Lin Qing He replied.
"Mother, make it. Make it" San Wa saw the tough way didn't work and started the soft method.
"I'll ask if there is any meat later. If there is, there will be bacon during the New Year. If not, we can only wait for our pork." Lin Qing He stated.
This year, the two pigs in her family have not been killed yet. They will be slaughtered around the middle of lunar December. There was still time to make bacon at that time.
After eating Laba congee, Lin Qing He headed out on the bike.
Zhou Qing Bai was going to tag along. Lin Qing He didn't let him. It wasn't a big deal. What's more, it could be warmer when cycling a bicycle in this weather. When sitting, it would be freezing to death.
As for her wanting to buy meat to make bacon, Mother Zhou didn't say anything now.
What's more, she was so old and still didn't know what bacon tastes like.
Lin Qing He came over to Sister Mei and talked about the need for loin. This time a lot was requested, so Lin Qing He gave Sister Mei three food coupons from their area.
One food coupon was four jins worth, and three were twelve jins.
"I can't assure you about the quantity, but you can come over at this time tomorrow." Sister Mei said.
With these three food coupons, Sister Mei can get on moving.
Moreover, Lin Qing He's price for meat gave Sister Mei a profit margin, so Sister Mei would naturally do it.
It wasn't that Lin Qing He doesn't have a meat coupon, on the contrary, she did.
However, there was no need to give the meat coupon to Sister Mei. With this meat coupon, she can go to a meat stall to use when Sister Mei have no meat and her family have the need to.
One thing she disliked was that she had to wait in line to buy at the meat stall, and at the end of the day, it was just 100g or so of meat.
Therefore, Lin Qing He would generally not buy them at meat stalls. These meat tickets were almost like solid currency. She can exchange them for money whenever she goes to the city.
After coming out of Sister Mei's place, Lin Qing He cycled home.
Halfway back, she encountered an old lady carrying a basket of eggs and was heading to the commune. She must be selling eggs.
"Ma'am, want to exchange the eggs?" Lin Qing He said casually.
"I'm going to exchange for some brown sugar." The old lady looked at her and said.
"What a coincidence. I just bought some brown sugar here. Maybe it's the last one from the supply and demand cooperative. Auntie, do you want to exchange it with me? I'm not in a hurry to use it. I can give it to you first." Lin Qing He smiled.
She now had a habit to bring a basket with her when she goes out. She scooped out a pack of brown sugar after taking the basket out.
This brown sugar bag was opened before. Lin Qing He bought it in the city and kept it as a spare, thinking that it might be used someday?
Sure enough, this came in handy.
Naturally, the brown sugar was from Lin Qing He's space. At the start, Lin Qing He had brought 20 jins and now there were only four or five jins left. What was taken out was about one jin.
Still, having this jin of brown sugar was pretty good. At this time, brown sugar was really rare.
Especially when the old lady's daughter-in-law gave birth last night and must eat brown sugar to supplement!
However, the old lady was obviously was at the losing end for exchanging a basket of eggs for this jin of brown sugar. Lin Qing He didn't stoop so low that she'll take advantage of the little old lady, so she divided out two-thirds of the eggs and returned the remaining one-third to this old lady.
"Ma'am, like this, it's a fair exchange, right?" Lin Qing He asked.
"Right, it's fair." The old lady was very reluctant at first, but when seeing Lin Qing He returning almost a pound, she nodded with a grin.
Lin Qing He nodded and cycled home.
One jin of brown sugar can be exchanged for almost three jins of eggs. Naturally, Lin Qing He didn't suffer a loss.
The consumption of eggs at home was now really big. Especially since there weren't many eggs left in her space. It was about to be completely consumed after this winter.
Wait until next year's spring, she'll enter the city and stock up well.
Three jins of eggs that were taken home became five jins. If Mother Zhou was there, she might ask.
But only Zhou Qing Bai and her three sons were left and they didn't have the interest to ask.
She had the final say in everything in the family. She made the decisions, so what was there to ask.
"Mother, can you make bacon?" San Wa was concerned about this.
"Unconscionable brat. Your mother, I went out on in this freezing weather and I don't see you caring about me on my return. You only think about your bacon. Well, you can eat ass." Lin Qing He responded.
Not only did San Wa, the young lad not get angry, but also grinned: "Mother, you said a bad word."
"Father and son are debt collectors." Lin Qing He patted his bum once. She rolled her eyes at the innocent Zhou Qing Bai and went into the room to store away the eggs.
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Zhou Qing Bai was indeed slightly innocent.
He said he wanted to go out with her, but she refused, and when she came back, she said that they, father and son had no conscience.
Ugh, all in all, it was her logic.
However, his wife must take care of the whole family, which really made her tired.
So Zhou Qing Bai compensated her on the kang at night. While the boys were asleep next to them, Lin Qing He had to endure like hell, not daring to call out.
Although Lin Qing He would complain occasionally, she was truly satisfied with her life.
Whether it was on or off the kang, cough cough, her man took good care of her.
The next day she asked Zhou Qing Bai to get pork.
Sister Mei got seven jins of pork belly at her side.
Seven jins of pork belly was naturally quite a lot, but when one jin (500g) of fresh meat was made into bacon, it was only about 300g at most.
Seven jins of fresh meat had shrunk by half, but Lin Qing He didn't care.
When the fresh meat was brought back, she began to marinate it. When it was marinated, it was hung in the backyard to dry. It'll be ready to eat in ten days.
"Mother, once the meat gets distributed, you can make more then," San Wa said.
"Just have some to satisfy the craving. You still want to plan to have your fill. Also, fresh meat is also very tasty." Lin Qing He responded.
In fact, she found it too troublesome and didn't want to do it. Still, there was no need to say how good the meat gets when it was under her hands.
On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the team will kill pigs and divide meat.
The two pigs of Zhou Qing Bai's family were driven out, which also caused a lot of sensation. Afraid they would be at least two hundred jins!
Big rotund pig! A lump of veritable fatty meat!
Not to mention the fact that it can be exchanged for a lot of work points, but also when dividing the meat, they were given priority to choose the best meat.
Naturally, Lin Qing He wouldn't be shy. She brought Zhou Qing Bai and her three sons. Father Zhou stayed at home to watch Su Cheng, while Mother Zhou tagged along.
A large intestine, a pork liver, a pork stomach, ribs and big bones.
When adding these things up, it wasn't worth much and in current people's minds, they were all relatively inferior things.
Meat was divided into one, two, and third classes. The above items were third-class things.
Lin Qing He requested for these things first and then got a pig head. Then it was the fatty meat and pork belly, as well as lean meat, these first-class and second-class meat.
Zhou Qing Bai's were pooled together with Father Zhou's, so the quantity was naturally quite bountiful.
The whole family carried these things back home and caused everyone's eyes to drool again.
Especially when they heard Er Wa requesting a dish: "Mother, can we eat braised pork head tonight?"
Braised pork head meat ah.
Everyone couldn't help but smash their lips. That taste can really make people swallow their tongues.
But they got no time. They were all anxious to queue up to divide the meat.
Second Sister-in-law was allocated a few jins. Her face remained grim when she returned home. In the past two or three years, she was able to return with a stomach full of anger every time there was a meat distribution.
Second Brother became experienced. When he saw her come back like this, he didn't say anything.
Second Sister-in-law started to chop and cut the meat in a sullen manner. From that appearance, who knows whose meat was being chopped.
Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law were all smiles and began to prepare tonight's wonderful dish.
Lin Qing He was also occupied. She left the pig stomach and pig intestines to Zhou Qing Bai to clean up. With him, Mother Zhou wasn't needed.
There was also the pig's head. Zhou Qing Bai must come over and split it.
These kept Zhou Qing Bai busy, while Lin Qing He cut the fat first and then extract the oil.
Five jins of pork fat boiled out two cans of lard. Mother Zhou was very happy with the result: "This pig can really produce oil."
Lin Qing He put aside the can of lard, sprinkled a little salt powder on the oil residue, and stir-fried it. It tasted especially great, at least the boys found it extremely tasty.
But Lin Qing He didn't give too much food, just some to satisfy the craving.
Because the meat was about to be divided these days, Lin Qing He only went to Sister Mei to collect the meat. She didn't save some for themselves to eat, so naturally, they were feeling gluttonous.
Since they were gluttonous, it went without saying that they'll have a feast tonight.
Braised pork head, stir fry pork large intestines with pickled veg, pork liver with green onions, and of course a bone radish soup.
It was eaten with cornmeal mantou. The whole family felt content after having it.
Not a crumb was left.
Especially the braised pork head meat. Lin Qing He scooped out half a bowl of chili sauce. Although it was spicy, the braised pork head meat was dipped in the chili sauce was especially satisfying.
If one didn't want to eat spicy food, they didn't need to dip it. If they do, then it was fine.
Stuff like pig liver and pig intestines couldn't last long in cold weather, so they were all cooked and eaten.
There was still a lot of pork head meat and Lin Qing He had it all cut out. There were still three-quarters left. The plate they ate tonight was only one-fourth of it, but it was still very satisfying.
Because of the freezing weather, it was fine to set aside things like pork belly and pork ribs.
Early the next morning, the pig stomach was sorted out by Lin Qing He.
She didn't make pig stomach soup this time, instead, she made a solid dish, braised pork stomach. She also started to chop meat with Zhou Qing Bai to make meatballs.
In short, after the meat was divided this time, the food at home was really needless to say.
There was no room to eat the few pieces of bacon in the backyard. With so much, the bacon can continue to be aired. What was there to rush?
Zhou Xiao Mei came back with Su Da Lin on the 25th.
"Father and Mother, why do you two seem to be a lot fatter?" Zhou Xiao Mei said in surprise when she saw her parents. (T/N: she's not being rude. in china, fatter can be seen as healthier)
"Grandfather and Grandmother have a very good appetite. They eat a lot in every meal. Now they don't have to work, they certainly become fat." San Wa was still young and replied after hearing this.
"I heard from Da Lin, you are eating with my fourth sister-in-law now, Father, Mother?" Zhou Xiao Mei asked.
As for Su Da Lin, he was hugging his son without any intention to let go.
"Yes, we are eating with your fourth sister-in-law," Mother Zhou responded.
"It's no wonder." Zhou Xiao Mei nodded: "Can't praise Fourth Sister-in-law's cooking enough."
"Da Lin, it's good that you can come back with Xiao Mei. Why bring so many things back?" Mother Zhou remarked.
This time he brought a lot back, a chicken, several jins of meat, and a bag of rice. There was also a net bag of frozen fish and a half basket of eggs.
Others included milk powder for little Su Cheng, white rabbit candies for his nephews and nieces. Altogether, he did bring a lot of things back.
"It's... It's necessary." Su Da Lin grinned.
This man was so over the moon holding his son, he can't tell where North was anymore.
"This year we have come to live until the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, so we have to bring more." Zhou Xiao Mei explained.
"Send all these things to your fourth sister-in-law. At that time, we'll eat together at your fourth sister-in-law's," said Zhou Mu.
"This...won't it... be too troublesome for Four... Fourth Sister-in-law?" Su Da Lin said.
"It's really not a trivial matter to cook for so many people. I'll go over and ask fourth sister-in-law first." Zhou Xiao Mei grabbed some candies prepared for Da Wa and his brothers, and then turned to San Wa again: "San Wa, do you want to go with your aunt?"
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"Aunt, it's fine with just you going." San Wa said.
Even though his aunt took the candy to give to his family, the candy wasn' something rare to him. His home had it as well. Last time his mother bought two packs back, and there was one pack left.
Zhou Xiao Mei went over with the candies.
"Sure, you just need to cook together with me." Lin Qing He said.
She still had a good impression of Zhou Xiao Mei and Su Da Lin, so she didn't mind.
"Alright, I will bring the things over." Zhou Xiao Mei grinned.
"Bring these candies to Da Ni and the others. Sometimes when Mother gets too busy, they will also help babysit." Lin Qing He had her take the candies back.
"There are still two packs over there," Zhou Xiao Mei replied.
Hearing this, Lin Qing He knew that Second Sister-in-law didn't get a share and smiled: "Open it up, share it between your nephews and nieces, and make them happy too."
"All right." Zhou Xiao Mei nodded.
When she came over to the old Zhou's house, she opened the two hundred milk candy pack and distributed between all her nephews and nieces.
She left two fish and two jins of pork for Third Sister-in-law. The rest was brought over to Lin Qing He by Zhou Xiao Mei.
Lin Qing He didn't act reserved The breadwinner at home was Zhou Qing Bai. Zhou Xiao Mei and Su Da Lin came over to live for a while, so they must bring their own rations.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, Da Lin came over a while ago and said that you were out with my fourth brother. Where did you two go?" Zhou Xiao Mei asked.
"Wandered around outside. We came back within a couple of days." Lin Qing He answered and did not say more on this topic. She continued: "Little Su Cheng isn't too little anymore, it's about to be weaned?"
"I bought a bag of milk powder back. I don't know if he'll get used to it?" Zhou Xiao Mei said.
She intended to wean her son this year. He wasn't small now, he can eat rice congee.
"He is. Your son has a very good appetite. Last time he saw San Wa drinking it. He wanted to drink, so San Wa fed him. Initially, I didn't know, fearing that he wouldn't be able to adapt and have diarrhea." Lin Qing He responded.
Children's milk powder can't be fed casually, but fortunately, little Su Cheng was very sturdy and nothing happened when drinking it.
"Later, I got Mother to make a little for him to drink from time to time. No problem at all." Lin Qing He said.
"Must have cost Fourth Sister-in-law a lot." Zhou Xiao Mei uttered with slight embarrassment.
She knew that her fourth sister-in-law must have bought it for her boys to drink, but never expect her son to have a share.
"It's nothing." Lin Qing He didn't mind.
Gotta say that this embodied value was surprisingly revealed on this point.
If it was a local, a bag of milk powder for three yuan was really expensive. Even if it was their son, they still might not be willing to buy it, let alone giving it to other people's children.
But Lin Qing He wasn't this era native. Even if she tried to integrate into this era, she still thinks it's too cheap to buy a bag of pure natural and pollution-free milk powder from here for three yuan.
So she didn't think of anything.
In Zhou Xiao Mei's view, it was her fourth sister-in-law who treated her son as her own.
Her monthly salary was only eighteen yuan, which was a little bit more than the previous one. Asking her to spend money to buy such a bag of milk powder for her son to drink, she was actually a little reluctant.
In contrast, her fourth sister-in-law was much more generous.
"Next year we will have fresh milk for sale here. At that time, I plan to order two bottles a day for my boys. Would you like to order some too?" Lin Qing He asked.
"It's a lot of money for a bottle?" Zhou Xiao Mei said.
"One dime per bottle, not expensive. If it weren't for worrying that Mother would say that I'm a prodigal, I would like to order a few bottles a day, so everyone would have one bottle per person. However, according to little Su Cheng's intake, one bottle a day is enough. You can order it once a day, and it's not much more expensive than your milk powder." Lin Qing He said.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, why do you look so highly on this milk?" Zhou Xiao Mei said embarrassedly.
She just bought this bag of milk powder to allow her son to transition. After drinking it, there's no more. Not only did the milk powder costs money, but it also was not easy to buy.
As for this milk, it was not cheap.
"You don't plan to let little Su Cheng continue to drink?" Lin Qing He understood what she meant, and said: "The boys have grown so big and I still let them continue to drink."
"Is it that good?" Zhou Xiao Mei asked.
"We don't have any nutritious things here. Milk is one of them. Letting the kids drink more, they won't fare so badly." Lin Qing He persuaded, "But if you don't want to, then it's okay. Ask your Mother to feed the congee then. But it lacks nutrition. He is so small, so I suggest you order it for him for two or three years. It won't spend much. You can ask your husband."
Zhou Xiao Mei asked Su Da Lin. As expected, Su Da Lin had no objection. A bottle of milk only cost a dime, and only three point three yuan a month. His monthly salary was thirty-five yuan, which was one yuan increase from before. He can let his son drink milk.
"Fourth... Sister-in-law, help me order, I...I will... bring the money... over every month." Su Da Lin said.
"Okay." Lin Qing He nodded and turned to Zhou Xiao Mei: "Don't let your children lose at the starting line, understood? Your awareness is still a little bit worse than Brother-in-law."
Zhou Xiao Mei said, "I thought it was useless."
"You will know if it's useful in the future." Lin Qing He responded.
Zhou Xiao Mei and Su Da Lin came over to their place for meals. Naturally, it was a lot more lively at home. As for the dishes, Lin Qing He stuck to her plan.
As for the chicken that Su Da Lin brought over, save it until the Chinese New Year before slaughtering it and braising it.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, did you make this chili sauce yourself?" Zhou Xiao Mei had endless praise after tasting it.
"I made a few jars, only finished one jar. The rest is there. If you like, you bring one jar on your return with Brother-in-law." Lin Qing He said.
"Then I won't be polite with Fourth Sister-in-law." Zhou Xiao Mei smiled.
In this blink of an eye, it was the 30th, New Year's Eve, the last day of 1971.
Last year, they ate together, but not this year.
Each family can eat their own.
"Not eating together?" Second Brother felt it was a pity.
Fourth's wife would bring a few solid dishes every year, and they were delicious.
"What's the matter? Did I let you go hungry or did I starve you?" Second Sister-in-law criticized when seeing him like this.
"It's New Year's Eve, please stop. Don't quarrel with me." Second Brother stated.
Except for the slight friction in Second Branch, First Branch and Third Branch have no objection.
It was actually great for everyone to eat by themselves.
However, Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law both brought a bowl of food. There was a lot of meat in it. It was for Father Zhou and Mother Zhou. Although they didn't eat together, it was considered as their thoughts.
Lin Qing He even gave them a bowl of meatballs back. It was also a gift in return.
As for Second Sister-in-law's side, she didn't bring any then forget it.
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This year's New Year's Eve dinner at home was undoubtedly a hearty meal.
A large plate of fried chicken which was the one that Su Da Lin brought over. This fried chicken was also very flavorful when eaten like this, but if you add the chili sauce made by Lin Qing He, the taste became another notch better.
Again, the spiciness was a bit spicy, but it tasted good!
There were also several other dishes, all of which were solid dishes. All of them were extremely scrumptious. The bacon, which they didn't get the chance to have, was also on the table.
Meigan cai and Bacon, the taste needn't be said.
"No matter whether Father and Mother have grown a lot of meat since they came here to eat, your cooking is still superb, Fourth Sister-in-law!" Zhou Xiao Mei exclaimed.
Lin Qing He said: "We don't have seafood here. If there is seafood, then I will let you see what cooking is."
It was more inland here, so there was very little seafood. At most was just some shallow water fish and shrimp.
"You should go to the coast for seafood, we don't have any here." Zhou Xiao Mei said.
"You know how to?" Zhou Qing Bai looked at his wife.
"Of course I can, have you encounter any?" Lin Qing He asked him.
"Last time, my comrade told me to bring those crabs back, but I didn't take them." Zhou Qing Bai replied.
"Then why didn't you ask me?" Lin Qing He couldn't help asking.
"I don't know you can cook it." Zhou Qing Bai responded. He didn't know much about seafood, and the thing was all shells, what meat can it have?
"Can't recognize the good stuff!" Lin Qing He glared at him.
"I'll go over and ask next time." Zhou Qing Bai said.
"When you go next time, don't go there empty-handed. Give your comrade a jar of chili sauce. It's not worth much money, but the taste is still good." Lin Qing He said hurriedly.
"Okay." Zhou Qing Bai responded.
Lin Qing He urged Su Da Lin, Zhou Xiao Mei, Father Zhou and Mother Zhou to eat.
The whole family felt fulfilled with this New Year's Eve dinner. Then Da Wa and Er Wa were sent to do the dishes.
Lin Qing He had no consciousness about slaving children.
After the new year, Da Wa will be eight years old, but because Lin Qing He had taken care of his nutrition as much as possible, he was a head taller than his peers.
In addition, his eyes displayed mischievousness when they spun around. If he went out and said he was ten years old, no one will disbelieve it.
Er Wa was also six years old after the new year. This little dog head tactician was now more and more adept at mind games.
He straightforwardly turned to Su Da Lin: "Uncle, come and help us."
"Alright." Su Da Lin answered with a smile.
"You two do it by yourself," Lin Qing He stated.
"It's...fine." Su Da Lin said smilingly.
"Let him do it, he does it at home too," Zhou Xiao Mei said.
After saying this, she received a glare from Mother Zhou.
With a good temper, Su Da Lin went to clean the dishes with the two boys.
Of course, the dishwashing water was hot water, so they don't freeze hands at all. After Da Wa and Er Wa have finished washing, Lin Qing He applied vanishing cream on them to prevent freezing.
She had also cooked a little white fungus and red date soup for the family. After chatting until around nine o'clock, everyone drank the white fungus and red date soup and went back to sleep.
On the way back to the old Zhou's house, Zhou Xiao Mei couldn't help but bemoan with Father Zhou and Mother Zhou: "Fourth Sister-in-law is really filial to both of you and not begrudge about it."
It's been a few days since she came back, and the food at her fourth sister-in-law's side was simply excellent and delicious!
"Fourth's wife is very filial." Mother Zhou nodded.
Father Zhou didn't say anything. This old man never said it, but he knew it in his heart.
Since they began eating with Fourth's family, Father Zhou realized that he could live a few more years. He originally thought he could only live to be 70 years old at most.
And even if he was seventy years old, it was still a very grand old age.
But now Father Zhou felt that he might live to seventy-five? It was really great to eat food with his son's family now. He can't help but want to live a few more years and enjoy more happiness.
Now that Su Da Lin and Zhou Xiao Mei were back, little Su Cheng naturally slept with them.
Probably because father and son connection, little Su Cheng likes Su Da Lin very much. It had only been a few days, he didn't stick to anyone other than Su DaLin.
Su Da Lin wouldn't want it any other way.
Father Zhou laid in the warm blanket, and announced to Mother Zhou: "I plan to get only eight work points next year."
Mother Zhou said as soon as she heard it, "I had long told you to earn eight points and you had wanted to be cocky."
The old man wasn't young now, how could he act like when he was young? The body must be overstrained.
"Why did you figure it out now?" Mother Zhou asked. She had persuaded him before, but it had no effect. She never expected that the old man thought it through by himself now?
"I want to live a few more years," Father Zhou muttered.
Mother Zhou couldn't hold back, she laughed.
But this got to be the honest truth. Fourth's wife was too good at cooking. If one eats with her, they will definitely want to live a few more years.
"Earning eight points is enough for us old couple to feed ourselves. Next year, my grandson (little Su Cheng) will be older. At that time, I can also gather to pigweed in exchange for work points. I will keep the money that Xiao Mei gave for when Da Wa and his brothers marry. The brothers are like their parents, they all are handsome, so they shouldn't need to spend much money in the future." Mother Zhou rambled.
"I estimate, Da Wa won't need money from us to study in the future," said Father Zhou.
"Why say that? Don't need us to give money? Fourth's wife doesn't have much money." Mother Zhou uttered.
"Da Wa told me that when he grows up he plans to get admitted to the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University." Father Zhou replied.
Mother Zhou widened her eyes and exclaimed, "Can he get admitted? None of our old Zhou Family are studious."
These words were really heart-piercing.
But it was also the truth.
For dozens of generations, old Zhou family were bumpkins. Not a scholar appeared, none at all. So they really didn't have the inheritance of being able to read.
"I guess Da Wa will have a chance at that time. You didn't see how beautiful the words were written by Da Wa. And he can recite all the texts. He gets 100 points in every school exam." Father Zhou stated.
"How do you know?" Mother Zhou asked blankly.
"Wasn't Da Wa called by his mother to recite the text in the evening? I asked casually and then told Er Wa to bring his test papers and homework over to show me. You don't know how surprised I was." Father Zhou had attended a few days of literacy classes. He felt that the words in teaching material weren't as good as those written by Da Wa.
Mother Zhou was too surprised: "I haven't heard about it from Fourth's?"
"He's still small, so it's not a certain matter. What is there to say?" Father Zhou responded.
"Then can Da Wa really be admitted to Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University? If he becomes a college student, the leaders of the county will have to come to visit. And also bring glory to our ancestors!" Mother Zhou couldn't resist getting excited.
Bring glory to one's ancestors.
Father Zhou couldn't help but smacked his lips. If it was the old society, wouldn't this college student be the equivalent to an advanced scholar? (T/N: Author wrote Zhuang Yuan, I just used Jinshi's English as it sounded better than top thesis author)
It really was bringing glory to their ancestors!
Just don't know, if he, the old man, can see that day.
If the old Zhou family really be able to produce a college student, he would even be willing to meet his ancestors in advance.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 146. Support moving home
Because this matter makes one so excited, the old couple talked for more than an hour before going to bed.
And if Da Wa can really get into college in the future, does he even need them old couple to help out on his marriage?
There was no need.
If he becomes a university student, what kind of spouse he wants in the future will be up to Da Wa to choose.
Then the old couple emotionally murmured again how Fourth's wife have a fortunate life.
She didn't save a penny, but her son was really capable. In the future, they didn't need her to marry a wife in the future. They might be able to get a wife by themselves.
Lin Qing He was completely clueless about the old couple's feelings. At this moment, she was occupied with Zhou Qing Bai.
The couple was already a couple for a long time now, but they were still very excited.
When it was over, Lin Qing He felt physically and mentally well and said, "Should I tell Mother about the pork business?"
Her mother-in-law didn't know anything. She could leave it if they didn't eat together, but in the future the old couple will still come here to eat. At that time, they will find something is fishy sooner or later.
"No need. If my mother asks, you can just bring up my retirement fund." Zhou Qing Bai hugged her and replied.
Lin Qing He found that plausible: "Okay."
Better to not let the old couple know, for fear that they can't bear it.
But if they knew that their son had three thousand yuan as his retirement fund, their chin would have to drop out from shock.
So saying three thousand yuan as a retirement fund wasn't possible. At most half of it.
She set the story straight with Zhou Qing Bai to avoid each saying something different. Then Lin Qing He wanted to drowse off.
"Go again?" Zhou Qing Bai invited.
Lin Qing He pushed him with amusement: "Take it easy. Don't think because you're free in winter, you can mess around."
This man really had too much energy to use it.
Generally, men of this age, shouldn't their abilities in this area declining?
But he kept on marching on, not diminishing at all.
Zhou Qing Bai grinned and slept as he embraced her.
The next day was New Year's Day.
Third Brother Lin came over.
His wife didn't as she was pregnant.
Lin Qing He enquired about the aftermath of the last incident. Until now, she didn't even inquire about the old Lin family.
"The relationship between Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law is almost the same as the enemy now." Third Brother Lin replied in helpless tone.
Last time, Lin Qing He insisted on requesting the military coat back from Second Sister-in-law Lin Er's grasp. However, after being used by Old Second Lin for so long, how could Lin Qing He use it? She wasn't driven crazy from poverty.
She simply redirected it to Eldest Sister-in-law Lin, and even sow discord between them.
Eldest Sister-in-law Lin certainly understood what she intended to do, but so what if she knew. She can't possibly return the coat back to the second branch?
This was given to her by Lin Qing He. If the second branch wants it, they should go look for Lin Qing He for one.
But Second Brother Lin and Second Second Lin also realized that Lin Qing He was really different now, so how could they possibly come to provoke her again?
Especially Second Sister-in-law Lin. Why did she have to provoke this sister-in-law and lure her back? She regretted it with all her soul.
But needless to say, the coat must be returned, especially since it fell into the hands of Eldest Sister-in-law Lin.
Eldest Sister-in-law Lin won't budge.
So the two families quarreled. Even Eldest Brother Lin and Second Brother Lin got into a tussle. Eldest Sister-in-law Lin and Second Sister-in-law Lin almost tore each other's faces.
It was Father Lin and Mother Lin who put a stop to it and it was only temporarily.
But this fight undoubtedly deepened the hatred between the two families and completely brought it to surface.
It was already brought to the surface, so do Eldest Sister-in-law Lin still need to give back the military coat? Don't even think about it.
However, Second Sister-in-law Lin whole-heartedly wanted to get back the coat.
So currently, it was quite tense in the old Lin family.
Lin Qing He was quite elated when she heard it and remarked with a grin: "When are you two moving out? If you keep living with them, you will be annoyed to death."
"Moving out? How to move out?" Third Brother Lin was taken aback for a moment, then smiled bitterly.
How could he not want to move out, but was it so easy to move out? He had nothing. He had to apply for the location. Although he had written an application, the result still hadn't been passed down.
How much does it cost to build a house by himself? They were short of so many things!
Especially the pot. Currently old Lin Family was sharing one pot.
Let alone old Lin's side, even old Zhou's side also shared a pot, no?
And it wasn't as good as Lin Qing He's side. A stove and a double-eared pot. A total of two. It can be said to be a luxury.
When Third Brother Lin prepared to head back, Lin Qing He gave him a piece of bacon. She had four pieces of bacon in total.
She instructed Third Brother Lin the best way to cook it and then sent him back with no room for refusal.
"If one moves out and build another house, how much will it cost according to the current market?" Lin Qing He asked Zhou Qing Bai.
Zhou Qing Bai replied: "If it's a small one, it can take a hundred yuans."
"A tiny one is enough. Better to move out first. It's terrible to keep on living with that family," Lin Qing He said.
She had seen Mother Lin and Father Lin, as well as the eldest two in front. All of them were of the same virtue and passed down in the same vein.
In fact, the original owner wasn't much better. Third Brother Lin was the only one good sprout that old Lin Family produce.
"I don't need your retirement fund. I have my own money, which I can lend to him." Lin Qing He stated.
Zhou Qing Bai frowned and looked at her without speaking. Lin Qing He knew immediately that he was upset.
Lin Qing He astutely plucked a kiss on him.
"Aiya, Father, Mother, it's broad daylight, can you not do this? I'm still a child!" Er Wa witnessed this scene when he just walked in and immediately said while he peeked between his fingers.
"Stinky boy, don't you know when you enter the door, you got to give a warning?" Lin Qing He told him off with a slight embarrassment.
"I came in to ask Mother if you want to eat roasted sweet potatoes. I didn't know you were playing the kissing game." Er Wa ran out as he explained.
Then Da Wa and San Wa knew about and their parents were hiding in the room to play the kissing game.
Lin Qing He: "..."
The corner of Zhou Qing Bai's lip also raised slightly.
"If he wants to move out, the house is one factor. There's also the pot, an important item that's not easy to get a hand on." Zhou Qing Bai said.
"Do you have a way to get one back? We'll keep the new one for our own use and just give our old pot to my brother." Lin Qing He asked.
"I'll look into it next year." Zhou Qing Bai replied.
At this time, a pot was really scarce, so Zhou Qing Bai didn't know if he can get it.
"I still have a lot of industrial coupons here. If you want to use them then, just tell me." Lin Qing He nodded.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou Qing Bai and Lin Qing He took their three sons to the county city.
The door of the house was locked. They had mentioned it on the first night of the Lunar New Year. They provided the food and dishes, so Father Zhou, Mother Zhou, Zhou Xiao Mei, and Su Da Lin can cook and eat at the old Zhou's house.
Because the second day of the Lunar New Year was the day when the son-in-law as well as the two married sisters come home. With so many people, the hands can get muddled, so it's better that they don't come over and just go and entertain at the old Zhou's house.
Their family went to the county town to enjoy themselves.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 147. I might even pass too
Only once a year, their parents will bring them, three brothers, to have fun in the city.
Taking family pictures, watch movies, dine out, and eat snacks.
They can have fun for the whole day.
Da Wa, Er Wa, and San Wa were all very ecstatic and not tired at all.
Taking family pictures was an old norm and there were many pictures in the family now, all of which were collected by Lin Qing He.
The boys would request them from her to see sometimes.
The family played for a day. When they return, Da Wa and Er Wa were okay. Only San Wa fell asleep directly in his father's arms.
On the ride back, Da Wa sat behind Lin Qing He and San Wa was in Lin Qing He's arms.
As for Er Wa, he went on to the bike handle in front.
When they reached home, the kid, San Wa became energetic.
Because Lin Qing He was tired after playing for a day today, they casually ate something in the evening and the family went to bed early after washing up.
"Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law have a sense of tradition." Zhou Xiao Mei remarked emotionally.
"Let's... also... do it this year?" Su Da Lin asked.
"Then let's go tomorrow?" Zhou Xiao Mei asked.
"Ok." Su Da Lin grinned.
The couple took their son to the city the next day. Must say, a family outing was quite enjoyable.
Initially Lin Qing He didn't know until Mother Zhou mentioned it.
"Father, Mother, when are you going to take a picture?" Lin Qing He asked casually while eating.
"Your father and I are both at this age, no need to take pictures." Although Mother Zhou was moved, she still wanted to save money and shook her head.
"It doesn't cost much to take two pictures." Lin Qing He said.
"Still not necessary." Mother Zhou maintained.
Lin Qinghe didn't say anything, but said to Zhou Qing Bai in private: "I think Dad really wants to take pictures."
On the 30th (of Dec) Da Wa asked the photos from her. Father Zhou couldn't put it down after seeing it. He was a little moved when she mentioned it just now.
Not to mention being told by Mother Zhou, he had no response.
"Then I will take Father to the photographer when I have time?" Zhou Qing Bai answered after hearing this.
"If you want to bring, just bring them together with you. Let's talk about it when there is a tractor passing by." Lin Qinghe said.
The elderly wanted to take a picture, it wasn't a big problem.
But it had to be pointed out that taking pictures at this time was indeed very luxurious.
Most people won't spend the money on this, and their lifestyle was very pleasantly surprised.
The calendar soon arrived on the seventh day of New Year and tomorrow, on the eighth, Su Da Lin and Zhou Xiao Mei will go back to work. They both started quite early.
So they went back today.
Little Su Cheng got acquainted with his parents, knowing that they were going to leave, he was so reluctant. He held onto Su Da Lin and refused to let him go. This had Su Da Lin feeling touched. The grown man's eyes were red.
But in the end, they still had to leave.
Little Su Cheng had been melancholy for two or three days in a row but was much better after the third day.
This was how children were, passionate and heartless.
The old Zhou family was very lively with so many children. What's more, Er Wa and San Wa often went over to play with him.
However, it was still very cold in January. Especially this year, when the snow was quite heavy in January.
"This year is also going to be a good harvest." Lin Qing He said when she saw the snow in the yard when she got up early in the morning.
Timely fall of snow signaled a prosperous year. With such a heavy snowfall, the harvest will certainly be great.
Zhou Qing Bai said, "I will go to the mountain to have a look today."
"Go then." Lin Qing He had no objection. During this winter, he had nothing to do but think about messing with her. It was good to go out and release some energy.
Knowing that their father was going to hunt rabbits in the mountains, the boys wanted to follow. Lin Qing He let them be. Once they were dressed warmly, she gave two candies to each person and sent them all away.
Lin Qing He had nothing to do, so she started studying and reciting.
When Mother Zhou brought little Su Cheng over, only Lin Qing He and Fei Ying were left at home.
Fei Ying didn't respond when he saw Mother Zhou carrying little Su Cheng over. But if he saw others at the entrance, Fei Ying would immediately bark.
Fei Ying was very sensible. No wonder he's a retired dog from the force.
"Where's Qing Bai and the boys?" Mother Zhou asked.
"Entered the mountain to hunt rabbits and pheasants." Lin Qing He replied.
When Mother Zhou saw that she was reading, she was shocked: "Da Wa's mother, what are you doing?"
"Studying." Lin Qing He said without raising her head, marked a few key points for himself, and then started to recite the text after memorizing it.
This was the first time Mother Zhou witnessed her studying and reciting. She was stunned and said, "Are you reciting?"
"En." Lin Qing He nodded.
"Wait, why are you reciting?" Mother Zhou said.
"Da Wa is in fourth grade in the next semester this year. If I don't recite, how can I teach him?" Lin Qing He responded.
Da Wa skipped a year, so his progress was relatively fast. In the beginning of the spring last year, he went to third grade, and in the second semester, he was in fourth grade.
This year was the next semester of fourth grade.
Er Wa was going to study this year. He was six years old and can enter first grade.
Besides, Er Wa had almost learned all of the first grade stuff.
Not just him, San Wa was subtly influenced and can read a bit.
"You can still teach Da Wa?" Mother Zhou was surprised by Lin Qing He's words.
Lin Qing He chuckled: "Mother, don't look at me. I haven't formally studied much, but I have talent in this area. Even Da Wa's father bows down. Da Wa said the question I give to him was superior to those given by his teacher."
It's just that she didn't let Da Wa mention it at school.
She just let him do it at home. For other things, it was better to have less matter than more. It can't be helped now that the situation was so tense now.
Mother Zhou had a slight realization. It was like she said, old Zhou family had never produced a studious seedling. Why was Da Wa so good at studying? Turned out, it was passed from his mother.
But old Lin's side was similar to old Zhou's side. The ancestors were all bumpkins.
"Da Wa's mother, I heard that Da Wa's grandfather say that Da Wa would take the exam for Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University?" Mother Zhou asked in a lowered voice.
"Da Wa certainly have those thoughts." Lin Qing He nodded.
It's just that when Da Wa grows up, he doesn't need to enter the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University. He can just simply head for university.
As long as the grades are good, all schools across the country will be for him to choose.
"Then Da Wa's mother, do you think that Da Wa can pass the exam?" Mother Zhou asked.
"He's still young. Let's talk about it when he's older. But if he can keep this pace, he certainly have the chance to." Lin Qing He raised her eyebrows as she answered.
She had to give the elderly a little hope, right?
The college students in this era were almost as precious as pandas. Bringing glory to one's ancestors wasn't a lie.
Sure enough, Mother Zhou was very elated to hear this, and exclaimed, "Boil a few eggs for Da Wa. Studying takes a lot of brainpower."
"I don't get any?" Lin Qing He said.
"Everyone eats." Mother Zhou heartily responded.
Lin Qing He chuckled and then continued to memorize her own text. First, she gave Mother Zhou some vaccination (a head-up), and said, "Maybe, I will be able to pass the exam in the future too."
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 148. Flattery
When Lin Qing He said this, Mother Zhou naturally thought she was joking.
She was already a mother and still take the college entrance exams. Fourth's wife really loved to joke.
Zhou Qing Bai and the boys came back only in the noon. Although they didn't get anything, it didn't affect the father's and sons' good mood.
When they came back, Er Wa and San Wa were still discussing how to catch the birds. The even asked for a handful of millet to attract them in the backyard.
Lin Qing He let them do as they like.
There was no entertainment in this era. This was one of their games.
As for Zhou Qing Bai, he went out again in the afternoon, but he still gained no results. Those wild animals were very clever and not easy to hunt.
But in the end, he had a background of a soldier. After a few days, this man returned with a pheasant.
Lin Qing He was naturally surprised as well. Despite the surprise, Lin Qing He got Zhou Qing Bai to slaughter it that same day and then fry it.
One half was fried, while the other half was cooked in soup.
The taste was exceptional.
But after this chicken, Zhou Qing Bai didn't go out. It was not easy to hunt them. It was enough to get one to save his face.
Lin Qing He saw through it and didn't bring it to open. This man of hers sometimes also loved face.
With Zhou Qing Bai at home, Lin Qing He didn't need to do anything. If Zhou Qing Bai's cooking skills didn't need improvement, Lin Qing He would have simply let him cook.
It's just that Zhou Qing Bai had the heart but not the strength to. It was still fine to get him to make simple things, such as steaming mantou and making congee or making dumplings. But once it comes to cooking up dishes, he was incapable.
On a few occasions, they would have nothing to eat, if Lin Qing He hadn't rescued in time.
The materials were too rare at this time, Lin Qing He couldn't bear for them to be ruined by him, so she did it herself.
When she was free, Lin Qing He devoted herself to studying.
Zhou Qing Bai watched his wife study. In a blink of an eye, his wife had already begun to study junior high school's material.
And if he finds the results well, he thought his wife can really understand it and can teach herself.
"Wife, who did you learn from?" Zhou Qing Bai asked suddenly.
"Self-taught." Lin Qing He said without looking up.
Although her eyes were on the book, she couldn't help laughing in her heart. This guy had learned to test her.
But was Lin Qing He so easy to test?
Zhou Qing Bai saw that he couldn't get any answers, so he didn't ask. Sometimes he still felt that he had never known his wife before.
It's not that he didn't get to know her, but rather he felt that after he knew her to a certain extent, she would show him a different side.
This urged him to want to explore again.
Lin Qing He paid no heed to this guy. If he has the ability to grasp her true colors, then she will surrender and confess to him. If not, then he can continue to be puzzled.
After this year, life went really fast.
In a blink of an eye, it was the day to start work again. Although the weather was still a bit cold, it did not hinder everyone's enthusiasm for going to the field.
Compared with other production teams, have to say that the atmosphere of their production team was really good. Even though there were also lazy bums, they were still rare.
Of course, Lin Qing He was within the ranks of lazy bums.
Since she married over, none have ever seen her earn a job point. If she wasn't a lazy bum, then what was she? But it just happened that no one can tell her off.
In the past, she got her man's allowances, so she didn't have to worry about food and clothing and can look down on people with pride.
Later on, her man can support her even though he had retired. She could still have a meal without having to go to work. It was said that she still changed her meal plans every day at home to make good food. Not a hint of desolation was seen.
Was this irritating or was this irritating?
What was worth mentioning was that after the nourishment throughout this winter, Father Zhou's complexion had improved a lot, which was evident to everyone.
His spirit was particularly great.
"It's nothing. This winter, Fourth's wife often cooks brown sugar ginger soup, which is also quite warming." Father Zhou stated implicitly.
The other old men couldn't help being a little envious.
Although Qing Bai's wife doesn't do fieldwork, they have to admire her ability in caring for people.
Before, it was Qing Bai and his sons. Now, old man Zhou was like this too. How can they not see how excellent the food was?
Mother Zhou scooped a bowl of gruel and fed it to little Su Cheng. Er Wa and San Wa were also eating it, but they both had sesame gruel.
"What is sesame gruel?" The other children didn't understand.
"It's a gruel made by grinding sesame seeds into powder and boiled with water." Er Wa introduced.
"Is it delicious?" Zhou Xia asked.
"Delicious! Go back and ask your mother to make it for you." Er Wa nodded.
A little sugar was added to the sesame gruel, so there was no need to say how delicious it was.
Second Sister-in-law's Zhou Xia sighed. How could his mother possibly make him this sesame gruel?
"Open your mouth," San Wa uttered.
As soon as Zhou Xia heard it, he squatted before him and opened his mouth with practice. San Wa scooped a spoon for him, and cleanly poured without letting his mouth touch his spoon, and said, "Now you know how yummy it is?"
"Very yummy." Zhou Xia nodded.
"Only giving you a spoonful, I don't have much myself," San Wa stated and then ate the rest of his share. He took the bowl in and put it away before going out to play marbles with the other children.
"Er Wa, are you going to school this year?" Zhou Xia asked Er Wa.
"Yes." Er Wa affirmed and looked at him: "Would you like to go with me?" Er Wa asked him.
"My mother won't let me." Zhou Xia sighed.
"Studying is a good thing, why won't she?" Er Wa responded.
"My mother said studying is useless." Zhou Xia said.
Er Wa remarked: "Why is studying useless? If you can get into college, you can bring money back home in the future. Can't you see how useful it is."
Mother Zhou, who was getting little Su Cheng to eat the millet gruel, said after hearing this: "Er Wa, do you want to take the university entrance exam?"
"Of course I have to take college entrance examinations. After going to college, I will have a job and I can have a lot of money every month. Then I can buy a lot of things for my mother." Er Wa said, and then vainly added the last sentence: "And buy a lot of things for grandmother."
At a very young age, he smoothly gave flattery. But this didn't affect Mother Zhou's joy: "Good, good, good! Then Grandmother will wait until you grow up to get admitted to college and make money to buy things for Grandmother."
After saying that, she turned to Zhou Xia: "Go and tell your mother, that grandmother said this. You will go to school with Er Wa this year and then see if you can get admitted to the Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers University and also show filial to your mother."
"Okay." Zhou Xia's eyes lit up, and then went home to talk to his mother.
He received an earful from Second Sister-in-law: "Your grandmother said it so effortlessly. It costs so much money for one semester. Our family is so poor, where is the money?"
"Mother, let my brother go and study." San Ni pursed her lips and persuaded.
"What study? No money." Second Sister-in-law snorted.
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 149. Education
Knowing that it was useless to talk with her mother, so San Ni brought up her brother going to school to her father when Second Brother came back.
"Er Wa is going to go to school, while my brother doesn't get to." San Ni said.
Eldest Sister-in-law's three girls all studied, but San Ni and Liu Ni didn't.
Wu Ni from Third Sister-in-law's family also went to school.
San Ni felt that it was fine that she didn't get to study, but her brother had to go.
Second Brother didn't have any objection to this, so he came over to talk to Second Sister-in-law.
Second Sister-in-law whined: "Don't you know what's the situation is like at home?"
"What's the situation at home? It's not so bad that we can't allow your son to study. When you didn't have a son before, you wished to give birth to one as the pearl of your eyes. Now that you gave birth one, you treat it like grass, right? You won't even let him study, so what are you saving that little money for?" Second Brother said.
"Don't he need to marry a wife in the future? Doesn't that need money?" Second Sister-in-law responded.
"Don't think so far. He's only so big now. You're talking about what happens more than ten years later now. Let him go to school." stated Second Brother.
Fourth family's Da Wa and Er Wa were both going to school. Even his Eldest Brother's and Third Brother's daughters can go to school. Why can't his son go?
Even though Second Sister-in-law was reluctant to touch the money, she must grit her teeth and pay the tuition now that her man had spoken. She also declared: "If you don't receive grades, then you don't need to study, understand?"
Zhou Xia nodded when he heard it.
Once he went to school, Zhou Xia's two eyes became dizzy from all the lectures.
Once he went home from school, he was caught by his mother and given an interrogation. He couldn't answer at all, so he got a beating.
Mother Zhou reprimanded when she heard it, "That's enough! What are hitting for? It's only the first day and you think he could understand everything in one go? Wouldn't he be a monster then?"
Seeing the Second's wife acting like this, Mother Zhou's mother was overwhelmed with emotion.
This Second's wife was really inferior to Fourth's wife. Fourth's wife sometimes complains, but at most, she'll say 'you, father and sons are all here to collect debts'.
Even if she hit the child, she just lifts her hand up high and put it down gently. There was never any unpleasant scolding like Second's wife and harsh hits.
"Mother, I'm disciplining the child." Second Sister-in-law stated.
"What disciplining the child? This is also my grandson. I can say a few words, right?" Mother Zhou said.
Even if the family was separated, Second Sister-in-law didn't dare to go against Mother Zhou. She could only scold at Zhou Xia: "If you can't answer any questions tomorrow, you don't have to go, I'll go to your principal to get a refund!"
Zhou Xia felt so aggrieved, so he came to find Er Wa.
Er Wa said: "Come here and I will teach you." He thought it was too simple. His mother had already taught him. He didn't want to go to the first grade, but instead, wanted to go to the second grade.
But his mother said that he was still a little young now. Once he grows up, he will skip a grade. For now, he stayed in the first grade.
Zhou Xia let him teach, and incidentally, get dinner at his fourth uncle's house.
"The little guy is small but his appetite ain't." Lin Qing He muttered to Zhou Qing Bai in private.
Zhou Qing Bai chuckled. His second sister-in-law's lifestyle had always been very meticulous. How can there be such delicious food at their home.
Naturally, his nephew will eat more.
"I don't know if he'll overstuff himself. If he does, his mother will come to settle the account with me." Lin Qing He said.
This wasn't her being petty and vile. If Zhou Xia actually feels uncomfortable, Second Sister-in-law will definitely come knocking.
Fortunately, Zhou Xia's metabolism was great. Even though he ate a lot, he didn't really overeat, so there was no discomfort.
"What good food did you eat over at your fourth uncle's?" At home, Second Brother merrily asked his son.
"Cornmeal mantou, scrambled eggs, fish in bean sauce." Zhou Xia answered truthfully.
"Ate a lot, right?" Second Brother rubbed his stomach and chuckled.
"Ate a lot." Zhou Xia nodded.
In fact, he could eat more, but his grandmother said almost full was enough and if he had any more, he'll become overstuffed. So he didn't eat anymore.
Still, the food at his fourth uncle and aunt's house was so delicious. He really wanted to go over and be their son.
Second Sister-in-law had a black face and didn't speak. She ate her own pickles, veg lump, and light rice soup.
Back to Lin Qing He's side. After dinner, she started to sew the soles.
The spring was here and the soles were going to be swiftly worn out again.
All of these little boys in the family were troublesome.
Lin Qing He guided Da Wa and Er Wa on their homework while sewing the soles. Er Wa was learning second grade's material. He had grasped first grade. She had him stay in the first grade for one year. Next year, he can't simply skip into third grade and copy him. (T/N: him? Da Wa?)
As the two older brothers above were studying, San Wa, the youngest son, was practicing marbles.
How he can play accurately.
After practicing for a while, he estimated that had the experience to battle with other friends tomorrow and began to bother his two elder brothers.
"I'll give you the pen, go draw by yourself." Da Wa passed him pen and paper and dismissed him.
"I don't want newspapers, I want your kind of blank paper." San Wa requested.
"This kind of paper is for homework. It's expensive and can't be wasted. You can write and draw on the newspaper," Da Wa maintained.
"It's very expensive. If you use homework paper like ours, Mother will definitely have no money left to buy us candy." Er Wa targeted on a critical point.
What his eldest brother said in the front, San Wa didn't care. But what his second brother said afterward, was a danger zone.
San Wa pondered about it and felt it was better to let his mother leave the remaining money for sweets.
So he wrote and drew pictures on the newspaper by himself and didn't pester for blank workbooks.
Lin Qing He seldom interfered with the three of their brothers' way of sorting the problems. She generally wouldn't intervene when the three of them had some contradictions and let them solve it by themselves.
If they can't solve it, then fight. Once the fight is over, they'll go out together to play marbles next time and reconciled again.
Kids were such a mysterious species.
Lin Qing He had never given birth one herself, so she was actually crossing the river by muddling through the water when raising children like this. She didn't have much experience, but apparently she educated them very well.
At least that was Zhou Qing Bai felt. The three children were taught very well by her.
"Mother, I will be back later tomorrow. I told my classmates we'll play football in the playground tomorrow." Da Wa mentioned halfway through his writing.
"Okay, take your father's bottle over." Lin Qing He didn't lift her head.
There are two bottles at home, both for military use. Even in the winter, they were enough.
"Mother, I will wait for my eldest brother tomorrow. I will watch the bottle for him." Er Wa piped.
Lin Qing He knew that he wanted to play too, and reminded, "You can't play. They are all older than you. You will suffer a loss when you go up. Just watch,undertood?"
"Not playing," Er Wa responded. He just wanted to stay and guard the bottle so it won't be stolen!
Prev ChapterNext ChapterReport chapterChapter 150. Importance of a pot
Da Wa, who owns a soccer ball naturally, had no shortage of friends. Lin Qing He rarely interfered with the matters of him making friends.
But if she found out they dared to egg him to do bad things, then she would definitely not be polite.
But so far, Da Wa hadn't caused any trouble.
Da Wa and Er Wa didn't return until about half-past five.
Both brothers were filthy all over. Once they got back, she immediately sent them to take a bath as soon as they came back.
At this time, San Wa, the busy man, came back from outside. Needless to say, he was also completely dirty.
This kid played glass marbles with others. The knee and elbow area especially wasted fabric as he played on his stomach.
Lin Qing He had nagged about it several times and after each time, he still forgot. He probably understood it, so when he came back, he acted a little sneaky, almost like being a thief.
"What are you hiding for? Hurry up and take a bath." Lin Qing He glanced at him.
"Mother, you are so beautiful today." San Wa immediately presented sweet flattery.
Lin Qing He said: "I will sort you out later."
Then she had the three of them take a bath, while she went in and brought out the food.
Just a dish like scrambled eggs with leeks and a bowl of shrimp soup served with mantou.
Right now, it was a time of barrenness. It will take a while before the green vegetables can be forage. However, she can dig some wild vegetables for consumption tomorrow.
After a while, Father Zhou and Zhou Qing Bai also came over.
"Go call your grandmother to come over for dinner." Lin Qing He turned to Da Wa.
Da Wa went.
Mother Zhou brought little Su Cheng over.
The family began to eat.
"This year, the investigation has been strict. There's no way to raise more chickens at home."
After dinner, Zhou Qing Bai told to his wife.
Initially, Lin Qing He planned to raise two more, but let it dropped after she heard this. She said, "Not allowed, then won't raise. I will see if there are other delicious foods during the summer harvest."
"Don't overwork yourself. About sufficient is enough." Zhou Qingbai said.
In fact, Zhou Qing Bai didn't have a high demand for this department. It was fine as long as he had a full stomach. But if there was something delicious, Zhou Qing Bai would naturally eat more.
Lin Qing He nodded. The next day, the guys went to work, while Da Wa and Er Wa went to school. Lin Qing He headed out to dig wild vegetable with San Wa.
"Mother, is there any meat to eat for lunch? Just wild vegetables on their own aren't delicious." San Wa said.
"Scrambled eggs with wild vegetables as dumpling filling." Lin Qing He responded.
"Still more delicious with meat," San Wa honestly stated.
"No meat." Lin Qing He maintained.
San Wa sighed like an old head on young shoulders: "When can I be able to eat meat until I'm full?"
"You can really dream. Maybe once you grow up and have the ability, you might be able to eat meat every day." Lin Qing He replied.
"Then when I grow up, I will make money to buy meat for you to eat." San Wa said.
"Then Mother will wait." Lin Qinghe smiled.
"Mother, look, is that not a pheasant?" San Wa asked, looking ahead.
Lin Qing He followed his gaze. Well, wasn't that a pheasant!
But as soon as she moved, the pheasant plunged into the mountain.
"Mother, you are so stupid. You scared away the pheasant." San Wa said, "If Dad is there, this pheasant will definitely not run away."
Lin Qing He: "..."
Alright, if her man was here, he might be able to catch this pheasant. As for her, don't even think about it.
After digging wild vegetables and picking up some edible mountain mushrooms, the mother and son went home.
Once Da Wa and Er Wa came home from school, San Wa bragged to them that they had run into a pheasant on the mountain, but was scared away by the mother.
Lin Qing He received the two brothers' gaze, and she said with itchy hands: "I think you really owe some beating." Even dared to feel disdain toward her.
"Mother, ask Father to go and hunt. There must be pheasants on the mountain," urged Er Wa.
He also had some craving.
"It'll be strange if your father have the time. Don't he need to go to the ground to earn work points to feed you?" Lin Qing He said.
Then she got the brothers to come over and burn the fire and she started to cook the egg and wild vegetable dumplings.
Even though there was no meat, the egg and wild vegetable dumplings were still very tasty and fresh. Everyone was fulfilled after having it.
Counting the days, they haven't eaten meat for a long time. The kids at home must have a strong craving for it, so Lin Qing He came to Sister Mei the next day to get meat. On the way, she brought spare ribs back.
There was still a lot of meat on the rib from the space. A set of this kind of rib weighed more than two jins.
The meat was cut out to make a meat sauce and then Lin Qing He made spring pancakes to eat. The leftover ribs turned into a rib and seaweed soup.
Like this, everyone's craving was solved.
In a blink of an eye, it was May.
During this month, more vegetables that can be eaten slowly began to increase. There were also a lot of wild vegetables outside. The cabbages at home were also very sweet.
That day, Zhou Qing Bai went out early that morning and did not come back until the evening. He had gone to buy pesticides.
When he came back, he also told Lin Qing He that the pot matter would happen in next trip.
"How long will it take?" Lin Qing He asked with bright eyes.
"About half a month." Zhou Qing Bai answered.
That was fine. Lin Qing He told Third Brother Lin when he came to tell his happy news.
Third Sister-in-law Lin gave birth, which happened around ten days ago. Because they were too occupied, he didn't come over until now to report the joyous news.
Third Sister-in-law Lin fell into despair because it was still a girl. Adding up, she already had three daughters.
At old Lin's house, she received eye-roll everywhere. Eldest Sister-in-law Lin and Second Sister-in-law Lin both shown contempt toward her, while Father and Mother Lin gave her bad attitude.
What use was she, since she can't even birth a son?
It can be imagined what kind of life Third Sister-in-law Lin had.
Initially, Third Brother Lin attached no importance to Lin Qing He's talk of moving out. But after this time, he really wanted to move out.
Lin Qing He didn't know these things, but after hearing that it was another daughter, Lin Qing He understood without asking.
She said: "Your brother-in-law is buying a pot. I don't know when we can get it. If we do, I will give you the pot at home and you can move out." One can't move out without a pot.
Third Brother Lin's eyes lit up: "Sister, can I?"
"Yes ah. How can I not? I can still lend you one hundred yuan. Although it's not enough to build you big, you'll still get a decent house. You'll live in it for many years, so don't be too frugal on this." Lin Qing He said.
Third brother Lin pursed his lips and declared, "Sister, don't worry. I will save money to pay you back!"
Lin Qing He nodded in acknowledgment. On his departure, she gave Third Brother Lin a jin of eggs. She managed to squeeze out this jin of eggs with much difficulty. There were not many eggs left in the space.
Next time in the city, she had to go to the black market to buy some.
Third Brother Lin didn't refuse, because his wife really didn't have much to eat, and this egg could be taken back as nourishment for her.
The pot was brought back by Zhou Qing Bai when he went to buy pesticides again.
Father Zhou and Mother Zhou had not known situation. Lin Qing He said that her maternal family's third brother requested it to be bought and gave money for it.
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