Chapter 501 Sending Warmth
The three of them went into the kitchen together. The kitchen was already filled with a strong smell of smoke, and the big iron pot on the earthen stove was emitting wisps of hot steam.
Wang Jianguo was the first to walk to the stove and skillfully added a few firewood into the stove. The flames crackled and illuminated his face red.
“This year is different!”
Wang Jianguo was busy working while sighing.
"We opened a supply and marketing cooperative and saw a lot of good things. When I was buying goods, I thought to myself that I must bring these good things back so that my family can taste them."
He Yushui echoed:
"That's right. Besides, Brother Jianguo, you often go hunting in the mountains, so our food will definitely be good."
As he was speaking, Wang Jianguo had already brought a processed fat chicken to the chopping board. He had carefully hunted this chicken in the mountains some time ago. Its fur was bright and its meat was firm and delicious.
He picked up the kitchen knife and cut the chicken into even small pieces. The "da da da" sound of cutting vegetables seemed like a prelude to the New Year's Eve dinner.
Zhao Shuzhuo was not idle either. He opened the cupboard and took out a big grass carp weighing two or three pounds. The fish was raised in the village pond and was just caught in the morning, so it was very fresh.
He rolled up his sleeves, held a kitchen knife, and carefully scraped off the fish scales, cut open the fish belly, and cleaned the internal organs with skillful and steady movements.
He Yushui was responsible for washing vegetables and rice. She put the tender green vegetables and juicy radishes into the basin, and rubbed them gently with her slender fingers to remove the mud and sand.
The washed white rice sparkles in the sun. Pour it into the pot, add water and steam it. After a while, the fragrance of rice wafts through the kitchen.
As each process proceeds in an orderly manner, the dishes for the New Year’s Eve dinner gradually become richer.
The braised chicken pieces in the pot are bright red in color, and the chicken rolls in the soup, exuding an enticing aroma.
The steamed sea bass is placed on a blue and white porcelain plate, sprinkled with shredded green onion, ginger, and steamed fish soy sauce. The tender fish meat seems to be calling for people to taste it quickly.
There is also a large plate of braised pork, with alternating fat and lean meat. The bright red color and mellow aroma make people salivate just by looking at it.
"This year's food is really amazing!"
Zhao Shuzhuo looked at the table full of delicious food and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Yes, our lives are getting better and better, thanks to everyone's efforts."
Wang Jianguo responded with a smile, his eyes full of longing for the future.
At this time, it was already dusk outside the window, with occasional sounds of firecrackers coming from afar, and the house was brightly lit.
In the kitchen, Wang Jianguo, He Yushui and Zhao Shuzhuo are like three agile paintbrushes, adding color to the "painting" of the New Year's Eve dinner.
Wang Jianguo stood in front of the stove, skillfully moving the spatula in his hand between the hot oil and the ingredients. The aroma of the fried dishes filled the air, curling up and filling the kitchen with warmth.
He Yushui squatted beside the basin, her slender fingers like a nimble elf, gently rubbing the vegetables. The vegetable washing water made a "swish" sound under her hands, and the splashing water was crystal clear.
Zhao Shuzhuo was standing beside the chopping board, holding the kitchen knife steadily and rhythmically cutting various side dishes. The cut vegetables were of uniform thickness and neatly stacked aside.
The three of them were talking and laughing, and their busy figures illuminated by the dim light in the kitchen, outlining a warm New Year scene.
At this lively and bustling moment, a series of crisp knocks on the door suddenly broke the harmonious rhythm in the house.
"Hey, who could it be on New Year's Day?"
Wang Jianguo paused with the spatula in his hand, his eyes full of confusion under his slightly raised eyebrows. He quickly put the spatula on the stove, not bothering to wipe the oil stains on his apron, and walked to the door in a few big strides.
The door was opened with a creaky sound, and an old man with a slightly hunched figure came into view, wrapped in the cold air.
It turned out to be Cheng Erhua's mother, Aunt Du. She was wearing a dark blue cotton jacket that had become a little pale from washing. The corners of her jacket were slightly rolled up, revealing the patched but clean lining underneath.
There was a dark grey scarf wrapped on her head, with a few strands of silver hair stubbornly sticking out from the edge, swaying gently in the cold wind.
The plow of time has plowed deep grooves on her face, but at this moment, those grooves are filled with love and concern.
Her hands were tightly clasped around a bamboo basket covered with a piece of slightly worn floral cloth.
"Aunt Du, why are you here in such a cold weather? Come in and warm up!"
Wang Jianguo quickly turned aside and greeted him warmly, his voice full of respect.
Aunt Du, however, seemed to have taken root under her feet, not moving an inch, but raising the corners of her mouth, showing a warm smile, and gently passed the basket forward with both hands, saying:
"Jianguo, I won't go in and cause trouble. It's New Year's Day and your house is bright and bright. You must be very busy."
"I was thinking that you three young people, with all the preparations for the supply and marketing cooperative and all the other things going on, definitely don't have time to make frying meatballs."
As she spoke, she lifted the floral cloth on the basket, revealing a basket filled with golden mung bean balls.
"These are the meatballs that Auntie worked so hard to fry for you. They're made with mung beans. It took me a lot of effort to make them!"
"From picking beans, soaking beans, grinding beans, rolling them into balls, and frying them, every step is done carefully. You three can eat them during the New Year, don't be disgusted."
Wang Jianguo's eyes fell on the tempting meatballs, his eyes instantly moistened, his throat seemed to be choked by something, and he was about to open his mouth to refuse, but Aunt Du seemed to have guessed his thoughts and said first:
"Hey, you can't refuse, Jianguo. You said you've been in our village for less than a year, but look at how much has changed in this village!"
"In the past, having meat to eat during the Chinese New Year was a luxury, and everyone had to tighten their belts to get by."
"But ever since you came and led us to set up the supply and marketing cooperative, we have gone through so many ups and downs along the way. Now that the supply and marketing cooperative is open, the lives of the villagers have suddenly become brighter."
"Now, every family can eat meat during the Chinese New Year. This was unthinkable before!"
Aunt Du became more and more excited as she spoke, tears of gratitude glistening in her eyes.
"We all thank you, keep it, I'm going home to cook the New Year's Eve dinner."
Aunt Du's words were like a warm current that flowed into Wang Jianguo's heart.
Before he could come to his senses, Aunt Du had already turned around, took small steps, and hurried away along the path. Her back looked a little thin in the cold wind, but extremely determined.
Wang Jianguo stood at the door, holding the basket brought by Aunt Du tightly in his hand, looking at Aunt Du's back, and didn't move for a long time. Until He Yushui's anxious call came from the kitchen:
"Brother Jianguo, who is that? The food is going to get burnt!"
Wang Jianguo suddenly woke up from his dream. He took a deep breath, picked up the basket, and walked quickly back to the kitchen with the heavy friendship in his heart, ready to pass this warmth to his busy companions.