Chapter 702 Shen Chunhua is moved
When the dusk completely enveloped the courtyard wall, the atmosphere under the grape trellis was so tense that water could be squeezed out of it.
Zhao Shuzhuo's earlobes were red as blood, Yang Xiaohua's fingers that were grasping the hem of her skirt were trembling slightly, and Shen Chunhua was still enthusiastically gesturing how many strings of red silk should be hung at the wedding.
He Yushui stood on tiptoe to take the bacon from the kitchen beam. She caught a glimpse of the predicament in the yard and immediately put down the kitchen knife. There were still chopped green onions on her apron.
"Sister Chunhua!"
Her voice was as clear as a silver bell. She ran out in the sunset glow, and the flour on the ends of her hair gleamed in the setting sun.
"Look, it's getting dark now. Brother Shuzhuo and Xiaohua have been sitting on the train for several days and nights. Their legs must be numb, right?"
She held her waist in an exaggerated manner, pretending to have back pain.
"If you don't let them rest, they won't have the energy to eat your signature braised pork later!"
Shen Chunhua slapped her forehead, and the coarse apron brought up a gust of wind.
"Oh, look at my memory!"
She hurriedly grabbed Yang Xiaohua's hand, and the calluses on her palm gently rubbed the girl's slender wrist.
"Come in quickly! The kang is already warm for you!"
As he said this, he tried to snatch the luggage from Zhao Shuzhuo's hand, but he dodged her with a smile.
When the door curtain of the main room was lifted, warm yellow light poured out.
The new window paper that He Yushui specially replaced reflected the dancing candlelight, making the faded New Year pictures on the wall look vivid.
The bowls and chopsticks had been set on the Eight Immortals Table. The blue and white porcelain bowl was filled with freshly brewed wild chrysanthemum tea, and a few golden chrysanthemum petals were floating in the curling hot steam.
The flames in the kitchen stove licked the bottom of the pot. He Yushui's wrists flew, and the iron pot and the spatula collided in a cheerful rhythm.
Shen Chunhua squatted beside the stove and added firewood, sparks occasionally splashing on her rolled-up trouser legs.
“Pass me that jar of bean paste!”
He Yushui shouted without turning his head, beads of sweat oozing from the tip of his nose.
"Cut some more garlic sprouts and add more fresh vegetables!"
The firewood crackled and the aroma wafted through the chimney into the entire yard.
Shen Chunhua suddenly stopped what he was doing, looked at the girl's back as she stir-fried the food skillfully, a smile of satisfaction in his eyes.
I remember when He Yushui first came to the Great Northern Wilderness, he would choke himself and get his face covered in black ash even when trying to light a fire. But now he can keep the stove in good order and cut potatoes into shreds so thin that you can thread a needle.
“Get off the heat!”
He Yushui shouted, and the braised pork in the iron pot slid tremblingly into the white porcelain plate. The thick sauce wrapped around the fat and lean pieces of meat, and the sprinkled white sesame seeds sparkled under the light.
Soon after, hot and sour potato shreds, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and tender radish and beef brisket were served one after another, and the steaming heat blurred everyone's eyes.
In the main room, Zhao Shuzhuo was clumsily pouring tea for Yang Xiaohua, the porcelain cup making a slight sound as it hit the table.
Suddenly, a burst of delicious aroma wafted over, and he looked up to see He Yushui walking in with a plate full of sweet and sour pork ribs. The ends of her hair were slightly curled by the fire, and her cheeks were as red as a ripe apple.
“Try it!”
He Yushui placed the dish in front of Yang Xiaohua and lightly tapped the sweet and sour sauce with the tip of her chopsticks.
"This is an improvement on the city's method, with half a spoonful of sugar omitted."
She glanced at the girl's pale face and added another piece of the tenderest ribs to her bowl.
"Eat well to have strength. We are all a family from now on."
Shen Chunhua came out of the kitchen wiping her hands with an apron. When she saw the table full of delicious dishes, her eyes suddenly became hot.
She recalled the days when she was young and cooked in the production team’s canteen. How could there be such exquisite dishes back then?
Now, looking at the children sitting around the table, the flames jumping on the stove, and the crisp sounds of bowls and dishes colliding, I suddenly feel that the night in the Great Northern Wilderness is warmer than the lights of thousands of homes in the city.
The enamel teapot on the eight-immortals table was bubbling with steam, and the aroma of stewed meat lingered in the house.
Shen Chunhua took off her apron, patted the flour off her collar, looked at the table full of sumptuous dishes, and a gratified smile was hidden in the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
She folded her apron neatly, placed it next to the stove, and turned to walk out the door:
"Okay, my mission as an assistant is complete, it's time to go back home!"
Zhao Shuzhuo stood up immediately, and the chair made a harsh sound on the brick floor.
He rushed to Shen Chunhua in two steps, gently pulled her sleeve with his large hand, and the hem of his military coat swept across the porcelain bowl on the corner of the table.
"Aunt, what are you talking about?"
There was a hint of urgency in his voice and he looked at Shen Chunhua with burning eyes.
"If you leave, I won't be able to enjoy my meal!"
Shen Chunhua smiled and tried to pull her hand back, but tears welled up in the corners of her eyes:
"Shuzhuo, I know you are filial. But today is a good day for you to bring your lover home. Why am I here?"
She wiped the corners of her eyes gently with her sleeve.
"Look, Yushui and Chunhua have been busy preparing such a large table of food, just to let you have a good gathering. Auntie, don't get involved in the affairs of young people."
Zhao Shuzhuo's face darkened instantly. He held Shen Chunhua's hand tightly, as if he was afraid that she would really leave:
"Aunt! If you say that again, you are treating me as an outsider!"
His voice trembled slightly, with unquestionable determination.
"My parents passed away early, and my eldest brother has lost contact. If it weren't for you and uncle, how could I have grown up safely? Even if my uncle..."
He paused, his Adam's apple rolling up and down.
"Even if he treated me badly in the past, you are my aunt! In my heart, you are my mother!"
The air in the room seemed to freeze.
He Yushui stopped pouring soup into the bowl. Yang Xiaohua's fingers holding the chopsticks turned slightly white. Even the chirping of insects outside the window became clearly audible.
Shen Chunhua's lips trembled, and she wanted to say something, but the words were choked in her throat.
At this moment, Yang Xiaohua gently put down her chopsticks and stood up. Her floral skirt swayed slightly with her movements, and a blush appeared on her pale face.
"Auntie..."
Her voice was soft but firm, and she walked slowly to Shen Chunhua.
"You are the closest elder to Brother Zhao. If you are not here, this meal will always feel like something is missing."
She raised her head and looked at Shen Chunhua sincerely.
"Just consider it as a favor to me, a junior, and stay."
Shen Chunhua looked at Yang Xiaohua's clear eyes, and suddenly felt that the girl in front of her seemed to have turned into Zhao Shuzhuo when she was a child.
The little boy squatting in front of his own stove, eagerly waiting for her to steam sweet potatoes. Her eyes were instantly moist, and she raised her hand and gently touched Yang Xiaohua's hair:
"Oh, my future niece-in-law has spoken, so why wouldn't I listen?"
She burst into laughter and wiped her tears with her sleeve.
"Stay! You have to stay no matter what your aunt says, and take a good look at my niece-in-law!"