Chapter 700 Liu Ping'an 6
The day after the birthday party, when the first rays of morning light broke through the curtain of night, the morning sun was like a lively elf, shining softly and slowly into Liu Ping'an's courtyard through the quaint window. The sun, like golden sand, covered every corner of the courtyard with a hint of warmth. Under the caress of the sun, the old locust tree in the courtyard, the dew on the branches and leaves sparkled with crystal light, like tiny diamonds; the unknown small flowers in the corner of the wall also slowly stretched out their delicate petals under the sun, blooming with light colors, as if awakened by the warm light, and began to welcome this quiet and warm day.
Zhang Guifang and Liu Ping'an's grandmother, the two elders in the family, got up early as usual. Their movements were light and cautious, and every step was very light, as if they were afraid of making a little noise and waking up the family members who were still sleeping. The grandmother was wearing a blue cloth shirt that was a little bleached from washing, her hair was neatly combed behind her head, and her face was peaceful after years of precipitation. Zhang Guifang was wearing a simple and clean floral dress, and her eyes showed diligence and kindness. The two smiled at each other, and without too many words, they tacitly walked into the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast for the family.
In the kitchen, pots, pans, and bowls were neatly arranged, exuding a simple atmosphere of life under the dim light. Zhang Guifang and her grandmother quickly and naturally divided the work and cooperated. Grandma walked to the rice jar with steady steps, picked up the rice spoon skillfully, and scooped out the right amount of rice. The rice swayed slightly in the spoon, making a crisp sound. She put the rice into the rice washing basin, turned on the faucet, and the clear water "gurgled" on the rice. Grandma gently rubbed it with her hands. The movements were skillful and gentle, as if she was treating a precious treasure. The washed rice was carefully put into the pot by grandma, and the right amount of water was added. Then the lid was covered and ready to start cooking.
Zhang Guifang turned and walked towards the warehouse. When she opened the old wooden door, it creaked, as if the years were whispering. A faint smell of meat wafted into her nose. The smell was fresh and tempting, instantly arousing her appetite. She looked closely and found that it was the fresh meat she bought yesterday, which was placed in the corner. The meat was ruddy in color, like the gorgeous sunset in the sky, and it seemed to still have the fresh smell of slaughter in the early morning. Every texture was full of attractive color, making people want to taste it.
Zhang Guifang bent down carefully and took out the meat steadily with both hands. The meat was heavy, carrying the weight of life. She gently placed the meat on the chopping board, which made a dull "dong" sound. At this time, grandma came over with a smug smile on her face. That smile was full of pride and satisfaction. She patted Zhang Guifang on the shoulder and boasted: "I queued up before dawn to buy this meat. If I had gone too late, it would have been gone. Now you have to go early to buy things. You don't know, the line was so long, my legs were sore from standing, but it was worth it to be able to buy such good meat."
Zhang Guifang smiled and nodded, saying, "Mom, you're so great. With you here, our meals will become more and more delicious." As they talked, they began to prepare for the next cooking. The kitchen was filled with a warm and busy atmosphere.
After returning to the kitchen, the two immediately threw themselves into the busy cooking work. The kitchen instantly became their little world to display their cooking skills, with various sounds interweaving together to play a melody full of the breath of life.
Grandma stood steadily in front of the chopping board, her hands seemed to be endowed with magic, flexible and full of power. She gently picked up the sharp kitchen knife, the blade flashing with a cool luster, as if telling the wonderful things it was about to create on the ingredients. Grandma narrowed her eyes slightly, staring at the tender fresh meat intently, her eyes revealing a kind of confidence that she was well prepared. Then, she raised her hand and cut the meat, her movements were crisp and neat, and each cut was carried out with a precise rhythm, without the slightest hesitation or procrastination. As the blade came into contact with the meat, slices of uniform size were born. These slices of meat were as thin as cicada wings, but intact, and the texture of each slice was clearly visible, as if they were pieces of exquisite works of art that had been carefully carved. The delicate knife skills made people sigh at the cooking skills that grandma had accumulated over the years.
Zhang Guifang stood by the sink, washing the rice carefully. She gently poured the rice into the pot, and the white rice grains slipped from her fingertips like naughty elves, making a rustling sound. Then, she turned on the faucet, and the clear water rushed into the pot, blending with the rice grains. Zhang Guifang gently scrubbed the rice grains with her dexterous hands. Her movements were gentle and soothing, as if she was stroking a group of cute elves. Under her touch, the white rice grains rolled happily in her hands, as if they were dancing happily, splashing small water flowers. She carefully washed every grain of rice, not leaving out any corner that might hide impurities, to ensure that the cooked rice was clean and sweet.
After washing the rice, Zhang Guifang carefully placed the pot on the stove. She squatted down, skillfully picked up a handful of firewood, and lit it with a match. The flames jumped up with a "whoosh" and licked the bottom of the pot happily. As the fire gradually increased, the water in the pot began to boil slowly, making a "gurgling" sound, like a group of cheerful elves singing. At the same time, grandma also began to prepare to cook. She skillfully poured some oil into the pot, and the golden oil slowly flowed in the pot, exuding a faint fragrance. When the oil was hot, grandma quickly put the cut meat slices into the pot. In an instant, only the sound of "sizzling" was heard, and the sound was crisp and tempting, as if it was the prelude to delicious food. The meat slices quickly changed color in the pot, from the original pink to the tempting golden color, exuding bursts of tempting fragrance, which instantly filled the entire kitchen, making people salivate.
Grandma held a spatula in her hand and kept frying the meat slices. Her movements were skillful and smooth, and each frying was just right. The spatula danced quickly in the pot, bringing up pieces of smoke with the aroma of meat. Grandma's eyes were fixed on the meat slices in the pot. According to the color and state of the meat slices, she adjusted the heat and the intensity of frying, so that the meat slices would not stick to the pot or be overcooked, and always maintained the fresh and tender taste of the meat slices. Then, grandma added appropriate amounts of salt, soy sauce and other seasonings. Those seasonings were like the finishing touch, instantly adding rich flavor to the dish. She continued to stir-fry for a while, allowing the seasoning to fully blend into each piece of meat. After a while, a plate of twice-cooked pork with excellent color, aroma and taste was completed. The bright red meat slices, paired with emerald green chopped green onions, exuded a rich aroma, which made people want to feast on them.
Finally, grandma prepared to stir-fry another plate of green vegetables. She walked to the vegetable basket and carefully selected the vegetables. Each piece of vegetable was like a work of art carefully carved by nature, tender and green, with morning dew on the leaves, looking fresh and tender, as if you could squeeze out juice with a light pinch, making people salivate. Grandma took the vegetables out of the vegetable basket and washed them carefully in the sink. She turned on the faucet, and the clear water rushed over the vegetables, washing away the dirt and impurities on the vegetables. After washing, grandma put the vegetables on the chopping board, picked up the kitchen knife, and quickly and skillfully cut the vegetables into even small pieces.
Then, grandma heated the pan again and poured in a little oil. When the oil was hot enough to smoke slightly, she quickly put the chopped vegetables into the pan. There was a "crackling" sound, and the vegetables jumped happily in the pan, making a crisp sound. Grandma held the spatula and quickly stir-fried a few times, her movements were smooth and smooth, and she did it in one go. As she stir-fried the vegetables, the color became more emerald green and exuded a fresh aroma. Grandma added a little salt to season it, and the salt grains fell evenly on the vegetables like snowflakes. Continue to stir-fry for a while, so that the salt can be fully integrated into each piece of vegetables. After a while, a plate of refreshing and delicious vegetables was out of the pot. The vegetables were emerald green in color and exuded an attractive luster, which made people's appetite increase.
At this time, Grandpa also got up. He walked into the yard slowly, his steps steady and powerful. In the yard, Liu Jianjun and Liu Jianguo were already sitting at the stone table in the yard reading newspapers. The two of them were concentrating on the contents of the newspaper, exchanging a few words from time to time. Grandpa smiled and greeted them. The smile was amiable, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to stretch out. Then, Grandpa also sat down, picked up a newspaper, put on his reading glasses, and read it carefully. The reading glasses were placed on the bridge of Grandpa's nose, making his eyes look more focused. The three of them read and communicated, and from time to time they discussed a few national affairs, from the international situation to domestic policies. Their voices echoed in the yard, full of a strong breath of life. The sun shone on them, outlining their peaceful outlines, as if time had become slow and quiet at this moment.
Grandpa sat on a chair, wearing reading glasses, reading the newspaper carefully. His eyes looked through the glasses, scanning every word on the newspaper attentively, as if he wanted to imprint every piece of information into his mind. The sunlight shone on him through the window, forming patches of golden light, reflecting his slightly old but still energetic face. His hair was already gray, but it was combed neatly, and his face was calm and wise after years of precipitation. After a while, Grandpa put down the newspaper, stood up slowly, and stretched his muscles. Although his movements were a little slow, they were full of strength. He stretched, twisted his neck, and then walked towards the backyard.
The backyard is Grandpa's little world, where all kinds of vegetables are planted. As soon as you walk into the backyard, a fresh breath hits you, mixed with the fragrance of soil and vegetables, making you feel relaxed and happy. The tender green cucumber vines climb along the racks, and their leaves sway gently in the breeze, as if waving to Grandpa and welcoming him. The racks are full of slender cucumbers, some of which have small yellow flowers, like green mallets, very cute. Those cucumbers are tender green, with a layer of fine fluff on the skin, which feels a bit rough, but makes people feel particularly fresh.
Next to it is a tomato field, with red tomatoes like small lanterns dotted among the branches and leaves. Some of them are fully ripe, bright red, as if they would ooze out sweet juice with a light bite; some are still a little green, with a hint of astringency, and are working hard to grow. Further away is a field of purple eggplants, which are round and plump, exuding a faint luster, as if telling the story of their growth. Grandpa shuttled among the vegetables, carefully watering, fertilizing, and weeding them, with very skillful movements. He gently stroked the vegetables, as if he was stroking his own children, his eyes full of love and satisfaction.
Not far away, red tomatoes dotted the branches like small lanterns. Some of them were ripe and red, making people want to take a bite; some were still a little green, as if they were shyly hiding behind the leaves. Grandpa walked to the tomatoes, carefully observed them, then gently picked a ripe tomato and played with it in his hands.
Going further ahead, there is a field of purple eggplants. The eggplants are round and plump, with smooth skin and a faint luster. Grandpa bent down and gently stroked the eggplants, just like stroking his own children, his eyes full of love and satisfaction.
Grandpa was moving leisurely among the vegetables, his figure looming among the green branches and leaves, his movements were very skillful, like an experienced dancer dancing on this lively stage. He first came to the cucumber rack, holding the kettle steadily in his hand, tilting it slightly, and the clear water flowed out of the kettle mouth like a smart silver snake, gently falling on the roots of the cucumbers. The water flow evenly soaked the soil, as if injecting vitality into the cucumbers. Each drop of water was sparkling with crystal light, and under the sunlight, it was like a dazzling pearl, dotted among the green leaves.
Then, Grandpa walked to the tomato field, squatted down, and carefully scooped a spoonful of fertilizer from a small bucket beside him. The fertilizer exuded a faint smell of soil. He gently sprinkled the fertilizer around the roots of the tomatoes, his movements were gentle and precise, as if he was afraid of hurting these delicate plants. The fertilizer was evenly spread on the land, providing sufficient nutrients for the growth of tomatoes.
Then, Grandpa came to the eggplant field. His eyes scanned the ground sharply, not missing any weeds. Once he found a weed, he quickly stretched out his hands. Although his hands were covered with wrinkles of time, they were still strong. He held the root of the weed tightly and pulled it gently, and the weed was pulled out by the roots. His movements were clean and neat, and soon, the weeds in the eggplant field were cleared away. Every movement seemed so natural and smooth, as if these vegetables were a part of his life, and he had a tacit understanding with them without words.
After finishing these tasks, Grandpa slowly stood up. His back was slightly hunched, but still straight. He gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand. The sweat slid down his cheeks and dripped onto the ground under his feet. He looked at the fruits of his labor with satisfaction. The vibrant vegetables seemed to be the most precious treasure in his heart. His face was filled with a happy smile. In that smile, he not only loved the vegetables, which were the fruits of his hard work, but also loved life. In this small backyard, he found his own peace and satisfaction.