Chapter 1215: Preparation for 1215
Is it because they can go home that they’re so happy? I never thought mature and steady Jiang Xinyu had this side to her.
After soaking the soybeans, Jiang Xinyu felt it wasn’t enough and wanted soy milk. So, she soaked two more pounds.
Feifei and Shang Zhenkun came in, drawn by the aroma.
"Mom, are you making roast chicken?"
"Yes, we need food for the train. I’m also going to make braised eggs."
Seeing her mother’s excited look, Jiang Feifei thought her mom was excited because she could return to her hometown.
"Xiao Jiang, you’ve prepared quite a lot."
"This is just the beginning. I’ve already soaked soybeans to make tofu slices, which will go into chicken soup. I also need to knead dough, steam bread, and fry twisted dough sticks—the food can be eaten on the train. We’re not going to suffer during the ten-day journey."
Watching her bustling around, everyone’s enthusiasm was also boosted.
Shang Zhenkun got interested too, "You knead the dough, I’ll help make twisted dough sticks."
"Okay, then I’ll start with the dough for the twisted sticks first."
Once the eggs were cooked, they cooled them with cold water, and everyone except Jiang Xinyu peeled the eggs.
With all the activity, lunchtime was just a quick fix.
Guodong was drawn by the aroma but knew he couldn’t eat yet, so he went back up the mountain.
He told Wei Kaiyun all about it, "Uncle Wei, Aunt Jiang is making roast chicken, braised eggs at home today."
"Haha, your Aunt Jiang is preparing food for the train."
"Indeed, she’s also going to steam bread and fry twisted dough sticks."
Wei Kaiyun knew his wife had been conflicted about whether to go back, feeling a bit unhappy. Now it’s confirmed, and she’s naturally happy.
Actually, his wife just needed an excuse. She was indeed worried about the two kids, but Shang Zhenkun’s health was more urgent, leading to a decision.
When Wei Kaiyun met Li Yungui, "Village Chief Li, we’re going to the Capital for the New Year and probably return in the spring."
"Going for so long? Will you come back?"
"Of course. We’re taking Master Shang to the hospital in the Capital, and Xinyu hasn’t visited her hometown in years, so we’re going together."
Li Yungui was reassured after hearing Wei Kaiyun’s words.
Although Xiao Jiang already gave them the chicken feed and pig feed formulas, without them around, he felt unsettled.
"It’s quite a long time."
Wei Kaiyun laughed, saying it’s also tentative, not knowing what situation might arise.
In the afternoon, heading down the mountain, everyone walking home smelled the rich fragrance, so tempting.
Jing Chu ran into the house, "Aunt Jiang, the whole village smells delicious right now."
"Fragrant, right? This is for eating on the train."
"Try it, these are eggs braised in the meat pot."
Jing Chu bit into the egg directly from Jiang Xinyu’s hand.
Not having swallowed properly yet, she hastily said, "It’s so delicious."
"Jing Chu, you’re a girl. That’s not good manners. Swallow before you speak."
"At home, next to you, there’s nothing to be afraid of."
Jiang Xinyu looked at this increasingly pretty girl speechlessly; she really had no awareness of being a beauty.
At this moment, Wei Kaiyun and the others returned. Dinner wasn’t ready yet, so Jiang Xinyu hurried to prepare it.
Dinner was steamed buns made from three types of flour, millet porridge, Jiang Xinyu ripped apart two roast chickens, and everyone had two braised eggs, with stir-fried cabbage.
The Li Family was also having dinner; Li Xue mentioned going to the Capital with Guodong for the New Year.
Li Yungui felt a toothache coming on.
"Second Uncle, Guodong, Jing Chu, Aunt Yang, and I are educated youths, so you need to write letters for us, and tomorrow we’ll go to the educated youth office for stamps. Not sure if they’ll agree to three or four months away."
"Our place agrees, that’s enough. I’ll write the date longer, early return is okay, late return isn’t a problem."
Qu Xiaoli watched her niece so happy, with the younger ones enviously drooling but couldn’t help it.
"Xue’er, you have to tell your dad."
"I know, I’ll go tomorrow."
"Sis, when you come back, tell us what the Capital is like and bring us good food." Hongling felt she was about to cry; her sister could go, but she definitely couldn’t.
"Okay, I’ll definitely bring you good food. Haven’t Shi Jing and Jianbin already told you about the Capital?"
"The Capital is so big. What you tell may not be about the same place."
"Alright, I got it."
Watching her sister’s happy face, a bunch of younger brothers felt quite down that they couldn’t go.
They hadn’t finished eating when Guodong arrived, "Second Uncle, could you come over to my place sometime? Aunt Jiang wants to go to the bank to deposit money tomorrow."
"Okay, I’ll head over after I finish eating."
"Second Aunt, can you help us make tofu slices tomorrow? Aunt Jiang said she can’t do it well."
"Sure, I’ll come over in the morning."
"Brother-in-law, remember us when you’re away, bring back good food and fun things."
"Sure, no problem. I’ll definitely think of you all."
This made the younger ones feel a bit better.
After eating, Li Yungui didn’t rush to the Wei Family but instead wrote four letters of introduction, giving them five months.
When he arrived at the Wei Family, he saw them busy making twisted dough sticks.
"Village Chief Li, we’re heading out for the New Year, so I was thinking of depositing some money at the bank."
"Xiao Jiang, depositing in the bank won’t be risky, right?"
"Of course not. You’ll even earn interest."
Li Yungui knew about the interest but common folks are like this, not wanting others to know how much money they have, and especially if it’s a lot.
"Village Chief Li, don’t worry, the bank is confidential."
Jiang Xinyu understood Li Yungui’s concerns.
"Sure, but we’d have to go to the city, right?"
"Yes, tomorrow, Wei Kaiyun, you all should go together."
"Aren’t those four going to the educated youth office?"
"We can take the car."
Old Yang wasn’t in favor of this, since his wife was pregnant.
Li Yungui waved his hand, "That’s not possible, Xiao Zhao is pregnant."
"Then we’ll deposit the money the day after tomorrow. This way everyone can still go up the mountain tomorrow." Wei Kaiyun made the decision.
So, tomorrow Guodong would drive and the four of them would go.
Meanwhile, the twisted dough sticks were already being fried, Li Yungui left with a basketful when he walked back.
"Aunt Jiang, can we go home?"
"Yes, I’m going back for a visit."
"I want to go back too."
"Your brother said the same thing."
Jing Chu was very eager to see her dad.
Early the next morning, four people drove off, and Old Yang instructed Guodong to drive slowly.
Arriving at the educated youth office, they saw that they had just opened for business.
The four handed over their letters of introduction, Lantian looked them over, realizing it wasn’t according to regulations, but the village approved.
"Please wait a moment, I’ll ask the leader."
"Thank you, comrade." Zhao Xiaoli, being older and more gentle than the other three, smiled as she spoke to Lantian.