Free Web NovelChapter 439: Chapter 439: Rice Wine Egg
"By the way, Roujing, what kind of work do you do?" Ni Qingyan asked as soon as she came out of the kitchen and engaged An’an and Yi Roujing in conversation again. She knew An’an was still studying, so she asked Yi Roujing.
"Roujing is still studying. Last year, she got into Jing University, but before that, she was working in a hospital," An’an replied for her. "If only I could get into Jing University in the future too."
Even though Ni Qingyan wasn’t a top student, the fame of Jing University was widely known, and she instantly widened her eyes and shamelessly asked if there were any reference materials, "Chen, the Educated Youth, said he would also take the college entrance exams this year."
"Haven’t the exams already taken place this year?" An’an wondered, "The exams started in late July, but the results aren’t out yet. Could it be that Chen knows he’ll fail?"
Upon hearing this, Ni Qingyan’s expression turned sour, but she couldn’t blame An’an for speaking so bluntly.
"Not long ago, all the educated youths at the point went to take the exam. Of course, Chen is confident he can pass, but a person should always be well-prepared," Ni Qingyan explained. "If he doesn’t do well, he wants to take it again next year. He hopes to improve himself and create a better tomorrow for both of us."
Ni Qingyan’s face was full of shyness, and seeing this, An’an asked truthfully, "If Chen can get into college, then why does he still want a spot to return to the city?"
"If it’s to his hometown’s county, he naturally wouldn’t go. But since it’s our county and he’s originally looking for a partner to settle down here, if he gets a stable job, even if he gets into college, he probably won’t attend," Ni Qingyan replied.
Ni Qingyan couldn’t have said such things; it was all a dream presented to her by Chen Youdao.
"Don’t say such things again," said Ni Dahong, wiping the cold sweat off his forehead on such a hot day. "Returning to the city is decided anew; it won’t necessarily be Chen, the Educated Youth. Our family doesn’t consider personal feelings; we must be fair and just."
No matter how surprised Ni Qingyan was inside, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to say it out loud now, especially with Yan Qing and An’an present, along with outsiders.
"If Chen can indeed get into college, then future job placements are managed by the state; what is there to fear about being unemployed?" Zhuang Qiongyi, Qingyan’s second sister-in-law, said as she brought out a basin of sliced watermelon. "An’an, you all should eat quickly; your sister-in-law cooled them in well water. It’s icy and refreshing."
"Thanks, second aunt," An’an accepted with a smile and handed a piece to Yi Roujing first.
Ni Yaozu arrived home at five-thirty. At this time, the courtyard was filled with the aroma of food, and it was still bright outside. Ni Family had set the dining table in the courtyard, so Ni Yaozu immediately saw Yan Qing.
"Yan Qing," Ni Yaozu greeted, very pleased to see the courtyard full of people. After parking his bicycle, he took the net bag off the bike and excitedly waved it. "Luckily, I saw nice fruits today and bought some."
Inside the net bag was a large watermelon and several cantaloupes, with a refreshing melon fragrance that could be smelled from a distance.
Yan Qing reprimanded Ni Dahong, but when it came to Ni Yaozu, Yan Qing didn’t say much else, opting for some ordinary family chitchat, asking about work matters.
Yan Qing chose to reprimand Ni Dahong in front of Ni Qingyan, knowing she was foolish, but now he saved face for himself in front of his second son. Ni Dahong was inexplicably grateful, seeing the tactics, while Yi Roujing watched in amazement.
The evening meal was set at two tables, with Xu Ancheng, Yan Qing, Ni Dahong, and Ni Yaozu at one table, and the women at another. The dishes on the table were the same, only the men’s table had alcohol, but the women’s table had rice wine eggs.
"Roujing, Yiran, An’an, try these. They’re homemade fermented rice, with plenty of sugar and water added. It’s not overpowering; instead, it’s quite fragrant, with some homemade osmanthus sugar from last year mixed in. Once you stir the egg in, there’s no aftereffect for us women," Ni Family introduced with a smile.
Yi Roujing was the first to taste it, finding it subtly sweet upon entry, accompanied by a faint osmanthus fragrance, followed by a strong wine aroma spreading in her mouth. It was aromatic, smooth, and warming, "Aunt, it tastes really good."
Hearing this, Ni Family’s smile deepened, "If you like it, take a jar of fermented rice home after the meal. Make it whenever you want; it’s very simple."
Yi Roujing didn’t answer but glanced at An’an, "Thank you, Aunt."
"Oh, no need to thank me; it’s all homegrown and doesn’t cost much," Ni Family said, becoming more delighted.
Today’s meal was also excellent, with braised pork belly, fried pork (made with cured meat), steamed fish, eggs with chili, cold cucumber salad, stewed eggplant with beans, vinegar stir-fried cabbage, tofu vegetable soup, and the staple was white bread mantou and fragrant steamed rice.
Although Ni Family’s cooking skills, honed over decades, couldn’t compare to Li Hongying, Yi Roujing thought they were slightly better than Ding Anmin’s, mainly because today’s ingredients were solid and the oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar were just right.
After the meal, it was almost half-past six, and the sky was slowly darkening. Yan Qing didn’t stay long, leading the others to bid farewell to Ni Dahong and then returning to the farm.
"Brother, will we come again in the future?" An’an asked on the way back to the farm.
"Do you mean the farm or Uncle’s house?" Yan Qing teased.
"Brother, you know, why are you still asking me?" An’an replied unhappily.
"Come whenever you want; it’s not like we’re cutting ties."
"Oh, after knowing about the educated youths today, I feel a bit uneasy towards them," An’an said, sticking out her tongue.
"Anyway, at most, we come once a year. Eating there is free and unobstructed; they won’t say anything in front of you. Don’t feel burdened; just be like in the past," Yan Qing comforted his younger sister and then went to talk to Xu Ancheng.
"Ancheng, I need your help with something tomorrow..." The men’s conversation didn’t interest An’an, who instead pulled Yi Roujing and Hua Yiran over to discuss today’s matters, with the topic still revolving around the educated youths.
Upon reaching the farm, Yi Roujing discovered that the educated youths who had been discussed all the way were present at the farm, having brought many sun-dried mushrooms, black fungus, and even tremella.
"These are what we’ve picked and dried usually. Thank you so much for today," said He, the Educated Youth sincerely, as he represented them. These were already the best they could offer.
"Have you eaten dinner?" Ding Anmin, a straightforward person, having had enough to eat, said, "Tonight, we’re stewing wild chicken in an iron pot and baking cornmeal pancakes. Stay and eat with us."
Huang, the Educated Youth, was almost drooling at Ding Anmin’s words; they had never eaten such food before.
This Northeast dish was brought back by Li Hongying after visiting Li Honghua in East Province and demonstrated to the family. Ding Anmin had already learned it, and although there were still some slight taste differences, it was definitely delicious.
He, the Educated Youth, wanted to refuse, but he was pulled to the table by the enthusiastic Jiang Boming and Huang Xiaobao, and then he tasted the world’s delicious cuisine.
"He, the Educated Youth, already missed out by not arriving in time for Anmin’s noodles at noon," Rong, the Educated Youth, couldn’t resist adding.
