Restarting life in Siheyuan

Chapter 260
  The car had already left, and a group of little kids followed the car far away. The old party secretary was still standing at the entrance of the village watching, thinking carefully about Zhu Xuefeng's suggestion.

Just now, the little guy suggested setting up a full-time or part-time breeder. You have to go to the district to find a technician to learn. Do you still need to learn how to raise chickens? But what people say is quite reasonable. How come this scholar also knows about farming...

It seems that I really need to find time to go to the area and see. People can hatch eggs without hens in November. Maybe there is something special about it.

"Sister-in-law, please take this and don't refuse it. My second uncle's house also has it. I have to drive, so don't refuse it anymore."

My sister-in-law blushed. She asked her juniors to help her, not just once or twice. She was really embarrassed, so she gave her some mountain goods. The money given by her eldest nephew was not old or young.

Zhu Xuefeng said while driving the car.

"I told my second uncle that since the two families usually move around a lot, we need a helper. Besides, my second uncle has a lot of things to do in the future, so he really needs an expert like my little uncle to help."

When it comes to helping with work, my sister-in-law is quite confident that the men in her family can't beat a fart with three sticks, but she is really good at this job, not to mention the work of carpenters and masons, but also all kinds of farm work.

"We are all a family. We don't care whether we can help or not. If you need help, just say hello and I'll ask your uncle to work hard. It's better to work for your own family than for others. Don't worry, nephew."

"Sister-in-law, I won't get out of the car to say hello to my uncle. These are New Year's money for my younger brothers and sisters. Don't keep it for them. Let them have some in their pockets to buy school supplies or something."

...

After leaving the mountainous area, the speed of the car was much faster. The three of them didn't even have lunch, so they had to rush back. They had agreed to invite Uncle Zou and his wife to have a New Year's dinner together, so it would be inappropriate to go back too late.

Fortunately, there are almost no cars on the road, and there are only a few cyclists and pedestrians.

"Sit tight, you may feel a little bumpy for a while. If you are hungry, eat egg snacks by yourself. If you wait until the New Year's Eve dinner, you will probably starve to death."

"I understand, brother, please look ahead and pay attention to your safety."

The two children are in the back, and the sister-in-law was sitting in the front just now.

...

"You, this eldest nephew, are really promising. At such a young age, you actually drive a small car. Isn't this something only the district chief can do?"

This is a neighbor. Watching the jeep taking my sister-in-law to the entrance of the village at the foot of the mountain, I felt a little jealous and couldn't help but chat with my sister-in-law.

"He borrowed this from the steel rolling mill. He is still a college student and is not at work. You should be busy first. I have to go back."

My sister-in-law didn't talk much and hurried home. At the door of the house, my sister-in-law also saw her, and my daughter-in-law asked the car to be sent back.

I have been to the district several times, but I have never ridden in this Jeep. My wife drove a car first. Most of the Jeeps at this time were confiscated and imported with original packaging.

"Why didn't you let your nephew come to our house for a meeting? Why did you leave in such a hurry?"

The sister-in-law glanced at the man, handed it to him to look at, and then took it back.

"My nephew gave it to me. He also said that in the future, he would ask you to look for my second brother more often. He said it was..."

Although the man doesn't like to talk, he has no problem with his brain. He knows that this is to help his family and is just a show. Without brains, it is impossible to have good skills.

"Okay, I didn't say anything, I'll do this..."

The two entered the house chatting...

...

The New Year atmosphere in the city is very strong. The streets and alleys are full of colors and lanterns are decorated everywhere. Because when you come in from Dongzhimen and pass by the industrial area, the factories along the way are also hung with lanterns and pasted with couplets and big Chinese characters "福". Stick it on the iron door.

I can't see anyone anymore, everyone should be on vacation. I'm in a hurry. I'll return the car after I get to work.

After entering the city, there were very few people and no vehicles on the streets. However, the breadstick-like buses were still shuttling back and forth with many people on them. The doors of each unit had large characters celebrating the Spring Festival and hanging Lanterns were put on and flags were planted.

Continuing forward, all the shops along the way are bustling with people coming in and out, seizing the last moment to buy their favorite products. The furnishings in the large transparent windows are also covered in festive red, which is full of New Year flavor.

Many little kids in the alley were playing with disassembled firecrackers. The naughty ones even stuffed the firecrackers into the cracks in the wall. They heard an explosion, the smoke passed, and a brick was missing from the wall.

Zhu Xuefeng honked the horn, and the little kid who was about to light the firecrackers was so scared that he threw out the firecrackers he was about to light. Seeing that it was Zhu Xuefeng who was causing trouble, he chased and threw one at the jeep. An explosion sounded from behind the car, and a loud hahaha was heard in the car. laugh.

"These bad pieces are used for explosions, brother, don't imitate them."

"Brother, didn't you do this before when you led us to set off whips? You even stuck them in snowdrifts to harm people."

The younger sister asked from behind, while the older brother snickered.

"Is this happening? It's impossible, second brother, must you have brought your little sister to cause trouble like this before?"

The second child suppressed his laughter and scratched his sister's nose.

"Big brother, second brother bullied me, he scratched my nose..."

The younger sister was not one to keep silent after suffering a loss, so she immediately reported the incident and was enjoying herself in the car.

It's been cold earlier this year, and the beginning of spring is also early. Although the temperature is not high now, there is almost no snow in the city. Without the fun of blowing up snowdrifts, there will probably be more people blowing up shitholes.

"Third uncle, you haven't finished writing the Spring Festival couplets and the Chinese characters "Fu". It's cold, so you can write them at home. You still need to write them in the yard."

The three brothers and sister came back very quickly. The car was almost empty. They were all locals, and they had nothing to worry about. They were anxious to get back, so they drove very fast all the way.

Spring couplets have been posted at the entrance of the courtyard and the front door. Several people in the outer courtyard are also busy, and some are still posting them.

"Hey, Xiao Zhu is back. Your family hasn't written it yet. Do you have any ready-made lyrics? If not, I will choose one for you."

The third uncle held a writing brush in one hand and pressed Spring Festival couplets with the other. He raised his head and looked at the three brothers and sisters. There were three little kids beside him waiting for the third uncle to give them ink.

On a cold day, I set up a table at the door of the front yard, where I wrote couplets and the Chinese character "福". There were a lot of melon seeds, peanuts, candies, and two apples on the table. It seemed like I had written a lot.

This is the custom of the courtyard. Every year, the third uncle writes Spring Festival couplets for everyone here. There are no requirements, just some peanuts and melon seeds. This is what people want. He is a cultural person in the courtyard. This is what the third uncle has been doing for a year. highlight moment.

But don’t be dissatisfied, the third uncle’s handwriting is really good. After all, as a teacher, he has to write on the blackboard every day. It’s been a long time, and no one can match his blackboard writing skills.

Regardless of Zhu Xuefeng's two lives, his calligraphy is indeed inferior. If he has a match, he will dictate it, and the third uncle will write it. If he doesn't have it, the third uncle will take it out of his stomach on the spot. It is not very good, but what about the increase of years and years in heaven? There are many poems about flowers blooming, the moon blooming, and spring blooming in China.

"Third uncle, I don't need to trouble you about this. Our family won't do this this year. Thank you."

The third uncle was stunned for a while, and it took him a while to realize what he was doing. Lao Zhu just left. It was true that he couldn't post this. If he wanted to post it, he would have to find some paper of other colors. After all, there were only a few people who needed this paper, so it was difficult to get it.

Besides, what should I write about this situation? What's the point? I can't understand it. I'm confused. It's such a big holiday and it's touching someone's heart. It's so inappropriate. I just wanted to apologize. But the three brothers and sisters have already left. I have to. , I didn’t change the ones with peanuts and melon seeds, and I offended people.

"Xiao Feng, you guys are back. You haven't had lunch yet. Why don't you get some food first and take a quick bite? Otherwise, you'll be so hungry that it's still early for the New Year's Eve dinner. This is unbearable."

Uncle Zou and his wife had been helping to prepare in the house for a long time. When they heard the noise outside, they quickly opened the door.

"It's okay, Uncle Zou. There are a lot of snacks at home. We can just come by ourselves. You see, this is a big deal. I have agreed to let you come to have a New Year's dinner. You are busy with your work. It's not appropriate. It's not appropriate. Please take a break. Come on, let’s do it.”

The old couple had the keys to their home, and they originally asked them to add coal to prevent the heating from going out. Unexpectedly, the old couple were quite enthusiastic and got busy right away.

"Is everything okay at home? You guys have been going back and forth for the past two days, and you are very tired. Let us come first. If you have nothing to do, you have nothing to do."

Uncle Zou took off his cotton-padded coat and rolled up his sleeves. It seemed that he had been busy in the kitchen just now. The three brothers and sisters quickly put down their small bags.

"It's all good, uncle. There's nothing tiring. The car was running and we were sitting. These two little ones fell asleep along the way. It's really okay."

"Auntie, what are you doing?" The little girl came over quickly. Aunt Zou was taking some potatoes and peeling them. When she saw the little girl coming over, she explained with a smile.

"I see that you have prepared a lot of dishes in your cabinet. I am thinking of making a few cold dishes. I guess you haven't prepared any. I just want to make a mustard dumpling with mashed potatoes."

It is said that people in the old capital like to use vegetables, especially Chinese cabbage, to make mustard dumplings. But after eating the mashed potatoes made by Zhu Xuefeng, she heard that mashed potatoes are also good to make mustard dumplings. Aunt Zou remembered it and thought of it if she didn't find a chance. Try it.

Zhu Xuefeng blushed. The New Year's Eve dinner in the old capital emphasized the "four and four bottoms", which means that the banquet consists of four cold dishes, four hot stir-fried dishes, four meat dishes, and four soup dishes.

After thinking about it on my own, I arranged a lot of dishes, but I really didn't follow the rules to prepare them. It would be fine if the three brothers and sisters ate it by themselves. Now that I've invited Uncle Zou and his wife to eat, it's a bit inappropriate not to follow the rules.

But for these few people, it is really useless to follow the old rules. People's homes have also changed it to "four plates and eight bowls", that is, four plates of cold dishes and eight bowls of hot dishes, mostly home-cooked dishes.

I really need to re-plan what dishes will be served at the New Year's dinner, otherwise the old couple will have to laugh at it.

Four traditional cold dishes: fried glutinous rice dumplings, mustard dumplings, pork skin jelly, and colorful peanuts. The fried glutinous rice dumplings are replaced with Qianlong cabbage. It’s too late to make them now. Uncle Zou has already prepared the peanuts and jelly pork skin, but Silly Zhu still helps. It's boiled and stored in the cellar ice bank, and the cold dishes are all ready.

Eight hot dishes are prepared: braised carp, braised sea cucumber with green onions, stir-fried shrimps, braised meatballs, twice-cooked pork with green garlic, and braised chicken. Then stir-fry two vegetarian dishes to make eight. In this way, you will be happy and happy. Those who have chickens and fish are considered auspicious.

These are all ready-made and have been prepared for a long time. They are all in the icehouse. The sea cucumbers were cooked by Si Zhu, and they were frozen in the icehouse after they were cooked.

If the four soup dishes cannot be prepared according to the old rules, firstly, there will be no time, and secondly, there will be no ingredients. It is estimated that given the current situation this year, it will be difficult for everyone to get them together.

I can only make up the numbers, that's what I mean. Besides, there are only five people, and four soups are a waste. Then I'll make a pot of bone soup, a pot of mutton, and then add seaweed, egg drop soup, and chicken soup. The so-called "four or four bottoms out" means seeking stability.

Zhu Xuefeng explained the dishes he had arranged, and the old couple agreed without hesitation. Unexpectedly, the eldest son of the Zhu family was quite well prepared. He also prepared a few at home, but it seemed that he wouldn't need them.

"This lady is already fried, so don't mess with that emperor's cabbage. Don't let him come and cause trouble in the house during the Chinese New Year."

Uncle Zou reminded Zhu Xuefeng that he could only accept it.

"Uncle, it's not Emperor's cabbage, it's Qianlong's cabbage."

"Things related to Qianlong and Kangxi are all from the old Huangli. This is not popular now. I see, fried glutinous rice is pretty good."

"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you."

"Don't make bone soup and chicken soup. By coincidence, your aunt has already cooked them. I didn't expect you to arrange them this way."

Uncle Zou looked at Zhu Xuefeng with a smile. The old couple had been paying attention to the things prepared by the three brothers and sisters for a long time. They guessed that they would not be back early today. The soup had already been stewed next door.

"Xue Song, you and your sister go to the cellar to get all the vegetables, and then take a shower. We'll get started later."

"Okay."

The second child happily took the key and went down with his sister. After taking a shower this year, you can't bring the dirt from the previous year with you to celebrate the New Year. Zhu Xuefeng will also have to take a shower soon. The bumpy past two days is still a bit tiring. .

Once we have a plan, the rest will be easier to handle. Everyone performs their duties and works together. In a short time, the New Year's dinner is ready. There is no room in the kitchen. Uncle Zou and his wife also found an excuse to go back first. Zhu Xuefeng knows The old couple are avoiding this, it’s time for the old Zhu family to pay homage to their ancestors.

I don’t know whose house it is in the yard, but it has already started setting off firecrackers in a hurry. The sound of firecrackers can be heard from time to time in the distance. A bunch of children are running around in the yard, and they go to whose house the firecrackers are set off.

"Xue Song, hang up the firecrackers. We need to set the table later."

"Okay." The younger brother and sister dropped what they were doing and went to set off firecrackers. Zhu Xuefeng arranged the memorial tablets of his grandparents and parents, rearranged them, and placed the tributes.

According to the rules here, a firecracker should be placed in front of the door or in the yard before eating to express celebration. Only after setting off the firecrackers can the food be served.

Firecrackers crackled at the door, and Zhu Xuefeng also went out to light four kicks. He heard a loud "Peng" sound among the sound of firecrackers, and then there was a "Pop" explosion in mid-air. .

The second child put a lot of marlezi on the side. This thing made a lot of noise, but unfortunately it only made one sound.

The children headed by Niu Xiaoben were all waiting aside, waiting until the release was over, and then started picking and picking, looking for the ones that hadn't exploded.

"You have to be careful for a while. Some of them may be slow and explode after you catch them. Don't hurt anyone. Wait a little longer before picking them up."

Zhu Xuefeng had experienced it before. When he was a child, he quickly grabbed a handful and blew up more than a dozen firecrackers that had fallen down. Unfortunately, they exploded in his hand. He was so painful that three purple blood bubbles exploded on the spot. The firecrackers hurt for many days.

Several children from the third uncle's family were also hanging firecrackers in the yard. When they saw Lao Zhu's family starting, they covered their ears and watched, and waited until they let go before setting off firecrackers at home.

"Hey, big brother, this is booming. You're kicking your feet a lot now. Do you have any more? Give me a few and I'll let them go too."

Silly Zhu saw Lao Zhujia kicking his legs from a distance, and hurried over. There were too few of them, so it was difficult to come across them.

"Yes, come and get it. When will your family have dinner?"

"I'm ready. I'm going to pick up the old lady. We'll start in a minute."

Silly Zhu also got four kicks and walked away happily.

"Thank you, brother, our house will be prosperous soon, and there will be four rings."

The three little guys from the Yan family were jealous, and Silly Zhu was happily kicking his legs twice, but they wanted to but couldn't speak.

"Little sister, I made a trip to deliver four kickers to the third uncle's house. Let's put them together."

"Thank you Brother Feng, thank you Sister Xiaomei."

Yan Jiedi, who knew the younger sister best, stepped forward to take it and said thank you.

"You have to be careful for a while, this thing explodes really hard. Come on, let it go at your house. We have to go and serve the food."

No one listened to Zhu Xuefeng's nonsense. As soon as the firecrackers stopped, a group of children jumped in, and then...

Accompanied by the sound of firecrackers at Lao Yan's house, the three of them brought the dishes to the table one by one. They were all cold and hot, including the hot pot and four soups.

"Kneel down and kowtow..."

After paying homage to grandparents and parents, these tributes still have to be displayed.

"Go and invite Mr. Zou and his wife over. We're going to have dinner too."

It's still early, it's not yet seven o'clock. People in the capital are celebrating the New Year, and this New Year's dinner is also called New Year's Eve dinner. There is no fixed time. Some people eat it at around five o'clock in the morning, and many people eat it at eight o'clock later. , each company arranges according to its own time.

This is different from that in the south. I remember that many families in the south have New Year’s Eve dinner at noon. Here in the capital, it’s called New Year’s Eve dinner. Usually it’s the second half of the meal, followed by the bread dumplings.

The New Year's Eve dinner is the most solemn meal of the year. Its significance, the splendor of the meal, and the length of the meal can all be said to be "one meal alone".

No matter how difficult the family life is, they will try their best to arrange a New Year's Eve dinner, which is not only a reward for everyone's hard work over the past year, but also carries a strong meaning and wish.

Now there is no entertainment at night, there is no TV, and by the way, there is a radio at home, how could I forget this?

"Second brother, take out the radio, I still want to talk about this."

There was an opera program on the radio, which the old couple loved to listen to. The three brothers and sisters wanted to eat first because they had been hungry for most of the day.

The New Year's Eve dinner was very sumptuous, and there was also a plate of shredded radish. This was not included in the dish, but it was just a starter. There were also two kilograms of hot-boiled mutton. The table was full of dishes. I looked at the excitement and ate happily, but I really couldn't eat much. Yesterday Except for Zhu Xuefeng, the two elders helped to steam three of the steamed buns, and the others only ate one each.

The steamed buns were all dotted with red dots, which were all done with the help of the old couple. Zhu Xuefeng had forgotten it a long time ago, and only remembered it when he saw the red dots. The three of them were not prepared at all. Fortunately, the old man helped them, so they did not show their timidity. .

The younger siblings had known that their eldest brother's appetite had skyrocketed since he started practicing martial arts, so they were not surprised. However, Uncle Zou and his wife were a little surprised to see that the eldest son of the Zhu family ate a lot of vegetables and could finish three big steamed buns. With this monthly food Is it enough to eat?

(End of this chapter)