Siheyuan: Steel Mill Engineer

Chapter 101 Dumplings
He Yuzhu's family is doing well this year, and the couple can earn 70 yuan.

It does cost a lot for He Yushui to go to school, but this much he earns is enough.

"Brother Zhenyu, what do you think of my clothes? My sister-in-law bought them for me." He Yushui opened her arms and turned around, saying happily.

"Well, it looks very good and it suits you best." Yang Zhenyu nodded and said.

"Hehe..." He Yushui smiled and took Sha Meifeng's arm.

It was obvious that Sha Meifeng was very good at making her sister-in-law happy. After being here for a few months, she had already become familiar with He Yushui.

"This girl is always thinking about playing." He Yuzhu shook his head and said.

"Just be content. In a few years, when you want others to play with you, they won't be free yet." Yang Zhenyu said with a roll of his eyes.

"That's true. Let's go to the market today." He Yuzhu nodded in agreement. He Yushui has grown up gradually in the past two years and is no longer clingy to him.

The three women were running and chattering in the front, while Yang Zhenyu and He Yuzhu were pushing the cart slowly in the back. Fortunately, the snow was not heavy today, otherwise it would not be easy to walk such a long distance.

So, a group of five people went to the market.

"Yes, there are black clouds in the north. When they come over, it will definitely be snowing heavily. We have to hurry up and prevent it from snowing too heavily, otherwise it will be inconvenient for us to travel." He Yuzhu pointed in the northwest direction and said.

There is no 30th day of the twelfth lunar month this year. The 29th day is New Year's Eve. People also start to celebrate the New Year with peace of mind on this day.

"Oh, isn't this Zhang? How come you have time to come back?" Yan Bugui said with a hint of sarcasm when he saw Jia Zhang come in.

However, there are always people who come out to cause trouble, such as Jia Zhang, who actually ran back to the compound during the New Year.

"Really? You came back to see your grandson during the New Year, but you came back empty-handed?" Yan Bugui said jokingly.

"Well, I guess the snow will continue to fall, and it might not even clear up tomorrow." Yang Zhenyu said.

This year the compound is more lively than in previous years. Not only are there three families getting married, but other families also have people working in the factory. This year's life is much better and more lively.

The most important thing is that I bought a bunch of fireworks and firecrackers. These are the romance of men. Every man cannot resist setting off firecrackers.

"It's the New Year, can't I come back to see my grandson?" Jia Zhang said righteously.

The women were chattering in the front, looking at this and that, while Yang Zhenyu and the two men followed behind, getting the things and then securing them on the bicycles. Anyway, they had no plans to ride the bicycles since it was snowing.

"It shouldn't be so fast. Let's go over and take a look at what to buy, and then come back directly. The supply and marketing cooperative has already bought a lot of things anyway." Yang Zhenyu said.

Sugar figurines, candied haws, and New Year pictures are the most attractive, followed by various snacks and dried fruits.

Yang Zhenyu, who was pasting couplets, also saw Jia Zhang, but he didn't say anything. The two families didn't get along well.

"Come to think of it, it's been snowing these days, so this year will probably be very cold," said He Yuzhu.

"Yes, yes, it's none of my business. Just don't let others kick you out later." Yan Bugui said indifferently.

"Who said I came empty-handed? Besides, what's it to you?" Jia Zhang glanced at Yan Bugui and said.

Anyway, it's none of their family's business, so let them do whatever they want. As an outsider, he won't care so much and will just watch the fun at most.

"Why is Jia Zhang back?" Zhou Qianqian whispered in Yang Zhenyu's ear.

"I don't know, she can go wherever she wants, it has nothing to do with us anyway, why bother so much?" Yang Zhenyu shook his head. "Who cares about her? I'm just worried that this compound will be in turmoil again." Zhou Qianqian patted Yang Zhenyu and said.

"Hmm? If you say so, then it is really possible. We already have two troubles in our compound. Now with the addition of Jia Zhang, it will be really lively." Yang Zhenyu reacted immediately. This should be what Zhou Qianqian meant.

"I guess we won't have a peaceful New Year," said Zhou Qianqian.

"Never mind him. Let's just live our own lives. We can't possibly get involved in the Jia family's affairs, don't you think?" Yang Zhenyu said indifferently.

"Yes, that's true. We can't control others' business. Just don't bother us." Zhou Qianqian nodded.

"That's right. We are living a good life now. It's fine as long as you don't cause us trouble. But in this compound, there should be no one who would cause trouble for no reason. Except for those two idiots, everyone else is still thinking of relying on our family's connections." Yang Zhenyu said with a smile.

"Okay, stop showing off. Let's finish it quickly and then go to my aunt's place. It will take time to prepare the dumpling filling." Zhou Qianqian said.

"Yes, yes, what you said makes sense." Yang Zhenyu nodded repeatedly.

According to the custom in the north, dumplings should be made on New Year’s Eve for the next morning. In some places, they are even made for several days.

In winter, the weather outside is very cold and it will freeze if left outside at night.

The only thing you need to be careful about is not to attract thieves.

Otherwise, there will be nothing left.

It was already past nine o'clock when they finished putting up the couplets. It was urgent to go to Yi Zhonghai's house to chop the stuffing, after all, there were only enough for four people.

Nowadays, most dumpling fillings in the north are made with cabbage or radish as the main ingredients, with pork or eggs as side ingredients, which makes them very delicious during the Chinese New Year.

It’s not that people don’t want to use meat as the main ingredient, but that they don’t have the conditions. Selling meat not only requires money, but also corresponding tickets. Even during the Chinese New Year, there is not as much meat in the meat-stuffed dumplings as imagined.

Fortunately, Yang Zhenyu's situation is different. He has enough meat coupons and shrimps in the cellar, which can be used as the main ingredient for making dumplings.

"Dong dong dong..."

The courtyard was filled with the sound of chopping stuffing, as every household was preparing dumplings for the New Year.

"Zhenyu, can these shrimp dumplings really be delicious?" an aunt said with distrust.

"It must be delicious. This leek and shrimp is absolutely delicious. If you don't believe me, go ask Brother Zhuzi." Yang Zhenyu said.

"Really?" The aunt still didn't quite believe it.

"Really, it's absolutely true." Yang Zhenyu nodded repeatedly.

"Okay, I'll punish you if it doesn't taste good." An old lady said, gesturing with a spatula.

"Hey, it's guaranteed to be delicious."

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's prepare more this year and eat slowly." Yi Zhonghai said with a smile.

Yi Zhonghai now feels that his life is hopeful. Although he has no children, he has a filial nephew. The key is that his nephew's parents are both dead. What is there to be dissatisfied about?
For Yang Zhenyu, such a life is also very good. He has an aunt who takes care of the family, an uncle who stands in front of him, and a sensible daughter-in-law. The family is not short of money, and their life is prosperous, which is better than anything else.

(End of this chapter)