Chapter 74: Chapter 74: If even sons cannot be relied upon, of what use are grandsons? Chapter 74: Chapter 74: If even sons cannot be relied upon, of what use are grandsons? Bai Zhi’s gaze turned towards the corn. In Nanning County, where the sunlight was abundant, the corn naturally ripened earlier, and soon, it would be time to pick the corn.
Even though Bai Dan had tried to pick the tenderest ones, some were already getting a bit old, but that was exactly what Bai Zhi needed. Although old, they still had some juice in them.
The tenderest kernels were used for boiling, slightly tender ones for roasting, later to be placed directly into the ashes in the cooking pit. By that time, the residual heat from the fire would be sufficient to roast the corn to perfection.
As for the older ones, it was time to use the stone mill. Bai Zhi cleaned the mill thoroughly.
In those days, every household had a stone mill, perfect for grinding tofu pudding and rice milk.
It had just been a long time since it had been used. For Bai Dan, who was living alone, he ate whatever he had and didn’t if he didn’t have it.
So, it basically went unused, and it took a long time to get clean.
Bai Zhi first removed the kernels from the cobs before starting to grind the corn; no water needed to be added, as the kernels themselves still held some juice.
Therefore, no more water was required. His right hand pushed the mill while the left fed the kernels in, round and round.
The kernels then turned into a fine paste.
No other ingredients, not even salt, needed to be added, because they would alter the taste of the cornmeal.
Just like that, with direct heat, add oil, and start frying.
Because it was too thin, it could only be scooped with a spoon before being placed in the pan. The sizzling sound of the oil, watching one side turn slightly yellow, then quickly flipping it over to continue frying slowly.
Bai Dan washed the cornmeal over and over again. In another household, maybe they wouldn’t want to waste the cornmeal like this, but for Bai Dan, nothing was too good to spare.
As long as it was something Xingxing liked, he’d give whatever was asked for, as long as he could provide it.
And as for spoiling Xingxing?
How could that be possible? His Xingxing was absolutely the best-behaved, no other child was as brilliant or clever as his.
There simply wasn’t.
Having just finished washing, Bai Dan was about to head back when he saw Bai Yu and Bai Ye across from him.
Each holding a basin, washing clothes with an air of nonchalance. At that turtle’s pace of theirs, they probably wouldn’t finish in the entire afternoon.
As for these two grandsons, he had given up any expectations; since they bullied Xingxing, they were no longer his grandsons.
As for those who said, later on in life, they wouldn’t care for him,
Forget it. His foolish son didn’t even look after him, so he had no hopes for his grandsons.
Carrying the intestines with him, Bai Dan ran into his older brother Bai Ming and they agreed to head back together. Intestines as snacks with drinks were not bad at all, and before that, they could even play some chess.
As soon as he reached the entrance of the house, he was greeted by the aroma of corn.
“Is Bai Zhi making corn rice buns? But, it isn’t time for that, is it?”
Bai Ming frowned, not because he doubted Bai Zhi’s cooking skills, but because their idea of rice buns was different from what Bai Zhi was making.
The rice buns Bai Ming referred to were actually called “pot-baked,” made from a mix of white and yellow cornmeal, then sifted and kneaded into dough. Since they were made from old corn, they had a coarse texture,
and when slowly baked on the stove, the residual heat dried them out, making them exceptionally filling, hence their popularity as a satisfying lunch.
In those days, before reforestation, everyone wished to plant a little more, just a little more. Take them to lunch for a hearty meal.
But what Bai Zhi made was from tender corn, which was sweetly crispy on the outside and tender inside.
Bai Zhi had just finished cooking when Bai Ming and the others came in. Seeing that big pot of oil, Bai Ming felt rather distressed, and to see his younger brother had no reaction at all.
Was that not a bit wasteful? Couldn’t he see it?
“Grandpa, Great Grandpa, you’re back, give me the intestines. Have some corn rice buns to fill your stomachs.”
“Okay, be careful. Should I stoke the fire for you?”
Bai Dan immediately took over, unconcerned with how much oil Bai Zhi was using; as long as Xingxing was happy, that was all that mattered.
The moment he took a bite of the corn rice bun, savoring the sweet flavor as it spread throughout his mouth, even Bai Ming couldn’t deny its deliciousness.
“No need, Grandpa, go about your business.”
Bai Zhi got busy again, rinsing the pork intestines and heart and lungs, looking like she was about to start braising them again.
Bai Zhi also specially bought bay leaves, cinnamon, star anise, and such for seasoning, and absolutely couldn’t skimp on dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns, bringing everything to a boil and then simmering on low heat…
Finally, when the pork intestines were almost done, she threw in the potatoes and let it simmer for half an hour before adding chopped green onions to thicken the sauce.
Bai Zhi even went out to pick green beans and made a stir-fried dry-fried green bean dish.
Before it was finished, Bai Ming and the others were already eager to try it, the chess game no longer holding their full attention, as the delicious aroma filled the air.
Bai Zhi filled a large bowl and placed it in a bamboo basket, ready to head out.
“Grandpa, I’m going to Aunt’s house for a bit,” reciprocity was essential; Bai Fei had been good to her, and she knew it, the large watermelon hadn’t even been cut into yet.
“Be back soon.”
Bai Dan didn’t stop her, he just wanted his granddaughter to come back soon so he could hurry up and have a drink with his brother.
Bai Zhi delivered the food and came back immediately. She couldn’t ease her mind about Grandpa—who knew if he might drink too much while she was gone?
So, after arranging to meet Bai Fei halfway up the hillside, Bai Zhi prepared to head back home, and somewhat quickly at that.
Sometimes, the saying “Enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road” really holds true; you always run into people you dislike.
Like Bai Yu and Bai Ye.
However, today, Bai Zhi was in a good mood and didn’t even bother to quarrel with them.
So she didn’t plan to pay any attention to them since she wanted to be a gentle young lady, not a brutish tomboy.
But then, some people just asked for trouble.
As she walked by, suddenly a stone was kicked towards her,
Bai Zhi sneered coldly and swung her foot to kick it back.
“Ah!”
Bai Ye, who was carrying a wooden basin, suddenly let go, and the basin fell to the ground along with the clothes. He didn’t care to pick them up and instead clutched his ankle and began to cry out.
“It hurts so much, Bai Zhi, you jerk.”
Bai Zhi laughed instantly. They could sneak attack, but she was the jerk?
What kind of logic was that?
She turned around, giving the two a cold smile, then quickly ran over, looking at Bai Ye with concern. Her voice became especially soft.
“Second brother, what happened to you, how could you be so careless, do you need my help? Those clothes will need to be washed again, won’t they?”
Bai Ye’s fierce expression hadn’t yet faded when he heard a voice slightly tinged with surprise.
“Bai Ye, what are you trying to do? Bully your sister, aren’t you?”
Bai Ye looked up, and who could it be but loudmouth Aunt Niu coming over.
Bai Zhi acted as if she hadn’t heard and continued to look at Bai Ye with sympathy,
“Brother, don’t worry, let me check your foot. I’ll rub it for you.”
Without waiting for Bai Ye’s approval, she went straight to work, cracking and twisting. She did it as joyfully as she pleased.
With a “crack,” Bai Ye let out a howl of pain.
“Ah! Bai Zhi, I’m going to fight you to the death.”
With some unknown burst of strength, Bai Ye pushed Bai Zhi away and leapt up, pointing at her and cursing loudly.
“What are you doing, what are you doing!”