What’s the big deal about coming from the countryside? Two generations up, which family here wasn’t from the countryside?
It’s really rare to see someone speak so disapprovingly of themselves with such fluidity.
Sister-in-law Feng’s eyes widened as she looked Lin Chuxia up and down, then slapped her thigh, “Oh my, just think, some people are born with good fortune. You and Mr. Qin don’t resemble people from the countryside at all. Nobody would believe it if you said it; you look like city folks born and raised. Then there’s us, even after living here for so long, we don’t even compare a tiny bit, we just can’t compare…”
Lin Chuxia: “…”
No need for her to explain this.
“Sister, you play with the kids. Sister-in-law Song is waiting for me, I need to go.”
“Ah, right, go on then. Sister-in-law Song is really nice too, she’s so well-liked. Everyone here likes to talk to her. I actually enjoy chatting with her too, it’s just that…”
Sister-in-law Feng was still prattling on behind her, but Lin Chuxia had already hurried away from the scene, heading straight to Sister-in-law Song’s place.
Seeing her slightly out of breath, Sister-in-law Song thought she was in a hurry and laughed, “You really didn’t need to rush. It’s all because Brother Bai is so picky about my cooking. It wasn’t easy waiting for you to come, and he just wants you to give me a couple of pointers. Cooking skills can’t be learned by just saying a few words, can they? I think he’s dreaming.”
Lin Chuxia laughed along with her and handed over the items, “I ran into Sister-in-law Feng on the way here.”
That day in the canteen, Sister-in-law Song was also present, and having lived here for so long, they knew exactly what kind of person Sister-in-law Feng was.
As soon as Lin Chuxia mentioned her, it was clear that Sister-in-law Feng had been up to her tricks again.
“Don’t mind her. When it comes to it, their Project Division Two doesn’t have much to do with our Project Division One. Her husband is quite capable too, but I don’t know what she thinks, always feeling inferior to others. Especially when she sees these genuine university graduates, she wants to curry favor. When she first came here, she often sought me out, and it wasn’t just me—other colleagues’ family members were quite friendly to her too. Since our men work together, we housewives have nothing better to do than to visit each other and chat. But whenever she talks, she goes on about not being worthy or not as good as others. Many of these family members are from the countryside themselves, and none of them looked down on her, let alone disdained her. Yet she always puts herself down, making everyone uncomfortable. In the end, no one wanted to deal with her anymore, afraid of being blamed for bullying without reason.”
Lin Chuxia nodded in agreement. That sounded about right.
Bai Xiaoming had gone to work, and the kids Bai Liang and Bai Tian were off playing somewhere.
Sister-in-law Song had already bought all the ingredients for tonight’s dinner, getting all the greens and beans ready.
It’s not like she was relying entirely on Lin Chuxia; it’s just that her own cooking skills were nothing to boast about. Especially after tasting Lin Chuxia’s beef sauce, she feared inviting her over for a meal only to end up making her sick.
“In a bit, you don’t have to lift a finger; just stand by and teach me how to do it. Learning a trick or two from you is a big win for me.”
“Sister, you’re too modest. I’m not that skilled; I just started cooking at a young age.”
“That’s not the same. I’ve been cooking since I was young too, and now at this age, I still haven’t made a single tasty meal.”
Jokes aside, the two of them seriously started cooking together.
Sister-in-law Song bought some pork belly, planning to make braised pork, and since people in the Northwest eat a lot of lamb, she also got some fresh, tender lamb.
The pork belly was already cut up, and Lin Chuxia first asked Sister-in-law Song how she usually cooked it.
“Just boil some water in a pot, put the meat in, add some seasonings, and let it stew slowly. That’s how I was taught at home since I was a child.”
“Let’s try a different method today.”
Lin Chuxia guided Sister-in-law Song, starting by blanching the meat in water.
This step actually requires some finesse too, with cold pot, cold water, and cold meat, the meat will come out with no gamey taste.
After blanching the meat, put it aside for later use, and since there was sugar at home, Chuxia taught Sister-in-law Song how to make caramelized sugar.
Sister-in-law Song never knew that sugar could be added when braising meat, and once the blanched meat was rolled in the caramelized sugar, her eyes lit up immediately.
“This color is exactly like the braised pork sold at the State-Owned Restaurant.”
These days, soy sauce isn’t like it is in the future; there’s no fine division between light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, or yellow bean soy sauce—just one bottle of soy sauce at home does it all.
Moreover, the soy sauce technology of this era is crude and scarce; the color is somewhat light, and relying solely on soy sauce for color would cost a pretty penny.
So making caramelized sugar is the most perfect.
Add green onions, ginger, and spices to the pot and stir-fry for a while, Sister-in-law Song scooped a scoop of cold water from the water jar to pour in, and was stopped by Lin Chuxia.
“Sister-in-law, it’s time to add hot water now.”
“Braising meat has so much attention to detail. No wonder the meat I braise doesn’t taste good.”
Sister-in-law Song took a thermos and poured half a thermos of boiling water into it.
The rest was just simmering on low heat.
During this time, the two of them made other dishes on another stove.
At this moment, the two kids came back, their voices reached the house before they did.
“Mom, what delicious things are we making today? I smelled something delicious outside the courtyard, and I thought it was the aroma from Grandma Li’s place next door, but it turns out it came from our house.”
Bai Tian rushed in while shouting, with a big lump on his forehead.
Sister-in-law Song frowned immediately, “You little monkey, where did you run off to play wildly again? How did you get such a big lump on your head?”
She turned to look at her elder son who had just come in.
Bai Liang was 9 years old this year, and Bai Tian was not yet 6. Usually, when the two children went out to play, Bai Liang would look after him, so she didn’t have to worry.
Bai Tian had his mind solely on the good food and didn’t care to answer his mom.
Bai Liang and Bai Xiaoming were like two peas in a pod; even at only 9, he already had Bai Xiaoming’s mature manner.
But before he could speak, a woman’s voice came from outside, “Sister-in-law, are you at home?”
Sister-in-law Song and Lin Chuxia looked at each other, both recognized it was Sister-in-law Feng’s voice.
Sister-in-law Song wiped her hands and went outside.
The Bai Family’s kitchen was set up in the side room, with the kitchen door open at the moment, although Lin Chuxia couldn’t see Sister-in-law Feng, she could clearly hear their voices.
“Sister-in-law, I am truly embarrassed to face you, it’s all my fault for not watching the kids properly. Just now, Jingjing was throwing soil clods, and somehow, it hit Bai Tian right in the head creating a big bump, oh my, looking at that bump really makes my heart ache. I said I would take him to the clinic, but in the time I went home to get money, the two kids ran back, look, it’s our fault. Where is the kid now? I’ll take him to the clinic right away.”
“Hey, it’s alright, these two little monkeys of ours getting bumps and bruises is a common occurrence, I’ve seen that big lump too, it’ll fade in a couple of days, there’s no need to go to the clinic.”