The lightness of her demeanor made her think it was a bag of cotton if not for the white flour scattered on the ground around it.
Then, seeing her two hands move the small iron stove down, Mrs. Qin finally realized that her daughter-in-law’s strength was indeed considerable.
But no matter what, she was still a girl.
Mrs. Qin convinced herself and while helping her unload things, she continued, “With so much stuff, it’s always good to have someone lend a hand when moving it.”
“Mom, this isn’t a lot. I can handle it myself, and if I couldn’t, I would definitely call dad and my older brother,” Lin Chuxia knew her mother-in-law was worried about her just having married into the family and too embarrassed to ask for help.
Seeing the pile of big bones on the handcart, Lin Chuxia discussed with Mrs. Qin, “Mom, my basin is sent up for fermentation, could you knead some extra dough at noon? I’ll stew some big bone soup, and we can all have noodle soup together?”
Mrs. Qin laughed, “Okay, I’ll go knead the dough later.”
A daughter-in-law who can openly talk to her shows that she doesn’t see her as an outsider.
The elder daughter-in-law was good. They had lived together for four or five years, and while not treating her mother-in-law as a biological mother, she didn’t see her as an outsider either.
Mrs. Qin was quite afraid that she would not get along with her younger daughter-in-law who just split the household after getting married.
With her younger son not at home, if she became estranged from her younger daughter-in-law, how could she feel at ease?
Once the goods were unloaded, many things needed to be washed before use.
The dough had been set to rise early in the morning, and now that it wasn’t rising well, Lin Chuxia started stewing the purchased bones in the pot.
There wasn’t much meat on these bones, and they weren’t expensive, only ten cents a pound. When she went to buy meat and saw them piled on the side, ignored by others, Lin Chuxia bought them directly.
It goes to show that rarity increases value. A few years ago, during the planned economy era, it was not easy to buy big bones. Aside from meat coupons, one also needed proof from an orthopedic surgeon to make a purchase, and even then, it cost fifteen cents a pound.
As for pig liver, it also counted as nutritious food.
These rare and hard-to-buy items now lay there, attracting no buyers.
The aroma from the pot first lured in a little glutton.
Zhuangzhuang blinked his big eyes, “Little Auntie, how come you stew bones so fragrantly, even more so than when my mom stews meat.”
Lin Chuxia pinched his chubby little face, “Smells good, doesn’t it? In a bit, you’ll have meat soup noodles with Little Auntie. I’m assigning you a task now, go to the backyard and pluck some baby bok choy.”
Zhuangzhuang was originally worried that his mother might not let him eat with Little Auntie again, but hearing that Lin Chuxia had given him a job, he puffed out his chest and saluted like a soldier from the picture paper, “Mission assured.”
His mom had said that aside from his own parents, only those who worked earned the right to eat what others provided.
By helping Little Auntie, he would be able to eat her meat soup noodles.
When the Qin Family returned from working in the fields at noon, the courtyard was already filled with the aroma of meat, and various cooking utensils had been cleaned and neatly arranged on the sunlit ground.
Qin Han glanced at his wife, Zhang Guilan, who also looked somewhat surprised.
She thought Lin Chuxia’s talk of doing business was just trifling matters.
Not many ventured into business these days, proceeding with trepidation, testing the waters with every step, uncertain of profit or loss. It seemed better to farm the land steadily.
After the land was allotted to them, they decided what to grow each year. Their cucumbers and string beans from earlier this year had made a pretty profit.
So when Qin Han mentioned that his younger sister-in-law wanted them to join her in business, Zhang Guilan was resistant.
Now she began to see things in a new light.
A sister-in-law showing such courage.
“Mom, Grandma said we’re eating noodles together today, Auntie also stewed a big bone, she even gave me some of the bone soup earlier, it was so delicious,” Zhuangzhuang ran while shouting, his little mouth still greasy.
“Sister-in-law, you’ve gone to too much trouble again,” Zhang Guilan felt a little embarrassed.
“What are you saying, big brother has been helping me a lot these past few days, you won’t even let me say thanks, and now you’re being a stranger? Mom has already kneaded the dough, you guys wash up first, I’ll go boil the noodles, and we’ll have a meal soon.”
Mrs. Qin wanted to roll the noodles, but Lin Chuxia didn’t let her, insisting that hand-pulled noodles were tastier in a hot soup.
She kneaded the dough several times, and it was very well rested.
Once the water boiled in the pot, she started pulling the noodles, and in no time, the thin and chewy noodles were ready.
With blanched greens on top, covered with big bone soup, and a sprinkle of young green onions, the flavor burst forth.
Zhang Guilan also brought out her homemade, refreshing pickled vegetables and Lin Chuxia’s fried chili oil, adding a spoonful for those who like spice, making the meal incredibly satisfying.
Qin Han was sweating profusely from eating, exclaiming how good it was.
Mr. Qin also ate half a bowl more than usual, “Good times should be matched with good craftsmanship, and Chuxia’s skills, you must admit, would be wasted if she didn’t start a business.”
“That’s true, if I were to make it, I definitely couldn’t bring out this flavor,” Mrs. Qin also laughed.
“I think it’s even better than the meat we eat during the New Year.”
Little Zhuangzhuang slurped his noodles and offered his opinion, amusing the whole family to laughter.
Lin Chuxia also felt the bone soup was exquisite; she added spiritual spring water to the soup, along with her secret blend of spices, which was truly phenomenal.
After lunch, the conversation turned idle, mainly focusing on Lin Chuxia’s business.
Although they weren’t working together, it was only right to offer ideas and watch over each other when needed.
Qin Han actually had some regrets; he didn’t want to farm anymore, but his wife said farming was stable and the earnings weren’t bad, telling him to be content.
“By the way, big brother, is the coal factory selling coal now? I went out this morning and couldn’t find a place selling coal.”
Initially, Lin Chuxia was planning to steam buns at home and then divide them into steamer baskets to sell at the train station.
This required bringing a small stove to keep them warm.
“That’s easy to handle; I have a classmate working at the coal factory. Whenever you need it, I’ll take you to see him, and he should be able to give you a discount.”
Lin Chuxia hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise, “Do you have time tomorrow morning, big brother?”
Qin Han was not hesitant at all, “Sure, I’ll take you there tomorrow.”
In the afternoon, once the dough was ready, Lin Chuxia began steaming meat buns.
She had hand-chopped the meat filling, and luckily, she was strong enough; the fragrance emerged as soon as she mixed in green onion, ginger, salt, and her secret spices.
Mrs. Qin came over to help upon hearing the activity. Lin Chuxia hadn’t intended for her to help, but Mrs. Qin wasn’t happy with that.
“It’s already tough for you to run a business on your own, we must lend a hand. It’s only right. If you still consider us family, don’t treat me as an outsider.”
She then continued, “Don’t worry about your brother and sister-in-law; your sister-in-law just told me after lunch that there is more work in the fields these next few days. She can’t help you out and is afraid you won’t manage, even considering bringing Zhuangzhuang to the fields, she told me to give you a hand.”
Lin Chuxia remembered that at lunchtime her sister-in-law had asked Zhuangzhuang if he wanted to play in the fields in the afternoon. The little guy thought it was too hot and didn’t want to go; her sister-in-law coaxed him quite a bit.
Thinking about it, Lin Chuxia was unspeakably moved.