Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 188 Beneficial Without Cost

The next day was the second day of the Lunar New Year.

In the north, people eat dumplings on the first day of the Lunar New Year and noodles on the second. In the south, there aren't as many dietary restrictions, at least not in the Yunhu area. As long as you can eat and drink well, that's considered celebrating the New Year.

So this morning, we steamed the big steamed buns that Jiang Tiantian had made yesterday but hadn't finished eating, and Jiang Lili also made a bowl of egg drop soup.

While beating the eggs, the eggs I bought at the market last time had frozen into jelly. Luckily, they weren't spoiled. I stirred them vigorously to make egg drop soup, added a couple of drops of oil, and it was still very fragrant.

Chen Fan ate the big steamed buns and drank the egg drop soup, and his body quickly warmed up.

He looked at Jiang Lili and said, "After get off work this morning, I'm bringing my veterinary classmates over to castrate pigs. It's the Lunar New Year, so we should definitely invite them to stay for a meal. Prepare plenty of dishes later."

Jiang Lili nodded immediately, "Oh, okay."

He then asked, "How about the same as the meal you prepared the day before yesterday? Just without a whole chicken, only half a bowl of chicken pieces left from last time, but adding some potatoes will fill the bowl."

She was referring to the reunion dinner that Chen Fan prepared on New Year's Eve.

Chen Fan immediately shook his head, "No need, especially don't serve the chicken."

He then whispered, "Prepare more fish and less meat, more sauce and less oil. In short, we need to show our hospitality without making them think we're living too well."

Jiang Lili's lips twitched slightly, then twitched again, and finally curved into an arc as she smiled and said, "I understand. Make more fish and less meat. There's no fresh meat, only cured meat. Make more vegetable and tofu meatballs, and as few pearl meatballs as possible. Then make two egg dishes, with cabbage and radish as the vegetables. That's all."

Chen Fan gave a thumbs up and sincerely praised, "You have good comprehension."

He then lowered his voice, "But the portion size must be generous, mainly to reflect the idea of ​​large portions and good value."

Although one should play the victim to cover up one's "extravagant" lifestyle, one cannot allow others to go hungry, otherwise it would be too embarrassing to lose face if word got out.

Jiang Lili nodded with a smile, "Hehe, I know. I'll make a big pot of radish stew with cured pork, a pot of braised mixed fish, and two steamed cured fish. With these three as a base, it should be presentable."

Chen Fan nodded seriously and then said, "Of the two chickens they sent before, we killed and ate one and gave the other to Master Lu. If they come to pay their respects today with gifts, pick two more from those gifts to make a combination. If they don't have any suitable gifts, cook more mixed rice."

The so-called mixed rice is simply a dish of vegetables and minced meat mixed with some pickles and kimchi, then simmered in a clay pot.

Although pickled vegetables and kimchi are not served at formal banquets, it doesn't mean you can't use them as ingredients. Make a big pot of fragrant mixed rice in a clay pot, and they'll eat less of the other dishes. The key is that it's delicious too, how great is that!

Jiang Lili giggled, "Okay."

She loved watching Chen Fan use his clever tricks; they were so funny, yet he never tricked or harmed anyone. Sometimes, just thinking about it made her laugh.

Seeing that Jiang Lili was becoming increasingly intelligent, Chen Fan nodded in satisfaction, marveling at his own effective training.

After finishing breakfast in no time, he wiped his mouth and prepared to leave.

Jiang Lili quickly pulled out a large basket from the corner, checking it as she said, "Uncle Lu, Secretary Yang, Captain Zhang, Captain Xiao, Captain Ye, Company Commander Zhang, and Sister Xingxiu, there are seven New Year's gifts in total, all here. As for our team's Captain Yang, custodian Huang, and accountant Liu, I put them on the other side and will give them to you when you come back."

Chen Fan nodded. "Okay."

He joked with Master Lu and Captain Xiao, saying he would bring a big radish to pay them a New Year's visit, but he couldn't actually bring a big radish, or people would laugh at him to death.

Just a few days ago, he fired the kiln several times and pieced together 10 sets of wine and tea sets. He then asked Jiang Lili to tie them tightly with straw rope and give one set to each family.

If you were to buy these things outside, a set would cost at least one or two yuan. He fired his own pottery for free, and the designs are unique, making him very impressive to carry around.

The main selling point is that it's affordable and saves you a lot of money.

Jiang Lili carried the large basket on his back for him. Chen Fan weighed it a couple of times, waved to her, and walked out.

But after taking only a few steps, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

He glanced back and saw that Jiang Lili had already quickly run back to her room and quietly closed the door.

Chen Fan pursed his lips and sighed almost imperceptibly. This life felt like living like a thief. He shook his head, strode over, and opened the courtyard gate.

There are 6 people outside.

Leading the group was Captain Yang, followed by his two henchmen, Liu and Huang. Behind them were three girls. He recognized Yang Ju and Huang Ying, and the other girl with big eyes and a round face was probably Liu Dan.

He had seen this girl before; she often played with Yang Ju and Huang Ying. Last time, when Huang Lao Si's family celebrated the housewarming ceremony, Huang Ying brought Jiang Lili over to play, and she was one of the girls who accompanied them.

Based on this, he should be a sociable person.

That makes sense. If she didn't fit in, she wouldn't have been recommended. The Liu family is so big, surely they could find a suitable girl?!
They were carrying large and small bags, looking like they were about to move.

Oh, right, they're moving in today!
As soon as the door was opened, Captain Yang greeted him with a smile, "Little Chen, Happy New Year!"

Chen Fan glanced at everyone and immediately smiled, "Happy New Year, Happy New Year, please come in."

As he spoke, he stepped aside to lead the person inside, and shouted loudly, "Xiao Jiang, come out for a moment. Captain Yang, Accountant Liu, and Warehouse Keeper Huang are here, and Yang Ju and the others are here too."

Jiang Lili then opened the door and came out. As usual, she hid her emotions and carefully greeted Captain Yang and the others.

Captain Yang nodded amicably and said with a smile, "Since you're all here, well, everything has already been discussed."

He then beckoned to Yang Ju and the other two, and after they approached, he said to Chen Fan and Jiang Lili, "Little Jiang, you only graduated from junior high school, and Little Chen, needless to say, is a well-known capable person in our Nanhu Commune. So we've arranged for a few of us to stay here so we can learn from you..."

He spouted a bunch of platitudes, which was enough to save face.

Not a single word was mentioned about the lone man and woman.

After he finished speaking, Chen Fan immediately smiled and said, "Let's learn from each other and make progress together."

Jiang Lili also quietly echoed, "Mmm."

Captain Yang then turned to Yang Ju and the other two with a stern face and instructed them, "Once you're here, you need to get the attitude right and learn seriously from Teacher Chen and Xiao Jiang. If you don't learn anything, you don't need to come anymore. Replace them with someone else. Do you understand?"

Yang Ju, Huang Ying, and Liu Dan nodded in unison, "We heard you."

Chen Fan was quite pleased to see that they all had a good attitude.

I don't know why, but all three of them were blushing, even their ears were red. Although the north wind was strong, it shouldn't have made them so red, right?

Accountant Liu coughed lightly and added, "You all need to work together, help each other, and especially be careful not to have any conflicts."

The three nodded repeatedly.

Seeing that they had both spoken, and having nothing more to say, the custodian Huang simply said, "Study hard, make progress every day, and come to us if you have any difficulties."

Chen Fan glanced at the three timid and hesitant people and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, they're just staying here, not not going home. It's only a few minutes' walk away. Are you afraid that Xiao Jiang and I will bully them?"

Captain Yang and the other two thought it made sense, so they all laughed it off.

After exchanging a few more polite words, they left together.

Chen Fan glanced at the three of them and smiled, "I have to go to work now. Xiao Jiang has already tidied up your dorm rooms, so please settle in first. Um, excuse me for now."

Yang Ju wanted to say hello, but with both hands full of bags, she couldn't free her hands, so she smiled and nodded, "Goodbye, Teacher Chen."

Huang Ying and Liu Dan nodded together, "Goodbye, Teacher Chen."

Chen Fan's eye twitched slightly, and he waved to them, "Goodbye."

Turning around, I couldn't help but blink rapidly; these days are going to be quite lively.

(End of this chapter)