The 1970s: Military Family Beauty

Grandma Jiang knew what foods would help children grow strong, so she made wontons according to her own ideas and poured scallion oil on them before serving.

"Baoying, it's time to eat!" Grandma Jiang brought two bowls of wontons to the table: "Baoying's mom, you have some too."

Qian Yuyan was used to people calling her Yuyan, Xiaoyan, Captain Qian, and Sister Yuyan. This was the first time someone called Baoying's mother such a down-to-earth name. She didn't react for a moment and continued to read the picture book with Xiaobao with her head down.

Jiang Furong brought the hot bowl and spoon to the dining table and added, "Captain Qian, lunch is ready. My grandma also made your portion."

"Ha, Baoying's mother," Qian Yuyan put down the book, picked up her son and walked to the dining table to sit down, smiling and shaking her head: "Grandma Jiang, just call me Captain Qian."

The rural sister-in-law-like address is not nice and makes the whole person feel like a country bumpkin.

Grandma Jiang wiped her hands on her apron nervously, took it off and handed it to Jiang Furong, then reached out to hold the child: "Captain Qian, I'll feed little Baoying, you have some hot food."

Zhao Baoying opened his arms obediently: "Eat, eat."

"Oh, good boy!" Grandma Jiang felt relieved. As long as the child is happy, the adults will be satisfied. She picked up little Baoying and let him sit on her lap: "Eat wontons at noon. You will grow taller after eating."

Grandma Jiang's hands were not idle either. She held little Baoying firmly in her arms with her left arm. With her right hand, she took a small spoon and scooped two wontons into the small bowl and stirred them gently: "Don't be anxious, little Baoying. Eat them when it's not too hot."

This is what Qian Yuyan was worried about. She didn't even have time to eat and just stared at Grandma Jiang's every move.

While she was telling a story to the child, she secretly regretted that she was a bit rash. She asked Grandma Jiang to do it without explaining many hygiene requirements clearly. If she didn't do it well, it would seem that she was too picky if she gave any suggestions.

Grandma Jiang had no idea what the female dance captain was thinking. She used a small spoon to split the wonton in the middle, scooped it up, and put it to Xiao Baoying's mouth: "Slow down, Xiao Baoying, wait until the wontons are no longer steaming before eating. Yes, just touch them lightly with your lips and eat slowly."

This feeding method surprised Qian Yuyan: "Grandma Jiang, you are quite good at taking care of children."

Just looking at it, I'm quite satisfied.

Grandma Jiang smiled and said, "My husband, Furong's grandfather, is a great chef. He is very particular about the food he prepares for the children. He can't make anything too strong, too hot, or too cold. He also can't stand people blowing on spoons or dipping chopsticks in wine for the children to lick. We are used to feeding the children slowly like this."

"It's very good!" Qian Yuyan felt relieved. Looking at her son eating wontons, she subconsciously scooped one out for herself: "Wow, it smells so good!"

As soon as you put it in your mouth, the aroma of scallion oil hits your head.

Qian Yuyan fished in the bowl a few times and said, "No green onions? Then why do I taste green onions?"

Grandma Jiang looked up and smiled, "Ma'am Furong is best at making scallion oil. I've learned a little bit. Add a few drops to noodles or wontons. It's delicious. I've made half a bowl and put it on the stove. If you're hungry tonight and want to cook noodles, just scoop a little when you eat."

There were a lot of ingredients in the kitchen, so she couldn't help but make some more.

Qian Yuyan shook her head: "I usually eat in the cafeteria and don't cook at home."

If you don’t eat when you’re hungry at night, you won’t be able to jump if you get fat.

"Oh." Grandma Jiang didn't dare to ask more questions and continued to feed Xiao Baoying.

But I was muttering in my heart, with such a big house and such a big kitchen, it doesn't look like there are only mother and son in the house.

It didn't take long for the two of them to finish their meal. Qian Yuyan was extremely satisfied. "Grandma Jiang, that's settled. You come and help me take care of Xiaobao every day. Make him breakfast and lunch. Feed him milk, fruit, and biscuits in between. I'll bring him dinner from the cafeteria. You just need to clean the kitchen during normal times. You can take care of the house when I'm home. I'll give you ten yuan a month for two months. Is that okay with you?"

Grandma Jiang felt a little nervous after listening to all these words and couldn't remember them all!

"Captain Qian, wait a moment." Jiang Furong took out a pen and paper from her bag and sat down to write down the order: "Breakfast, snacks, milk, lunch, fruit. Is this the order?"

It looks similar to a nine-to-five office worker, with three meals a day and two snacks.

Qian Yuyan took a look and was quite surprised: "Xiao Jiang's handwriting is quite good! It's in this order."

Jiang Furong said calmly, "Captain Qian, my grandmother is still not very skilled at using the gas stove. Do you think you can send Zhao Baoying to my house? My aunt and my grandmother came here together and will stay until after the Chinese New Year. There's someone at home who can cook, so my grandmother only needs to take care of little Baoying."

Qian Yuyan thought back to the Jiang family's house and backyard patio; it was small and simple.

However, the safe use of gas stoves is a big issue and cannot be taken lightly.

Seeing Qian Yuyan remained silent, Jiang Furong quickly added, "If it's inconvenient for you to send Xiao Baoying over, I can come and pick him up."

She saw a wooden stroller in the corner of the living room. It had four wheels and was perfect for picking up and dropping off children.

Qian Yuyan was still a little hesitant: "You come and pick it up..."

Jiang Furong spoke frankly, "My younger brother and sister have to go to school. They all go out at seven in the morning and come home for lunch. Little Baoying can have dinner at my house anytime. Captain Qian, how about this? Let's try it for three days. If Little Baoying doesn't want to come to my house, my grandmother will come over and I'll help you find a solution to the gas stove problem."

"Well, that's fine," Qian Yuyan had said so confidently, how could she not agree? "Xiao Jiang, can your grandmother help me take care of the children here today? I have to go out for something urgent this afternoon."

Since you have decided to hire someone, start the job immediately.

Jiang Furong was also unambiguous: "Sure, why not just take this opportunity to bring little Baoying to my house and see if he can adapt."

She has confidence in Grandma Jiang. The interaction between the old and the young just now looked so joyful.

Qian Yuyan was stunned for a moment, then gritted her teeth and agreed: "Okay."

He went into the house and got a small pillow and quilt, taught Jiang Furong how to turn the stroller into a crib, and then went to get some snacks and milk powder.

Jiang Furong refused: "There's only fruit left from today's meal, so an apple will be enough."

She was afraid that Jiang Guoqing would be jealous if she brought too many and she wouldn't be able to control him.

Grandma Jiang reminded: "Bring two extra pieces of film and an extra set of cotton pants, in case you wet it."

After a busy day and night, Qian Yuyan finally packed all the necessary things, almost filling up half of the crib. The little baby was leaning comfortably between the quilt and clothes, holding a biscuit and looking around, without any sign of wanting to cry.

Grandma Jiang started pushing the cart: "Captain Qian, I'll leave quickly. It's windy on the road, and the child must not fall asleep on the way."

If the child is three full and two empty, he will grow fast.

Qian Yuyan felt a little lost when she saw her son being pushed away like that.