1952: Walking through Nantongluo Alley

Chen Xiao stood up with a konjac in his arms, while Qin Huairu carried the shovel.

The two searched in the mountains for a while.

Just when the two of them couldn't find Qin Tieniu and were about to go home, Qin Huairu saw her father's figure on a hill not far away.

"Dad!" Qin Huairu waved her hands and shouted.

On the top of the hill, Qin Tieniu was digging herbs with a hoe.

Hearing his daughter's voice, he looked back.

He saw Qin Huairu and Chen Xiaozheng walking towards him not far away.

Only then did he remember that today was the day his daughter Qin Huairu would return home.

Qin Tieniu greeted the fellow villagers who came with him, picked up the bamboo basket and shovel and walked towards Qin Huairu and the others.

"Look at my memory. I'm sorry to bother you two to come to the back mountain to find me."

Qin Tieniu said with a silly smile after he met up with Chen Xiao.

At this time, he saw the konjac in Chen Xiao's arms, and his face was full of confusion.

"What are you two doing digging konjac? It's poisonous!"

Chen Xiao explained while holding the konjac.

"Uncle, although konjac is poisonous, as long as it is properly processed and the toxins are removed, it is also very delicious, not much worse than pork."

"You must be kidding. No one would eat konjac unless they have no other choice during a famine."

"How could it be so much like pork?"

Qin Tieniu naturally wouldn't believe what Chen Xiao said.

Because he had never eaten vegetarian tripe before, the spicy, fresh, fragrant and chewy taste was so delicious that he would be unable to stop eating it after trying it once.

"Uncle, if you don't believe me, I'll make it for you to try later, and then you'll know."

Then the three of them walked back.

Qin Tieniu was afraid that Chen Xiao would be tired, so he put the konjac into his bamboo basket.

When the three of them returned home, Zhang Cuilan was chopping meat in the yard, and there were a few green onions in a basin beside her.

Qin Tieniu put down the bamboo basket and clicked his tongue.

"It's been a while since I've had dumplings stuffed with pork and green onions."

Zhang Cuilan covered her mouth and laughed.

"You have to thank your good son-in-law for this. If he hadn't bought a few pounds of pork today, would you still want to eat dumplings stuffed with pork and green onions?"

Qin Tieniu chuckled twice, then went to wash his hands and prepare to make dumplings.

Chen Xiao took out the konjac from the bamboo basket and said to Qin Huairu.

"Huai Ru, go help make the dumplings. I'll go make the konjac."

Afterwards, Chen Xiao brought the konjac to the kitchen.

Use a kitchen knife to peel off the skin of the konjac, and then chop the konjac as finely as possible.

Due to limited tools, Chen Xiao could only pour all the konjac into a basin of water, and then take out a thicker firewood stick and pound it continuously.

Mash until it becomes a sticky puree.

Chen Xiao took out some wood ash from the bottom of the stove, made half a bowl of alkaline water, poured it all into the mashed konjac, and then took the firewood stick and kept stirring until the fruit puree and alkaline water were blended. After flattening it with his hands, Chen Xiao took a piece of wood and covered the basin.

Just wait for another two hours for the konjac tofu to take shape, then put it in the pot and steam it!

......

In the yard, Zhang Cuilan and the other two had already wrapped the dumplings. Qin Huairu and Zhang Cuilan came to the kitchen to make the dumplings.

Qin Huairu pinched her nose when she smelled a faint alkaline odor in the kitchen.

"Chen Xiao, what are you doing in the kitchen? Why does it smell bad?"

"What's that stinky smell? This is clearly the scent of konjac. Never mind. You won't understand even if I tell you. Wait until I make it and you'll know."

"Don't pour out the contents of this basin. This is related to whether Huaiguo can go to the city."

"Huai Ru? What is Huai Guo doing in the city?" Zhang Cuilan looked at Qin Huai Ru.

She didn't know that Chen Xiao was planning to bring Huaiguo into the city.

"Mom, Chen Xiao is going to bring Huaiguo to the city and help him find a job!"

"There is such a thing?" Zhang Cuilan looked excited.

Ever since Huaiguo went to the mine to dig coal, she has not slept well. She is worried every night, fearing that something unexpected will happen in Huaiguo.

Qin Huairu nodded slightly.

Then Chen Xiao explained on the side.

"Aunt, I'm planning to take Huaiguo to the city to do some small business. I'll pay Huaiguo to do the work. If I'm lucky, one month's work will equal six months of coal mining."

"Auntie, you know that wealth should not be exposed, so this matter of our family must be kept secret and not let anyone else know!"

Zhang Cuilan nodded excitedly.

"Don't worry, Chen Xiao. I won't tell anyone at this moment."

How could she not know that wealth should not be shown off?

After all, everyone has this mentality: watching others make money is more painful than losing money yourself.

Just like good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels a thousand miles, everyone just wants to see others laugh at their jokes.

At this time, Qin Huaiguo's voice came from outside the courtyard.

Today at the mine he heard that his sister was coming back, so he ran back during lunch break.

"Mom, are my sister and brother-in-law back?"

Zhang Cuilan responded through the window in the kitchen.

"Didn't you see your brother-in-law's bicycle parked in the yard? Hurry up and wash off the coal dust on your body and get ready for dinner."

Chen Xiao came outside and saw Qin Huaiguo washing his face with a basin of cold water.

"Huaiguo, how much can you earn in a month working in the coal mine?"

"If I work hard, I can earn more than two yuan a month, almost three yuan." Qin Huaiguo said happily while washing his face.

For him, earning nearly three yuan a month is already very satisfying.

"Huaiguo, do you want to go to the city with your brother-in-law and work with me? Food and accommodation are provided, and the monthly salary is no less than what you get at the mine!"

"Really, brother-in-law?" Qin Huaiguo looked up excitedly.

"Of course it's true. How could my brother-in-law lie to you?"

Chen Xiao thought about it in his heart, and then continued to ask.

"By the way, Huaiguo, do you have any close childhood friends, the kind of good brothers you could trust with your life and death?"

"Yes, I have been playing with Qin Dazhuang from the village since we were young. We grew up wearing the same pants. And he is also the son of our uncle."

"Brother-in-law, why are you asking this?"

"Of course I'm planning to take you two to the city. I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it alone!"

"Wash your face first. I'll tell you in detail later at the dinner table." Chen Xiao patted Qin Huaiguo's shoulder.

At this time, the dumplings had already been cooked in the house, and Qin Huairu was standing at the door calling them to eat.

"Chen Xiao, Huaiguo, stop chatting for now, wash your hands and come over to eat."

"Okay, sister. I'll be there right away." Qin Huaiguo wiped his face with water a few times, then dried it with a towel and followed Chen Xiao into the house.

At the dinner table, Chen Xiao and his family gathered together, eating steaming dumplings.

Qin Huaiguo had been busy at the mine for a whole morning and was already starving. He picked up the bowl and chopsticks and ate one bun at a time.

"Huaiguo, eat slowly, aren't you afraid of your brother-in-law laughing at you?"

"I know, Mom." Although Qin Huaiguo said this, his hands did not slow down at all. In a short while, he finished a large bowl of dumplings.