Divorced woman with child travels through time

"Um, this is my first time eating rice, please forgive me," Uncle Hu explained with a sheepish smile.

Chu Yi acted as if he hadn't seen anything, showing no embarrassment whatsoever. He seemed to have been the same way back then, smiling as he continued to serve him rice, saying, "Uncle, eat more." This time, he took a large bowl and filled it to the brim, the rice almost piled up. Uncle Hu didn't see any disgust in Chu Yi's eyes, and happily picked up the bowl and began to eat.

Uncle Hu ate one bowl, and on the first day of the lunar new year he had another bowl. Just as he was eating, Da Zhuang brought over an enormous braised pork knuckle. Uncle Hu apologized profusely and mumbled, "No need, no need. I can't finish all this food. It's already too much. I'm almost full."

Chen Wenfang asked with concern, "Are you really full? You've only eaten so much." Wang Erniu, who was next to her, smiled but didn't say anything. He must be full. He had finished a large plate of beef and half a bowl of mutton, as well as two large bowls of rice and more than half of the stir-fried pork with chili peppers. It was mostly meat and vegetables. How could he not be full?

"I'm full, I'm full, really full! Thank you for your hospitality, sir." Uncle Hu wiped his mouth with his sleeve and said with a simple, honest smile. He reached for the rice cake and was about to take his leave. "Thank you so much. I'll go back and discuss it with my wife first, and I'll get back to you tomorrow. I won't delay your business any longer." Uncle Hu said with a simple, honest smile as he took his leave.

Wang Erniu said, "Uncle, please wait a moment before you leave. We haven't finished all the food, so we can't waste it. I'll have someone pack it up and send it to you."

Uncle Hu said with a smile, "But I don't have anything to carry, so packing it up isn't really a good idea."

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "It's alright, we have something here, we'll pack it up for you and have someone deliver it to you later. You can have it brought back after you finish eating, there are people watching over our shop here."

While Chen Wenfang was speaking, Chu Yi and Da Zhuang had already picked up the food box and packed up the uneaten food.

Wang Erniu simply grabbed the box and shoved it into his hands. He said, "Uncle, I'll have Dazhuang take you home. After you finish eating tomorrow, could you please bring the box back to us and let us know if you'll be coming back to work next year? Is that alright?"

Uncle Hu nodded happily, "Okay! Thank you, boss. You're such a kind person."

Wang Erniu laughed and said, "You're too kind. I just like hardworking and honest people like you, Uncle. I can tell you're that kind of person, so I really want you to come work for us. I don't think you'll disappoint me."

Uncle Hu was almost completely fooled by him, grinning from ear to ear, "Alright, alright, I'll definitely give you an answer tomorrow, goodbye!"

"Okay, Uncle, take care." Chen Wenfang and Wang Erniu watched Uncle Hu leave. Wang Erniu then gestured for Chu Yi to look at Da Zhuang, and Chu Yi nodded almost imperceptibly.

Dazhuang carried the food box, and Chuyi led the way. After leaving the teahouse, Dazhuang helped Uncle Hu onto the carriage, put the food box on it, and drove the carriage, asking him, "Uncle, could you give me directions later? I'll take you home."

"Hehe, okay, okay, just head to Linxia County." Uncle Hu looked around the warm carriage with curiosity. It was filled with thick mattresses and the curtains were sealed so that hardly a breath of wind could get in.

"Rich people really know how to enjoy life!" Teacher Hu remarked, then comfortably leaned back on the cushion to rest.

With Uncle Hu pointing the way, the carriage moved quickly, and in the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, they arrived at their destination, Zhuanqiao Town in Linxia County, which is only about 20 li away from Lijia Town.

Dazhuang carefully examined Uncle Hu's house. It was an ordinary thatched house with a three-courtyard layout. Farm tools hung along the mud walls, and some vegetables were planted in the yard, covered with thick thatch. It didn't look wealthy, but it was very clean. A thin, middle-aged woman was picking radishes at the door.

Seeing the carriage stop in her yard, Aunt Hu looked up curiously, somewhat puzzled.

Dazhuang stopped the carriage and jumped down to put a stool for Uncle Hu, but Uncle Hu lifted the curtain and jumped down as well.

"Madam, I'm back!" he said, and then took out a food box and five catties of rice cakes. Aunt Hu was a little confused. What was going on?

Dazhuangzi bowed to Aunt Hu and said, "Hello, Aunt. I brought Uncle Hu here. The shop over there is busy, so I'll head back now." With that, he picked up the carriage and drove off.

"What's going on?" Aunt Hu glanced at him and said, "Explain to me quickly..." but her hand unconsciously took the food box from his hand.

Uncle Hu dodged the hand and handed over another five catties of rice cakes. "That one is too heavy. Take this rice cake. I brought it for the children." He laughed and said, "I've hit the jackpot today. It's cold outside. Don't let yourself get cold. Let's go inside and talk."

Aunt Hu chuckled to herself and said warmly, "Alright, I've already lit the stove. It's not cold at home, and the kang (heated brick bed) is warm too. Bo'er and Juan'er are cooking in the kitchen. I've also warmed some wine. Are you thirsty? Why don't you eat something to tide you over?"

Teacher Hu laughed and said, "I just need a sip of water, I'm a little thirsty. I'm not hungry, I've already eaten. Look at this food box..." Uncle Hu walked and laughed, "This is from Chen's restaurant. I packed some meat and vegetables for you. You'll have a good meal today. You've suffered because of me."

Aunt Hu glared at him and said, "What are you saying? We're all family, and you have two kids already. Come on, let's eat."

Inside, the two children, Xiao Bo and Xiao Juan, had already set the dishes on the table. They were two very casual dishes: stir-fried radish and stir-fried cabbage, plus a small dish of pickled vegetables. There was no oil at all, along with sweet potato and mixed grain porridge.

Uncle Hu looked at the two dishes, feeling quite disappointed and annoyed. Why had he forgotten to leave them more? But thankfully, there were still so many other dishes.

Uncle Hu put the food box on the table. "Let's not eat that for now. Let's eat this today and have a good meal."

Hu Wenbo and Hu Juan had been staring intently at the food box in his hand from the very beginning. They didn't even notice when Aunt Hu quietly put the rice cakes into the kitchen and came out. As soon as their father spoke, the two of them instinctively leaned their little heads over.

Uncle Hu opened the food box, which was filled with three bowls of dishes. Half a plate of stir-fried pork with chili peppers and a large plate of boiled mutton were placed on top. A whole bowl of boiled fish fillets remained untouched, and a huge braised pork knuckle was also left untouched. The dishes were already cold, with the white, jade-like pork fat congealed on top, looking very tempting, complementing the bright red chili peppers and tender bean sprouts. The red and yellow colors, along with the snow-white fish meat, were all frozen into a thick fish jelly, looking incredibly delicious.

"Husband, you said you ate, but you haven't touched these dishes. Come and eat some." Aunt Hu said with great concern for her husband.

"It's alright, it's alright, you guys eat," Uncle Hu said apologetically. "Actually, there was still a plate of beef, but I ate it all by myself, so I'm really not hungry anymore. I'm sorry, wife, I should have thought of you sooner." Uncle Hu said apologetically, taking Aunt Hu's hand and pulling out a string of coins from his pocket. "This is my wages for a month and a half, wife, please keep it."