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The little boy glanced again at Gu Ningning, as if wanting to give her one of his steamed buns.
“I don’t want it. We’re going to have something else to eat tonight anyway. These were from Sister Niannian for you—so you should eat them.” Gu Ningning waved her hand dismissively.
Though she really did like meat buns too, Sister Niannian had just given her some a few days ago.
Besides, they’d be having something else for dinner tonight. Baozi’s family wasn’t as well-off as hers—this bun should be left for him to eat.
Seeing this, Su Niannian quietly thought to herself that she should have brought a few more from the hospital.
Her backpack wasn’t very big, and with so many people around, she couldn’t just magically produce more buns.
“Baozi, you go ahead and eat yours. In a few days, when Sister Niannian buys some meat, we’ll make our own and wrap lots of big meat buns,” Su Niannian said with a smile, gently patting Baozi on the head.
The child was far too considerate.
Su Niannian felt that being able to come back to life this time around, she had truly encountered more kind-hearted people than not.
She genuinely liked the life she had now.
Hearing what Su Niannian said, Baozi finally took a bite of his bun.
The warm steamed bun, with its savory meat juice spreading in his mouth, and the soft, fluffy dough, was easily the best Baozi had ever tasted.
Seeing Baozi eat so happily, Widow Wu felt a lump rise in her throat, her nose growing sore.
The child had suffered alongside her, enduring hardships. If only she could earn more work points, make more money, then Baozi could have a better life.
Gu Zhi called out to Gu Ningning to help serve the dishes.
Su Niannian and Song Zhaodi quickly followed and helped out.
Widow Wu told Baozi to stay and finish his bun at his own pace while she also went over to help.
In fact, the meal had already been prepared. The chicken had been stewed, and now it was kept on low heat to stay warm.
Gu Zhi had made some rice porridge for Baozi, and she also happened to make cornmeal and wheat flour steamed buns.
She even made a few special green onion rolls with wheat flour for Su Niannian.
The dishes included a stew made from an old hen with wild mushrooms and potatoes, as well as two stir-fried greens with slices of pork.
There was also the wild rabbit that Gu Nan had brought back earlier, which Gu Zhi had turned into a rabbit soup with some small greens.
Though it wasn’t exactly extravagant, it was the kind of meal that would usually be served during the New Year.
For entertaining guests, it didn’t seem lacking in hospitality.
The dishes included a stew made from an old hen with wild mushrooms and potatoes, as well as two stir-fried greens with slices of pork.
There was also the wild rabbit that Gu Nan had brought back earlier, which Mother Gu had made into a rabbit soup with some small greens.
When Su Niannian entered the kitchen, she glanced around and decided to bring out the wild rabbit soup. She had added some spring water into the soup.
After serving a separate bowl for Gu Zhendong and sending it to him, she returned to the dining table.
Everyone sat down and began eating.
Widow Wu and Song Zhaodi appeared a bit reserved.
“This afternoon, I really have to thank Song Zhaodi for helping me a lot. Song Zhaodi, please eat more,” Gu Zhi noticed the mood of the two and quickly became more enthusiastic in her hospitality.
She picked up a piece of meat and placed it into Song Zhaodi’s bowl.
“I didn’t do much,” Song Zhaodi scratched her head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
This was chicken, stewed to perfection, releasing a mouthwatering aroma. She had never tasted anything so delicious at home before, and for a moment, she could hardly control her saliva.
“Here, you eat too, don’t be polite,” Gu Zhi added a piece of chicken to Widow Wu’s bowl.
Widow Wu quickly thanked her.
“Don’t be polite, everyone. If you like it, eat more. My aunt’s cooking is really delicious,” Su Niannian said with a smile.
She also added some meat to everyone’s bowls.
Later, when Su Niannian looked down, she noticed that a chicken leg had appeared in her own bowl.
It was clear that while she was busy serving others, Gu Nan had placed it there for her.
Su Niannian smiled, feeling happy, and picked it up to eat.
Gu Nan had a smile on his face as he watched Su Niannian.
Throughout the meal, everyone ate happily.
Although Widow Wu and Song Zhaodi were a bit reserved at first, they were encouraged to eat quite a bit in the end.
After finishing the meal, Song Zhaodi and Widow Wu, along with Baozi, left first.
The main reason was that Widow Wu and Song Zhaodi fought over washing the dishes, but in the end, neither of them could compete with Gu Nan. They also didn’t want to stay and take up the family’s time chatting, so they found an excuse to leave.
Song Zhaodi knew that Gu Nan would definitely take Su Niannian home in the evening, so there was no need to worry about her.
After the three of them left, Su Niannian said she wanted to take a walk to the back mountain, and Gu Nan readily agreed.
By this time, it was already getting dark, and there weren’t many people around the back mountain. Going with Su Niannian might just give him the opportunity to get closer to her.
Gu Nan had no reason to disagree.
At first, Gu Ningning eagerly wanted to go, but was stopped by Gu Zhi.
Gu Zhi gave her a look, and Gu Ningning immediately understood, quieting down.
“I’m not going. I still need to help Mom with chores at home. You two have fun,” Gu Ningning said, winking at her second brother.
Gu Nan raised an eyebrow and gave Gu Ningning a quick glance.
Gu Ningning shrank her neck, realizing that her second brother’s gentleness was all reserved for Sister Niannian. As for herself… sigh.
Gu Ningning silently sighed.
Su Niannian smiled as she watched the scene in front of her. She took Gu Nan’s hand, and together, they grabbed a basket and a flashlight, heading towards the back mountain.
It was still just getting dark. Over the past two days, the village had seen two big events unfold, so after dinner, the aunties from the information station had gathered into small groups, gossiping and sharing the latest news.
They were enjoying their first-hand sources of information.
Sure enough, a few people spotted Gu Nan and Su Niannian walking side by side, holding hands.
“Hmm, it looks like these two are really dating now.”
“Plus, it’s in the open, heading to the back mountain at this hour. Could it be that the educated youth Su, also…?”
“Shut your filthy mouth! If you don’t have money to buy a toothbrush, you can use the stick from the latrine.”
“Exactly, is Su Niannian really that kind of person? Do you think everyone is like Lu Xingguang and Zhao Sulan?”
“Well, that’s true. Besides, Gu’s second son isn’t someone who just acts recklessly.”
“Didn’t we go off track? Weren’t we talking about the educated youth Lu Xingguang and the educated youth Zhao Sulan?”
“Right, right, where were we? Did the educated youth Zhao Sulan eat that pig’s aphrodisiac medicine? Was it the educated youth Lu Xingguang who forced it on him?”
“Of course! Who would voluntarily eat such a thing? If someone gave you that medicine, would you eat it willingly?”
In the village, gossip spreads primarily through these aunts and older women.
The evidence was now undeniable, and with so many eyes witnessing it, the gossip would spread quickly, fueled by the truth. On the other side, with early spring weather still mild, the two of them walked hand in hand, side by side, heading toward the back mountain.
“It feels much better this way, no need to sneak around,” Su Niannian said with a hint of meaning.
Gu Nan understood her implication and silently nodded in agreement.
Su Niannian had been drinking the spiritual spring water from her space every day since she obtained it. Although she still looked a bit slender, her physical condition had actually improved significantly. Therefore, climbing a mountain or walking long distances didn’t tire her at all.
As for Gu Nan, coming from a military background and now working daily on the farm, his physical strength was exceptional as well.
The two of them moved quickly, walking light-footedly up the mountain. When they reached the halfway point, Su Niannian finally stopped.
By this time, the sky had completely darkened. Su Niannian handed the flashlight to Gu Nan.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.