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After the two kids finished eating, Su Yi had a bite herself and found the taste quite good.
She decided to pack some in a bowl and bring it to the three older sisters who delivered the meal in the morning, to let them try it.
It was a way of saying thank you and also an opportunity to build a good relationship with them.
After packing the eggs, Su Yi asked Ye Xiaowu to take the shovel and head first to the home of Sister Yao, who lived closest.
Sister Yao’s husband was a company commander in the army.
When the three of them knocked on the door and entered the yard, they found Sister Zheng, who had come in the morning, also there.
The two were busy with a sewing machine in the yard, discussing and laughing together as they worked on clothes, creating a lively atmosphere.
When they saw Su Yi arrive, they quickly welcomed her into the yard.
Su Yi greeted them with a smile, “Sister Yao, I’ve come to bring you some eggs! I didn’t expect Sister Zheng to be here as well. I’ve just made some tea eggs, so I thought I’d bring them for you to try.”
Sister Yao laughed, “We’re over a decade older than you, so calling us ‘Sister’ feels a bit odd!”
Su Yi smiled and said, “Really? I thought you were only in your early twenties! You both look so young, I’d never be able to call you ‘auntie.’”
Hearing Su Yi’s sweet talk, both women couldn’t help but smile widely.
Sister Zheng stood up to take the tea eggs, “We’ve been smelling the aroma from your yard since noon. I didn’t expect someone as young as you to be such a good cook!”
With that, the two women unceremoniously peeled a tea egg and tasted it.
“Mmm, delicious! So fragrant!”
“It’s really good. Xiao Wu and Nuannuan are lucky to have you!”
While they were enjoying the eggs, Su Yi took a look at the clothes on the sewing machine. “I didn’t realize Sister Zheng’s sewing skills were so impressive. These look even better than the ready-made clothes you buy outside. The lace on the collar is so delicate.”
Sister Zheng felt a bit embarrassed by the praise, “I don’t have much to do in the compound, so I like to tinker with sewing when I’m bored. This one is for Sister Yao.”
Sister Yao suddenly remembered, “Comrade Su, didn’t you say your luggage was lost? So you’re left with just the clothes you’re wearing?”
Su Yi nodded, “Yes, that’s right. I didn’t have time to go out today with all the laundry, but I was planning to see if I could buy some ready-made clothes tomorrow.”
Sister Zheng quickly interjected, “Our place is remote, and ready-made clothes are both expensive and unattractive. Why don’t you buy some fabric and I’ll make the clothes for you?”
“Really?” Su Yi felt a surge of gratitude, “Sister Zheng, I’m so happy I don’t know what to say. How about I invite you over for a meal at my place?”
Sister Zheng said it was unnecessary, but she was intrigued by the prospect of tasting Su Yi’s cooking, so she agreed.
Sister Yao was also included in the invitation and felt a bit embarrassed as well.
Then she asked if there was anything else Su Yi needed, “By the way, I saw you borrowed the shovel at noon. Were you planning to till the land?”
Su Yi quickly explained, “I noticed that the vacant land in the yard wasn’t being used, so I thought I’d till it and plant some vegetables. It would save me from constantly buying groceries and be more convenient in the long run.”
Sister Zheng covered her mouth and laughed, “You’ve come to the right person. Sister Yao is the best at growing vegetables in our compound. You’re quite resourceful for your age!”
Sister Yao felt a connection and said, “You’re right, Su Yi. Managing life means being thrifty and thoughtful. But since summer is approaching, you’ll probably miss the planting season if you start now.”
“Perfect timing! I was just about to thin out my seedlings. I got sidetracked with making clothes and forgot. You can transplant them from my garden, and you’ll have everything you need!”
With that, Sister Yao led Su Yi to see her little vegetable garden.
It was lush and green, and the growth was very encouraging.
As Sister Yao talked about her garden, she was busy tending to it as well.
“Tomatoes, eggplants, chili peppers, cucumbers, loofah, and okra—see if there’s anything you’re missing! Also, a bit of green onions, chives, and garlic sprouts!”
Su Yi, moved to tears, thanked them profusely and took the plants to her own garden.
After planting the vegetables, she collected and re-spread the cleaned bed linens.
The three of them were exhausted and had a simple dinner of vegetable and shredded pork noodles before heading to bed early.
Since they went to bed early, Su Yi woke up before dawn the next day.
She had left some white dough to rise and soaked some noodles and dried vegetables the night before.
Her plan for the morning was to render the fatty pork and mix the remaining cracklings into the dough to make buns.
Zhou Jinchuan also got up early, planning to head out early.
Seeing that it was just getting light, he figured Su Yi and the others probably hadn’t woken up yet.
So, he decided not to visit them just yet.
Xie Xiaojun, remembering the breakfast Su Yi mentioned, couldn’t help but advise, “Team Leader, let’s just stop by and check. What if they’re up and waiting for us?”
“Alright,” Zhou Jinchuan agreed.
When they arrived, Zhou Jinchuan spotted the kitchen lights from a distance. Through the hazy white mist, he could see Su Yi busy with something inside.
The courtyard was still quiet at this time, and the phrase “peaceful times” inexplicably popped into Zhou Jinchuan’s mind.
Seeing the two of them, Su Yi quickly picked up about ten freshly steamed white buns and packed a few tea eggs.
“Commander Zhou, Comrade Xie, here’s some food for you to take on your journey!”
Xie Xiaojun gladly accepted the food.
Zhou Jinchuan’s gaze lingered on Su Yi’s face for a moment. “Thank you. Xiao Wu and Nuannuan will be under your care for the next few days.”
“If those two have just been disciplined, they shouldn’t cause any trouble. But if there’s any issue, don’t confront them directly. We’ll handle it when I return.”
Su Yi nodded, “Don’t worry, I understand.”
[It’s better for you to come back early than to confront them head-on. Only a fool would do that.]
[Even if they want to confront me, I’m like a stone in a latrine—both smelly and hard, not afraid!]
Zhou Jinchuan subtly curved his lips in a faint smile, “Let’s go!”
After they left, Su Yi hurried to check herself in the mirror.
She discovered that flour was smeared on her face, no wonder Zhou Jinchuan had looked at her so strangely!
Today was Monday, and Ye Xiaowu had to go to school.
He had just finished washing up and was about to head out, “Sister Su, I’m almost late. Can you pack a couple of buns for me to take to school?”
Su Yi looked outside and noticed there weren’t many kids on the street. “Do elementary school students go that early?”
Ye Xiaowu lowered his head a bit embarrassedly, “Not really, I just wanted to get there early.”
Su Yi realized that his early arrival was probably just an excuse to bring buns to eat in the classroom.
She decided not to call him out and instead packed two plump buns and two peeled tea eggs into a lunchbox for him.
“Go ahead! I’ll take Nuannuan out to buy some things. If I come back late, just do your homework at home.”
Ye Xiaowu eagerly clutched the lunchbox to his chest, “Got it! Sister Su, Nuannuan, I’m off to school!”
Watching Ye Xiaowu run off with a spring in his step, Su Yi smiled happily.
She had breakfast with Ye Nuannuan, did a bit of tidying up, and then got ready to head out.
Su Yi even brought tea eggs for the two guards at the gate.
She appreciated their help yesterday in letting her into the compound, which had led to the fortunate events that followed.
The two guards quickly waved their hands, “No need, no need. Commander Zhou already mentioned this morning that you can come and go as you please, just like everyone else in the compound.”
Seeing that they wouldn’t accept, Su Yi simply placed the lunchbox on the table, “I’ll come back to pick it up later.”
With that, she took Ye Nuannuan and left.
The guards thought to themselves: This Comrade Su is truly kind-hearted! No wonder she’s earned Commander Zhou’s favor and stayed here!