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Two days later, Wan Chunmei’s pickled vegetables were ready.
Old Tan helped her move the jar of pickles to the table. He took a deep breath, sniffed the air, and said, “Wife, it smells amazing. These pickled vegetables are definitely going to be great.”
Wan Chunmei, with a smile, held the lid, teasing, “Oh you, you haven’t even tasted them yet, and you’re already saying they’re good. Don’t let them spoil before you even get a chance.”
Old Tan wiped the sweat from his forehead, laughing heartily, “No, no, my wife’s pickled vegetables are always top-notch.”
Wan Chunmei looked at the man in front of her, whose skin had been darkened and worn by years of hard labor, and couldn’t help but feel a twinge in her heart.
Back then, although Old Tan came from a humble background, he was handsome, and he was a good match for Wan Chunmei.
Unfortunately, the harsh life of toiling away in the fields had taken its toll on all the farmers.
Wan Chunmei felt a sense of gratitude. Though her skin had darkened over the years, Old Tan had protected her naturally beautiful features.
Her face, still clean and smooth, was free of wrinkles.
So, despite the hardships and poverty she had endured over the years, she had never once complained.
Wan Chunmei sniffled, lowered her head, and lifted the lid of the jar. A wave of fragrant aroma hit her face.
She quickly picked up a pair of chopsticks, picked up a piece of the pickled vegetable, and took a bite.
As soon as she tasted it, tears began to pour down her cheeks.
Old Tan became flustered, quickly grabbing his sleeve to wipe her tears. “Wife, don’t cry, don’t cry. If the pickled vegetables are ruined, then they’re ruined. We still have vegetables at home. We can make more later.”
Through her tears, Wan Chunmei lifted her gaze, her wet eyes curling into a smile, and choked out, “Husband, it’s delicious, so delicious.”
Old Tan didn’t quite catch it. “Wife, what did you say?”
Wan Chunmei sniffled and handed him a piece, saying, “Husband, this pickled vegetable is delicious, even better than the ones I made before.”
This time, Old Tan heard her clearly. He took a bite of the piece she handed him, chewing slowly. Gradually, a look of astonishment appeared on his face. “How is this so delicious?!”
The flavor wasn’t just salty and savory; it had a subtle sweetness to it, not spicy, but lingering with a fragrant aftertaste that stayed in the mouth, leaving one wanting more.
The texture of the vegetable was also just right—crisp when bitten, yet tender enough to not hurt the teeth. Each bite felt like a refreshing stream flowing into his mouth.
After finishing, he couldn’t resist taking another piece, savoring it slowly, and in that moment, he felt all his years of fatigue melt away.
Indeed, delicious food can truly lift one’s spirits.
“How is it, Husband? Isn’t it delicious?” Wan Chunmei asked with a smile, her voice still carrying a hint of tears.
Old Tan nodded enthusiastically, taking another bite. “Delicious, delicious, really delicious. Wife, you’re amazing.”
Wan Chunmei, feeling a bit embarrassed, lowered her head. “It’s not me who’s amazing, it’s you. If you hadn’t planted so many vegetables, how could we have made these pickles?”
Old Tan scratched the back of his head. “It was Yiliang and Erqian who planted the vegetables.”
Just then, as if summoned by name, Tan Yiliang and Tan Erqian came back from the vegetable garden. “Father, Mother, we’ve finished harvesting the vegetables from the garden. It’s not as much as before, but it’s enough for us. Later, we’ll plant some white radishes and cabbages.”
“Good, good. Yiliang, Erqian, come try the pickled vegetables!” Old Tan called out to them.
Tan Yiliang gave a silly smile and said, “Father, we smelled the fragrance as soon as we came in.”
With that, he took a bold step toward the table, grabbed a pair of chopsticks, picked up a piece of the pickled vegetables, and eagerly popped it into his mouth, devouring it with great gusto.
After finishing, Tan Yiliang widened his eyes and exclaimed, “Father, Mother, how are these pickled vegetables so delicious!”
Without missing a beat, he reached for another piece.
Wan Chunmei laughed, “If you like it, then eat more. I’ve made several jars of pickles.”
Tan Erqian, hearing their praise and feeling his mouth water, hurriedly picked up a piece and started eating. After finishing, he didn’t say much, but his chopsticks didn’t stop moving.
Wan Chunmei watched them with satisfaction, feeling that the worry that had been hanging over her for the past few days had finally been lifted.
She had already thought it through. If the pickles turned out well, she could take some to the county to sell.
She didn’t plan to sell them at high prices like the eggs; she just wanted them to be affordable for every household. After all, she only hoped for enough to eat and keep warm, not to become rich overnight.
At that moment, several of the younger ones, drawn by the fragrant aroma, gathered around.
The family laughed and chatted together, and it seemed like the good days they had been waiting for were finally arriving.
Little Qiyue, lying in bed, secretly opened her eyes. She looked at them with a smile that seemed more like a playful grin, as if she were in on the joy of the moment.