Chapter 20: Visiting Wei Wan

Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew through, rustling the chestnut grove. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting tiny shards of light onto the faces of those filled with sweat but brimming with happiness. Yang Qingyan sat up straight and took a deep breath of the fragrant air, savoring this rare, warm moment. In the mundane rush of daily survival, such leisurely contentment was a luxury. Now, sharing the joy of the harvest with these kind and enthusiastic sisters-in-law, her heart overflowed with gratitude.

After gathering chestnuts, everyone made their way back along the winding mountain path, chatting and laughing as they returned to the compound.

Upon entering the yard, they all placed their baskets full of chestnuts in an open area, sitting together to discuss how to handle these “booty.” Liang Huantao was the first to speak, brushing dust off her clothes and smiling, “Sisters, I see we’ve had a bountiful harvest today! With so many chestnuts, whether boiled or roasted, they’re going to be delicious. My little son loves sweet roasted chestnuts; every time he catches a whiff of that aroma, his mouth waters.”

“Right, right! Sweet roasted chestnuts are truly a delicacy!” Sister Wang chimed in. “But roasting chestnuts requires skill; too much heat can burn them, and too little doesn’t infuse enough flavor. I’ve tried it a few times and have some tips; how about I take charge and show everyone a thing or two?” The others nodded in agreement, expressing their support.

At this point, Yang Qingyan also shared her thoughts: “Sisters, I think we could also make some chestnut cake; soft, glutinous, and sweet, with a unique texture.” As soon as she spoke, the sisters-in-law turned to her with admiring looks.

“Yang girl, that’s a great idea!” Sister Li praised.

The evening sun cast a warm golden hue over the compound. After a busy afternoon, everyone was satisfied; they finished chatting and said their goodbyes as they returned home. Yang Qingyan hummed a makeshift tune, her steps light as she walked into her house, still carrying a basket of chestnuts, already planning the delicious meal for that evening—chicken braised with chestnuts.

Upon entering the house, she placed the chestnuts on the kitchen counter and glanced at the chicken she had bought yesterday, quietly waiting by the sink as if ready for a glamorous transformation. Yang Qingyan rolled up her sleeves and began to clean the chicken, expertly removing the feathers and gutting it, then cutting the meat into evenly sized chunks and soaking them in clean water to remove the blood, ensuring the meat would be tender.

While waiting, she began to prepare the chestnuts. Picking one up, she gently scored a cross on the top with a knife, then dropped it into boiling water for a few minutes. After the hot bath, the chestnut shells opened slightly, as if smiling, making it easy for her to peel off the hard shell to extract the golden, plump chestnut kernels.

With the preparations in place, Yang Qingyan heated oil in a pan, adding ginger slices and chopped scallions to sauté until fragrant. She then tossed in the drained chicken pieces. With a series of sizzling sounds, the chicken quickly changed color under the hot oil, its skin becoming golden and crispy. She promptly added cooking wine and stirred it evenly, instantly filling the kitchen with a tantalizing aroma.

After simmering the chicken for a while until almost cooked through, Yang Qingyan added the peeled chestnuts into the pot to stew gently with the chicken. The chestnuts absorbed the chicken’s savory flavor, while their own sweetness permeated the meat, enhancing each other’s taste. The broth in the pot bubbled away, becoming richer in color, and the enticing fragrance wafting through the air made everyone hungry.

Yang Qingyan occasionally lifted the lid to check on the stew’s progress and gently stirred with a spatula, ensuring every piece of chicken and chestnut received even heat. Watching the ingredients in the pot gradually become tender and infused with flavor, she smiled with satisfaction. Finally, a beautifully aromatic chicken braised with chestnuts was ready. She scooped it out, served it on a plate, and sprinkled some chopped scallions for garnish. The chicken had a bright, appealing color, the chestnuts were soft and sweet, and the thick, inviting sauce made it look incredibly appetizing.

Just as she was about to sit down to enjoy this delicious feast, she heard a familiar sound of footsteps approaching. Turning around, she saw Mu Nanhe, having finished his busy day at the army, returning home on time. As soon as he stepped inside, his nose detected the tempting aroma in the air. He smiled and asked, “What deliciousness are you cooking that smells so good?” Yang Qingyan stood up to greet him, smiling, “Guess what it is.” He walked over to the table, his eyes lighting up when he saw the plate of chicken braised with chestnuts. “This is my favorite! What a lucky day!” Yang Qingyan explained that she had gone to gather chestnuts with the sisters-in-law and decided to cook this dish.

They sat across from each other, both indulging in the delicious chicken braised with chestnuts, leaving them thoroughly satisfied.

……………………

A few days later, with a gentle breeze blowing and the sun shining beautifully, Wei Wan finally returned home safely from the hospital, much to everyone’s anticipation. The news spread through the compound like a spring breeze, prompting the other sisters-in-law to put down their tasks, gather thoughtful gifts, and head to Wei Wan’s house together. Naturally, Yang Qingyan was among them, thinking to check on Wei Wan’s recovery.

The lively group arrived at Wei Wan’s door and gently knocked. The moment the door swung open, joyful laughter filled the room. Wei Wan’s husband, Liu Jianjun, greeted everyone with a beaming smile, expressing his gratitude nonstop.

Yang Qingyan followed the flow of people inside, taking in the carefully arranged interior. The wooden furniture was polished to a shine, exuding a warm glow, and the walls were adorned with a few older calligraphies and paintings. In one corner sat a radio that was once quite a prized possession. It was clear that Wei Wan came from a well-off family; her father was the director of a commodity factory in town, providing a solid financial background.

Seeing the guests, especially Yang Qingyan, who was resting in bed, Wei Wan’s eyes lit up. She struggled to get up to welcome them. Yang Qingyan quickly stepped forward, gently pressing her shoulder down, and softly said, “Sister, just lie down. You haven’t fully recovered yet; don’t move around too much.”

Wei Wan’s eyes brimmed with gratitude as she shook her head slightly, saying, “I’m feeling much better now. Qingyan, I’ve been thinking about how to thank you properly. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how me and the baby would have managed. I was even planning for my husband, Liu Jianjun, to come by these days to thank you personally, and now you’ve come, what a coincidence!”

With a smile, Yang Qingyan sat beside the bed, took Wei Wan’s hand, and began to check her pulse. As she felt the pulse, she asked, “Sister, we’re neighbors; we should help each other. How are you feeling now? Does the wound still hurt? Is the discharge smooth?” Wei Wan answered each question, while the other sisters-in-law sat nearby, expressing their concern and inquiring about Wei Wan’s health and the baby’s status. The room was filled with warmth and caring.

Liu Jianjun, full of smiles, carefully brought the newborn baby from the inner room, cradling it like a rare treasure. The baby, wrapped in a soft swaddling cloth, was sleeping soundly, with a rosy little face resembling a ripe apple; its tiny, soft mouth occasionally moved as if dreaming sweet dreams.