Chapter 235

Shuiqing’s family was also preparing food.

After removing the blood from the pig bones, they added a large pot of water and brought it to a boil over high heat, then simmered it over low heat. They started stewing it in the morning, and by noon the soup was thick and milky white, smelling sweet and fragrant.

Fresh pork, soaked wood ear mushrooms, green peppers, and soaked small bamboo shoots were sliced into thin strips and stir-fried to make a simplified version of fish-flavored shredded pork.

Additionally, they cooked a rich and appetizing meat sauce using minced pork, shiitake mushrooms, green and red peppers, minced garlic and ginger, and soybean paste.

In another large iron pot, they boiled hand-rolled noodles.

For those having noodle soup, the boiled noodles were ladled out and topped with a ladle of rich bone broth, then a ladle of fish-flavored shredded pork as a topping.

For those having mixed noodles, the boiled noodles were directly topped with a large ladle of savory meat sauce, mixed evenly and served.

They used hand-rolled noodles made from white flour, which were smooth, chewy, and resilient. With fresh ingredients and skilled craftsmanship, served hot from the pot, everyone who received them couldn’t help but smile with joy.

Instead of crowding into the dining hall, the men sat in the courtyard under the sheltered corridor. With a roof overhead for shade and a breeze blowing on both sides, some sat on the railing’s stone slabs while others sat on the blue stone slabs on the ground. Each held a large basin of hearty noodles, feeling the fatigue of the past few days dissipate.

Li Dani, Zheng Yan, and five other women ate while discussing recent events in Shanshui Village with everyone.

After eating until they were about seventy percent full, the men deliberately slowed down and began to recount their experiences along the way.

When they mentioned that Mr. Bai had also prepared sacrificial paper money for them, Li Dani and the other five couldn’t help but tear up, exclaiming, “Mr. Bai is truly beyond words.”

Mr. Bai not only helped them find a place to settle down and a generous host, but also provided resettlement funds and even took the trouble to prepare sacrificial items.

“Yes, we can’t repay Mr. Bai, we can only treat Young Master Bai better in the future.”

“Young Master Bai is also easy-going, without any airs. He is polite and courteous to us, without a hint of arrogance.”

“Our host is the same. You may not know, but recently we helped Aunt Ding’s family. We can earn thirty wen a day! The host said we could keep it for ourselves.” Wang Qiuyue said joyfully.

“Yes, you may not know, but after we came back, we saw people living in hardship. Even Mr. Bai’s farm is considered good, although the food is simple, at least there are wild vegetables and porridge to eat.”

Most of the people they met on the road were emaciated from hunger. If they hadn’t followed Mr. Bai, if they hadn’t come here, they couldn’t imagine what life would be like.

People on the corridor couldn’t help but sigh.

They tightly gripped their coarse pottery basins.

Inside the basin were noodles made from white flour, with real pork, even the soup was made from boiled large bones.

Their deceased relatives, even in their lifetime, never enjoyed such a meal.

“Let’s live well and follow our host, and life will get better and better.”

“Yes!”

“Ding’s family’s wall must be well built, and things must be done beautifully without harming the goodwill of our host.”

“We know, do we even need to say this?”

In the dining hall, Bai Manshan recounted the situation of Fan Dazhu and Fan Erzhu.

Fan Jin looked guilty and said, “Sorry to trouble you.”

These people were chosen by him. Normal injuries could be understood, but being injured in this way was entirely their own fault.

Bai Manshan waved his hand repeatedly and said, “Hey hey, I just want everyone to understand that it’s really not our fault that these fellow travelers didn’t take good care of them. It’s really their own fault.

As long as you and Zhaodi don’t blame us!”

Fan Jin smiled gently. These fellow travelers had already done their best to help treat and rescue them, which was already very considerate.

Zhaodi shook her head like a rattle drum.

How could she blame Mr. Bai for not helping her brothers and sisters!

They casually moved on from the topic involving Fan Dazhu and Fan Erzhu, and everyone began discussing the next topic.

Bai Ziqian mentioned the matter of delivering the other half of the potatoes to the villagers, making it clear that it was on behalf of their Bai family and asking his father not to let slip any details.

Bai Manshan laughed cheerfully, “It’s good to do it in our family’s name. Otherwise, people from the same village might gossip.”

Bai Ziqian looked at his father in surprise, not expecting him to think exactly like Aunt Shuiqing.

Bai Manshan affectionately patted his son’s head and sighed, “Understanding worldly affairs is knowledge, and mastering human relationships is skillful. These common sayings may sound mundane, but they are very practical. You still have much to learn.”

Mastering human relationships is indeed the most difficult thing to learn.

After saying this, he looked worriedly at his son. Ziqian used to dislike it when he said such things, often calling him “smelling of the countryside,” but today the atmosphere was good, and he didn’t want to spoil this rare time of father-son bonding.

Bai Ziqian nodded in agreement.

He worked hard every day but still didn’t earn much money. Only after toiling for his livelihood did he realize that smelling of the countryside was already quite good. Most people found it difficult to have a few stinky coins!

Bai Manshan’s face lit up even more joyfully.

Aunt Shuiqing’s family really was Ziqian’s benefactors.

Hu Mother, the head of the household, and Hu Wenhua talked about the construction of the wall in Shanshui Village, mentioning in passing that the Ding family had also been allocated a section of the road.

Hu Wenhua blurted out without thinking, “Then I’ll go help Aunt Ding make adobe bricks this afternoon.”

Ding Jiajia looked up at him, and Hu Wenhua couldn’t help but look at her. Their eyes met across the table, causing Ding Jiajia to quickly look away, while Hu Wenhua remained stunned, reluctant to turn away.

Qin Yilin’s clear and hearty voice rang out, “No need, Auntie, I’ve already hired someone! It’s too tiring for you all to go out again. You should rest and relax.”

The elder and younger nieces were efficient at work; their family was definitely faster than Zhang Tuzi’s family. As long as they weren’t the slowest, everything would be fine.

Hu Wenhua struggled to avert his gaze, looking at Aunt Ding and saying with a bold smile, “There will be empty carts coming back in the next two days. I’ll just walk, it won’t tire me at all!”

Dazhu and Erzhu took turns pulling them back. With the two of them lying on two carts, their combined weight of over a hundred catties made no difference even if the carts were empty.

In the past, Hu Mother would definitely advise Wenhua to rest, but today she wanted him to show up and let those who didn’t have high hopes see.

“Alright, you go.”

The butcher Hu said on the side, “I’m not too tired either. I’ll take a nap in the afternoon and go with you when I wake up.”

With more people helping out, the Ding family’s work could be completed sooner.

“No need, you old bones should rest well in the afternoon.”

The butcher Hu: … Just a few days ago, he was praising himself as not having lost his vigor, but now he’s become an old bone!

The whole family finished their lunch lively and joyfully, chatting for a while after eating to aid digestion, then each went back to take a nap.

Taking a nap not only restored their energy but also avoided the harshest midday sun.

After resting, Hu Wenhua set off carrying tools for making adobe bricks.

Shuiqing looked at the absent-minded Ding Jiajia and suggested, “Jiajia, I’ve brewed some mung bean soup to relieve heat. Would you like to take it over?”