Chapter 55.2

Yesterday, they indulged in eating throughout the entire day. So, Su Xiaoxiao prepared a light breakfast today; simple sweet potato porridge and pickles.

Su Xiaoxiao noticed that Li Yufeng liked seafood, so she decided to go out and buy some for their lunch. She also planned to save the loach for dinner.

Li Yufeng declined, saying yesterday’s food was great, and today they should stick to something light.

Fantuan disagreed and said, “Grandma, I’m still growing. I need to eat something good, and my Dad’s boss also agrees.”

Where did he hear the words: father’s boss agrees?

Han Cheng said: “Mom, the seafood here is cheap and won’t cost much. You can eat it.”

Xiao Bao started ordering with a smack of his mouth, “Auntie, I want to eat big crabs.”

After Xiao Bao had big crabs on his first day here, he couldn’t stop thinking about them.

Su Xiaoxiao nodded and said, “Alright, comrades, how about having big crabs for lunch today? Is that fine with all of you?”

Several cubs brushed their hands together and said, “Yes!”

Xiao Fantuan raised Xiao Doubao’s little hand high and exclaimed, “Grandma, our family believes in democracy, and we follow the majority. Let’s have crabs today!”

Even Han Cheng raised his hand.

The cubs are so happy, the men in their family are indeed from the same country!

Li Yufeng couldn’t argue with them and thought since she would be leaving the next day, she didn’t want to spoil their fun.

Su Xiaoxiao promised the cubs to take them to the market the other day. However, ever since Xiao Bao arrived, he has not been there yet. So she thought, why not take all four cubs with her?

Han Cheng also needs to go to work and the family of six sets out to the market in a grand manner.

Others were secretly surprised when they saw them. They had never seen anyone bring such a bunch of children to the market. The key point is that when picking crabs, the adults still listened to the children’s opinions. The children pointed at whichever ones they wanted, and it was really strange to see a few-year-old child in charge.

The market after the holiday is relatively less crowded, with even fewer people queuing up for Lao Hu.

However, Su Xiaoxiao mainly bought seafood today, and she also plans to buy some dried scallops, squid, and light vegetables for Li Yufeng to bring back.

Li Yufeng repeatedly declined, but in the end, Su Xiaoxiao insisted on buying a lot.

These are all good things that the Su family commune can’t buy even if they have money. They are delicious and healthy, and they don’t even require tickets. Su Xiaoxiao thinks they are still very cost-effective.

Chilled crabs are perhaps one of the simplest dishes you can cook. After bringing the water to a boil, add salt, ginger, onion, and white wine. Let the ingredients infuse for a while and then add the crabs. Once the crabs turn slightly red, remove them from the heat, allowing them to stew for a few more minutes using the residual heat before taking them out of the pot. This helps enhance the flavor and makes it easier to enjoy

Chilled crab is named as such because it is a cold dish. Even in the 21st century, you can only eat it at large seafood restaurants, and it is also expensive.

The recommended way to enjoy chilled crab is by refrigerating it for several hours or even overnight, as this helps the meat become firmer and enhances its flavor. However, in their situation, it’s impossible, so Su Xiaoxiao could only add a little extra salt to the crab, sealing it in a plastic bag, and immersing it directly in cool well water. Then it can be eaten directly at noon.

Undoubtedly, this dish once again claimed the top spot on the list of the Cubs’ most delicious dishes.

They ate fried loaches at night.

Su Xiaoxiao marinated the loaches to enhance their flavor, then coated them in batter and fried them in a generous amount of oil until they were fully cooked. This method can be considered as deep-frying.

Another dish became a favorite among the cubs, and they even said that they would catch loaches when Han Cheng had time in the future.
Han Cheng had already bought the train ticket early in the morning and went to bed at night. Li Yufeng didn’t dare to tell Xiao Bao about going back tomorrow.

It wasn’t until the next morning, after Xiao Bao returned from his morning exercise and had breakfast, that he noticed his grandmother packing all the luggage and placing it in the yard. It was at that moment that he realized they might have to leave and go back home that day.

As expected, during dinner, Li Yufeng said, “Xiao Bao, we’ll take the train back later. We can come again next time.”

Xiao Bao looked up at his grandmother with teary eyes and asked, “Grandma, when will be the next time?”

Li Yufeng remained silent, unable to provide a definite answer. If there were no urgent matters, it seemed likely that they would not come to this place for a long time.

Han Cheng said, “When I am on vacation during the Chinese New Year, I will take your Aunt Su, Fantuan, Zhuzi, and Doubao to Sujia Village to pick you up. But Xiao Bao needs to promise Uncle to be obedient and study hard, okay?”

Xiao Bao is very obedient. He didn’t cry but simply nodded, lowering his eyes silently. Tears fell into his rice bowl like broken beads, one drop after another.

Su Xiaoxiao is also very sad. he cherished her family dearly and couldn’t bear to see Li Yufeng and Xiao Bao leave. Seeing Xiao Bao cry, she couldn’t help but feel her own eyes welling up with tears.

But there was no other option. Li Yufeng and Xiao Bao had visited their family with a letter of introduction from the brigade, and even if they wished to stay for an extended period, they couldn’t overstay their welcome.

Besides, if Xiaobao doesn’t go back, her second brother and sister-in-law won’t agree.

Several cubs were silent, Fantuan and Zhuzi were also red-eyed, and Xiao Doubao ran over and hugged his Brother Xiao Bao and said: “Don’t cry, don’t cry~~~”

Xiao Bao wiped away his tears and picked up Xiao Doubao, shaking his head. “Brother, we’ll be able to see each other during the Chinese New Year. I’m not crying, the wind was just too strong, and some sand got in my eyes.”

……

Fantuan gave Xiaobao his favorite pencil case, and Zhuzi also gave Xiaobao his long-cherished little stone.
After finishing breakfast, Li Yufeng carried Xiao Doubao, while Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng carried their luggage. The family walked out, with the cubs leading the way. In silence, they boarded the train, bringing Xiao Bao and Grandma with them.

Xiao Bao pulled himself in front of the window, waving vigorously at them, shouting something. Li Yufeng glanced out of the window and hid to quietly wipe away her tears.

Fantuan and Zhuzi chased the train all the way, shouting to Xiao Bao, “Xiaobao, we’ll miss you! Remember to write to us and miss us too!”

Su Xiaoxiao embraced Han Cheng tightly, tears streaming down her face. Xiao Doubao, in Han Cheng’s arms, felt deeply distressed and gently touched Su Xiaoxiao’s head, saying, “Mama, don’t cry~~~” As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, and he too began to cry.

Han Cheng gently rubbed his wife’s hair, comforting her, “Okay, don’t cry. I’ll save up all my holidays and try to get a few more days off during the Chinese New Year. We’ll go back to Sujia Village and stay there longer.”

Su Xiaoxiao sniffed and shook her head, saying, “I’m fine. I just couldn’t hold back my tears.”

After this experience, Su Xiaoxiao became even more determined. She realized that she couldn’t continue living like before. She made up her mind to strive for a better life for her family. No matter where they go, she wanted to have the ability to keep them by her side. Whether it meant living together, residing in the same city, or even being part of the same community, as long as they are all together.

…………