Ding Guohua glanced into the west room with a bit of disappointment, then smiled and went outside with the other younger brothers.

Tiantian and Panpan also wanted to invite Xu Xiaoyou, so they followed along.

Ding Guohua picked up Tiantian, “Let’s go. Big Brother will carry you so we can get there faster and avoid you falling on the way.”

Tiantian shook her head, “No, no, my mother’s shoes are non-slip.”

She lifted the non-slip soles that Lin Shu had specially ordered for her and Panpan to show them.

Everyone then noticed that their shoe soles had some small bumps, which were either pressed or sewn on.

Brother-in-law Ding came over.

Next door, Lu Shaocai wanted to join in for the fun and the meal, but since his position as an accountant was taken by Brother Lu Dage, he felt embarrassed and worried about being mocked by Brother-in-law Ding.

So, he stayed home, sighing and lamenting.

Old Lu didn’t think too much about it and insisted that Second Brother Lu Erge personally go and call him.

In the end, Lu Shaocai didn’t come.

He decided to wait until Eldest Sister Lu Dajie’s family left before going to eat, to avoid being embarrassed.

It was better that way.

Lu Hehuan and Xu Xiaoyou came, but Xu Shihua didn’t.

Lu Hehuan said he had gone to pay New Year’s greetings to an elderly gentleman.

Xu Xiaoyou pulled Lin Shu into the west room and whispered, “My father was still at home earlier, but as soon as he heard Tiantian and Panpan’s voices, he immediately hid and deliberately didn’t come.”

Lin Shu chuckled softly, “It’s better that he didn’t come. It would ruin the atmosphere. We’ll just enjoy ourselves.”

Xu Xiaoyou nodded vigorously, “I think so too. Sigh, I don’t know why, but I feel like my grandmother and father are natural party poopers. Any good news that reaches them just seems to be dampened.”

She recounted how she stayed at Old Grandpa Lu’s house, enjoyed a meal of pork, and the next day went home happily, only for her grandmother to scold her, “Just because you had a meal of meat, you think you’re a good person? Don’t be so easily pleased.”

Xu Xiaoyou thought, isn’t having a meal of meat a sign of being a good person?

Who would be so generous as to give others meat these days?

Anyway, her grandmother never allowed her to eat a hearty meal of meat at home!

Lin Shu then put a new hairpin on her head, “This was made by Xiuxiu. It looks even better.”

Xu Xiaoyou stood on tiptoe to look at herself in the mirror, “Thank you, Auntie, thank you, Sister. It looks great. I really like it!”

Lu Xiuxiu’s basic sewing skills are very good.

Her skills in making Chinese knots were particularly beautiful for hairpins.

Lin Shu gave her some fine gauze to make her own, but she refused.

Lu Xiuxiu enjoyed making things but didn’t like wearing them herself.

“Xiuxiu, stop making things and go play with everyone,” Lin Shu encouraged her to have some fun.

Why is Xiuxiu, a blossoming young girl, constantly working?

Lu Xiuxiu hesitated a bit, glancing outside where Ding Guohua and a few brothers and sisters were playing in the courtyard.

He happened to glance through the window and smiled at her.

Lu Xiuxiu quickly lowered her head and continued working.

Lin Shu thought Ding Guohua’s gaze towards Lu Xiuxiu seemed a bit ambiguous, and it appeared that Lu Xiuxiu didn’t have any special feelings for him, which relieved her.

While observing Lu Xiuxiu sewing, Lin Shu casually chatted about the tailor Guo’s family—how many people there were, the children, and the grandchildren.

Lu Xiuxiu explained that Guo Tailor originally wanted to train his own children, but they weren’t interested in tailoring, and neither were his grandchildren.

It wasn’t just disinterest; Guo Tailor found they weren’t cut out for the craft.

In those times, people had limited exposure and narrow views.

Many people struggled to speak to outsiders and had rigid thinking.

They appeared clumsy and were slow to learn.

Lu Xiuxiu and another female apprentice were among those chosen by Guo Tailor as having the potential for development.

Lin Shu asked, “Xiuxiu, does Guo Tailor use a handboard?”

Xiuxiu’s face turned red, and she nodded.

Lin Shu continued, “Do you still want to go?”

Xiuxiu replied, “If I don’t go, we’d have wasted the last two years. He hasn’t taught me everything yet. The third year has no tuition and includes more lessons.”

Lin Shu asked, “Do you want to go, or are you afraid of wasting the money and what you’ve learned?”

Xiuxiu answered, “Master says that learning should be a continuous process.”

Lin Shu asked, “Do we have to learn from him? Can he teach anything special besides collars and sleeves?”

Xiuxiu thought for a moment and said, “He might teach how to make qipao.”

Lin Shu responded, “That’s a skill, but you might not need it for at least ten years.”

Xiuxiu thought that it might not be needed for a lifetime.

Nowadays, most clothes are similar, and besides spies and villains in movies, who would dare to wear a qipao?

Lin Shu realized that Xiuxiu didn’t really want to go but felt obligated because the family had spent money.

If she didn’t go, it would feel like a waste.

Since she had already learned in the past two years, it would be a loss not to learn more in the third year.

Lin Shu didn’t make any promises either way to avoid disappointing her.

She decided to consult with her mother-in-law and elder sister-in-law first.

She suggested that Lu Dajie check with them.

If Xiuxiu didn’t want to go, they wouldn’t force her.

The money spent for the previous years wouldn’t be wasted; after all, the basics were learned well.

The third year wasn’t just about teaching new skills but also about refining the craft.

“Learning skills is one thing, but aren’t you just being used as free labor?”

“You come back and make clothes yourself. Don’t you think the money you earn is more than the tuition?”

Eldest Sister Lu Da came over, “Shaotang… Third Sister-in-law, come over here and chat. Don’t just stay in here working.”

She always referred to Shaotang’s wife as “Shaotang’s wife,” so Fang Dihua reminded her to change her address.

The family now no longer calls her by that name.

Lin Shu smiled and invited Lu Xiuxiu to join them.

Lin Shu discussed what dishes to prepare with Fang Dihua.

Fang Dihua said, “We still have some bones. Let’s make a stew with sauerkraut and boiled pork, stir-fry some leeks and eggs, and prepare a plate of braised meat.”

Although braised meat loses some of its original flavor after freezing and thawing, everyone still enjoys meat.

Even if it’s not as aromatic, it’s still tasty.

Stir-frying dishes is considered a good meal because it involves oil.

The eldest daughter often sends rice, flour, and oil to the family, so when daughters and sons-in-law come back, Fang Dihua always makes stir-fried dishes.

Even if it’s just stir-fried vegetables, it feels plentiful and not shabby.

Especially eggs, which require a lot of oil.

Lin Shu saw there was still some pork loin, so she decided to make some small meatballs.

Frying meat doesn’t actually use up much oil; the oil often remains or even increases.

In these times, it’s rare to have fried meat more than once a year, so there are no health concerns about frying food.

Since she was frying meatballs, she decided to fry some radish balls and tofu balls as well.

Fang Dihua, Sister Lu Da, and Second Sister-in-law Lu Er helped chop meat and grate radishes.

The men were drinking tea and chatting in the living room, while the women were busy in the kitchen.

Eldest Sister Lu Dajie pulled Lu Hehuan to help.

Lu Hehuan had some grievances against Lin Shu because she always insulted Xu Shihua.

She pouted and said, “Third Sister-in-law, could you be a bit nicer to Xu Shihua? You’re always like that, and he doesn’t dare come to our house anymore.”

Lin Shu was surprised, “What do you mean? Did I scold him or hit him?”

Lu Dajie asked, “What’s going on?”

Fang Dihua said, “It’s nothing. Don’t ruin the mood. Just get on with chopping the filling.”

Fang Dihua went into the room to ask Ding Runsheng if they wanted dumplings or noodles with the main dishes.

Ding Runsheng was a bit taken aback, “Mom, don’t go to so much trouble. Simple is fine. We can have steamed buns or cornmeal cakes.”

Fang Dihua insisted, “You come only two or three times a year, so we definitely need to have some fine noodles.”

Ding Runsheng said, “Mom, just make fine noodles for the kids. We don’t need any.”

Fang Dihua decided to handle it herself.

She prepared fewer noodles for the kids and kept the adults’ meal to pancakes.

Their family no longer enjoys eating steamed corn buns, unless they are made with a mix of wheat and corn flour.

Pure cornmeal or sweet potato flour is better used for pancakes.

Lu Dajie admired Lin Shu’s cooking skills, saying, “Mother, Sister-in-law’s skills are even better than those of the chefs at the commune restaurant.”

Fang Dihua responded, “Of course. Even restaurants in the city are just so-so.”

Lu Dajie laughed, “Mother, you’re really not modest.”

She noticed that her parents were genuinely fond of Lin Shu, not just paying lip service but genuinely appreciative, which was clear from their sincere recognition.

Outside, the children were riding small tractors.

Ding Guowen wanted to take them onto the ice on the river, but Panpan was reluctant, and Lu Ping wouldn’t allow it.

Ding Guowen complained, “Why are you being so stingy? It’s so much fun to slide on the ice!”

Ding Guowu agreed, “Yes, why be so stingy? Sliding on ice is so fast!”