C36 (2/2)
Baotou is one of the most important events for rural families in winter. Sticky, also known as Sticky Bean Bun; don't look down on it, this is an important food ration for rural families, usually from now until next year's spring.
According to the tradition, it was already freezing cold. Since it was Xu Hui's first time doing something like this, she was afraid that if she did not do it well, she would not be late. It was snowing heavily today, and the weather was very cold.
Sticky noodles were mainly made of rhubarb rice noodles, but if all the noodles were made of rhubarb rice noodles, then the noodles would be too sticky. The wrapped noodles would also stick to the mouth, so it was necessary to add a proper proportion of yellow rice noodles to the rhubarb rice noodles.
Since there were no movements from the Xiao family, Xu Hui followed Aunt Wei's instructions. Since Aunt Wei's family had a lot of population, it would be too expensive to eat rhubarb noodles and millet noodles. Xu Hui felt that eating more grains was good for their health, which was the same as Aunt Wei's family. This way, she could also save herself the effort of adjusting her ranking and just follow Aunt Wei's instructions.
Thinking about his small population, Xu Hui did not need to eat as much as Auntie Wei's house, so she did not need to use a large bowl and hundreds of pounds of noodles. She decided to eat fifty pounds of noodles according to Auntie Wei's family's quantity of noodles, which should be enough for the three of them for the whole winter.
Xu Hui boiled the porridge and started to mix the noodles. She was too weak to make too much of it at once, so she divided the fifty catties of noodles into four portions, which was more than ten catties each time. She had just poured the noodles into the basin, added some water, and started stirring. Niuniu ran in and saw Xu Hui and the noodles. She hurriedly asked, ”Sister-in-law, do you want to get betrothed to me?”
”Hmm, let's start with the bazaar. We won't eat the main course for breakfast. Drink some congee, keep it in your stomach and wait for the hot rice to be steamed.”
”You can eat it once it's steamed?”
”Mmm, isn't the food that just came out delicious? You haven't eaten? ”
”No, I'm not allowed to eat the milk. I'll have to wait until I'm done with the milk before I can eat it. But I've never eaten it all. Sister-in-law, I must eat it all this year. No, two, three!”
”You can have as many as you want. As long as you can keep it inside your stomach, you can enjoy the good fortune of our family.”
”Hehehehehe, sister-in-law is great, let me light the fire!” Hearing that Xu Hui had promised her that she could eat whatever she wanted, Niu Niu was overjoyed. She sat down on the stool to help ignite the fire.
When Xu Hui saw how happy Niu Niu was because she was able to get the bounty, she could not help but feel sorry for her. However, bounty was something she could not bear to let Niu Niu get the bounty.
After stirring for a while, Xu Hui began to sweat profusely. No wonder Aunt Wei had said that all the dishes in her house were made by men. It turned out it was such a strenuous job. Xu Hui wiped her sweat, rolled up her sleeves and stirred the dough harder.
”I can't fall asleep anymore. It's hard work to get on good terms with this guy. Just let me come along. I've been on good terms with this grandpa before too, I'll get it done!” Xiao Dazong thought back to when he was young and how he was engaged with his parents and grandma. He couldn't help but feel sad.
Looking at Xiao Dazong's expression, Xu Hui guessed that Xiao Dazong must be thinking of the past and did not know what to say.
When Niuniu saw Xiao Da Yong, she shouted excitedly, ”Big brother, sister-in-law says I can eat as much of our meat as I want this year!”
The girl licked her lips and said, ”In the past, I wasn't even allowed to eat Sticky Milk, and now that I'm out of the pot, it's so fragrant. I saw that Brother Xue Wu is still dipped in sugar, Sister-in-law, can I also eat Sister-in-law?”
Xu Hui looked at Xiao Da Yong. His sad expression had been replaced by anger. Xu Hui smiled and said to Niuniu, ”Yes, you can eat whatever you want!”
”Sister-in-law is so nice. I still want to eat roasted sweet potatoes. Do we still have sweet potatoes?” How about I go to Auntie Wei's house and ask for a few? ” Niuniu who was burning the fire, thought of sweet roasted sweet potato, again coveted.
Xiao Dayong couldn't help but ask, ”If you want to eat sweet potatoes, you can ask for a few from your milk. Why ask Auntie Wei's family for some?”
”No way, she even scolded me for not working all day and eating for free. I was obviously helping my sister-in-law with her work, wasn't I, sister-in-law?”
Xu Hui looked at Niu Niu in amusement. This naughty girl, who had been acting calm and collected all the time, had really gotten her legacy!
”There's some in the basket with the bracts and leaves at the back. Put them in the stove and place some in there. Don't burn them!” Xu Hui pretended she did not see Xiao Dayong's face darken when she heard Niuniu's words. She then pointed to the basket of matches behind his.
Niu Niu picked up two long sweet potatoes and put them into the kitchen. She smiled at Xiao Dazong, ”Brother, I put two of them in the kitchen. When they are done roasting, I will have one with my sister-in-law, you alone!”
Only then did Xiao Da Yong's expression improve and become less dark.