White Noodles
Mrs. Yao couldn't help but say, "They just built a house with blue bricks and large tiles, so it seems they have been able to save some money."
After living in the same village for decades, Mrs. Yao and Mrs. Qian got along well. She couldn't help but say, "Of her six sons, Zhou Si is the most unruly." Even among the young people in the village, as long as they are willing to work, what kind of family fortune can't be accumulated?
"But they also spend a lot," Mrs. Fang persisted. Then, thinking of something, she couldn't help but sneer, "It's bad enough to have such a young sister-in-law in the family, but there's also a returning eldest sister-in-law." "It's going to be so difficult for the daughters-in-law in this family."
Perhaps Mrs. Fang believed that Mrs. Qian could help maintain harmony among the daughters-in-law, but balancing relationships between the daughters-in-law and the daughters would be extremely challenging.
Just like her, could she treat her daughters-in-law the same as her own daughter?
The Zhou family has a younger sister, similar to Man Bao, who will eventually mature and marry. But Zhou Xi has been back for a year and still hasn't left the house. If she doesn't get married in the future, will this eldest sister-in-law have to live with them forever?
Mrs. Fang didn't say these words out loud, but Mrs. Yao guessed.
She knew that this marriage was truly impossible. Having lived in the same village as Mrs. Qian for thirty years, Mrs. Yao knew her better than anyone. If Mrs. Fang were to express such thoughts, it would be best to end the conversation now rather than continue and risk it ending later.
It would be better to clarify it now.
Mrs. Yao nodded and said, "Then you should talk to the matchmaker."
"That's what she said," but Mrs. Fang still felt a little regretful. After all, families like the Zhous', with two connected houses made of blue bricks and large tiles, were not common.
Mrs. Fang sighed softly, feeling conflicted.
But to her surprise, as soon as she replied to the matchmaker, the matchmaker immediately agreed to talk to her daughter separately. She knew that the Zhou family had not taken a liking to her daughter.
Mrs. Fang couldn't help but feel a little resentful, but she couldn't bring herself to confront the matchmaker and ask why the Zhou family didn't like her daughter. Wouldn't that be humiliating for her?
In her heart, her daughter was perfect, especially compared to the once wayward Zhou Si. She had never thought that the Zhou family would not like her daughter.
Zhou Si was oblivious to all of this. He happily ran to Dali Village and picked out a good piece of lamb because he wanted to eat well and forget the frustration from the morning's blind date.
Zhou Xi looked at him and couldn't help but say to her mother, "He doesn't seem ready to get married." Shouldn't we wait another year to see?
If he grows up a bit more mature?
Old Zhou was not pleased and said, "Men grow up when they start a family." Waiting longer would be excessive. "What if he can't find a wife later?"
In Old Zhou's eyes, Zhou Si was already considered part of the group of people who would struggle to find a wife. Waiting longer would only make it more difficult as he got older.
He couldn't let Zhou Si delay his two younger sons.
Mrs. Qian also nodded, "Starting a family means growing up, but the premise is to find a suitable partner."
Man Bao nodded repeatedly and asked, "Big sister, is the dough ready?"
Zhou Xi pointed at her and said, "Just like your fourth brother, all you think about is food."
Zhou Xi made a stew with lamb and tofu because there was still tofu at home.
After marinating for a long time, the tofu developed small holes on the surface, making it soft and tender without falling apart. Man Bao used chopsticks to pick it up, and the juice inside oozed out. She blew on it, took a careful bite, and then ate it heartily.
Man Bao's eyes lit up, and everyone else enjoyed the meal too.
Zhou Si finished all the soup in his bowl, wiped his mouth contentedly, and said, "It would be great to have days like this every day."
Old Zhou finished his meal and glanced at him, asking, "What are you daydreaming about in broad daylight?" Today is the Winter Solstice. If you dare to eat like this on other days, I'll give you a beating.
Leaving aside other matters, just the white flour used to make the noodles made Old Zhou's heart ache.
Seven Li Village also cultivated wheat, albeit in limited quantities, making white flour a precious commodity. At least the Zhou family couldn't afford to eat white flour like this on ordinary days.
This was a rare luxury, and at least until the New Year, they wouldn't be able to eat like this again, let alone every day as Zhou Si had said.
Old Zhou felt that only immortals could have such a life every day.
Man Bao laughed and said she wanted to be a little fairy.
Keke took the opportunity to tell her, "In the future, white flour and white rice will be affordable for everyone."
Man Bao exclaimed, "Are they so rich?"
But then she realized, "If everyone can eat white flour freely, where does all the white flour come from?"
"It's grown."
Man Bao asked, "How much land do you need to grow enough wheat?"
"On average, it's much less than what you're planting now, but the yield per acre is high, and the efficiency is also high, so they can afford to eat it," Keke explained the future wheat planting technology and yield to her.
Man Bao listened with great interest and said, "I wish our family could have such high yields per acre."
"Host, you can work towards that," Keke said. "Although it is difficult, improving farming techniques will result in some progress."
"But, Host, you usually only plant spring wheat here." Even if you want to plant, you will have to wait until next spring. During the long winter, don't you need to prepare for next year's planting?
Man Bao thought carefully.
Thinking about the white noodles she had just eaten made her feel very excited.
Seeing this, Keke continued, "In addition to making noodles, flour can also be used to make steamed buns, buns, dumplings…"
Man Bao's eyes lit up more and more, and finally, unable to contain her excitement, she stood up with a bang.
Keke immediately fell silent.
The others who were talking turned to look at her. Mrs. Qian noticed the bright eyes and flushed face of the girl and quickly pulled her over to ask, "What's wrong?"
Man Bao clenched her fists and said loudly, "Mom, I want to go out and play!"
Mrs. Qian said, "I didn't stop you."
"I want to go to the mountains!"
"What's fun in the mountains at this time?" Mrs. Qian frowned. "It's so cold, and the mountains are windy." "You're not allowed to go."
"No, I want to go." "Mom, let my fourth brother take me," Man Bao said. If there were no adults to accompany her, she wouldn't dare to go to the mountains alone. If she dared to go, Mrs. Qian would dare to break her legs.
So, although she was very unwilling, she could only roll and act cute to get her mother's permission.
Mrs. Qian frowned and said, "Fine, but be careful."
At this point, Man Bao was already very excited.