Gu Yunsheng quickly said,
“Aunt, don’t worry, I won’t make things difficult for you. I just hope you can say a few words for me when the time comes.”
The brigade leader’s wife was pleased to hear this and said there was no problem at all.
They chatted for a while before Gu Yunsheng suggested leaving. Before stepping out, she added,
“Aunt, if your milk is not enough for the children, I’ll have Chengxuan ask some comrades to send some over. Life may not be easy, but the children shouldn’t suffer.”
She patted her small belly as she spoke.
“Really! I knew seeing you would make my heart happy. You think of me, and I should be the one to thank you.”
“Well, our home doesn’t have access to milk tickets, but I won’t take it for free. Whatever the price outside, I’ll give it to you at the same rate. You won’t lose out.”
“Aunt, you don’t have to worry about that. Just having this in mind is enough. I am truly grateful.”
The brigade leader’s wife couldn’t refuse. Watching the little grandchildren grow weaker by the day, the old couple at home were nearly at their wits’ end.
Gu Yunsheng was aware of the book’s ending. She wasn’t sure if she could save the children, but she had done what she could. She had also secretly fed the two children some spirit spring water when no one was watching.
She figured since she was here, doing something to improve a family’s fate could also accumulate blessings for the baby in her belly.
This was all she could do for now.
“Aunt, you’re too polite. Don’t worry, I’ll remember this.”
With that, Gu Yunsheng left cheerfully.
Back in the house, she already had a plan. Originally, she intended to cook lightly, but to make moving out smoother, meat was necessary.
She took out two pig’s trotters, preparing to make braised pig’s trotters.
She chopped and cleaned the trotters, then blanched them with cooking wine, green onions, and ginger.
She heated the pot with cooking oil, added rock sugar, and stirred over low heat until reddish-brown. She then added the trotters, stirring to coat them evenly with color. A spoonful of soy sauce, a spoonful of oyster sauce, bay leaves, star anise, and cooking wine were added, and the trotters were stirred over high heat.
Spirit spring water was added to cover the trotters. She brought it to a boil, then lowered the heat and simmered for an hour.
In another pot, she steamed the rice. When it was done, she also made a stir-fry of vegetables with mushrooms.
For the evening’s main performance, she also made a meat and yam soup.
Lean meat was sliced, seasoned with starch, a little sugar, white pepper, a touch of soy sauce, and left to marinate. Yam was sliced, and oil heated in a pan, then the yam and green onion were stir-fried. After fragrant, she added spirit spring water, covered the pot, and brought it to a boil.
Once opened, she added the marinated meat slices one by one, cooked them, added a pinch of salt, and garnished with some green onions.
The soup was ready, and the pig’s trotters were done. They were red and glossy, very appetizing.
Dinner was ready, the sky was darkening, and the villagers slowly returned from work.
Gu Yunsheng timed everything carefully and did not open the kitchen windows. She wanted the aroma of meat to be strong, hoping that if Wang Huijuan didn’t cause trouble, all her efforts would not be wasted.
She carried the food back inside. The Huo family returned soon after.
They had already experienced her cooking before. After a long day, two dishes and a soup were very satisfying.
Huo Zhenguo looked at his daughter-in-law and was increasingly pleased. Her skills surpassed even the housekeeper from before.
Huo Wan’er nibbled on a pig’s trotter and secretly glanced at Gu Yunsheng. Her previous resentment seemed to fade.
Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a shrill cry came from the doorway.
“I don’t want this biscuit, it’s awful. I want meat, I want meat.”
Gu Yunsheng’s eyes lit up. This was perfect. She had been wondering if the flavor wasn’t strong enough.
The boy’s cries were sharp and piercing, accompanied by Wang Huijuan’s voice.
“What are you doing? Get up at once. There’s no meat at home.”
The boy ignored her, rolling and throwing a tantrum, pointing at Gu Yunsheng’s house.
“I don’t care, I want to eat, I want the meat. There is meat here, I want it.”
The educated youth compound descended into chaos, the boy crashing against Gu Yunsheng’s door.
Huo Wan’er was about to get up when Gu Yunsheng put down her chopsticks and opened the door.
She had no patience for the boy. Coldly, she said,
“If you want meat, why are you banging on my door? Go home and have your mother make it for you.”
Seeing Gu Yunsheng’s expression, Wang Huijuan immediately lowered her head.
“Why are you being so harsh to my Yubao? He’s just a child, what could he understand?”
Wang Huijuan spoke while trying to look into the room.
Gu Yunsheng noticed her intention and moved slightly to ensure a clear view.
Zhao Yubao saw his mother defending him, and with a quick move, charged into the room. Gu Yunsheng acted fast and grabbed his collar.
Seeing her son caught, Wang Huijuan hurried forward. Just as she was about to reach him, Gu Yunsheng fell to the ground,
“Oh! Someone help! He hit me!”
This shocked Wang Huijuan, Zhao Yubao, and the Huo family.
Huo Chengxuan reacted first, rushing to help her, but Gu Yunsheng gave him a look, and tears streamed down her face.
“Waa, Chengxuan, my belly, sob sob, my baby, am I going to lose it? Wang Huijuan, you’re too scary!”
Huo Chengxuan quickly pulled Gu Yunsheng into his arms.
Huo’s mother and Huo Wan’er were furious, thinking she might have lost the baby.
Gu Yunsheng’s cries brought out the educated youths from their houses.
“What happened? Why is Huo’s daughter-in-law on the floor?”
“Did she hear someone hit her?”
“Could Wang Jie have done it?”
Wang Huijuan realized the scene and pointed at Gu Yunsheng, shouting,
“Gu Yunsheng, nonsense, I didn’t touch you at all.”
Huo Wan’er was enraged.
“Wang Huijuan, my sister-in-law is pregnant, and you pushed her to the ground! If something happens to my nephew, I will call the police!”
“You’re lying. I didn’t touch her. She was the one trying to attack my child.”
“Stop lying. Your son is perfectly fine standing right here!”