41-50

Chapter 41

It was the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month and it didn't snow in the morning.

A neighbor from the village came to talk to me. He came here specially to deliver the news.

The wolfdog of Zhu Lihu's family in Shangxi Village gave birth to a litter of four puppies, three males and one female. Today was the full moon, so Zhu Lihu announced that all four puppies would be sold.

The village neighbor thought that the Chen family wanted to buy a dog, so he hurried over to let him know after receiving the letter.

Old man Chen couldn't sit still any longer, so he hurried to the cowshed behind the house and quickly hitched the cart.

"My youngest, Yuan Jiu, you two should go and have a look too." Father Chen said as he went into the house to get the money.

Chen Yuanqiu took the money and rushed out of the house: "Father, wait for me and Brother Jiu."

Cui Yuanjiu followed closely behind.

After sending away the village neighbors, only Father Chen and Chen Yuping, father and son, and little Cao Geer were left in the kitchen house.

It's kind of quiet.

Two days ago, I had something on my mind. Father Chen had been looking for an opportunity to talk to his third son.

By chance today, he spoke directly without anyone else around: "New Year's Eve is coming in a blink of an eye. Not long after the New Year, Yuan Jiu should go out to do some work. He went out with the escort agency. It will take a lot of time. Have you told him about this? If you two really want to get married, you have to have a long-term plan."

"He told me about this." Chen Yuping also planned to talk to Ah. My father talked about this incident: "There was a thief at home a while ago, and no one has been found. Our Chen family is getting more and more prosperous, and it is always a bit eye-catching. He thought, there are many things at home, and we need a helper. I went to the county town to quit my job at the escort agency after the end of the year."

Father Chen was surprised, but more surprised: "Did he really say that? Or did you say it?"

"He took the initiative to talk about it, and I gave him a few words of advice. After all, some people might gossip."

"That's right." Mr. Chen frowned: "This matter is a bit tricky."

"He said he didn't care, but others You can say whatever you like, as long as our hearts are open."

After saying this, Father Chen immediately opened his eyes: "This kid is a sensible person! Brother Ping, I tell you, this is a good thing. Son, you have to treat him well and treat him sincerely. If you care about him, he will also care about you. "

" Dad, I know."

The third son's marriage has always been. It's a big thing that's weighing on Father Chen's mind. Now that his horoscope has changed, he can sleep soundly at night.

Cui Yuanjiu is a good boy. He is a bit young, but he is calm and organized. He is a married man who lives his life.

"I'm always worried that you will be like your elder brother. You both have your own ideas deep down. He always feels that he has a bad temper and wants to be strong but has low self-esteem. As for you, your body is not in place. You don't show it on weekdays, but you are A scar always says that you are not in a hurry to get married. How can anyone in this world live alone without a partner? "

"Your elder brother is too anxious to get married, but you are not even interested in getting married ." I don't even want to think about it. Look at your elder brother's current life. If he finds the wrong partner, he will be stuck for a lifetime. Fortunately, you are lucky enough to meet Yuan. Nine, let me see, he is better than your elder brother-in-law, not even a little bit better. You should be content and don't think too much. There is no perfect thing in the world. For now, you are already very lucky. "

Father Chen talked nonchalantly, and Chen Yuping listened carefully.

"There are some truths that your eldest brother never understands. Your father and I have had our share of bumps and tumbles in our lives, from adolescence to old age. You just don't know it. Even if we have a good relationship and are happy with each other, we have to be happy when we get married. In business, people's hearts can change easily. No matter how deep your feelings are, they will be erased by life little by little, and then they will all be in a state of confusion. "

"You have an idea, Yuan Jiu, you have experienced this since childhood. Duo, travels all over the country, is also a very thoughtful person, don't care about the big or small, don't be too troublesome and wordy, talk to him in detail, gossip is commonplace, the two of them have discussions, and they should retreat when they should. Just insist, you have to have a sense of balance in your heart."

"Your eldest brother, he can't see through it. His life is a mess. Speaking of which, your eldest brother-in-law is neither good nor bad. In fact, if you want to manage your life well. It's not difficult. Your elder brother doesn't understand. I've argued with him many times and he doesn't understand. "

" Dad, I understand. I understand everything you said."

"Do you understand? "Dad Chen's eyebrows were soft and warm, and his eyes were kind. This is his child. He smiled: "Dad, I also believe that you understand. It doesn't matter if you don't understand. Life goes by little by little. When something happens, you Tell dad, I have more experience than you."

He said it dryly, trying to keep it in his mind. I'm afraid he didn't understand even half of it. So he didn't speak too detailedly. He was tired from listening too deeply and carefully, but he couldn't help but want to say something to wake him up. Seeing that good things were coming, he really felt that Yuanjiu was a good kid and worthy of him. The third son, the third son missed him, and it would be difficult to find another suitable person.

Brother Chun said that he understood it back then.

Father Chen sighed quietly and put a few pieces of firewood into the fire pond.

The firewood burned little by little, and the fire gradually grew bigger. The flames jumped a little high and touched the iron pot. Soon, the spout began to steam.

This pot of water is about to boil.

"Dad, what are you thinking about?" He was fine just now, but suddenly his eyes were full of melancholy. Chen Yuping's heart was slightly sour: "Dad, I know what you are talking about. Don't worry, I will live a good life with Yuan Jiu."

"I Thinking of your elder brother, he said he understood it back then. I really thought he understood it. He has always been sensible and rarely made your father and I worry about him since he was a child. He is a very worry-free and good boy. I really thought he understood. Even though your eldest brother was not very good, your eldest brother nodded and we agreed to the marriage."

"Later, as I watched your eldest brother's life getting worse and worse, I felt in my heart. I was anxious, so I told him, and I also told him about your elder brother in front of him. "Dad Chen regretted a little: "Maybe I was too impatient, because I hate iron and feel sorry for your elder brother. Every time he comes back, I talk to him, wishing I could roll up my sleeves and manage his life well. As a result, your eldest brother doesn't come back often, and he doesn't tell me anything about the family. "

Among the four children, your father and I are most sorry for Brother Chun. Some people say that the first child is the happiest, but Brother Chun is the most miserable child in our family." Mr. Chen. Dad felt very uncomfortable.

He hated to see Brother Chun suffer hardship the most. He wanted to do something, but was worried that it would be counterproductive. He had already made a mistake once and could not make a second mistake. He did not dare to speak and interfere at will with Brother Chun and his wife.

I can only watch helplessly, my heart seems to be soaked in yellow lotus juice.

Brother Chun is an excellent child, but he and his wife failed to be good fathers and fathers.

Chen Yuping didn't know what to say: "Dad, please relax, brother's life will definitely get better gradually."

"It just depends on when he will wake up." Father Chen knew very well: "If he doesn't wake up, we will No matter how much you talk or help, it won't make any difference.

"It will get better, Dad, you have to believe me." Chen Yuping decided to take the matter on himself.

Father Chen is a very good father, and he just hopes that his father will be happy.

Old Chen and the others arrived in time, and there were still two puppies left that were not sold, one male and one female.

The more I looked at the two puppies, the more I fell in love with them. Taking a look at the bulging money bag, old man Chen became rich and bought the two puppies.

The little puppy is as good as a full moon, chubby and plump, even the voice is cute, especially the eyes, which are bright black, big and round.

"What a good puppy!" Old man Chen hugged him reluctantly and asked his youngest son to drive the car: "It's cold now. When we get home, we will build a doghouse in the corner next to the fire pit. When spring comes, we can go back to the house. Build a bigger kennel."

Cui Yuanjiu is also very satisfied with these two puppies: "When they are three months old, I often take them into the mountains. Their ferocity has been trained, and they are good helpers in caring for the home.

"Yes, this matter really has to be left to you." Chen

Yuanqiu, who was driving the oxcart, answered excitedly: "Brother Ninth, how about I go into the mountains with you?"

"Sure!"

"Honey!" , Old man Chen ran to the kitchen house happily with the little puppy in his arms: "These two dogs are really worth buying. Take a look."

Old man Chen glanced at them and smiled: "They are quite chubby." He stretched out his hand and pinched it: "It's good to feed."

The little milk dog was kneaded, and it suddenly started to coo, its thin little tail wagging.

"Ah." Brother Cao looked curious, tugging on Dad's sleeves and giggling.

"It's a puppy, do you want to touch it?" Chen Yuping said, picked up his baby son and came to his father's side. He held his son's tender hand and gently touched the puppy's head.

The soft touch was very novel, which made Brother Cao so happy that he grinned until his eyes narrowed into double crescent buds.

There are two puppies at home, and Brother Cao seems to have two more little friends. He always chases the puppies with his eyes and sees them running around in the kitchen. He doesn't know what to enjoy, but he is very happy.

Father Chen sighed and said: "These two puppies are a bit expensive, but they are worth buying."

The half-hour before going to bed at night is a rare time for Cui Yuanjiu and Chen Yuping to be alone.

In the past, Cui Yuanjiu took the initiative to speak, but tonight it was Chen Yuping who spoke first: "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. There will be a sumptuous reunion dinner in the evening. I'm going to have a simple meal at noon. You go buy a sheep and bring it back tomorrow, forty or fifty pounds." " Come on, let's make a roasted whole lamb. I plan to call my eldest brother and his family over."

"Forty or fifty pounds is not enough, right?" Full

stomach. By the way, you go to town and buy some haggis. The haggis from one sheep will definitely not be enough, and the sheep's blood is also needed. The aniseed ingredients you brought back from outside will be used this time.

"I'll go there early tomorrow morning."

When I heard that there was roasted whole lamb, Chen Yuanqiu was the most excited.

"Third brother, just tell me what you want to do! I promise to do it properly!" The chest was clapping loudly, and the whole lamb was roasting! Chen Yuanqiu had only heard of it, never seen it, let alone tasted it. It was so delicious that he could not even imagine it in his dreams. The third brother said he wanted to make roasted whole lamb! Just look at Third Brother's magical craftsmanship. It's over, he's going to start drooling.

"There must be something going on. When the sheep comes back, you and Yuan Jiu will sort it out."

"No problem at all!"

Father Chen pulled his third son aside: "Your eldest brother probably won't have time to come over."

" Why? My brother who got married can't go home for lunch on New Year's Eve?

" Go home for lunch when you are thirty, and even the reunion dinner in the evening will be eaten at home. There are still some differences between the brother and the girl. Regardless of marriage, they are married and live together. This is why, after the brother gets married, he will separate the family. "The reason for going out alone."

"What do you mean, Dad?"

Father Chen frowned: "I once said that your eldest brother would have a reunion dinner at Zhang's house and you would go home for a reunion dinner every year. The eldest brother didn't agree, saying that the Zhang family had too many things to do, and no one would prepare a New Year's Eve dinner except him.

"I remember that the Zhang family has three sons and one daughter. Why is there no one to prepare a New Year's Eve dinner?"

" I asked, but your elder brother didn't say anything." Chen Yuping thought for a while and said, "Dad, leave this to me. I'll go to Zhang's house."

"Don't worry, Dad." My father and second sister-in-law were taking care of the trivial matters of the New Year's Eve dinner. Chen Yuping asked the youngest to look after Brother Diancao and Qiao Niuer while he went to Zhang's house. The doors and windows of the Zhang family were closed. Chen Yuping glanced at the Zhang family's old house and strode over.

I happened to see Zhang Zhiwei grinding. "Brother Ping." Zhang Zhiwei was a little surprised when he saw him. "I'm talking to my elder brother about something."

"He's in the stove room." Chen Yuping raised his feet and went to the stove room: "Brother." Chen Yuchun didn't come out, but there was movement in the main room.

Mrs. Zhang stood under the eaves. , with a smile on his face: "The voice sounds like Brother Ping to me. Brother Ping, why do you have time to come over today? Come and sit in the room." "Aunt Zhang has a lot of things at home, so I won't sit around now .

Let me have a word with my brother." Chen Yuchun stood at the door of the kitchen: "Brother Ping, tell me if you have anything to do." He was a little anxious, worried that something had happened at home. "It's nothing. I bought a lamb at home. I plan to roast the whole lamb for lunch. I want my eldest brother and eldest brother-in-law to take the two children over for lunch." "Ouch, Brother Ping, this can't be done, Brother Chun. I can't leave.

Who will prepare the New Year's Eve dinner at home if he leaves?"

Mrs. Zhang said quickly: "Brother Ping, it stands to reason that your eldest brother is now a member of the Zhang family, so he wants to go back to the Chen family. , it should be the second day of junior high school. There is no reason to leave all the things at home and run to Chen's house on New Year's Eve. You are thinking about your elder brother. In the second year of junior high school, wouldn't it be enough to make a roasted whole lamb? Anyway, Chen Our business has been very good for the past six months, but we have made a lot of money."

"It stands to reason?" Chen Yuping smiled: "Which law clearly states that a married man cannot be married? Going home for dinner on New Year's Eve? But what Aunt Zhang said is really wrong. When a brother and a man get married, they live as a couple, and there is no such thing as marriage. My eldest brother and his eldest brother-in-law got married, so that's not the case. Even if the Chen family stays at the Chen family for the reunion dinner tonight, no one dares to gossip. Looking at it, it is normal for the married brothers to go home for the reunion dinner. " "Brother, pack up and take the two with you. "Children, let's go home.

It's been so many years since you've been having New Year's Eve dinner. Could it be that the Zhang family gave birth to a son? If that were the case, I wouldn't come to talk to you today. " Chen Yuping, Mrs. Zhang set her sights on Chen Yuchun: "You are not allowed to leave. Brother Ping is not married and is not sensible, so you can't do this nonsense too! Go back to the kitchen house quickly and get rid of the things that need to be done. You are going to do it right away." Don't waste time eating lunch."

"Brother, where are Da Zhuang and Brother An?"

"In the Zao House," Da Zhuang, who was looking at Brother An in the Zao House, had actually heard the three. His uncle's voice made him want to come out and call someone, but he didn't dare. At this moment, listening to his third uncle asking about him and his younger brother, the little guy couldn't sit still and rushed out happily, shouting sweetly: "Uncle."

"Uncle is going to bake whole lamb for lunch. It's a very, very delicious dish. It's a rare opportunity to eat it. Da Zhuang, do you want to go home with uncle? Brother Cao and Qiao Niu'er miss you and Brother An very much." Chen Yuping said affectionately He rubbed the top of his strong hair.

Da Zhuang didn't know what roasted whole lamb was, but he liked to go back to the Chen family. He kept nodding his head: "Uncle, I want to go back to the Chen family. I am willing to go back to the Chen family." He spoke quickly and loudly.

"Uncle, I'll take Dazhuang home now." Chen Yuping said, holding Dazhuang's hand, and went into the kitchen house to pick up Brother An: "Brother is leaving."

Chen Yuchun hesitated, but finally followed.

This made Mrs. Zhang who was standing under the eaves angrily: "Zhang Zhiwei, you idiot, didn't I give you ears? Or didn't I give you a mouth?"

"Brother, are you leaving ? "If you don't want to leave, let's go."

Zhang Zhiwei glanced at the angry mother, decisively let go of the pusher, bowed his head and lowered his eyebrows, as if he was a little daughter-in-law, and followed out of the Zhang family yard. .

TChapter 42

. ~

"Third brother, let me hold Brother An."

"You have been busy in the kitchen house for a long time. Hold on to the big boy and don't let him fall." As he spoke, Chen Yuping looked back at Zhang Zhiwei, who was following closely behind him. : "Brother, come and hug Brother An."

"Oh."

"Brother, are you staying at home for the reunion dinner tonight?"

Chen Yuchun was stunned for a moment: "Is something wrong, third brother?" If my father or father asked He, he will definitely refuse. But this is the third brother, the younger brother he has watched since childhood.

"It's nothing, I just want to talk to my eldest brother."

"Zhiwei."

Zhang Zhiwei, who was obviously in a wandering state, glanced at Brother Chun.

"Give me the child."

He pushed An Ge'er into his father's hand very smoothly.

"You go home, get some cured fish and meat, and catch an old hen. You don't need to kill it, just carry it alive. The vegetables in the garden, the radishes and potatoes in the cellar are waiting for you to take some."

"What are you doing?"

"Get some . Let's go to Chen's house and have a reunion dinner at Chen's house in the evening."

Chen Yuping quickly answered: "Brother-in-law, my eldest brother has been married to you for so many years and we have had two children, but we have never had a reunion dinner at Chen's house. , Not to mention staying overnight on New Year's Eve, I just went back to Zhang's house tonight and stayed overnight at Chen's house."

"Well, in that old house..."

"Brother, I remember that you are the third child in the family. You have two brothers, remember correctly? Are your two sisters-in-law missing hands or legs?"

This is quite rude.

Zhang Zhiwei was so choked that his expression changed. In the end, he didn't say anything and walked back in silence.

After Zhang Zhiwei had gone a little further and no one was in sight, Chen Yuping asked in a low voice: "Brother, you don't blame me, do you?"

"Why do you blame you?" Chen Yuchun smiled, with soft eyebrows and eyes, as if looking at his own child. This was his younger brother. He looked at the younger brother who had grown up and protected him: "What you said is true."

Chen Yuping looked at him with no emotion on his face, and asked: "Brother, sometimes my elder brother-in-law doesn't do what you want. "Why don't you talk to him? Just let him go like this?

" I've given up, and it's all in vain."

"If he doesn't listen, just leave him alone, do less work, rest more, and take care of the two children."

Chen Yuchun laughed after hearing this. I'm a little young and haven't gotten married yet, so I don't understand how life can be so easy. Your elder brother-in-law is so stubborn that he only moves once he's pushed. If I don't care about him, this family may be in chaos."

"Brother, I mean. Yes, just do your job and don't use extra effort. For example, there are two sisters-in-law above you. Follow them and don't always work stupidly alone. "Brother, I don't feel sorry for you. It makes me feel sad to see you."

"This is..." Chen Yuchun was silent for a while: "In the beginning, when I first got married, I also wanted to listen to my father and manage my life well. , thinking about putting people in his heart, he will always understand that even if he is a stone, he will feel hot sometimes

. I watched my father and father slowly tidy up the house bit by bit. It was really not easy for our Chen family to be what it is now. When I was a teenager, I wanted to find a hard-working and honest man. , It doesn't matter if you are poor, as long as you are a good person, if the two of you work together and work hard, you will never be short of food and drink."

"My father often said that your elder brother-in-law is superficial and stupid, but what can he do? What to do? We are already our biological children."

"Let's just live like this. I will learn to be content with what I have."

Chen Yuping heard the frustration in his elder brother's words: "Brother, for the rest of my life. You are still young, you are not even thirty, are you willing to accept your fate like this? Look at your father, your second brother and your second sister-in-law, and you have no idea?"

"What can you do, brother? My husband has such a temper that he can't explain anything. Anyway, it goes in one ear and out the other. I've been hit and scolded, but he just doesn't react like a piece of wood. After it's over, there's still no change. I can What should I do? We can't really beat him to death. If we grab him, scold him, and beat him every day, it's become a joke. You know, Brother Ping, not only have we become a joke in the village, but also the whole family. Let the Chen family become a joke."

"Brother, it's my fault. I said the wrong thing. Don't be angry." Looking at the eldest brother's eyes, Chen Yuping was a little panicked: "I want to be simple.

" Taking a breath: "Ge An, please give me a hug."

"Brother," Chen Yuping called cautiously.

Chen Yuchun wiped away his tears and smiled dryly: "It's okay, I'm not angry. You..." As he spoke, he rubbed the top of his third brother's hair affectionately, his eyes soft. Revealing kindness: "My father is very optimistic about Cui Yuanjiu. I see that this guy is not bad. You are more blessed than me."

Chen Yuping was unwilling to accept that such a good brother would be soaked in bitter water all his life: "Brother, I, I I still have something to say, can I say it?" He was afraid of irritating his elder brother, felt distressed and sad, and felt more and more that Zhang Zhiwei was nothing.

"What do you want to say?" Chen Yuchun looked at his expression of wanting to say something but not daring to say it, and couldn't help laughing: "If there is anything you can't say in front of brother, just say it."

"I I still want to talk about my brother-in-law. "

" Just tell me, I'll listen." Chen Yuchun knew that his third brother also cared about him. He looked at his grown-up brother and suddenly realized that he cared about his brother's marriage. He felt a little dazed and happy. Sad again. However, he has enough patience and tolerance, and his mood is very calm, as he is afraid of scaring his third brother again.

"Brother, I think you can be more assertive in daily life."

"What do you mean?"

Chen Yuping pondered for a moment: "You also said that the eldest brother has such a personality. There is no way to change it. In this case , Brother, you can change yourself. Brother-in-law is not a bad person, even a bit cowardly. If you don't care about such a person, don't care about his thoughts or emotions. Just follow your own temper in everything. Just put him in your heart and live a comfortable life. "

"This..." Chen Yuchun vaguely understood the meaning, but he didn't really understand: "How can I live a peaceful life without being in a hurry?"

"Didn't you say that the eldest brother won't fight back when you hit him or scold him?"

"Yes, that's true."

Seeing that the eldest brother was still a little confused, Chen Yuping continued: "You hit him and scold him, but he doesn't react at all. , How can we not live peacefully without beating or scolding?"

"How can this be the same? This is different." Chen Yuping explained carefully: "I don't often beat or scold your brother-in-law, but sometimes I get very angry. , and then beat and scolded him. Dad is right, your elder brother-in-law is just a fool on the outside. He knows that he is in the wrong, so he lets me beat and scold him. According to what you said, your elder brother-in-law is just a fool on the outside. , I still think in my heart that he can't be so honest, and the days will only become more and more deserted."

"You are so wronging yourself?"

"What can I do? I won't let you go. The atmosphere at home is not good. Even if the children are young, they will be scared. Furthermore, your eldest brother-in-law just doesn't take me into consideration now. He is not considerate or thoughtful enough. This family He still thought that he would still do all the work he was supposed to do, and he would also help with the family affairs. If he just quits and does nothing, then he will really do something bad. "

Chen Yuping was silent now, thinking in his heart. I felt so suffocated that I felt like there was a thorn stuck in my throat. It was either very painful or very uncomfortable.

"Our family is different. My father and I have a good relationship, and the family atmosphere is good. When I meet someone like your eldest brother-in-law, I feel particularly uncomfortable. It seems that there is nothing good about him and it is all shortcomings. In fact, looking at it, There are many people like your eldest brother-in-law in the whole village, but in our Chen family, it is rare for our family to be harmonious and tolerant of each other, and to see Tian'er laughing and laughing." Chen Yuchun comforted his third brother in turn: "Ping. Brother, don't think too much, my life is not bad, it's just not happy enough."

"Brother, we can still do this!" Chen Yuping really didn't believe that he couldn't control his brother-in-law.

"What kind of thing?"

"You can still be nice to your eldest brother, be considerate and considerate, but! Don't take him seriously, and don't take into account his thoughts and emotions. You must never imitate him when you have something to say, with a tough tone and a strong attitude. Dad's gentleness means you have to let him do his work. You don't need to feel too sorry for him. What I mean by being nice to him is superficial things, such as eating, dressing, gossiping, and trivial things. At this time, you can be gentle and touch him. It doesn't matter how big or small it is, there's no need to discuss it, just make up your own mind. When you have an idea, just open your mouth and tell him. "It means."

After listening to it for the first time, Chen Yuchun felt that the third brother's idea was a bit simple, and after thinking about it carefully, it seemed to make sense.

"Brother Ping, you have to let me think about it. I have to sort it out."

"Brother, let's not talk too far, let's just talk about what happened at the Zhang family's old house. Look at how I talk and act. Let's be reasonable. You don't have to think too much, just say whatever you think and express your emotions openly."

Chen Yuchun nodded thoughtfully and murmured in a low voice: "Let me think about it, I have to think about it.

" The father looked at his eldest son who seemed to have lost his soul, his eyes full of worry, his eyes fell on the third son, and he hesitated to speak.

"Dad, it's okay." Chen Yuping said soothingly, and then said: "When big brother comes to his senses, maybe something good will happen."

"What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything, I just had a conversation with big brother. "

Father Chen looked at his eldest son and then at his third son: "Okay."

Cui Yuanjiu came back and brought back a sheep and a lot of haggis and sheep blood, which is enough for a family of more than ten people. Have a meal.

Not long after he arrived, Zhang Zhiwei also came over, carrying a live chicken, a bacon and two bacons in his hands. The bacon weighed five or six kilograms, and the fish were not small. They should weigh about ten kilograms in total. They were cooked well enough. , the smoke is particularly fragrant.

"Zhiwei, go to the back of the house to help Yuan Jiu and the others pack the sheep." Chen Yuchun ordered confidently, his voice neither loud nor soft. It couldn't be said to be soft, but it also conveyed a sense of refusal.

Zhang Zhiwei was stunned for a moment, obviously unable to react.

"Go quickly."

"Oh."

Zhang Zhiwei walked to the well behind the house blankly.

When he left the kitchen, Chen Yuchun said again: "Close the door. It's cold, so don't freeze the child."

Zhang Zhiwei obediently closed the door.

"Brother." Chen Yuping smiled brightly and gave a thumbs up to his eldest brother.

When Chen Yuchun saw this, he showed a slightly shy smile.

"You two, what are you doing?" Father Chen was confused: "Brother Ping, what on earth did you say to your elder brother?" Why do you seem to have enlightened?

Chen Yuping said cheerfully: "It's a long story. I'll tell my dad in detail later. Brother, you have to hold on tight."

"I know it in my heart. Third brother, don't worry."

Cui Yuanjiu and Chen Yuanqiu gathered the sheep. Zhang Zhiwei picked up the haggis alone. He rarely did these things and seemed clumsy and unorganized. He didn't ask the two people next to him. Cui Yuanjiu and Chen Yuanqiu also pretended not to know and carefully packed the sheep. After packing, they carried them into the kitchen house.

"How is he washing?" Chen Yuchun asked his younger brother.

Chen Yuanqiu curled his lips and said, "More stupid than me."

"I'll go take a look."

"Brother, just let him wash himself."

"I know." Chen Yuchun smiled, walked to his younger brother, and rubbed him Hair: "Brother is not stupid."

Chen Yuping was a little worried: "Brother, what are you going to do?" he asked quietly.

"I'll go take a look and say a few thoughtful words."

"Brother, I have a better idea. Just listen to it. You go out now, talk to him in a gentle voice, and then patiently teach him how to do it. When it comes to washing haggis, no matter how stupid he is, he still can't learn it after learning it over and over again. Don't be anxious, just take your time with him. Don't take it upon yourself. If he is slow, you will be slow, too. A slow and leisurely wash. When the time comes, I will come over and leave the rest to me.

"You just have a bright mind." After saying this, Chen Yuchun smiled brightly.

Father Chen saw this, and his eyes instantly turned red. It's been several years since I've seen my eldest son with such a bright smile.

"Zhiwei."

Zhang Zhiwei, who was washing haggis in the winter and had a layer of sweat on his forehead, saw Brother Chun as if he was seeing a savior: "Come here and help me."

"It's washed. How much?" Chen Yuchun came to the well and didn't even pick up half of the half pot of haggis. He was indeed a little slow: "Are you cold?" he asked deliberately.

Zhang Zhiwei, who was still sweating on his forehead: "It's not cold, but the well water is warm."

"You haven't washed haggis before, so you don't know how to wash it. Let me teach you. This thing is actually not difficult." Chen Yuchun's He moves very slowly and speaks very softly.

Zhang Zhiwei was dumbfounded. This, this?

"Why are you so stunned?" Chen Yuchun smiled at him and pushed with his elbow: "Hurry up and follow my movements. Once you learn it, you can wash it off in a few or two. Look at the maknae and Cui Yuanjiu who are so agile. , he picked up the sheep easily, you have to learn a little bit."

Zhang Zhiwei didn't want to wash the haggis, it was too laborious, so he might as well ask him to do some hard work: "Brother Chun, wash the haggis for you. " It's useless for me to learn."

"Are you just going to leave it to me and just go into the house to rest?"

"No, I won't go in," Zhang Zhiwei grinned. . This was in the Chen family, under the Chen family's nose, and he didn't dare to go too far.

Chen Yuchun looked at the silly smile on his face and felt angry in his heart. He told himself to hold back, hold back: "I teach, you learn. Do you learn? If not, I will go back to the house and stay here alone." Wash it with a bang, and when the third brother comes out to prepare the haggis soup and asks you for the haggis, I'll see what you say."

"Brother Chun, you..."

"Are you going to learn?"

Zhang Zhiwei looked at him. With cold brows and eyes, I felt very awkward and slightly frightened: "Study."

"You have to study hard. I won't help you wash the haggis. This is your business." Chen Yuchun wiped the sweat from her husband's forehead with her sleeves: "Look how tired you are. You usually do so much." You are so capable. It is so difficult to do farm work in the fields. Just washing haggis, you are so tired and sweating in the winter, you." The gentle tone and the last sigh seemed to be a hook. Zhiwei's heartbeat slowed down by half a beat, and the little resentment that had just grown in his heart disappeared in an instant.

Chapter 43

Roasting whole lamb is a time-consuming delicacy, so you have to get on the grill early and start grilling.

In the thick part of the meat, use a knife to make small slits first to facilitate the flavoring.

Apply a layer of sesame oil, a layer of brushing material, and slowly bake while brushing.

Chen Yuanqiu was watching eagerly, with a shy smile on his face: "Third brother, do you want to take a break? I'll do it. I think I've mastered it."

"Is it enough to just master Kung Fu?"

"Yeah. "Uh-huh!"

Seeing the youngest's impatient look, Chen Yuping remembered the comments he had seen on a certain video.

Eyes: I've learned it!

Hands: None.

Brain: What did you just watch?

"Third brother, why are you laughing?" He laughed out loud. Chen Yuanqiu scratched his forehead: "I really know how to do it. This is very easy. One layer of sesame oil and one layer of paint." As he spoke, he was also good at gesticulating with his hands. He said twice: "Turn the roasted lamb over from time to time, and brush it with a layer of sesame oil and a layer of spices." The more he said, the more enthusiastic he became: "Third brother, let me try."

"You come on, I'll watch from the side. If you give me some advice, I'll let you roast the lamb today."

Chen Yuanqiu was very excited when he heard this, and his eyes shone brightly: "Okay, okay!"

Roasting a whole lamb is not difficult at all. Mastering the heat is the key, and the most important thing is to adjust the brushing material well.

Chen Yuping pondered over the small bowl of brush ingredients for half an hour before he came up with it.

It's best to grill whole lamb. Of course, you can also grill pork belly, grilled fish, potato slices, green vegetables, etc. It will also be delicious.

He taught the youngest to roast a whole lamb, and he did it quite well. Chen Yuping left it to him with confidence and asked his father to watch the fire. There was not enough charcoal. Remember to add some more charcoal. If it is too strong, it will easily become scorched and smelly; if the charcoal fire is not enough, it will not be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Old man Chen is good at making fires. When the children were still young, even when the farm was busy, he would go home a little early. While his wife cooked, he would watch the fire, and the two chatted about homely matters.

At that time, life was hard and the family was impoverished, but there was a slight sweetness in my heart.

There was no pork belly, but there were two fresh fish, and a live chicken that the elder brother brought over.

"It will take at least two hours to eat the whole roasted lamb. How about roasting two fish and a chicken first? Can we finish it to satisfy our stomachs? Then we will cook a haggis soup and make a sheep's blood soup." Anyway. It was also New Year's Eve, so it seemed too simple to just have a roasted whole lamb and a side of haggis soup for lunch. Chen Yuping thought about it, and there was a lot of sheep blood. In addition, he cooked the sheep's blood soup, grilled two fish and roasted a chicken: "The potatoes at home are also roasted a little, and the vegetables from the garden are also roasted a little, and the meat and vegetables are combined."

"If you can finish it, you can definitely finish it. There are many of us, and the New Year's Eve dinner will be eaten later at most. Anyway, we have to stay up late and eat it in the middle of the night. For the New Year's Eve dinner, we'll cook dumplings in the middle of the night. There's no need to have breakfast tomorrow morning, so we can just go back to the house and catch up on some sleep." Chen Yuanqiu made the arrangements clearly.

Father Chen smiled cheerfully: "We have no objections. You can do whatever you want. You can decide for yourself and do whatever you like."

"I'm going to get the potatoes from the cellar." Chen Yuandong got up and walked out: "By the way, take the chicken Pick up the fish."

Liu Guixiang answered with a smile: "I'll go to the vegetable garden to pick some vegetables and put them on skewers."

Cui Yuanjiu was playing with Brother Cao, so he put the child back on the bamboo couch: "Second brother, I'll go with you."

Chen Yuping adjusted the sauce again, using the same sauce as the roasted whole lamb. The roasting had the same flavor, which was inappropriate.

Fish should be grilled in the same way as fish, chicken should be grilled in the same way as chicken, and the same goes for vegetables. Each must have its own delicious taste.

He doesn't bother at all. With Goldfinger around, he enjoys cooking, especially the food that is carefully cooked. When his family eats it with gusto, he feels very happy and has a sense of accomplishment. This is also a small thing. happiness.

Cui Yuanjiu carried a live chicken, and Chen Yuandong carried potatoes and fish, and they came to the well behind the house.

"Brother, how are you washing the haggis?"

"You look so nimble in your movements." Cui Yuanjiu joked, squatted aside, raised the knife and put the chicken blood in half a bowl. When the chicken in his hand was gone, He threw it directly into the wooden barrel next to him and strode into the kitchen, carrying a pot of boiling water, scalding the chicken and cleaning the chicken feathers.

Chen Yuandong is also very good at picking up fish.

The two of them didn't know whether it was intentional or unintentional, one on the left and one on the right squatting next to Zhang Zhiwei.

Zhang Zhiwei, caught in the middle, was quite sad and suffering.

"Are you tired?" Seeing that her husband's movements were slightly stagnant, Chen Yuchun asked gently: "There is still a little half left. Dad, you have to work harder. Yuanjiu and Yuanqiu have packed a sheep. Now Yuanjiu and Yuandong I'm about to sort out the chicken and fish, you half-pot of haggis..." He stopped talking.

Chen Yuandong glanced sideways: "Brother, wait for me to clean up the fish, and I will teach you how to wash the haggis?"

"No, no, no, I know how to do it. Your eldest brother just taught you." Looking at the kitchen knife that the second brother raised slightly, the kitchen knife It was really sharp, with blood stains on it, and a strong smell of fish that made Zhang Zhiwei's head feel dizzy.

Cui Yuanjiu said with a smile: "I've done it here, what about you?"

"All that's missing is this potato in my hand." Chen Yuandong replied with a smile on his face: "Brother, where are you?" "

I, I, I'm almost here too. "

Chen Yuping came out of the kitchen and said, "Have you killed the chicken and fish? Let me marinate them in the house. How are you washing the haggis?" " Hurry

up."

Yes, I'll roast the potatoes and vegetables first. Brother, you're not moving quickly enough. You haven't eaten the potatoes and vegetables for a while. You can't lose the golden beans on New Year's Eve." Chen Yuping said with a joke, and he couldn't give it even if he thought about it. Too much pressure.

Chen Yuchun said with a smile: "If your eldest brother-in-law can drop golden beans, even if there are potatoes and vegetables to eat, I can't let him eat them. It would be great to exchange golden beans for money."

Everyone laughed when they heard this.

While talking, Zhang Zhiwei finally finished cleaning half a basin of haggis.

"Brother Chun." He couldn't straighten his waist, and his legs were almost numb from squatting.

Zhang Yuchun quickly stretched out his hands: "Slow down, I will help you, and you lean on me." Not to mention how gentle and considerate he was.

"Brother, do you feel comfortable leaning on my elder brother's shoulder?" Chen Yuping winked.

Zhang Zhiwei chuckled, looking foolish.

"Thank you for your hard work, brother. Please eat two more bowls of haggis soup and mutton blood soup later." Chen Yuping came to the well and said, "I'll get the haggis. Brother, help me into the kitchen."

Roast potatoes Roast green vegetables, brush with a layer of sesame oil and a layer of sauce, and sprinkle some cumin powder when finished.

Chen Yuanqiu's mouth watered when he saw it: "Third brother, what did you sprinkle last? It smells so good." He sniffed twice: "It smells so good!"

"We didn't buy the aniseed that your ninth brother brought back from outside. It will be more fragrant when sprinkled on meat, especially mutton. It goes perfectly!" Not to mention, Chen Yuping himself was a little greedy: "Come on, let's eat the roasted potatoes and vegetables first."

"How can potatoes and vegetables be eaten like this?" Liu Guixiang tasted it and was a little surprised: "The third brother would still think that the vegetarian pot skewers I made before were particularly delicious. I didn't expect that the roasted potatoes and vegetables could also be eaten. It's so delicious."

Old Chen nodded: "It's interesting. It can be paired with two sips of wine."

"There is wine, I'll get it." Cui Yuanjiu went to Shenjiacun and bought two kilograms of wine.

Chen Yuanqiu was eating potatoes in his mouth, and his words were a little slurred: "I want to drink too!"

"Where do you find the time? You have to roast the whole lamb." Chen Yuping teased him.

"Ah?????" Forgetting this, Chen Yuanqiu instantly lost his energy.

Father Chen said: "I will leave half a mouthful for you. You should be serious about grilling the whole lamb."

"Only half a mouthful? How can you be more enthusiastic?"

"Your third brother praised you for roasting the whole lamb well. I can leave two more mouthfuls. " Here you go." Old man Chen took a sip of wine and narrowed his eyes in enjoyment.

Chen Yuanqiu was so excited: "Third brother, third brother, come and see if my sheep is fragrant and good enough?"

"It's still early, please take your time and I'll make haggis soup."

Cook the haggis soup, followed by grilled fish and chicken.

Even though the windows were opened for ventilation, the small stove was still filled with the rich aroma of barbecue.

The most pitiful thing is the four little babies playing on the bamboo couch. They are so big that they can still taste a little bit. Cao Ge, An Ge, Qiao Niuer can only watch helplessly, with drool dripping from the corners of their mouths. , Qiao Niu'er and An Ge'er were even more moaning and fussing, fluttering their little arms and legs, trying to climb on the adults. Brother Cao'er just sat quietly and watched, and Baba'er looked at it with a small appearance. Also very greedy.

How could Chen Yuping forget these four little ancestors and quickly brought out the prepared complementary foods.

It is fragrant and hot chicken porridge. The porridge is thick, fresh, tender and smooth.

"You take a rest, I'll feed you." Cui Yuanjiu hugged Brother Cao.

Chen Yuping was indeed a little tired: "That's okay, you feed it slowly. It's hot to the mouth when it comes out of the jar."

"I'll pay attention to it."

"I'll hold Qiao Niuer while you feed her." Chen Yuandong was not afraid of jokes: "It's too hot. , I don't dare to feed my daughter, what will I do if I burn her?"

Liu Guixiang said while stirring the porridge: "You have to hold her more firmly, this child is very energetic, especially when eating complementary food, he squeals like a little tiger cub. "

I'll hold her hands and feet in my arms. Don't worry

, don't keep the porridge bowl too close." "

Hold on," Chen Yuchun said,

"Huh?" Chicken Zhang Zhiwei responded without raising his head.

"Hold Brother An, I'll feed him porridge." After saying that, without waiting for his consent, Chen Yuping pushed his little son into his husband's arms: "Hold him firmly."

"My hands, my hands are all It's oil." He had just torn off a chicken wing and was gnawing on it.

"Wash away quickly."

Zhang Zhiwei listened to his unyielding voice, hesitated for a while, and finally got up, washed his hands honestly, and hugged Brother An firmly.

The four little kids had round bellies. At this time, the roasted whole lamb was finally ready to eat.

"This is the roasted whole lamb I painted!" Chen Yuanqiu was very proud, that is, there was no tail behind him. If there was a tail, it would probably be raised to the sky: "Hahahaha, look at this crystal color, how shiny and plump it is. Ah! Do you smell this tempting aroma? It's the roasted whole lamb I made! Look at the skin, it's crispy and crispy, and when you take a bite of it, the meat is sizzling and oily. The slag is even more delicious, it tastes amazing! I baked it, hahahahaha, my craftsmanship can be considered a fairy craft."

The happy people almost went crazy.

"You're right, mutton and cumin powder are a perfect match." Cui Yuanjiu took a bite of the roasted mutton and was instantly amazed by the deliciousness. He whispered in Chen Yuping's ear: "Try some, too." The mutton in the bag was handed over.

Chen Yuping didn't hesitate much. He opened his mouth and took a bite. Well, he nodded: "It's grilled well and very tasty."

"The fat meat is delicious. It's crispy and fragrant on the outside. It's tender and hot on the inside. It melts in your mouth. " "It's delicious. My father mastered the cooking very well. It's much more delicious than the roasted whole lamb I've eaten outside."

"My maknae's sauce is also very good."

"The main thing is that you seasoned it well. " It's out." Cui Yuanjiu tore into another piece of fat and thin mutton: "Try this piece of meat again. The texture is completely different from the fat meat just now."

Old Chen smashed his mouth and took a sip of wine: "It's still fat. It's delicious, with rich oily flavor and overflowing gravy. It's just right when paired with wine. "

I still prefer to eat fat and thin, preferably with the skin on. The more you eat, the more delicious it becomes."

The old man listened and quickly pulled a piece of fat and thin mutton with bones for his wife: "Eat this, you will definitely like it."

Chen Yuandong, Liu Guixiang and his wife were also very affectionate. Even Chen Yuchun and Zhang Zhiwei, maybe they were in the Chen family, maybe Chen Yuchun changed his attitude. In short, Zhang Zhiwei served his eldest son obediently, picked the tenderest meat, tore it open with chopsticks and let it cool a little. Then he would eat something from time to time or Chen Yuchun would feed him something. The two of them occasionally communicated quietly, and the atmosphere was actually a rare warm and beautiful one.

On the bamboo couch, three little babies were squeezed next to each other. Their bellies were full, they were a little sleepy, and they were falling asleep.

Chen Yuanqiu, who was immersed in the delicious food, suddenly felt that the kitchen house was a little quiet. He raised his head and scanned around. He was stunned for a moment, staring blankly at the leg of lamb in his hand, and then at the empty place next to him.

Is it time for him to find a partner?

Chapter 44

It's already half way through the roasted whole lamb.

The three little milk babies woke up and were full of energy. Chen Yuanqiu got the task of playing with Da Zhuang and the three little milk babies.

The bamboo couch was moved into the main room. Two charcoal pots were placed in the main room. A small slit was opened in the window for ventilation. It was very warm and there was no need to worry about suffocating the children.

The rest of the people all rolled up their sleeves and worked together to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner.

In fact, since yesterday, Father Chen, his second daughter-in-law, and his third son have been sorting out the trivial matters for the New Year's Eve dinner.

I was busy barbecuing in the morning and didn't care about the New Year's Eve dinner. No, I was a little rushed in the afternoon.

There are many people in the family, and they are all very agile, so things get busy quickly.

It gets dark very early in the winter, and when we enter Youyi, it is already dark outside. The cold wind blows through the cracks in the windows and penetrates into the house. It is bitingly cold, and you can faintly smell the aroma of food.

On New Year's Eve, lanterns are hung high in every house, just like the stars in the night sky, and laughter and laughter can be faintly heard.

The Chen family's New Year's Eve dinner is still in preparation, and the kitchen is in full swing. Chen's father, Chen Yuchun, and Liu Guixiang are the main ones. Chen Yuping is responsible for the food supplements for the three little babies, and prepares two delicacies for Da Zhuang.

"If you are hungry, you can eat some croquettes and steamed rice cakes first. There are also bean buns, dumplings, and steamed buns." Father Chen reminded: "Our New Year's Eve dinner will not be ready for more than half an hour." He looked at the hourglass: "It's estimated to be at the end of Youshi."

"We had such a rich meal at noon. We didn't finish it until midnight. I shouldn't have been hungry so quickly. It was almost all meat and I was very full." Liu Guixiang was very full now and felt that the New Year's Eve dinner would be too late. These are just right to eat, but she has to be able to eat so much delicious food.

Chen Yuchun nodded: "I'm not hungry at all."

"Don't talk about Youshimo, even if we have New Year's Eve dinner at the end of Xushi, I think it's fine."

"My stomach is also very full."

Old Chen drank the strong tea He said, "Since we are all full, we might as well eat later. It would be a waste if we couldn't finish eating so many dishes. Let's have an empty stomach first."

Zhang Zhiwei was the only one in the room who didn't speak. Father Chen thought about his performance today. It was okay, so he asked kindly: "Where are you Zhiwei?"

"I'm not hungry, Dad."

"If you're not hungry, let's move slower and chatter. It's rare for the whole family to be together. Here."

Chen Yuanqiu and his four children who were in the main room also returned to the kitchen room.

When Brother Cao saw his father, he shouted in a sweet voice, "Eaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa."

When Qiao Niuer saw A Niang, she was also fluttering her little arms to hug her.

The same is true for An Geer. Normally, Chen Yuchun would hold his youngest son in his arms and play with him, but today, he picked up his youngest son and stuffed it into his husband's arms: "Don't just ask for daddy all day long, but also call him daddy." I call you Father, and I will help you play with Brother An."

"Brother An wants you to hug him."

"It's because you don't hug him often, so he doesn't get close to you. You stay here during the winter when the farm is idle. I have a lot of time at home, so if you have anything to do, please take care of An Geer and Da Zhuang."

Zhang Zhiwei was immediately confused.

Old man Chen was still beside him and answered happily: "Brother Chun is right, my child, you need to be hugged, coaxed and played with more to get closer. Being an father should be like being an father."

Chen Yuandong came close to his wife, smiled at her, and teased Qiao Niu'er: "Daughter, how about daddy holding you?"

Qiao Niu'er really giggled and threw herself into his arms.

"It seems that my father has been quite successful." Chen Yuandong said happily, quite proudly.

Cui Yuanjiu glanced at Chen Yuping who was playing with Brother Cao next to him.

"Brother Cao." He shouted softly, his eyes as soft as the warm sunshine in spring, and his strong arms opened towards Brother Cao.

Listening to the familiar voice, Brother Cao'er turned his head and glanced at Cui Yuanjiu. Seeing his movements, he understood that he meant for a hug. He grinned and giggled, and then he threw himself into his father's arms. Then, he quietly looked at Cui Yuanjiu. After meeting his eyes, he smiled even happier, not knowing why he was so silly.

Chen Yuping didn't think it was a big deal when he was watching the show, so he said in an awkward tone: "He won't let you hug him." There was a hint of ridicule in his words, and he sounded a bit proud.

"Probably, it's because I'm not his father yet."

"..."

Cui Yuanjiu saw that Brother Ping didn't answer, so he wisely stopped talking and called out gently: "Brother Cao. Son." He clapped his hands gently and said with a smile on his face: "Come, let me hug you and let your father rest."

Brother Cao was very familiar with Cui Yuanjiu and saw him smiling at him again and opened his arms. After hesitating for a moment, he finally threw his hands into his arms.

Cui Yuanjiu immediately gave him a lift, which was Brother Cao's favorite thing to do.

Sure enough, Brother Cao, who was lifted up high, chuckled. It could be heard that he was very excited and called daddy over and over again. Maybe he was so happy that even the word daddy was a bit unclear.

"Brother Cao still likes me very much."

"You can teach him to see if he calls you Father."

"That's not possible." Although Cui Yuanjiu was very moved, he still shook his head and refused: "Father can't You can teach me whatever you want, so we can get married so that we won't fall into the trap of others."

Chen Yuping's smile gradually spread from the depths of his eyes to the bottom of his heart when he heard this.

"After the New Year, you are eighteen years old. When your father was eighteen years old, I was already pregnant with your eldest brother, and your second brother was already married to your second sister-in-law." Father Chen said to his youngest son He pulled him to his side and spoke to him in a low voice: "Look at you, you are eating all day long and you don't care about other things at all."

"Dad, getting married is not something I want to do. If you get married, you can get married. It doesn't matter if I am alone. It depends on how God arranges it for me. I can't just marry someone, right? If the two of us don't have feelings, life will be difficult if we get married, so why bother?"

Old Chen nodded and rarely agreed with his younger son's words: "That makes sense."

With his father's approval, Chen Yuanqiu's tail behind him was about to rise to the sky. Unfortunately, he heard his father's second sentence. .

"Let your father visit the village more often to talk and look at each other more often, so that he can always find the person you like."

"I tell you, brother, you can't act recklessly next year. Be honest with me. , If you should look at each other, look at each other, don't make any mistakes, otherwise, I will tell your third brother that you won't let him do anything you like. If you don't believe in evil, just give it a try. "Dad Chen is serious this time. Passed.

Chen Yuanqiu's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe it: "Dad!!!"

"This is a good idea." Old man Chen supported his wife.

"Third brother, third brother."

Weak, pitiful, and helpless.

What happened in just a moment? Chen Yuping was a little confused: "What?"

"You will help me, right?" "

What are you going to do? What do you want to do?"

Father Chen mercilessly exposed his younger son's misfortune: "Don't listen to his nonsense. I want him to see more people next year. He is already eighteen and wants to find someone he likes to get married. I also agree. But this man can't fall from the sky. He has to go out to see each other. Is it possible for a young man to wait for his brother and the girl to come to see him in person? "

" Then what?" Understand, what does it have to do with him: "However, what dad said makes sense. Young man, you really have to take the initiative."

"I didn't say that I couldn't go out to see each other. Dad threatened me! If I If you don't listen to him honestly, he won't let you cook my favorite dish." Chen Yuanqiu felt aggrieved.

I thought it was something, but after a long time, it turned out to be such a thing. Chen Yuping laughed unkindly.

Liu Guixiang asked enthusiastically: "My youngest, do you like a brother or a girl? Tell me, and I will help you keep an eye on it. If everything is in order, let me know as soon as possible. Don't let me miss it." "Yes, this is a life-long event, so you have to be serious about it. Brother, think carefully about whether you like a brother or a girl. I will also help you pay attention. "

Chen Yuchun has suffered a lot in his life. , I don't want my brother to suffer like this.

A whole room of people gathered around Chen Yuanqiu's marriage, just talking about it.

As the protagonist, Chen Yuanqiu finally had some thoughts about getting married. Seeing this situation, his scalp felt numb, and he had a vague urge to run away.

It wasn't until the New Year's Eve dinner was put on the table that he was liberated and breathed a deep sigh of relief.

It's terrible.

The New Year's Eve dinner was very sumptuous, with a large table filled with almost all meat dishes, a dish that is rarely eaten in daily life.

Cui Yuanjiu bought two kilograms of wine, but still had one kilogram left.

The New Year is all about excitement, and wine can add to the fun and lift the atmosphere.

Except for the four children, all the adults picked up bowls, which were filled with more or less wine.

"Let's have a bowl first. Father and Dad, please say a few words."

"Say a few words, say a few words." Old man Chen smiled cheerfully. In previous years, the New Year's Eve dinner was not as lively. He was thinking about what he should say. What? He scratched the back of his head and looked at his wife next to him: "In the coming year, I hope that all of you will be well, live a stable life, have enough to eat and drink."

Mr. Chen continued what his wife said: "Earn money Secondly, to take care of your family, you have to have a family in your heart and your body and bones are also very important. For this person, being free from illness and disaster is the greatest blessing. Dad hopes that in the coming year, you will eat well and have a solid sleep at night. We are all a family, we help each other no matter what, and He Le Le Qing Ji is safe."

"Well said!" Chen Yuping clapped vigorously, with a bright smile on his face.

For a while, there were bursts of warm applause in the room, and everyone kept talking to each other.

Affected by the atmosphere, or maybe it was his father's words that touched his heart, Chen Yuanqiu's mind became hot, and he opened his mouth and blurted out: "I will also say one thing. I hope that next year, I can meet someone I like, whether it's a brother or a brother." Regardless of the girl, she is the one who likes me. At the same time, my father and my family also like her.

"The youngest has finally figured it out!" Chen Yuandong sighed.

Everyone laughed again.

Chen Yuanqiu... was a little embarrassed.

Chapter 45

~

The rooster crows and the New Year's Eve watch is over.

It was still dark outside and the cold wind was howling.

The four children were sleeping soundly on the bamboo couch, huddled together and looking very warm.

Chen Yuchun poured a basin of warm water, washed her face, and then pushed her husband: "Go and wash your face to wake up." After saying that, she sat down next to her father and father: "It will be dawn soon, I think it's better to go back To catch up on sleep, the house also needs to be tidied up. "

On the first day of the new year, village neighbors visit each other. One or two people from each family will stay at home, and the rest will go around the village to talk and celebrate the New Year.

The atmosphere in Kuzhu Village has always been harmonious. You don't look up when you look down, and you look friendly on the outside.

Father Chen heard the meaning behind his eldest son's words, but he didn't hold back much: "Let your father hitch a bullock cart to take you there. The children are fast asleep, so let them sleep and wrap them up thicker later."

"I'm here to see you off. My father drank a lot, and I guess he is very sleepy." Chen Yuandong was also a little confused, and he finally regained consciousness when he heard the voices: "I'm going to wash my face."

"What's going on?" Chen Yuandong said . The old man didn't seem to be awake yet, and he spoke with a loud tongue. He shook his head twice.

"Don't shake him again, he will knock you to the ground." Mr. Chen held down his wife's shoulders in time.

Cui Yuanjiu stood up: "I will help my second uncle into the house to catch up on his sleep."

"Sure, please slow down. His body is also very heavy. He will be completely unable to use his strength, and it will be all supported by you."

"Second uncle ." Don't worry, I don't have anything else but brute strength."

Old man Chen is the second son in the family, and Father Chen is also the second son in the family.

After the two got married, the younger generation all called them "Second Uncle" or "Second Uncle", and except for the young children, they all knew the difference clearly.

Cui Yuanjiu helped old Chen out of the stove house steadily. Before he could close the door, Chen Yuandong walked in.

"The ox cart is harnessed."

Father Chen bent down to pick up the sleeping brother An, but Chen Yuchun stopped him: "Dad, just rest, I will come." He turned around and ordered to his stupid husband. : "Zhiwei, come and hold Da Zhuang. Be gentle and don't wake him up."

Zhang Zhiwei hesitated, barely opening his eyes. He took three steps and swayed twice, looking like a soul. It's like floating.

"I'll do it." Father Chen was really worried that he would throw his eldest grandson, and he was obviously unreliable.

Chen Yuchun had already neatly hugged his youngest son in his arms: "Dad, please stand farther away. Don't stop him, just let him hold him."

Normally, Zhang Zhiwei would not bother to care about Zhang Zhiwei's half-dead procrastination. , if you have the time, you might as well do it yourself to avoid getting sulky. From now on, he won't be stupid again and keep shouting if it doesn't stop. He has a lot of patience.

"What's wrong, brother-in-law? You just washed your face and you're still not awake? Do you want me to give you a basin of cold water? It should be more effective." Chen Yuandong spoke kindly, with a smile on his face.

Zhang Zhiwei slowly said, "Huh?" with a dumbfounded look on his face.

"My basin of water hasn't been mixed with hot water yet. Why don't you wash your face first?" Chen Yuping said and brought a basin of cold water over.

Seeing the ice-cold water being brought to him, it was a cold day in the twelfth lunar month of winter. Zhang Zhiwei grinned, innocently, and he touched his face roughly with his hand: "I haven't had such a good time drinking in a long time. I haven't slept for another night and I can't stand it anymore." He smiled and opened his mouth to yawn widely.

"Hurry up, what are you waiting for?" Chen Yuchun had already walked to the door of the house with An Ge'er in his arms.

Zhang Zhiwei came to the bamboo couch in two steps and quickly picked up the sleeping Da Zhuang: "Come here, come."

"I'll see my brother and the others off. If you're sleepy, go home and sleep first. I'll hold Qiao Qiao later ." Niuer, go back to the room."

Liu Guixiang nodded: "Then I'll go back to sleep."

"Well, just go slowly and hold on to the wall."

"It's okay." Liu Guixiang rubbed her face. He smiled and said: "Go ahead, don't let me wait."

Chen Yuping asked: "Second sister-in-law, why don't you wash your face?"

"No, I'm afraid I'll be sleepy after washing my face. Dad, I'll go back to the house to sleep first. It's cooked."

Father Chen was not at ease and escorted his second daughter-in-law out of the kitchen.

"Dad, I'm energetic." Liu Guixiang shivered and closed her jacket: "The wind is really cold. Dad, please hurry up and catch up on your sleep. It's almost dawn."

"I'll go." Father Chen smiled happily, standing under the eaves, watching his second daughter-in-law wandering into the yard, and then went into the house.

Except for Brother Cao'er and Qiao Niu'er who were sleeping in the kitchen, Chen Yuping and Cui Yuanjiu were the only ones left.

"You won't sleep?"

Cui Yuanjiu asked, "When will you sleep?" After a pause, he added, "I used to stay up all night with escorts, staying up all night and only sleeping during the day."

"You . You really don't want to join the escort agency?"

"Well, living on the edge of a knife is not practical. If you don't dislike me, I will stay in the Chen family. If you think it's inappropriate, I won't go anywhere. I don't know how to go back to the escort agency, I will find a job in the town. I really want to get married with you. You are right. There is indeed a reason for this, and it is also the reason why I really want to live with you. I have been thinking about what kind of partner I want to find in the future and what kind of life I want to live a long time ago. I think about it very carefully. Sometimes I feel that I think too much and it is impossible to meet such a good person. God bless me. I'm not weak, let me meet you, you are the person I have thought about countless times, the partner I want to find. I can't tell if I like you, I have never liked anyone, I just want to be with you. , and our stupid brother. "

Chen Yuping is not a real nineteen-year-old boy. He has experience in his previous life, and he can see that this young man Cui Yuanjiu is very sincere. Perhaps he does not understand what is like and what is love. After all, in this era of love Ah love, it's too far away to be touched or invisible. How can people who can't even read a few Chinese characters understand such delicate emotions?

But he believed that life would be extremely comfortable after getting married to this little man.

What is love, perhaps it is what Father Chen said. Being able to put you in the center of my heart is a rare happiness.

On the second day of the new year, Chen Yuandong and his wife took Qiao Niuer to the Liu family in the town.

In previous years, there were no bullock carts. If the weather was good, we would walk. If the weather was bad, we would take a ride in the village.

Last year, the Chen family bought a cow. This year, they can drive a bullock cart by themselves when they go to town. The family of three is relaxed and comfortable.

Not long after seeing off the second son and his wife, Mr. Chen entered the stove room. The chairs were not even warm when he saw the first son's family pushing open the door and entering.

"Father, Dad." Chen Yuchun put the things he was carrying on the table.

Zhang Zhiwei quickly put An Geer in his arms on the bamboo couch. Seeing An Geer, Cao Geer giggled and quickly climbed to his side. The two little babies fell into a ball and fell into each other. Playing closely together.

After Da Zhuang called people, he sat beside the bamboo couch and watched his brothers playing, smiling happily.

Chen Yuping could see the difference in his eldest brother at a glance, and said with a smile: "The eldest brother looks very good, and his face glowed brightly when he answered."

"I am blessed by my third brother." Chen Yuchun pointed out.

When Father Chen saw his eldest son's eyes widening, he felt happy and smiled from ear to ear: "I'll help you find out what you want to eat for lunch today."

"I want to eat something lighter. I've been a little full recently after eating big fish and meat." Regarding eating, Chen Yuanqiu is always the most active: "Third brother, I want to eat the pumpkin cake you made. It's crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, slightly waxy, and a little chewy. "It's sweet and fragrant, ah..." He swallowed and said, "I really want to eat it."

He hadn't eaten pumpkin cake for a while, and hearing what the youngest said, Chen Yuping also felt a little greedy: "I won't cook for lunch. ? If there are steamed buns and bean dumplings at home, I will make some pumpkin cakes. You can eat whatever you want. Brother An and Brother Cao will make some pumpkin porridge. "

" Old man Chen added a handful of firewood to the fire pit.

Zhang Zhiwei smiled and added: "I ate the winter melon and ham soup made by Brother Ping once. It was really fragrant and fresh."

"Everything you ordered is the dish that Brother Ping knows how to cook." Chen Dad couldn't help laughing: "It seems that I have to help Brother Ping today, so I can't hold the spoon."

"You make the potato braised chicken delicious too."

Dad Chen glanced at his wife, smiling from the corner of his eyebrows. , like a blooming flower.

"Order some dumplings and eat them with sauce." Cui Yuanjiu did not order.

Chen Yuping asked him: "What else is there?"

"I like everything you cook."

"The third brother's craftsmanship is so good that no one from all over the country can compare with it. It's truly a fairy craftsmanship!" Chen Yuanqiu interjected happily.

Cui Yuanjiu glanced at him and lowered his eyes silently.

"Brother, what do you want to eat?"

"Anyone is fine with me, steamed fish and bacon? It's strange, for the same kind of bacon, the one steamed by the third brother is the most delicious and the most fragrant." Chen Yuchun really thought about it. not understand.

Chen Yuping knew why, he was God's biological son! But he didn't say anything, he just kept smiling.

Braised chicken with potatoes, steamed cured fish and bacon, winter melon and ham soup, taro with scallion oil, twice-cooked pork, stir-fried vegetables, pumpkin cake, braised fish.

The food was relatively light.

Chen Yuanqiu ate the pumpkin cake the most, followed by Da Zhuang, who also liked to eat it especially.

An Ge'er and Cao Ge'er ate the pumpkin porridge very much, smacking their little mouths with relish.

It was still a slack time in the farm period, and there was not much work in the fields. After lunch, the cold wind was blowing outside, and it was not easy to visit each other to talk, so they all sat by the fire pit, doing trivial tasks, and chatting about everyday things.

Chen Yuping taught Brother Cao how to speak, held him in his arms, was extra patient, and teased him by rubbing his face and nose. Cui Yuanjiu was sitting next to him, watching with a smile on his face, saying a few words from time to time, or holding Brother Cao in his arms, playing with him and lifting him up so that he could sit firmly on his shoulders.

They look like a family of three.

Zhang Zhiwei didn't have the energy to play with him, so he asked Da Zhuang to play with Brother An, saying that he had to go out for a while if he had something to do.

The person left.

Chen Yuchun also had something to say to his family, so he didn't stop him and let him go.

"I finally understood it. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, we took our children to our old house. From the mother-in-law to the elder sister-in-law and the second sister-in-law, they all spoke in the same tone. I couldn't hear the weird and strange things, so I was turned away. Zhang Zhiwei said Hiding in the corner, he didn't even say a word. It didn't matter if he didn't say a word, as long as he didn't turn his arm towards the old house. "

It turns out that if something happened in the old house, he would always respond honestly when he got there. That's not it. When it comes to me, I take care of his face and think that it's okay to be tired if I don't have enough energy. Now I don't think so, he should do his own thing, don't try to push it on me.

" My parents' family will stay overnight, and I will do the same this year. If I don't go back tonight, the couple in the old house will never go hungry. I don't want to care, and I don't want to care. If Zhang Zhiwei listens to me, Whatever I say is what I say, no matter how big or small everything depends on me, I will still keep him close to my heart and be considerate. If he doesn't listen, there is always a way to fix it. , I have to be stronger, he is submissive and not like a man, I will take care of the outside and the inside, he can just immerse himself in work, I don't expect him to care about me too much, life will not go as I want, Let yourself live a more comfortable and happy life."

This is to take the initiative into your own hands. Before, the eldest brother had always put himself in a passive position, thinking that one day the eldest brother would be enlightened and live as harmoniously and happily as his father and his father. day.

The result was disappointing for a while. After he woke me up, my eldest brother was really enlightened.

Chen Yuping was secretly happy. The eldest brother-in-law, who looked naive and honest on the surface, might not have a good life in the future. It was great! It's so cool in summer!

Chapter 46

When Father Chen woke up, he heard the patter of rain.

He was lying on the warm bed, reluctant to get up.

"Is it the beginning of spring today?" Seeing that his wife didn't get up, old man Chen, who was about to get up, lay back in the warm bed.

"Yes, today is the beginning of spring. You have to sort out the farm tools at home. Repair or replace them."

"Our farm tools are all in good condition. I took a look at them two days ago. However, there has been no mention of buying land. "Look, I'm still thinking about getting two more acres of land this year." Old Chen said with desire: "It would be great if I could buy the land before spring plowing."

"We can't rush this. Let's wait ." Come on, we have money in our hands. Once we get the letter, we will go there and buy any good fertile land that is more expensive

. After talking about it, I changed it to another one. "How about spring rolls for breakfast?"

"You can watch Zhang Luo, but I can do that." Old man Chen has no objection: "Can't you get up? Just lie down for a while if you don't want to. It's raining outside, so I guess the children will be able to sleep. Later, I can't lie down, so I'm going to smoke some dry cigarettes."

Old man Chen sat up straight and said, "Get up, I can't lie down anymore. Let's go and grab some for spring rolls. " I'll take A Niu out with you to eat some young grass. " There wasn't much snow in the old year, and there was almost no snow around the Chinese New Year.

Today is the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, it is the beginning of spring, the sun is rising and the sun is rising, everything is in spring. The east wind blows, unblocking the long-frozen land. The temperature is still freezing, but spring has quietly arrived in the fields and mountains. With the continuous rain, the sky and the earth seemed to be enveloped in a layer of lightness, which seemed not to be real at all.

Old man Chen and old man Chen put on their raincoats and bamboo hats, one of them carried a bamboo basket on his arm, and the other held an ox in his hand. They walked leisurely down the mountain in the dim light of the sky and the mist-like drizzle. It was still early, there were very few pedestrians on the country roads, and the village was so quiet that it seemed like it was still sleeping. "Are you cold?" Old man Chen shook his wife's hand. It was slightly cold.

He held it and did not let go: "It's not green. We have to wait a few more days." Old man Chen smiled: "No. That's all, we'll make spring rolls when we have them." We didn't find many young wild vegetables, but Ah Niu was full. When the couple returned home, it was bright and clear, smoke was rising from every house, and the air was filled with the faint aroma of food. Cui Yuanjiu carried Brother Cao to the kitchen house. When he saw Old Man Chen and Father Chen, he called his second uncle with a smile. Brother Cao'er called him "Grandpa" in a sweet voice. When he saw the strong ox, he even shouted "Niu Niu" excitedly. A Niu let out a long, soft moo. Brother Cao chuckled. "Father, Dad, we still have some dumplings at home, do you want dumplings for breakfast?" Twenty-nine packages of dumplings were frozen outside all night, and there are still some left today. "You can also eat dumplings. It's the beginning of spring today. If you don't eat these dumplings, they won't last for two days."

"It's not enough to make some pumpkin cakes. I still have half of the pumpkin that bloomed the day before yesterday. It happens that the youngest likes to eat it." Chen Yuping arranged it. Clearly. The pumpkins at home are very big, and the winter melons are also very big. It takes three or two days to eat one. That is to say, it is cold now, and if the temperature rises again in a while, the pumpkins or winter melons that cannot be eaten within two days will have to be chopped and cooked to be fed to the pigs.

When Chen Yuanqiu, who had just left the house, heard this, he laughed like a fool early in the morning: "Okay, okay, I'll eat pumpkin pie." While talking and laughing, a new day began. On the fifth day of spring, the east wind thaws, which roughly means that the east wind brings warmth, the earth begins to thaw, and everything revives and the mountains and rivers wake up. I didn't eat spring rolls on the third day of the Lunar New Year.

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the weather cleared up. I didn't see the sun a few times all winter long, so I missed it. Father Chen happily carried a bamboo basket and prepared to go to the mountains. Cui Yuanjiu and Chen Yuanqiu followed. Chen Yuping and Liu Guixiang stayed at home to pick up trivial matters and take care of the two little babies. Old man Chen and Chen Yuandong were busy with farm work in the fields. Before Ershanzi and Shuwa reached the door of Chen's house, they raised their voices and said hello loudly, but found that there was no one in front of the house with the doors and windows closed, and only the stove was open. "Second uncle!" The two of them shouted towards the stove house again.

Chen Yuping, who was hanging clothes behind the house, vaguely heard the noise and didn't pay much attention to it. Now that he was close, he could hear clearly: "Ershanzi Shuwa, what are you two doing?" The voice came from behind the house. Ershanzi Shuba and the two went to the back of the house happily, calling for people with a smile, and teased Brother Cao and Qiao Niuer. "Brother Ping, when will your family's business be opened?" "We went to town yesterday. All the shops in the town were open, but Brother Ping, your shop is still closed."

Chen Yuping Smiling and teasing: "What's the matter? Do you two still have some time to spare?" "Hey hey hey, you're really a bit restless."

Ershanzi smiled sheepishly: "The main thing is to eat the food made by Brother Ping, most of it I haven't eaten for months, and I'm so hungry." "Brother Shan is right, Brother Ping, please tell me when the business will open." Chen Yuping was still thinking about this: "Well, the day before the opening, I Let Yuan Jiu tell you." Liu Guixiang took a piece of pork belly and put it in the pot on the stove: "Third brother, I just saw Ershanzi and Shuwa. What are they doing here? Isn't there any news about a thief? " The old house was robbed years ago, but she never found out about it, so she was worried about it. What if the thief kept coming again and again? "I didn't say anything about the thief. Maybe there is still no news.

They came over to ask when the business would open, and they looked a little restless." Chen Yuping said and laughed. "I really can't tell. It's a sign of enlightenment. If the elders in the family knew about this, they would laugh out loud in their dreams."

"It looks a bit like it to me." All the trivial things inside and outside the house were tidied up. Nothing happened. Chen Yuping and Liu Guixiang moved a bamboo couch and placed it at the base of the wall in front of the house. This area was sheltered from the wind and easy to bask in the sun.

The two children were placed on the bamboo couch. "When is the third brother planning to start business?" "I have some ideas, I need to think about it more." It just so happened that this matter also had something to do with the second sister-in-law. Chen Yuping thought about it, and when he said this, he simply asked: " Second sister-in-law, how about I leave the stall at home to you?" Liu Guixiang was stunned for a moment: "What do you mean by third brother?" "I want my father and eldest brother to go to the shop on South Street.

I'm going to go to the town. I'd like to build a bigger shop, and if it's suitable, I'd like to buy it, and then start some other business." Chen Yuping just wanted to help his family. He made money himself, so he thought that his family could also benefit from it. With light, the days will become more and more prosperous. The youngest is not married yet, but when he does, he will naturally help. Before that, let him and his father take care of the farm work in the fields. The stall is really left to the second sister-in-law, so it is estimated that the second brother will not have much free time. Come and help the old house.

]

"What do dad and dad think about this? Where's eldest brother?" Liu Guixiang was a little moved. Even though the stall was right in front of her house, its reputation had spread all over the country. It was up to her to guard the stall. I won't say more. , even if you only give her 10% of the profit, you will still have a lot of money in a month.

"I haven't said anything yet. We just want to talk about this now. Let's ask the second sister-in-law first."

Liu Guixiang smiled: "Oh, of course I have no objection to such a good thing. This belongs to the third brother. I have good intentions and my second brother and sister-in-law are in my heart."

Father Chen and the others went into the mountains to pick young wild vegetables and the harvest was pretty good. In addition to the fresh and tender wild vegetables, they also picked some juicy mushrooms and caught them in the mountain streams. There were two palm-sized crucian carps and a fat hare.

Cui Yuanjiu and Chen Yuanqiu were carrying large bundles of firewood on their backs, and they were dragging a piece of bamboo in their hands.

At noon, I made wild vegetable spring rolls, meat-filled spring rolls, stewed kidney bean bone soup, spicy rabbit cubes, and stir-fried mushrooms with sliced ​​meat.

I keep two carps and stew tofu for dinner.

The complementary food for the two little babies is wild vegetable and meat porridge, which is also very delicious and soft.

"At this time, you have to eat the wild vegetables in the fields and mountains carefully. They are all seasonal vegetables. After the season, you will have to wait until next year to satisfy your craving." Father Chen talked cheerfully. He liked the wild vegetables in spring very much, and It's fresh and tender, and you can eat it one after another, and it won't be the same for several days. It's much richer than the vegetables in the vegetable garden.

"After a winter, the firewood at home has been almost used, so I asked the youngest and Yuanjiu to accompany you into the mountains every day. They collected firewood and hunted game, while you picked wild vegetables and mushrooms." In previous years, it was Old Man Chen. Accompany my wife. This year, the youngest is really thinking about following Yuan Jiu into the mountains for hunting, so that the child can be happy.

Father Chen nodded: "You need to prepare more firewood. Brother Ping, when are you going to open your business? It's already the sixth day of the Lunar New Year."

"I was just about to discuss this matter with my father. I'm going to It would be better to build a bigger shop in the town. If it is suitable, it would be better to buy it directly. The shop on South Street is managed by my father and my eldest brother, and my second sister-in-law will take care of the stall at home. I will not take care of the shop. It's a good family. When dad and brother think it's time to open a business, let's start the business."

"How big of a shop do you want to open? What kind of business do you want to do?" Dad Chen could see through his third son's thoughts at a glance. Give birth to all kinds of tastes.

"Everyone says that hot pot is delicious. I plan to open a hot pot restaurant. When the weather is hot, I will sell cold pot skewers and other snacks. When the weather is cold, I will sell hot pots. This is just an idea of ​​mine. The specifics have to be determined. We'll think about how big the shop is,"

Old Man Chen reminded, "How can you handle two shops and one stall?" In the past, the whole family was too busy to have one shop and one stall . Touch the ground.

"Shrimp paste and fermented bean curd can be prepared in advance, as well as braised pork intestines and pig trotters. We have braised braised pork at home, and braised braised pork is the key. I can teach my dad how to braise and preserve the braised braised pork. The same goes for meat buns and five-spice tea eggs. With Lao Lu here, the taste will not be a problem. It is not easy to open a shop. I will stay at home for a while and teach you slowly. Dad can always learn it."

"Call your eldest brother back and let's talk about it as a family. "Say." Old Man Chen made the final decision.

This is not a trivial matter. The third son wanted to help his brother out of kindness and care for his family. But brothers are brothers and business is business. What should be said clearly should be made clear.

Chapter 47

During dinner in the evening, Zhang Zhiwei said in a low voice: "My father asked us to go home tomorrow."

"My father?"

Zhang Zhiwei nodded.

"When did I tell you? Where did we meet?"

"We met when we were working in the fields in the afternoon."

"Did you say something?"

Zhang Zhi responded eagerly: "I didn't know." A trace of impatience.

"If you don't want to go, don't go. I'll take the two children back to Chen's house, and you can go to the old house to eat by yourself." Chen Yuchun retorted unceremoniously.

"I didn't say not to go."

"Remember to go to the village early tomorrow morning to buy a fish to make it fatter."

"Oh."

It was still a sunny day on the seventh day of the lunar month.

Chen Yuchun didn't know why his father called him back. Worried about something, he got up early, packed up the house, and went to Chen's house with her husband and their two children.

At the base of the wall under the eaves, Chen Yuping was sitting on a bamboo couch playing with Brother Cao and Qiao Niuer, while Liu Guixiang was mending clothes beside him.

The sunshine in early spring was light and could not bring out the warmth for a while. After a while, I unconsciously felt warm, comfortable and comfortable all over my body.

"Yuan Dong's wife, Brother Ping."

"Brother." Liu Guixiang hurriedly stood up and greeted.

Chen Yuping got down from the bamboo couch and put An Ge'er on the bamboo couch. The three little babies were very familiar with each other and instantly huddled together, giggling and laughing.

Zhang Zhiwei sat and drank a bowl of tea: "Nothing, I'm going to the field."

"Well, let's go."

"Are you okay at home?" Chen Yuchun asked, casually picking up Liu Guixiang's half-mended clothes, neatly Thread the needle.

"Brother, I'll just come."

Chen Yuchun smiled: "I can't sit still."

"It's nothing, just chatting together." Chen Yuping responded: "Brother, what about you? Are you becoming more relaxed day by day?"

"It's natural." Chen Yuchun's smile was hearty: "I just realized that life can be so happy."

Dad often told him that people's hearts are made of flesh. When you get married, you have to manage your life well. Treat him well. , he will always know that only when the couple is harmonious can they become more and more comfortable.

He always thought that his temperament was not good enough and that he was quite eccentric, which was why he could not warm his husband's heart. When you feel resentful and unwilling, you will tell yourself that apart from Zhang Zhiwei not trusting him, everything else is fine. He is better than his best, and he is better than his worst. That's fine, let's just live like this.

Only now do I realize that some people are naturally selfish and only think about themselves. No matter how gentle and gentle their temperament is, they will probably never receive his thoughtfulness.

"I also see that my eldest brother is getting younger and younger." Liu Guixiang said the truth: "This person, after all is said and done, still needs to think more about himself."

Chen Yuchun agreed very much: "It's so hot. Just take it easy, don't worry about it, and just take it back.

"Just think of what I'm thinking now, if nothing else, the days will definitely get better and better," Chen Yuping said with encouragement.

The three of them looked at each other and laughed tacitly.

That is to say, you can't talk so openly outside, even in front of your father.

After lunch, old man Chen held strong tea in his hand: "Don't leave in a hurry, I have something to say today."

"Let's talk in the main room." Old Chen said and added, "I'll come over after I've packed the stove."

Chen Yuchun rolled up his sleeves: "Father, I'll just come. It'll only take a moment."

"Brother, I'll wash the dishes and chopsticks."

A whole room of people moved to the main room.

The children also moved into the main room, taking the bamboo couch with them.

Chen Yuchun and Liu Guixiang came over quickly.

When everyone gathered, Old Man Chen began to speak: "Brother Ping wants to hand over the business of the family stall to Yuan Dong and his wife, while the shop in the town will be managed by your father and Brother Chun. Not to mention the shop in the town, at home. You all have a rough idea of ​​how good the food stalls are in the old year."

"The business in the old food stalls seems to be booming, but Brother Ping doesn't save much money himself. He helped everyone and gave them all the dividends. Brother Ping did a good job in settling the accounts. Some things need to be sorted out clearly. Family belongs to family, and business belongs to business. From the beginning. Just set the rules to avoid trouble later."

"I'm calling you here today just to ask your opinion. Do you want to take over the stall at home and the shop in the town? If you want to take over the matter, you should. A careful charter, how to divide the profits, and how to calculate the daily costs."

Old man Chen basically said it and left some words for his wife.

Father Chen thought for a while and then said: "People have long hearts, and every affection comes and goes. Brother Ping is kind and has his brothers in his heart. If he is good, he will miss his two brothers. This is Your blessing is also the blessing of our Chen family. Cherish the blessing and be content. I hope that this blessing can be extended to future generations. Our Chen family can tolerate and support each other, and be clear-headed. Money is of course important. "Family and family are the foundation."

"My father and I won't say anything about this matter today. You brothers will discuss the regulations. You are all grown up and you are all fathers." Fathers and mothers know how to behave and do things, and they also know how to teach their children how to behave. What the elders in the family are like will be what their children will be like,"

he said a little bit . It was heavy and the room was very quiet. Even the children playing on the bamboo couch seemed to know something. Their big round eyes looked blankly at the adults in the room. The adults had no intention of paying attention to them. The children also became quiet.

"You guys can discuss it, I'll entertain the children." Old man Chen took two sips of strong tea, calmed down the atmosphere, and went to the bamboo couch with a smile.

The dumb little milk baby grinned and started laughing when he saw the cheerful old man Chen.

The room suddenly felt warm.

"Brother Ping wants me and Dad to go to town to do business?" Chen Yuchun was obviously a little confused: "But I have never done business, so I don't know much about it. Besides, the shops in town and the stalls at home are not as popular as usual. I don't care, is he going to do other business?"

Chen Yuping said in a relaxed tone, "Brother, it's easy to do business, you don't need to be quick-talking, you just need to learn how to do it for two days, and you'll be fine. "Yes. I'm planning to open a bigger shop in the town and open a hot pot restaurant."

"Do I need to invest money in it?" Zhang Zhiwei asked.

"It depends on what the big brother thinks. There is definitely a difference in profit sharing between paying the cost and not paying the cost." Chen Yuping answered.

Zhang Zhiwei continued to ask: "Brother Ping, can you tell me more specifically? How much does it cost? How much profit can you get? How much profit can you get without paying the cost? There is another question, what if Brother Chun goes with his father? What to do with two children at home in town?"

"What does this have to do with business?" Chen Yuchun heard the meaning of her husband's words, her face immediately changed, and she spoke a little hastily: "You think it's delaying the two children, so we can just ignore it. Brother Ping As long as I say something, I don't know how many people will come forward to join me. If I am not Brother Ping's eldest brother or the Chen family, do you think we are responsible for this? "

What did Dad just say? It's really a pig. " brain.

Zhang Zhiwei didn't expect that he only asked two questions, and Brother Chun exploded as if a firecracker was lit, without even sparing him any dignity.

He was annoyed and ashamed, and wanted to say something, but he also took into account that this was at Chen's house, and Brother Ping's shop on South Street was doing really good business!

"I, I, just ask..." Zhang Zhiwei spoke submissively, even feeling aggrieved at first.

Chen Yuchun is really enlightened now and has completely figured it out. Zhang Zhiwei doesn't care about him and thinks about his good, okay! He was too lazy to put this thing aside anymore. He, his children and the Chen family are the real family. As for Zhang Zhiwei, just wait in line.

Therefore, in the Chen family, he was impatient to save his husband's face: "If you ask a fart question, just say a few words. If it is a big fart in the Zhang family, you will hide in the corner and say nothing. What's going on, you will know when you get to the Chen family." Are you going to speak? Just rest, I'll stand up for you in the Zhang family, and I won't need you when I get back to the Chen family."

Even though Liu Guixiang and Chen Yuping knew that their eldest brother was enlightened, they never expected that he would be so powerful now. So tough.

Father Chen was a little dumbfounded. Is this still his eldest brother?

Old man Chen laughed cheerfully. When he laughed, he lowered his head to tease Brother Cao. He didn't know whether he was happy to hear his eldest son's words or to tease his grandson.

"Brother Ping, I have never been involved in this business. I don't know if I can learn it. I don't understand about sharing and profit. Let's not talk about it for now. I want to follow my father to the store to learn it first. If I can control Brother Ping's feelings in the past few days, I will remember this feeling for the rest of my life as the eldest brother. If I can't control it, I can't blame others. It's because I have no ability and no future, and I want to be the younger brother. As an elder brother, I naturally have to think about my younger brother, so I won't delay the business of the store. Brother Ping will find a more suitable person for this matter," Chen Yuchun said openly and frankly.

Chen Yuping said with a smile: "Okay, just listen to the eldest brother. The eldest brother will go to the town with dad to study for a few days to get used to it. As for the two children, they naturally have to stay in the Chen family, so Brother Cao can have a companion. Besides, When I get busy, I have to ask Dazhuang to help look after the two children.

"I like to stay at grandpa's house." Dazhuang spoke loudly and looked at his father expectantly.

Old man Chen gently stroked the top of his grandson's hair with his rough palms: "The child will stay at the Chen family. Brother Ping has set up a shop in the town and is going to open a shop for business. Let's figure out how to make arrangements."

"Second sister-in-law, When you are busy, put Qiao Niu in the old house, and the four children will get used to playing together." Chen Yuping thought and said to his second sister-in-law.

Liu Guixiang smiled: "I'll see when the time comes. I'm really too busy, so I have to trouble Brother Ping."

"We are one family, let's not talk about two families." Chen Yuping laughed.

Everyone in the room also burst out laughing, and they seemed to be having a good time. The only person who was disappointed was Zhang Zhiwei, who was leaning in the corner. He was in the main room, so close to the excitement, but he didn't care about him at all. , all he has is full of sorrow and depression.

Chapter 48

The eldest son had a charter, and Father Chen looked at his second son: "What do you think?"

"You will get 10% of the profit, and the rest will be given to Brother Guiping." Chen Yuandong said, explaining: "Qiao Niu, she Mom, just take care of the business at the stall and keep track of the daily accounts. She will not interfere at all."

Chen Yuping was a little surprised: "10% profit is too little.

" Chen Yuandong smiled: "You are responsible for the food. , the cost will be paid by you, your second sister-in-law is only responsible for the business, and she will keep the stall in front of the house. It's so easy, just like money falling from the sky, just open your hands and pick it up."

"Let's do this, I'll get 40%." Dad gets 40%, and the second brother gets 20%. I will teach Dad how to make these foods. With Laolu here, the taste will not be a problem. Speaking of which, I am the most relaxed. I don't have to work hard or guard the stall. I can get it. "Forty percent profit."

"You paid for the cost. Besides, this food business relies on your skills to gain a good reputation. Looking around, I can't see which family can set up a stall in their own house and do business." It's still very popular." Chen Yuandong understood the third brother's thoughts and didn't want him to suffer too much. Because of this, he, as the elder brother, couldn't take advantage.

To be a human being, you must have a conscience.

Brothers, friends, and brothers all consider each other and would rather earn less. Father Chen saw this with a smile on his face. He felt very relieved and said cheerfully: "I have no objection. It depends on what your brothers say."

"Just do as I say." Chen Yuping insisted. .

Chen Yuandong glanced at his wife and quickly agreed to the matter. "Sure, just do what Brother Ping said."

The time comes to have more strength. He is young and strong and is not afraid of getting tired. It is said that he does not interfere at all, which means that he does not interfere with costs and craftsmanship. In addition, there are many trivial tasks. He cannot really let Dad do it alone in the kitchen.

At this point, the charter has been agreed upon.

It's just a matter of when to open the business.

"When do you plan to open?"

Chen Yuping replied: "It depends on when Dad wants to open. The shop and stall have to be supported by dad, brother, sister-in-law, and you guys. If you want to open the business, it also depends on when you are free."

" I'm going to look up the zodiac and auspicious days." Father Chen got up and walked into the house. Soon, he came back and said enthusiastically: "How about the ninth day? There are still two days to prepare. It's not too late. It's a rare good day."

"I have no problem," Chen Yuchun responded without hesitation.

Liu Guixiang answered with a smile: "I don't have a problem."

"Starting tomorrow, I will teach my father how to make braised food. We sell food at home, and currently they are all braised products. This is hard to say, easy to say, but not easy. You have to pay attention to the heat. The most important thing is to look at the old stew. If you have the old stew in hand, I will go into some details. The taste of the food made by my father will not be much different."

"I will study hard and try not to hold you back. Legs." Father Chen joked to himself: "Our family works together and makes a lot of money!"

Old man Chen said with confidence in his eyes, "I believe you, your skills are not bad at all."

In his heart, the third son. No matter how good your craftsmanship is, no matter how delicious the food you make, it can't compare to my wife's simple egg fried rice.

Enough said.

Those who go to the fields, those who work, those who work.

We agreed to have dinner together at the old house.

Go to Chen Yuchun's house and call out to Zhang Zhiwei who is about to go to the ground. On the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, he would go to town with his father, and he had to arrange some things at home in advance.

The child stayed at Chen's house and had to come over for dinner in the evening.

Halfway there, seeing no one around, Zhang Zhiwei finally couldn't help but said, "What's wrong with you these days?"

"What?" Chen Yuchun pretended to be confused, with a smile on his face and a soft look.

Zhang Zhiwei felt extremely awkward and didn't know how to say it. He was not very sharp-tongued: "You, you weren't like this before."

"What's going on? What happened to you today?" Chen Yuchun asked him, "What do you want to say? You said it directly, but I couldn't understand what you were saying. Do you blame me for being disrespectful to you in the Chen family? "

Yes, and no." Zhang Zhiwei nodded, then shook his head. He was so confused that he couldn't figure it out. He couldn't explain it clearly. He only felt more and more depressed and anxious.

Chen Yuchun patiently explained with sincerity: "You think scolding you makes me feel better? It's because you really didn't listen to what you said. Brother Ping kindly gave us a hand, what do you think? It's good to get it, but you don't think about it. What's the point of talking about two children? Don't think that if you don't tell them, no one will understand your thoughts. You are not a fool. You just want to get more profits and think that Brother Ping wants to open another shop. , I was so busy that I thought of us. I said it was to help him, but in fact we solved his problem. I thought that the Chen family has always been distressed about their two children. I went to the town to do business, and I made money, but I couldn't take care of the children. , after all, in your heart, you never felt that Brother Ping was thinking about us, but you vaguely felt that we were helping Brother Ping, right?"

Zhang Zhiwei felt embarrassed when his thoughts were exposed, and he thought He had no way to defend himself, so he lowered his head in frustration, with no thoughts at all, like a deflated rubber ball.

"If I hadn't scolded you at that time, how do you think my father and father would have treated us? What would my younger brothers have thought of us? Do you understand? No matter how much my family misses me, they don't know how to be satisfied or grateful. , No matter how deep the relationship is, it has to be polished off." Chen Yuchun realized that this husband, who seemed honest and honest on the surface, was actually a fool, selfish and only thinking about himself. He was absolutely right.

Zhang Zhiwei was silent and didn't speak, his head was drooping and he looked like a coward.

Chen Yuchun got angry just looking at it. He suppressed the anger boiling inside him and asked in a controlled tone: "Are you still angry with me? Do you think I shouldn't scold you like this?" "

No."

"What does no mean?"

Zhang Zhiwei looked at Brother Chun cautiously and said, "I said something wrong."

"As long as you know it in your heart." Chen Yuchun sighed quietly.

When he arrived at home, Chen Yuchun first tidied up the trivial chores at home, and Zhang Zhiwei, who felt guilty, followed him with a wink.

After using only half a stick of incense, I was busy with all the trivial matters.

"Sit down, let's talk." Chen Yuchun made two bowls of tea and brought the bowl to her husband.

Zhang Zhiwei, who had helped Brother Chun do some work, felt a lot more relaxed now: "What did you say?"

"My father and I are going to the town. We will go there early in the morning and not return until evening. The children can be left alone. " The Chen family is helping to take care of the chores at home. What about the chickens and ducks? I'll prepare breakfast and I'll be back as soon as possible for dinner. What will you do with your lunch? It doesn't matter which way it is, whether you send it to you in the morning and pick it up in the evening, or leave it to the Chen family. We may not accept the money, so we have to start with food and clothing. "

"You and I are always at home. Just go to work in the fields, reach out to eat and put down the bowl. You won't move if I don't call you. If I can really guard the shop in the town with my father, I won't have time to serve you so carefully. You have to do everything by yourself. Do it."

Zhang Zhiwei's expression turned ugly every time Brother Chun said something. At the end of the sentence, his brows were so tight that he could kill a mosquito.

Chen Yuchun seemed not to have seen it and continued talking: "Brother Ping's shop on South Street is more prosperous than the stall at home. How much money it can earn, I'm afraid we can't guess even if we dare to guess. This is indeed a rare opportunity. If you make a mistake this time, you will have to tell me next time."

"Go and ask carefully how the profits will be divided." Zhang Zhiwei interrupted Brother Chun: "Let's ask clearly first. In fact, we will do it today. It's time to make it clear. The two brothers only get 20% of the profit. I think it's not easy for us to say more."

Chen Yuchun snorted in his heart, but didn't show it on his face: "20% of the profit is not enough. How much does it cost? My second brother took over the business of selling the stall in his own yard. But Brother Ping bought the shop on South Street in the town, so you have to enjoy it if you get 20% of the profit."

"But, But our family is different." Zhang Zhiwei was anxious.

"What's the difference? If the second brother and his wife are careless, we can't explain it. I am the brother who is married, and I have separated from the family and lived alone. Even the house I built is close to the Zhang family. It stands to reason. He said, we are too busy, it is your father and mother who should help take care of the two children, but now we have to release the children, one or two, I feel so ashamed!"

Zhang Zhiwei didn't know how to refute Brother Chun. In desperation, he made a clever move: "Otherwise, let's switch with the second brother's house and let the second sister-in-law and father go to the shop in town, and we can take over the small stall." Come here and put it at home."

"Bah!" Chen Yuchun couldn't bear it, and his anger was like a volcano: "If you have the nerve

, go ahead and tell him . When there is a little bit of expectation, I will often make myself half angry to death.

Zhang Zhiwei wiped his face, looked embarrassed, smiled and said nothing.

"I don't think there's any need to discuss it. Things at home are yours to take care of, and things in the fields are also yours to take care of. If you don't want to prepare lunch yourself, just go to the old house to eat it. Don't think about going to the Chen family with a shameless face."

"I, where am I? I'm so busy." Zhang Zhiwei was dumbfounded.

Chen Yuchun curled his lips and said coldly: "This is your business. You don't have to go anywhere these two days. First, follow me to familiarize yourself with the trivial matters at home. Don't worry, our family doesn't have too many things. Otherwise, I wouldn't have time. I work in the fields with you. I used to have to carry a child, but you were better than me. Now my family is helping to take care of the child. By the way, I have to go to the old house from time to time to help. Do you want to go over there? It's your own business to help."

After saying that, he stood up and walked out of the house. He was really worried that he couldn't control his temper and hit and scolded him. This was not good. What was reasonable would become irrational. .

Zhang Zhiwei, who was sitting at the table, couldn't come to his senses for a while. It was clearly still daytime and the sun was shining outside, but his eyes were completely dark.

He doesn't know now that his life will be dark in the future.

Chapter 49

It had been sunny for two days, and then it started to drizzle again.

Old man Chen woke up early in the morning, stood at the door, looked at the foggy sky, and smiled happily: "Honey, it's raining."

In the eyes of farmers, spring rain is as precious as oil, which is a good thing.

"It's a bit cold today." Father Chen folded his thin jacket and said, "You go to the stove to light a fire and boil water. I'll take a look at Brother Ping and his son."

"Okay."

He only took two steps . , and saw Cui Yuanjiu coming out of the house.

"Second uncle."

"I just woke up. I won't sleep for a while." Father Chen's eyes were gentle.

Cui Yuanjiu smiled: "I slept well yesterday."

Father Chen slowly pushed open the door of his third son's room, walked to the bedside quietly, looked into the bed, and was stunned for a moment.

Where is Brother Cao?

Taking a closer look, the quilt was slightly raised, and Father Chen smiled, with a warm and kind look at the corners of his eyebrows and eyes.

He bent over and reached out to lift the corner of the quilt on the bed. He saw the quilt moving gently, and the little man hiding inside was crawling to the end of the bed using his hands and feet.

What a naughty boy! Father Chen thought to himself and was happy to tease him for a while. Instead of lifting the quilt, he pressed the quilt with his hand and chased after Brother Cao'er.

The father and son played quietly and happily.

Finally, Brother Cao got out of the quilt at the end of the bed, his fair little face flushed, he twisted his little head and grinned brightly at Grandpa.

But Chen Yuping was still sleeping soundly, soundly and without being disturbed at all.

Father Chen carefully took Brother Cao out of the bed, rubbed his tender face, helped him get dressed neatly, and tucked his third son into bed.

The father and son left the house gently and deftly.

Brother Cao'er was still laughing, and he was smiling happily. His big round eyes were twinkling, and he looked so cute.

"Come, Brother Cao, give me a hug from my fourth uncle. What are you enjoying so early in the morning? You are smiling so well." Chen Yuanqiu yawned and went out of the house. He saw his father holding Brother Cao and looked at Brother Cao's bright smile. I felt so happy in my heart that I couldn't help but want to hug him.

"I don't know what he enjoys. He also knows not to laugh out loud for fear of disturbing brother Ping."

"Our dearest child is so sensible!" Chen Yuanqiu hugged him and raised him high, laughing.

The scallions in the vegetable garden were very fresh. Father Chen thought about it and said, "I haven't eaten scallion pancakes for a long time. How about baking some scallion pancakes for breakfast today?"

"Cook some porridge to go with it."

"No oil or salt. Brother Cao can also drink some white porridge."

"I cook it slowly in a clay pot. It will be soft and sweet."

"Second uncle, are you going to buy pork from the third uncle's house?" Cui Yuanjiu thought of this and asked.

"Brother Ping went and said yesterday that he should have kept the meat."

"I'll get the meat back."

Old man Chen took A Niu out to eat fresh grass. Chen Yuanqiu thought about it, and he was eager to try it. Said: "Father, put Brother Cao on A Niu's back and take him out to play for a while?"

"Moo~" Brother Cao, who often interacts with A Niu, has learned how to moo and make a milky sound. A Niu mooed.

A Niu looked at the little milk baby, snorted, wagged his tail, and let out a long, low moo.

Brother Cao'er clapped his hands and chuckled.

"Take it with you." Seeing his little grandson so happy, old man Chen thought that Aniu had a good temper, and with him and the youngest by his side, nothing would happen.

"Come on, Brother Cao, my fourth uncle will take you to have fun with Sitting Bull."

Brother Cao said as if it was fun: "Moo~" "Moo——" Chen Yuping kept making

long cow moos .

Amid the cow moo, he opened his eyes drowsily.

He shook his head. Why did he seem to have dreamed that Brother Cao had turned into a cow? Mooing nonstop?

I swept my hand to the side, it was empty! Where are the people!

My mind suddenly became clear, and I saw that Brother Cao's clothes were gone on the bedside. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was probably that my father had taken him out.

A sudden surprise made him completely sleepless. He glanced outside the house. The sky was not very bright and there was a vague sound of rain. It must be raining.

"Dad, where is Brother Cao?"

"Your father and youngest are taking us out to herd the cows." Father Chen shook his head, dumbfounded: "It's still raining, and I don't want Brother Cao to go out. As a result, this The child is still not happy, and he doesn't want to get off the cow's back.

"Ahui and Ahei are also going out?" Chen Yuping is really not used to seeing two puppies circling around his feet.

"Follow me out."

The father and son were chattering, and Cui Yuanjiu entered the house carrying meat and ribs: "You're awake. Are you going to make braised meat after breakfast?"

"What do you think, Dad?"

" I have no problem."

Cui Yuanjiu squatted with the meat, cleaned it, cut it into large pieces, put it in a pot, and put it on the stove.

The scallion pancake is really fragrant, crispy and the more you eat it, the better it gets.

Put some fermented bean curd in the white porridge, suck it down in two mouthfuls, it's so refreshing! Good luck!

Chen Yuping fed Brother Cao some white porridge, taking small sips. Brother Cao ate it in small sips, staring curiously at the fourth uncle opposite him with his big round eyes.

Chen Yuanqiu held the bowl, slurping the white porridge in big mouthfuls, drinking two shallow bowls in one breath, holding his bulging belly with a satisfied smile.

"Dad, eh ah ah." Brother Cao's white and tender little hand pointed at the fourth uncle opposite, not knowing what he was talking about.

"You are still young, so you have to eat in small bites."

"Dad." He stretched out his little fat hand to get the spoon.

Chen Yuping opened the bowl and said, "I'm so impatient. Wait until next month. Next month, I'll let you eat with your own bowl and spoon."

"Shall I feed you?" Cui Yuanjiu came to Brother Cao'er when he was full.

"Okay, I'll feed you."

The lively Brother Cao obviously became much better behaved when he was in Cui Yuanjiu's arms.

Cui Yuanjiu was very depressed: "I'm not crazy about you, why are you so afraid of me?"

"You are so powerful." Chen Yuping took a bite of the scallion pancake and joked with a smile.

Father Chen said: "I'm not afraid of you. If this child doesn't like you, I won't let you hold it."

"Our family's darling is a little spirit. He knows which one is the worst to mess with." Chen Yuanqiu looked at Brother Cao. He winked and had a strange look on his face.

Successfully attracted Brother Cao'er's attention, and then, the child laughed so happily, clapped his two chubby hands, and then choked on the porridge.

Finally...Chen Yuanqiu was scolded by the whole family.

An unlucky child.

It's raining today, and the breeze is blowing coldly.

Not long after setting up the braised pot, the cold breeze gently carried the rich scent of braised braised food to the whole village.

Soon, a village neighbor came over with a paper umbrella and said, "We are opening for business today? Is it braised pork intestines? Or is it braised pork buns?"

"Braised pork, no steamed buns. We will open for business tomorrow, so let's do it today." "Chen Yuping came out of the stove room and spoke kindly.

"There are no braised pig intestines? Where are the braised pig trotters? How can I buy braised pork?"

"None of them, only braised pork. If you want braised pork, you don't need money today. If you want to eat it, you can just bring a bowl and serve it. It doesn't have to be braised much. It's first come, first served. It hasn't been cooked yet. It will take another half an hour before the heat is enough."

The village neighbor's eyes widened, he was very surprised and a little unbelievable: "You really don't need money?

" It's free, it's just one pot, the portion is small, and it's gone after you divide it."

"Okay, okay, I know." The village neighbor ran out happily, almost forgetting the oil paper umbrella.

Just as one person was sent away, another person arrived in a blink of an eye.

After a short while, Chen Yuping greeted several people.

At this time, the village neighbor who came first came again, holding a bowl in his hand, followed by nearly ten people. He greeted Chen Yuping with a smile on his face, asked when the braised pork would be ready, and gave him all kinds of compliments and kind words. As if he didn't want any money, he poured it out in buckets.

The braised pork is about to be cooked, and there is already a queue like a long queue standing on the eaves.

Free braised pork!

If you miss this village, you will never find this store again!

Regardless of whether they were working or not, as long as they got the news, they all took bowls and ran to the Chen family. If you have to spend money to buy food for the Chen family, you may not be able to buy it if you are late, let alone it is free. Braised pork, one or two, should not be treated like chicken blood.

"Take a piece for each person and taste it to see if there is more. Just one pot. Let's go with it today. The stall will officially open for business tomorrow, and the shops in the town will also open at the same time." Chen Yuping spoke in a loud voice: "It's still the same. , Braised pork trotters, braised pork intestines, braised pork buns, five-spice tea eggs, fermented bean curd, shrimp paste. At the beginning of the new year, we will open the business tomorrow, buy three and get one free, please spread the word to all fellow villagers. "

" No problem!"

"Brother Ping, don't worry. I won't do anything today. I'll just visit the surrounding villages to talk."

"Yes, I can't eat the braised pork you made for free."

"Hahahahaha."

The fragrant braised pork is portioned out piece by piece.

The pot of braised pork quickly reached the bottom.

Those who didn't get a share were not disappointed. They asked for food from acquaintances with a shy face. When they opened their mouths, they could not refuse. For a time, the Chen family was very lively, and the atmosphere was particularly joyful and warm.

It seems that it will be noon before the Chen family is completely restored to purity.

Chen Yuping started to prepare lunch and asked his father to rest first. Today's braised pork, he only gave verbal instructions, and his father was doing all the work.

As for the taste, there is definitely a slight difference, but it is also quite delicious and fragrant.

"I said it's very easy."

"It's really not that complicated." Father Chen smiled. He was a little nervous at first because he was afraid of spoiling the old stew that his third son had saved so hard. Fortunately, today's stew was delicious. It was a success, and he breathed a sigh of relief, leaning against the wall lazily, with a smile on his eyebrows and eyes.

"The store can't sell it in a short period of time, so I'll help my father. Within half a month, my father will be able to make perfect with practice."

After this experience, Father Chen also gained some confidence: "When I learn it thoroughly, I can hold on." If you live in a decent place, you don't have to worry about the shops on South Street and the stalls at home. You can go ahead and do whatever you want to do."

"It still depends on whether you can find a shop that suits your needs."

"I'll open my business tomorrow. I'll tell my folks and neighbors about it and ask my helpers to take care of it."

Chen Yuping nodded: "Take your time. Brother Cao is still young. I'll spend more time with him."

"This kid I am most attached to you. You are at home every day and you are too busy to take care of him. He may cry. "

It will be arranged.

Buy three and get one free. It will be opened at the beginning of the new year. It will be a hot scene."

On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, the entire Chen family was very busy. Ershanzi Shuba traveled all over the country to collect pig intestines. Brothers Chen Yuanqiu and Chen Yuandong went into the mountains to chop bamboo, dragged it back and cut it into bamboo sticks. Old man Chen thought, it would be better to just buy a pig and kill it to buy pork. It is not hot now, so it can be used up in two days.

Cui Yuanjiu followed Old Man Chen to buy pigs. The Chinese New Year had just passed and there were no strong adult pigs in the village or around it, so he had to go to the west of the town to buy them.

He said he was buying a pig, but when he came back, he had three pigs to drive.

Three pigs, cheaper price. There is a pigsty at home, and the two extra pigs will be raised first, which will only take a few days and not much time is wasted.

Chapter 50

The ninth day of the lunar month.

The rooster crowed, it was early spring, and it was still hard to see outside the house.

The air is cold only when it is wrapped in winter.

Old man Chen quickly got up from the bed, threw on a thin jacket, and lit an oil lamp in the dark: "Don't get up first, I will give you some clothes." "

It's not that cold."

"You coughed last night "I heard you clearly." Old man Chen put on his clothes quickly and put his wife's clothes on the bed. "You're getting older, and if you're not as young as you were, you should take care of yourself. I'll light the fire, and you'll come back later."

Father Chen said helplessly, "Okay." There was a deep smile in his eyes.

"Oil lamp."

"Leave it to you, I walked along the wall, and I can still fall after decades." Old man Chen muttered, left the room, and closed the door again.

When he came to the stove house, he lit the fire in the fire pit, and then lit the stove fire.

Ah Hui and Ah Hei, who were sleeping next to the fire pit, raised their heads and glanced when they heard the noise, then huddled together again and continued to sleep soundly.

"Creak."

A very subtle sound, especially in a quiet environment, is particularly noticeable.

Old man Chen thought it was his wife and said without raising his head: "Come here quickly and warm yourself up in the oven. The wind is a bit strong today."

"Second uncle."

"It's Yuan Jiu." Old man Chen smiled: " You got up so early."

Cui Yuanjiu sat by the firepit: "Second uncle got up earlier

too." Father Chen opened the door and walked in: "The wind was a bit strong, and it seemed to be raining. Where is the rain? "It's too dark to see clearly.

"It seems like a drizzle is falling."

With hot water, rinse your mouth and face.

Not long after, Chen Yuping and Chen Yuanqiu also got up.

The oil lamp could only cover an inch of the ground in front of him, and coupled with the light from the burning firewood in the fire pit, the stove room was still very dim.

Everyone was busy going back and forth, talking softly.

The drizzle fell outside the house, dripping down along the eaves, one after another, which was a bit crisp.

"You are all awake." Liu Guixiang whispered.

Chen Yuandong placed Qiao Niuer, who was tightly wrapped in his arms, on the bamboo couch and covered her with the quilt carefully.

"It's better to sleep on the bed with Brother Cao. The smell in the kitchen is strong and she won't be able to sleep well if it's smoked." Father Chen felt a little distressed and said to his second daughter-in-law, "It doesn't matter if you don't come over. We have enough people at home. It's still raining, so trouble."

Liu Guixiang smiled and said, "I'm awake, I can't sleep."

Qiao Niu'er was sent to Chen Yuping's room to sleep on the same bed as Brother Cao.

The two little babies were sleeping soundly.

Everyone and even food were ready, and old man Chen went to hitch the ox cart.

At this time, Chen Yuchun pushed the door open and walked in, bringing in a gust of cold wind, and the rich aroma of braised aroma from all over the room rushed out.

"Are you done?" He was surprised, thinking he had come early enough.

Behind him is Zhang Zhiwei, holding the sleeping An Geer in his arms.

"Didn't I agree to pick you up in front of my house?" Father Chen looked at Da Zhuang, who was still looking sleepy, and touched his face and hands: "It's really cold, come over and have some fun. Put Brother An on the bed "It doesn't matter if you share the same bed with Qiao Niuer and Brother Cao, right?"

Chen Yuping said. "Brother came with me, and happened to see the two children."

"Da Zhuang can sleep on the bamboo couch for a while. There are three children sleeping on brother Ping's bed. If Da Zhuang goes to sleep again, it will be a little crowded."

"Sleep . The bamboo couch is nice, the bedding is thick, and the fire is burning to keep him warm." Chen Yuchun took off his eldest son's clothes and asked him to get on the bamboo couch.

Old man Chen reminded: "It's time to set off."

At this time, there was faint light outside the house, and the drizzle of rain could be vaguely seen.

Considering opening early in the new year, there is a buy three get one free offer.

Business in the store should be very good.

Therefore, in addition to Father Chen and Chen Yuchun, father and son Chen, Old Man Chen and Chen Yuanqiu, father and son, also went to help, so as not to make mistakes in a hurry.

After sending the four of them away, the kitchen room became much more spacious.

Nothing will happen now, Liu Guixiang couldn't help but yawned.

"It's still a little while before dawn. Second sister-in-law is going to take a nap."

"It's okay to go and take a nap. We have to guard the stall today, so we can't get distracted."

Chen Yuandong and his wife returned home, while Qiao Niuer still stayed with the third brother . In the room, the child slept soundly and did not move.

"Brother, do you want to take a nap?" Chen Yuping asked Zhang Zhiwei who was nestled in the corner.

Zhang Zhiwei shook his head: "It's nothing, I'll go back." After a pause, he added: "There are still a lot of chores to take care of at home."

"The eldest brother went to the town with his father to take care of the people in the shop. The elder brother has to work hard to take care of the family and the farm work. When the cattle are needed, the elder brother comes over and says.

"Yes." Zhang Zhiwei nodded, got up and walked out.

Cui Yuanjiu watched him leave the stove, and after a while, he looked back and smiled at Chen Yuping: "He has to endure it slowly for a while. If he endures it and adapts to it, it becomes a habit, so that he doesn't feel uncomfortable." "It's hard and tiring."

"When they were separated from the Zhang family, the eldest brother and his wife didn't get much land, just one acre of fertile land. Later, the two acres of mountainous land were reclaimed, and A Niu was asked to help plow the land. The trivial work at home is not much, and it only takes a few steps once you are good at it. As long as he can bear it without exerting his energy in the old house, life is really not difficult." Chen Yuping thought for a while, and then said: "If If he behaves well, even if I don't say anything, my father and father will also mention that he comes to the Chen family for lunch. After all, he is the eldest son-in-law of the Chen family. He can't go too far, and he has to take into account the two children. Face."

"Your elder brother will not agree." Cui Yuanjiu could tell: "After being awakened by you, your elder brother was very enlightened."

Chen Yuping laughed at him: "You guessed wrong this time, and my elder brother will take care of it. If I don't think of it, I will remind him. With two children here, it is obviously impossible to reconcile, unless Zhang Zhiwei makes a big mistake, but this person doesn't dare to make a big mistake. He doesn't have the courage. "To be honest, you can't live in love with your elder brother. Once you've been trained, you can feel comfortable and relaxed."

"What about me?" Cui Yuanjiu asked him with a smile. With every trace of affection.

"You..." Chen Yuping looked up and down, and the last sound seemed to be in his mouth, turning seven or eight curves on the tip of his tongue: "You can also teach me."

There was no one else in the room on the left and right, Cui Yuanjiu moved the small The stool crowded around him, and he smiled too brightly: "How do you want to train me? Come on." The look on his face showed a wanton attitude of letting you tease him, and he was quite eager to try.

Chen Yuping couldn't help laughing, pinched his face and pulled it twice: "What are you thinking about?" He couldn't wait.

"I want to see how you can teach me how to adjust 1."

"I think you have a lot of things in your mind."

Cui Yuanjiu smiled: "Does it count if I want to kiss your face and forehead? Does it count if I want to hold hands with you? I also want to... kiss you."

"It's so honest."

"You, do you want to?" Cui Yuanjiu said softly. ask.

Chen Yuping clearly saw the tension deep in his eyes. The young man's eyes were bright and a bit pure, and his heart suddenly felt a little warm: "I want to." He said calmly, leaning forward and giving a gentle kiss like a dragonfly touching water.

Cui Yuanjiu stared at him blankly, stunned for a while, and then slowly reached out and touched his forehead, as if the touch was still there, his heart trembled slightly, and there was an indescribable itching all over his body.

"Are you stupid?" Chen Yuping waved his hand in front of him. He was a little nervous at first, but when he saw the boy was dumbfounded, he relaxed instantly and was in a teasing mood.

The confused Cui Yuanjiu actually nodded!

Chen Yuping was amused by his reaction and burst into laughter, feeling extremely happy and joyful.

"Can I kiss you?"

"You want to kiss me?"

Cui Yuanjiu hummed, "Kiss your forehead."

"Okay." Chen Yuping was in a very good mood and agreed happily.

Cui Yuanjiu looked at him with burning eyes, like the scorching sun on a hot summer day, which could directly burn his skin. He slowly approached, and gently, gently placed a kiss on Chen Yuping's eyebrows. He stayed for a while, and then reluctantly left: "Brother Ping, I love you." His deep voice contained a hint of sultry. of piety.

This sudden confession made Chen Yuping dumbfounded. He heard his own heartbeat, pounding.

Da Zhuang needed to pee. He rubbed his eyes and woke up in a daze. He got off the bamboo couch and realized that this was not his home. He was stunned. He glanced at the stove room. When he saw his familiar uncle, he subconsciously Came over: "Uncle."

"Dazhuang is awake." Chen Yuping quickly picked up clothes and put them on him.

"I want to pee."

"Let's go, I'll take you there."

Cui Yuanjiu stood up and said, "I'd better take him there, and you go see the three children."

Chen Yuping then realized that it was already getting bright before he knew it.

Walking out of the kitchen house, you can smell the faint aroma of food in your breath, and you can vaguely hear the children playing nearby, and you can also hear someone calling the family home for dinner.

The rain has stopped, but rainwater is still dripping from the eaves, tick-tick-tick.

Pushing the door and entering the room, Chen Yuping raised his eyes and saw three little babies. Two of them had already woken up. Maybe they had just woken up. Their little faces were still red and they looked a little confused. They were lying on the bed obediently. The body was covered tightly.

"Dad."

"Uncle."

The little baby climbed out of the warm quilt excitedly, giggling and crawled to the bed.

Chen Yuping was so frightened that he rushed to the bed in three steps and two steps, and stuffed the people into the bed one by one with one hand: "You can't get out of the bed until you are fully clothed. Come one by one, be good." He touched the tops of their hair one by one. , kissed his forehead again: "Brother Cao, lie down obediently. I'll dress Qiao Niuer first."

"Daddy." Brother Cao smiled sweetly, maybe he understood, and he really lied down obediently. Under the covers.

After dressing the two children, Chen Yuping asked them to stay in bed for a while. He came to the door of the house and shouted towards the kitchen: "Yuanjiu, come and hold the children." "

Are you all awake?" The speaker happened to be Liu Guixiang. Come out from the next yard.

"Brother An is not awake."

He said he was not awake, but when he entered the room again, Brother An was awake, a little dazed, and looking cute.

"Brother An is also awake." Chen Yuping smiled and helped him get dressed.

Cui Yuanjiu came over, and the three adults each held a child and carried the child to the kitchen house.