Li Jinhua poured a few cups of brown sugar water that had been prepared long ago, and then gave Shen Man a cup, "Drink some water to go away the cold, and we will eat soon."
You can't eat right after entering the house, warm yourself first.
"Thank you, Auntie." Shen Man took it and took a sip. It was sweet and warm.
"Why are you thanking me? You kid is so polite." Li Jinhua smiled and went to pass water to others.
After drinking the hot water, everyone felt relieved.
Li Jinhua set the table and brought out the meals that had been prepared long ago.
The rice is made of rice and millet. It is very delicious.
I also stewed half a river fish and a chicken, stewed big bones with sauerkraut, and fried three vegetables.
"What are you doing with so many dishes?" Wang Chunying helped carry the bowls and chopsticks and said, "They are all family members, and you are so polite. You are not allowed to eat ten dishes during the Chinese New Year after cooking so many dishes?"
"That's for sure!" Li Jinhua nodded and replied, "I really plan to cook ten dishes for the Chinese New Year this year. We have a big family, and we have to cook ten dishes in large portions, otherwise it won't be enough to eat."
With more people, there is naturally more food. This year she bought a lot of meat and vegetables, and she bought half a pig directly when the team was slaughtering pigs.
However, I did feel distressed when spending money, but it was okay when I thought about the bustle and bustle at home. After the New Year, Gu Chen would get married, and people with good connections in the village would come over for dinner.
Wang Chunying was very happy to see her eldest sister being so enthusiastic.
Li Jinyuan has helped the Gu family a lot over the years. Although she understands, she also needs their approval.
Warm hospitality like this and paying attention to them are the best recognition.
Everyone was tired after being on the road for several days, and finally got some rest. We took the time to finish our meal and get ready to go to bed.
Li Jinhua took Gu Chen to the front house, followed by Gu Nan and Li Wenting.
"You two live in a small house, and I put the quilt in it. You two live in a big house, and the quilt and everything are all newly made."
While making arrangements, she told Gu Nan and the two of them: "Go to bed early, don't talk too late."
After Li Jinhua left, Shen Man followed Gu Chen into the house. The big house was the same size as an ordinary bedroom. There were windows on both sides, sealed with plastic sheets. Looking at the slow frost on the plastic sheets, one could imagine the temperature inside and outside the house. What a contrast.
"Daughter-in-law, I'm going to get you water to wash your feet. You must be exhausted from the past two days." Gu Chen said as he put the cotton coat next to him, and then went out.
Shen Man sat by the kang and waited with peace of mind. To be honest, she wanted to take a bath to relieve her fatigue.
But the current conditions do not allow it. There is no bathhouse in the village, but there is one in the commune, which is too far away.
After a while, Gu Chen came over with water, put it on the ground and took off Shen Man's shoes.
"No, no, I'll do it myself." Shen Man pushed him away, but was rejected.
"Be obedient, I'll wash it for you." Gu Chen said and continued to take off his shoes.
Putting his feet into the hot water, Shen Man felt that his whole body was translucent.
It’s so hot and so refreshing!
Washing your feet with hot water is really good. It can promote blood circulation in a tired body. At least you won't be sore when you wake up tomorrow.
After she finished washing, Gu Chen directly used the water to wash, then quickly poured the water, and got into bed when she came back.
"Daughter-in-law, come here for a hug." Gu Chen leaned over from his bed, and the two of them covered themselves with a quilt.
"What are you doing? Go to bed quickly, I'm so sleepy." Shen Man was afraid that he would do something else, so he said he was sleepy.
Gu Chen had no other thoughts and just hugged his wife to sleep.
He was tired after traveling for two days in a row.
When I woke up the next morning, the house was still lively.
However, Shen Man also remembered that Gu Yuan, his wife and their children were not at home.
"Where is the eldest brother and his family?" she asked Li Jinhua while helping to cook.
Li Jinhua replied: "I'm going to your sister-in-law's house, and I'll be back tomorrow. It's not the New Year soon, and they won't go back after the New Year."
Hearing this, Shen Man nodded. It was too troublesome to go home at this time. He had to take all the mountain roads. It was snowing heavily now, so it was inconvenient to go anywhere.
"time to eat."
In the morning, Li Jinhua cooked big porridge, pickles and yesterday's leftovers.
Just after dinner, several people came outside. These people were all distant relatives of the Gu family. Their ancestral home was outside the mountains, so they had no relatives here.
Everyone came here just to see Li Jinyuan and Gu Chen. After all, Li Jinyuan has been doing well in the city over the years and has a serious job, which makes the people in the village particularly envious.
I don't feel jealous because I am a college graduate, which is not something ordinary people can do.
It's really easy to be a college student in rural areas, so it's normal for him to do so well.
Gu Chen helped to greet him, and these people looked at Shen Man.
The main reason is because Li Jinhua told them that the two children will get married after the Chinese New Year, so why don't they all come over to see it.
There was an endless stream of people from the Gu family all morning. Later, Shen Man was embarrassed and went to stay in the new house with Gu Nan and Li Wenting.
The Gu family didn't know when they built their house. The two rooms are not small.
But Gu Yuan's house is still a mud house, and now Shen Man and his friends are living in this house, probably because they plan to get married here.
Shen Man didn't dislike it, but he was wondering if Li Mei and his wife would have any objections to this matter when they returned to their parents' home.
But that shouldn't be the case. After Gu Chen left, his job was given to Gu Chen. The two of them earned a lot of salary every year. It only took a year or two to save the money to build a house.
"Second sister-in-law, have you bought new clothes?" Gu Nan looked at her clothes and then remembered that she was getting married soon and had to buy new clothes.
Shen Man said with a smile: "I bought it and ordered a set. Let's go to the commune to take a shower in two days. I feel very uncomfortable riding in the car these two days."
She didn't change clothes for two days, and she felt like she was almost stink.
Even after changing into clean clothes, I didn't feel comfortable.
"Okay." Gu Nan nodded in agreement.
The three of them sat in the room chatting, and the Gu family didn't leave until noon.
Nowadays, people don’t visit each other during meals to avoid embarrassment.
Food is so expensive these days, no one is too embarrassed to pay for it, and it is too embarrassing not to say hello to people coming to the house.
Eat it, and their family will miss a meal.
Finally, Li Jinhua made the dumplings. With the strength of the crowd, she made several dumplings in a short time.
"The pickled cabbage is delicious this year, and the dumplings are also delicious." Li Jinhua said while taking out the dumplings.
After everyone ate it, they all agreed.
It's really good, the sauerkraut is crunchy and refreshing.
Wang Chunying looked at the calendar and said, "The Chinese New Year is coming soon. Do you have a lot of things at home? Let's go to the commune tomorrow."
They came back with only some canned food, pastries, cookies, candies, etc. It was not convenient to bring anything else.
Why do we have to prepare meat for the Chinese New Year? Not to mention the wedding.
"No!" Li Jinhua waved her hand and refused: "I bought half a pig. The team is killing the New Year pig. It has grown a lot this year. Half of it weighs a hundred pounds."
This is a huge investment. There is no other way. My son is getting married, so why not buy more?