in2ebook Chapter 115: Village Chat
Chapter 115: Village Chat
Aunt Liu asked loudly, "Panpan, you're usually busy with business, so how come you have time to wander around the village today?"
Su Panpan smiled faintly and responded: "Just came out for a walk."
"I heard that your business is booming." Aunt Wang, who was eating melon seeds, came up to Su Panpan.
"Business is so good, but it's just okay. I can barely make ends meet and earn hard-earned money."
The women were very smart. They saw that she didn't want to talk more, so they changed the subject.
Aunt Liu said, "Panpan, if your business gets better in the future, you must ask us for help and find us a job."
Wang Ma smiled and said, "Yes, I also want to follow you to earn some money for the family."
"Zhang Erniu and Shen Ru must have made a lot of money with you. I saw Wang Hexiang and Lin Xiu'e drying their new quilts in the yard. Qin Youwen was seen wearing new clothes at home the day before yesterday. Why don't you take us with you? You eat the meat and we just drink the soup." Aunt Wang lowered her voice and spoke to Su Panpan.
As a result, everything was heard. Several women nearby surrounded Su Panpan tightly, looking at her with extremely eager and expectant eyes.
Su Panpan looked embarrassed and said with a smile: "My dear aunts and grandmas, I only have a small stall now, and the time is not ripe yet. If I can make a big business or open a shop in the future, I will definitely invite all the aunts and grandmas to help me."
"Okay, okay, okay." The woman dispersed and sat back in her original position to continue busying herself with needlework.
Su Panpan breathed a sigh of relief and was about to slip away.
At this time, the enthusiastic Wang Sao, who had been quiet just now, stopped her needlework and raised her head slightly.
Mrs. Wang has a kind face. Although there are a few shallow wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, her eyes are exceptionally bright.
Aunt Wang said, "Panpan, winter is coming soon, so you'd better think about what kind of food will sell well. You see, everyone likes to eat something hot in winter. Take that hot mutton soup, for example. Cut fresh mutton into small pieces, like the sheep that Master Zhao just slaughtered. The meat is so fresh. Put it in a big pot and simmer it slowly. Add diced radish and sprinkle some green onions. The aroma will waft from far away. When the soup is thick and the mutton is tender, serve it in a bowl, steaming hot. In winter, people will drink a bowl of it, which will warm their hearts from the stomach to the heart. It is sure to be popular. Besides, this mutton soup is nutritious and warms you up."
Sister Li next to her nodded quickly. Sister Li was plump and had two deep dimples on her face when she smiled.
She gently pinched the needle with one hand and gestured to the size of the buns with the other, saying, "Yes, Panpan, the mutton soup is indeed good. Otherwise, you can make some hot buns, such as those stuffed with cabbage and pork, or radish and mutton, with thin skins and large fillings. The cabbage should be juicy, like the ones from Aunt Liu's vegetable garden, and the pork should be fresh pork belly, chopped finely, and mixed with various seasonings. The radish and mutton stuffing is also delicious. Grate the radish into shreds, chop it together with the mutton, adjust the flavor, wrap it in the white and plump dough, steam it, and it will definitely attract many customers."
"By the way, there's a sheep market in town that sells sheep. It's at the other end of the market street. You can go there to get some mutton." Aunt Wang offered her insider information while cracking melon seeds.
"There are not only sheep, but also cows." Aunt Liu added.
"Also, the sweet sugar-roasted chestnuts are not bad either. Choose plump chestnuts, like the ones on Old Zhang's tree, which are big and plump. Stir-fry them in a large iron pan, add a little sugar and sand, and keep turning them until the chestnuts are shiny. Take a bite, they are soft, sticky and sweet, and both adults and children love them. These sugar-roasted chestnuts can be eaten as snacks, and can also fill your stomach when you are hungry." Aunt Liu continued to express her ideas.
Mrs. Wang continued, "That's right, Panpan, you should think about it carefully. If it really works out, we'll help you and we can also get some credit. We all hope to have a way to make money. Besides, everyone needs these warm foods in winter, so they will definitely sell well."
Su Panpan listened to the women talking one after another, her head turning like a rattle. She couldn't get a word in and could only nod.
The women's eyes were full of anticipation and their faces were filled with eagerness.
Some leaned forward slightly, as if full of anticipation for the future tasks; some nodded slightly, as if agreeing with the ideas of eating.
They didn't stop sewing.
While chatting, they would gesture when they got excited.
The women became more and more excited as they talked, and Aunt Wang also gestured with her hands, as if she had already seen the scene of booming business, her eyes full of longing.
Mrs. Li said excitedly, "Oh, it makes me happy just thinking about it. Panpan, you have to work harder."
They chattered and discussed, and the lively scene was as noisy as a market.
Although women often love to gossip and occasionally complain about other families, they are not bad people.
They just look for some fun and topics to talk about during these ordinary days. In this small village, everyone looks after each other and spends season after season together.
After chatting for a while, Su Panpan said she had to go home to work and left.
The women nodded and said goodbye to her with a smile.
Su Panpan turned around and walked back home along the road.
At this time, the cold wind was blowing gently, and a few golden leaves were slowly falling, and the roadside was covered with golden fallen leaves.
In the fields not far away, a faint golden glow was radiating from the sunlight.
After returning home, Su Panpan sat in the yard, quietly thinking about the women's suggestions.
The weather is indeed cold, so it might be a good idea to make some hot food.
She began to think about the ingredients and tools she needed to prepare, and gradually formed some plans in her mind.
After Su Panpan left, the women continued chatting for a while and then went home to do their own work.
This time of year is the happiest moment in the village.
The children had all kinds of wild fruits, wild dates, wild kiwis, walnuts, hawthorns, fried peanuts, fried beans, roasted sweet potatoes, pickled radishes, and all kinds of pastries made at home with these.
The family, who had to live a tight life, now had thin stomachs but could eat their fill to their heart's content. Occasionally, they could even satisfy their cravings with the meat they bought from selling grain.
Women don't have to worry about too much work in the fields, and they often get together to eat melon seeds and peanuts, bask in the sun, and chat about gossip.
The men would make plans to go hunting in the mountains together, and occasionally get together to drink and play chess.
The curls of smoke rising from the village contrast with the gorgeous sunset in the sky, creating a peaceful and beautiful scene.
Gradually, every household began to light candles.
The stars are dotted, as if the twinkling stars in the night sky have fallen to the earth.
The faint candlelight shines through the window paper into the yard. Children are laughing and playing, while adults are sitting together having dinner and talking about the trivialities of the day.
The occasional barking of dogs in the distance further accentuates the tranquility of the village.
The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on the earth and illuminating Huaxi Village.