Chapter 103 It smells so good!

She had originally planned to let He Daqing go back to her hometown to visit after the Japanese left, but after hearing what Wang Qiuping said, she hesitated again.

"That's not entirely true. The Japanese were very strict back then, but they're confiscating much more now," Wang Qiuping said with a hint of indignation.

"Is it the same in your hometown?" Chen Shuxiang continued to ask.

"My hometown is... well, it's about the same." Wang Qiuping almost let slip that she was from Shaanxi, so it was naturally a bit different.

Chen Shuxiang sensed that there was something evasive in his words, but she didn't press him further. Everyone has secrets, after all.

He Yuzhu chuckled secretly behind her, while He Yushui, nestled in Wang Qiuping's arms, saw her brother laughing and joined in the laughter.

Wang Qiuping looked at He Yushui in her arms, then glanced back at He Yuzhu. She felt that the boy's smile was a bit sly, as if he was laughing at her, but she had no proof.

Chen Shuxiang also noticed her son's unusual behavior and glared at He Yuzhu fiercely.

He Yuzhu put away his smile and said, "Mom, I'm going to go play with Da Mao."

After saying that, he ran out, and Chen Shuxiang called out to his retreating figure:

"Come back early and cook dinner; your Aunt Wang is eating at our house today!"

"Okay, Mom!" He Yuzhu's voice came from outside.

He Yushui couldn't see her brother anymore, so she cried out twice, but stopped crying immediately when Chen Shuxiang picked her up.

"Sister-in-law He, how can this be? There's no reason for us to eat at your house right away. These days, no one is well-off," Wang Qiuping said, feeling quite embarrassed.

"Alright, your brother He is a cook. Our family doesn't need your meal. Will eating one meal bankrupt us? Listen to me, we get along well, but I wouldn't keep anyone else here!" Chen Shuxiang said readily.

"I'll cook in a bit!" Wang Qiuping quickly said.

"Just relax and wait to eat. Don't underestimate Zhu Zi just because he's young; his cooking skills are quite good," Chen Shuxiang said with a smile.

"Oh? Zhu Zi has been learning to cook from Brother He since he was so young?" Wang Qiuping asked in surprise.

"He only practiced the basics with his father; the rest he figured out on his own," Chen Shuxiang said with a hint of pride.

Before long, He Yuzhu returned, followed by his little tagalong, Xu Damao.

After returning, He Yuzhu went into the kitchen to knead dough, while Xu Damao was ordered by him to wash vegetables.

After kneading the dough, He Yuzhu went to the cellar in the backyard and took out a piece of mutton.

The cellar in the middle courtyard was shared with the Yi family. It was mostly filled with cabbages and radishes. Fresh meat could not be stored in the inner room of the house, so it had to be stored in the cellar outside.

Then he went to the old lady's place and invited her to the middle courtyard.

"Zhu Zi, what are we having for dinner today? Is that mutton you're holding?" the old lady asked, looking at the meat in He Yuzhu's hand.

"Madam, we're having mutton noodles today," He Yuzhu replied.

"What kind of noodles? Madam, I've never heard of them before?" the old lady asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Just think of it as mutton noodles with broth," He Yuzhu explained.

"Huh? You can make braised noodles with soup?" The old lady was even more puzzled.

"Hehe!" He Yuzhu just laughed and didn't explain any further.

"You little rascal, you dare to try to outsmart me and be clever?"

"Once it's ready, you'll know what I mean when you take a bite."

After helping the old lady into the inner room to sit down and chat, He Yuzhu took out the frozen mutton and thawed it with water.

After carefully chopping all the side dishes, I started rolling out the dough.

As soon as the mutton sauce is stir-fried in the wok, its rich and mellow aroma wafts out.

Zhao Yecui, who lived in the backyard, didn't wait for Xu Damao to bring her food; she moved over on her own initiative.

The adults and children in the front yard peeked through the moon gate several times.

The mother and son, Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu, simply stood by the moon gate and refused to move.

"Dongxu, this fragrance must be coming from the He family's place, right?"

"This aroma is so wonderful, who else but theirs can make it like this?"

"Isn't He Daqing not at home?"

"This was done by He Yuzhu!"

Jia Dongxu spoke with a sullen expression.

"This kid's skills..."

How come it's gotten so good now?

It smells like mutton.

He Daqing, the cook,

They always seem to manage to bring back some good stuff.

"mother,

Let's go home and cook some meat.

I'm so craving it, I can't resist!

"Then let's go back and make some."

While slurping her saliva, Jia Zhangshi responded repeatedly.

Neither the mother nor the daughter dared to provoke the He family anymore.

The previous times I went to their door to try and get a bargain, I ended up losing out big time.

Those lessons had been etched into their minds, and they dared not act recklessly again.

Now Jia Laonian's wages have increased considerably.

Now we can have a few meat dishes at home every month to satisfy our cravings.

The new families who moved into the front yard,

I heard that the factory has already found them another place to stay.

But none of them were really willing to move.

Elsewhere,

Nothing compares to the comfort and ease of living in this courtyard house.

However, it's impossible for Boss Lou to pay an extra rent.

I heard that the factory bought the new house directly.

It was specifically used to house the factory's technical personnel.

When He Yuzhu brought the steaming hot mutton noodles to the table,

He Yushui's drool,

It had already been flowing down in a rush.

She can now eat some regular meals.

A small hand kept scratching and clawing.

They couldn't wait to reach for the bowl of noodles on the table.

"What kind of noodles are these?"

It smells so good!

Zhao Yecui was the first to speak.

Aunt Xu,

This is mutton noodles with minced meat sauce.

"I've never heard of this kind of noodle before."

But just smelling this...

I knew it would taste good.

"mother,

It was delicious!

Just now, Brother Zhu let me try some of this minced meat sauce.

It smells amazing.

Xu Damao said,

He even deliberately smacked his lips a few times.

Wang Qiuping had been watching in a daze for a long time.

I couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

What kind of family must they be from?

Inviting someone to a meal not only involved using refined white flour.

The bowl was actually full of meat!

She resisted the urge to peek into the kitchen.

But the moment this bowl of mutton noodles was served,

Her tears welled up in her eyes.

"Qiuping"

What's wrong with you?

Chen Shuxiang was the first to notice her unusual behavior.

"It's alright, it's alright."

Wang Qiuping quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve.

"It's good that you're alright."

Sit down and eat.

Try my son Zhu's cooking.

"it is good."

Wang Qiuping responded softly.

But they didn't pick up their chopsticks first.

Instead, he turned to look at the old lady first.

"Then, Madam,

"Let me try my grandson's cooking first."

The old lady was the first to pick up her chopsticks and start eating.

Then everyone at the table started munching away.

Even He Yushui kept screaming "Ah ah ah!"

She urged Chen Shuxiang to hurry up and feed her noodles.

Wang Qiuping ate her noodles.

Tears kept falling into the bowl.

Everyone present saw it all.

I couldn't help but feel a little sad.

She simply assumed it was because she hadn't eaten white flour and meat in a long time.

Tears welled up in my eyes from the overwhelming emotion.

Only He Yuzhu and Wang Qiuping knew the truth.

The reason she shed tears was...

It's because of this bowl of noodles.

It allowed her to taste the familiar flavors of her hometown that she hadn't experienced in a long time.

After finishing the meal,

Wang Qiuping took the initiative to get up and clear the dishes.

Chen Shuxiang was too embarrassed to let the guests do it.

He immediately told He Yuzhu and Xu Damao to wash the dishes.

Wang Qiuping, however, insisted on refusing.

Make sure to clean and wash the dishes thoroughly.

Then she took the initiative to suggest,

We need to take the old lady back to the backyard to rest.

The old lady did not refuse.

The two entered the back room.

Wang Qiuping helped the old lady sit down on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Then one should bow in greeting.

The old lady was unwilling to let her perform such a grand gesture.

He immediately stretched out his cane and stopped her.

"Wang family girl"

What are you up to?

"thank you,

It brought back memories of home.

"ah?

What you're saying has really confused me.

"This bowl of noodles today,

"Didn't you specifically instruct Zhu Zi to make this?"

"Just for a bowl of noodles?"

Is this still the way it's done in your hometown?

"Yes."

"That wasn't my order."

This is the first time I've ever seen this kind of noodle.

I'd never even heard of it before.

"ah?

How did that kid, Zhu Zi, know where my hometown is?

Wang Qiuping was momentarily at a loss.

"I wouldn't know that."

My eldest grandson is incredibly capable.

Don't treat him like an ordinary child.

The old lady's words carried an undisguised pride.

"Okay, I understand."

But I still want to thank you.

Thank you for letting me stay in this courtyard.

As Wang Qiuping spoke, she bowed deeply again.

This time, the old lady did not stop her.

"Alright, let's go back."

"Honey, I'm full and feeling a little sleepy."

The old lady waved to her.

"Then you should get some rest."

Wang Qiuping then turned around and slowly walked out the door.

"well,

She was a girl with a hard life.

The old woman stared at the empty doorway.

He sighed softly.

Wang Qiuping returned to the Intermediate People's Court.

Arriving at the He family's door,

He called out to He Yuzhu in a low voice.

She lowered her voice and said:

"Pillar,

Aunt Wang really needs to thank you.

"ah?

Why thank me?

All I did was cook a meal.

He Yuzhu pretended to be confused.

"This is not just a simple meal."

My aunt remembers everything clearly.

"No need, no need."

Aunt Wang, if you like to eat...

I'll cook for you often from now on.

He Yuzhu scratched the back of his head and smiled憨厚ly.

Wang Qiuping gave He Yuzhu a deep look.

If I hadn't never heard Chen Shuxiang instruct me to make any noodles from beginning to end...

She almost thought that this was something Chen Shuxiang had arranged on purpose.

"Alright,"

Go back inside.

Aunt Wang should go back now.

Early the next morning,

Chen Shuxiang saw Wang Qiuping as soon as she went out.

He was sitting on a small stool in front of his house.

He was holding a pipe in his hand.

He puffed on his pipe, making "puff puff" sounds.

She asked, somewhat puzzled:

"Qiuping"

You still smoke?

Wang Qiuping quickly stood up.

He tapped the tobacco pipe gently on the sole of his shoe.

Extinguish the fireworks completely.