On the afternoon of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Xu Hongping and the others were sitting in the living room - chatting.
Xu Hongping said: Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival. According to our local custom: every household will make rice dumplings to eat.
Shitou replied: My hometown also has this custom.
Xu Hongping said: Shitou, what other customs does your hometown have to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival? Please tell me.
Shitou replied: It seems there is nothing left! Just make rice dumplings to commemorate that, that...
"That Grandpa Qu Yuan". Erfeng then said:
Shitou replied: Yes, it is Grandpa Qu Yuan.
Xu Hongping called out: I heard that in some places, in order to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, some people can row dragon boats, some can sing, and some can dance. Anyway, it is very lively.
Shitou said: Aunt Tang, I have never seen what you are talking about.
However, those activities must be very interesting, and I am quite looking forward to them.
Xu Hongping responded: If there is a chance! I'm going to experience the experience.
Erfeng said: I remember! The last time our family made rice dumplings was when I was studying.
Xu Hongping called out: Yes! In a flash, four or five years have passed, and I have to admit that “time flies”.
Shitou sighed: When I talk about my childhood, I can’t help but think of my mother and my two younger brothers.
Xu Hongping commented: Shitou, you lie!
Shitou then said: Aunt Tang, why should I lie?
Xu Hongping joked: Let me see! You are not thinking about them, you are thinking about your wife.
Shitou blushed and replied: Aunt Tang, don't make fun of me!
Erfeng lowered his head and said: By the way, you rarely talk about her. Is she beautiful?
Shitou replied: "Beautiful or not?" I don't know! When we got married, Qianqian had just turned 8 years old.
Xu Hongping responded: Her name is Qianqian.
Shitou continued: Her name is Qianqian. Qianqian is also a hard-working person. She has lost her parents and lives with her uncle's family.
Xu Hongping asked: Then why don't you stay with her at home?
Shitou said: I hate people insulting me the most, so I ran away in anger.
I think! Wait until you have made your way out of the world before going back.
Erfeng called out: Mom, we haven't made rice dumplings in a few years. Let's make rice dumplings and eat them!
Xu Hongping replied: Erfeng, you want to eat rice dumplings.
Erfeng continued: We are also idle when we are idle.
Shitou responded: "I want to make rice dumplings, that's great. I love eating rice dumplings very much, especially bean rice dumplings."
Erfeng smiled and said: Just wait! Today we will make bean rice dumplings.
"Mom, I'll get the beans." Erfeng said anxiously:
"What are you in a hurry for?" Xu Hongping shouted:
Xu Hongping continued: Shitou, in addition to bean rice dumplings, we can also make sweet potato rice dumplings, peanut rice dumplings, bacon rice dumplings, chestnut rice dumplings, and stuffingless rice dumplings...
"There are so many styles of rice dumplings!" Shitou said in surprise:
"Shitou, what else do you like to eat? We can make them all." Xu Hongping said:
Shitou replied: There are some rice dumplings that I have never heard of...
"Shitou loves to eat bean rice dumplings. We'll all make bean rice dumplings." Erfeng stood up and continued:
Xu Hongping responded: OK.
Erfeng stepped up and said, "I'll get the beans."
She was bent over, turning beans in the earthen jar.
"Er Feng, why are you so happy!" Xu Hongping stood behind Er Feng and whispered:
Erfeng replied: It’s time to make rice dumplings, of course I’m happy.
Xu Hongping said: Don’t pretend to be confused with your mother! What are you thinking! How could my mother not know! You were raised by your mother's shit and urine, so what do you want to eat? What the hell! Mom knew full well that Shitou had a wife and he was someone else's husband.
Besides, Shitou's daughter-in-law, Qianqian, was born poor.
If so, you have a stake in it.
Let me ask: How do you feel at ease!
Erfeng responded: Mom, you guessed it right! I have mixed feelings about Shitou, and I shouldn't have any inappropriate thoughts about her.
However, feelings are selfish and no rules can restrain them.
Qianqian is naturally pitiful and I sympathize with her.
But who understands my sadness! Who will take pity on me!
Xu Hongping was silent for a moment and called out: Erfeng, you have disappointed your mother so much. Do you know what it means - first come, first served! What does it mean - etiquette, justice and integrity!
Erfeng continued: Whatever you say is fine with me! I don’t want to talk more about this matter, and I didn’t say anything about it to him!
"Two strangers can fall in love after being together for a long time. What's more, if you have feelings in your heart, you can control yourself!" Xu Hongping said with a smile:
Erfeng hurriedly untied the bag (the bag where the beans were stored) and said: Forget it if you can't control it.
Xu Hongping saw Erfeng fuming and shouted: Erfeng, let me get the beans.
Erfeng replied: No need.
Xu Hongping walked out of the house slowly and said silently: Silly girl, Mom is reminding you to "strike while the iron is hot." Someone has to take the initiative in this kind of thing.
Otherwise, it will stagnate.
"Aunt Tang, how many rice dumplings are you going to make?" Shitou saw Xu Hongping coming out and asked:
"I scooped up two ladles of beans and used them to make rice dumplings. There were hundreds of rice dumplings at least." Erfeng ran over and shouted:
Shitou replied: So many!
Erfeng said: If you like to eat rice dumplings, we will make more.
Shitou said: Then I will open my belly and eat it.
Erfeng responded: As long as you are not afraid of eating to fill your stomach, you can just eat.
"Erfeng, give me the beans and I'll go in and soak them." Xu Hongping called:
"Mom, soak a little more rice." Erfeng shouted:
Xu Hongping raised her feet and replied: I know it well.
Early the next morning, Xu Hongping and her daughter got up early.
After the two of them were busy for a while.
Xu Hongping sat on the stool and said: Erfeng, go and burn another bundle of straw...
"Mom, didn't we burn straw last night?" Erfeng replied:
Xu Hongping responded: The straw we burned last night contained too little alkali!
Erfeng continued: We have soaked the rice, is it still too late to burn the straw now?
Xu Hongping said: Why is it too late! Just put a few spoons in when cooking the rice dumplings.
Erfeng called out: "I'll go right away."
"Er Feng, you have to pick straw that is golden from beginning to end. That kind of straw has better alkaline water." Xu Hongping instructed:
Erfeng stepped forward and walked towards the outside of the house.
Xu Hongping saw Erfeng leaving in such a hurry.
She stood up and hurried after him.
"Er Feng, please walk slowly." Xu Hongping shouted:
Erfeng replied: Mom, why are you here too!
Xu Hongping called out: Erfeng, you are a very sensible child. You have never let your parents worry. Now that your dad is not at home, mom has to make the decision for your dad. Regarding the stone, mom hopes that you will think about it carefully. .
Erfeng responded: What are you considering!
Xu Hongping whispered: Shitou has relatives in his family, if you follow him! One day he will go back to his hometown! what would you do!
Erfeng pointed at the pig pen and shouted: Here! Arrived at the pigsty.
"Erfeng, my mother couldn't sleep all night long because of you..." Xu Hongping stepped into the pig pen and said:
"Mom, you also said that I am a sensible child. I am no longer a child. I am annoyed by your nagging in front of me all day long." Erfeng carried a bundle of straw and strode forward.
Xu Hongping said: If you are annoyed, so am I. I will not interfere with your marriage. I just remind you that you should take care of yourself.
Erfeng turned around and shouted: Mom, thank you for being so reasonable! You should stay away from who I am friends with or who I want to marry.
Xu Hongping called out: Who wants to join in!
Erfeng said: We are home now, I will burn it.
"Take it with you." Xu Hongping handed the match.
Shi Shi was sleeping in the room, turned sideways.
He vaguely glanced at the red patch outside the window.
He rubbed his eyes and "take a look", and saw flames roaring outside the window.
He immediately climbed out of bed.
"Erfeng, please open that side a little further." Xu Hongping shouted:
"Aunt Tang, Sister Erfeng, you got up so early!" Shitou called:
Xu Hongping responded: Shitou, you're awake, have we disturbed you?
Shitou continued: No, no.
Xu Hongping shouted: Shitou, come here and help me watch the fire. I'll go in and get a bucket.
The stone slowly moved toward the fire.
Xu Hongping moved her feet and shouted: Erfeng, watch carefully.
Erfeng and Shitou were left alone outside, and neither of them made a sound.
"Stone, have you finished burning the straw?" Xu Hongping called:
Shitou continued: "It's finished burning."
Xu Hongping put down the dustpan and said in shock: Oops! I forgot to cook.
Erfeng replied: Let me go!
Shitou said: Aunt Tang, you don’t have to go to the market today, so you can wrap the rice dumplings and make them again.
Xu Hongping shoveled the straw ash (straw ash cools faster) and argued: Make the rice dumplings - if you make them again, you won't be able to eat in the morning. Let's finish the meal and then make the rice dumplings.
Shitou praised: Yes! Aunt Tang, everything you do is orderly and well-organized.
"Shitou, your mouth is really cute." Xu Hongping said:
"Aunt Tang, you are saying that Shitou's mouth is good and nothing else is good." Shitou responded:
Xu Hongping smiled and said: Shitou, you are very interesting.
"The straw we burned last night contained a little less alkali. I don't know what happened to this bundle today!" Xu Hongping commented:
"Aunt Tang, I have a question to ask you! Why do you have to burn some straw during the process of making rice dumplings?" Shitou asked:
Xu Hongping explained: After the straw ash is filtered, it will have alkali in it. This water soaks into the rice dumplings, making the rice dumplings mellow and delicious.
Moreover, it is waxy and sticky.
Shitou praised: Aunt Tang, you know so much.
"Shitou, you've given me a reward. I can't understand people, like you!" Xu Hongping put a layer of straw inside the dustpan.
Shitou replied with a straight face: Aunt Tang, you don't believe Shitou!
Xu Hongping smiled and said: Shitou, why are you nervous! I'm kidding you!
Shitou muttered: Aunt Tang, I thought!
Xu Hongping called: Shitou, come here and lend a hand. You can bring the shovel and broom into the house.
Shitou replied: Okay!
"Er Feng, is the food ready?" Xu Hongping walked into the kitchen and asked:
Erfeng responded: It will be fine soon.
Xu Hongping shouted: "Let me come here, you go and filter the straw ash."
Erfeng said: Where to put those straw ashes!
Xu Hongping stir-fried vegetables and replied: Right at the door.
Erfeng staggered into the living room carrying a bucket of water.
When Shitou saw it, he shouted: Sister Erfeng, let me carry it.
Erfeng put down the bucket and hurriedly waved his hands.
Shi Shi came forward and stretched out his hand to carry the bucket.
Coincidentally, his hand met Erfeng's.
Erfeng grabbed Shitou's hand and didn't let go.
Shitou glanced at Erfeng and pulled his hands away as hard as he could.
"You lift the water out, and you have to pour water on the straw ashes." Erfeng saw the stone walking out and ordered:
"Shitou, Erfeng, come in for dinner!" Xu Hongping shouted:
Erfeng turned around and ran straight to the kitchen.
Xu Hongping called out: Erfeng, you are here, what are the stones doing?
"It's just two dishes! I'll just take it out. What's the point of asking him to come in!" Erfeng continued:
Xu Hongping replied: We will eat in the kitchen this morning, and we will make rice dumplings here after dinner.
Erfeng faced the door and shouted: Shitou, come in, we will have breakfast in the kitchen.
"Erfeng, come over for dinner." Xu Hongping called:
Erfeng turned his head and called: Mom, sit down and let me serve the food.
"Sister Erfeng, I poured two ladles of water on the straw ashes." Shitou stepped into the kitchen and said:
"Why are you pouring stones?" Xu Hongping asked:
"Mom, come here for dinner." Erfeng shouted:
Xu Hongping said: Shitou, come and eat too.
Erfeng picked up the only chicken leg in the bowl and placed it on the stone bowl.
"Sister Erfeng, I'll do it myself." Shitou said:
"Stone, Erfeng caught it on your bowl, just eat it." Xu Hongping picked up the chopsticks and said:
Erfeng lowered his head and kept eating.
After a while, Xu Hongping put down her bowl and chopsticks and shouted: "You guys eat, I'll get the rice dumpling leaves."
Shitou called out: Aunt Tang, you have to eat before you go.
"I ate too much last night and have no appetite at all this morning." Xu Hongping patted her belly and slowly walked out of the kitchen.
"Shitou, please eat your fill. You may not be able to eat rice dumplings until evening." Erfeng picked up two pieces of meat and handed them to Shitou.
Shitou said: Sister Erfeng, I can't eat anymore.
"Stone, you eat it." Erfeng called:
Shitou said: Sister Erfeng, I really can’t eat...
"Shitou, you are so big that you can't even eat even one or two pieces of meat." Xu Hongping came back and replied:
Shitou responded: I just ate half a bowl of meat and I'm tired of it.
"Shitou, if you eat too much, you won't get tired of it." Xu Hongping said with a smile:
"Aunt Tang, please teach me how to make zongzi!" Shitou rushed over and shouted:
Xu Hongping argued: You haven't eaten enough yet.
Shitou continued: I'm full.
Xu Hongping said: Shitou, you want to learn how to make rice dumplings!
Shitou ran to the side to wash his hands and said: I wanted to learn it when I was at home, but my mother thought I was stupid and refused to teach me.
Xu Hongping responded: Stone hands are not stupid.
"Mainly because I often fought with people and didn't like to do housework." Shitou squatted in front of Xu Hongping and replied:
Xu Hongping taught: Stone, you have to hold it tightly like this, so that the glutinous rice will not leak out.
Shitou took two rice dumpling leaves and began to imitate them.
Xu Hongping called out: Clamp the lower corner so that the five corners will be clear.
"Shitou, you are very good at wrapping the rice dumplings." Erfeng praised:
Shitou smiled and said: Sister Erfeng, you are laughing!
"Er Feng, go and feed the pigs." Xu Hongping shouted:
Erfeng said with a dark face: "I'll go."
Xu Hongping held the rice dumplings in her hands and said: You need to put the rice dumpling leaves underneath, so that the rice dumplings will be much stronger when tied together.
The stone wrapped the rice dumpling and shouted: Is this so?
Xu Hongping replied: Yes, yes, yes.
Erfeng picked up the bucket and said softly: You will ask me to feed the pigs, but you will not go yourself...
