The next day, Xu Hongping got up early in the morning.
She was alone in the kitchen - very busy.
The rice being cooked on the stove is already making a "pop" sound.
She added two pieces of firewood to the stove, immediately turned to the pot and lifted the lid.
She picked up the spatula and kept stirring the rice water.
"Mom, you have been busy in the kitchen for a long time!" Shitou walked into the kitchen and called:
Xu Hongping turned her head and replied: It didn't take long.
No, the rice isn't even cooked yet.
Shitou walked to the stove and said: Mom, let me add fuel to the fire!
Xu Hongping put down the spatula and asked: Shitou, are Min'er awake?
Shitou said: She wasn't awake when I came in. I don't know if she is awake now.
Xu Hongping shouted: Shitou, Miner slept at our house last night.
I wonder if she slept well!
"I guess she can't sleep well. A young lady like her is used to sleeping in her own bed. She will definitely not be able to get used to sleeping on another bed all of a sudden." Shitou replied:
Xu Hongping replied: I think so.
"By the way, we are going to the market today, will you go to the market?" Xu Hongping suddenly said:
Shitou continued: Of course I will go.
Xu Hongping responded: Aren't you going to send Min'er home?
Shitou said: I thought about it, I won’t send her off, she can come by herself, and she can go back by herself.
As for her home, I will take some time to check it out.
Xu Hongping said: "It's better to choose a day than to hit it." You go today! To be honest, I don't worry about Min'er running around alone, no matter what! She is also a girl.
"Mom, your food." Shitou reminded:
Xu Hongping turned around - scooped up the rice and shouted: Thanks to Shitou for reminding me.
Shitou replied: What mom just said makes sense. Min'er walking around alone is really uneasy.
Although, she is unlikely to have an accident.
However, everything is possible.
Xu Hongping said: Shitou, when do you plan to send Min'er back!
Shitou responded: Listen to Min'er - then make a decision.
Xu Hongping washed the pot and stove and shouted: Shitou, you go out first, I am enough here.
Shitou replied: Mom, you haven't cooked yet!
Xu Hongping replied: Today I will stir-fry one dish and stew one soup at most. I will take my time by myself. Go out and see if my husband and the others are awake! If they haven't woken up yet! You wake me up one by one.
Shitou patted the dust on his hands and replied: Okay!
He ran to the cupboard, took some dishes and chopsticks and walked out of the kitchen.
He walked into the living room and saw Erfeng sitting at the table, talking and laughing with Min'er. Min'er was holding Xiao Feng'er and teasing her constantly.
Shitou called: Sister Erfeng, Xiaofeng'er woke up so early.
Erfeng continued: "Xiao Feng'er woke up not long after you woke up, so I had to get up with her."
Shitou put down the dishes and asked: Min'er, how did you sleep last night?
Miner replied: I slept very well!
However, the moon was so bright last night that it woke me up twice.
Shitou glanced at Erfeng and said with a smile: "You guys chat, I'll see if dad is awake!"
He turned his head, paused, and strode forward.
He came to the door of the room and shouted: Dad, it’s time to eat! It’s time to eat!
"Shitou, stop shouting! I'm getting dressed!" Tang Bo continued:
Shitou responded: "Then you put it on slowly, I'm leaving!"
He picked up his feet and walked straight to the living room.
"Sister Erfeng, are you hungry, Xiao Feng'er?" Min'er called:
Erfeng replied: No!
"Sister Erfeng, what are you talking about! You are so involved in the conversation!" Shitou shouted:
Erfeng looked at Shitou and replied: We didn't talk about anything!
Min'er said: It doesn't hurt to tell him. We are talking about things between women and having children!
"Stop, stop, I'm not interested in what you are talking about! Min'er, let me ask you, how long do you plan to stay in our house?" Shitou asked:
Min'er sneered and said: Brother-in-law, are you issuing an eviction order? You are so afraid of me coming to your house to eat.
Shi Shi argued: Min'er, don't get me wrong! We're going to the market today. If you don't leave, you can stay at home with Sister Erfeng...
"I'll accompany you." Min'er interrupted:
"If you want to leave, I will accompany you home." Shitou continued:
"Shitou, you haven't eaten yet." Uncle Tang came out and shouted:
Shitou replied: Soon.
Uncle Tang moved his feet and called out: "You continue chatting, I'm going to wash up."
"I'm going to the market today. I want to go to the market and then go home." Min'er replied:
Shitou said: That's okay, let's go to the market first.
After catching up, we'll go to your house.
"I've been out for a while. Mom has probably cooked the food, so I went in to serve it." Shitou rushed to the kitchen.
"Mom, is the food cooked?" Shitou asked:
Xu Hongping turned her head and replied: It's almost done. There are two dishes left from yesterday. I'll just reheat them.
Shitou walked to the stove, stretched out his hand to bring the soup, and said, "I'll take this bowl of soup out."
Xu Hongping shouted: Shitou, the soup is very hot. Go and get a tattered towel to cover it.
Shi Shi took a tattered towel, picked up the dishes and walked slowly.
After a while, the stone came back again.
Xu Hongping picked up the vegetables and asked: Shitou, have Min'er and the others gotten up?
Shitou replied: She and Sister Erfeng are both in the living room.
"Since they are all waiting in the living room, please bring the dishes out quickly." Xu Hongping called:
Shi Shi picked up the vegetable bowl and hurried out of the kitchen.
Xu Hongping held the cauldron and followed him crookedly.
"The food is here! Let's eat!" Shitou shouted:
Erfeng stood up and said: Min'er, give me Xiaofeng'er.
Xu Hongping came out and said: Min'er, give Xiao Feng'er to me, and you both should eat enough first.
Erfeng hugged Xiaofeng'er and said, "Mom, you have to go to the market today. You eat first, and I will eat after everyone else has finished."
Xu Hongping placed the tripod and said, "I'll eat first."
She picked up the bowl and went to serve food for everyone.
Shitou came to Xu Hongping's side and handed the bowl neatly.
Xu Hongping shouted: Mr. Min'er, please hurry up and gather around the table.
Uncle Tang replied: The rice is too hot, I want it to cool down for a while.
Xu Hongping argued: How hot the rice can be, it will get cold when it is served.
Shitou shouted: Dad, sit over here.
Uncle Tang put down the book in his hand and muttered: Eat.
Immediately afterwards, everyone gathered around the table.
Xu Hongping picked up the bowl and asked: Min'er, how did you sleep last night?
Min'er replied: I slept very well!
"Mom, I have to go to the market today. Anyway, I don't have to go to school today." Min'er continued:
Xu Hongping was silent for a moment and responded: OK! You eat quickly.
Min'er glanced at the stone and asked: Brother-in-law, why don't you eat?
"Who said I don't want to eat! I'll eat it right away." Shitou replied with rice in his hands:
After a while, Uncle Tang put down the bowl and shouted: "Er Feng, please give Xiao Feng'er to me, and you come over to eat."
Erfeng responded: Let's forget it! Xiao Feng'er recognizes someone and will definitely cry if you hug her.
Uncle Tang got up and said, "If you don't give me a child, I'll feed the pigs."
He faced the kitchen and strode forward.
Min'er called out: Mom, dad, why are you here so quickly...
"Min'er, you don't know! He has always been this virtuous, please leave him alone!" Xu Hongping interrupted:
Xu Hongping shouted: Min'er, what food do you like to eat? You do it yourself. We don't follow etiquette in our family. You don't need to be restrained. You have to be casual.
Min'er then said: Mom, we are all a family, I won't be polite.
Xu Hongping put down the bowl and said: Erfeng, please bring Xiaofeng'er over.
Erfeng replied: Go in and clean up the stall! Don't delay going to the market because of me.
Xu Hongping responded: There will be no delay. I will let Shitou go in and pick up the burden later.
"Ping'er (Xu Hongping), you're full too." Uncle Tang came over carrying a bucket.
Xu Hongping held Xiao Feng'er in her arms and asked, "Ms. sir, is there any salt in the Gushui?"
Uncle Tang replied: Let it go.
Xu Hongping hugged Xiao Feng'er and "shaked" her, calling: Mr. Mister, go ahead!
Erfeng sat at the table, eating his meal in small bites.
Min'er scooped up a spoonful of egg soup and said, "Sister Erfeng, bring your bowl over and I'll help you scoop out the soup."
Erfeng said: "Min'er, put down the soup. I'll do it myself. I'll do it myself."
Shitou put down the bowl and said, "You eat, I'll pack up the load."
As soon as he got up, he went straight into the back room.
Xu Hongping shouted: Shitou, I have put the things I want to sell today on the sewing machine. You just put it on the load.
Shitou replied: I understand.
Min'er chewed her rice and asked: Mom, if we go to a market, how many handkerchiefs will be sold?
Xu Hongping thought for a while and responded: I can probably sell about 100 pieces.
Sometimes we sell more items, sometimes we sell less items, and there is no certain standard.
"According to this calculation, you can earn forty or fifty cents by attending a market." Min'er called:
Xu Hongping smiled and said: Min'er is doing well.
"Min'er, you haven't eaten enough yet!" Shitou shouted while carrying a basket:
Min'er took a big mouthful of rice and replied: I'm full.
Erfeng shouted: Mom, please bring Xiaofeng'er over.
Xu Hongping argued: It’s inconvenient for you to hold your arms while eating, so after you finish your meal...
"It doesn't matter, I'll eat slowly." Erfeng replied:
"Sister Erfeng, I'm going to the street." Shitou walked slowly carrying a basket.
Erfeng responded: Yes.
Shitou glanced at Xiao Feng'er and walked faster.
"Sister Erfeng, I'm leaving." Min'er hurriedly followed.
Xu Hongping handed Xiao Feng'er over and hurriedly ran out the door.
When Shitou passed by the intersection of Banqiao Village, he called out: Mom, the people in front of me seem to be Uncle Chu and Sister Su Lan.
Xu Hongping raised her head and said, "Yes!"
Shitou took a step forward and shouted: Uncle Uncle, Sister Sulan, please wait for us.
Except for the uncle, they didn't look back and kept walking forward.
Shitou shouted: "Uncle, Sister Sulan, please stop."
Su Lan stopped and looked around.
Shitou waved his hands and shouted: Sister Sulan, I'm behind!
Sulan glanced at Shitou and said: Dad, Shitou and the others are following us, we can't wait!
"Shitou, hurry up and follow us. Let's go slower." Uncle Chu tilted his head and said:
Shitou and the others murmured a few words to each other and quickened their pace together.
Miner asked: Mom, who is that woman?
Xu Hongping replied: She is Uncle Chu's daughter, her name is Sulan.
Min'er continued: I guessed it, I mean!
"Uncle, what a coincidence today, we actually met on the road." Shitou caught up and said:
Uncle Chu glanced at Shitou and said: Shitou, you are walking so fast, you are leaving your sister-in-law and the others behind!
Shitou interrupted: They will be up in a moment.
Uncle Chu asked: Shitou, who is that person next to your mother-in-law?
Shitou replied: That person is Miner, she is the daughter of Officer Wang.
"What! What a transformation of women." Uncle Chu said in surprise:
Uncle Chu continued: "We haven't seen him for a few months, so I can't even recognize him."
"Except for eldest brother, you didn't wait for us." Xu Hongping caught up with her panting.
Except for the uncle who responded: Sister-in-law, time does not allow...
"It's good to get rid of uncle!" Min'er said politely:
Uncle Chu smiled and said: Hello, Miss Miner!
Shitou pointed at Sulan and shouted: Min'er, this is Sister Sulan.
Miner shouted: Hello, Sister Sulan!
Shitou introduced: Sister Sulan, she is Miner, the daughter of Officer Wang.
Sulan replied: Her name is Miner.
"Su Lan, you can't call her Min'er, we all have to call her - Miss Min'er." Uncle Zhu shouted:
Min'er rushed to say: Just call me - Min'er, it's more natural and comfortable to hear.
Shitou said: Except for uncle, let’s leave quickly!
Uncle Chu replied: Let’s go together.
"Mom, are you okay!" Min'er shouted:
Uncle Zhu turned around and asked: Sister-in-law, why did she call you mom?
Xu Hongping smiled and said: She and Erfeng have become sisters, so she is naturally my goddaughter.
Uncle Zhu felt something was wrong, but he still smiled and said, "Congratulations to my sister-in-law! Congratulations to my sister-in-law for having a daughter."
"Dad, the sun is already so high, we are leaving soon." Su Lan shouted:
"Yes, yes, let's walk quickly." Uncle Zhu quickened his pace.
Xu Hongping and the others looked at each other and followed one after another...
