Chapter 226: “entering The Canteen”
The kitchen only had Lin Zhao left alone, and being alone was more comfortable, making the work faster with no one asking all sorts of questions by her ear.
Such as why beat the egg whites, what consistency to beat them to, what difference it makes if beaten or not—it’s all for eating anyway, what to do with the remaining egg yolks…
The person being asked got a massive headache.
By the time Gu Mu came over, Lin Zhao had already made the cake, and a strong sweet aroma from the kitchen wafted to the yard, making people’s mouths water involuntarily.
Gu Mu walked into the kitchen, “…making a cake?”
“Mm.” Lin Zhao nodded.
The cake was covered in the bamboo basket, so Gu Mu couldn’t see it.
She didn’t ask more.
She rolled up her sleeves and said, “What do you need me to do?”
“Not now, start again at noon.” Lin Zhao said; it was still early, no rush, they could prepare after eating.
“Alright, then I’ll go back first and come again later?” Gu Mu asked in tone.
“Go back for what, eat together. The wonton filling and wrappers have shares for you and Dad; if you don’t eat, they’ll spoil, just a waste.” Lin Zhao said.
People who came through the famine years couldn’t stand hearing the word “waste”; Gu Mu immediately said, “I’ll come later.”
She stepped forward and took over the work from Lin Zhao’s hands.
She started tidying up the kitchen.
She also urged her back to the room: “Go catch some sleep, eat when you wake up?”
Lin Zhao had been busy all morning and was indeed tired, “Alright, trouble Mom.”
Gu Mu waved her hand, “What’s the trouble, no trouble.”
With wontons to eat, what trouble?!
After the twins got up, they didn’t see Mom and only saw Grandma; the two boys poked their heads into the kitchen.
“Grandma, where’s my mom?” Yu Bao asked softly.
“She got up early to make you two a cake, got real tired, went to catch some sleep; you two keep quiet, don’t disturb your mom.” Gu Mu instructed.
She knew well that the third son’s wife loved sleeping in; on a rare day off, she’d sleep till afternoon if she could, but had to make a cake for Yu Bao and Heng Bao, so her heart must be full of pent-up emotions—best not to disturb.
Yu Bao mm-ed, “We won’t make noise.”
Heng Bao scooted to the stove, nose twitching, sniffing the aroma in the air, and asked, “Grandma, what are you making?”
“Your mom wrapped wontons, I’m about to boil them.” Gu Mu didn’t mention the cake, just said the big wontons.
Heng Bao beamed, “Wontons so early! I love big wontons! Meat filling, right?”
“Yes.” Lin Zhao had wrapped half big wontons; the rest were Gu Mu’s, and she knew the fillings—celery fresh meat and mushroom fresh meat, both super fragrant.
Heng Bao clapped, “I love meat!”
“Go wash your faces and brush teeth first; by the time you’re done, it’ll be ready to eat.” Gu Mu urged her two grandsons.
“Got it!” Yu Bao pulled his brother to wash up.
Just then, Song Yunjin came out of the room.
Seeing Gu Mu, he politely called out to her.
Then he washed up together with the twins.
Gu Mu boiled the wontons in the kitchen; after the water boiled, she put in the wontons.
Boiled one round.
The aroma spread.
Heng Bao smelled it, wiped the baby cream off his face haphazardly, and ran into the kitchen clatter-clatter.
“Grandma, my belly’s rumbling, when can we eat?” He looked up at his grandma.
Gu Mu looked at him fondly, “Wait a bit more, one more round and it’ll be done. You two go call Qian Bao and Yao Bao first.”
The dragon-phoenix twins had started eating solids; it wasn’t early anymore, let them get up and eat together to avoid fussing.
“I told Da Huang and Amber to go call them!” Heng Bao grinned till his eyes curved.
Gu Mu carefully pushed the wontons in the pot with a wooden spoon and smiled, “You two go check; Qian Bao and Yao Bao can’t dress themselves, need you two big brothers to help.”
“Got it!” Yu Bao headed out, Heng Bao chased after.
The two little brothers returned to the room; Qian Bao and Yao Bao were already awake, sitting on the bed playing with Xiao Jin.
Da Huang squatted not far from the bed, Amber circled by the bedside, wanting to jump up but not daring, glancing at the little masters now and then, barking woof-woof.
Clatter!
The sound of the door curtain being lifted and dropped came.
Da Huang looked up; Amber rushed at the twins, rearing up on hind legs, front paws on Yu Bao, head rubbing all over him.
“Amber…!” Yu Bao bubbled with laughter, “Don’t fuss, I gotta dress Qian Bao and Yao Bao; we’ll feed you later.”
He stroked Amber’s chin; the dog thought the little master was playing with her, tail wagging faster, rubbing harder, nearly toppling Yu Bao.
“Amber slow down, I can’t stand steady!” Yu Bao said hurriedly, steadying himself on the table to avoid sitting on his butt.
Amber didn’t slow; she bit her little ball, wanting to play with him.
Yu Bao looked at the excited little dog’s face, stumped.
He looked to Da Huang for help.
Da Huang came over, right paw pulling Amber back, not letting her pester the little master.
Amber’s silly head thought Mom was playing with her, immediately forgetting Yu Bao and trotting after Da Huang one behind the other out of the room.
Heng Bao squeezed his cheeks with both hands, eyes squinting into crescents, “Da Huang is so smart!”
Yu Bao agreed, a bit proud, “Our family’s Da Huang is the smartest dog in the whole world.”
With that, he patted his clothes and walked to the dragon-phoenix twins’ big bed, calling to his little brother and sister.
“Qian Bao, Yao Bao, time to get up; Grandma’s boiling wontons—remember wontons? White flour ones, with meat inside, so fragrant.”
Meat?!
The dragon-phoenix twins tacitly scooted their butts to the bed edge, grabbed the clothes by the little pillow, and handed them to big brother.
“Put on!” Qian Bao said.
“Eat meat!!” This milky voice was Yao Bao.
Yu Bao took Qian Bao’s little clothes and helped his brother dress; without him saying, Heng Bao dressed their sister.
Clothes on, the two little brothers squatted to find the little tiger head shoes and put them on brother and sister.
They even mimicked Mom, pinching their voices to praise.
“So pretty.”
Qian Bao had no reaction, but Yao Bao got smug, chin held high, found a red hair tie to give big brother, softly demanding: “Use this!”
Yu Bao took it, carefully clutching it in his palm, “Face first, after washing, Grandma’ll tie it for you.”
Yao Bao smiled sweetly, “Mm.”
While they talked, Heng Bao took a moment to feed Xiao Jin, stuffing it full before going out.
After feeding Xiao Jin, didn’t forget Da Huang and Amber; while big brother took little brother and sister to wash face and brush teeth, he fed Da Huang and Amber.
The three little companions at home, the twins took turns feeding them right on time; they could skip their own meal first but never forgot their playmates.
After Yu Bao brought little brother and sister to finish washing up, Gu Mu had just finished boiling the wontons and ladled them into bowls.
“All washed up? Wontons are ready.” She called to Song Yunjin and the four kids.
The children smelled it and dashed to the table like the wind.
Yao Bao even reached out; luckily few wontons in her bowl, and Gu Mu had mashed them, not hot now.
“Where’s my mom, not eating?” Yu Bao held chopsticks, looking toward his parents’ room.
Song Yunjin kindly reminded, “Don’t disturb your mom first; wait till she wakes up herself.”
If his sister didn’t sleep enough, her temper wasn’t good.
“…Alright.” Yu Bao heeded.
He clumsily poked a wonton with chopsticks, blew on it, and stuffed it in his mouth.
Heng Bao had already eaten half; his bright eyes looked at big brother, “Bro, when can we see the stuff Dad sent?”
“I don’t know.” Yu Bao answered his brother, “Don’t rush; wait till Mom wakes up.”
Heng Bao wanted to open it himself but feared making Mom mad, so held back his eagerness.
“Oh.”
Last time’s wontons, the dragon-phoenix twins only got the wrappers, didn’t even taste the flavor; strictly speaking, this was their first time eating wontons.
The wontons in the two little bowls were mashed up, wrapper and filling mixed; the two kids ate with relish.
Seeing the children eat so heartily, Gu Mu smiled fondly and started eating too; one bite, so fresh and fragrant it could dizzy you with deliciousness.
She’d eaten white flour only a few times in her life, borrowed the third son’s wife’s light several times.
Thinking the old man could eat some soon too, she ate faster.
Just thinking that, Gu Fu came over.
Seeing the old woman happily eating from her bowl, he said, “Everyone’s eating already, didn’t even call me; I’ve been waiting for you.”
His words carried a hint of barely detectable grievance.
He’d made breakfast, waiting for the old woman to come home and eat together, but she’d already eaten without telling him.
Gu Mu met the old man’s resentful eyes, a strange feeling crossing her heart, like she’d done something guilty.
She ate the last wonton and said, “Wait, I’ll boil some for you.”
The instant the words fell, she turned into the kitchen.
Gu Fu: “?”
So straightforward?!
Not even time to greet the grandsons, he hurried after.
“No need to fuss; there’s porridge cooked at home, I’ll eat there.” Gu Fu said quickly, “I just came to check; since you’ve eaten, I’ll head back first.”
“Head back for what!” The stove fire wasn’t out; Gu Mu stuffed in firewood, flames flaring up, “The third son’s wife said… wontons have our share; was gonna send some later, but since you’re here, just eat here, no trouble.”
Gu Fu heard it was the daughter-in-law treating them and didn’t say to leave, just agreed and walked to the yard.
Found a stool to sit on.
Yu Bao brought over a bowl, picked up a wonton to feed Grandpa, “Grandpa, eat; Mom made the wontons, super super fragrant!”
How could Gu Fu steal his grandson’s food?
He pushed Yu Bao’s hand away, face full of delighted smile, “You eat; your grandma’s boiling some.”
Yu Bao saw Grandpa wouldn’t eat and didn’t push, softly said, “Grandpa if you’re hungry tell me, I’ll feed you.”
Gu Fu’s heart warmed.
“Alright.” He smiled in agreement.
Seeing the four kids eat so heartily, Grandpa was happy too.
Soon, Gu Mu brought out a bowl of wontons.
“Why so many?” Gu Fu frowned distressedly.
He thought tasting was enough, no need for so much; better save for the grandsons in the afternoon.
Heng Bao slurped wonton soup and said, “Grandpa’s gotta work, needs to eat more!”
Yu Bao: “Mom says eat full in the morning.”
Gu Mu fondly ruffled his face and said to the old man, “Hear what Yu Bao and Heng Bao say. They don’t mind you eating a lot; what outsider stuff.”
Yu Bao sat beside Grandpa; the grandpa-grandson pair sat together eating, “Don’t mind; Grandpa eat as much as you want.”
Gu Mu teasingly asked, “What if no grain at home?”
“No problem, me and Heng Bao call Dad, have him find a way to get some.” Yu Bao’s little face full of seriousness.
“Daddy get, rice rice.” Yao Bao lifted her dirty little face, milkily mimicking big brother.
Gu Mu chuckled.
When Lin Zhao finished her nap and came out, the children had already eaten.
Seeing her, Gu Mu immediately went to boil wontons for her daughter-in-law.
Knowing what Lin Zhao was cooking at noon, she’d prepped ahead.
Pot was hot, embers in the stove, water boiled quick.
Wontons done, Gu Mu got Lin Zhao’s bowl, rinsed it with clean water before ladling in.
The third son’s wife was particular, disliked bowls wiped with cloth as dirty, required rinsing with water before serving. After a few times, Gu Mu had formed the habit too.
She brought out the bowl, smiling at Lin Zhao, “Hungry? Eat quick.”
Lin Zhao curved her eyes, “Thanks for the hard work, Mom.”
“What’s hard about this.” Gu Mu said indifferently and went to tidy the kitchen.
When she came out of the yard again, Lin Zhao had eaten most of it.
Gu Mu saw her resting and asked about Gu Chan, “…since saying she’s about to have a job, has A-Chan come find you again? Said when she’ll get a job?”
Thing not settled, she couldn’t rest easy.
Lin Zhao: “Big Sister’s taking care of brother-in-law, no time to come, but I went to the hospital; that family paid medical expenses. Big Sister said when she’s free she’ll go back to maternal family, pay back what she owes big sister-in-law and second sister-in-law.”
Hearing this, Gu Mu relaxed, “Paid medical expenses, good!”
She smiled: “So much money… owing money tastes bad. Money paid is good; job or no job… if can’t get, no big deal.”
Of course, Gu Mu hoped her daughter had good luck and got a good job.
Lin Zhao gave firm words, “Job’s settled too; that family pulled strings for Big Sister, just wait for brother-in-law to recover more time, then she can go to work.”
Gu Mu was so happy she didn’t know what to say.
“What job?” Her tone excited.
“Cotton Textile Factory canteen, very good job.” Lin Zhao said.
Cotton Textile Factory was a big plant, great efficiency; places like the canteen, just like their Supply and Marketing Cooperative, really one radish one pit—even temporary worker spots were scrambled for.
If not for Wei Xiangdong saving a big shot, and that family repaying kindness, such a good thing… don’t even think.
“Canteen good! Canteen good!” Gu Mu said twice, voice louder each time, back straightening.
“I can finally relax.”
She patted her thigh, “Too bad your dad ain’t here, or he could be happy too.”
“Nothing much here for now; Mom can go back to the old house first… share the good news with Dad.” Lin Zhao smiled.
Gu Mu was so thrilled she had to vent.
“Deal, I’ll come again later.”
Words done, she bustled back to the old house.
The four kids didn’t follow; Heng Bao clung to Lin Zhao, tilting head cutely, “…can we see the gift Dad sent back now?”
Yu Bao was curious too, but… he saw Lin Zhao’s empty wonton bowl unwashed; he picked it up to go wash.
Lin Zhao stopped him, “You and Heng Bao are little birthday stars today; just be happy, washing clothes and dishes…”
Her words unfinished, Song Yunjin raised hand, “I’ll do it!”
Took the bowl, happily went into the kitchen.
Lin Zhao: “…”
Lin Zhao shrugged at the twins, “See, someone’s rushing to wash.. Come on, let’s go open the gift!”
The two little friends bounced after.
Yao Bao feared being left, hung on big brother’s arm, let him carry her along.
Lin Zhao had the children stand aside; she dragged out the box Gu Chenghuai sent back, and took out the scissors too.
With the tool, untied the hemp rope binding the box.
Yu Bao and Heng Bao busily opened the box.
