Chapter 128: Gao Fen
Qin Fen’s whole family were diligent people, the mother and daughter were full of gratitude toward Su Ning, holding the attitude that if they couldn’t speak it they would do it, they simply couldn’t stop with eyes only on the work.
That inexhaustible energy all over the body was truly like they wished they could dig up even the small stones laid in the front yard, wash them clean, and scatter them back.
With someone to chat and work with, time passed even faster.
“Xiao Lian, it’s about time, let’s go make dinner first so Xiao Su can eat hot food when she gets back.”
“Okay, Mom.”
This time Gao Fen came over from home not only bringing quite a few fresh fish and shrimp, but also her own homegrown loofah, little pumpkin, long beans, chili pepper, and such.
Knowing Su Ning could eat spicy food, she cooked without the previous hesitation and could boldly make her specialty dishes.
She washed the broken rice she brought clean and steamed it well, Xiao Lian moved over a small stool to watch Mom skillfully slaughter the fish and scrape the scales.
“Lian, what are you grinning foolishly about?”
Clearly feeling her daughter’s difference, perhaps having witnessed the effect of Xiao Su family’s ancestral scar removal medicine this time, hope arose in her heart, and the whole person exuded an indescribable vitality from inside out.
Just like the sky that had been gloomy for a long time finally clearing, bright and brilliant.
Gao Fen couldn’t help but lift the corners of her mouth along with her, but smiling and smiling, she hurriedly lowered her head to cover her suddenly reddened eyes.
……
Night fell as usual accompanied by thousands of lights, the evening breeze full of a faint osmanthus fragrance.
Riding the bicycle, smelling the unique flower scent of autumn, Su Ning in a good mood couldn’t help humming a little tune.
Far away she saw her own small courtyard gate wide open, the dim yellow light spilling out enveloping one person and one dog sitting on the steps, casting long shadows.
“Xiao Lian, why are you sitting outside?”
Holding the handlebars and squeezing the brakes tight, she steadily stopped in front of the two.
“Sister Su!”
“Woof~”
Hugging the little round circle tight in her arms, the originally drooping head immediately lifted upon hearing her voice, and after confirming, it happily jumped up directly.
“We’re waiting here for you to come back.”
“Come on, let’s go inside first, tomorrow you can’t silly sit at the door like this, okay.”
“Mm-hmm!”
Nose sniffing, smelling the aroma of dishes coming from the courtyard, Su Ning surprisedly raised her brows and her hand pushing the bike paused slightly, “Xiao Lian, did Aunt come over?”
“Ah, I haven’t even had time to say, Sister Su, how did you know?”
“Hehe, of course I guessed.”
This fish fragrance was too much like the braised fish chunks made in the factory canteen today, the fish from Du Yan Reservoir truly was different from fish elsewhere.
Anyone who could cook should be able to notice or even directly smell this difference.
Able to make fish and shrimp with this aroma, no wonder Qin Fen proudly said that in the ten li eight villages, for red or white happy events, they would invite his wife to be the chef and cook the big banquet.
“Xiao Su is back? Perfect, the meal is all ready, wash your hands and face and we can eat!”
Gao Fen hearing the movement in the yard, first carefully placed the large bowl of fish soup in the middle of the dining table, then walked out of the kitchen wiping her hands.
Seeing her chatting and laughing with her daughter, eyes full of gentleness, “Xiao Lian, don’t cling to your Sister Su, she worked the whole day and still not letting her rest quickly.”
“Aunt, you’ve worked hard.”
“Oh, it’s all usual stuff I’m used to, what’s hard about it, not sure if it suits your taste!”
“Just the smell tells me it’s delicious, I’ve heard Uncle Qin mention your cooking skills, it’s this good.”
“Don’t listen to your uncle talk nonsense!”
Saying this on her mouth, but her face was happily grinning from ear to ear because of her words.
Bike parked properly, conveniently washed hands by the basin, then Su Ning went into the kitchen with the mother and daughter.
Looking at the four or five dishes on the table, and the bowls of rice served, she had an idea in her heart.
Besides oil and salt, Gao Fen probably didn’t touch any other things like the grain in the cabinet.
She could roughly guess Gao Fen’s concerns and thoughts, but chose not to mention it at the dinner table.
The three people and one dog ate a satisfying meal.
Although it was the first time eating such numbing and spicy food, mouth swollen red all around, but had to say this feeling was very satisfying.
“How is it, Xiao Su, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Aunt, drank some boiled water and ate two milk candies to settle it.”
Gao Fen saw her eyes still watery, damp like a little deer in the mountains, making one’s heart soften uncontrollably.
Should’ve known not to add those last chili seeds, didn’t expect to spice the child like this.
“Tomorrow Aunt knows what to do, Xiao Su rest assured.”
“Then, how about just a little less?”
“Hahahaha, good good good.”
“Hehehe~”
The mother and daughter were both amused endlessly by her mischievous look.
Retracting her pinched orchid finger, the thickly fragrant milk candy in her mouth diluted the numbing spiciness, Su Ning then helped them clean up the dining table and kitchen.
After Gao Fen washed the bowl and chopsticks, knives, and conveniently put them away in the cabinet, she casually mentioned, “Aunt, tomorrow daytime when you and Xiao Lian are home, remember to cook and eat the things in the grain cabinet.”
“Ah?”
“It’s not that they’ve been stored too long, rained for so long, the things inside are damp, if the weather dries and they sprout or mold, it’d be a waste.”
“Hehehe, you this child!”
Having lived half a lifetime, tasted all kinds of oil and salt, just from her tone she knew the real intention.
Gao Fen smilingly lightly poked her, inwardly sighing endlessly: how is Xiao Su this child so thoughtful and considerate.
Not continuing on the matter she mentioned, closing the small door of the cabinet, casually wiping the water off the handle, instead turned to take out the money bag she brought this time.
Inside the bulk was what the old woman had saved over the years, over twelve hundred yuan.
The husband and the married-out sisters-in-law were all filial, she stubbornly said not afraid of no coffin money, not only took out all the money but also added two small gold bars.
The eldest at home just got married not long ago, the second and third below were also nearing the time.
Fortunately the siblings had good relations, second and third all said to use these first for treating the youngest sister Lian Wa, they’d slowly save their own wife funds.
She borrowed some from her maternal home, prepaid some work points at the brigade, all together scraped to this much.
“Xiao Su, here.”
“What’s this?”
“Not sure if it’s enough, if not we’ll think of ways to gather more, you take these first.”
This bulging long cloth bag, not sure how she stuffed it, Su Ning opened the bag and just glanced to know the money inside was at least one to two thousand yuan.
This much probably not only emptied the family savings, but also pulled a lot of debts.
To be honest, though Jade Visage Paste didn’t use overly precious medicinal materials, most inside were ones she grew herself with almost no cost and not much thought or effort spent.
But what was valuable was this formula, and the medicinal ingredient added inside.
Spring water and blue jadeite could be called priceless treasures, unique in the world that couldn’t be bought anywhere else.
One to two thousand was not expensive at all in front of knowledgeable people, if she took it she wouldn’t feel the least bit guilty.
Just…
Treating Xiao Lian’s scar was her own proposal, not begged tearfully, moreover she truly wanted from the bottom of her heart to help this pitiful girl Xiao Lian.
Didn’t want to see such a flower bud age little girl, life not yet begun to bloom just wither and decay directly.
She didn’t lack money coupons, and it was something she took on herself, how could she let them go bankrupt to do it?
“Aunt, this is too much, won’t use this much.”
“Hm? Xiao Su don’t fool us, your Uncle Qin said this might not even be enough.”
To give this much money, how could Gao Fen not feel heartbroken, even if their family buried heads in the field and reservoir, saving another ten years might not reach it.
But for the daughter, it was worth it no matter what.
Pushing back the refused money bag again, not only that Gao Fen tightly gripped those hands not letting her move.
“We all saw the effect of that ointment, though your aunt is a countryside village woman with no knowledge, but also know if the medicine works so well and fast, manufacturing it must be hard and the things inside definitely very precious!
Xiao Su, spending money on treatment is only right and proper, you are kind and good person but we can’t pretend not to know and shamelessly take advantage.”
“How about this Aunt, I’ll take half the money, count it as payment for the ointment and next half month’s food and lodging for you and Xiao Lian, okay?”
One month rotation, plus ordeal of relatives visiting, stomach too painful today, just coded one chapter. Sorry, little cuties, forgive me forgive me!
