Chapter 113: Sugar-roasted Chestnuts
After driving away the uninvited guests, Grandmother Shen immediately felt that the air was much fresher.
The onlookers also left because there was no more excitement to see, but this matter would spread throughout the village in no time.
Suddenly, Grandmother Shen remembered something: “Everyone, hurry and take a bath, wash your hair, and change your clothes. Don’t get fleas, those things are awful.”
The family immediately became busy again.
When Shen Yunlian washed Yun Jiao’s hair, she specifically looked for fleas, and fortunately, she didn’t find any.
But Grandmother Shen had indeed caught some, finding two dead ones in her hair.
Her expression was very displeased: “If only I hadn’t pulled her hair with my hands, how long has that person not washed her hair!”
Aunt Shen: “Quick, let me see too.”
She had also grabbed those people’s hair; there was no other way, as women fighting usually involves grabbing hair and scratching faces.
Because of the delay caused by those people, their mealtime was a bit late.
Grandmother Shen stir-fried the chicken giblets today.
The fragrant, spicy, and sour chicken giblets made one’s mouth water just by smelling them.
Yun Jiao stayed by the stove and was given a lot of food for a special meal.
She was so satisfied that her eyes were squinted, and her happiness was visible.
It was another abundant meal, and everyone sat in the courtyard chatting with full bellies after eating.
“Daughter, tomorrow you and your son-in-law should take the meat back early in the morning. We only have one last piece of corn left to harvest, and we’ll finish it in less than a day.”
Shen Yunlian: “No rush for that, let’s harvest the last piece of land first.”
“That won’t do, the weather is hot, and the meat will spoil if left for too long. If it weren’t so late, I would have accompanied you to take the meat back. Listen to me, you take the meat back first thing tomorrow morning, and we’ll also make smoked meat out of the remaining meat to preserve it.”
Shen Yunlian thought about it, and fearing the meat would go to waste, she finally nodded in agreement.
Yun Jiao tugged at Uncle Shen’s clothes: “Uncle, candied hawthorn.”
Uncle Shen patted his forehead: “Oh right, I was so busy I forgot all about this.”
He scooped Yun Jiao up and put her on his neck: “Let’s go, Uncle will stir-fry chestnuts for you now.”
Yun Jiao’s vision suddenly elevated, and her eyes sparkled like stars with happiness.
Seeing this, Yun Xiaowu also clamored to ride a horse.
Uncle Shen: “Get away, you’re so heavy, are you trying to crush me by riding on me? What, do you have a problem with your uncle?”
Yun Xiaowu was kicked and ran off.
Before stir-frying the chestnuts, two slits need to be made on them, otherwise, they will explode from the heat.
Due to limited conditions, the chestnuts stir-fried by Uncle Shen had slightly burnt skins, but they were still delicious after peeling, just not as sweet.
After all, sugar is also precious.
However, the chestnuts were glutinous with a grainy texture, and they were delicious with that hint of sweetness.
“I didn’t stir-fry much today. It’s not good for digestion to eat too much before bed. The leftovers will be delicious even if boiled when you take them back.”
Yun Jiao, with chestnuts in her mouth and happily eating, nodded: “Mhm, mhm.”
When she goes home, she will not only pester her father to stir-fry chestnuts but also make candied hawthorn.
“Meow~”
While Yun Jiao was lying on the lounge chair fanning herself to cool down, the tabby cat climbed over the wall.
She patted her thigh.
“Kitty, come here.”
Tabby Cat: …………
“Boss, over here.”
Only then did the tabby cat flick its tail and jump into her arms.
“So big.”
Holding the tabby cat, Yun Jiao scratched its chin with her finger: “Good thing I’m strong, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to hold you.”
Probably because it was too comfortable, she yawned and gradually fell asleep.
The exquisite and picturesque young girl in the night was wearing only a small white vest and shorts. Her exposed chubby arms and legs had snow-white, delicate skin, which seemed to emit a soft glow in the moonlight.
At first glance, she looked very clean and soft, like a plump ball of fluff.
The tabby cat didn’t lie on her but stretched and lay down beside her on the lounge chair, covering her little stomach with its tail, and also fell asleep.
Just a few minutes after closing her eyes, the tabby cat’s ears twitched, and it opened its eyes, its pair of green pupils staring at the approaching person.
Yun Chendong glanced at the tabby cat: “I’ll carry her to sleep.”
He didn’t know why he was explaining to a cat, but he just felt that this cat was quite intelligent.
However, many of the animals around Jiaojiao were intelligent.
The sleeping Yun Jiao looked soft and obedient.
Yun Chendong was usually steady and self-possessed, the least likely to laugh in the family, and a person with very restrained emotions.
At this moment, looking at his sleeping sister, the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards.
Although his sister was a bit lively, stronger, and occasionally mischievous, she was truly obedient. Being near her always made people soft-hearted and want to protect her well.
Yun Chendong gently and carefully picked up the tiny person.
Yun Jiao frowned, showing signs of waking up.
But she only slightly lifted her eyelids, her nostrils flaring as if smelling something.
“Big brother.”
Even though she couldn’t clearly see who was holding her, she recognized him by his scent and, not fully awake, mumbled “big brother.”
The young girl’s voice was already pleasant, and this “big brother” was called out in a sweet and soft tone.
Yun Chendong held her tighter, gently patting her back.
“Sleep.”
He expertly soothed the soft little one in his arms to sleep.
“Asleep? Let me see.”
Yun Chenxi came over, circled his older brother, and also wanted a hug.
After the autumn harvest, the two of them would leave, and they wouldn’t be able to return for at least two to three years.
Yun Chendong dodged him: “Don’t wake her up.”
As he spoke, he walked towards the house.
Yun Chenxi followed reluctantly.
“I won’t wake her, just let me hold her!”
The tabby cat stretched, jumped onto the wall, and continued to sleep.
Early the next morning, Grandmother Shen’s house was bustling with activity.
They packed pork, and grain was also essential.
“Take this old rice back. You’re not allowed to pay for it this time. We’re about to harvest new rice soon. Take this rice back for Jiao Jiao to eat. She and Xiao Jiu are still young, they need to eat more rice to grow.”
“And this bamboo fungus, it’s all dried and take it all back.”
In just a short while, two backpacks were filled to the brim.
“That’s enough, that’s enough…”
Shen Yunlian and Yun Linhai kept saying “enough” from the side.
Grandfather Shen silently took out a very exquisite little monkey woven from fine bamboo strips from his room.
“Jiao Jiao, this is for Jiao Jiao.”
His dark hands had rough skin, but with these rough hands, he wove a very delicate small toy for his granddaughter.
Yun Jiao hugged the bamboo-woven monkey, her eyes full of affection.
“It’s beautiful, Grandpa is good, Jiao Jiao likes it.”
She opened her small arms and hugged Grandfather Shen.
Grandfather Shen was usually a man of few words, but his love for Yun Jiao was not any less.
Grandfather Shen hugged Yun Jiao, smiling like a satisfied big child.
As they left, both sides were extremely reluctant.
Grandfather Shen and Grandmother Shen saw them off for a long distance.
Yun Jiao was held by her big brother, and every time she looked back, she could see the people still standing there, waving goodbye, unwilling to leave.
