CHAPTER XXI

The stone mill had already been washed out for later use, and the beans were softened, so Shumin decided to make dinner first, and then start grinding beans after cooking Hui'er's medicine.

Two things went to his heart at once, and Shumin planned to comfort himself for dinner today. At home, there are greens and radishes from the last uncle, as well as a yellow ridge and two chickens.

Chickens, Shumin won't move, and she's counting on them to lay eggs. So he sharpened his knife and cut a large piece of yellow loin for stir-frying, and the rest of the meat was salted.

Those visceral Shumin were thrown away and buried in the ground. She didn't like to eat offal in the first place, and besides, she was still an animal offal that had been dead for a long time.

I washed another radish, and boiled a large pot of radish soup with the bones removed from Huang Ji's body.

Then I burned a pot of white rice, this white rice was bought in the town today, some of it was expensive for four stripes of money a catty, Shumin was not willing to sell more, so he bought five catties.

At dinner, Hui'er was in a much better spirit, and she didn't need to feed herself, but unfortunately she didn't eat much, and in the end there was still a lot of food left.

Hey, forget it, I don't know when I will grind beans today, and I will definitely be hungry again, so I still heat it in the pot, and as long as I add a fire to the stove at that time, the meal will be hot immediately.

Hui'er's medicine Shumin didn't dare to be sloppy, she kept staring at the fire and gently shaking it with a fan, but she didn't dare to shake it hard, for fear that the fire would be too fierce, but the doctor said that she needed to simmer slowly.

In this way, the stew will take a long time. It took about half an hour to stew the medicine, and quickly called Hui'er over to take the medicine.

The medicine was a little bitter, and Hui'er didn't want to eat it, so she was about to eat it all in the end. After taking the medicine, Hui'er fell asleep. I don't know if it's the medicine really playing a role or Shumin's own mental effect, I feel that Hui'er is sleeping more peacefully than usual this night.

It was already dark, but the courtyard of the Zhang family was still very lively. Although it is the second time that Da Lang has married, all the heads and faces in the village have been invited, which is lively and grand. At the end of the day, Old Man Zhang's family didn't stop laughing, and at this moment, the smile on their faces was as hard as carving, as if that face was no longer their own. It seems that laughing for too long is not an easy thing to do. The banquet has long been spent overnight, the elders stay in front of the hall to chat, and the juniors are making a new room in the bride's room. This is a tradition here, and the more violent the children, the better. Qiuhua's face was red, holding a handful of candy in her hand, ready to hand it out at any time.

Looking at the beautiful autumn flowers that were waiting to be released from afar, he suddenly remembered that when he got married for the first time, Shumin was also like this. What is she doing now? Will she be sad when she gets married? Does she cry? He remembers that she will cry.

At the same time, Chunsheng sat in his sister's room, and everything in the room was the same as before she got married, but his heart was empty, and he felt like he had lost the most precious thing. They fled from the north, and along the way, the younger sister contracted the cold, and the mother was penniless, so she knelt at the door of the prescription and begged all night, and the doctor reluctantly gave a dose of medicine. It's like sending Hanako. The life-saving medicine went back to my sister, but my mother fell, and then I met Dr. Hu, but unfortunately it was too late, and my mother died in this Baili Village. The villagers saw that they were pitiful, so they took them in. When I grew up, I helped the village do some work, and my sister embroidered at home, and finally came over all these years. Later, the family also built a house and bought two acres of land. I learned another skill, and I returned to the mountain with a full load. Seeing that the days were getting better and better, my sister got married. Leave this empty house.

To be honest, he doesn't like Daddy Zhang's family very much, and thinks they are too philistine. Just like a few years ago, their family ignored themselves, and then they slowly got close to themselves when they saw that their lives were better.

Although such a person is annoying, as long as he lives well and gets better and better, the Zhang family will always attach importance to his sister, and then his sister's life in the Zhang family will be better. There will never be a thing like that woman being bullied by her mother-in-law.

When her ex-husband remarried, how did she feel?

He looked out the window and looked in the direction of the peak ridge, it was the end of the month, there was no moonlight, and his expression could not be seen clearly in the darkness.

At this moment, Shumin was grinding beans, she scooped a spoonful of beans with a spoon and poured them into the round hole of the stone mill, and then pushed the handle on the stone mill hard, and the stone mill turned around, put another spoonful of beans, and pushed hard, and the stone mill turned around again. Seeing more and more beans being ground into pulp, Shumin's heart was filled with a deep sense of satisfaction. It's just that this stone mill grinding its tofu is too slow and tiring, and it hasn't been touched for an hour, and only half of it has been grinded. In the future, we have to solve the problem of grinding beans, otherwise one tofu a day will be enough to make me tired, how can I get rich? Thinking so, Shumin decided to take a break halfway, eat some supper and then continue grinding beans.

Finally grinding all the beans, Shumin finally got tired and lay down. I fell asleep when I got to bed.

When he woke up, it was already dawn, Shumin rubbed the back of his sore hand and got up to make tofu. In my previous life, when I went back to the countryside during the holidays, I saw my grandmother do it, and the main link was the ratio of gypsum to soy milk. Grandma once said that five catties of beans are enough as long as you dip one-third of the amount in a rice spoon, and Shumin estimates that it is only about two grams.

After a while, Hui'er also got up, she slept well, so she was in good spirits, and when she got up, she didn't cry and came to the kitchen in her small clothes.

Shumin helped her wash her face, and used willow branches to help her comb her teeth, and then gave her the soy milk left in the morning.

Hui'er looked at the white, fragrant soy milk, and looked delicious, so she squatted in front of the stove with a bowl and drank it slowly.

"Does it taste good?" Shumin asked, dissolving the plaster with a small amount of water.

Hui'er flashed her two big eyes and nodded with a smile. She still doesn't like to talk.

"If you like to drink, my mother will make it for you every day in the future, okay?" The doctor said that Hui'er's situation needs to be cared for by herself before she can slowly recover, so she always tries to talk to her as much as possible, hoping that she can slowly recover to her previous lively and cute appearance.

Hui'er still smiled and nodded.

This is much better than the previous two days, at least I will laugh, Shumin is very pleased.

The next step is to pour the soy milk into a wooden barrel and let the gypsum slowly turn the soy milk into tofu flowers. After a quarter of an hour, the tofu flowers of the white flowers were formed.

Shumin added some bean curd to Hui'er. Hui'er saw that the soybean milk in the water turned into a white flower and soft bean curd after a while, and felt amazing. From time to time, I looked at the barrel.

"Isn't it fun?" Shumin poured the bean curd into a container made of a wooden shelf prepared in advance, wrapped it in a coarse cloth, pressed the prepared wooden plank, and put a wooden bucket with half a bucket of water on the wooden plank, and let it drain into tofu.

Hui'er nodded, staring intently.

"We have delicious tofu at noon, are you happy?" Shumin asked again

Hui'er still smiled and nodded, she didn't know what tofu was, but her mother said that if it was delicious, it would definitely be delicious.

As soon as Hui'er finished taking the medicine, Zhang Li came to the door. Hui'er saw her like a rabbit eating a man-eating tiger, and she was so frightened that she hid in Shumin's arms and shivered.

"What are you hiding, I don't eat people!" Seeing that his granddaughter didn't give himself face, Zhang Li secretly scolded in his heart for losing money.

"Auntie, why are you here?" It's impossible to call my mother anymore, Shumin thought about it and called her aunt.

"Qiuhua entered the door yesterday, today is her first day as a new daughter-in-law in Zhang's house, I have to take this little thing back to recognize people. Zhang Li said angrily, "Who knew that this guy would hide if he picked me up, he was really a white-eyed wolf who couldn't be fed, and the Zhang family's food for so many years was in vain." ”

"Auntie, you also saw it, Hui'er is still sick. Shumin gently comforted Hui'er who was hiding behind her with her hand, she would not let Hui'er go back.

"I think she's fine, she can run and jump. Don't say it, go back with your grandmother to see your stepmother. Zhang Li stepped forward to pull Hui'er as he spoke, and Hui'er was frightened and cried.

"Auntie!" Shumin was a little angry, "Hui'er is not good, you scare her like this, aren't you afraid that she will become stricter?"

Zhang Li swallowed and scolded, "Mourning Star, you must have taught her badly." With a bad stomach, you are no longer a member of the Zhang family, and you still think about the good things that are bad for the Zhang family. I sue you that you don't have a door, Hua is a serious marriage into the door, she will be Hui'er's mother in the future, you can't stop it, shameless!"

Shu Min saw that she began to scold herself in a blink of an eye, she was speechless, and she didn't want to quarrel with her, so she had to give an eviction order, "You go back first, and I'll take her back to Zhang's house when Hui'er is better." ”

After speaking, he picked up Hui'er and went back to the room, leaving her alone in the courtyard. Zhang Li was angry, stood in the courtyard and scolded for a while, but saw that Shumin didn't give a reaction, so he had to go back scolding. Along the way, when she met people, she said bad things about Shumin, saying that she was not at ease when she left, and instigated Hui'er to go against her. Fortunately, most of the people in the village are bright. Hui'er had an accident that night, and everyone in the village knew about it. If it weren't for Qin's insistence, Hui'er might have gone.

Zhang Li returned home and told Shumin in front of everyone. After finishing speaking, he drank several sips of tea to relieve his hatred. The old man lowered his head and smoked a dry cigarette and didn't know what to think again, Zhengyuan lowered his head and wanted to say something, but he didn't open his mouth after all, let alone the people in the second room.

Qiuhua stepped forward and added some tea to Zhang Li's bowl. said, "Mother, it's dry and easy to get angry this day, don't be angry." Hui'er must really not be good, otherwise she will come back with you. Why don't I go over there with Brother Zhengyuan later, and when I see Hui'er, I will recognize her, okay?"

Zhang Li smiled and patted Qiuhua's hand and said, "It's still you! Hurry up and give me a grandson, I'm too lazy to be angry with that girl!" It's not that she doesn't love her granddaughter, it's just that as soon as she saw the girl, she thought that after the big house was broken, she felt inexplicably angry in her heart. That's why she didn't have a good look at that girl.

Qiuhua blushed when she said it, and she didn't know how to take it. The old man on the side spoke, "What is your mother-in-law anxious about, it scares people." Don't be afraid of autumn flowers. I believe that sooner or later, let us hold our eldest grandson. ”

The people in the second room listened to the words of the two elders, and their hearts were very uncomfortable: Isn't their own child the grandson of the old Zhang family? It is as if the old Zhang family has never hugged a grandson.

After Zhang Li left, Shumin was silent for a long time before Hui'er slowly quieted down. I think it was the shadow left by Hui'er when Zhang Li locked Hui'er in the small black room that day. Hui'er is afraid that she will not be able to get close to Zhang Li in her life.

By the time it was almost noon, the tofu was no longer draining. Shu Min carefully opened the coarse cloth with anticipation, and then covered it back with a wooden board, then turned it over, and finally removed the bottom plate and wooden frame on it, and lifted the coarse cloth, and the white and tender tofu shone brightly in the sun, as beautiful as white jade. The well-patterned lattice carved in advance on the bottom plate is now printed horizontally and vertically on the white tofu, turning it into 25 square pieces.

Shumin held the knife and carefully followed the lines to cut them. In this way, twenty-five pieces of tofu exuded an enticing fragrance and lay quietly on the wooden board.

Hui'er looked straight at the side, stretched out her little finger and poked it gently, the tofu was not broken, and there was a slight elasticity. Shumin knew that the tofu was a success this time.

She took out a clean plate, picked up two pieces of tofu from the plate, cut off a hind leg from the ridge, and put it in the basket.

"Let's go, let's go to my uncle's house. Shumin took Hui'er and went to Lizheng's house. Li Zheng and Uncle Niang helped her a lot, Shumin has been thinking about how to repay them, and now that the tofu is made, she can't wait to send them some.

Li Zheng went out, and the aunt was cooking in the backyard. When I heard that Shumin was coming, I didn't take off my apron and came out with a spatula. In a hurry, her eldest daughter-in-law, Li, chased her out and said, "Mother, you left the spatula for me!"

Only then did the aunt react and gave the spatula and apron to the Li family. Li smiled at Shumin, turned around and went back to cooking.

"Come, call Grandma. Shumin asked Hui'er to greet her uncle, but Hui'er just smiled and snuggled in Shumin's arms. Shumin had no choice but to say, "Hui'er is still sick and doesn't like to talk much, don't mind, uncle." ”

"No, no, no. The aunt hurriedly smiled and pulled Hui'er in her arms, and said distressedly, "I've heard about it, why do you say that her heart is so ruthless!"

Hui'er was very quiet in her uncle's arms, and Shumin was a lot more relieved. She placed the basket on the table and took out the yellow spine leg and tofu inside. said: "Thank you for taking care of me recently, I got some meat and tofu at home, don't dislike it." ”

"You kid, you have everything at home, just keep food for yourself. The aunt was a little unhappy to see her like this.

"Uncle Niang, this meat is not rare for you, but I promise you haven't eaten this tofu. Shumin knew that she cared about herself, and she didn't care.

"Tofu?" "Uncle Niang saw the square and white thing, "What is this?"

"This is tofu, made of beans. It tastes good. Shumin said.

"You coax me, it doesn't look like beans!" she sniffed again, "but it smells a little bit of beans." After speaking, he touched it with his hand again, and was startled, "Yo, it's still soft!"

Shu Min couldn't help but be a little amused when she saw her dozens of years old aunt like a curious baby. She said, "Uncle, I figured this thing up. It is suitable for all ages, hot and cold, frying, boiling and stir-frying are delicious, and it is especially fragrant if it is stewed with meat. ”

"Is it really that good? Then I'm going to try it. Uncle Niang is not polite, there is a wild boar stew on the stove, she can't wait to put the tofu in, but a whole piece is a little difficult to start.

"Just break it into small pieces by hand. Shumin reminded.

"Yo, my brain. Uncle Niang reacted immediately, and broke it into pieces with her hands and put them into the casserole. It's a pity that there is too much meat in the casserole, and it is full with only a piece of tofu.

"There's another piece to stir-fry. "Shu Min Ti yì. Uncle Niang has never made tofu, so naturally Shumin said how to do it. She brought the tofu to the kitchen and let Lee fry it. Li had never seen tofu, let alone made it, and his face was crotched, "Mother, how should I fry it?"

Shumin had no choice but to say: "If you don't dislike this dish, I'll make it, and you'll all learn it if I cook it once." ”

Li Shi was a little embarrassed to hand the spatula to Shu Min and said, "If you want to prepare something, just tell me." I'll do it for you. ”

"Then cut some garlic, chili, and if you have meat, cut some diced meat, forget it. Shumin said

"Yes, both. Li hurriedly prepared to go, Shumin scooped a spoonful of oil and drew a circle along the pot, and the oil edge was evenly sprinkled in the pot.

"Small fire, fire should be even. Shumin said as he picked up the tofu and carefully cut it on his hand with a knife.

Before you finish cutting it, put the cut tofu slices in a circle along the bottom of the pot.

Shumin observed the heat from time to time, and when the tofu was almost fried, he carefully turned it over with a shovel, added some oil and continued to fry, and fried the tofu until it was golden brown on both sides, and then got out of the pot. Finally, I put oil in the pot to fry the minced garlic, chili peppers, and diced meat, and finally put the cut tofu into it and turned it over together, adding seasoning. A dish of golden tofu is ready.

"It's so beautiful, just smelling it, I drool. "Uncle Niang and Li couldn't wait to taste it, and they couldn't help but say yes.

Shu Min was very happy to see that they liked to eat it, and said, "I will make tofu every day in the future, and my aunt will go to me to get it if she wants to eat it." ”

"That's a good feeling, but you can't take it every day, otherwise you'll have to eat you!" Li also nodded in agreement.

"I'm not afraid, it's not a precious thing. Shumin said very generously.

"Is this really made of soybeans?" Li still had a hard time associating hard and dry soybeans with this tofu, "If you didn't lie to me, I would have just exchanged the soybeans with you." Anyway, there are a lot of soybeans at home. ”

"This feeling is good, not only can you exchange soybeans, but also rice, noodles, oil, salt, and vegetables. No matter how delicious things are, they can't eat them every day, and if you take Hui'er alone, how can you only eat tofu every day! If you want me to say that as long as the people in the village eat your tofu, they will be happy to pay for it. Uncle Niang suddenly opened her mind and told Shumin's plan.

Originally, the countryside was self-sufficient, and buying with money was the same as exchanging goods.

"Well, that's what I'm going to do. If we can really do it, Hui'er and I won't have to worry about our lives. Shumin said, "Uncle, you have to help me talk to the people in the village, otherwise they won't believe me." ”

"Wrap it up on me, I'm the best at it. Uncle Niang said.

Seeing that it was noon, Shumin took his leave. The aunt wanted to keep the food, but Shumin said that she didn't lock the door when she went out, so she had to go back and push it quickly. So Shumin took Hui'er home, and before leaving, the aunt gave Hui'er a handful of food, and Hui'er ate while walking, very happy.

With the help of my aunt, I believe that it will not be long before my tofu will sell well, and the rice noodles exchanged for tofu should be enough for a winter. If it wasn't enough, I had to go to the town to sell it.