noffsinger Chapter 149: Add vinegar?
Chapter 149: Add vinegar?
Such gentleman's agreements are always used to guard against villains. To be fair, Li Mingxia trusts Mr. Li.
"It's settled. Let Mingyu go back with you today and help you with your work."
Zhang was about to speak when Li Mingxia spoke first, "We just finished building the house, and there are things piled everywhere. I just need someone to help me with the odds and ends. Grandpa, if there is nothing to do at home, I will take Mingyu back. I will ask her to come back after dinner."
When Old Lady Zheng heard that Li Mingxia was really going to order Li Mingyu around for free today, she felt a little unhappy. Of course, she didn't feel sorry for Li Mingyu, she just felt that Li Mingxia was taking advantage of her by ordering Li Mingyu around for free as she was her "property". But when she heard that she could save a dinner, Old Lady Zheng didn't object.
"Go ahead. There's not much work to do in the fields right now. What's there to be busy about?" Without Mrs. Zheng's interference, Mr. Li readily agreed.
After leaving the old house, Li Zhengpin and Li Sanlang were sent to the village grocery store to buy things, while Li Mingxia and Zhang took Li Mingyu back home.
This was the first time Li Mingyu came to Li Mingxia's house. The previous two times she stood outside the door because there were too many people and it was not convenient for her to come in.
Li Mingxia took Li Mingyu's hand and sat on the kang. After hearing about Li Erlang, Zhang felt more and more sorry for this girl. At this moment, cakes, red dates and syrup were laid out on the table. "Take whatever you can eat. When you come to Third Aunt's place, just treat it as your own home. Don't be polite."
Li Mingyu looked at the things in front of him and secretly swallowed his saliva, but did not reach out to take them. He just said, "Aunt San, Sister Mingxia, if you have any work to do, just tell me now. I'm not tired."
Zhang was very happy that Li Mingyu was so sensible. She pushed her back onto the kang and handed her a piece of jujube cake. "Your sister Mingxia likes this. You can try it too. If you don't like it, there are other options."
"Aunt San, I..."
"Just eat your food well. There is not much work to do at home. Just sweep the house and mop the floor. Your brother Zhengpin and your third uncle can do this little work. Do we still need you?" Zhang touched Li Mingyu's head and looked at her withered hair and thin face. She felt a little sad.
They had also been through hardships before, how could they not know how hard it was to live in the old house? But no matter what, they had survived, but when would this poor child be able to recover? I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to breathe a sigh of relief until he got out of the house, right?
"Eat quickly. Third Aunt will stew fish for you tonight." Zhang's voice became even gentler, as if she was afraid that if she spoke a little louder she would scare Li Mingyu.
Seeing Li Mingyu fidgeting with the date cake in his hand, Li Mingxia winked at Zhang.
"Mom, go pick some sweet potatoes for me. I'll make some candied sweet potatoes tonight. Zhengde has been talking about wanting to eat them these past two days."
Zhang agreed and pushed the things towards Li Mingyu again, "You two sisters, have a chat. I'll go pick some sweet potatoes for you."
Li Mingyu didn't feel relieved until Zhang left. Seeing Li Mingxia smiling at him, Li Mingyu felt a little embarrassed.
"My mother is easy to talk to. You will know her after a while. You don't have to feel uncomfortable here. Just treat it as your own home. If you have any grievances, don't keep them to yourself. Just tell me."
Li Mingxia took a piece of the same date cake as Li Mingyu's and took a bite, talking to her while eating. Slowly, Li Mingyu also relaxed, broke the date cake and started eating.
"My father was so happy when he knew I was going to work here. He said he was relieved to have me here." Li Mingyu's eyes were red, and it was unclear whether he was happy or what.
"Come over after breakfast tomorrow morning. These jobs are not difficult and not tiring. I said that on purpose to scare you and to get you to stay in the workshop longer." Li Mingxia was afraid that Li Mingyu had heard what he said, so he took the opportunity to explain a few words to her now that he remembered it.
Li Mingyu smiled faintly, "Sister Mingxia, if I don't even understand this, then I am not ungrateful. Don't worry, I can do any job. I am happy to work for you."
Li Mingxia felt a little uncomfortable seeing her being so cautious, so she turned her face away and said, "Drink some of this sugar water. It has honey in it. It tastes really good. You will like it Mingqiu and Mingdong."
"Hey!" Li Mingyu agreed quickly, patted the date cake crumbs on his hands, picked up the bowl, and started drinking in big gulps.
At dinner time, Zhang and Li Mingxia would ask Li Mingyu for help. The piece of tender meat on the fish's belly was originally shared by the two little girls, but this time Zhang put it all into Li Mingyu's bowl. The bone soup she drank was also prepared by Li Mingxia for her.
"Mingyu, I've put chopped green onions and coriander in it. Do you like vinegar? If you can eat sour food, add a little vinegar and it will taste better." Li Mingxia said with a smile.
Li Mingyu was basically invisible in the old house except for working. When had he ever been so valued and pampered? He took the bone soup and drank a big sip. He felt that his cold body had warmed up a lot.
Li Mingqiu and Li Mingdong sat opposite Li Mingyu and pouted their lips as they watched her drink the bone soup.
After seeing this, Li Mingxia thought that the two little girls were protecting their food. She was a little surprised, thinking that these two sisters were not like that. What happened today?
"Sister, I want to drink bone soup too!"
"I want to drink too!"
Li Mingdong and Li Mingqiu said immediately after they met Li Mingxia's gaze.
"Drink it, there's so much, if you want to drink it——"
Before Li Mingxia finished speaking, he saw that Li Mingqiu and Li Mingdong's mouths were pouting so much that a soy sauce bottle could be hung on them. He understood after a quick thought.
"You put more cilantro and less vinegar, and you put more chopped green onions and less vinegar. Is what sister said right?"
Li Mingqiu and Li Mingdong smiled again, "Yes, sister, you are so nice. You know what we like to eat."
Li Mingxia looked at the two radish-heads whose thoughts were written all over their faces with some amusement, prepared bone soup for them, and then sat down to eat.
When Li Zhengpin sent Li Mingyu back, Zhang scolded the two sisters.
"Doesn't your sister usually make bone soup for you? Why did you protect Mingyu's food after she took a few bites today? No matter what, Mingyu is still your sister, how can you be like this?"
Li Mingqiu and Li Mingdong had already been coaxed by Li Mingxia. Zhang's two words did not affect their mood. They laughed and agreed, then went to wash up and go to bed.