Phi-Fic Chapter 80: Wouldn't it be enough to just marry Lin Daiyu?
Chapter 80: Wouldn't it be enough to just marry Lin Daiyu?
Lin Chang'er and Aunt Zhou were both taken aback.
Aunt Zhou spoke first, "Husband, what did you bring over?" She hadn't told him about the wheat yet!
Lin Chang'er was also curious and jokingly said, "Uncle Village Head, have you brought all your family's wealth to me?"
Zhou Hai laughed heartily, carried the load in front of the two men, and put it down, then uncovered the dust cover.
Both baskets were filled to the brim with chicken, duck, and vegetables.
Lin Chang'er was dumbfounded. Had Uncle Lizheng really emptied his pockets by buying so many things?
Aunt Zhou was also taken aback. How much silver must that be? She remembered that her husband hadn't brought any money with him today!
They asked, "Where did it come from?" It certainly couldn't have been bought by the head of the household, unless they sold Lin Houde, but that bastard wasn't worth much!
Zhou Hai kept them in suspense, "Guess?"
Lin Chang'er waved her hand, "I can't guess that."
Aunt Zhou slapped her husband hard, "Speak up quickly."
Zhou Hai then said with a grin, "It's Master Pei. When we passed through Linhai Town on our way back, he was already waiting for us at the crossroads."
He also prepared food and water for us, which he asked us to bring back for Chang'er, saying it was rations for Young Master Bai and Young Master Wu.
There were also two sets of spare clothes.
Lin Chang'er then remembered that at noon, when Wu Qingfeng had the village head and the others take Lin Houde to the county government office.
Everyone hadn't had lunch yet. It was thanks to Uncle Pei's thoughtfulness that we made the round trip; otherwise, we would have been starving long ago.
Thinking about this, she felt a little ashamed and immediately asked Zhou Hai which families had gone to help.
Aunt Zhou then asked, "Is Chang'er planning to prepare a thank-you gift?"
Originally, it was just a small matter between neighbors, and it wasn't necessary.
But every little thing is a matter of personal favor, so Lin Chang'er nodded and said, "Yes, I just don't know what would be more appropriate."
Aunt Zhou said, "There's no hard and fast rule about this. What do you think?"
Lin Chang'er said, "I was thinking of sending a pastry to each family, but then I felt that it didn't seem very practical."
It's often said that you should give expensive gifts, but that applies to wealthy families. In rural areas, practicality should be the priority.
Aunt Zhou nodded. "I have an idea. We can treat them to a meal, or give each family a pound of grain."
One pound of grain is enough for a family of three to eat for two or three days.
Lin Chang'er nodded, "I'll go tell my mother, and trouble you to accompany her to deliver it."
This is a good thing, and Aunt Zhou naturally had no objections.
Without delay, Lin Chang'er immediately went to weigh the grain, one pound of coarse rice for each household, which was delivered by Aunt Zhou and Gu's mother.
Uncle Pei was very thoughtful; the basket not only contained ingredients, but also some of the seasonings that Sihai Restaurant had.
Lin Chang'er sorted it out and found that she could make a braising sauce, which made her very happy.
For lunch, we had Solomon's Seal and Old Duck Soup, and for dinner, we had Dry Pot Chicken and Braised Duck.
Vegetables include radishes, bok choy, celery, and tofu.
Radishes can be braised or made into vegetarian meatballs, while celery, tofu, and meat can be used to make pancakes and dumplings.
The flour is readily available, it just takes a little time.
Fortunately, Aunt Zhou and Mother Gu returned quickly after delivering the items. After thinking for a moment, Lin Chang'er went to call Sister-in-law Xiao Hua over to help.
Aunt Zhou and Sister-in-law Xiaohua were in charge of kneading the dough, while Mother Gu and Sister-in-law Gu mixed the filling under Lin Chang'er's guidance.
Lin Chang'er herself was responsible for making dry pot chicken and braised duck.
When Wu Qingfeng, Bai Shaoan, the Gu family, and several children returned, they smelled the aroma of meat outside the courtyard.
Bai Shaoan immediately exclaimed excitedly, "Third Brother, Sister Lin has made delicious food again. It smells so good!"
Wu Qingfeng was rather reserved, only giving a soft "hmm," but he also quickened his pace, seemingly without realizing it.
Just as they entered, Lin Chang'er came out of the kitchen after washing her hands.
Upon seeing each other, he quickly greeted them, "You're back! Put your things down, wash your hands, and then it's time to eat."
While washing her hands, Lin Chang'er told Wu Qingfeng and Bai Shaoan about how Uncle Pei had asked the village head to bring some things over.
Wu Qingfeng simply said, "It's only right."
Bai Shaoan didn't say much.
Xiaoshan, Xiaoshu, and Datou have already gone home. Xiaohua's wife is helping out at the Gu family's house, so Xiaoshan and her son are eating there as usual.
Zhou Hai, of course, also joined in, and that evening he managed to get two more tables set up.
For dinner, Lin Chang'er made dry pot chicken, braised duck, fried small fish, vegetarian meatballs, stir-fried vegetables with tofu, stir-fried celery with shredded pork, steamed clams with eggs, and radish and pork bone soup. She also made two desserts: tofu and meat patties and celery and pork pan-fried dumplings.
Bai Shaoan's mouth hasn't stopped since he started eating; he considers himself a qualified gourmand.
I won't even mention the new delicacies like dry pot chicken, braised duck, vegetarian meatballs, and steamed eggs with clams, but why is it that even vegetarian meatballs and stir-fried tofu with vegetables taste so good?
He even wanted to take the tofu and meat patties and the celery and meat dumplings back for his grandmother to try.
After dinner, Bai Shaoan became even more determined to buy a piece of land next to Lin Chang'er's house and build a house.
“Sister Lin,” he said, “I’ll build a house next to yours later. I’ll pay for my meals every day. Will you let me have a meal with the mistress of the house?”
Lin Chang'er took it as a joke, "Sure, we have a lot of people in our family, so two more sets of chopsticks won't make a difference."
Bai Shaoan chuckled and said, "Then let's agree on this."
As he spoke, he nudged Wu Qingfeng with his elbow, "Third Brother, Third Brother, come over when you have time, stay at my place."
Wu Qingfeng subtly curled his lip, "You should persuade the old lady first."
Bai Shaoan chuckled, "Grandma just can't stay idle at home. If she comes here, with so many children to keep her entertained, how could she not want to?"
His confidence was written all over his face, and Wu Qingfeng felt inexplicably disappointed. He said, "Miss Lin is busy. How can she have time to cook for you every day?"
Besides, you'll get married eventually, so you can bring your wife and kids to your house for a free meal then.
Is that even acceptable?
Bai Shaoan was saddened. His third brother was right; Lin Daiyu still had business to do!
He'll only be able to stay wild for a few more years; he'll eventually have to get married.
It's one thing to mooch a meal for yourself, and it's understandable to bring your grandmother along, but bringing the whole family? That's just not allowed!
Bai Shaoan's eyes darted around, and something suddenly popped into his head.
Why not just marry Lin Daiyu?
Although the Gu family has a lot of members, they are supported by the imperial court, and their ancestral assets have been transferred over, so supporting such a family doesn't cost much money.
Besides, weren't he and Lin Daiyu going to do business together? Money makes money, and the Gu family members all contributed, so it wasn't like they were being supported for nothing.
When we become a family, we'll naturally eat at the same table.
Although Lin Daiyu was a widow, according to her stepson, her husband was arrested on their wedding night, and the wedding ceremony was not properly observed.
Although his grandmother came from a prominent family, after experiencing some changes, she had no other requirements for his marriage, as long as the woman had a clean background and a good character.
Lin Daiyu was kind-hearted and filial, perfectly meeting her grandmother's requirements.
Thinking this way, Bai Shaoan felt extremely clever.