Chapter 207 - 207 Reunion Dumplings
207 Reunion Dumplings
Su Binglan knew the house belonged to her family because that piece of land belonged to them. She had even gone to town and got the paperwork. She was delighted when she saw that the house was more than half built.
Su Wenxiu listened to his sister’s words and looked in the direction she pointed. As expected, he saw a huge house. Although it was not complete, he knew it would be spacious and comfortable.
He said in awe, “I-Is that our house, Little Sister?” He was in disbelief.
In the past, the house would get damaged because of the blizzards during winter. Sometimes, the family would have to brave the snow to repair the roof.
Su Wenxiu thought he would not have to worry about such things if his family had a big, sturdy house. However, those were only thoughts back then. He understood his family’s situation and never asked or spoke of such things. Su Wenxiu never expected his family to be able to afford such a huge house.
Su Binglan nodded and explained, “Yes, that’s our house, and our family bought that land so we can build a house upon it.”
Su Wenxiu was ecstatic when he heard that. He pinched his thigh, and it hurt, signaling what he heard was real. He looked toward the half-built house and chuckled. “I’m thrilled, Little Sister.”
His happy mood infected Su Binglan as the corners of her mouth curved into a smile. The family could live together and grow vegetables in their courtyards in the future. Just thinking about it made them feel good.
Su Wenxiu’s eyes lit up as he said happily, “We can live without worry during the winter, Little Sister. The blizzard won’t damage our roofs, and we can sleep on a warm bed.”
It did not take much to satisfy him, and his thoughts were straightforward. He only wanted his family to be together, eat their fill, and sleep well.
Su Binglan looked at her second brother’s expression and could not help but laugh. “You’re so easy to satisfy, Second Brother. Still, contentment is bliss, isn’t it?”
Su Wenxiu nodded. “Yes, I’m easily satisfied, Little Sister,” he pulled Su Binglan’s hand and continued, “Let’s go home quickly.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
The duo led their horses home as they spoke. Since they had bought land to build their new house, the original house was still there. Moreover, they could not live in the new house because it was incomplete.
The door was still open when the two siblings arrived. Su Fengmao was chopping firewood in the yard while Shen Qiuhua washed some vegetables. The older couple were talking as they busied themselves.
“I wonder when Binglan will return.” Shen Qiuhua sighed.
Su Fengmao said, “You ask me that daily, dear.”
“How can I not? She has been away for more than a month.” Shen Qiuhua missed her daughter and, of course, her two sons.
Su Fengmao was also worried, but he often kept to himself. Still, he comforted his wife, “Binglan will be okay, especially because she’s capable. She’ll be back with Wenxiu before you know it.”
Shen Qiuhua said, “Even so, I’m not at ease and can barely sleep. Why did Wenxiu have to leave like that? Doesn’t he know how worried we are? I wonder if he blames us for sending him off to town to work.”
Su Fengmao replied, “He will understand why we did that in the future. We are strict with him for his good. We must show tough love to boys so they will grow up and act like men.”
…
Su Wenxiu happened to hear these words as he stood at the door. He felt somewhat uncomfortable. He told himself not to cry when he returned and not to let his parents worry. Still, his heart ached.
He walked straight in and immediately knelt. “Father, Mother, your undutiful son has returned.”
Shen Qiuhua and her husband were shocked when they saw their second son. They became excited and hurriedly picked Su Wenxiu up.
Shen Qiuhua hugged Su Wenxiu and started crying while Su Fengmao patted his second son’s back. Then they saw Su Binglan and hugged her tightly.
The older couple was worried but immediately felt at ease when their two children finally returned. The four talked for a while as their emotions calmed down.
“It’s great that you’re back. Let’s have some delicious food tonight.”
Su Binglan said smilingly, “Let’s eat dumplings tonight.”
“What are dumplings?” Shen Qiuhua was confused, while Su Fengmao and Su Wenxiu looked at Su Binglan with puzzled eyes.
After searching through her memories, Su Binglan realized it was an ancient era, so there was no such thing as dumplings.
Most families would be fortunate enough to have noodles, even during the New Year. They could not afford to eat dumplings.
Su Binglan’s expression changed as she said, “Dumplings are good, so let’s make some tonight. You will know how delicious they are after eating them.”
She looked forward to seeing everyone’s reactions when they ate dumplings for the first time. Although she did not invent it, she was still happy to enlighten her family with a meaningful dish like that.
Especially during the New Year, it was a meaningful thing for families to make dumplings and eat them together.
Shen Qiuhua said, “If you say they’re delicious, then I don’t doubt everyone will enjoy them. Let me know what you need, and I will prepare it.”
Su Binglan took something from the horse’s back and said, “Mother, I bought pork so we can use it for the dumplings.” She bought pork when she reached the town.
Shen Qiuhua asked, “Is that all we need?”
“We need noodles too, and you can be in charge of making them. I also bought plenty of meat, so let’s make more dumplings and give them to grandpa and grandma too.”
Shen Qiuhua said smilingly, “I’ll do as you say.”
Su Wenxiu also became energetic. “Let me know what I should do, Little Sister.” He looked forward to having dinner with his family.
Su Binglan said smilingly, “I’ll teach you how to roll the dumpling skins later. There’s a lot for you to do, okay?” Then she asked, “Mother, what other ingredients do we have?”
Shen Qiuhua looked around and said, “We have some wild vegetables and shiitake mushrooms. Your aunt went to the mountains to pluck them and brought them over.”
She started to ramble after that, “Your third uncle and his wife’s barbecue business is going well, so they will usually send us whatever food they make.
“These shiitake mushrooms are excellent. It finished raining when your aunt went to the mountains to pluck them. Since they’re rare, she would typically send us more than half of what she gathered.”
Of course, Shen Qiuhua would return the favor by sending food she had made.
Su Binglan looked at the mushrooms and said, “Mother, let’s make two kinds of dumplings then. We will fill some with shiitake mushrooms and meat, while the other will have wild vegetables and meat.”