Era: Craftsmen in the Siheyuan

Chapter 223 Fan Jin’s Resurrection

Xu Deyong spent 50 cents to buy a six-pound "black and tight" watermelon. Although Chen Xueru was treating the guests, it was not easy to go to someone else's house empty-handed.

Xiao Li'er was full of interest when he saw the big round watermelon. Sitting on the cart, he saw Xu Deyong carrying the watermelon up, wearing a bellyband and his buttocks bare, so he crawled towards the watermelon.

Xu Huizhen protected her with a smile. When she finally touched the watermelon, she put her two little hands on it and grinned. This look had a sense of the era.

The children on the side were also a little envious when they saw it. They really wished they could buy a watermelon and eat it to their fullest!

"Let's go." Xu Deyong pinched Xiao Li'er's cute little face and said.

Then he took his mother and daughter to Chen Xueru's house.

"Bang bang bang."

There was a knock on the door.

The little nanny Erya was about to open the door. Chen Xueru put Xiao Houkui into the bamboo cart and said, "You can continue cooking. I'll open the door. It must be Xu Deyong and the others."

Chen Xueru turned her eyes, handed Xiaohou Kui over and said, "Well, you can just watch them both while Huizhen and I have a conversation."

Seeing this, Xu Huizhen asked, "Isn't aunt at home?"

"Well."

Chen Xueru stood up and said, "I went to the temple to pray for my brother's salvation."

Seeing this, Xiao Li'er was not happy anymore. He stretched out his hand to push Xiao Hou Kui, babbling and talking.

Xu Deyong nodded, hugged the two little guys and put them on the bed. Looking at little Li'er's "eyes on him", he warned: "Li'er, don't fight with your brother!"

Xu Deyong took it with a smile and sat one on one leg.

Xu Deyong quickly spread his legs apart so that Xiao Li'er couldn't reach them.

Xiao Li'er opened her mouth and stared at Xiao Hou Kui.

Saying this, the three of them entered the house.

Xu Deyong went out and sat down.

Chen Xueru said: "Don't mention it yet, I am really capable of doing this."

……

She saw Xu Deyong holding Xiao Li'er in one hand and carrying a watermelon in a net bag with the other, and said, "What else are you bringing? I have some watermelon at home that has been soaked in cold water."

The two said this.

Chen Xueru raised her cup and said, "I have to work in the afternoon, so I will have tea instead of wine today. Thank you Deyong and Huizhen for your help."

After drinking the tea, Chen Xueru said: "Come on, come on, Huizhen, you are pregnant. Drink more duck soup to replenish your nutrition, and you can also eat more meat."

Xu Huizhen said with a smile: "If we don't come, I'm afraid you'll come back and block the door of our house."

Chen Xueru, who was talking, sighed angrily.

Xu Huizhen said with a smile: "You have prepared too much."

Xiao Lier pointed.

Xu Deyong smiled and said, "Oh, that's my brother."

Chen Xueru's eyes wandered and she said with a smile, "I guess it's time for you to arrive."

Xu Deyong looked at the two little guys and thought, one is willing to fight and the other is willing to suffer. Could it be that these two were born as a pair!

After a while, Erya finished cooking and said, "Auntie, the food is ready. Let's eat."

Chen Xueru rolled her eyes at him and said, "I still want you a watermelon, take it back and give it to your grandma."

"Yes." Chen Xueru nodded and said, "Let's go and have dinner. As the saying goes, "A summer without illness will lead to weakness." I went out to buy a duck and stew it, and also asked Erya to cook the braised pork. You should eat more."

Xiao Li'er, who was sitting on Xu Deyong's lap, looked around curiously with her little eyes, and finally her eyes fell on Xiao Hou Kui.

One wants to hit someone, and the other is silly and happy.

Xu Huizhen said: "Who says it's not true? A lot has happened in the past few months, and it came here before I knew it."

Xiao Lier tilted his head, grabbed the toys on the bed and started playing with them.

The two little guys started to stare at each other, looking a little happy.

Xiaohou Kui beside him couldn't sit still in the bamboo cart and started calling for someone.

"Sister Xueru, you're welcome." Xu Huizhen and Xu Deyong raised their glasses.

Xu Deyong glanced at Chen Xueru, and he was a little uncomfortable with this girl's politeness.

Xu Deyong smiled and said: "It's okay, I can just keep this for tomorrow."

Chen Xueru asked them to sit down, made tea and said, "Speaking of it, this seems like the first time you two have come together as guests."

"ah……."

"Squeak", the courtyard door opened.

Xiaohou Kui grinned happily.

Chen Xueru said: "A little food is nothing, Deyong, you put the two of them on the bed and let Erya watch and play with them. There are toys there, let's eat."

While talking, he picked up Xiaohou Kui and came back to sit down.

Could it be that all the things she has experienced recently have changed this proud woman's temperament?

No matter what, just eat it!

It is quite a luxury to be able to eat at this table at this time.

While eating, Xiaohou Kui's cry came from inside the house.

"What's wrong?" Chen Xueru frowned slightly.

Erya said: "Auntie, the two of them were snatching toys just now, and Xiao Kui was beaten."

Chen Xueru smiled and said, "Huizhen, your daughter is quite powerful!"

Xu Huizhen said with a smile: "I don't know if it's powerful or not. Anyway, I'm not the one who suffers."

……

After the meal, Chen Xueru asked Erya to cut the watermelon. Xu Deyong hugged Xiao Li'er and held the watermelon in his hand. The little guy took a bite with his small mouth and kicked his legs happily while eating.

Chen Xueru looked at this scene and suddenly said: "Huizhen, I'm not as good as you!"

Xu Huizhen said with some surprise: "Sister Xueru, you are not the type to admit defeat."

Chen Xueru said: "I am talking about the matter. Whether it is a public-private partnership or a literacy class, you have the upper hand and the right to do so. Moreover, you have the backing of mediocrity, and your work and family are smooth. I am not as good as you."

"However." She then changed her tone and said, "That was before. I will definitely outshine you in the future."

Xu Huizhen said with a smile: "This is the Chen Xueru I know. But from now on, we will all work for the country, and there is nothing to compare with. If we compare taxes, our tavern cannot compare with your silk shop."

Chen Xueru said: "That's not certain. The "free economy" in rural areas is now very lively. Maybe we will be able to run our own business again."

Xu Huizhen said: "It's okay to live a good life. You should hurry up and find one."

Chen Xueru rolled her eyes at her and said, "I won't hurry up. Men are unreliable, and I can live a good life myself."

Xu Huizhen said: "That's a point. I think the teacher Xu Hesheng who teaches in the literacy class is okay. He is knowledgeable and educated. Although he is a little older, he is stable. If you..."

"Pull him down." Chen Xueru chuckled and said, "Xu Hesheng and I are not the same people. It's fine to be alone for the time being. If something happens, just lend me your man for two days."

"Hey." Xu Huizhen glanced at her and said, "This is not for lending."

Chen Xueru joked with a half-smile, "Look at how stingy you are. Speaking of which, your man and I knew each other much earlier. At that time, I had nothing to do with you if I flirted with you."

Xu Huizhen said: "Yes, you must be awesome." ...

Xu Deyong and Xiao Lier were each eating watermelon. It was better for him not to get involved in this topic.

Regarding Chen Xueru, a woman like her, he now has a thief heart but no courage.

The two ladies chatted for a while, and then Xu Deyong and the others said goodbye and left.

On the way, Xu Huizhen asked seemingly casually: "Deyong, if Chen Xueru had an affair at that time, would you have married her?"

Xu Deyong smiled "hehe" and said: "Impossible, absolutely impossible."

"Humph." Xu Huizhen snorted softly, feeling quite satisfied with Xu Deyong's answer.

In fact, when Chen Xueru said that before, Xu Huizhen still felt a little uncomfortable thinking that it was very likely to happen.

And she could also see that Chen Xueru regretted it now.

……

The two returned to the tavern, and the director's wife said from inside: "You are finally back."

Xu Huizhen quickly got out of the car and went in and said, "What's the matter, Madam Director?"

The director's wife said: "I'm here to inform you and Quan Wu that Fan Jinyou has been appointed by the street to assist me in the security patrol work of the neighborhood committee. From now on, Fan Jinyou will no longer work in your tavern."

"Of course, they are all in the same neighborhood, and the teaching work of literacy classes can still be continued part-time."

Fan Jin stood aside with a reserved look, but he couldn't help but smile on his face.

Xu Deyong narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched this scene.

Xu Huizhen smiled lightly and said: "Since it is the decision made by the street, we naturally have no objections."

The director nodded and said, "Well, although you won't work together in the future, I hope you can have a good relationship and contribute to the work of our neighborhood committee together."

Fan Jinyou quickly promised: "Don't worry, Madam Director, I will work seriously under your leadership. I will do whatever you tell me."

The director's wife said: "Don't rush to make a guarantee. As long as you raise your ideological awareness, I will still recognize your work ability."

Fan Jinyou smiled and said, "Thank you, Madam Director."

"Yes." The director's wife said, "Then I'll go back first. You clean up, say goodbye to your colleagues here, and just report to the neighborhood committee tomorrow."

"Hold on, I will be there on time tomorrow." Fan Jinyou said.

"Goodbye, Director."

Xu Deyong and Xu Huizhen greeted them.

As soon as the director's wife left, the tavern became quiet.

Fan Jin straightened his waist and felt that the sky outside was particularly blue.

Xu Huizhen smiled lightly and said, "Congratulations, Cadre Fan, you have managed to keep the clouds clear and the moon shine bright."

Fan Jinyou smiled and said modestly: "Manager Xu, don't say that. My status as a cadre has not been restored yet, so you can still call me by my name."

Ma Liansheng said: "You have already gone to work in the neighborhood committee. Your status as a cadre will definitely be restored sooner or later."

As soon as the conversation started, Zhao Yali, Kong Yuqin and others also smiled and congratulated Fan Jinyou.

Fan Jinyou said reservedly: "We are all working together. Although there were some things like this and that in the past, they have all passed. I hope everyone is well. I will come over for a drink when I have time after get off work."

Xu Huizhen said: "Then thank you Comrade Fan Jinyou for taking care of our business."

"Easy to say, easy to say. See you later," Fan Jinyou said.

After saying that, he smiled and said to Xu Deyong: "Goodbye Deyong. To be honest, I'm a little envious of you."

Xu Deyong raised the corner of his mouth slightly and said noncommittally: "You're welcome."

Fan Jinyou smiled, waved to everyone and walked out of the tavern.

After taking a few steps, the smile on his face disappeared.

His fists clenched slightly. For some reason, the smiles of these two people always made him feel disgusted and made him feel a little unhappy.

"Hmph, don't give me a chance, or I will make it impossible for you to laugh."

After thinking about it, he walked down the street with his head held high again.

He, Fan Jinyou, is back again!

……

In a blink of an eye, the weekend is here, and this day happens to be the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which is the Chinese Valentine's Day.

The Qixi Festival evolved from the worship of stars. It is the birthday of the Seventh Sister in the traditional sense. The activity of worshiping the "Seventh Sister" is held on the seventh night of July, so it is named "Qixi Festival".

Later, the beautiful legend of "Cowherd and Weaver Girl" evolved and became "Valentine's Day".

"Seven-seven" is another life cycle. "The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor Su Wen Ancient Innocence Theory": "A man cannot reach eight or eight, a woman cannot reach seven or seven, and the essence of heaven and earth will be exhausted."

It says that men live in a cycle of eight years and women live in a cycle of seven years.

So "July 7" is also the Women's Day.

In the evening, Xu Deyong took his mother and daughter back to the courtyard.

Passing by the entrance of the alley, there was a man from the countryside who came from the countryside with a pole to sell water chestnuts and chicken head rice. I heard him shout: "Come here, chicken head rice, come here Er Cang's delicious!"

Chicken head rice is divided into three types: tender, Ercang and old (Ercang is the best).

The old one is black and has a hard shell, which is called Toucang. The ones that are neither old nor tender are earthy yellow and have soft shells, so they are called Ercang.

The hard shell of Toucang rice must be smashed up. The kernels are old and the taste is far less chewy than that of Ercang. Ercang has a unique mellow fragrance and chewy texture.

Although chicken head rice is delicious, picking and peeling chicken head rice can be a bit dangerous. Because there are sharp thorns on the leaves, stems and skin of chicken head rice, you can prick your fingers accidentally.

Therefore, picking chicken head rice and peeling fruits from chicken heads are both very technical and hard work. The flowers of the chicken head rice are very beautiful, a bit like the lotus. They are purple-red, but smaller.

When picking chicken head rice, you usually hold a sickle, which is like cutting off the neck of a chicken.

The leaves of chicken head rice are floating on the water. The green leaves are large, with irregular rib-like protrusions on the flat leaves, and black spikes. Therefore, no one picks the leaves of chicken head rice. Unlike lotus leaves, you can put it on your head as a straw hat.

The freshly picked old chicken head has red feather-like scales and a curved yellow-white chicken beak-like tip, just like a big chicken head. Peel off the outer shell, and there are round fruits like peas inside.

Because it looks like a chicken head, people in Sijiucheng call it Laojitou, just like Laodoufu, but it is actually the most tender chicken head rice.

In the old capital period, chicken head rice could be harvested at Shichahai, Tongzi River in the Forbidden City, and the two gates outside Dongbian Gate.

Many people probably don’t know it now.

In the past, when children were picking chicken head rice in Shichahai and other places, they would hold a special tool for picking chicken head rice. A small stick with a nail on the front was used to peck at the remaining chicken head rice.

As for water chestnuts, they are also called dragon horns. In the past, the water chestnuts in Shichahai were green-brown, only the size of a bottle cap, and had two sharp corners.

When picking water chestnuts, you need to use a hook to lift the whole plant out of the water, then turn over the stems and leaves of the water chestnuts, and pick off the water chestnuts one by one with your hands. If you are not careful, you may get pricked by the two sharp corners of the water chestnuts.

After water chestnuts are landed, they are usually cooked and sold, but they are also eaten raw.

In the past, vendors selling water chestnuts had special guillotine-style scissors. They would help customers cut off the two sharp corners of the water chestnut, and then break the water chestnut into two halves.

The cut water chestnuts are placed on the green lotus leaves. Inside is the fine white water chestnut meat, which is very delicious.

Xu Deyong and the others bought three cents worth of water chestnuts and chicken head rice, and carried a watermelon into the courtyard.

……

(End of this chapter)