Chapter 37
Xiaoxiao and Ning Erlang rushed to the kitchen almost at the same time. The rolls they had left in the morning disappeared, and the meat hanging on the beam in the basket was nowhere to be seen. Ning Erlang’s eyes were red. He knew it was too embarrassing for a man to cry because of losing food, but he was angry.
“Why? Why right do they have?”
Madam Song couldn’t answer. When Second Aunt Ning came over at noon, she said they had forgotten their parents after separating. They ate the meat herself and didn’t even remember to give her parents a spoonful of soup. The more she spoke, the worse her words became. After saying that, she ran away with the meat. They couldn’t stop her, so it wasn’t appropriate for them to chase after her and ask for it back.
Even the most stable Ning Dalang did not say anything at this moment. Madam Song looked at the travel-worn children who had returned with smiles a moment ago and did not know what to say. She also regretted it. She would have let the children eat their fill yesterday if she had known earlier.
Unlike Ning Fengnian and his wife’s guilt and Ning Erlang’s anger, Xiaoxiao remained calm. It should be said that she had already expected this. Turning around the firewood pile, she flipped and took out the inventory from the space. She said calmly, “Fortunately, I hid a small piece.”
Ning Erlang was speechless.
Second Aunt would not leave any delicious food when she visited. She could leave behind a steamed bun because she could tell at a glance that it was mixed with chaff. They did not want to ask for it. It was a miracle that her sister could hide so much.
After washing her hands, Xiaoxiao picked up the kitchen knife and said to Madam Song, “Mother, I want to make buns for dinner.”
She emphasized, “Meat buns.”
If she had made this request before Second Aunt Ning came, they would only refuse her. However, neither Madam Song nor Ning Fengnian could reject her now.
They returned to their room to avoid feeling sorry. One recuperated and weaved a bamboo basket, while the other went to the vegetable field to serve the vegetables and cabbages that had already grown seedlings. Ning Dalang followed them and whispered to his mother about today’s harvest. Other than the jard they had bought, they had brought back 258 copper coins today, which was the money Ning Dalang had earned from helping build the house next door.
There were a total of 530 copper coins at home. Although it was not much compared to when they had just split up, Madam Song still felt that there was hope. However, she really could not smile now. She pushed her eldest son. “Go and see your sister and see if she wants to help.”
How could Xiaoxiao not be able to cook? However, the kneading dough was hard work. She was still young and not strong enough, so she instructed her second brother to do it for her.
Ning Erlang was angry but couldn’t say anything to his family. He could only use the dough to vent his anger. However, just as he was about to add rice chaff to the dough, Xiaoxiao stopped him. “Don’t add this.”
Ning Erlang was hesitant, but he overheard her say, “Why should we eat chaff when Second Aunt Ning eats the meat we make?”
Ning Erlang gritted his teeth and tied up the bag again.
His sister was right. Listen to his sister. There was meat to eat!
Xiaoxiao nodded in satisfaction. She was not that angry, but she deliberately pretended to be aggrieved and sad. This way, no matter how much meat was placed in the bun, her parents would be too embarrassed to scold her.
After kneading the flour mixed with water into the dough and putting it beside, Xiaoxiao began to mix the meat filling. The meat filling was divided into two flavors. One was seasoned with onions, ginger, and garlic. The other was seasoned without garlic. She only used onion to remove the fishy taste. After mixing it, she placed it in two large bowls.
When the dough expanded to twice its original size, Ning Dalang took it out and rubbed it until it bubbled. Ning Dalang helped to split the dough into small balls and roll them into thin ones. Xiaoxiao then took over and continued to wrap the filling. Every piece of dough was filled with meat. Then, she lifted the dough with her nimble fingers and turned it around. The perfect bun was ready.
The steamed buns were not hurrying to be put into the pot. While boiling water, she placed the raw buns in the ventilation area to dry and shape them. Instantly, she placed them into the steamer lid and fermented them again. When the size of the buns expanded, she began to steam them.
She poured cold water into the pot and kept it on a low heat. About half an hour later, the fragrant, white buns were out. She picked the bun out from the steamer and specially made them for Rong Yan and the others before sending them over herself.
