212 Reciprocity in the Village
Su Binglan looked at her husband unblinkingly when she asked him about the dumplings. Luo Jin’an lowered his head and looked into his wife’s eyes. He thought Su Binglan’s eyes were bright and lively, as if he knew what his wife was thinking.
Luo Jin’an smiled elegantly and said, “It’s delicious indeed.”
Su Binglan heaved a sigh of relief and said, “That’s good to hear. The rest of the dumplings will be ready soon. Then we can eat them together,” she continued, “Second Brother, can you keep the fire burning?”
“Okay, come on.” Su Wenxiu moved quickly and with purpose. “There’s not much firewood left, so I’ll get more.”
He was about to get up when Luo Jin’an had already reached the courtyard. He said, “I’ll go get the firewood.”
He was always in a rush to help his family. Even if he were a slave the Su family purchased, Luo Jin’an was married to Su Binglan, and the whole family treated him as their own.
Usually, the family would try their best not to need Luo Jin’an’s help, but Luo Jin’an would always find something to do. Su Fengmao and Shen Qiuhua noticed everything their son-in-law did and loved him from the bottom of their hearts.
Luo Jin’an went to the yard, took some chopped firewood, and put them beside the stove for Su Wenxiu to keep the fire burning.
Then Luo Jin’an went back to the courtyard to chop more wood because there was not much left.
Su Fengmao went out of the house and said, “Jin’an, take a break. I’ll chop the firewood.”
Luo Jin’an glanced at his father-in-law’s injured foot. Of course, he would not let Su Fengmao chop the wood. “I’m not tired, Father-in-law.”
Shen Qiuhua told Su Wenzhe, “Go and help them chop more wood.”
“All right. Got it.” Su Wenzhe hurried to the yard to help.
Shen Qiuhua started packing some dumplings into a basket and prepared to deliver them. Old Master Su and Su Fengchen were about to cook dinner when she arrived.
Su Fengchen politely greeted her, “Hello, Qiuhua!”
“You don’t have to cook tonight, Fengchen. I brought you and your parents some food.”
Old Madam Su walked out of the inner room and said, “It’s already so cold out, yet you came to deliver food?” Her expression was loving even though she said so. She felt at ease that her children had married such dutiful wives.
Shen Qiuhua said smilingly, “These are new dishes Binglan made. They’re called dumplings and are very tasty. We just made them, so we decided to give some to you three to taste.”
The elderly couple and Su Fengchen had tasted Su Binglan’s cooking, so they knew the dumplings would be delicious. They were also curious about what dumplings were.
The trio already smelled the fragrance when Shen Qiuhua brought the basket into the house.
Old Madam Su said, “You’re always thinking of us, I see.”
“It’s only fitting that I am dutiful to my elders. Moreover, I watched Fengchen grow up, so he’s like a son to me. If we make new foods, I want everyone to try them.” Shen Qiuhua possessed a forthright personality and was also warm-hearted.
The trio was shocked when Shen Qiuhua entered the house and removed a plate of dumplings from the basket.
“Are these dumplings?” The trio just looked at the food neatly arranged on the plate. Shen Qiuhua had arranged them to resemble a blooming flower. They looked at every dumpling carefully and thought they looked like mini bao buns. Very festive-looking indeed.
Shen Qiuhua explained smilingly, “Yes, these are dumplings. They’re easy to make, but we never thought of them before. The process is similar to making steamed bao, except we need to roll the dough thinner and wrap the filling.
“We also had to put the right amount of filling, and Binglan said you can put meat and vegetables inside the skins. You can put whatever tastes good if you want to make some yourselves.
“We filled these with wild vegetables and meat and those with shiitake mushrooms and meat. We didn’t have many mushrooms, so we only made a few of them. We filled most of the dumplings with wild vegetables and meat. Have a taste, everyone.”
Shen Qiuhua had brought three large servings over so the family would have enough for a full dinner.
Old Madam Su smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into slits. “These smell so good! Fengchen, get some plates, so your second sister-in-law can bring hers back.”
Su Fengchen went to the cupboard and removed some plates. Then, Old Madam Su put the dumplings on them and put Shen Qiuhua’s plates back into the basket.
Shen Qiuhua was about to leave with her basket when Old Madam Su pulled her along, saying, “Your brother-in-law made some salted and preserved eggs. You should bring some home.”
“What are you talking about, Mother-in-law? I came to deliver food, not barter with you. We’ve tried the eggs Fengchen sells at our shop, so I’ll bring these to the shop instead.” Shen Qiuhua was persistent, and so was Old Madam Su.
It was common practice among the villagers to return favors. Sometimes, the villagers would pass by and see the two going back and forth over things like this, especially when one delivers things to the other party, and the other party would be too embarrassed to accept.
In the end, Shen Qiuhua had no choice but to take a few eggs home under Old Madam Su’s persistence. Shen Qiuhua would sell the rest at Su Wenzhe’s shop for Su Fengchen.
Next, Shen Qiuhua went to Su Fengzhi’s house to deliver dumplings, but Su Fengzhi had yet to return. Only Madam Liu, her son, and his wife were home. The trio did not have time for dinner and were preparing lamb skewers instead.
Their lamb skewers were popular. Usually, Su Fengzhi and Su Wenchi would cook and sell them at the stall while the others prepared them at home. Even the two-year-old Su Xuerui was obediently sitting on the sidelines, not crying or making a fuss.
Shen Qiuhua knew the trio had not eaten because they were busy. She did not even see smoke coming from their kitchen.
When Madam Liu saw Shen Qiuhua, she hurriedly stood up and said, “Hello, Qiuhua. What brings you here?”
Su Wenlin and his wife also stood up.
Shen Qiuhua said, “I noticed how busy you guys are, so that means you haven’t had dinner, right?”
Madam Liu said smilingly, “Umm, I would’ve forgotten about dinner if you hadn’t mentioned it, Qiuhua. I was so busy that time got away from me.” Her stomach growled with hunger as she said that.
Shen Qiuhua chirped, “Always remember to eat, no matter how busy you are. Don’t let your grandson starve. Anyway, you don’t have to cook tonight because I brought dumplings for you guys.”
Madam Liu was embarrassed. “You guys are also busy, yet you make the time to care for us.”
“I wouldn’t come here if it were anything else,” Shen Qiuhua said as she put down the basket and removed a hefty serving of dumplings, “These are dumplings, Binglan’s new dish. They’re different from what we usually eat, and Binglan told me to give some to you guys.”
Shen Qiuhua and her family gave more dumplings to Su Fengzhi’s family because they had more family members.
“T-These are dumplings? I’ve never seen such things before.”
“They taste great and are easy to make…” Shen Qiuhia explained the cooking method to Madam Liu.
Madam Liu was touched. “Binglan is such a good child, especially for thinking about us.”
Su Binglan and her family made the dumplings with meat, wild vegetables, and shiitake mushrooms. Ordinary families would only be willing to eat these things during the New Year.
Madam Liu could not bear to eat these things, let alone give them away. Moreover, Su Binglan and her family had given Madam Liu plenty. Madam Liu was stunned and did not know what to say.
