213 It’s Not a Secret
Although Madam Liu did not know what to say, she was thrilled to see the dumplings. She felt that saying thank you was not enough. “I-I don’t even know what to say, Qiuhua.”
Shen Qiuhua waved her hand and said smilingly, “There’s no need to say anything. The dumplings taste good, so you can make some for your children and grandson to eat in the future.”
Madam Liu nodded. “I remember how to make them. Still, I’ll have to trouble you if I can’t wrap the dumplings properly.”
Shen Qiuhua said, “Don’t be shy to ask me for help, Sister-in-law. After all, we’re family.”
The word “family” relaxed Madam Liu’s heart as she returned to her senses and said, “Okay.”
She went to the cabinet, removed a large basket, and poured the dumplings inside. Then Shen Qiuhua put the plates back in her basket and said, “The dumplings will stick together if you keep them for too long. Keep them like this if you have leftovers so they won’t stick together so easily.”
Those were Su Binglan’s instructions, and Shen Qiuhua only relayed that message to Madam Liu.
Madam Liu listened attentively but felt sorry after looking at how many dumplings he had. “Qiuhua, why did you give us so many?”
“There are so many of you here, so you can save time preparing dinner. Come on, everyone. Have a taste.” After saying a few more words, Shen Qiuhua hurried home.
She still needed to go home and help her daughter, after all. Her family would also eat dumplings together in a while.
Shen Qiuhua looked at the big house behind her smilingly as she walked home. Soon, the house would be complete, and the family would have a more comfortable place to live.
With that thought in mind, Shen Qiuhua’s footsteps were light. She could immediately smell the fragrance of the dumplings as she arrived at the door.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Liu, Shen Qiuhua’s neighbor, was pouring out water at her house entrance. She happened to see Shen Qiuhua, saying, “Big Sister Shen, what did your family make for dinner this time? It smells so good.”
Mrs. Liu’s house was close to Shen Qiuhua’s, so the two neighbors had a good relationship. They even shared land and usually talked to each other.
Shen Qiuhua replied enthusiastically, “Hello, Mrs. Liu. We just made dumplings. I’ll bring some for you to try later.”
Mrs. Liu waved her hand and said, “Oh, There’s no need, Miss Shen. My family and I just ate and are ready to rest. To be honest, everyone is happy to see how prosperous your family is now.”
The people of Su Teng Village were always very talkative. Mrs. Liu stood at her door with a bucket in her hand while Shen Qiuhua stood at hers with an empty basket, speaking to each other merrily.
Shen Qiuhua said, “I used to trouble you often for help.”
However, Mrs. Liu did not mind. “We’re neighbors, so there’s no trouble. You’ve also helped us a lot in the past.”
Shen Qiuhua responded, “I won’t argue with that, but come to my house if you have the time. I’ll be glad to teach you how to make dumplings. My daughter said we will make more for festivals like the New Year.”
Mrs. Liu laughed. “It seems that dumplings are good, so I’d be glad to learn how to make them. I’ll have to trouble you when I have the time.”
“I look forward to it.” These words came from the bottom of Shen Qiuhua’s heart.
Mrs. Liu said, “Miss Shen, your family has already prepared dinner, so you should hurry up and join them. It’s cold out here.”
“Okay, have a good rest, Mrs. Liu.”
The two neighbors exchanged a few pleasantries and returned to their houses. When Shen Qiuhua entered, Su Binglan was already scooping out the finished dumplings from the pot.
Su Binglan asked, “Have you sent all the dumplings, Mother?”
Shen Qiuhua placed the basket on the cabinet and said, “Yes, I have. Your grandparents and aunt are delighted. To be honest, these dumplings are excellent, especially since they can create a great atmosphere where a family sits together and makes them.”
Su Binglan scooped the dumplings while Liu Yinyin passed her some plates. Su Binglan said, “Dumplings are more suitable to eat during the New Year and other festivals.”
Shen Qiuhua nodded. “Then we will make some for the upcoming Chinese New Year.” Then she thought of something and asked, “Binglan, do we need to teach others how to make dumplings?”
She thought of earning money by teaching others how to make these things. Teaching the villagers was not a big deal, but the villagers had relatives too. If word of the dumplings spread, it would not take long before everyone knew how to make them. Then the method would no longer be a secret.
Su Binglan explained, “Mother, you can teach anyone who asks you about them. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Okay, I understand,” Shen Qiuhua said thoughtfully.
Liu Yinyin asked softly, “Binglan, can I teach my family how to make these?”
Her family was in the neighboring village nearby, and she would not have asked this question if the method had spread to others.
Since Su Binglan said it was okay to teach others, Liu Yinyin wondered if she could teach her parents how to make dumplings.
She knew she was now a member of the Su family and wanted to be on their side. Therefore, she thought of asking for Su Binglan’s permission first.
Su Binglan placed the dumplings on the table and said, “Yes, of course, Sister-in-law. You teach your parents, and your parents can teach others. It’s not a secret.
“Besides, it will create a more lively atmosphere if every family makes dumplings for Chinese New Year.” She enjoyed lively festivals, after all.
Su Binglan was willing to let her relatives teach the villagers and others how to make dumplings because the villagers helped her family in the past. Hence, she felt that teaching them was the least she could do.
Liu Yinyin smiled. “I will teach my parents when I visit them.”
She had not visited her parents for a long time, and they did not know how their daughter was doing either. Liu Yinyin’s parents did not even know that the Su family’s conditions had improved.
Liu Yinyin thought of going to her parent’s house one day to tell her brother, his wife, and their parents about the Su family’s current situation so they would not have to worry about her.
After some thought, Shen Qiuhua said, “Right, you haven’t gone home for a long time. You can visit your family tomorrow and the day after since your children are on a break from school.
“How about you let Wenxiu help your husband at the shop for the next two days while you visit your family with the two little ones? I’ll prepare some things for you to bring along.”
Shen Qiuhua was even more generous now that her family’s conditions had improved. After all, those were the Su family’s in-laws, and she wanted Liu Yinyin to bring some gifts home.
When the Su family lived in poor conditions, Liu Yinyin always brought things to Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao’s house. Now, it was time the Su family repaid Liu Yinyin and her family for their kindness.
Liu Yinyin said, “There’s no need to prepare too many things, Mother-in-law. I’ll just make them some food myself.”
Shen Qiuhua disagreed. “That simply won’t do. You must send them more thighs. Also, I’ve kept the money you and your husband have earned, so you should give some to your parents.”
Liu Yinyin knew her mother-in-law was sincere when she said that. However, Liu Yinyin knew she could not ask her mother-in-law to send more things to her family.
