Chen Lan quickly returned to the kitchen, opened the firebox door of another empty wok, and added a handful of firewood to ignite it. She asked Hu Yuzhen to watch the fire, and once the pot heated up, she poured in rapeseed oil and stir-fried a quick dish of sour and spicy cabbage, which was very appetizing.
The dish was divided into three large plates, one for each table.
She asked Hu Yuzhen to help her remove the fires from two hearths and extinguish them with ashes.
Lifting the lid of the clay pot, she added some salt to the thick, milky bone broth, then sprinkled in some pepper and chopped green onions and cilantro before it was ready to serve. It was ladled into large soup bowls. Three large bowls were served, and she asked Ming Wei and others to help carry them out, one bowl per table.
Five large bowls of steamed meat with rice flour were then brought out from the steamer, with chopped green onions sprinkled on top.
She asked Cui Qiao and the others to take two bowls of steamed meat to the adults' table and place one bowl on the children's table.
For lunch, everyone sat at three tables: men at one, women at another, and children at a third.
From the large bowl on the children's table, ten or so pieces of steamed meat with rice flour and steamed pumpkin were taken out, along with a large bowl of rice, and kept warm in a pot for Xiang Xi to eat when he returned. The bone broth was not needed separately, as there was still plenty in the clay pot.
Chen Lan and her mother-in-law separately sat with Jia Hui and Jia Yao, along with Ming Zhe, Wen Kai, Wen Qi, Hu Tou, Xiao Shi Tou, and several other children. Jia Hui and Jia Yao sat at children's dining tables and chairs that Chen Lan had specifically purchased from the system.
Xiao Dou Zi, because his mother Chun Cao's hand was inconvenient, was held by his aunt and sat at the women's table.
Chen Lan had prepared steamed pumpkin mixed with rice for the twins at noon. The steamed pumpkin was sweet and slightly savory from the meat, and the two little ones ate with great relish using their newly grown eight teeth.
After they finished their bowls of rice, the twins still looked like they wanted more.
Chen Lan dared not feed them too much, fearing that overeating would cause indigestion. She only fed each of them a few spoonfuls of winter melon and bone broth before stopping. She then quickly picked up her own bowl and began to eat.
Everyone ate their lunch with great satisfaction and sat on the sofas, chatting.
Xiao Shan put on his warm jacket and ran to the cabbage field to pick up Xiang Xi for lunch.
Hu Yuzhen made a cup of linden flower tea for each adult and placed it on the coffee table. She then went to the kitchen with Ming Wei, Cui Qiao, and Ru Yi to help clean and wash the pots and pans.
Xu Mingxuan held his daughter Jia Hui, who nestled contentedly in her father's arms.
Xu Mingxuan took a sip of linden flower tea and said to his mother-in-law, "Mother, this tea is good. What kind of tea is it? When I leave later, could you pack some for me to drink at the camp?"
His mother-in-law smiled and said, "Certainly! This is linden flower tea. If you all like it, we have plenty at home. I'll pack some for Commander Zheng to take back and enjoy."
Commander Zheng happily agreed, "That would be wonderful! Thank you, Auntie."
His mother-in-law waved her hands repeatedly, smiling, "You're welcome, no need to thank me! They are just inexpensive little things, it only took some effort.
Xiao Lan and Xiang Xi brought them back from the distant mountains. They said that drinking linden flower tea regularly can prevent colds and also calm the nerves."
Commander Zheng's eyes lit up when he heard it could prevent colds. He said eagerly, "Auntie, how is this linden flower tea made? Our camp gets many colds every winter, and they spread easily. Sometimes one person's cold can infect a whole squad, which is quite troublesome.
Next year, when the linden flowers bloom, I'll have the soldiers in the camp gather more from the mountains, so they can drink more in the winter to prevent colds."
His mother-in-law smiled and said, "It's very simple to make. When the linden flowers bloom in August or September, pick the flowers, carefully remove any dirt like tree leaves, and dry them in the strong sun. Then store them in a sealed jar to keep them from getting damp.
When you want to drink it, just take a handful, pour boiling water over it, and it's ready to drink."
Seeing that they had finished discussing the linden flower tea, Xu Mingxuan asked, "Mother, about the letter I asked Zhang Er Zhuang to send home, could you and Lan'er take some time in the next few days to discuss how to arrange for my comrades when they arrive? We need to prepare rooms for them first.
The comrades coming this time are from Liaoning and Heilongjiang provinces, which are not very far from here.
There are six families, each bringing their elderly parents and children. Others who are farther away will arrive gradually.
It's going to start snowing in a couple of days, and it won't be as convenient to tidy things up then."
His mother-in-law patted Xu Mingxuan's hand reassuringly and said, "Mingxuan, don't worry! Lan'er and I will definitely arrange everything for you.
Your mother Cui and I have already planned it. After we finish pickling the sauerkraut, we will move, and we will vacate the house we are currently living in.
Our whole family will move here to live with your wife and her mother. It will be livelier for everyone to live together during the winter.
This way, Ming Zhe won't have to run around in the cold every day. Xiao Shi Tou will have a companion and can play with his friends. I can also see my two little grandsons more often. Uncle De will have someone to chat with. Isn't this a wonderful thing, killing several birds with one stone?"
Xu Mingxuan was deeply touched and hastily said, "Mother, if everyone moves in together, will there be enough room?"
His mother-in-law patted Xu Mingxuan's hand again and said, "Don't worry! When this house was designed, Lan'er already considered the future when Wen Kai and Wen Qi grow up and start their own families. That's why all five houses were built very spaciously, with six large rooms on each floor. So, you can rest assured, there will absolutely be enough space.
This way, three houses will be vacant. When your comrades come to the valley, two families can share one house. Anyway, your comrades know each other, and it will be more lively for them to live together during the winter.
As for food! Oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar are all readily available. Quilts, padded jackets, cotton batting, and cotton shoes have already been prepared by your Aunt Xiao Shan's sewing group.
Mingxuan, you can put your mind at ease!
Of course, this is only temporary. After the New Year, when the ground starts to thaw, Xiang Dong and Er Hu will begin building houses again. Don't worry, it's all agreed upon! Each family will have one of these houses, and that will not change."
Xu Mingxuan was deeply moved by his mother's words and didn't know what to say!
At this time, Chen Lan had already gone to the storeroom to pack two large jars of linden flower tea. Of course, the jars were sealed jars that Chen Lan had purchased from the system.
Each jar could hold two jin of linden flower tea, enough for Xu Mingxuan and Commander Zheng to drink for a while. When they finish, they can come back to pack more if they have the chance.
Xu Mingxuan reluctantly handed Jia Hui to Chen Lan, then turned back to hug his plump son, who was being held by his mother-in-law.
Each holding a jar, he and Commander Zheng were about to leave. Chen Lan felt they looked awkward and quickly caught up, handing each of them a military satchel, so they could put the jars in and wear them on their backs to avoid freezing their hands.
Everyone saw them off outside the courtyard and watched them walk away. They didn't return home but prepared to go to the large kitchen to continue pickling sauerkraut.