GBP Chapter 110 Going to the River Again
Chapter 110 Going to the River Again
The next day, just as the sky was turning pale, the village was still immersed in tranquility, broken only by the occasional crowing of roosters. Li Xiaoxiao woke from her sleep, having no desire to sleep, and she got up early. Although it was cold, Li Xiaoxiao thought that her days at home were getting shorter and shorter, and she wanted to spend more time with her family.
After a quick wash, Li Xiaoxiao went to the kitchen. She skillfully lit the fire, cleaned the large pot, and poured half a pot of cold water into it, ready to boil it so that the family could use it when they woke up.
Li Xiaoxiao stood in the kitchen, her focused face illuminated by the dancing flames of the stove, bringing a touch of warmth to this cold winter morning. She gently stirred the water in the pot, the steam rising, blurring her vision but also deepening the warmth in her heart.
Soon, the water boiled, bubbling and gurgling, like a cheerful morning melody for the family. Li Xiaoxiao turned off the fire and covered the pot to maintain the water's warmth. She knew that when her family woke up later, whether it was a pot of hot tea or a bowl of steaming noodles, they would feel the warmth of home on this cold winter day.
Just as she was about to turn around and prepare the ingredients for breakfast, she heard light footsteps outside the door, followed by Bai's gentle voice: "Xiaoxiao, why are you up so early?"
Li Xiaoxiao turned around and saw Bai Shi wearing a thick cotton-padded jacket and holding a coat in her hand, with a gentle smile on her face. She quickly went over to her mother, took the coat from her hand, helped her put it on, and said, "Mom, why are you up so early? It's cold, you should sleep a little longer."
Mrs. Bai smiled and shook her head. She walked to the stove, reached out to test the temperature of the water in the pot, and nodded with satisfaction: "Our Xiaoxiao is really getting more and more capable. He has already boiled a pot of hot water so quickly."
Li Xiaoxiao heard this and smiled and said, "Mom, what do you want to eat in the morning? I'll make it."
"It's up to you to decide. No matter what I eat, as long as it's made by you, I will like it." Mrs. Bai touched Li Xiaoxiao's head and smiled.
"Then let's make dumplings. We haven't eaten them for a long time." Li Xiaoxiao
The mother smiled and agreed, and the two began to get busy. Li Xiaoxiao scooped out two large bowls of noodles from the cupboard, and scooped some boiling water from the pot to make warm water, preparing to knead the noodles.
"Xiaoxiao, let me knead the dough, and you go prepare the filling." Bai took the basin from Li Xiaoxiao's hand and started kneading the dough.
Li Xiaoxiao turned around and went to the vegetable garden in the backyard. There was a small area there where Li Xiaoxiao had specially built a small shed with bamboo before the weather got cold. He also covered the shed with old cotton cloth, making a small greenhouse imitating a modern greenhouse. Some leeks and cabbages were planted in it. Li Xiaoxiao opened the door of the shed and walked in.
Li Xiaoxiao felt it and found that the temperature inside was indeed much higher than outside. Li Xiaoxiao took out a knife, cut a handful of leeks, and pulled out some small cabbages, then picked up the basket and went home.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Bai had already kneaded the dough. Seeing Li Xiaoxiao coming in against the cold wind, she said, "Xiaoxiao, come over and warm yourself by the fire. It's so cold, why are you still out?" Mrs. Bai looked at Li Xiaoxiao's little face that was red from the cold and couldn't help feeling distressed.
"Mom, I just went to the vegetable garden to cut a bunch of leeks. It's not cold." Li Xiaoxiao put the basket on the ground, took a basin and sat in front of the fire, ready to pick out the leeks.
Seeing this, Mrs. Bai also started picking the leeks. The two of them quickly finished picking the leeks. Although the well water was not that cold, Li Xiaoxiao still preferred to use warm water to wash the vegetables. She picked up a spoon and scooped a spoonful of boiling water from the pot into the bucket, and mixed it with cold water to make warm water. After washing the cabbage and leeks, she cut the leeks into small pieces and put them in a basin. She also chopped the pork belly from the cupboard into minced meat. Li Xiaoxiao put the minced meat and leeks together, added some salt, minced ginger, chopped green onions and other seasonings, and stirred them evenly.
Next to her, Mrs. Bai had already kneaded the dough into long strips, cut it into small pieces, and rolled it into thin slices.
The two of them started making dumplings together. At this time, the voices of Li Fang and Li Linlin were heard outside the door. "Mom, sister." They greeted in unison.
"Fang'er, Lin'er, get up and come in quickly. It's cold outside." Bai greeted the two of them.
Li Fang and Li Linlin walked in. Seeing the dumplings in Li Xiaoxiao's hands, Li Fang happily shouted, "Sister, are we having dumplings today?"
"Well, it's stuffed with leeks and meat. Sister made it specially for you." Li Xiaoxiao said with a smile.
"Sister, we haven't eaten dumplings for a long time. My mouth is watering when I think about eating them soon." Li Fang said with a smack of his lips.
Li Xiaoxiao smiled and pinched Li Fang's face, "Little greedy cat, you can eat it later."
After a while, the dumplings were ready. Li Xiaoxiao boiled a pot of water and put the dumplings in. After boiling for a few minutes, the dumplings floated up and the aroma filled the air.
Li Xiaoxiao picked up the dumplings, filled four bowls, and served them to Bai and Li Fang. Bai tasted one and found it delicious. She couldn't help but praise him, "Xiaoxiao, these dumplings are delicious!"
"Mm, delicious, sister, the dumplings you make are getting more and more delicious!" Li Fang said vaguely while eating. Li Linlin also said that they were delicious.
"Then eat more." Li Xiaoxiao felt extremely satisfied when she saw her younger brothers and sisters eating with gusto.
After eating the dumplings, Li Xiaoxiao cleared the table and joined Bai in sewing, while Li Fang and Li Linlin went out to play with their friends from the same village.
The sun shone into the yard, and everything seemed so warm and peaceful. In the afternoon, while the sun was still shining and the weather wasn't as cold as in the morning, Li Xiaoxiao took Bai Qiwen and Bai Shao, along with Li Fang and Li Linlin, to the village river to catch more fish. With Chinese New Year approaching, Li Xiaoxiao missed the fried fish nuggets she used to make during the New Year in her hometown in her previous life.
Bai Qiwen was the most excited when he heard they were going fishing again. When they got to the river, he first chiseled a small hole in the ice. Li Xiaoxiao then skillfully took out his fishing rod, put on the bait, and lowered the hook into the hole. Others followed suit.
Everyone waited quietly for the fish to bite. Suddenly, Li Xiaoxiao's fishing rod moved. She was delighted and quickly pulled it up. A big fish jumped out of the water.
"Wow, sister is so awesome!" Li Fang and Li Linlin shouted excitedly.
Bai Qiwen and Bai Shao were not to be outdone and caught several fish one after another.
As the sun gradually set, they returned home with a rich catch, carrying a bucket full of fish. That evening, Li Xiaoxiao prepared a sumptuous dinner, and everyone gathered around, enjoying the delicious fish. Laughter echoed through the house, and an atmosphere of happiness permeated the air.