Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s

Part 117 Visit

He had made several mung bean cakes shaped like rabbits: one for his mom, one for his dad, one for his brother, and one for his sister. He couldn't let anyone else eat them because he had made them himself. He had wanted to eat them in the morning, but his mom said they would taste better once they had cooled and set. So, he had been patiently waiting. Now, with so many guests at home, Xiao Lao Er didn't dare be selfish.

Si Nian brought out two plates of mung bean cakes, and the sweet, fresh aroma filled the air. Everyone instinctively swallowed.

"My husband always said the mung bean cakes you brought to the factory were so delicious. I thought you bought them; I didn't know you made them yourself. You're amazing, Si Nian."

"Exactly, these things are expensive!"

"Yeah, so many of them! It's too generous. Just give us some water, and we'll be fine."

Si Nian smiled and said, "Mung bean cakes are expensive to buy, but mung beans themselves are quite cheap. Homemade ones aren't as refined, but I planned to make a lot to give out as treats during the wedding. Don't be polite; you've all brought so many gifts. These mung bean cakes are nothing."

"But they can be a bit dry. Let me get you some mung bean soup to go with them."

With that, Si Nian headed back to the kitchen. One of the wives from the pig farm quickly followed her. "We can't let you do all the work alone. I'll help you."

The others felt it was improper to just sit around, so they also got up to help. Once familiar with each other, they naturally pitched in, everyone doing their part.

Following Si Nian into the kitchen, the women were astonished by how clean it was. They wondered if Si Nian had a cleanliness obsession; the floor was spotless. Si Nian would probably laugh if she knew their thoughts. The cleanliness was thanks to Xiao Lao Da and Xiao Lao Er. Knowing how much Si Nian valued cleanliness, the boys made sweeping the floor their first task every morning. The house was large, and if they didn't sweep every couple of days, dust would accumulate, and cooking fumes would make the floor sticky. By cleaning daily, they kept everything dry and tidy.

Si Nian poured everyone a bowl of sweet mung bean soup. The children's eyes lit up. It was already a treat to have mung bean cakes, but to have mung bean soup as well was a real delight. The refreshing sweetness of the soup was irresistible. As soon as the kids took a sip, they eagerly gulped it down. Normally, they had few opportunities to eat sweets, maybe just a bit of sweet rice wine, and even then, they couldn't afford to use much sugar. Sugar water was usually reserved for the most cherished sons or the elderly.

Seeing this, the adults focused on feeding their children, reluctant to take a sip themselves. Si Nian couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. She loved her children dearly, but she always tried things herself before giving them to her kids. It reminded her of the saying about different generational mindsets: the '80s generation saved the best for their kids, while the '90s generation saved the best for themselves. Although she was part of the '90s generation, Si Nian deeply respected mothers who gave everything for their children.

The children devoured the mung bean cakes, repeatedly exclaiming, "Mom, it's so good!"

"If it's good, make sure to thank Auntie. She's the one who made it for you," said one of the mothers.

The kids, still savoring the taste, looked at Si Nian with a mix of shyness and excitement and said, "Thank you, Auntie."

Si Nian smiled warmly and replied, "You're welcome."

"Have you all had breakfast yet? Let me fry some wheat cakes for you."

"Oh, you're too kind. We already ate before coming," they said, feeling a bit embarrassed. They had come to help set up the new house, not to keep eating Si Nian's food.

"Have you bought the couplets and 'double happiness' characters for the wedding? We can help you decorate the new room," one of them offered.

Si Nian smiled and replied, "Not yet. I was planning to get them done in the next couple of days."

"Great, then bring them out, and we'll help you put them up."

Si Nian didn't stand on ceremony. She went and fetched the decorations that Lin Mama had bought for her, including the 'double happiness' characters and the couplets. It was indeed challenging to handle all of this alone, so having help was welcome.

Some of the women followed Si Nian into the kitchen to assist her. They watched as she cracked eggs into the flour, added minced meat, and mixed in some salt. It took a large bowl of ingredients before they realized what she was making.

They had seen this kind of fried wheat cake in state-run restaurants before. It was considered a luxury, as it used a lot of flour, which most people couldn't afford to use so generously, let alone adding eggs and minced meat.

The preparation was straightforward. Si Nian heated pork lard in a pan and used chopsticks to drop small dollops of the batter into the hot oil. The cakes sizzled and turned golden brown, giving off an enticing aroma.

Before long, the golden wheat cakes puffed up and bubbled as they floated to the surface of the hot oil. The process was simple and quick, making it perfect for preparing food during festive occasions.

"I brought some freshly dried potato skins. They'd be great for frying up for the kids," someone suggested.

Si Nian nodded, welcoming the idea. When she brought the fried wheat cakes outside, she saw that everyone was busy putting up the wedding decorations. The living room was bustling with activity.

Si Nian enjoyed this lively atmosphere, and a bright smile appeared on her face. Her radiant smile left the other women momentarily stunned.

"Si Nian, you are truly beautiful," one of them exclaimed.

"Exactly, like a movie star," another added.

"Your skin is so nice," someone else remarked.

Many of the women were the same age as Si Nian, but seeing her smooth, fair skin, they couldn't help but feel a pang of envy, though their compliments were sincere. Life in the countryside involved hard, outdoor labor, along with raising children and managing household chores. They barely had time to sleep in, let alone take care of their skin. Affording skincare products was out of the question for most, except for a few well-off families who might buy some inexpensive creams.

The women's admiration was genuine, as they understood the hard work and dedication needed to maintain such an appearance while managing a household. Si Nian's smile widened, appreciating their kind words.