Chapter 86: Offering Glutinous Rice Cakes

Chapter 86: Offering Glutinous Rice Cakes

Lin Shu heard the voice, her gaze returning to him. She cleared her throat lightly and asked, "Why did you call me?"

Zhou Ye replied, "Aren't we making tea containers? Tell me how to do it."

"What's the rush? Even if I tell you now, you can't start immediately. You'll need to borrow a knife from Grandpa Gao first. If you can also borrow tools like a metal saw, that would be even better; a metal saw makes much smoother cuts."

Though she said there was no rush, Lin Shu still explained it to him in detail.

To make the tea container lid fit snugly, it was quite simple: take a bamboo section with nodes on both ends and cut it into two parts at an 2:8 ratio. The longer piece forms the container, and the shorter one becomes the lid. The outer rim of the container opening is evenly shaved down, while the inner rim of the lid is carved inward evenly. This creates a concave and a convex piece, and when they fit together, the lid closes securely.

In the pre-apocalypse era, with all sorts of tools readily available, it would have been easy to smooth out the concave and convex parts. But now, it all depended on pure hand craftsmanship.

"As long as the container and lid can close roughly, it's fine. It doesn’t need to be perfectly airtight." After saying this, Lin Shu smiled and asked, "Should I also draw you the construction diagram for the bamboo rocking chair, Brother River Snail?"

Hearing this, Zhou Ye’s lips twitched upward slightly before he quickly suppressed the smile. "If you don’t have anything else to do right now, you can show me."

"What makes you think I have nothing else to do? I’m busy~"

"Then there’s no hurry. Draw it when you have free time."

Standing nearby, Lin Xiaopu scratched her head awkwardly, feeling a bit annoyed.

She thought she shouldn’t have stayed here.

But—

Hehe, she was right to create some alone time for her sister and Brother A Ye. She could sense it—there was a subtle atmosphere flowing between them. They had definitely made progress, and quite a lot!

Just as Lin Xiaopu was debating whether to find another excuse to go out and play or stay indoors, He Guixiang returned carrying her bamboo basket, a smile on her face.

Inside the basket, besides the few balls of linen thread she had twisted today, there was also a pair of straw sandals, men’s straw sandals, exceptionally large in size.

"A Ye, come quickly and try these new straw sandals. Your third aunt specially wove them for you. I couldn’t even refuse if I wanted to. Straw sandals this size—only you in Sweetwater Village can wear them."

Zhang Qiaohua had finished weaving these extra-large men’s straw sandals yesterday. It wasn’t a reciprocal gift for the two big fat fish; she had originally planned to give another pair to Lin Dashan, but He Guixiang insisted on refusing, saying she could make them herself. The men in the village all wear straw sandals made by their own wives—how could they ask a sister-in-law to make them? Zhang Qiaohua had to drop the idea.

But Zhou Ye’s pair couldn’t be refused. Straw sandals this big could only be worn by Zhou Ye. If they didn’t take them, the sandals would have been made for nothing.

"A Ye, earlier you helped your third aunt watch her shoe stall and also carried Yu Shu’s writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones back. Though it was a small thing, your third aunt remembers your kindness. She hasn’t changed at all—she’s always been like this since before the family split. Whenever she takes advantage of me, she finds a way to pay me back elsewhere."

Lin Shu said, "Third aunt is still treating us like outsiders. But since the straw sandals are already made, we can only accept her kindness."

With that, she took the straw sandals first and examined them closely, then shook her head. "I can’t tell how they’re woven."

He Guixiang laughed. "If you could figure it out just by looking, wouldn’t anyone be able to do your third aunt’s livelihood?"

Lin Shu also laughed. "Mom, don't you believe me? My hands are quite clever too. Weaving these is no problem. Before, I wasn’t close with third aunt, but now I feel we’re quite familiar. If third aunt is willing to teach me, I’ll take care of all the straw sandals for you and Dad from now on."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaopu immediately chimed in, "If my sister’s hands aren’t clever, then whose are?! So, sister, you can’t just think about Mom and Dad—how about me?"

"Don’t worry, how could I forget you?" Lin Shu pinched her cheek, feeling it had a much better texture than before. She had gained a little weight recently from eating well.

Lin Xiaopu’s eyes lit up, and she quickly added, "What about Brother A Ye? You can’t leave him out alone, right?"

Lin Shu pretended to be annoyed. "You care so much about him—aren’t you afraid my hands will get rough from weaving too many straw sandals? Tell me, are you on my side or his? If you had to choose between us, who would you pick?"

Lin Xiaopu was stunned. She hadn’t expected her offhand comment to lead to such a terrifying question from her sister.

"Sister, of course I choose you!" She immediately glanced at Zhou Ye and explained, "Brother A Ye, don’t be sad. In my heart, you’re like my own brother. It’s just that sister is being childish—I have to humor her."

If weaving a few pairs of straw sandals could roughen hands, then the women in the village wouldn’t be able to do anything. Weaving straw sandals and making shoe inserts are already among the lightest tasks for village women. Sister was clearly teasing her on purpose.

Lin Shu laughed in mock anger. "You answered the question but comforted A Ye right in front of me, you little traitor."

Zhou Ye looked at Lin Shu and couldn’t hold back a slight smile that flickered between his brows.

"Here, take them and try them on." Lin Shu handed him the straw sandals.

Zhou Ye already knew the straw sandals would fit without trying them on, but since everyone was watching, he put them on in front of them. "The size is perfect. Next time I see third aunt, I’ll thank her properly."

Then he said to Lin Shu, "A Shu, if you learn how to weave these straw sandals, teach me later. I think I’m quite quick to learn. Once I learn, I’ll weave my own and won’t trouble you."

Lin Shu was taken aback, then asked with a cunning expression, "If you’re really worried about me getting tired, how about you take care of all my straw sandals from now on?"

Before Zhou Ye could respond, He Guixiang laughed and scolded, "Stop teasing A Ye. Your mom and dad’s straw sandals don’t need you to make them either. Though mine aren’t as good as your third aunt’s, I’ve been making your dad’s straw sandals all these years, and he’s managed just fine wearing them."

Lin Xiaopu looked around and added, "The soles of my feet are thick. I’ve been wearing the straw sandals Mom weaves all these years without any problems. Sister, you don’t need to make any for me either. But sister, you can make just one pair for me—I’ll keep it as a treasure, hehe."

Lin Shu first glared at Zhou Ye, then said angrily, "Fine, fine! None of you need me to weave straw sandals, right? Well, don’t eat the food I cook either, if you’re so capable."

Lin Xiaopu quickly comforted her, showering her with a string of compliments until Lin Shu finally smiled, laughter bubbling out.

Zhou Ye listened and watched thoughtfully, lost in his own thoughts as he continued working on the bamboo reclining chair.

He Guixiang put away her things and went to prepare dinner. Lin Shu and Lin Xiaopu helped out, adding firewood to the stove and washing vegetables.

"Xiao Pu, sister wants to ask you something."

"Sister, what is it?"

"That Wang Yingen kid said many hurtful things about you before. Do you really forgive him just like that?"

Lin Xiaopu hesitated. "Sister, what he said wasn’t really bad words. Everyone in the village says things like that."

Lin Shu said earnestly, "Xiao Pu, you can’t think it’s not bad just because many people say it. Weren’t you hurt when Wang Yingen said those things to your face? If you were, then he hurt you. Should you forgive someone who hurt you so easily? Xiao Pu, if you feel lonely and want a playmate, we can choose someone else. There’s no hurry. Our Xiao Pu is so wonderful—you’ll definitely find a more suitable playmate."

Lin Xiaopu was confused for a moment, then replied, "But sister, if I care about all this, then many people in the village have called me 'little medicine jar' and 'short-lived ghost,' and many aunts and older women have said I’m a 'debt collector.' The difference is that Wang Yingen said it to my face, while others said it behind my back. If someone like Wang Yingen can’t be forgiven, then can none of the villagers be forgiven?"

Lin Shu rubbed her head and smiled faintly. "Our Xiao Pu has a big heart. Good fortune awaits you later. Sister was just worried you’d shortchange yourself, but after hearing your words, sister isn’t worried anymore."

Lin Xiaopu hugged her arm and chuckled. "I know sister is afraid I’ll get taken advantage of. Don’t worry, sister—I won’t let myself suffer losses. I used to be a little afraid of Wang Yingen and didn’t dare talk back. But after seeing sister shut him down, I’m not so afraid of him anymore. Later, when I saw Aunt Li spank him, I became even less afraid. Wang Yingen may be strong, but he’s not as smart as me."

Lin Shu laughed at her words. "You’re quite confident. But it’s true—our Xiao Pu is indeed clever."

He Guixiang watched the two sisters staying close together and talking, feeling happy inside.

Perhaps it was because of family bonds—back when A Yao was around, Xiao Pu wasn’t as close to her as she was with A Shu. It wasn’t that A Yao treated Xiao Pu poorly; A Yao was very good to her younger sister, always secretly buying her sugar cakes with the money she earned from embroidering handkerchiefs. It’s just that A Yao wasn’t the type to be affectionate with people. Her personality was steady and reserved, completely different from A Shu’s.

I wonder how A Yao is doing in the capital now. A Shu said she’s found a suitable husband—she’ll probably be married soon, right? Being the daughter-in-law of a high-status family isn’t easy. I just hope A Yao can have a smooth life for the rest of her life.

Just as dinner was almost ready, Wang Yingen suddenly arrived carrying a basket. When he lifted the cloth covering it, inside was a small plate of glutinous rice cakes, freshly made and fried until golden brown.

Wang Yingen rubbed his reddened ears, too embarrassed to say that when his mother found out he’d taken a bamboo jar of sauce from Sister A Shu—sauce that had been fried with oil—she grabbed his ears and scolded him fiercely, turning them red. But thanks to Sister A Shu, his mother, who was reluctant to make glutinous rice cakes, fried a large plate of them and gave him a small portion to bring over.

"Lin Xiaopu, my mom just fried these glutinous rice cakes. They’re dusted with bean powder and smell wonderful—here, for you to eat!" Wang Yingen shoved the small plate of glutinous rice cakes into the hands of Lin Xiaopu, who was closest, and without waiting for a response, he ran off with the empty basket.

He didn't want to get caught in a tug-of-war, so his method was the best—drop the stuff and run.

Lin Xiaopu didn't like that kind of pulling and tugging either, but Wang Yingen ran off way too fast. Holding that plate of glutinous rice cakes, she was totally stunned.

"A Shu, did you do something? Why did Aunt Li have Wang Yingen bring over a plate of glutinous rice cakes?" He Guixiang asked.

In their Sweetwater Village, glutinous rice cakes were usually only made during festivals, and most were steamed. Pan-fried glutinous rice cakes used up a lot of oil, and since oil was expensive, most families couldn’t afford to eat them often. Why would Aunt Li suddenly send over such a precious treat?

Lin Shu explained, "It’s probably because of that jar of Termitomyces sauce I sent over. Earlier, A Ye went to Aunt Li’s house to ask for a large urn with a broken hole. I didn’t know how much a large urn was worth at the time, but when I went to the market in town, I asked around and was shocked by the price. Even though the urn Aunt Li gave us had a broken hole, it wasn’t completely unusable. Last time, she also gave us a big bowl of Green Sichuan pepper. Today, since Wang Yingen happened to be playing in the yard with Xiao Pu, I asked him to take a jar of Termitomyces sauce back home. I didn’t expect Aunt Li to be this polite—she even sent back this plate of glutinous rice cakes."

Glutinous rice cakes were such a treat, and she craved them too. When A Ye bought two pieces for her at the market, it wasn’t nearly enough. Aunt Li was so generous to send over a whole plate!

After hearing the whole story, He Guixiang finally understood what had happened and said with a smile, "I forgot—we really should have sent something back. Aunt Li is a straightforward person. Since she sent these glutinous rice cakes, we should just accept them."

Lin Xiaopu was already drooling over the glutinous rice cakes. "Mom, these are best eaten while they’re hot. But let’s wait for Dad to come back so we can eat them together. We can always pan-fry them again if needed, using the same oil A Ye used to fry the Termitomyces sauce."

But He Guixiang made the decision: "There’s no need to wait for your dad with snacks like these. We’ll save one piece for him. You all eat them now while they’re hot."

Lin Shu thought of something and quickly said, "Wait, let me get some sugar to sprinkle on top. It’ll taste even better that way."

Lin Xiaopu nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, sprinkle some sugar!" They were a household with sugar now!

There were exactly five pieces of glutinous rice cakes in the small plate—one for each of the five family members—and each piece was fairly sizable.

Lin Shu scooped a spoonful of sugar from the sugar jar and evenly sprinkled it over the glutinous rice cakes. She called out to the man still working hard, "A Ye, stop working and come eat some glutinous rice cakes!"

Zhou Ye looked over at her and said, "A Shu, I’m not really into these. You and Xiao Pu can share my portion."

Lin Shu directly picked up a piece with her fingers and went over to him, waving the rice cake in front of his face. "Really not going to eat any?"

Zhou Ye shook his head. "I’m not a fan of sticky food like this."

Lin Shu took a bite right in front of him, eating as she praised, "These glutinous rice cakes are fried to a golden crisp, with soybean flour and sugar sprinkled on top. One bite, and the outside is crispy while the inside is tender—sweet and fragrant, so good it feels like I’m floating!"

As she spoke, she held the half-eaten glutinous rice cake up to his lips. "Try it, A Ye. It’s really delicious. If I’m lying, I’m a little pig."

Zhou Ye’s hands were dirty from work, so he couldn’t take it. He lowered his head to look, and his gaze inadvertently fell on the bite mark—a small, neat circle with visible teeth impressions.

His ears suddenly turned red again.

But Lin Shu continued holding the bitten glutinous rice cake up to his mouth, her eyes curved in a smile as she asked, "A Ye, are you not eating it because I took a bite first?"

Her voice was hushed, so He Guixiang and Lin Xiaopu on the other side couldn’t hear.

"N-No."

"If not, then eat it. Just one bite—I’m not lying, it’s really good."

If it were the Zhou Ye from before today, he would have asked Lin Shu to break off half for him—the half without the bite mark. But this time, gazing at Lin Shu’s brilliantly smiling face, as radiant as spring blossoms, he found himself inexplicably opening his mouth and taking a big bite right over that neat, round teeth mark, eating the part she had bitten into.

He chewed slowly, his ears turning red, his chest flushing.