Chapter 92: Chapter 92: New Year’s Eve
Li Xuemei was not intimidated; she hadn’t done anything unforgivable, and besides, it was New Year’s, so even Mrs. Gu couldn’t do much to her.
Besides, she got picked on every year, and it was about time someone else got it for a change.
With a smile, she handed over the basket, lifted the cloth for Mrs. Gu to see, and said, "I was just thinking of adding a few dishes for the New Year’s Eve dinner, so I was busy at home and got here late."
Mrs. Gu had initially planned to make a fuss over this, but immediately swallowed her words when she saw the basket and forced a smile, saying, "Well, you go help out in the kitchen. Second son’s wife is there."
She specially instructed, "Divide these dishes into two portions; save one for tomorrow."
Li Xuemei agreed and walked out the door into the kitchen.
Gu Xiaoying, now a young lady, followed Li Xuemei into the kitchen, thinking to help out.
Mr. Gu invited Gu Ruhai to sit on the kang, an honor never before extended.
Gu Ruhai didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down directly.
Gu Xiaoqing and Gu Xiaojie greeted Mr. and Mrs. Gu politely, "Grandpa, Grandma, hello."
Mr. Gu smiled, squinting his eyes, and nodded, grabbing a handful of candies and sunflower seeds from a bowl on the table to forcefully give to Gu Xiaojie and Gu Xiaoqing.
Gu Xiaojie loved candies and didn’t care about Mrs. Gu’s deadly glare, so he stuffed them into his pants pocket.
Mrs. Gu pushed the bowl on the table towards Gu Xiaofeng and Gu Xiaomin, smiling broadly at them.
Gu Xiaoqing was no longer a child and had no particular interest in these.
She just sat on a bench at the side, watching Gu Xiaojie play.
Gu Rushan and Gu Ruhe also arrived. At this moment, Gu Rushan was also sitting on the edge of the kang, puffing on a cigarette.
It was a gift that Gu Ruhe brought this year for Mr. Gu.
Packed in boxes, the county’s cigarettes were exquisitely packaged and looked quite impressive.
With beautiful patterns on them, Gu Rushan had seen them in Jiang Caifa’s pocket and knew they were fine items smoked by city folks. He didn’t hesitate and asked for a pack from the old man, opened it, and lit up.
Gu Ruhe and Xiao Xue sat in the middle of the kang, with Gu Xiaofeng and Gu Xiaomin on either side, playing with a tin box.
Seeing Gu Ruhai come in, Gu Rushan and Gu Ruhe greeted him, "Big brother, you’re here!"
"Big brother, take a seat."
That was the extent of their conversation.
In reality, the three brothers didn’t see each other often and didn’t have much to say.
No common topics.
Gu Rushan and Gu Ruhe looked down upon Gu Ruhai.
Gu Ruhai didn’t know what to say to his two brothers.
Mr. Gu was in a good mood today, delighted to see his three sons and feeling a sense of hope now that he was older.
Hoping for a harmonious and beautiful family life.
This was probably Mr. Gu’s idea of a good day.
Over in the kitchen, Li Xuemei walked in to see a clearly disgruntled Jiang Xiulan, chopping vegetables as if to make the skies rumble, illustrating just how annoyed she was.
Seeing Li Xuemei, Jiang Xiulan’s face drooped, and she unceremoniously chided, "Sister-in-law, it’s not your brother’s wife saying this, but you really came too early, huh? Rushing here at mealtime; do you think I can cook this meal alone?"
Li Xuemei rolled up her sleeves and began sorting out the prepared dishes and those already washed.
Many hadn’t been started yet. One could guess that Jiang Xiulan had just arrived too.
"Sister-in-law, there’s no need for that talk. I prepared some small dishes from home for our parents, just like I did every year. It wasn’t me hustling alone before, and yet the meals still got made."
Li Xuemei wasn’t planning to indulge Jiang Xiulan anymore. She wasn’t currying favor with Jiang Xiulan for anything. Why should she humble herself and be chastised? They’re both sisters-in-law. If Jiang Xiulan is so skilled, she should go pick a bone with Xiao Xue.
Couldn’t bully those with powerful backing, but thought she could bully oneself, the soft-spoken one. Unfortunately for Jiang Xiulan, today’s Li Xuemei wasn’t the Li Xuemei of the past. If you dare to bully me, I can retaliate.
Thus, Jiang Xiulan was at a loss for words, stifled.
She knew she was in the wrong in previous years, yet despite knowing Li Xuemei was different now, she still instinctively wanted to follow past precedents, only to bump into a wall once more.
Seriously forgetful.
Li Xuemei took out four bowls of dishes from the basket, dividing each one in half, piling the rest into bowls, adding seasoning, and steaming them with boiling water.
This was for steaming dishes.
A chicken had been slaughtered, but Jiang Xiulan hadn’t cleaned it well, leaving lots of fine feathers. Li Xuemei had to mix a basin of hot and cold water to clean it properly.
Others may not mind an unclean work, but Li Xuemei had three children at home. She wasn’t willing to eat it dirty; if the kids got sick after, it’d be far worse.
Jiang Xiulan, taking her sweet time, minced the meat for dumplings.
Li Xuemei, having sorted her side of things, donned an apron and went to make dumplings.
There were just a few people, finishing early meant going home early.
Jiang Xiulan, seeing Gu Xiaoying tending the fire, called out, "Xiao Ying, come over and roll out the dough. Your second aunt’s hands hurt and I’m struggling."
Gu Xiaoying was about to agree when she saw Li Xuemei give her a look, so she quickly fell silent. Her mother was quite authoritative at home, having almost absolute say.
Li Xuemei rolled up her sleeves and began mixing the dumpling filling with chopsticks, saying to Jiang Xiulan, "Second sister-in-law, you roll out the dough faster; she’s just a kid. The fire can’t be unattended, as there are steamed vegetables and fish cooking. Let her oversee that while we finish things up with our hands."
The implication was absolutely not letting Gu Xiaoying leave her task to help.
Jiang Xiulan was quite annoyed internally.
She planned to have Gu Xiaoying take over, so she could slip into the main room for a rest, sip some water, eat some peanuts or something, and just not come back.
Just wait to enjoy the meal ready-made.
But now, Li Xuemei had blocked that route entirely.
No laziness allowed.
Pursing her lips, with a strange tone, she said, "Oh my, never saw sister-in-law making steamed dishes before. What’s so fancy this year? Making money changes things indeed; one learns new tricks. Unlike us poor souls with no skills, we deserve to suffer."
Li Xuemei didn’t respond. You feel like talking, then talk all you like. It doesn’t affect me in the least, nor hurt, nor itch. You’ll still have to finish your tasks.
Say as much as you want.
Without stopping her hands, soon the bamboo tray was lined with dumplings.
The steamed dishes were also ready.
Li Xuemei had Gu Xiaoying take the dishes over, while she and Jiang Xiulan teamed up to prepare the remaining dishes.