Chapter 357: Chapter 0357: Daily Life Trivia 1_1 Chapter 357: Chapter 0357: Daily Life Trivia 1_1 Lu Jiang climbed out of bed in anger, put on his clothes, opened the door, and went to make breakfast.
Little Fatty adamantly refused to leave his mother’s embrace. Once his gaze fell upon Lu Jiang’s stern face, he burst into loud, obnoxious crying, wailing and sobbing piteously as tears ran down his face in rivers and snot bubbles erupting from his nose.
The children who were always early to bed and early to rise were disturbed, accusingly saying, “Uncle (brother-in-law), how could you make Xibao cry?”
Yes! Little Fatty hiccupped in agreent.
“Yes, yes, yes, he is my ancestor! My little ancestor!” Lu Jiang replied grumpily; and just as gruffly, he instructed his two nephews to help him with the chores in the kitchen. He planned to cook a porridge of coarse rice and dried sweet potato, steam a loaf made of a mixed dough of corn and wheat flour on the stear, and stir-fry a few pickled vegetable lumps with red chili peppers.
“Uncle, don’t forget to steam an egg for Xibao! Xibao eats egg custard every morning,” Lu Tianjun reminded him.
Guan Cheng quickly handed Lu Jiang Xibao’s designated porcelain bowl with colorful graphics on a white background, took out an egg, and taught him how to crack the egg into the bowl, how much water to add, and emphasized not to add any salt or seasoning. After this, he placed the lid on the bowl and put it on the stear.
“With just a small bowl and one egg, will Xibao get full? He’s so chubby, it looks like he has a hearty appetite.”
Lu Tianjun stuffed a few corn cobs into the stove, looked up at him, and said, “Uncle, don’t think that Xibao is a big eater like you. He’s so small; of course, he eats less!”
“Yes, yes, yes, you all are correct!” Lu Jiang conceded, “I’ll go fetch water; you guys keep an eye on the rice in the pot, make sure it doesn’t overflow.”
“Go ahead!” Lu Tianjun and Guan Cheng waved simultaneously.
Lu Jiang fetched two full tanks of water, boiled a pot of hot water, washed Xibao’s clothes and diapers and his own clothes, hung them up to dry on a hemp rope inside the house, and then went to fetch water again, intending to refill the large water tank.
On his way back, he ran into Wang Zhengguo, who was up early and wandering around. Wang Zhengguo squinted at him for a good while before recognizing him, “I was wondering who was coming out of Qingxue’s house, turns out it’s you. Lu Jiang, why have you beco so skinny? You’re not only dark but also thin, like a beanpole. Qingxue must be heartbroken seeing you like this.”
“Uncle!” Lu Jiang smiled, put down the carrying pole, dug around in his pocket, and pulled out a packet of ‘Da Qian n’ cigarettes to offer Wang Zhengguo a smoke.
Simultaneously, he took out a box of matches and lit Wang Zhengguo’s cigarette.
After puffing on the cigarette twice, Wang Zhengguo asked, “When did you co back? You just ca straight from the battlefield, didn’t you? Otherwise, your troop provides for your food and accommodation, so you wouldn’t be so thin because of training, and your face so bruised.”
Lu Jiang didn’t deny it, “Just got ho yesterday. I have been away from ho, I appreciate the care my father and Qingxue received from you, uncle.”
“Pshaw! You’re risking your life on the front line; if I can’t even protect your family’s safety here, I might as well step down from my post of Party Secretary cum brigade commander!” Wang Zhengguo modestly dismissed his rits and quickly changed the subject, “I went over to the commune the other day. I heard that they’re recruiting soldiers again next spring. Did you know about this?”
Lu Jiang laughed, “I just returned from the border and headed straight ho, so I’ve not heard anything about drafting soldiers. But it always begins on March first every year. So, are you asking about this in a bid to secure a couple of drafting quotas for our Production Brigade?”
The living conditions in the Wanglou Brigade were good, so the likelihood of passing the dical examination was very high.
Wang Zhengguo shook his head, “I will take whatever quotas they give us. Besides, there are plenty of young n willing to join the army, not everyone is keen, though.”
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