Chapter 1117: 1093. Eat rice balls.
It’s not like we really have to bundle together a basket of carrots and cabbage.
With a dozen tables set for the pork feast, there’s no need to be stingy here.
Song Tan sighed, waved his hand broadly: “Qiaoqiao, this is a reunion for your classmates, and you need to take care of your friends. You should prepare the gift bags yourself — tea won’t do, pork won’t do, figure out the rest yourself.”
“Okay!” Qiaoqiao instantly brightened up: “I’ll go pick vegetables right now!”
Obviously, he’s all in.
Watching his figure run away into the distance, Song Tan suddenly felt a pang of bittersweet emotion about raising a child.
Tsk.
And Lun Chuan, as he put his gaze back, couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile at his lips.
Perhaps only with the nourishnt of such family, can a child like Qiaoqiao, lacking in certain ntal aspects, radiate such a brilliant light.
…
The midday winter sun ward everyone up, and after a hearty al, it was normal to feel a bit sluggish.
Especially when the Lao Song’s family was tidying the yard, a few handso guys wielding big brooms were sweeping vigorously, prompting everyone to move from the courtyard to outside, wandering leisurely on the empty asphalt road.
Neighbors who ca to help tidy up were also leaving after finishing up in the kitchen, so of whom planned to return for a proper chat when Lao Song’s family would be less crowded the next day.
While the online peeps glanced at the bamboo forest murmuring softly in the distance, then at the vegetable fields down the slope losing their spring luster, and finally at the conspicuous white tents between them…
They shifted their gaze back to the yellow mud stove in front.
If mory served right, since they had cleaned up the dishes earlier in the day, quite a bit of rice was actually left…
Brother Five Hundred Years swore he was full from lunch.
But…
He cleared his throat: “Hey… have you guys tried rice balls before?”
“Not the ones sold outside filled with at floss or other fillings, but the kind kneaded out from a big pot in the countryside.”
Soft rice bundled with crispy, burnt bits gathered in the palm, squeezed with force to make a pure rice ball.
Those who love sugar can sprinkle so white sugar, while those who don’t like sweets can wrap so fernted tofu or small pickles inside.
Otherwise, even the plain ones offer the sweet fragrance of rice grains.
As he described, several people there silently reached for their bellies.
Two girls almost to the point of tears from regret: “No, stop talking about it, I’m really full, can’t eat another bite.”
The other few big guys exchanged glances:
“My belly is still full, I’m not that hungry, but leaving this rice here feels like a waste…”
“Exactly, who scraped the thin bits of the burnt bottom and didn’t lift them out, there’s still quite a bit left.”
“Yeah, I’m not really hungry either, but this rice slls so good, maybe a small piece eaten slowly is doable…”
“I’m alright, I feel like these hawthorn pills are really aiding digestion, it didn’t take long for my stomach to feel okay again, probably can eat another one…”
“I prefer salty flavors, wonder if so salted veggies or chili sauce can be wrapped inside…”
Chatting away, their steps unwittingly moved closer to the stove.
But before they could lift the lid, so guys walked over with hoes:
“Co on, today we’re freeloading the al too, can’t just do nothing! We were just discussing how to tidy this stove up?”
“Xiaozhu, take a rest and stop talking for a while, you’re the busiest today, our ears are tired too, we’ll handle the heavy work.”
“No way! Whether heavy or light, we shouldn’t fuss over tasks since we’re here without working. Co on, I rember the chef’s earlier requests — here’s the cloth for you, let’s lift this iron wok together.”
“You guys just smash up this earthen stove. The aunties said the village inspections have been strict recently, lighting fire here could be easily monitored by satellite for smoke.”
In the past, after the wok was removed, the earthen stove left there would naturally collapse within a couple of days, turning into a pile of dirt under sun and rain without needing special attention.
But now with tight environntal monitoring, even though it might not be a big deal, probably best to tidy up and avoid causing trouble.
Just as they were talking, they were about to get started, Brother Five Hundred Years had just built up the montum, but hadn’t tasted the food yet, how could he let it go?
He quickly stepped forward: “Brothers, brothers, there’s no rush, there’s no rush.” He lifted the lid, “Look, each pot still has a decent amount of rice at the bottom.”
With the lid lifted, the few robust lads instantly lost their drive.
They placed the cloth back on the stove. Now gazing at the pot of rice, the rugged guys clapped their hands, a bit hesitant:
“Can’t eat anymore, it’s too much.”
“You can eat, you can eat!” Five Hundred Years and the others patted their bellies loudly, sounding as if a ripe waterlon was inside.
Declaring with certainty: “We’ve had the big hawthorn pill, digestion has improved quite a bit now, can squeeze in another mouthful.”
These words, among all the guys, this rice being so delicious, if they could, they would want to enjoy it too!
Everyone exchanged glances again, and lifted the remaining two lids—sure enough, all had leftover rice!
So there was no need to hesitate, several people picked up the spatula and comnced.
A big grab of the hand, a squeeze, an irregular rice ball was ford.
But this ti, they had to rember not to wolf it down. Such delightful food needed to be savored slowly to make ti stretch and satisfy one’s stomach.
As everyone lined up, squatting on the curb, nibbling on rice balls, Secretary Wang also strolled out, montarily puzzled at the sight.
He owed it to being incognito with the leader, if it were like bringing the dia like the city leader, just imagine this group squatting here eating rice balls…
How damaging to their image!
After all, being from Ning City, Secretary Wang chuckled a bit, seeing the leader still chatting with the elders, felt a bit tempted too.
He stepped forward briskly: “Eating rice balls, huh?”
Weren’t they just eating rice balls?
Five Hundred Years stood up, about to courteously offer: “Want to try one?”
Then instinctively glanced at the pot.
Just now, the dozen or so of them had scraped the pot clean of leftover rice, now even if offered, there’d be none to give.
Luckily, Secretary Wang was quick-witted, seeing their expressions, then the empty pot, understood the situation.
He shook his head: “Won’t eat, won’t eat, can’t fit anymore—don’t you actually feel stuffed?”
His words had just settled when Peppa among them suddenly clutched his stomach painfully.
“Oh no…”
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