"Grandpa, is Aunt upset? I need to explain. Aunt said before she would send us off, but this is too rushed. My uncle is still out on a mission and hasn’t co back yet?"
"Stay calm, your Aunt and Uncle aren’t like that; they must have sothing to give us."
After a while, Shen ng ca out holding a bundle, looking at the grandfather and grandson with a light laugh.
"I feel a bit embarrassed. I previously told Ah Man that when you and he return to Shangjing, I would make you clothes and personally make so dumplings. But I’ve been so busy recently, I thought I’d buy a set first. Just in case I couldn’t finish, my purchase would also count as a gesture. The dumplings, though, I can make by hand. I’ve already made so; they’ll be ready soon. Once we’ve eaten, we can head out. Ah Man, your and Grandpa’s clothes are here. Aunt will heat so water for you and Grandpa to wash up and change into clean clothes before setting off, all neat and brisk."
Ah Man wiped a tear and forced a smile, saying, "Ah!"
He was surprised for a mont when he took the clothes in his hand; they were unexpectedly heavy. He looked at Shen ng bewilderingly, but she just smiled, turned, and went back inside to get a clean towel and an enal basin.
When the grandfather and grandson took the clothes inside, the three young people waiting outside followed them in.
"Mr. Chu, I’m really embarrassed. We ca in such a hurry that we forgot to bring clothes for you and Ah Heng."
"It’s fine; my daughter has prepared everything for , haha, oh wow, everything’s perfectly ready."
Towels, soap, a razor, even nthol cream and hair oil were provided.
While they cleaned themselves up in the main room, Shen ng was in the kitchen making dumplings. Soon after, Mingyang, Mingliang, and Ming Fang got ho from school. Ming Fang also brought along Ming Kai. The children entered the house and went straight to the kitchen. They saw unfamiliar faces not recognizing anyone in the main room and weren’t sure if they were good or bad people, so they went to find Shen ng first.
"Don’t be afraid, they’ve co to pick up your Brother Ah Man and Grandpa. In a mont, they’ll be leaving by car. Mingyang, co help Mom heat the pot. Mom will start cooking the dumplings I prepared, and then we’ll send them off."
"Okay, Mom."
Mingyang took his schoolbag off his neck, placed it on a chair, he heated the pot, while Mingliang and Ming Fang washed their hands and helped Shen ng wrap dumplings. The two kids had been skillful with their hands since they were young; although their dumplings looked a bit ugly, they still turned out quite proper.
The three worked together quickly. After boiling one batch of dumplings, they didn’t stop and continued wrapping the second batch.
After Mr. Chu and Chu Heng, Ah Man, changed their clothes and tidied up, they looked renewed standing in front of the three.
"Look at this lass, how well the clothes she prepared for this old man fit, and these shoes, so comfortably!"
Chu Heng adjusted his overcoat. Such good fabric and fine leather shoes must have cost Aunt quite a bit. When he returned to Shangjing, he would study hard and once he got a job, he would give all his earnings to Aunt.
"Ah Heng, help your Aunt—no, your Auntie—to tidy up a bit. Lin Xin, you brought so items, right? Give them to , I’m about to acknowledge a goddaughter, and I need to prepare a gift!"
"Ah, right away, Mr. Chu! "
Shen ng was unaware of it all. After boiling two pots of dumplings, she served them all up, filling five big bowls on the table. It was already getting slightly dark. Mingliang ran over, lit the kerosene lamp with a match, and gazed at the changed Chu Heng and Mr. Chu, his eyes wide.
"Are you still my Brother Ah Man and Grandpa?"
"Hahahaha, you rascal, if I’m not your Grandpa, who is? Your Brother Ah Man is standing right here perfectly fine. What’s there not to recognize?"
Mingliang giggled and circled around Chu Heng and Mr. Chu a couple of tis.
"When did Brother Ah Man beco so handso, even Grandpa is handso, everyone is good-looking!"
Chu Heng, with his ears turning red from the complints, reached out to rub Mingliang’s head, causing Mingliang’s eyes to redden.
"Brother Ah Man, I, I can’t bear to part with you. I just made dumplings for you. You must eat more. When I grow up and beco knowledgeable, I will go to Shangjing to find you. You must not forget about !"
Ah Man pulled his wool coat tighter, looking emotionally at Mingliang.
"Brother will never forget Mingliang, nor will he forget how many tis Mingliang fell down in the snowy ground for bringing food to brother."
Lu Mingliang cheered up with a "hey" and tears began to flow, he sowhat embarrassedly slapped Chu Heng’s hand.
"Look at what you’re saying, it’s making feel embarrassed, it was slippery on the ground, it’s not my fault."
"Yes, it’s not your fault."
Mingliang pouted his lips and then suddenly hugged Chu Heng’s waist, bursting into tears.
Chu Heng was almost moved to tears by his crying, Mr. Chu turned his head away, feeling heartache. During the hardest tis, he thought about when he could leave here, but now that the ti to leave has co, he is filled with reluctance.
Shen ng brought two bowls of dumplings, Mingyang and Ming Fang each held two dipping sauces. Seeing the situation inside the house, Shen ng didn’t plan to scold Mingliang. The emotions of children are genuine, outward, and passionate; they are their own feelings, she couldn’t intervene.
Ming Fang and Mingyang also had red-rimd eyes, apparently having cried already.
"Uncle, Ah Man, and all our comrades, eat the dumplings while they’re hot. I’ve made them with cabbage, pork, and glass noodles filling, Ah Man’s favorite. I’ve also prepared a dipping sauce, you all should try it too."
After she finished speaking, she looked towards Mr. Chu and Chu Heng, the two of them wearing new clothes really looked different, indeed showing they are the strongest support in helping the male and female protagonists in later stages.
"Good, good, good, before departing, I’m glad I can have one last al made by you, which ans I have no regrets. All of you sit down too, try it. This girl is usually lazy, it’s rare for her to cook, you must finish it all, otherwise, she won’t be happy."
"Look at what you’re saying, although I don’t cook often, I always rember to include tasty dishes for you when I do. It’s just a pity that Zhenping isn’t here to see you off, please don’t rember his faults!"
Mr. Chu gave her a sharp look: "Am I an unreasonable old man? I know he is on a mission, I won’t bla him."
"Well, that’s good."
He began eating first, Lin Xin and the others then picked up their chopsticks. They couldn’t help but sigh internally, this fellow villager genuinely cares for Chu Heng and Mr. Chu. Look at these dumplings, generously filled, with smooth and glutinous skins, all made from finely milled flour, they hadn’t even eaten this well back in Shangjing.
Mr. Chu finished a bowl of dumplings, and Shen ng hurriedly served him another half bowl, soon bringing over a bowl of dumpling soup.
"The original soup harmonizes the original food. Have so dumpling soup and return to the city with a full stomach and without worries."
"How can that be, without worries? My daughter and my grandson are both in Lu Family Village, no matter where I go, they are always on my mind!"
Shen ng: "...."
Hmm? What daughter, what grandson, why haven’t you ntioned them before???
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