Siheyuan: Rebirth of Liu Ergou

Smelling the tempting aroma of refined lard, the two little sisters Liu Fang and Liu Shan ran over briskly on their little feet as if being pulled by an invisible string. Their eyes were shining with curiosity and expectation, like two little deer that had just discovered the new world, staring at the lard residue that was bubbling in the pot and exuding a charming aroma without blinking.

Liu Ergou looked at his sisters' greedy faces, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. He smiled and filled a large bowl with golden lard residue, and sprinkled a little fine salt on it, thinking that he would give it to his sisters after it cooled down a little, so as not to burn their mouths.

However, how could the sisters wait? They looked at the basin of golden lard residue, their eyes almost turned green. As soon as Liu Ergou put down the basin, Liu Fang and Liu Shan couldn't wait to stretch out their little hands, grabbing the still steaming lard residue and putting it into their mouths.

"Oh! It's so hot!" The two sisters shouted almost at the same time. Their hands were burned red and their mouths were burning. They jumped on the spot and fanned themselves with their hands to try to relieve the sudden burning sensation.

Seeing this, Liu Ergou quickly picked up the cold water bottle beside him and poured some cold water on the little sisters' hands. He smiled and said, "Look at you two little greedy cats, why are you so anxious? Do you know it's hot now?"

Although Liu Fang and Liu Shan were almost in tears from the scalding, they still mumbled: "Delicious... Delicious...?" Their little faces were full of satisfaction and happiness, as if the scalding just now had also become a part of this delicious taste.

Liu Ergou looked at his sisters like this, feeling both love and amusement. He knew that this was the taste of home, the taste of happiness that he was willing to swallow no matter how hot it was.

Liu Shan looked at her brother Liu Ergou pitifully, her eyes seemed to say: "Brother, I really want to eat dumplings!" Although her sister Liu Fang didn't say anything, her eager eyes also made Liu Ergou's heart ache. He knew that the two little guys hadn't eaten dumplings for a long time, especially the pork fat dumplings made by their grandmother, which was the delicacy they missed the most.

"Wait until night falls, and grandma will come back to make pork fat dumplings for you." Liu Ergou comforted his younger sister and older sister. Although he couldn't make it himself, he knew that as long as grandma came back, all problems could be solved.

Finally, as night fell, grandma came in, carrying some rotten vegetable leaves she had picked up. Seeing grandma, Liu Shan immediately ran over, hugged her, and said coquettishly, "Grandma, you're back? I want to eat dumplings!"

Grandma smiled and touched Liu Shan's head, saying, "Okay, okay, grandma will make dumplings for you right away." As she said that, grandma put down the rotten vegetable leaves in her hand and started to get busy.

Grandma first used lard residue and washed vegetable leaves to make stuffing. The lard residue was specially saved by grandma for making delicious dumplings for the children. Then, grandma took out flour and water and started to mix the dough. Her craftsmanship was so skillful that soon, round dumpling skins appeared in front of everyone.

Seeing grandma busy, Liu Ergou and Liu Fang couldn't help but come forward to help. They imitated grandma, picked up the dumpling wrappers, put the stuffing on them, and then carefully pinched the edges. Although their skills were still a little rusty, their serious look made grandma feel very happy.

Finally, with everyone's joint efforts, plates of dumplings were served on the table. Grandma took out a big pot, poured water into it, and put it on the stove to boil. As soon as the water boiled, grandma put the dumplings into the pot one by one. After a while, waves of tempting aroma wafted out of the pot and filled the whole house.

Seeing that the dumplings were cooked, Liu Shan and Liu Fang couldn't wait to pick up their chopsticks, pick up a dumpling and put it in their mouths. The dumplings tasted so good! The mellow aroma of the lard and the freshness of the leaves blended perfectly together, making people unable to stop eating.

Liu Ergou also tasted the dumplings, and the familiar taste made him sigh with emotion. He remembered that when he was a child, every time his grandmother made dumplings, he and his sister would sit around the table, eating dumplings while listening to his grandmother's stories. Those were really carefree times!

Now, although they have grown up, their love for dumplings and their attachment to grandma have never changed. Seeing his younger sister and older sister eating so happily, Liu Ergou also felt very happy. He knew that this was the taste of home, the taste of love.

A delicious meal of pork fat dumplings fills this home with warmth and joy. In this small house, there are no gorgeous decorations or expensive furniture, but as long as there is love and family around, it is enough. This is the most precious wealth of Liu Ergou, Liu Shan and Liu Fang.