Reborn in 1977

Chapter 188: Benefiting Without Spending

The next day was the second day of the Lunar New Year.

In the north, it's dumplings on the first day and noodles on the second, but the south doesn't have so many dietary customs. At least, that's the case around Yunhu. Being able to eat and drink well is what celebrating the New Year is all about.

So, this morning, they had the big buns that Jiang Tiantian had made yesterday but hadn't finished eating. They steamed them and Jiang Lili made a pot of egg drop soup.

When cracking the eggs, the ones bought at the market last time had all frozen into jelly, but luckily they hadn't gone bad. She vigorously stirred them and made egg drop soup, drizzling in a bit of oil, and it was still fragrant.

Chen Fan ate the big bun and drank the egg drop soup, and his body quickly warmed up.

He looked at Jiang Lili and said, "After work this morning, I'm bringing the veterinary class students over to castrate pigs. Since it's the New Year, we definitely have to keep them for a meal. Prepare more dishes later."

Jiang Lili immediately nodded, "Oh, okay."

Then she asked, "Can it be like the meal you made the day before yesterday? Except without the whole chicken, just half a basin of chicken pieces left over from last time. But adding some potatoes could fill a basin."

She was referring to the New Year's Eve reunion dinner that Chen Fan had made.

Chen Fan immediately shook his head, "No need, especially don't serve the chicken."

Then he said softly, "Make more fish, less meat, more sauce, less oil. In short, the idea is to show our hospitality without letting them think we're living too well."

Jiang Lili's mouth twitched slightly, then twitched again, finally curving her lips into a smile. She said, "I understand. More fish, less meat. No fresh meat, only cured meat. More vegetable and tofu meatballs, fewer pearl meatballs if possible. Then make two egg dishes. For vegetables, there's only cabbage and radish, nothing else."

Chen Fan gave her a thumbs up, sincerely praising, "You're perceptive."

Then he lowered his voice, "But the portions have to be generous, mainly to show that it's a large, affordable meal."

Although they had to play poor and hide their 'extravagant' lifestyle, they couldn't let people go hungry, or else it would be too embarrassing if word got out.

Jiang Lili smiled and nodded, "Hehe, I understand. Later, I'll make a big pot of radish stewed with cured meat, and another pot of braised mixed fish with sauce. Also, steam two cured fish. With these three as a base, it should be passable."

Chen Fan nodded seriously, then said, "Of the two chickens they sent before, we killed one and ate it, and the other was given to Grandpa Lu Si. If they bring gifts when they come to pay their respects today, pick out two suitable items from those gifts to give back. If there's nothing suitable, then cook more mixed rice."

The so-called mixed rice is rice mixed with some vegetables and minced meat, plus some pickled vegetables and kimchi, cooked in a casserole.

Although pickled vegetables and kimchi aren't served at formal banquets, it's not like you can't use these two things as ingredients. Making a big pot of fragrant casserole mixed rice will ensure they eat less of the other dishes. Plus, it's delicious, so great!

Jiang Lili giggled, "Okay."

She loved watching Chen Fan use his cleverness. It was very interesting, yet he didn't cheat or harm anyone. Sometimes, just thinking about it made her laugh.

Seeing Jiang Lili getting smarter and smarter, Chen Fan nodded in satisfaction, sighing that his training was effective.

Not long after finishing breakfast, he wiped his mouth and prepared to leave.

Jiang Lili quickly retrieved a large bamboo basket from the corner, checking it as she said, "Grandpa Lu Si, Secretary Yang, Team Leader Zhang, Team Leader Xiao, Team Leader Ye, Platoon Leader Zhang, Sister Xingxiu, that's seven New Year's gifts in total. The ones for our team's Team Leader Yang, Supervisor Huang, and Accountant Liu, I've put on the other side, and will give them to you when you come back."

Chen Fan nodded, "Okay."

He joked with Grandpa Lu Si and Team Leader Xiao, saying he'd bring them a big radish for the New Year, but he couldn't really bring a big radish, or else he'd be laughed at.

Fortunately, he had fired the kiln a few times in the past few days, and pieced together 10 sets of wine and tea sets. He had Jiang Lili tie them tightly with rice straw rope, sending one set to each family.

If these things were bought outside, a set would cost at least one or two yuan. He fired the pottery himself, without spending a penny, and the shapes were unique, making him feel very respectable when he took them out.

The main idea was to be economical and beneficial, and also save a lot of money.

Jiang Lili helped him put on the large bamboo basket. Chen Fan weighed it twice, waved to her, and walked out.

But just a few steps later, there was a knock on the courtyard door.

He glanced back, and Jiang Lili had already quickly run back to her room, gently closing the door.

Chen Fan pursed his lips, sighing almost imperceptibly. Living like this was like being a thief.

Shaking his head, he strode over and opened the courtyard door.

There were six people outside.

Leading the way was Team Leader Yang. Behind him were naturally the two generals Liu and Huang, and behind them were three girls. He knew Yang Ju and Huang Ying, and the girl with big eyes and a round face should be Liu Dan.

He had seen this girl before, often playing with Yang Ju and Huang Ying. Last time, when Huang Laosi's house was being built, Huang Ying brought Jiang Lili over to play, and she was one of the girls who accompanied them.

So, she should also be a sociable person.

That's right, if she wasn't sociable, she wouldn't have been recommended to come. With such a large family as the Liu's, wouldn't they be able to choose a suitable girl?!

At this time, they were all carrying large and small bags, looking like they were moving.

Oh, right, they were moving in today!

As soon as the door was opened, Team Leader Yang smiled and said, "Little Chen, Happy New Year."

Chen Fan glanced at everyone and immediately smiled, "Happy New Year, Happy New Year, please come in."

Saying that, he stepped aside and led the people inside, while loudly shouting, "Xiao Jiang, come out for a moment. Team Leader Yang, Accountant Liu, Supervisor Huang are here, and Yang Ju and the others are here too."

Jiang Lili then opened the door and walked out, as usual, hiding her emotions and cautiously greeting Team Leader Yang and the others.

Team Leader Yang nodded kindly and smiled, "Well, you're all here, that, things have already been said."

Then he waved to Yang Ju and the other two, and after the three stepped forward, he said to Chen Fan and Jiang Lili, "Xiao Jiang, you graduated from junior high school, and Little Chen, needless to say, is a well-known capable person in our Nanhua Commune, so we've arranged for a few people to live here, to learn from you, ..."

He gave a long speech of platitudes, at least on the surface.

Not a single word was mentioned about a single man and woman.

After he finished speaking, Chen Fan immediately smiled, "Mutual learning, common progress."

Jiang Lili also echoed softly, "Yeah, yeah."

Team Leader Yang then put on a serious face and instructed Yang Ju and the other two, "Once you enter here, you must correct your attitude and seriously learn from Teacher Chen and Xiao Jiang. If you don't learn something, you don't need to come, and we'll replace you. Do you hear?"

Yang Ju, Huang Ying, and Liu Dan nodded together, "We hear you."

Chen Fan was quite gratified to see that they all had a good attitude.

But he didn't know why, but he felt that all three of them were a little flushed, their ears even red. Although the north wind was quite strong, it shouldn't have blown them so red, right?

Accountant Liu coughed dryly and also gave an instruction, "You must also unite and help each other, especially pay attention not to cause conflicts."

The three nodded again and again.

Supervisor Huang saw that the two of them had spoken, and he really had nothing to say, so he said, "Study hard, improve every day, and come to us if you have any difficulties."

Chen Fan looked at the three timid people and smiled, "Leaders, they're just coming here to live, it's not like they're not going home anymore. It's just a few minutes' walk, are you afraid that Xiao Jiang and I will bully them?"

Team Leader Yang and the other two thought that was true, and each gave a haha.

Then, after exchanging a few more polite words, they left together.

Chen Fan looked at the three of them and smiled, "I have to go to work, Xiao Jiang has already helped you tidy up your dormitory, you guys settle down first. Well, I'll excuse myself."

Yang Ju wanted to say hello, but both hands were carrying packages, and she couldn't free up her hands, so she smiled and nodded, "Goodbye, Teacher Chen."

Huang Ying and Liu Dan also nodded together, "Goodbye, Teacher Chen."

Chen Fan's eyes twitched slightly, and he waved to them, "Goodbye."

Turning around, he couldn't help but blink wildly. These days are going to be lively.