curling smoke

It was already noon when we returned to the village. Lin Dashan quickened his pace unknowingly as he thought about his family members.Lin Dashan's footsteps were fast, and he arrived at the door of the house in a short while.Pushing the door open, he saw that Gu Qiu had already got up and was busy in the kitchen. He held Gu Qiu back in two steps: "Why are you getting up now? The doctor said you have to take good care of yourself, go back quickly." Rest."

Gu Qiu replied with a smile: "Oh, the brother of the farmer's family is not so expensive. I was tired yesterday, and I am much better now."

Lin Dashan still shook his head in disapproval.Gu Qiu had no choice but to take a step back: "Brother Lin, I wanted to cook a meal just now, and you just came back to eat at noon. Although you are back now, you are a man, and you are definitely not good at cooking. How about I help you do it?" After eating, go to rest." Lin Dashan thought of the chicken soup with too much salt yesterday, so he had to agree.

Gu Qiu's cooking skills were passed down by his father himself, and the cooking skills are very good.Three times, five times and two times, turn the dishes in the kitchen into delicacies on the table.

Of the two fish that Lin Dashan bought, he kept one first, so he didn’t have to worry about it going bad in the winter.The head and tail of the other fish were cut off, and the fish body was cut into sections and braised in braised sauce. After the fish was cooked, Gu Qiu cooked another dish of vinegared cabbage.Lin Dashan ate two simple dishes with gusto.

Gu Qiu wants to feed Gu Dong who is still sick in bed first, "Brother Lin, I cooked two dishes. Save the fish head for tomorrow's stewed fish head tofu soup. I will feed Xiao Dong first, and you can eat first. I will wait for you to eat." I'll eat later." After listening to Gu Qiu's words, Lin Dashan felt that Gu Qiu was extremely virtuous, lived a special life, and knew how to take care of others, so he hurriedly responded, and told Gu Qiu to come out to eat quickly after feeding, and don't starve himself .After dinner, Gu Qiu went to the kitchen to wash the dishes, but Lin Dashan pushed him out, "Go and rest, you are still sick. I will take care of these things." Gu Qiu refused repeatedly but was "driven" back to bed to rest.

*********

"Brother, what are you laughing at?" Gu Dong slept all morning, ate a hearty meal at noon, and became much more energetic. Right now, he was leaning on Gu Qiu's shoulder, nibbling on Lin Dashan and bringing it back to him. candied haws.

Gu Qiu blushed a little when he heard Xiaodong's words. He patted Gu Dong's head, "It's nothing, are candied haws delicious?" Gu Dong nodded hurriedly, biting a large piece of candied haws, and said vaguely, " Eat later, really eat later. Brother, you eat!" As he said, he handed the candied haws to Gu Qiu's mouth.

Gu Qiu took a bite, the sweet and sour taste in his mouth made him squint his eyes in enjoyment, the sweet and sour taste seeped into his heart from his taste buds, it was very sweet.

"Xiao Dong, what do you think of Big Brother Lin?" Gu Qiu reluctantly swallowed the candied haws in his mouth and asked.Gu Dong smiled and replied: "I like Big Brother Lin, he is very nice and even buys me something to eat. Brother, do you like Big Brother Lin?" When Gu Qiu heard this, Gu Qiu's expression turned a little bit. It burned up, and I didn't know how to answer it. I faltered and answered "Yes".

Dong dong dong... Lin Dashan remembered that the snowflake frostbite ointment he bought in the city this morning was still here, so he knocked on the door of Gu Qiu's room.

"Brother Lin, the door is unlocked, you can come in directly."

Lin Dashan entered the door, took out the cream hidden in his arms and handed it to Gu Qiu, "I saw that I bought it by the way today, you and Xiaodong are both frostbitten, so you must wipe it off." Gu Qiu thanked, opened the box, and lightly wiped it off. Smelling it lightly, a burst of fragrance came to his nostrils, and he knew it must be a high-quality good thing, so he couldn't help saying, "Brother Lin, why do you spend so much money on such a good thing!" After hearing this, Lin Dashan, Didn't say anything, just smiled.

Lin Dashan told Gu Qiu and Gu Dong to take a good rest, stared at them and drank the medicine before going out.

*******

Now the snow outside the house has stopped, and the golden sunlight leaks out from behind the thick clouds, as if dispelling a little bit of the cold.Lin Dashan put on his fur hat, took a few feet of floral cloth bought today, and two fat rabbits and went out.

Lin Dashan's elder brother Lin Yu'er married Wang Haoliang from Wangjia Village next door three years ago.Lin Yuer is beautiful, virtuous and capable. There used to be many men in the village who wanted to marry Lin Yuer. This Wang Haoliang used to go to Lin's house all day long to marry Lin Yuer. To be honest, the father and father of the Lin family married Lin Yuer to him.But after all these years of marriage, Lin Yu'er had no news at all, and Wang Haoliang's family began to dislike Lin Yu'er more and more.

In the past, they still had scruples about the Lin family's father and father, but since the second elder left, he no longer had scruples, and became more and more excessive.When Lin Dashan went to see his brother before, Lin Yu'er was always very haggard, and her face always showed signs of crying.Lin Dashan hated this brother-in-law very much, but he couldn't do anything about it.After all, I can't always be by my brother's side. If I get ahead, this Wang will inevitably bully my brother even more.

Lin Dashan's purpose of this trip is to visit Wang Haoliang's house to see his brother, and to send some gifts there.

*******

There are many people in Wang's family, and they can be regarded as above-average family in Wang's village.Lin Dashan knocked on the door of Wang's house, and a man wrapped in a thick cotton coat shrank his neck and opened the door. "Oh, Dashan is here. Your brother is in the side room." The man glanced at Lin Dashan and said calmly.Lin Dashan called his brother-in-law, handed him the gift in his hand, and went into the side room.

Lin Yu'er was sitting on the kang doing needlework. When she saw Lin Dashan coming in, she quickly got up and greeted him. She touched Lin Dashan's fingers and couldn't help but feel distressed: "It's such a cold day, stay away from home, old man What are you doing here!"

"Hey, isn't it almost Laba. I went to the city to buy some things today, and I will send some over today."Along the way, Lin Dashan was really cold. He poured a glass of water but found it was cold tea. Looking at his brother's haggard face, he knew that the Wang family had treated him harshly again. Damn Wang had a good meal.But Lin Yu'er firmly pulled her sleeves, and persuaded: "It's not easy for us two brothers to meet each other, what are we doing to bring up these disappointing things. Don't mention that person. Let's have a chat today."

Lin Yu'er pulled Lin Dashan to sit down, went to the kitchen to boil hot water, and made a pot of tea.He poured Lin Dashan a cup of hot tea, and asked with a smile, "You are seventeen this year, and it's time to start a family. How do you like it? If so, brother will ask you."

Lin Dashan was a little ashamed, "I also want to get a brother back next year."

Lin Yuer was also very happy to hear this.Since the two elders passed away three years ago, the younger brother has been living alone. It is always inconvenient for a man to live. Seeing him like this, he seems to have someone in his heart. If he can help his younger brother get this brother back home, forget it I have a problem on my mind.Lin Yuer smiled and asked: "Which family's handsome brother made my good brother fall in love with it!"

"It's not from our village." Lin Dashan confessed to Lin Yu'er that he picked up Gu Qiu's brothers and sisters.

Lin Yu'er heard Lin Dashan's words and guessed that her younger brother liked Gu Qiu. He was also an open-minded person, and she herself suffered from this marriage, so she thought that it would be best for her younger brother to find someone he likes to live a good life.

Lin Yu'er stretched out her hand to hold Lin Dashan's hand, and said, "This Gu Qiu came here from famine, and his father and father are gone, but we farmers don't care too much about it. According to you, he looks pretty good. , Good-natured brother. I can trust your vision, but you have to find time to see it for yourself and ask him what he thinks. If you are both interested, brother will help you match."

Lin Dashan was originally worried that his brother would disagree, but he was relieved after hearing Lin Yuer's words.

Then the two brothers chatted for a long time, until it was almost dark before getting up and going home.Before going out, Wang Haoliang was wrapped in a thick coat again, came out trembling to see him off, and brought a basket of things to Lin Dashan.Lin Dashan knew that this was a return gift from their family, so he didn't refuse, thanked him and rushed home.

*************************

A few days passed, and Gu Qiu and Gu Dong's bodies were completely healed. Lin Dashan specially invited the old doctor in the village to have a look. Apart from the frostbite on Gu Dong's feet, the two of them were fine. Some frostbite ointment will be fine, and there is no need to take medicine anymore.

Today, Jiang Tao went to the city to buy anti-fetal drugs, worried that Jin Yun would be alone at home, so he invited Gu Qiu to accompany him.

Jiang Tao has always loved his elder brother very much, not to mention that Jin Yun is still pregnant with a child.As soon as Gu Qiu brought Gu Dong into the room, he felt warm.It turned out that Jiang Tao was afraid of the cold weather, so he set up a brazier in the room early on. There was an earthen pot hanging on the brazier, boiling hot water, and a plate of sour plums on the kang. Well, he also teased and said: "Brother Jin Yun, look at your life, Brother Jiang really loves people!"

Li Jinyun supported his slightly raised stomach, and said with a smile: "He is a person who can make a fuss. He has not been pregnant for a few months, and he is ready here and there. He doesn't know how to be frugal at all. He is just a The master who can't live." He said this, but his face was full of happiness.

Gu Qiu came here with her needlework. A few days ago, Lin Dashan bought fabrics and cotton clothes from the city. Gu Qiu happened to help make a new cotton coat, and Jin Yun made some clothes for the newborn baby. , extremely fine.Gu Dong was not idle either, holding a bowl of hot honey water, nestled beside Gu Qiu, drinking it obediently.

"Your little Dong'er is really good, she looks really cute."

Gu Qiu looked at the well-behaved Gu Dong, sighed and said, "This is just a good time, and he hasn't fully recovered. He is usually a troublemaker." Jin Yun looked at the child lovingly, "My child , That’s it. Little Dong’er, is it good? Uncle will make another bowl for you after drinking.”

Hearing Jin Yun's words, Gu Qiu felt very warm in his heart, "Little boy, just leave him alone, leave him alone, let him play by himself! Brother Jin Yun, your craftsmanship is really extraordinary, this clothes It's so beautifully done."

Li Jinyun smiled and said: "Don't praise me, I think your craftsmanship is better than mine! Look at the stitches are really fine! Hey, this dress is really big enough, it doesn't look like it was made for my brother, Why did you do it for Dashan?"

Gu Qiu's face turned red when he heard this, "Isn't it the Chinese New Year soon? Brother Lin bought fabric and cotton to make a new dress. It was originally entrusted to the aunts in the village to make it. I thought I could do it too." Do it, and recently I have been free to take on this job myself. Brother Lin saved me and Xiaodong, and I have nothing to repay, it is also good to help Brother Lin with something."

Looking at Gu Qiu's expression, Li Jinyun guessed his thoughts to some extent, put down his work, took Gu Qiu's hand and said: "When I saw you, I felt that I had eyes. I can also guess a little bit. If you don't worry, brother, I will tell you the truth. You are a good-looking and good-tempered brother. Now that your family has suffered a disaster and you have fled here, now you have no relatives except Xiaodong. Xiaodong is now I'm only seven years old, even if I'm a boy, I'm not someone to rely on now. Instead, it must be difficult for you to take care of me. If I'm going elsewhere in the future, and I don't know what the road ahead is, why don't I settle down in our village? Dashan is also a good man in our village. He is strong, capable and hardworking, and he is also a loving master. You can see his kindness. Now that he is old, he also wants to please I'm a brother. I think you've moved your mind, why don't you two start a family and live together."

After hearing these words, Gu Qiu was also very grateful to Jin Yun. These words were all for his own good, and his eyes couldn't help turning red, "Brother Jin Yun, I'm not being coy anymore. That's what it means. But it's only been a few days since we met, so I don't know what brother Lin thinks of me?"

Li Jinyun picked up a piece of sour plum and bit it into his mouth, and said with confidence: "I have known Lin Dashan for many years. It is the first time I have seen him care so much about a brother. I think he is definitely interested in you. Relax." Xin, I, find a chance to help you ask. It’s best to have an adult beauty.”

After hearing Li Jinyun's words, Gu Qiu felt much happier.The two chatted while doing needlework, and before they knew it, it was almost noon, and Jiang Tao also came back from the city.

Jiang Tao put down his things and went into the house to look at Jin Yun. Seeing that he was back, Gu Qiu got up and planned to go back when it was almost time.Jiang Tao asked to stay, "Don't leave, just stay for lunch at noon, I'll call Dashan over."

Gu Qiu pulled Gu Dong and said, "At this time, I think Brother Lin must have cooked the rice, so I won't keep it for today, next time." Jiang Tao also agreed, and handed Gu Qiu another bag The dessert was said to be for Xiao Dong'er, but Gu Qiu refused but accepted it.

When I got home, I found that Lin Dashan hadn't cooked the rice yet, "Brother Lin, why haven't you cooked rice at this hour?".

Lin Dashan heard Gu Qiu's words, and replied: "It's so cold today, so we'll cook mutton soup. A few days ago, my brother's house sent me a piece of mutton in the Laba Festival gift. Drinking mutton soup is the best way to warm your body in winter. Steam a few more buns later, it will be fine."

When Gu Dong heard that he could drink mutton soup, he was very happy. He took Lin Dashan's hand and said non-stop: "Great, I like mutton soup the most. The mutton soup made by my brother is the best. I want to drink it." Two big bowls."

Gu Qiu was amused by Gu Dong, and he tapped Gu Dong's forehead with his finger, "Return two bowls, be careful to burst your stomach. It will take a while to cook the mutton soup, so you should eat some snacks first to cushion your stomach. "

A large piece of mutton had been thawed in the house in the morning, and Lin Dashan had chopped the mutton into large pieces and put them in a bowl.Gu Qiu put the cut mutton into a pot and poured cold water, soaked for a while and then boiled together, scooped up the mutton and washed it with clean water.Pour out the dirty water in the pot, put the washed mutton back into the pot, add ginger slices, star anise, and peppercorns, and then pour half a pot of water into the pot and bring it to a boil.Mutton needs to be boiled for at least an hour, so Gu Qiu warmed up a few steamed buns at home.

"Brother, you can eat a piece too." Gu Dong saw that his brother was busy cooking, so he took a piece of dim sum and fed it to Gu Qiu.Gu Qiu took a bite out of Gu Dong's hand. It was a white sugar cake sprinkled with osmanthus foam. It was a delicate and soft pastry. When he bit it down, his mouth was filled with sweetness and a strong scent of osmanthus. It was so delicious. .Gu Qiu ate it with Gu Dong's hand in a few mouthfuls.

Seeing that Gu Qiu was eating happily, Lin Dashan also smiled innocently, thinking that next time he went to the city, he must remember to buy some to take home.

The mutton soup that has been boiled for a long time has already overflowed with fragrance, and Gu Dong, who is so greedy, stands in front of the stove, sucking his saliva.Seeing him like this, Gu Qiu secretly smiled inwardly, and speeded up his hands.He peeled the big white radish from the cellar, cut it into pieces about the size of mutton, put it in the soup, added the soaked black fungus, dried mushrooms, put some salt, covered the pot and Cook for a quarter of an hour, and finally sprinkle some chopped green onions and start the pot.

Gu Qiu first served a bowl of mutton soup for Lin Dasan to deliver to Jiang Tao's house, and then the three of them sat down to eat together.The brazier in the room was burning hot, three people gathered around the table, each filled a large bowl of mutton soup, took a bite of the soft buns, and drank the hot mutton soup, the heat was warm from the mouth to the heart.Although it was snowing outside, the three of them felt very warm.