CHAPTER 199: 199 FRIENDSHIP

"Director Jiang, there’s no limit on these, but buying too much might go to waste. I just tasted one, and it’s really sour."

"In that case, give me ten pounds. I’ll go back and try to make some preserves. If it works out, I’ll bring some over for you to taste."

"Alright then, I’m looking forward to trying it."

In the end, Jiang Xinyu bought fifteen pounds of fire apricots. From a distance, they look like the trees are on fire, a vivid red.

She Xiaoyun came over, "Xinyu, why did you buy so many?"

"I’m going back to make preserves. If it works, I’ll buy more tomorrow."

"Do you have that many preserve jars?"

"Of course, I have more than ten of them."

"Don’t ruin good stuff."

"How could I? I’ll start making them right away. If it’s successful, I’ll come back tomorrow morning to buy more."

Jiang Xinyu seemed to have found something she enjoys, feeling a bit motivated.

After getting home, she soaked the apricots, eating the soft ones directly. The soft ones are not sour and can’t be used for preserves.

After washing the apricots, they were set aside to drain, and she cleaned the preserve jars as well, ensuring they are dry; otherwise, the preserves wouldn’t last.

She hurried to light the stove in the bathroom to boil water, as sugar syrup would soon need to be prepared.

Taking out a peeler from the storeroom, she began peeling and pitting each apricot.

The apricots were small, making it a meticulous task. When the water boiled, she took out rock sugar, and white sugar, and brewed a thick syrup, setting it aside. By nightfall, all the apricots were finally ready.

After rinsing them in clean water again, she filled about four-fifths of each jar with apricots, then added the syrup. A large pot was heated, a rack was placed on top, jars were arranged inside, and lids loosely placed on top for steaming. Twenty minutes later, the heat was turned off. After a few minutes, wearing gloves, she tightened the lids while they were still hot, creating a vacuum seal.

A big bowl of syrup and apricots was left, placed in a basin and slightly heated using residual heat from the pot, ready to be eaten the next day.

Jiang Xinyu tasted some, and the flavor was really nice, sour and sweet. If only it could be preserved longer.

After finishing all the work, it was already nine o’clock in the evening. After a bath, she sat in the courtyard and ate a meat bun.

When her hair dried, she returned to her room to sleep.

The next day, at just past seven-thirty, she wrote a note and stuck it on the door, worried that Wang Ailing might drop by and be worried if she wasn’t home.

She hurried to the supply and marketing cooperative, carrying a lunch box. Inside were the preserves she made the day before, leaving a bowl for Wang Ailing. The rest were brought with her, enough for everyone to have a taste.

"Xiao Xu, are there any fire apricots left?"

"Director Jiang, did your preserves turn out well?"

"Indeed, they did. Have a taste, though there’s not much, just enough for a few bites each."

Xiao Xu didn’t hesitate and took a piece, immediately nodding in approval. "So delicious, Director Jiang, how did you make it?"

"I used three pounds of white sugar and boiled it into syrup, then put the cleaned apricots in the jars and steamed them."

"No wonder it’s so good, with so much white sugar used.

Director Jiang, there’s still a basket of apricots left, left overnight and they might have softened, are they still usable?"

"Soft ones can’t be used, let’s take a look."

At this time, She Xiaoyun also came over, "Sister She, these are the preserves I made yesterday, share them with everyone."

"No need to taste, they must be good since you made them. You’re willing to use the best ingredients."

Xiao Xu helped pick out another ten pounds of firm apricots, and Jiang Xinyu happily took them home. She planned to make more in the evening, having three jars left; the rest would be stored away for snacking. In autumn, there would be hawthorns and sour pears, also suitable for making preserves.

As she cycled, she was still thinking about making peach preserves next and needed to find more preserve jars.

There should be a glass factory in the neighboring county, but who knows if they sell preserve jars?

From a distance, she saw two people at the door. "Sis, have you been waiting long?"

"Only a few minutes, what did you do at the supply and marketing cooperative?"

"Bought some apricots. Come in, I’ve saved something tasty for you." She said, smiling and nodding at Chen Guoliang.

"What’s the treat?"

"You’ll definitely like it."

The three went inside the house, "Here you go, apricot preserves. I made ten jars, and this time I can make several more jars. If I can get more preserve jars, I could even make peach preserves for the winter when there are no fresh fruits available."

"Director Jiang, you need more preserve jars?"

"Yes, Mr. Chen, do you have any connections?"

"My sister married into Z County. My brother-in-law works at a glass factory; they also produce preserve jars."

"Haha, that’s perfect. Mr. Chen, could you help me ask? I need preserve jars and lids; could they sell me a hundred?"

"Why do you need so many?" Wang Ailing was startled.

"I’ll write a letter and ask. They don’t have lids, but my brother-in-law surely knows where to buy lids."

"That’s wonderful. Sis, we can make chili sauce in the autumn, also using preserve jars. It’ll last a year, and you can just enjoy eating it.

Hurry and eat, I suppose Hao Shichao is already waiting for us."

"Xinyu, are you eating?"

"No, you two go ahead. I’ll put away these apricots and make them tonight."

Ten minutes later, the three of them set off, with Chen Guoliang giving Wang Ailing a ride. In half an hour, they reached the furniture factory.

"Secretary Hao, sorry for calling you in on a Saturday."

"No problem, our relationship is close enough, consider it my overtime today."

Wang Ailing greeted him as well, and then they followed Hao Shichao to the warehouse, where all the furniture samples were displayed.

Upon entering, Jiang Xinyu felt like her eyes weren’t enough to take it all in; the collection was quite complete.

The young couple browsed and discussed, eventually choosing two wardrobes, two bench cabinets, a table, and chairs. Finally, Wang Ailing was drawn to a dressing table and wouldn’t move away. Jiang Xinyu also thought it looked particularly nice.

Hao Shichao noted down their selections, took them to the office, and wrote a note to find Liang Youfa.

In the end, all that furniture only cost them a hundred and twenty yuan.

"Jiang Xinyu, our director didn’t even charge for labor and included some small stools as gifts. Here’s your receipt; you can pay and pick up the furniture anytime."

Excitedly, Wang Ailing took it. "Thank you, Secretary Hao, thank you so much."

After the engagement, they could come to get the furniture and set up their little nest.

"Secretary Hao, we’re going out for a meal; would you like to join?" Chen Guoliang invited with a smile.

"No, our director is still here, you go ahead. Jiang Xinyu, everyone will be there in the evening."

"Got it. You see how blessed my life is? Lunch invites and dinner invites too."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the three went back.