The two went to the supply and marketing cooperative with the children.

She Xiaoyun greeted Shi Jing and the others with a smile. "Is there anything you want to eat? Aunt She will treat you."

"We're not hungry."

The salesclerks gathered around the two children. It was the first time they had seen Vice Factory Director Jiang's children.

Gao Ruyun also came over and spoke sweetly, as she had learned that Vice Factory Director Jiang no longer needed a secretary. Yesterday, she expressed to Qian Jun her wish to work at the textile factory, but he did not agree.

"Xinyu, Sister She, you chat, I'll go buy things."

"Okay, let me know if there's anything you can't find. I'll see if I can figure something out."

Qiao Jingyi smiled and nodded. She really needed to buy a lot today: cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, matches, baking soda, sugar, even kettles and thermos flasks, and six or seven basins.

Finally, she bought lots of fermented bean curd, sweet sauce, potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, and cucumbers, which needed to be eaten by noon. She bought five pounds of eggs thanks to a connection; otherwise, she could have only gotten two pounds at most.

The two sent their goods back home then went to the food store to buy a lot of grains. Now all that's left is cooking preparations.

Yao Shimin had already prepared the pots, bowls, and pans.

"Once you transfer jobs, I'll take you to the ceramics factory to pick up defective items. That's what I use at home."

"That's wonderful, shall we go tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? I'm not sure if Secretary Hou will be at work. We need to schedule this in advance."

"Alright, got it. I'll go back and talk to the principal about changing jobs."

"Uh-huh, coming over earlier is good, and you have more time once you're married."

"Yeah, quitting your job won't be immediate, so managing it before the wedding is fine."

When they returned, two sets of quilts had been made. So quick!

"Xinyu, would you and Niang San also like to stay for dinner?" Qiao Jingyi asked in a flattering manner.

"Sure, I'll help you sort out the kitchen."

The two children were called into the room by Sister Meng, who entertained them with conversation.

Jiang Xinyu and the two organized the kitchen. "Tell Yao Shimin to hurry and prepare firewood, coal, and also get a metal stove ready."

"Alright, I know, I'll tell him when I get back."

Yao Shimin brought back lunch for ten people. Jiang Xinyu also made egg and tomato soup, cucumber salad, and tomato salad.

There's no table, but nobody minded.

After the meal, Jiang Xinyu spoke to Sister Meng briefly and then left with the kids and Qiao Jingyi.

The two laid on the kang. "Xinyu, you say you never knew how much stuff you needed to live."

"You'll get used to it. You were really lucky as a child."

"Right? I think so too. Although my parents were very strict, I now realize how fortunate I was not having to worry about anything."

"Yeah, I really envy you. Would you two come to my house for dinner tonight? Shall we cook noodles?"

"Sure, but let's have seafood porridge. I love it."

"No problem, tomorrow you can take some to your uncle and aunt."

"Then I won't hold back."

In the afternoon, the two took the kids home. Jiang Xinyu cut out the curtains and door drapes and asked Sister Meng to help sew the edges.

By the afternoon, everything was finished. Qiao Jingyi handed out five bags of brown sugar to five elder sisters.

"You guys tidy up first, I'll head back to cook."

"Xinyu, shall we let Shi Jingfeifei stay too?"

"Aunt Qiao, we want to go home."

Dinner was seafood porridge, along with steamed buns and fried eggplant strips.

"Xinyu, you cook so well."

"I'll pack some for you. Soak it overnight if you want to eat tomorrow; it'll be ready then.

But wash it clean before soaking, and boil the porridge with the soaking water for more flavor."

"Xinyu, what else do we add to the porridge?"

"When it's almost done, add some salt."

"That's so simple?"

"You thought it was complicated. Also, chili sauce and canned food. You can take some back.

Eat seaweed once a week. It's important because it contains iodine, which prevents goiter.

It'll be good for your future kids too."

Qiao Jingyi blushed deeply, but Yao Shimin listened with excitement, asking nonstop. Jiang Xinyu shared all she knew.

Shang Zhenkun hadn't returned yet, which worried Jiang Xinyu, though she didn't know where he'd gone. She asked Shimin to lock the main gate from the outside when leaving.

After Niang San cleaned up, they lay on the kang, starting their chat time. Around ten o'clock, the kids fell asleep, and Shang Zhenkun returned, bringing back some wild chickens and half a side of pork.

"Master Shang, you went hunting?"

"Yes, with friends. Let's store the pork in the cellar."

"Sure, tomorrow I'll head to the supply co-op and check if they have intestines. Such a lot of meat, sausages are the best way to preserve it."

"If I had known, I would've gotten the intestines."

"No problem, if they don't have them tomorrow, we can ask them to bring it another day. Wild boar meat has a strong flavor; let's soak it in pepper salt water."

"Alright, whatever you say."

The next day, at four o'clock, Shang Zhenkun started boiling water. He plucked the wild chickens, saving the beautiful feathers for the children, planning to make them into shuttlecock toys later.

"Xiao Jiang, I'm heading to the supply co-op."

"Right."

When the kids woke up, they were thrilled to see the beautiful wild chicken feathers.

Breakfast was lump soup, and they bought some deep-fried dough sticks from outside.

"Master Shang, shall we roast these wild chickens?"

"You know how to roast?"

"I can."

"You've got a ton of work, I'll help you clean the intestines."

The two kids also helped with tasks they could handle. By nine o'clock, three wild chickens were roasted, filling the entire street with a tantalizing aroma.

In the yard, Jiang Xinyu cut meat, turning it into sausages. There's too much meat; wild boar isn't tasty when stewed, so sausages are the only option.

It's hot weather; sausages aren't ideal, but adding more salt is the only way.

"Master Shang, could you check the scrapyard for apple trees? We can use them to smoke the sausages and extend their preservation."

"Sure, I'll go now. Are you two coming with me or staying here?"

"Master Shang, we want to go with you."

"Alright, let's go."

An hour later, Shang Zhenkun returned with fruitwood, setting it up in the yard. After finishing the sausages in the afternoon, they'd start smoking.

At noon, Jiang Xinyu cooked rice and stir-fried garlic cucumber slices. They broke up two of the roasted chickens.

The kids loved it, and Jiang Xinyu felt she'd made the right decision watching them eat happily.

They didn't rest at noon; the kids helped, while Shang took the backyard racks. By two o'clock, they lit the fire and began smoking.