Zhao Guiying returned from outside and, seeing her two eager sons, was immediately annoyed. All they wanted was to watch television, and they had nagged her to death about it.
Wang Yanchao: "Mom, we don't want to watch TV, we just want to play with Gu Rui."
Usually, when Chen Lishu wasn't home, they were too afraid of Gu Xingdong to go over. But Aunt Gu was different; she had a kind smile and a good disposition. Not like their mother, whose voice, when angry, could be heard from two li away.
"Sister-in-law, just let them come over. The children will have company."
Wang Yanhui, not fearing death, spoke the brothers' true feelings: "Aunt Gu, you're so nice! Not only are you prettier than my mom, but you also speak so gently. If only you were our mom."
Afraid his mother would scold him, he grabbed Gu Rui and, like a mouse, scurried away to the Gu family's home.
"Wang Yanhui, you little rascal! I'll see if you come home for dinner tonight!" Zhao Guiying yelled, but unfortunately, the two little rascals had already vanished.
Seeing Zhao Guiying's helplessness, Chen Lishu couldn't help but smile. Her gaze fell on the canned bottle in her hand: "Sister-in-law, are you carrying goat milk?"
"Yes, someone in the village had a goat give birth. Wu's family and I have been buying a canned bottle every day. It's a bit expensive, but I heard it helps children grow taller. Our eldest has been complaining about leg pain lately, so I thought I'd give him some nourishment."
There were no dairy cows in the village; most people raised old yellow oxen for work, and only a few raised sheep.
In the past, when conditions were poor, they couldn't even think about such things. But now that she and Lin Xiaoyue could both earn money to supplement the household expenses, they naturally wanted to provide the best life for their children within their means. So, spending a little money on goat milk didn't hurt.
Seeing the goat milk, Chen Lishu's eyes lit up. Adding some goat milk when making mooncakes would improve the taste.
"Sister-in-law, do you have time? I'd like to buy some too." She wondered if Ruirui would like it. There was a milk station in the city where she could order milk. She decided to buy some for him to try this time, and if he liked it, she would order some for him when she went back.
"I'm not busy anyway. You go back and deliver the things first. Once I deliver the goat milk, I'll take you there."
Chen Lishu entered the house. The children had already turned on the television and were watching intently. She put away the items, washed a canned bottle, and before leaving, told Ruirui, "Ruirui, Mom is going to buy goat milk and will be back soon."
"Mhm."
Seeing Ruirui nod obediently, Chen Lishu closed the door and went out.
"Gu Rui, your mom has such a good personality; she never gets angry. Look at my mom; she's pulled my ears so many times. If only Aunt Gu could be my mom," Wang Yanhui said enviously, looking at Gu Rui.
Rui Rui's long eyelashes drooped, and his red lips parted slightly, directly shattering his fantasy: "You'd better not think about it."
Wang Yanhui: "Why?"
Rui Rui looked up, his expression serious, and said, "I don't think anyone could be in a good mood being your mom."
Wang Yanhui didn't understand his meaning. After a moment of愣神, he slumped back into the chair and sighed, "Why am I so unlucky? I can't even have a good mom."
Rui Rui: "..."
Chen Lishu and Zhao Guiying left the family housing area and happened to run into Wang Yufen, who was bringing Wei Xiaoya and Wei Erya. She was carrying half a bag of potatoes, indicating she had likely gone to the village ahead to buy them.
"Sister-in-law, are you also going to the village?" she asked, her voice still gentle. Chen Lishu didn't have a good impression of her and didn't intend to say much.
"Yes," she replied and started to leave.
"Sister-in-law, our Xiaoya has been craving your television. I wonder if she could watch it?"
"I want to watch TV." Before Chen Lishu could speak, Wei Xiaoya suddenly looked up and said to her.
Although she didn't have a good impression of the adults, Wei Xiaoya was just a child, so she couldn't be too petty. Chen Lishu smiled and nodded, "If Xiaoya wants to watch, then she can go."
"Speaking of which, I haven't congratulated you on Captain Gu's promotion yet. He's only been a soldier for a shorter time than our Wei Gang, yet he's been promoted so quickly." Wang Yufen looked at her, her heart beginning to sour.
The smile on Chen Lishu's face faded slightly, "What's there to congratulate? It's all earned through his own abilities."
Wang Yufen chuckled awkwardly at being retorted and wisely said no more, pulling her two children away.
"The Wei family always seemed so quiet and unaffected, but they're actually like this." Zhao Guiying pouted disdainfully. What was the point of envying others? Gu Xingdong earned his position by risking his life. If Wei Gang had the ability, he should have gone with him back then. Since he stayed put safely, he shouldn't be so envious.
"I heard she's been seeking fertility remedies lately. Now that the family planning policy is getting stricter, she must be anxious in her situation." Zhao Guiying sighed, "I really don't understand what these people are thinking. I'm already annoyed by my three sons. How nice it would be if I had a delicate, well-behaved daughter."
She had already had three children and couldn't have more according to policy. Having an unplanned child would not be a joke; it concerned her husband's future. She wasn't foolish and decided against it.
A hint of bitterness rose in Chen Lishu's heart. She didn't mind having a boy or a girl; she just hoped to have one. Seeing that the traditional Chinese medicine treatment had been going on for almost two months, she should go for a check-up when she had time.
When the two of them arrived, the family that raised sheep had already finished milking. Without preservation measures, there was no way to milk more and keep it in the refrigerator. If they wanted more, they would have to wait until the next morning.
"Daughter, if you don't mind, we have a tea mug full at home. We can spare it for you," the old woman said, pointing to the enamel mug on the windowsill. The goats had produced quite a lot of milk. They had intended to keep it for their own consumption, but selling it for money was better.
"Thank you so much, Auntie." It would be too late to make mooncakes tomorrow, so Chen Lishu preferred to buy it now.
The milk station sold it for sixty-eight cents per jin, but the old woman gave them a price of fifty cents. A large tea mug held over two jin. The old woman gave them more than enough and only charged Chen Lishu one yuan.
After thanking the old woman again, Chen Lishu and Zhao Guiying returned home together.
The children were still watching television. Chen Lishu began preparing to make mooncakes. Due to limited conditions, she happened to have some lard she had rendered a while ago, so she decided to make flaky mooncakes.
She first mixed the oil dough and oil pastry and let them rest. Then, Chen Lishu started preparing the filling. After stir-frying the peanuts and sesame seeds until they were cooked, she ground them and mixed them with flour and seasonings to form the filling.
Seeing that the oil dough and oil pastry had rested sufficiently, she could now start making the mooncakes. When all the filling was wrapped, Chen Lishu began heating the pan and slowly pan-frying them over low heat. Soon, the aroma filled the air. The three children inhaled deeply, unable to concentrate on the television anymore.