Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 261 - 261 261 Fried Meatballs

?Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Fried Meatballs Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Fried Meatballs In the midst of conversation, it was already the twenty-sixth of the last lunar month. Early in the morning, Bai Yue had started bustling about in the kitchen, and she was not alone, Bai Xiao was there too. The day before yesterday, Bai Yue and Wang Yan, having obtained a marriage certificate from the town with an introduction letter issued by the village chief, were officially a family now.

Of course, the two of them had no chance for a traditional wedding night.

At first, when Liu Baoguo issued this introduction letter, he was somewhat surprised. After all, he never expected that Wang Yan could really succeed with Bai Yue, considering Old Wang’s stubbornness—how could he possibly allow his son to marry a twice-divorced woman?

However, Bai Xiao did not hide anything and clearly spoke of how his brother-in-law was cleaned out in the divorce. Liu Baoguo gave Wang Yan a thumbs-up; he was indeed a real man.

Liu Baoguo readily wrote the introduction letter, but the couple was very tight-lipped, not discussing the matter with the villagers. If they did, it would only fuel gossip, and the chatter and judgement, both to their faces and behind their backs, would be unpredictable. For the village women idle talk was plentiful, and even the slightest gossip would be magnified countless times.

Through word of mouth, the story could even be blown out of proportion into something salacious.

Liu Baoguo certainly understood the damage that such rumors could cause. Besides, he had heard that Bai Yue’s family was planning to move to the city with Bai Xiao’s, which seemed to indicate that Bai Xiao was helping his sister and brother-in-law settle in the city, potentially never returning to the village.

At this time, adding to their troubles was unnecessary.

However, Liu Hong was aware of Bai Yue’s plans to move to the city, and she had caused quite a scene at home with her parents. She had long wanted to move to the city herself, as staying idle at home was increasingly frustrating. Yet, Liu Baoguo and his wife firmly disagreed.

Bai Xiao, with his sleeves rolled up, was busy making fillings. Today was hectic as it was almost the New Year. According to village tradition, today was the day to stew meat and prepare different dishes; both of their stoves were now lit, and Li Haiping was in charge of tending the fire today.

On the stove in their room, the beef that had been braised overnight was already done. Now, they had switched pots to start braising pig knuckles and trotters. That smell had wafted around the yard all last night, tormenting everyone sleeping on the platform bed as their stomachs grumbled loudly.

Probably everyone dreamed of eating beef last night—that aroma was just too tantalizing.

Yesterday, Bai Yue had prepared a large basin of tofu. Today’s tasks included frying meatballs, tofu, roasted pork, and also fish and crispy meat. The workload was truly substantial.

Originally, Bai Yue intended to handle it herself, but seeing that Bai Xiao’s culinary skills were clearly more proficient, and honestly, Bai Xiao’s cooking was not only skillful but also delicious. She, as the elder sister, could only assist on the side.

In another large pot, the roasted pork was already cooked. Bai Yue lifted it out, placing it on a bamboo mat to drain. Once it was nearly dry, she brushed a layer of honey over it—honey, a rare commodity which the villagers didn’t have, was part of the large package sent by Fang Jianping and his wife.

The couple was not shy; that large package was filled with genuine goods, both food and drink, amply provided.

Bai Yue was now poking tiny holes in the pork skin with a bamboo skewer, ensuring that the roast would puff up and look very appealing.

Meanwhile, Bai Xiao had already heated the oil in the pan. She had bought 5 jin of peanut oil from the big market.

A hand deftly scooped out a ball of meat mixture from a bowl. Inside the mixture were not only white radish and tofu, but also meat, flour, eggs, and various seasonings. Just smelling it was already delicious. The ball of meat became a smooth strip in her hand. Her thumb and forefinger formed a circle, and with a gentle squeeze, her other hand’s forefinger flicked, creating a round and glossy meatball which smoothly slid into the pot.

Her movements were swift. In no time, the pot was full of frying meatballs, and as the peanut oil bubbled, the aroma of the meatballs instantly dispersed.

Li Haiping, the elder brother from the old town, sat there tending the fire, unable to help salivating at the delicious smell.

Bai Xiao watched as the meatballs changed color to golden brown, scooped them out with a strainer, and placed them in a large basin nearby. She even pinched a meatball and popped it into Li Haiping’s mouth.

Li Haiping’s mouth opened and closed as he was scorched, but the flavor was so delightful that he was willing to be burnt again.

“Auntie, these meatballs are really delicious and so fragrant.”

This was their family’s first year making meatballs. In previous years, there was hardly enough food for regular meals at their house, let alone any special food during the New Year. Even if their grandmother made meatballs, she couldn’t include much meat; they were primarily made of radish and flour. Even then, they could only eat a couple at most during the New Year celebrations. How could they have other opportunities to enjoy them?

For them, enjoying meatballs and pork was a luxury, perhaps their greatest dream once they had money was to eat their fill of these delicacies.

Bai Xiao smiled, “That’s your auntie’s skill. Can you doubt it? Besides, these meatballs have plenty of meat! Once these meatballs are fried and New Year comes, we’ll put them in a bowl with some scallions, ginger, and garlic, mix with water, add various seasonings, and steam them over the fire. Oh, the flavor!” Bai Xiao herself drooled just talking about it.

After all, it had been many years since she had started preparing New Year’s meals like this. Since marrying Fang Xiaoshan and living with the Fang Family, her life had been full of hardships rather than delights. Once she had escaped, her life underwent significant changes.

Even though her later days were filled with luxury foods like shark fins and sea cucumbers sent her way, she could never taste the delicious flavors that she had from the New Year meals with her parents and siblings in her childhood. This was why she didn’t hesitate to spend money to make this New Year special.

She wanted to recapture that happy flavor of the New Year from her memory.

Even though Bai Xiao was efficient, she continued working until the sun had completely set, and finally, all the items were perfectly fried.

Bai Yue looked at the big basins and small basins full of food, her eyes squinting with glee. Just seeing these preparations for the New Year made her feel the happiness and fulfilment of their lives.

What remained was to slaughter a chicken tomorrow, steam the bread the day after, as the village planned to steam bread enough for the entire first month of the New Year.

The scent of the New Year had already begun to spread throughout the village.

The New Year was drawing closer.