In the blink of an eye, we arrived at Laba without even realizing it.
After Laba Festival, it’s almost the Chinese New Year.
This also means that Zhou Ziwen will not be able to stay in the city for long.
On Laba Day, all the sisters had a day off, and the eldest brother, the second brother, the eldest sister-in-law and the second sister-in-law also came over.
"Ziwen, are the Laba porridge ready?" Zhou's mother was busy in the kitchen, preparing Laba porridge, and asked Zhou Ziwen.
"Mom, don't worry, I've been ready for a long time." Zhou Ziwen said with a smile.
Laba porridge is a traditional food during the Laba Festival, and Zhou Ziwen will certainly not forget it.
He bought various ingredients a few days in advance, including red beans, barley, peanuts, lotus seeds, red dates, walnut kernels, etc.
This morning, he got up early and started making Laba porridge.
The porridge is simmering slowly in the pot, emitting an attractive fragrance.
"It smells so good, Brother Ziwen, the Laba porridge you made must be delicious." Chen Qiaoyi hugged little Yueyue and walked over smelling the fragrance.
"Of course, your brother Ziwen's craftsmanship is first-rate." Zhou's mother said proudly.
Zhou Ziwen smiled and shook his head. He was indeed very confident in his cooking skills.
"Ziwen, your skills are enough to open a restaurant." Second brother Zhou Guohua also came over and said with a smile.
"Second brother, please stop making fun of me." Zhou Ziwen responded with a smile.
"I'm not making fun of you, your skills are really good." The second brother said seriously.
"Okay, okay, everyone, stop standing and sit down and drink porridge." Dad Zhou asked everyone to sit down.
The family sat around the dining table and began to enjoy Laba porridge.
The porridge was sweet and delicious, and everyone ate it with gusto.
"Ziwen, your porridge is really good. It's much more delicious than the ones bought outside." The sister-in-law praised.
"Yes, Ziwen, your skills can really open a restaurant." The second sister-in-law also agreed.
“Thank you for your compliments, I’m just going to endure it.” Zhou Ziwen said modestly.
"Ziwen, you are not going through this casually, this is your real skill." Dad Zhou said seriously.
Zhou Ziwen smiled and was no longer modest.
He knows that his cooking skills are indeed good, but this is not the goal he pursues.
His goal is to improve his skills so that he and his family can live a better life.
After drinking Laba porridge, everyone sat in the living room and chatted about plans and preparations for the New Year.
Mother Zhou said: "We have to prepare well for the Chinese New Year this year. The whole family will get together and lively."
Dad Zhou nodded and said, "Yes, you should buy it. We have to buy all the New Year’s goods and the children are back. We want them to have a happy New Year.”
“Yes, it’s really rare that our family can get together this year.” The eldest brother Zhou Jianhua also joined. discussion, with a happy smile on his face.
"Yes, after the New Year, I will go back to the countryside."
At this point, the eldest sister began to feel depressed.
"Sister, you don't have to worry, I will come back to see you often." Zhou Ziwen comforted his eldest sister, although he was also reluctant to give up.
"Ziwen, you have to take good care of yourself in the country, do you understand?" Zhou's mother choked in her voice. Although she hoped that her son could stay in the city longer, she also understood that her son would return to his hometown. Down is inevitable.
"Mom, I can." Zhou Ziwen nodded.
In fact, he doesn't feel that going to the countryside is a hardship, especially with his current achievements, he is even more comfortable in the countryside than in the city.
"Okay, okay, today is Laba, it is a festive day, everyone should be happy." Dad Zhou broke the slightly heavy atmosphere. He knew that it was inevitable for his son to return to the countryside, but He also hopes that his family can cherish the time they have together now.
"Yes, yes, we have to celebrate today." Zhou's mother also adjusted her mood. She stood up and began to prepare more festival food.
"Ziwen, is there anything you want to eat in particular? Mom will cook it for you." Zhou's mother asked Zhou Ziwen. "Mom, I love to eat whatever you do." Zhou Ziwen said with a smile, knowing that this was his mother's way of expressing love.
"That's good, I'll do whatever I want." Zhou's mother returned to the kitchen with a smile.
She said she could cook whatever she wanted, but Zhou Ma still prepared a large table of dishes.
During lunch, Zhou Ziwen drank with his eldest and second brothers, and Zhou’s father also drank two drinks.
Zhou Ziwen has a very good relationship with his eldest and second brothers. I remember when he first went to the countryside, they even contributed a lot of money.
"Ziwen, if you have any difficulties in the countryside, just write home and we will definitely help if we can."
The eldest brother Zhou Jianhua said to Zhou Ziwen at the dinner table, his tone full of brotherly concern.
"Brother, thank you, I know."
Zhou Ziwen looked at his eldest brother gratefully. He knew that his eldest brother was a down-to-earth and steady person. He didn't talk much at ordinary times, but he could always speak at critical moments. Give the most practical help.
"Ziwen, your elder brother is right, the family will always support you."
Dad Zhou also interjected, his eyes full of expectations and trust for his son.
During the time Zhou Ziwen returned home, his experience was known to his family.
Knowing that he is doing well in the countryside, Father Zhou is not very worried about him.
"Dad, I will remember it." Zhou Ziwen nodded seriously.
He always remembers the help his family gave him.
You know, when he went to the countryside, his family gave him most of the money.
Including the eldest brother and second brother, they also quietly gave him a lot of private money.
He kept all these in mind.
"Ziwen, when are you going to the countryside this time, when do you plan to come back?"
The second brother Zhou Guohua asked. He knew that Zhou Ziwen's life in the countryside was on the right track, but he still cared about it. His return date.
“Second brother, I may have to wait until the Spring Festival next year to come back.”
Zhou Ziwen replied, with a trace of reluctance in his eyes.
"Then you should work hard in the country and don't let your family worry." The second brother warned.
"Don't worry, second brother, I will do it." Zhou Ziwen nodded, knowing that his family's concern was his greatest support.
Everyone continued to chat, and the topic gradually turned to little Yueyue.
"Yueyue is such a cute kid. She will definitely be a beauty in the future." The sister-in-law said with a smile.
"Yeah, it's so happy to watch her grow up day by day." The second sister-in-law also agreed.
Chen Qiaoyi hugged little Yueyue with a happy smile on her face: "I hope Yueyue can grow up healthily and happily."
Zhou Ziwen looked at his wife and daughter, and his heart was full of joy. Warmth: "I will work hard to create better living conditions for them."
After lunch, everyone helped clear away the dishes. Mother Zhou felt extremely pleased as she looked at the busy figures of the children.
After cleaning up, Zhou Ziwen and Chen Qiaoyi took little Yueyue back to the room to rest.
Little Yueyue fell asleep quickly, while Zhou Ziwen and Chen Qiaoyi talked softly.
"Time flies so fast. In a short while, we will go back to the countryside."
Chen Qiaoyi sighed.
“Yes, I have been out for so long, and I don’t know how Uncle Wu and the others are doing.”
Zhou Ziwen also sighed.
Although he had only returned to the city not long ago, he already missed his folks in the countryside. (End of this chapter)