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墨書 Inktalez
Mao Na was a woman of action. On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, when many shops at Lao Gu Market had yet to open, she dragged Hu Ruoyun along and directly found the seller of household appliances.
Even before the fifteenth day, business was already coming in. Qiao Zhifeng, who ran an appliance store in Qiao Village, saw this as a good omen. He cheerfully followed them to the market, opened his shop, and took advantage of the auspicious day to set off a string of 1,000 firecrackers, marking an early start to good fortune.
After much deliberation, they chose a 21-inch Changhong color television, spending just over two thousand yuan. The shopkeeper noticed that they were struggling to carry the large TV box and offered to deliver it home on a tricycle. He even fetched a tall bamboo pole to help set up the antenna.
Xiao Hu had already dashed over to Second Uncle's house to call Shangyun and Shuangyun so they could watch the TV series "Journey to the West." Previously, they would go to others' homes to watch; now that they had their own television, their excitement was palpable.
Once everything was set up and connected, they powered it on and used the remote. Zhu Bajie appeared on screen with his nine-toothed rake and big nose, eliciting bursts of laughter from the children.
The shopkeeper enjoyed a cigarette and a cup of tea while expressing his gratitude before leaving.
Not only were Xiao Feng and Xiao Hu thrilled, but Hu Qihua and Zhao Meirong, who rarely visited others to watch TV, were also amazed by the colorful images on the screen. "This one is bigger than the one at your Village Chief uncle's place and clearer too—it's really something!" Zhao Meirong remarked.
Zhao Meirong offered 2,500 yuan to Mao Na, but she refused and pushed it into Hu Ruoyun's hands instead. Hu Ruoyun couldn't accept it either.
Aunt Kui, who had come over for a visit, laughed and interjected, "If you two take the money, you'll just end up feeling guilty later. Just let it go; it's all for show." This made everyone laugh heartily.
Zhao Meirong then tucked the money away without further ado.
Mao Na had grown particularly fond of this elderly lady; her compliments flowed effortlessly. However, she could also dish out criticism with equal flair when she disapproved of someone.
On the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, under a bright sun and gentle breeze, Xiao Hu and Xiao Feng decided to go into the wheat fields to dig up Water Radish Leaves and Noodle Plants (wild vegetables that grow in our wheat fields).
Water Radish Leaves resemble Shepherd's Purse. They can be used as an ingredient in soup noodles or Xian Hu Tu (a salty corn grits porridge) or Salty Noodle Dumplings. A local saying goes, "When Water Radish Leaves are boiled in a pot, both adults and children stand around drinking," referring to how delicious they are.
They can also be eaten cold: briefly blanched in hot water with some sesame oil and salt for seasoning. Additionally, they make excellent fillings for steamed buns or dumplings. "Water Radish Leaves for steaming buns—don't eat just one!" The leaves are coarse in texture but larger than Shepherd's Purse after boiling and have a nice chewiness that makes them perfect for vegetarian dumplings or buns. Adding some pork cracklings enhances their flavor even more.
They can also be steamed as a dish by mixing them with cornmeal and steaming until cooked through with garlic sauce added for flavor.
Noodle Plants are best when steamed as well.
Mao Na changed into an old outfit and shoes from Zhao Meirong, dressing like a village girl before joining them. The three worked hard all morning and returned with half a basket full.
Xiao Feng and Xiao Hu excitedly told Mao Na how delicious Water Radish Leaves were when made into salty corn grits porridge or dumplings... According to rural tradition, one shouldn't eat corn grits porridge before the Lunar New Year (legend has it that eating corn grits during this time would lead to confusion for the rest of the year), but for Mao Na's sake, Zhao Meirong disregarded these rules. After carefully washing the Water Radish Leaves until they were clean and vibrant green without cutting them up, she seasoned them with fine salt and sesame oil for later use.
A large pot of water was brought to a boil; once boiling vigorously, corn grits were added. After reaching a rolling boil again, she lowered the heat and slowly simmered it before adding freshly rolled noodles. Once nearly cooked through, she tossed in the Water Radish Leaves until everything was ready.
One bowl was served at the table while still steaming hot. Xiao Hu took a sip first and exclaimed joyfully: "So good!" This made Xiao Feng laugh at him.
Then he recited a nonsensical rhyme: "Water Radish Leaves boil well; when guests arrive, cover the pot; when guests leave, hurry up and drink." This meant that Water Radish Leaves were perfect for cooking—one wouldn't want guests sharing their meal!
The large bowl at home was emptied three times by Mao Na, who then shyly said to Zhao Meirong, “Aunt, please don’t tell anyone how much I ate when we go out…”
Seeing that Mao Na was sincere, Hu Qihua and his wife were pleased. After the meal, they instructed Xiao Feng and Xiao Hu to finish the leftover dishes, preparing to make dumplings with Water Radish Leaves for dinner.
In the afternoon, many people crowded into the living room to watch television. The Woodzi Woman saw Xiao Hu and Xiao Feng busying themselves while watching TV and asked what they were doing. Xiao Hu, quick with his words, replied, “My mom said she’s making dumplings with Water Radish Leaves for my sister-in-law tonight.” (Ever since hearing Shangyun and Shuangyun call her sister-in-law, both Xiao Hu and Xiao Feng have started using the term. Mao Na wasn’t upset; Zhao Meirong and Hu Qihua were pleased as well: it’s better for them to call them mom and dad now!)
The Woodzi Woman sarcastically remarked to Zhao Meirong, “Qihua's Family, you’re spoiling your daughter-in-law even before she officially enters the family?”
Aunt Kui shot her a glance and replied, “Every family has its own ways; each daughter-in-law has her own preferences!”
Zhao Meirong added, “Mao Na doesn’t mind that our family is poor or that we lack skills. It’s not easy to buy a television; it was the kids who pooled their money for it. If I don’t make her some wild vegetable dish when she wants it, what kind of host would I be?”
The Woodzi Woman was unwilling to relent: “Which family drinks Corn Grits porridge during the New Year? As the saying goes…”
Aunt Kui retorted again, “Every family lives their own life. As long as they find joy in it, who cares what others say?”
Mu Xiumei and Song Junying were also watching TV and couldn’t stand their mother-in-law stirring up trouble. Mu Xiumei said to her sister-in-law, “Junying, let’s go dig up some Water Radish Leaves tomorrow too; we can make some delicious salty porridge with them!”
Wasn’t that just a jab at their mother-in-law right in front of her?
Just as everyone was worried about the Woodzi Woman exploding in anger, she quietly got up and left.
That evening, Mao Na ate another two large bowls of dumplings filled with Water Radish Leaves. In Hu Ruoyun’s small room, she held his face and asked, “Am I getting fat?”
Then she added, “No way! I have to go home; otherwise my mom won’t recognize me!”
On the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, Mao Na was heading home. Hu Ruoyun rode his bike to Lao Gu Market to see her off. Seeing her reluctant expression made him feel a bit heartbroken: “How about I go with you?”
Mao Na blushed and replied, “Forget it; school is starting soon anyway… I’m afraid my mom will say something, and I’m also worried about what the neighbors will think…”
Knowing how much Mao Na loved wild vegetable dumplings, Zhao Meirong and Hu Qihua worked overnight to prepare all the vegetables for dumpling filling, placing them on a bamboo rack outside to freeze solid.
When morning came, they found a bag of dough for Mao Na to take with her.
Xiao Feng was reluctant; even before she left he asked, “Sister-in-law, when are you coming back?”
As the car was about to leave, Hu Ruoyun reminded her, “Don’t forget the dumplings on top of the car!”
After all, it was still the New Year. Although Zhang Xiuzhen had returned to work, it wasn’t yet Lantern Festival; things were still slow. Seeing Mao Na come back made her unable to hold back her complaints: “You left on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year and only returned on the tenth! You’re not even married yet; aren’t you afraid of Xiao Hu’s neighbors laughing at you?”
Mao Na shot back, “Let them laugh if they want; it doesn’t take away from my share of meat.”
Zhang Xiuzhen scolded her: “Your skin is getting thicker by the day!”
Mao Na chuckled: “Thick skin means plenty to eat; thin skin means going hungry…”
The door creaked open, and Mao Weiguo stepped inside. "What delicious food do we have? Can't get enough?"
Mao Na proudly handed over the dumplings wrapped by Zhao Meirong. "I picked the vegetables myself, and Xiao Hu's mom made these vegetarian dumplings..."
Mao Weiguo beamed with joy. "This is what we're having for lunch today! I haven't had this in years... Girl, have you gained some weight?"
Mao Na turned to Zhang Xiuzhen and asked, "Mom, have I really gained weight?"
Zhang Xiuzhen scrutinized her for a moment before replying to Mao Weiguo, "I must say, there is definitely more flesh on her face."
Mao Na dashed back to her room to check herself in the mirror.
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