Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Too Cheap
Translator: 549690339
Qiao Xiaomai was unaware of the commotion in the old courtyard. She came back home with Qiao Dami and then started to have lunch.
Boiled fish, chicken feet, and white steamed buns; the taste was excellent!
However, ever since she came here, she had been eating noodle-based dishes. As she chewed on her fish, she started to crave steamed white rice.
She was accustomed to eating noodles, but she also liked white rice. If she went too long without it, she found herself longing for it.
Deciding to act on her craving, after lunch, she scrubbed the iron pot, washed a pound of rice, put it in the pot, added water, and started to steam it.
Taking advantage of the break while the fire was lit, she packed two pounds of bean sprouts into a basket and gave them to Qiao Dami to deliver to the Tong Family.
She was expecting Tong Tiehu to promote her bean sprouts business in the village. Besides, considering Tong Tiehu’s past help, she was obliged to send these bean sprouts.
“Sister, why don’t you come with me?” Qiao Dami pulled at her clothes and asked.
“I have to tend to the fire.” And besides, she really didn’t want to see Tong Sanlang again.
Qiao Xiaomai ruffled Qiao Dami’s hair and urged, “Go on, make it quick. Once the rice is cooked, I’ll make you some fried rice.”
“What is fried rice?” Qiao Dami asked curiously, his big eyes shiny and black.
Zhuang Luhe rarely bought rice, and even when she did, it was for making porridge. So, he not only had he never eaten fried rice, he hadn’t even heard of it.
“You’ll know when you come back.” Qiao Xiaomai purposely held back the explanation.
Qiao Dami nodded happily, and raced out the door, “I’m off then!”
“Slow down, don’t trip.” Qiao Xiaomai couldn’t help but advise.
“I know-!” Along with these words, Qiao Dami’s small figure quickly disappeared from view.
Qiao Xiaomai chuckled, then returned to the kitchen to focus on tending to the fire.
This was her first time using the large iron pot to cook rice, so she had to keep a close eye on it.
Qiao Dami, holding a small basket filled with two pounds of bean sprouts, hopped and skipped all the way to the Tong residence, arriving quickly.
The small boy went up and knocked on the door, “Brother Tong, Brother Tong!”
Tong Sanlang, was sitting in his room reading a book, with Tong Tiehu having accompanied Tong Erhu and Zhu Hongyun down to the fields, and Qian leaving with them, Tong Sanlang was the only one left at home.
Hearing the shout, he put the book in his hand down, walked over and opened the door to the courtyard.
Qiao Dami was looking up at him, his small face beaming and his hands holding up the small basket, “Brother Tong, these bean sprouts were grown by my sister from yellow beans, I came to let you taste them!”
Tong Sanlang glanced at the bean sprouts, and a kind smile appeared on his handsome face, “Your sister has come up with a new food again?”
He wasn’t surprised, not in the slightest.
Being able to produce a weapon from thin air, and even plants he had never seen before, she definitely harbored immense secrets.
A bit of food, was nothing in comparison.
“Yes!” Qiao Dami nodded emphatically, “Sister used the fish to make boiled fish, it was so fragrant and delicious!”
Tong Sanlang looked at his childish display, the smile on his handsome face deepening, “Come in.”
He took the basket in one hand, and led Qiao Dami into the courtyard with the other.
“You sit down first.” He made sure Qiao Dami was comfortably seated on a stool, then he went into the kitchen to empty the bean sprouts into a wooden basin. His gaze swept over the kitchen, where he saw a basin of sheep’s milk on the stove, which he put into the basket.
Then, he cut two pounds of meat and placed it in the basket as well.
The tofu and bean curd that Qiao Xiaomai had made previously were very valuable. This bean sprout is a new food, and the return gift he gives must be generous.
When he came out holding the basket, Qiao Dami exclaimed, “Brother Tong, I can’t accept this.”
“This is a return gift, a gesture of reciprocity.” Tong Sanlang explained.
“It’s too much, sister said these bean sprouts cost one coin for a pound.” Qiao Dami explained as well.
Despite Qiao Xiaomai not having told him this, he had his own measure in mind. Two pounds of bean sprouts costed two coins, and the piece of meat could exchange for lots and lots of bean sprouts!
Tong Sanlang was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised.. Were the bean sprouts really that cheap?