"Let me know when Chengcheng arrives. Originally, someone was supposed to keep the fire going. Sister He did well yesterday. But didn’t the bowl break just now, causing some chaos? Sister He heard about it, got anxious, and tripped when she went out to see, injuring her leg. She’s now gone to the clinic for bandaging."
"He Cheng, remember to set aside ten bags of dumplings for Sister He later. I’ll make some Three Meat Buns and Four Happiness Dumplings in the evening when I have time, and then you and Luoluo help me deliver them," Qin Huai said.
He Cheng’s notebook was already full, but upon hearing Qin Huai, he quickly added the note and then quietly asked the person nearby, puzzled:
"Why was Sister He so anxious when she heard a bowl was broken?"
The aunt next to him answered softly, "Of course, she’s anxious; the broken bowls are hers."
Zhao Siqiang suddenly realized the importance of his job and went out to ask Granny Qin for a notebook.
Qin Huai continued cooking the red bean filling.
The Old Secretary saw Qin Huai start working and leisurely sipped his tea, continuing his story:
"Where did I leave off?"
"The educated youths returning to the city. Many with connections have gone back, but Master Zhang and his wife couldn’t find any connections, so they stayed in the village," He Cheng answered quickly.
"Oh right, actually, Xiao Zhang is quite a good person. He’s skilled in carpentry, and his wife’s cooking is even better. It’s a pity they stayed in our rural area. At that time, they couldn’t return to the city; they were not anxious, but the secretary and village chief of their production team were worried sick."
"They asked around everywhere to find connections. Later on, I heard from my nephew who worked at the county’s timber factory that they were looking to hire experienced carpenters. So I passed this information to Xiao Zhang’s production team leader, and then Xiao Zhang went to the recruitment process, got selected, and the whole family moved to Qiu County."
"Why do I say Xiao Zhang is a good person? Actually, about the recruitment, I only helped a little by asking around; most of the work was done by their production team leader and secretary."
"But every year during the New Year, Xiao Zhang brings his son to my house to pay respects. Every year on the sixth day, he comes; he already called me this year, and they’ll arrive before 11 a.m. on the sixth day."
"By the way, Huaihuai, this sixth morning I..."
"Won’t be able to come due to some matters," Qin Huai said with a smile, "It’s fine if you can’t come for half a day."
The Old Secretary wasn’t employed at the Qin Family full-time for help. Although his skills were complementary, having once been a butcher when he was young, age had caught up with him, and chopping meat for a while tired him out.
Mainly, he played a role in guidance.
When it comes to a reservoir of gossip, no one in Qin Family Village can surpass the Old Secretary.
He not only has expertise in the gossip within the Qin Family Village, but also in several nearby villages, and even the county, and regional gossip. The key is his eloquence; his storytelling is smooth and clear, unlike some who are verbose with their gossip, making you extract the key information.
The Old Secretary arrived at the Qin Family at 7 a.m. on the second day, chopped meat for 10 minutes in total, and spent the rest of the time gossiping.
Leaving Qin Luo idle, chopping wood outside.
Qin Huai loves to listen.
"Not this," the Old Secretary waved his hand, "It’s : I just mentioned that Master Zhang is skilled, his wife even more so, but Xiao Cao passed away in a car accident the year before last."
"This year, when Xiao Zhang called me half a year ago, I happened to be eating the Four Happiness Dumplings you sent me. I couldn’t resist, so I bragged a bit."
"The key is I assured him that when he comes, he will definitely get to eat them."
"This year, it’s not only him coming, but also his son, daughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter."
"I only have two bags of dumplings for the whole day; not enough for my family, you see..."
Old Secretary, you’ve got a way with things.
"Bring them together," Qin Huai said, "Actually, I kind of know who Master Zhang is from what you mentioned. Before my father opened the Breakfast Shop, he once bought molds from Master Zhang."
"But my father lost contact long ago; I actually wanted to ask Master Zhang to make a set of molds for me."
"Eat, dumplings will be plenty, and I’ll make some other snacks too."