Chapter 26: Chapter 26 Earn Again (2)_1 Chapter 26: Chapter 26 Earn Again (2)_1 “Sister, let me help.” Lin Changting said happily. He liked calling Lin Zige “big sister” and Lin Ziyin “sister”.
“Good job.” Lin Ziyin complimented him with a smile.
“I’ll help too.” Lin Yanzhi also chimed in quickly.
Lin Ziyin commended him again with a smile, making the little guy laugh nonstop.
Cleaning the offal was a bit troublesome. When Lin Zige was not looking, Lin Ziyin scrubbed the large intestines and pig stomach clean with salt and flour, then threw them into boiling water to remove the smell. Afterwards, she sliced them and let Lin Changting stir-fry them with star anise and fennel.
Not long after, Lin Zige returned from sowing vegetable seeds. Lin Ziyin then had her heat up a pot to render fat from the pork, and saved the lard for later use.
“There’s so much lard. It will last us for a while.” Lin Zige exhaled a sigh of relief when she saw the jar filled with lard.
Lin Ziyin chose to ignore her. Ah, this young girl’s expectations were too low, clearly not on the same level as a person like her with grand ambitions. She wouldn’t be content with just eating meat and oil every day.
“We’ll have meat buns and tofu buns tonight.” Lin Ziyin said with a smile.
“Eat buns.” Lin Yanzhi nodded vigorously.
“Here, have a taste.” Lin Ziyin scooped a bit of the pork lard residue, the leftovers from rendering fat, into a small bowl for both kids.
“Delicious.” After having a bite, Lin Changting immediately praised almost laughing.
“Eat.” The little guy couldn’t stop himself from munching either.
“Sister, have a taste.” Lin Ziyin pushed a piece into Lin Zige’s mouth.
“So good.” Lin Zige said, surprised.
In the past, when the family was extremely short of silver, they couldn’t afford to use lard for cooking. They’d just rub a small piece of fat on the edge of the pot. But just overnight, they were even eating meat.
Lin Zige glanced at Lin Ziyin with slight gratitude.
Lin Ziyin, being generous as always, wrapped the meat and tofu buns in white flour, despite Lin Zige’s opposition.
Because she added her ground spice mix to the filling, the buns smelled incredibly delicious.
“What’s that smell?” Lin Changshu caught the aroma as soon as he stepped in.
“Meat buns smell good.” The little one quickly echoed, wanting credit, “Fire.”
Meaning, he helped tend to the fire today.
“Good boy.” The elderly man, having washed his hands, walked in.
Guo Huiniang also looked at her son with satisfaction.
“Dinner is ready, everyone’s here, let’s eat.” Lin Ziyin said with a smile.
Upon entering, Lin Changshu and his spouse saw a large plate of various meats on the dinner table alongside some pickles. The basket was filled with white and plump bread rolls and buns, and even white rice porridge was in their bowls.
“This much?” Guo Huiniang was a bit overwhelmed.
“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. With the income from tofu, our family won’t lack food and clothing.” Lin Ziyin knew what she was worried about, and gently reassured her.
“Oh…” Guo Huiniang quickly wiped away the tears that had welled up on her face.
“Grandpa, I want to buy a flat-bottomed pan.” Lin Ziyin started. “We’ll use the money from selling tofu tomorrow to buy it. If it’s not enough, we’ll owe our acquaintances.”
Upon hearing this, everyone stopped eating their buns.
“I plan to make a small profit at the fair five days from now. We can’t do without a flat-bottomed pan.” Lin Ziyin explained with a smile.
“Ah, alright then.” The old man nodded in agreement.
“Hurry up, eat it while it’s hot. Grandpa, have another one.” Lin Ziyin passed another meat bun to the old man, “Big brother, Sister-in-law, you’ve worked hard too, eat more. You still have work to do tonight.”
“You should eat too.” Guo Huiniang was somewhat taken aback, with a feeling of relief after a hardship.
The meal at the Lin family’s was the most abundant one in recent years, and also the most heartwarming.