48 Big Plate Chicken
Luo Jin’an was chopping wood in the yard when he looked at Su Fengmao and said, “Father-in-law, you’re back. Let me help you with your things.”
Since Luo Jin’an started living with the Sus, he had been kind to everyone except Su Binglan’s predecessor. He was respectful and dutiful to Su Binglan’s parents.
From what Su Binglan knew of Luo Jin’an, she regarded him as a well-mannered individual. She was sure that Luo Jin’an was at least from a wealthy family and had a good upbringing.
Su Fengmao’s legs were injured, and whenever Luo Jin’an saw Su Fengmao carrying things or performing a task, he offered to help.
Su Fengmao smiled and said, “It’s okay. I’m not tired. That’s the chicken Binglan’s grandmother told me to bring back.”
Su Fengmao spoke loudly. Su Binglan and the others heard his voice as they busied themselves at the stove.
Shen Qiuhua, who was washing the chilies, stopped what she was doing and stood up to take the things in Su Fengmao’s hands.
“Did Mother kill the chicken she was raising?”
Su Fengmao said, “Father and Mother said the chicken they raised was for Binglan to eat and nourish her body. When they found out Binglan’s attitude had improved, they gutted it and told me to bring it home.”
Shen Qiuhua said, her voice thick with emotion, “Father and Mother sure went through a lot of trouble to send you back with that chicken.”
The Su family had always spoiled Su Binglan, and Su Binglan’s grandparents doted on her the most. They wouldn’t eat anything delicious they raised and gave it all to Su Binglan.
In the past, it would have been natural to accept these things. However, Su Binglan’s heart ached when she heard this. She knew that raising chickens in a village was no easy task.
Each family would usually raise one or two chickens. After these chickens had reached maturity, they would kill the chickens and eat them.
Su Binglan’s grandparents hadn’t kept the chicken for themselves. They instead told Su Fengmao to bring the chicken home.
Su Binglan was okay with eating anything. On the contrary, her grandparents were old and needed to eat more nutritious foods.
For the villagers, there was nothing more delicious than chicken to supplement their bodies. They could make chicken and egg soup to supplement themselves.
Su Binglan blinked and said, “Grandfather and Grandmother should have kept the chicken for themselves.”
Su Fengmao understood his parents’ character. “Your grandparents said that I should give you everything. They would be heartbroken if I were to take it back.”
Su Binglan had no choice but to accept. However, with the chicken, it would be easier to prepare dinner.
Chicken and potatoes tasted very different, and the resulting dish would be delicious when cooked together.
“Then I’ll make Big Plate Chicken tonight. After that, please send some over to Grandmother and Grandfather.”
That was Su Binglan’s show of filial piety. Her grandparents would probably accept it.
Su Fengmao, Shen Qiuhua, and the others had never heard of Big Plate Chicken before. Still, after eating Su Binglan’s cooking earlier that afternoon, they had spent the whole day thinking about the other dishes Su Binglan would prepare.
They felt that Su Binglan’s dishes—with their fancy names—would undoubtedly be delicious.
Su Binglan took some french fries and candied chestnuts to Su Fengmao and said, “Father, rest for a while. These are some snacks I made. Have some to fill your stomach first. We’ll have dinner in a bit.”
“I’m not tired. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Su Fengmao always wanted to help his daughter. The whole family had gotten used to spoiling Su Binglan. If Su Binglan didn’t need them, they would feel useless.
Su Binglan understood their feelings and said, “Then please help me wash a few more potatoes and peel them, Father.”
When the potatoes and chicken finished stewing, it smelled genuinely fragrant.