Siheyuan: The road to counterattack for the little transparent

Yu Li looked at Yan Bugui with a smile and said, "Dad, don't worry. I just discussed it with Mom."

"My mother and I both know how to make the common New Year's goods, and we feel more assured when we make them ourselves."

The third aunt was afraid that Yan Bugui would refuse this request, so she immediately came up to him and said, "Old Yan, I think what my daughter-in-law said makes sense."

Yan Bugui thought for a while, as if he had thought of something, with a look of satisfaction in his eyes, and finally nodded and said:

"Okay, let's do this. Let's plan carefully and see what kind of New Year's goods we can make that are both delicious and cost-effective."

Yan Bugui finally nodded, and Yu Li was so happy that she excitedly said, "We can make some red date cakes, which symbolize prosperity."

"You can also make some fried meatballs, which are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are very fragrant. You can also make some peanut candies, which are sweet. Customers will definitely like them."

The three aunts also actively participated: "Yes, we can also make some red bean paste buns or steamed flower buns, which have unique shapes and good meanings."

Yan Bugui listened to the conversation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared.

He calculated that according to what the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had said, making so many New Year's goods would require a lot of materials to prepare, which would cost more than buying New Year's offerings.

"Stop, stop. Yang Ruihua, you don't know how expensive firewood, rice, oil and salt are, since you are not in charge of the household."

"These things you mentioned, just buying the materials will cost a lot of money, how can we make ends meet?"

After Yan Bugui finished speaking with a frown, he threw the fishing rod in his hand to the third aunt, shook his head, picked up the fish in the bucket and walked home.

The excitement on Yu Li and the third aunt's faces suddenly dissipated a lot. Seeing Yan Bugui walk into the house, she said anxiously:

"Mom, please go and persuade Dad again. If it really doesn't work, we can just make less New Year's goods. It's better than nothing, don't you think?"

The third aunt sighed and said helplessly: "Well, you are right. It is better for us to do less than nothing. Let's go inside and talk to your father."

As the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law walked back home one after another, Yan Bugui was admiring the fruits of his work today. He had made up his mind.

Let's keep this fish for now. Chinese New Year is coming soon. Then I'll buy half a pound of meat and white radish to make dumplings with, and then braise the fish.

In this way, the New Year’s Eve dinner was arranged. After the meal, he would give each person a few peanuts that he had saved, and the New Year would be over.

This way, we don't spend much money and can fill the stomachs of the whole family. Fortunately, we have this fish. It's such a good thing.

The third aunt walked up to Yan Bugui and said with a smile: "Old Yan, I was not thoughtful enough just now. I think what you said makes sense."

Yan Bugui raised his eyes slightly, looked at the third aunt and said, "Humph, it's good that you know. We have to be thrifty in our lives and can't just do whatever we want."

Seeing her mother-in-law nodding repeatedly and the matter about to be left unresolved, Yu Li became anxious:

"Dad, we can make less of those New Year's goods we just talked about. We don't have to make so much."

The third aunt agreed with her daughter-in-law's words, and then whispered a few words in Yan Bugui's ear. He frowned, thought for a moment, and then said:

"How about this, let's pick a few things that cost little and can hold up the occasion. Flower buns take a lot of effort but the ingredients are easy to prepare, so we can make some of this."

"You can make some red date cakes. They have a good meaning and the ingredients are not too expensive."

"Just make some fried meatballs, enough for my family. As for peanut candy and red bean paste buns, the sugar is too expensive, so I won't consider it."

When Yu Li heard this, she was a little disappointed, but she also knew the situation at home, so she nodded helplessly.

Yan Bugui felt very unhappy when he thought about spending so much money to buy materials for New Year's goods, and kept complaining about how difficult the year was.

This made Yu Li feel uncomfortable sitting or standing at home. In such a cold day, she had to find an excuse to go to the cellar to get some vegetables and leave Yan's house.

Yu Li came to the cellar and took a deep breath of the cold air with a scent of earth. The boredom in her heart was slightly relieved.

She looked at the few cabbages piled in the cellar, thought about the plight of her family, and couldn't help but sigh: I don't know when things will improve.

It was a little dark in the cellar, and as she picked the vegetables, her thoughts drifted away.

I recalled the Chinese New Years in the past. Although my mother’s family was not rich, they could at least make some decent New Year’s goods, and the whole family gathered together in a lively atmosphere, full of joy and warmth.

But now that she has married into the Yan family, she has to budget carefully even for the New Year's goods because of the financial constraints and her father-in-law's thriftiness.

When Yu Li was thinking about something in the cellar, an old lady came in and smiled when she saw her: "Yu Li, are you going to get some vegetables to cook?"

"Yes, Auntie, I'm here to get some cabbage for my mother-in-law. Are you here to get some cabbage or radishes?"

The things stored in the cellar are either cabbages or radishes. Every household has a piece of land to store their own vegetables, and everyone is conscious and will not touch other people's things.

Of course there are exceptions. During the time when Sha Zhu still brought meals to his family, Bang Geng was a kid who specialized in stealing the cabbage hearts from Sha Zhu's house to eat.

But that was in the past. Ever since Sha Zhu got married, he never dared to touch the food in Sha Zhu's house.

The first lady replied to Yu Li's words. After the two chatted for a while, the first lady sighed and said, "Old Yan and his wife are really lucky to have such a capable daughter-in-law like you."

"Yu Li, your family definitely doesn't need to buy any New Year's goods. You and your mother-in-law can make a lot, right?"

Yu Li had a lot of grievances but had no one to vent them to, and the words of the auntie undoubtedly made her want to talk.

She sighed and said, "Alas, my father-in-law said that I can only make a few simple dishes."

"I don't dare to think about making peanut candy or red bean paste buns because the ingredients are too expensive. I just make flower buns, red date cakes and fried meatballs. I have to make them sparingly, and I'm lucky if I can make enough for my family."

The aunt looked at Yu Li with an expectant look on her face and said:

"Yu Li, you know the situation at Auntie's house. Uncle's broken hand hasn't healed yet. I really can't make New Year's goods myself."

"I know you and your mother-in-law are good at making things, so can you help your aunt make some New Year's goods? I won't let you work in vain, and I will definitely give you a lot of materials and hard work fees."

Hearing this, Yu Li's eyes lit up. It was like someone offering a pillow to you when you feel sleepy. She said hastily, "Auntie, you are so polite. I couldn't ask for more."

Yu Li continued, "Don't worry, my mother-in-law and I will definitely make the New Year's goods carefully."

"Just tell me what kind of New Year's goods you want to buy, and if you have any other requirements, so we can prepare in advance."

The lady smiled and said, "It doesn't have to be too complicated. Just like I said before, flower buns, red date cakes and fried meatballs will do."

"It's settled then. I'll bring the materials over to you as soon as I get them ready, ok?"