CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: LUNCH

Gu Rushan sat down on the ground with a thud, not even noticing the dampness from the dew seeping under him.

Over there, Li Qinghai’s family had long since started busying themselves.

These were all tasks they were familiar with.

The five of them split into five lines, their sickles flying, stacking piles of wheat beside them.

They were all skilled hands in the field.

No need for instructions, they immediately knew what to do as soon as they got down to work.

Li Weimin, Li Weiqiang, and the two sons at home were all adept at fieldwork; this task was truly no challenge for them.

The villagers in the field harvesting wheat saw this scene, discussing among themselves, but after all, the Li Family was gathering wheat for their daughter, no one could say anything against it.

Other than envy and jealousy, there was really nothing to say.

One could only speculate what Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai were up to; it’s no wonder people were guessing given that the Li Family, five strong, was busy on Gu Ruhai’s land, yet Gu Ruhai himself was nowhere to be seen.

At home, Gu Xiaoqing was making lunch; last night Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai had said they’d visit grandma’s house this afternoon and the next day have the aunts over. Gu Xiaoqing thought one day would be enough for the aunts to learn a dish or two.

The rest was not something Gu Xiaoqing worried about.

The uncles were far more flexible than Li Xuemei and Gu Ruhai, more thoughtful too, so at least he wasn’t worried about the business opening going wrong.

This food business depended on authentic flavors; as long as it was delicious and the ingredients were clean, he believed no one would dislike buying it.

Gu Xiaoqing filled a jar with boiled water, adding some sugar; the sugar was bought from the village’s small shop.

The boiled water was cooled.

Putting a stack of bowls and the jar of water in a basket, Gu Xiaoqing took them to the edge of the field.

Because they started early, at five in the morning, with daylight, so after working a bit, it was only around nine when Gu Xiaoqing brought the water.

Greeting the villagers in the field, Gu Xiaoqing called to Li Qinghai and the others from afar: "Grandpa, Old Uncle, Second Uncle, Brother Jianguo, Brother Jianhui, come have some water and take a break."

Li Qinghai straightened his back, a smile spreading across his face; this granddaughter was very likable.

The family gathered at the edge of the field, found a spot under the tree shade, and sat down, their feet covered in mud.

Gu Xiaoqing arranged the bowls and poured five bowls of water.

Passing them to everyone.

Li Qinghai took a big sip, squinting his eyes, "This is sugar water."

Li Weimin and the others followed suit with a sip, indeed sweet.

Gu Xiaoqing watched them drinking with sweet smiles, showing their greatest sincerity now.

Gu Xiaojie also came over, squatting beside Li Qinghai, occasionally sipping sugar water, as his second sister wasn’t paying him any attention.

Looking at the two kids, Li Qinghai felt very comforted; he knew well about his daughter’s situation, which is why he brought the family to help, honestly, not least because last time Li Weimin brought grain and encountered Mr. Gu’s unruliness.

And Gu Ruhai’s astonishing actions left a deep impression on Li Weimin, sharing with Li Qinghai afterward.

Li Qinghai knew this was a change in Gu Ruhai, regardless of reason, it was good.

After all, Xuemei lived with Gu Ruhai; hardships had always been bitter as bile. A man can’t uphold a home, what’s a woman supposed to do?

In the past, Li Qinghai always felt Gu Ruhai was too soft, his backbone bent, not a real man, causing his daughter and three grandchildren to suffer.

But after hearing from his son, his heart settled; he planned to see for sure alongside hearing about their successful business earning ten yuan a day, not a small amount.

So he thought of helping out Gu Ruhai, knowing full well the wheat harvest was unavoidable; with his strong laborers, finishing in a mere couple of days was assured.

Spared Gu Ruhai and Li Xuemei from delaying business.

Thus, the family came.

Mainly because Li Weimin had long been eager to visit; his niece promised ideas for a business, not out for greed, but Li Weimin hoped to improve family conditions, since nobody was wealthy right now.

There were two sons soon to be married, Li Weimin, being the father, couldn’t help but fret.

Even Li Qinghai was secretly concerned; his plan involved discussing with the team leader about leasing additional acres in autumn, ensuring a better harvest next year and added income.

However, hearing from Li Weimin, Li Qinghai was intrigued, though hesitant to take a twelve-year-old child’s words seriously; but aware of his daughter’s skills was insightful.

Talking of inherited recipes was merely a ruse for strangers.

Li Qinghai knew well his family’s nature.

Hearing it was his granddaughter’s idea, Li Qinghai believed it, remembering last time’s dazzling display at their home.

This time proved a dual-purpose endeavor.

After finishing their water, taking a brief rest, they returned to the field.

Gu Xiaoqing tidied the bowls and jar, leading Gu Xiaojie home to prepare lunch.

Meanwhile, visiting Butcher Feng for two pounds of meat.

Upon return, she sent Gu Xiaojie to play in the courtyard.

Gu Xiaoqing hurried into the kitchen.

Starting early meant early meals, ensuring those working the fields sustained themselves.

Steamed cornbread mixed with wheat flour; two large baskets this round, mainly because today’s group was all men, five with mighty appetites.

From the field, two cabbages uprooted, sending Xiao Jie with a basket to the tofu workshop for two pounds of tofu in exchange for soybeans.

Gu Xiaoqing’s plan for lunch was pork belly, cabbage, and tofu stew with vermicelli, alongside corn mush and cornbread, abundantly hearty.

This meal ranked among village best.

The only shortcoming was the lack of white bread.

As the dishes tabled in front, the courtyard door sounded, Li Qinghai’s family of five entered.

Gu Xiaoqing carried out a large plate of cornbread from the kitchen, saying to Li Qinghai: "Grandpa, the basin has water ready for you all, sun-warmed, you can wash up and eat."

Put down the plate, going back for corn mush.