Silly Zhu's Moving: The Old Neighbor's Nightmare

Chapter 145 Lamb Offal Soup with Steamed Bun Crumbs

"What's going on in your yard?" Director Wang asked, pointing to the yard full of children.

What's going on? I can't exactly suggest finding some kids to play wildly with in the rain, can I?

Besides, fifty or sixty children playing together, they're not adults, how could they possibly form some kind of counter-revolutionary organization?

And you know what? Most of these children were seven or eight years old, and by 1966 they were all around twenty-two or twenty-three.

They were at an age where they were competitive and eager to fight, and they were considered the backbone of that era.

If I were to do this once a year during Chinese New Year, to win over some of the younger people, then...

"Director Wang, isn't this my second uncle?"

My sister was overjoyed and insisted on celebrating with my second uncle.

She then called over her friends and cooked some mutton soup to share with them.

This reasoning seems very compelling to Sha Zhu.

It's almost the end of the year, the Lunar New Year, and there are just a few more kids around.

We haven't disrupted social order or harmed society. Playing in our own yard isn't illegal.

"Alright, He Yuzhu, hurry up and send these kids away."

Adults have come looking for my child right outside your door, and people from the alleyway have come to my place to report the situation.

With so many children under your care, you couldn't afford to lose even one.

Director Wang patiently educated Sha Zhu.

Sha Zhu looked at the yard full of children and said, "Director Wang, many of these children have been waiting for four or five hours."

Or I should make them finish their drinks right away before they leave, otherwise it's not good if fifty or sixty kids start crying.

I gave these children mutton soup during the Lunar New Year because I meant well.

"We haven't broken the law. Those gossipy old women at the alley entrance are just looking for trouble," Sha Zhu complained.

"You're still complaining? Don't you even look at where you are? There's a neighborhood office right next to your house. People see how many children you have."

What's wrong with me reacting to the situation? Don't just stand there, make them finish their drinks and send them all away. Try not to gather so many kids together in the future.

"If you really want to do something truly charitable, report it to the neighborhood committee, and I'll organize all the children and elderly people in Nanluoguxiang for a charity event. He Yuzhu, would you mind contributing money and effort?"

Sha Zhu quickly shook his head, "I spent a dollar to celebrate even with just these kids."

"When elderly people and children from all over Luoguxiang in Quannan come here, twenty yuan isn't even enough. I'd be heartbroken. Director Wang, don't worry, this is the only time."

Under Director Wang's watchful eye, Sha Zhu quickly went to the kitchen and got to work.

We can't let so many children down, since it's not easy for them to get together like this.

I definitely don't have time to make flatbread, but I can make some steamed buns with two kinds of dough, chop them up, and that's fine too.

Salt, chopped green onions, spices, and some lamb offal soup.

It was taken to the stove outside, and under the watchful eyes of the children, everything except the chopped green onions was poured into the large iron pot.

They put the lid on the pot, added some more firewood, and started cooking over a high flame.

In no time, an even richer aroma filled the entire yard, making the children's mouths water.

Even at the main gate outside the compound, some adults wanted to come in, but seeing that the street office staff were guarding the gate and preventing them from entering, they stubbornly refused to leave.

"Brother, what did you add just now? It smells so good all of a sudden," Yu Shui asked curiously, smelling the aroma.

"You added spices, why did you call so many friends?"

"Didn't I listen to you and have Xiaoxue secretly tell them? I don't know how things got to this point."

Some of them I don't even recognize. Brother, is this what they mean by "all the world's hustle and bustle is for profit"?

"The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is in turmoil, all for profit."

Tomorrow, I'll become the sucker everyone's talking about in the neighborhood.

"You won't have any friends to play with anymore, so don't come to me for help. Look, I've even attracted Director Wang."

After Sha Zhu finished speaking, he opened the pot lid, checked it, and said it was almost done.

They started distributing food to the children: lamb offal soup, soup noodles, and broken noodles.

Each child received a spoonful of thick soup and a spoonful of broth, a generous portion.

On the table next to you are seasonings such as salt, vinegar, chopped green onions, chili flakes, and chive blossoms; add them yourself.

We're running out of bowls, so we'll take turns. Those who finish, hurry up and leave. What? You want another bowl?

Sha Zhu looked at the shameless little brat in front of him and said, "Get out of here! One bowl for each of you. Come and wish me a Happy New Year, and you'll get something good to eat."

The little brat was still trying to cheat, but then he heard that there would be treats for visiting relatives during the New Year, and his friends were waiting for him to leave.

Reluctantly, she gave up her seat and was pulled away, looking back every step of the way.

The seven or eight-year-old children nearby immediately memorized what Sha Zhu had said.

You absolutely must come over to pay your respects during the Chinese New Year; I've never tasted such delicious food in my entire life.

Send away all the unsatisfied children in the yard.

Only the street office staff and three middle-aged women knitting in the corner with a few three- or four-year-old children remained in the courtyard.

At this point, the raindrops had apparently run off somewhere outside to play with their friends.

Sha Zhu called the remaining people over, giving each of them a bowl. After they finished, only the bottom of the pot was left.

Director Wang walked over and looked at Sha Zhu, saying, "Zhu Zi, you're not allowed to do that again."

Sha Zhu quickly raised his hand and swore he would never do it again. Seeing that Sha Zhu knew he was wrong...

He continued, "Didn't I have someone bring that timber over for you? Why are you piling it up in the corner of the yard?"

You like lively atmospheres, right? Perfect timing! I've figured out the right apprentice, and we've got all the necessary staff ready.

The small restaurant is being cleaned up right now. Hurry up and get the tables and chairs ready.

"Let's take advantage of the large crowds during the Spring Festival and open our small restaurant. That way, the area around our neighborhood will be bustling with activity during the holidays."

"Director Wang, don't worry. We'll open the small restaurant on the afternoon of the first day of the Lunar New Year."

This mutton soup is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone in Nanluoguxiang.

I'll think of a few more delicious snacks to make, and I guarantee our little restaurant will be a huge success during the Chinese New Year."

After receiving Sha Zhu's assurance, Director Wang left without even tasting the food in his bowl.

Before leaving, he told the staff from the neighborhood office to hurry back.

Sha Zhu saw this and thought, "Perfect, I haven't even tasted it myself," so he took Director Wang's bowl and placed it in front of him.

Xiao Liang gave a thumbs up and said, "Zhu Zi, you either have nothing to do, or you cause a huge mess."

"If I hadn't been guarding the entrance just now, a lot more children and adults would have tried to squeeze into your house."

"There are children at the door," Sha Zhu asked in surprise.

"That's right, many of the children ran over from behind."

They even said they were invited by your sister. If I hadn't been standing guard at the door, they would have barged into your house.

Xiao Liang took a sip of the mutton offal in his bowl and clicked his tongue, saying, "It's not as delicious as the mutton soup I confiscated from you last time."

It smells pretty good though. If this little restaurant opens, I'll never eat at home again.

Sha Zhu rolled his eyes at him and said, "You wish! You want to drink it every day? We don't have that many lamb bones to make it for you."

Sha Zhu then looked at Liu Qian, who was quietly standing beside him, and said...

"Sister Liu, what brings you here? It's such an honor to have you here. Why didn't my brother Li come with me?"

"I've had your food before and I'm really craving it. The aroma of your mutton soup has even reached the neighborhood office!"

When Director Wang came over, I was checking the accounts in his office, so I immediately dropped the ledger and followed him.

As for Li Jianguo, he took the account books to the district office.

Sister Liu Qian was all smiles and laughter in the finance office, but she became quiet outside.

Everything feels a bit unfamiliar. Did Brother Li not propose, or did the two encounter some obstacles?

We'll ask Brother Li when he gets back; we can't ask him in front of the people in the compound.

Putting aside my doubts, I continued chatting with the older women and the neighborhood committee staff.

After tasting a bite of the food he had made, Sha Zhu frowned.

Although it tastes pretty good, it didn't quite meet my expectations; it seems like too much water was added.