BXBX NOVEL Chapter 424: Making Dumplings
Chapter 424: Making Dumplings
Gu Zi looked at the delicate box in surprise. With the arrival of winter, the pig farm had become busier, and Su Shen’s return home was often delayed. But today, not only had he returned early, he had also brought a gift, a rarity indeed.
She opened the box to find a gleaming gold bracelet. Looking up at Su Shen, she was struck by the simplicity of his expression of love – another gold bracelet!
Gu Zi was reminded of the first gift she had received from him, also a gold bracelet, given after she had helped him deal with a swine fever outbreak. It felt as though it had happened just yesterday, but they were already married now.
Time had passed quickly. Just as she was about to say something, the boy who had been moved aside earlier clung to Su Shen’s leg and said, “Dad, we’re having dumplings tonight. Mom said that Northerners love to eat dumplings when it snows!”
Seeing this, Gu Zi put away the gold bracelet and said to Su Shen, “Today is the start of winter, and I’ve prepared several types of dumpling fillings. How about we have dumplings tonight? It’ll be a change of taste and a nod to tradition.”
Su Shen’s face was as expressionless as ever, but his eyes, as they looked at his wife, were like the rain outside the door, cold yet filled with an unexpressed warmth. This softened his sharp features considerably. “As you wish,” he replied, “we’ll make them together.”
Su Shen always felt that he owed Gu Zi something. Whether it was a small matter like what to eat or bigger decisions, Gu Zi was fully capable of making them for the family.
He had been absent recently due to the busyness of the farm, leaving little time for them to spend together. Today, he had gone into town for some work and had some time upon his return, so he had hurried home. After changing his clothes, which he didn’t want to dirty, he gave her the gift he had just bought.
Gu Zi had thought he had come home for dinner and had suggested dumplings. Su Shen couldn’t refuse, deciding that he could return to the farm after dinner if necessary.
The eldest son, who had just finished washing his shoes in the bathroom, washed his hands and joined them in the dining room. The family began making dumplings.
Gu Zi was in charge of rolling out the dough. Her movements were swift, and soon a small mountain of round dumpling wrappers had formed. The father and sons were in charge of filling the dumplings, while the little girl played with a small piece of dough on the side, listening to her brothers’ conversation and occasionally chiming in with a word or two.
Gu Zi watched as Su Shen skillfully wrapped the dumplings, their siblings following suit. It seemed she didn’t need to teach them how to do it after all.
She remembered her plan to take Lele for a medical check-up and mentioned it to Su Shen, “I’m thinking of finding some time to take Lele and the boys to the hospital for a health check.”
Su Shen, his hands deftly folding the dumpling skin, had a plump dumpling ready in no time. Setting it down, he responded, “Whenever you want, I’ll go with you.”
Gu Zi replied, “This Saturday then. If you’re busy, I can go by myself.” She felt it was necessary to inform him, not necessarily asking for his accompaniment. He was always so busy with work, and with his secret identity, she couldn’t possibly burden him with every little thing.
However, Su Shen looked at her and firmly said, “I may be busy, but I can make time. It’s too much trouble to take the bus, wait for me on Saturday morning.”
Seeing his determination, Gu Zi didn’t refuse. She felt a warm feeling in her heart and smiled, “Alright, let’s go together.”
Gu Zi quickly finished rolling out the dumpling skins and began wrapping them as well. She had prepared three different fillings for the day: a low-fat version with cucumber, black fungus, egg, and shrimp; a classic corn and pork filling; and a child-favorite taro and pork filling. She had prepared plenty of dumpling skins so they could all wrap together. Some would be eaten that night, and the rest would be refrigerated for breakfast the next morning.
“Mom, you’re so fast, you really have skillful hands, it’s amazing!” The second child watched as the last dumpling skin was wrapped by his mother and couldn’t help but exclaim. With their mother joining the dumpling-making team, what was originally estimated to take another ten minutes was now complete!
Their father was also quick, but his hands were too big and ultimately not as nimble as their mother’s.
Gu Zi placed several plates of dumplings in the refrigerator and took one into the kitchen. Before she went in, she told the second child, “You guys did great too. As a bonus, each of you gets a heart-shaped fried egg. Of course, I get one too!”
The charming expression on her face as she spoke caused Su Shen’s breath to hitch. He stood up and followed her into the kitchen..