Transmigrated as My Aunt in the 70s-Chapter 16 - 0 Fried Tofu

When Tian Sisi and the others returned home, it was almost dark. Zhu Ai Qing was pacing anxiously at the door. Only when she heard the sound of the bicycle bell did she breathe a sigh of relief. As Tian Manjin's bicycle came to a stop, she picked up Donghua and Qinghua from the front rack. Tian Sisi did not need her help and lightly jumped down by herself, rubbing her bottom which had truly suffered today. No, she would have to ask Granny Zhao to make a cushion. It looked like riding bicycles would be a common affair for many years to come, so for the sake of her bottom, making a cushion was absolutely necessary.

"How come you're back so late? Everyone at home has been worried sick," Zhu Ai Qing chided her husband.

Tian Manjin chuckled dryly without a word. Tian Sisi hurriedly took out the cold cream from the basket for Zhu Ai Qing, "Mama, Daddy went out to buy cold cream for you."

Just as Tian Manjin was about to clarify that he was not the one who bought it, he saw his wife's face brighten into a smile just like when they were newly married. He was momentarily stunned; it was just a jar of cold cream that made his wife so happy. Tian Manjin couldn't help feeling a pang of sorrow. His wife really hadn't enjoyed much good fortune by his side. Originally, he had given the job opportunity to Man Tong, and although his wife had complained a few times, she eventually said no more and continued to work with him in the fields.

Even when she saw her sister-in-law and younger siblings looking splendid, she never complained in front of him. But he knew that he owed her a better life. Thinking of this, Tian Manjin swallowed back the words that had reached his lips. Tian Sisi never expected a jar of cold cream to have the couple gazing affectionately at each other for so long, not considering that there were three children right beside them!

Tian Sisi couldn't be bothered waiting for them, pulling her two younger brothers into the house. As she stepped through the gate, she deliberately shouted loudly, "Daddy, Mama, time for dinner!"

Tian Manjin and Zhu Ai Qing both blushed, coughing awkwardly a few times and frantically started to tidy up things. It was quite amusing to see Tian Manjin and Zhu Ai Qing both reaching for the same item at the same time. Tian Sisi found it hilarious. People nowadays were truly so innocent.

Granny Zhao added a few more sticks of firewood into the stove to keep the pot of vegetables from getting cold. She urged Tian Sisi and the others to wash up for dinner. By this time, Tian Manjin and Zhu Ai Qing had entered carrying today's purchases. Tian Sisi saw the oily paper wrapping and hurried over to take it, steaming the buns in the still-hot pot.

"Grandpa, Granny, Mama, we're having meat buns in a bit. I bought them with my New Year's money," Tian Sisi boasted to the Old Man and Granny Zhao. She was already getting better at playing the part of a ten-year-old, adept at both throwing tantrums and acting endearing.

Granny Zhao, who had been about to lecture Tian Manjin for wasting money, immediately beamed like a chrysanthemum, "Ah Nan is so good, Granny won't eat, Ah Nan and brother can have it."

"I and brother have already eaten. Grandpa, Granny, and Mama all must eat. In the future, when I earn money, I will let Grandpa and Granny eat meat buns every day, and drink soy milk every day too." Tian Sisi also felt sad for the Old Man and Granny Zhao. They couldn't enjoy much good food despite having money; in this era, even if you had money, there was nowhere to buy from.

"Such a little flatterer!" Zhu Ai Qing playfully scolded her daughter but her expression was filled with approval. Respecting the elderly was the most basic virtue, and it was great that Ah Nan had this sentiment. Her in-laws hadn't pampered her for nothing.

Old Man and Granny Zhao, needless to say, couldn't stop smiling, their eyes on Tian Sisi were as thick with affection as syrup. Tian Sisi took out everything she bought today one by one, and the family watched her with warm smiles as she sorted things out like a little adult, muttering, "We're out of salt at home, this is for writing a letter to Third Uncle, a box of clam oil is for the family to use on their hands, another box for Second Grandpa's house, half of the sugar is for Donghua and Qinghua, the other half for Second Grandpa's Niu Niu and Qinghua to eat."

Every time Tian Sisi recited the items, the Old Man laughed. He had a total of six siblings, and now only Tian Bajin was left. The others had either died young or had been killed under the Japanese bayonets. Because of this, the Old Man had a particularly strong bond with his brother Tian Bajin, and he tried his best to look after his brother's family in daily life. Now seeing his granddaughter buying things without forgetting to buy something for Bajin's house, he couldn't be happier. It was important for a family to live in harmony.

"All right, I know you're filial, now quickly put the things away, it's time for dinner." Granny Zhao smiled and tapped on Tian Sisi's forehead, taking the steaming hot dishes and steamed buns out of the pot. Seeing that there were seven large buns, Granny Zhao hastily filled a bowl with three of them and urged Donghua to quickly deliver them to Er Ye's house.

The evening meal was to be more abundant, as usual, a basin of sweet potatoes, four dishes, plus a big bowl of pan-fried tofu. Restaurants would later call it "Xi Shi tofu" to attract attention. In reality, locals called it pan-fried tofu or mixed tofu, which involved breaking up a whole block of tofu, adding diced meat, bamboo shoots, and diced wood ear mushrooms, and other savory ingredients to stir-fry in oil. Then, pouring in broth, once the water boiled, they added a small half-bowl of xizhi (a kind of starch) sauce, continuously stirring, and after it boiled again, they would serve it in a big bowl to eat.

Pan-fried tofu was a famous local dish, and on banquet occasions, it would invariably be the first course. The more ingredients it contained, the more face the host would gain. Of course, now there weren't so many ingredients available—a bit of meat and bamboo shoots mixed in was already considered quite luxurious. Many families would only use tofu and xizhi, and even this was not a dish to eat regularly—only when guests came or during festivals.

Granny Zhao from the Tian Family made pan-fried tofu with great care, not only adding meat and bamboo shoots, but also black wood ear mushrooms and tender garlic leaves. The translucent xizhi sauce was dotted with a few vibrant green garlic leaves, a feast for the eyes, the nose, and the palate that made one's appetite surge.

Tian Sisi was particularly fond of this dish. When she lived alone at home, she used to often make this dish, creating many variations, such as adding sea cucumber or crab meat into it, or using chicken or duck broth for the stock. It was always a hodgepodge of ingredients, but the results were not bad and the taste was always great. Granny Zhao's cooking skills were solid. Tian Sisi ladled a small bowl of the tofu, eating it while it was piping hot, and instantly felt warm and cozy all over—completely comfortable.

"Granny, the pan-fried tofu you made is really delicious." Tian Sisi freely complimented. The good words now rolled off her tongue without making her feel embarrassed, mainly because the Old Man and Granny Zhao were indeed very kind to her, making her gradually step into the shoes of the original owner. Now she could hardly distinguish whether she was Tian Zhaodi or Tian Sisi.

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freeweɓnøvel.com.

"If it's delicious, eat more. Granny will make it again tomorrow." Granny Zhao ladled another half bowl for Tian Sisi, not daring to serve too much, as her granddaughter had always had a small appetite, eating even less than a cat.

Of the remaining four buns, on the insistence of Tian Sisi and Tian Manjin, the Old Man, Granny Zhao, and Zhu Ai Qing each had one, and the last one was shared by Donghua and Qinghua. The Old Man and Granny Zhao actually craved meat too, but usually when they ate meat, they felt sorry for their grandchildren and always refrained from eating much, just symbolically taking a few bites before saying they were full. Today, the sentiments of their granddaughter were both comforting and heart-wrenching—living in this era of famine was indeed tough for the children!

The steam from the pan-fried tofu fogged their eyes, and the people at the table all seemed blurred, yet this sensation was so warm and comforting. The family sitting together around a table, eating simple but hot dishes—this was the feeling. In her previous life, she dreamt of such a sense of home, and Tian Sisi felt a warm feeling in her heart—how lovely!

However, she would need to go to the mountain tomorrow to see if she could figure out a way to bring out the items from the shopping mall, as there was still far too little food at home. Since she had now fully embraced this family, she had to ensure her family lived a life with no worries about food and drink.

After dinner, the Old Man as usual listened to the radio, while Tian Manjin went to several close friends' houses in the village. Jingzhe was approaching, and he had to discuss with his friends how to arrange the work for the year. Although now the work was collectively organized by the large team, each household still had their own private plots. Though not large, they still needed to be well tended to—vegetables for the year, food for the pigs, and the Old Man's tobacco and alcohol all had to be grown on these private plots!

Tian Sisi, carrying clam oil and half a bag of sugar, went to Tian Bajin's house to play with Donghua and Qinghua. Rural people had no entertainment in the evenings; after dinner, they would visit each other's homes, chatting and learning about recent happenings.

They left the yard, went down a small slope, and headed towards the Tian fields. The moon had already risen, dimly illuminating the vague outlines of the village and the Earth; occasionally, the sound of dogs barking could be heard. The cold wind made Tian Sisi shiver, so she quickly pulled her hat down a bit and, holding the hands of her two brothers, sped up her pace.

PS: Old Yang really envies those simple yet warm lives. Sometimes he also frequently wonders why people nowadays are so restless? Even sitting down for a quiet meal is hard to achieve? Perhaps the happiness index of modern people is far lower than that of people from that era? The new year has arrived, so smash those recommendation tickets over here, for a new atmosphere in the new year! Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!