The original plan was for everyone to learn cooking fish from Xu Ying, but now, the people of Xujiacun were overwhelmed with work. The sudden influx of large orders had left everyone scrambling. Yet, despite the intense busyness, no one neglected their breaks.
Mother Xu, standing in the bustling workshop, commanded everyone with an air of authority, never forgetting to subtly reinforce her message. “Look at how your meat has been washed! Is it clean? This is going into people’s stomachs! What if something happens because it’s not properly cleaned? This job is all thanks to my daughter’s tireless, shameless efforts. What if we don’t work well, and the factory director decides he doesn’t need us anymore?” These words immediately struck a chord with the workers; securing a job was incredibly hard.
“Captain’s wife, your daughter is back! She brought a lot of big and small bags, and Jianshe is with her too!” A voice from the crowd called out, laden with envy. Xu Ying’s sudden success, along with Xu Jianshe’s, was a stark contrast to their past. These two had once been the most overlooked people in the village, often used as examples of failure. Now, the comparison was entirely different.
“My daughter is back?” Xu’s mother’s face transformed, an irrepressible smile spreading across it. She glanced at the busy workers around her, eventually suppressing the urge to rush home. After all, she was a minor leader now and couldn’t simply do as she pleased.
Meanwhile, Xu Ying wasted no time at home. She sorted her belongings and immediately began preparing dinner. An hour later, precisely at six o’clock, it was time for the villagers of Xujia Village to finish their work. However, with the recent surge in orders, many chose to stay and work overtime; after all, overtime meant extra pay, and who didn’t want more money? So, while the workshop officially closed at six, work often continued until eight or nine in the evening.
Xu Ying’s return this time was twofold: anticipating the heavy rains of the coming year, and addressing crucial factory work issues. The primary concern was the workshop’s limited space, leading to cramped working conditions and inefficient time management. There was also the matter of feeding the workers in the workshop that required attention. Furthermore, the food and textile production areas needed to be separated. The two large workshops couldn’t both operate solely within Xujiacun; otherwise, the commune might perceive Xujiacun as attempting to dominate.
“Aunty what’s for dinner today?” Shitou asked curiously, peeking into the kitchen. Currently, the entire Xu family was squeezed into a simple makeshift kitchen to cook, while they slept in the workshop itself. Grandpa Xu had initially suggested they live in the old house, but Father Xu, not wanting to burden his second brother’s family, had opted for the temporary arrangement. The day after the Xu family’s house burned down, Father Xu had begun seeking help to rebuild. Normally, constructing a house would take half a month, but Xu Ying had brought so many benefits to the village that as soon as word spread about her family’s new home, everyone rushed to assist. With so many hands, construction was rapid, estimated to be complete by New Year’s Eve. Fortunately, the weather had been cooperative, with bright sunshine, ensuring no delays.
Xu Ying’s cooking was renowned for its deliciousness, yet no one in the village had ever tasted it. Restaurant food was prohibitively expensive; country folk might never step inside one in their lifetime. Considering the house builders, Xu Ying took out a large pot and steamed two batches of buns, along with a sizable pot of rice porridge. For easy preparation, she opted for a hearty stew.
As soon as Xu Jingjing heard of Xu Ying’s return, she rushed to find her after finishing work. “Yingying, I’ve missed you so much!” Xu Jingjing exclaimed, her face flushing with embarrassment.
But Xu’s mother couldn’t resist. Spotting Xu Jingjing, she teased, “Jingjing, are you here to inquire about Secretary Yang?”
At the mention of his name, Xu Jingjing quickly glanced at Xu Ying, then lowered her head shyly. “Yeah.”
“Why are you asking about him?” Xu Ying asked, a little confused.
Xu’s mother looked at her daughter with a hint of exasperation. This girl was good at everything, but so slow when it came to relationships! “What do you mean ‘why’? She wants to fall in love!”
Xu Ying gasped, her eyes wide with surprise. “Sister, is it true? Do you have a crush on Secretary Yang? Don’t worry, I’ll call the director of the textile factory and ask about him tomorrow.” She hadn’t had extensive contact with Secretary Yang, but overall, they seemed friendly. Still, it was difficult to truly gauge someone’s character. Work was work, and acquaintances weren’t necessarily friends. Secretary Yang treated work differently from how he treated friends. Nevertheless, considering Secretary Yang’s background, he indeed seemed a good match for her cousin.
“How did you two meet?” Xu Ying asked, genuinely curious.
“Well, we just… we met at your house that day,” Xu Jingjing stammered, blushing profusely.
Xu Ying’s mind raced, a pang of anxiety hitting her. She felt she had been far too immodest in her interactions with Huo Chen. Her cousin, on the other hand, embodied the shy girl she should have been. But then, she thought of herself, blushing and exclaiming “Hey!” to Huo Chen, and a wave of self-disgust washed over her. Xu Ying shook her head, pushing those thoughts away, and turned to Xu Jingjing, her face alight with eager gossip.
Xu Jingjing, compelled, recounted the story in detail. From their first meeting, Secretary Yang had begun his pursuit: inviting her to movies, treating her to dinner, and then showering her with gifts. He was generous, and they conversed easily. Xu Ying couldn’t help but feel happy as she listened to Xu Jingjing. Everything in her life had changed.
“Little sister, I’m back! I missed you so much!” Brother Xu exclaimed as he returned, immediately embracing Xu Ying and expressing his affection. Even big brother Xu, who typically struggled with expressing his feelings, was visibly happy to see his little sister.
“Your third brother will probably arrive home tomorrow. Oh, the whole family will finally be together,” Xu’s mother sighed contentedly. Then, her face clouded with confusion as she thought of Huo Chen. “Why haven’t I seen that boy from the Huo family recently? Where has he run off to?” Xu’s mother and Father Xu were quite pleased with Huo Chen. He had saved their daughter several times; it felt like destiny, a guardian angel helping their daughter avoid disaster. Moreover, he could earn money by hunting. And since he was from the same village, and their daughter was so powerful, they were confident she could handle him when the time came, ensuring she wouldn’t be wronged.
“He hasn’t come back yet?” Xu Ying asked.
Xu’s mother shook her head, but Father Xu cast a suspicious side-glance at his daughter. Xu Ying felt a pang of guilt under her father’s scrutinizing gaze. She quickly called out to everyone working. “Brothers, uncles, aunts, let’s eat!”
The workers had been waiting eagerly for Xu Ying’s announcement. As soon as she spoke, they cheered and lined up enthusiastically. “I’ve heard Yingying’s cooking is delicious for a long time. Now it seems it’s true! We haven’t even eaten, but the smell alone makes our mouths water!”
“No kidding, I’m so hungry! Anyone who smells this aroma will have to swallow their saliva!”
Xu’s mother beamed, her eyes crinkling into a smile. “Don’t tell me, my daughter’s cooking will definitely get you addicted!” She herself had never tasted such exquisite food in her life.
“Hey, if I get addicted, I’ll just stay at your house every day!” a man joked.
Huzi, hearing this, immediately protested, his big, round eyes wide with disapproval. “No!”
The man who had spoken, amused, walked forward and asked curiously, “Why not? Can’t I give you money?”
“That won’t work! There are so many of you, and my aunty would be exhausted!” As soon as Huzi’s words left his mouth, everyone burst into laughter, their hearts warmed by his innocent protectiveness.
The festive atmosphere of the impending New Year, combined with the successful thwarting of the sabotage and arson attempts, seems to have brought a sense of relief and optimism to Xujia Village. Xu Ying’s return, coupled with her growing reputation and the economic benefits she brings, clearly positions her as a central figure in the village’s prosperity.