Xing'an Mountains 1984: Starting from climbing mountains to support the family

Chapter 115 Leisure after the Snow
Chen Weidong had already prepared for the sledding. Some time ago, Chen Weidong asked the master craftsman in Xingshu Village in front to make skis and a sled.

After looking at the snow scene for a while, Chen Weidong drove the black tiger and the white tiger back to the dog pen, and he also drove the four puppies into the dog pen with some effort.

Then he washed his hands, came to the kang, and chatted with Liu Xueting. After a while, the sound of plops was heard outside the yard.

Then I heard the little ones shouting in baby voices: "Dad, Mom, we're back!"

Six little girls ran into the house one after another.

They are almost like little snowmen! Their faces are blown red.

Liu Xueting quickly got up from the kang and patted the snow off the little ones: "It's snowing, and you didn't come back early. Are you guys playing in the snow?"

"Mom, we were warming up by the fire at Xiaohua's house. I just got wet when I went out."

Dani said.

"Hurry up and warm yourself up on the kang, don't catch a cold."

Liu Xueting touched the little girl's hand with concern and found that although the little girl's face was blown red, her hands were warm. She felt relieved.

"Ok."

Hearing their mother's words, the little girls rushed to the inner room.

By this time, Chen Weidong had already gotten off the kang and picked up Xiaoliu. He took off her shoes, hat, and cotton-padded jacket and trousers, and stuffed her into the quilt.

Da Ni, Er Ni, and their younger sisters also took off their thick cotton jackets and trousers and got into bed.

"So warm!"

The little girls were playing and fighting on the kang. Chen Weidong was eating peanuts on the table. From time to time, he would pick up a little girl who crawled over and give her a kiss.

It was not until around four or five o'clock that Chen Weidong got up from the kang, washed his hands, and
We heated up the leftover food from lunch, steamed a pot of sorghum rice, and the family of eight had a delicious meal.

Then he washed the little girls one by one, and after washing, the little girls turned to the kang.

After that, Chen Weidong washed up and immediately lay down on the warm kang. It was so nice to have his wife and warm little baby beside him.

Of course, when my wife is not on her period, I can wait until the children fall asleep, hug her, lie on the warm kang, and do what I love.

There are always endless stories to tell on the kang in Northeast China.

Most of these stories happened on snowy days.

After the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, it is time for various stories to begin to be performed on the kangs in each household.

However, these had nothing to do with Chen Weidong. Wu Ni snuggled in his arms, patted her chubby little butt, and fell asleep unknowingly.

The next day, at eight o'clock in the morning, Chen Weidong, Liu Xueting and six little girls all woke up, but the whole family did not get up. The weather in Northeast China is cold, and if there is nothing to do, they can stay in the kang all the time.

The whole family stared at each other.

A few younger ones were crawling around on the kang, sometimes climbing into Liu Xueting's arms, sometimes into Chen Weidong's arms, and soon ran to their sister's side, got slapped, and ran over to complain secretly.

After a while, Wu Ni wanted to pee, so Chen Weidong and Liu Xueting got up.

I opened the door of the main room and saw a vast expanse of white outside. The snow had stopped silently. Yesterday's snow was even heavier than the night before.

The snow is also thicker.

Liu Xueting was dressing the little girls.

Chen Weidong simply washed up, picked up a shovel, and started working.

Yesterday's snow was piled up in the corners of the wall, but today Chen Weidong simply piled it all in the middle of the yard, making a big square snow pile.

Then he went out to clear the snow at the door.

It was already past eight o'clock, but it was unusually quiet outside, with only the occasional barking of a dog.

In the Northeast, when the snow falls, it means the beginning of winter.

Naturally, people would not get up so early. By sleeping a little longer, they could also save some food.

Looking around, Chen Weidong was the only one who went out to clear the snow.

After Chen Weidong cleared the snow in front of his door, he turned around and went back to the yard.

Several little girls got up. The younger ones ran towards Chen Weidong with their short legs, while the older ones started to feed the chickens and the donkeys!
Chen Weidong took the little ones to feed the dog. It was snowing heavily and they definitely couldn't go up the mountain.

It was very quiet today. Everyone was still hibernating and sleeping. Li Shengli, Shitou and Bingzi also knew that they could not go up the mountain, so no one came.

Then Chen Weidong and Liu Xueting made breakfast. In those days, during the slack season, there were probably only a few families in the village who ate breakfast in the morning.

After breakfast, Chen Weidong accompanied his daughter to build a snowman.

With their dad by their side, the little ones were very excited and full of energy, leaving Liu Xueting speechless. How could a father accompany his daughter to build a snowman in such a cold weather, especially when Chen Weidong threw his daughter into the snow pile from time to time?

This……

But seeing that the little ones were all laughing happily, she didn't say anything and went back to the kang to do her own thing.

Soon, one by one, snowmen about 1.5 or 1.6 meters tall were made.

"Wow! What a big snowman! Dad is so awesome!"

"Amazing!"

The little girls’ definition of what is awesome is very simple: this snowman is taller than all of them, so of course it is awesome. The most important thing is that it was made by their father.

"Mom, come and see! Dad made a big snowman!"

"So big, taller than my eldest sister!"

Wu Ni ran over and pulled Liu Xueting, who was lying on the kang, over.

"Okay, Mom, go and see!"

Liu Xueting had no choice but to be dragged to the yard by Wu Ni to see the snowman.

The snowman made by Chen Weidong is really like that! No wonder the little guy is so happy.

"Look, mom, dad is awesome!"

"awesome!"

Liu Xueting glanced at Chen Weidong helplessly, and the latter also smiled.

After sending away a few of the little kids, Chen Weidong let the dogs out to play around in the yard.

The kids and the dog were running around in the snow in the yard, especially the puppy, who was like a snow machine.

It was very pleasant to watch my daughters playing and fighting in the yard.

Before I knew it, it was almost eleven o'clock.

Chen Weidong went to his parents' house, and when he came back Liu Xueting had already prepared lunch.

Cooking is something she can do. Liu Xueting is not that delicate. She just needs to not take up too much cold water. And Da Ni and Er Ni can also help.

After lunch, Chen Weidong was just cleaning up the dishes when Dani ran over and said to him, "Dad, Uncle Da Kui is here."

"Da Kui is here!"

Chen Weidong went over to meet him, only to see Zhang Da Kui coming over with a jar: "Weidong, this is the sorghum wine my father brewed himself. It's been stored for several years and it's just right to drink now. I'll bring some for you to try."

Chen Weidong knew that Zhang Da Kui's father loved drinking and had the skill of making wine.

It stands to reason that with this skill, Zhang Da Kui's family would definitely live a good life.

However, don’t forget that this era is not the future.

Since the establishment of the supply and marketing cooperatives, every household has been short of food, and almost all of them use sweet potatoes and corn to make wine. No one would be willing to use sorghum to make wine.

And even if you brew wine, you can't sell it casually, otherwise it would be speculation.

The father of Zhang Da Kui and his four brothers only used a little grain from his own mouth to make wine to satisfy his cravings.

I have to say that Zhang Da Kui is so honest. It has been such a long time since he helped me last time, and he still came to deliver wine today.

Chen Weidong did not ask for it in vain, and asked Liu Xueting to take two dried rabbits as a return gift.

Two days passed in a flash. During these two days, Chen Weidong was very relaxed. He was either taking care of the kids or on the way to take care of them. From time to time, he would take the little ones to his father and eldest brother's house to warm up by the fire...

The little ones also brought their friends to see the snowman made by Chen Weidong.

……

"Brother Wei Dong!"

"Sister Xueting, Brother Weidong is not at home?"

Shitou and Bingzi came to Chen Weidong's house.

"When your brother Weidong got up this morning, he took Dani and the others out. You guys go sit in the house for a while. I think he will be back soon."

Liu Xueting looked up at Shi Tou and Bing Zi who walked in, and said with a smile.

"Sister-in-law! You wash clothes!" Bingzi said with some envy. He also wanted to find a good wife like Sister-in-law Xueting. It would be so happy to have a wife who washes clothes and cooks for him.

"Because of the snow a few days ago, there were a lot of clothes piled up at home. I took advantage of the good weather and hurried to wash the clothes."

Liu Xueting smoothed her hair and said with a smile.

"Sister Xueting, I'll fetch you some water!" Shitou said proactively when he saw that there was not much water left in the jar.

"Sister-in-law, I'll boil some hot water for you to wash clothes." Bingzi saw it and spoke quickly.

"No need to bother! You guys..."

"Sister Xueting, why are you being so polite to us!" Shi Tou said, and walked out with the bucket and carrying pole.

"Yes, Sister Xueting, if you have any work, just leave it to us! I was hoping to get married by following Brother Weidong!"

Bingzi also said this and went into the kitchen to boil water.

Liu Xueting: “…”

……

"Be careful! Don't fall."

Chen Weidong was walking home with his daughter. His eldest brother's family had just finished roasting a fire, and the snow on the village road had been cleared away. But there was still some snow left, and as the temperature dropped, it had frozen.

When walking on such a road, you must be extremely careful. If you are not careful, you will fall flat on your face.

In this weather, if you fall, it's not easy and you can easily break your legs and bones.

Of course this is for the elderly,
As for the little girls, when they fell down, they just patted their butts and smiled foolishly at Chen Weidong. There was no need to worry about Xiaoliu, because she could crawl and crawl very fast.

"Brother Wei Dong!"

When Chen Weidong came back with the little girls, Liu Xueting was washing clothes, Shitou was pouring the water he fetched into the vat, and Bingzi poked his head out of the kitchen. They all heard Chen Weidong coming back and greeted him.

The little ones also said hello and then walked on their short legs to find their mother.

"Here comes Shitou and Bingzi!"

It just so happens that we still have a lot of meat from the two wolves we caught last time. Let’s eat it at home at noon. I’ll give you some stewed wolf meat!”

Chen Weidong greeted with a smile.

Chen Weidong made a lot of money from Shitou and Bingzi, so it was understandable that he invited them to have a few more meals.

Third Aunt and Shitou's parents also invited him to have a few meals, and the snow had stopped for two days, so it was time for them to discuss going up the mountain.

"Brother Weidong, my mother scolded me for eating at your house all the time!" Shitou scratched his head.

"What are you talking about? You came here and started working for me, and I didn't say anything. What's wrong with eating some food? Can you eat me out of money?" Chen Weidong glared.

The two were moved by these words.

"Hehe! That's not possible. Brother Weidong is so capable, he will definitely never go poor!" Shi Tou said with a simple smile.

"That's it, come to my house, don't be polite, just eat as much as you want!"

Chen Weidong smiled.

"Your brother Weidong is right. Let's have lunch at my sister-in-law's house!" Liu Xueting said.

"Ah."

The two of them responded.

Soon!
The puppy following the little guy came to Chen Weidong again and pounced on him.

Chen Weidong raised his foot and teased the puppy.

At this moment, the four puppies became even more excited, whining and making attacking gestures. Chen Weidong took out a rabbit skin.

Teasing four puppies,
Get them excited.

This is also a way to train a puppy.

The puppies, which are over a month old, have grown teeth and are able to bite their prey.

One by one, they bit Chen Weidong's rabbit skin, shook their heads and bit it hard.

But even though the puppies couldn't bite through, they were not weak at all. The four puppies bit the leather, leaving a deep mark.

Its bite force can be seen.

……

"Brother Weidong, Sister Xueting, the water tank is full. Is there anything else you need me to do?" Shitou came in carrying a load of water, put the bucket next to Liu Xueting and said.

The water tank is already full, and these are two extra buckets of water for Liu Xueting to use for washing clothes.

"You take a break first! Pour some water yourself, I'll go cook!" After saying that, Chen Weidong turned and walked into the kitchen.

"Brother Wei Dong!"

Bingzi, who was boiling water, saw Chen Weidong coming in and stood up quickly.

"I'll stew wolf meat for you!"

Chen Weidong smiled.

"Then I'll cook a pot for you."

Chen Weidong soaked the wolf meat in the cellar for a while, then took it out and washed it again.

Bingzi, light another pot and fill it halfway with hot water!"

"okay!"

Bingzi Shitou agreed and took out a few pieces of firewood from the pot in front of him, put them into another pot, and added a few more pieces of firewood.

Then add water to the pot.

Hot water is easy to get, there is a pot of hot water boiling in the pot over there on the stone side.

After waiting for a while, when the water boiled, I put it into the boiling water pot and blanched it.

Then take out the wolf meat, put it in a basin, and start cleaning it.

"Bingzi, turn off the fire first! Clean the pot." Chen Weidong gave instructions and continued to clean the wolf meat.

After cleaning the wolf meat, Chen Weidong began to prepare the ingredients for stewing the meat.

He asked Dani to get a few radishes from the cellar, wash them, and then Chen Weidong cut them into small pieces.

Then take out the peppers, onions, ginger, garlic and other ingredients, cut them into pieces, and set them aside for later use.

At this time, Bingzi also cleaned the pot.

"Light the fire!"

Chen Weidong gave an order.

Chen Weidong scooped two spoonfuls of oil and put it into the pot. With a sizzling sound, a rich aroma filled the kitchen.

After a while, the oil melted and Chen Weidong put the wolf meat into the pot and stir-fried it until it turned golden brown.
Chen Weidong fished out the wolf meat again.

Then scoop out the excess oil and pour it into a bowl so that it can be used for cooking later.

Add Sichuan peppercorns and star anise and fry until fragrant, then remove and discard.

Then, add the pepper, onion, ginger and garlic into the pot and stir-fry, then add the wolf meat cubes, radish cubes, vinegar, then add water and cover the pot.

Over there, the soldier was busy scooping the boiling water into a bucket and carrying it out to wash clothes for Liu Xueting.

Chen Weidong took a look at the fire and followed him out of the kitchen.

Don't be in a hurry when eating wolf meat. After it comes to a boil over high heat, add salt, sugar and soy sauce, then simmer over low heat to reduce the juice.

"Bingzi, there is enough hot water, no need to boil more. Go and drink some water and take a rest!" Liu Xueting said to Bingzi with a smile.

"Okay, sister-in-law, if there is not enough hot water, tell me and I will boil some for you." Bingzi said with a grin.

"No need, just wash it again." Liu Xueting said as she added hot water into the basin and continued washing clothes.

"Brother Weidong, the snow has stopped for two or three days. When are we going to enter the mountains?"

Seeing Chen Weidong coming out, Shitou and Bingzi immediately asked.

"Shi Tou, go call Brother Shengli and ask him to come to our house for dinner. We can discuss this while we eat."

Chen Weidong said.

"Okay, I'll go call Brother Shengli right away!" Shitou agreed, got up and ran out.

(End of this chapter)