The pastoral life of the grass tribe chief

It feels like the New Year just passed, and before we know it, it's already March.

After weighing the fish in the morning, Lu Lide, Lu Yao, and Lu Liren were drinking tea and chatting when Lu Lide's phone rang for a video call.

"Thunder rolls, I'm so scared / It strikes me, leaving me covered in dust / I break through the heavenly tribulation, I laugh heartily / I defy fate, I blow my trumpet / Tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock..."

This is the ringtone that Lu Changyu set for his grandfather's phone.

Lately, wherever I go, whether I'm watching videos or on TV, this jingle is everywhere.

Little kids love to hum along, and even those wearing diapers enjoy listening.

Lu Yao heard it at least a hundred times a day; his ears were practically calloused from it.

The video call was from my nephew, Lu Changchun.

"Grandpa, have you eaten?"

Lu Changchun asked.

"I just finished eating, now I'm having tea with your Grandpa Ren and your uncle."

Lu Lide said.

"Grandpa Ren."

Lu Changchun then sent his greetings to Lu Liren.

"You've gotten fairer."

Lu Liren smiled.

"Of course, everyone calls me handsome."

Lu Changchun said vainly.

"Aren't you at work today?"

Lu Lide asked.

"Payment is today, so we get a day off."

"Grandpa, I'll transfer 1,000 to Uncle later. You and Grandma each get 500. Use it to buy some good food."

Lu Changchun said.

"Your grandpa and grandma are already very happy with your filial piety."

"Transfer the money to your parents, pay for your younger siblings' tuition and food expenses, and buy them books and pens."

"You should also save money and not spend it recklessly."

Lu Lide's face was full of undisguised happiness.

"I transferred 1,000 yuan to my parents and also bought a pair of sneakers for my younger brother and sister."

"This money is for you and Grandma to buy some nice food."

"I went out to play with my classmates."

"Grandpa, Grandpa Ren, Uncle, bye-bye."

Lu Changchun hung up the phone.

A moment later, Lu Yao received a 1,000 yuan red envelope from his nephew on his phone.

That's how people here are. After they come out to work, they send money home every month when they get their salary. The amount they send depends on their own circumstances.

If the salary is low, transfer less; if the salary is high, transfer more. If you're filial, you'll also give money to your grandparents.

Lu Yao was the same.

Lu Yao went inside and took out 1,000 yuan for his father.

Actually, it was taken out of my personal storage space. Nowadays, young people don't like to carry cash because it's troublesome and unsafe.

"In the blink of an eye, Chun-zai will be earning money to support his family."

Lu Liren sighed with emotion.

"The older generation has all passed away, so it's our turn now."

Lu Lide also sighed with emotion.

"Sixty is still the prime of life. Even if I only live to eighty, I still have twenty years left. Why am I suddenly having such pessimistic thoughts?"

Lu Yao asked with concern.

"Last night, your Uncle Yimin called me on video and said that one of his cousins ​​had cancer and passed away in just one month after the symptoms were discovered."

"Your Uncle Yimin has been feeling down lately because of his son. You're good at talking, and he listens to what you say. Try to talk to him more when you have time, and help him think more positively."

Lu Lide said.

"oh."

Lu Yao also noticed that Lü Yimin had been in low spirits lately.

"Uncle Ren, Aunt Ren has gone out. You're home alone, so don't always lock yourself in the house. If you're bored, you can come over to my dad for tea and a chat, or you can come over to me for tea and a chat."

Lu Yao then said to Lu Liren.

"Haha, it's okay, I'm used to it."

Lu Liren smiled.

Lu Yao didn't say anything more.

He discovered that people tend to stay at home rather than visit others when they get older.

Lu Yao had just finished feeding the fish and was about to go to the tea plantation to let the ducks and geese swim when a BYD Han L DM drove in from the intersection.

When he saw that it had a Guangdong A license plate, and it wasn't the green kind, he couldn't remember any acquaintances driving this car.

When the owner is around, the cats and dogs don't bark, they just stare at the unfamiliar car. As soon as the owner gives the order, they will attack it as a group.

The car stopped under a chinaberry tree by the pond, and a young man got out.

The young man was about the same age as Lu Yao's second sister's husband. He was dressed in a casual suit and, while not particularly handsome, he had a very impressive presence.

It reminds me of what was said in ancient books:

It is serene and elegant, with a refreshing and refined air.

They are not comparable to those pretty but empty-faced young male celebrities on the internet.

"Lu Yao, right? My name is Gao Lang. I'm your sister Ji Jun's senior from university."

The young man took the initiative to introduce himself.

"Are you my sister's boyfriend?"

Seeing that he was carrying fruit, Lu Yao did not immediately lead him into the house, but asked curiously.

"Your sister was right."

Gao Lang wasn't angry; he just covered his forehead.

"Is it or isn't it?"

Lu Yao had no intention of letting the other party off the hook.

"So what if it is, and so what if it isn't?"

Gao Lang asked.

"nonsense."

"If that's the case, then we're family from now on. I'll be your younger brother. Since this is your first time visiting, I, as your younger brother, will cook you glutinous rice balls and egg soup."

"If not, then we only have tea."

Lu Yaodao.

"Is this the kind of treatment you get?"

Gao Lang exclaimed in delight.

Every time he cooked, Lu Jijun would criticize him, and then he would shower Lu Yao with praise.

He had long wanted to try Lu Yao's cooking to see if it was really that good.

At the same time, he realized why Lu Jijun was able to guess that Lu Yao would ask him that question when he saw him; it turned out that this was their local custom.

"Is it or isn't it?"

Lu Yao asked again.

"Yes, it's the real deal."

Gao Lang nodded.

"No need to answer so quickly, think it through before you answer."

"If you go back on your word after eating the tin ball and egg soup, my sister will chop you with a knife, and no one will save you."

Lu Yao said seriously.

"If I go back on my word, your sister won't even need to stab me with a knife; my parents will."

Gao Langdao.

"Did your parents agree?"

Lu Yao understood why his cousin didn't tell his parents that she had a boyfriend. His parents were very traditional people; they believed that getting married meant getting a marriage certificate, having a wedding ceremony, and having children.

She just wants to enjoy her time with her husband, but if her parents find out, they will interfere, making both of them uncomfortable, and in severe cases, it could even lead to a complete break in their relationship.

"agree."

"My parents are very open-minded, never interfere in my life, and respect my choices."

Gao Langdao.

"Boil your own water and make your own tea. I'll go make you some glutinous rice ball and egg soup."

Lu Yao led Gao Lang to the living room and then went to the kitchen to get busy.

I don't drink tea much.

Seeing that Lu Yao didn't treat him like an outsider, Gao Lang didn't treat himself like an outsider either.

"There are drinks in the fridge, help yourself."

Lu Yao first makes boiled eggs, or you can fry poached eggs.

"This is a tin coin."

Gao Lang took a bottle of Cantonese pineapple beer and stood at the kitchen door watching Lu Yao busy himself.

Lu Yao took the glutinous rice flour and poured it into an aluminum basin. He poured boiling water into the basin with one hand and used chopsticks to break it up with the other.

If it's too sticky, add more water and knead it by hand until it forms a dough.

Sprinkle some powder on the cutting board to prevent sticking.

Divide the kneaded dough into several pieces, roll each piece into a long strip, hold it in your hand, pinch it into small pieces, and put it into the pot.

Salty or sweet depends on personal preference.

Once cooked, serve a bowl of glutinous rice balls, then add peeled hard-boiled or poached eggs to the bowl and serve it to the guests.

"Judging from your accent, are you from Wanchuan?"

Lu Yao chatted with Gao Lang while making tin dumplings.

"My hometown is there. I went to Huacheng with my parents when I was very young."

Gao Langdao.

How did you and my sister meet?

Lu Yao asked curiously.