Old Mrs. Song is reborn; get out of here, you scumbag husband and illegitimate child!

Early that morning, the clear sound of a bicycle bell rang outside the courtyard gate.

Zhou Fang was supporting the bicycle with one foot, with a snakeskin bag and a wooden bucket still dripping blood tied to the back seat.

After parking the car, he picked up the heavy bag with one hand and carried the wooden bucket with the other, walking into the yard.

"Godmother, let's have some meat today!"

Zhou Fang put the bag into the wooden basin on the ground, sweat beading on his face. "A family in the next commune is building a house, and I was thinking of getting some extra money for the workers."

It just so happened that a large group was slaughtering cattle there, and after much pleading, I managed to get about ten pounds of beef ribs and brisket, and even managed to get a bucket of cow blood.

These days, beef is a precious commodity, unless it's too old to pull a plow or has died in an accident.

Otherwise, who would dare to use a knife?

Song Xianglan was sweeping the yard.

My eyes lit up at the smell of that distinctive fishy, ​​muttony odor.

"This is good stuff." Song Xianglan leaned the broom against the wall, walked over and rummaged through the bag. "This steak is firm and looks like it's from a strong cow."

Quickly soak it in water to remove the blood. We're all eating at home today, so I'll show off my skills and make you a steak.

Zhou Fang was quick and efficient; he went to the well and filled a bucket with water.

Find a large wooden basin and pour all the chopped beef steaks and brisket into it to soak.

I'm busy right now.

Song Xiangdong came down from the second floor

He wore a faded military green vest, loose military trousers, and cloth shoes. His hair was freshly cut, short and stiff, standing up, giving him a sharp and capable look.

Zhou Fang was bending over washing the beef brisket.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around and abruptly stopped what he was doing.

Standing on the steps, Song Xiangdong's eyes were clear and sharp, and his back was straight. There was no trace of the childish foolishness he had before.

"east."

Zhou Fang shook the water droplets off his hands and strode over.

She looked him up and down, her voice rising an octave, "You...you're all better?"

Song Xiangdong grinned, revealing a hearty laugh, and punched Zhou Fang on the shoulder.

"Alright. The fog in my head has cleared up, but I'm still a little weak."

"It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone; you've had several bullets flying through your body. Of course you're weak and need to take good care of yourself."

Zhou Fang was so excited that she didn't know what to say, and punched Song Xiangdong in the chest with her backhand.

"Good lad, I knew you were tough. Now your godmother and Huijun can finally get a good night's sleep."

Song Xiangdong rubbed his chest.

His smile faded slightly, and he glanced over the courtyard wall, his voice lowering:

"There are a few flies buzzing around outside, constantly eyeing our house. I went to investigate yesterday, and today I have to get rid of this trouble completely."

Zhou Fang's smile vanished immediately. "Come on, I'll go with you. They dare to bully my godmother; they're asking for trouble."

Who is it?

As he spoke, he turned around and went to the base of the wall to feel for the carrying pole.

Song Xianglan wiped her hands and pointed to the kitchen: "Zhou Fang, come in with me for a moment. Xiang Dong, take the basin to the stone table and cover it, so the stray cats don't steal the meat."

Zhou Fang put down the carrying pole and followed him into the kitchen.

Song Xiangdong didn't ask any more questions. He carried the wooden basin to the stone table, covered it with a wooden board, and weighed it down with a brick.

In the kitchen, Song Xianglan lowered her voice:

"Zhou Fang, when you go out with Xiang Dong to run some errands later, there's something you need to keep to yourself."

Song Xianglan stared into Zhou Fang's eyes with a solemn expression.

"Don't mention a single word about the money for the cemetery plot."

Zhou Fang was somewhat puzzled: "Godmother, Xiang Dong is doing well now. This money was originally stolen from Yan Ergou by us."

"Xiang Dong was a soldier, and his sense of righteousness hasn't been eroded yet. What we're doing is called 'black eating black,' and even though we're making ill-gotten gains from the ground, in his eyes it's a violation of discipline."

He's just recovered, don't add to his troubles with these trivial matters.

Besides, some things are better left unknown than known; there's no need to tell anyone.

Zhou Fang thought for a moment, then nodded in sudden realization: "Okay, I understand. Godmother, you've thought this through. With Xiang Dong's temper, he might even hand it over if he finds out."

Song Xianglan breathed a sigh of relief and then changed the subject.

"By the way, how's west Yang doing? Is she coming back for summer vacation?"

When An Xiyang is mentioned, Zhou Fang's fierceness instantly melts into tenderness.

He reached into the pocket of his shirt and pulled out a photograph, his movements as gentle as if he were handling some fragile, rare treasure.

"She went to the United States as an exchange student for a year." Zhou Fang handed the photo to Song Xianglan with a slight smile. "This is what she just sent back."

It's better for Anxi Yang to go to the beautiful country than to be harassed by Fu Qingnian in Shanghai.

In the photo, An Xiyang is wearing a stylish dress and standing in front of a trendy teaching building, smiling brightly and confidently.

Her confidence and radiance were completely different from her timid and submissive demeanor in the Koizumi Battalion.

Song Xianglan flipped through the photos.

On the back, there is only one line of delicate small characters: I miss you, and I also miss Da Bao and Er Bao.

"It's not easy being abroad, in a place where you don't know anyone." Song Xianglan handed the photo back, watching Zhou Fang carefully place it back against her chest. "Don't worry too much."

Zhou Fang was momentarily dazed.

It must be even more difficult for a single woman abroad.

"I need to call my uncle in Luzon and ask him to find someone to look after her. west Yang is naive; don't let her get fooled."

"And what about you?"

Song Xianglan looked at him and asked, "How's your studying going? Tingting said you're learning English by listening to the radio."

Zhou Fang nodded, his expression somewhat complicated:

"I met a professor at the Shanghai Library. He looked at my drawings, left me my address and phone number, and even sent me a bunch of materials."

He said I had talent, and as long as I was willing to take correspondence courses, he could make a special exception and let me audit classes, and even recommend me for graduate school later.

"That's a good thing."

Song Xianglan slapped her thigh and said, "You're smart and have a knack for architecture. It's a waste of your talent to stay in this small place and contract projects. Going to study is the right path for you."

Zhou Fang didn't speak, looking down at his toes, and after a long while he said in a muffled voice:

"I don't want to take the child to Haishi... I don't feel comfortable leaving the child with the An family. Xi Yang's mother is doing it for west Yang's own good, but I always feel that the phrase 'for your own good' is debatable."

If people only care about profit, then a family can easily fall apart.

Godmother, I like elders like you. You're intelligent, decisive, and have a kind heart with a sharp edge.

Song Xianglan knew exactly what was going on.

Anxi Yang loved him, but she loved the vast world even more.

Throughout this marriage, he was always the one making concessions, compromising, and pushing An Xiyang forward from behind.

"Zhou Fang," Song Xianglan sighed, her voice earnest, "sometimes the sand in your hand slips away faster if you hold it too tightly."

west Yang went to the beautiful country to become better, and you have to keep up with her pace.

If you're still stuck in the same place this year, when she comes back, the distance between you two won't just be the Pacific Ocean.

In her previous life, Zhou Fang was the one who left in the end.

Isn't it because loving is too tiring, leading to an escape from reality?

"If you don't have time to take care of the children right now, you can leave them with me. I've noticed that Da Bao and Er Bao often study with Ting Ting, and they've developed very good study habits."

Song Xianglan patted him on the shoulder, "Go and learn, not for others, but for yourself."

"Thank you, godmother."

Zhou Fang took a deep breath, as if she had made a decision.

"You made me realize that I have to change myself step by step."

Zhou Fang had long regarded Song Xianglan as his own mother, and he had completely forgotten about his biological mother.

Song Xiangdong leaned against the door frame, twirling a straw hat in his hand, seemingly having overheard quite a bit.

"Mom, I want to study too."

Song Xiangdong glanced at Zhou Fang and said, "I've figured it out these past few days. I've been in the army for so many years, and all I know how to do is fight."

"Now that you've been transferred back from the military, you'll most likely be joining a public institution or a government department. You need to learn and also be good at seizing opportunities."

She remembered the small city in Beijing that Song Xiangdong had saved in the southwest.

His father could mobilize experts in Beijing with just a word.

Power and knowledge are the true hard currency in this era of impending upheaval.

Zhou Fang's eyes lit up, and he nodded sharply.

"Okay, let's learn together, brothers."

"Let's go clean up the trash outside first, then we can come back and enjoy our meat in peace." Song Xiangdong put his straw hat on his head and waved to Zhou Fang.

The two walked out arm in arm.

His back view exuded an aura that suggested he was not to be trifled with.

The courtyard fell silent.

Song Xianglan didn't sit idle either; she turned around and started cleaning up the pot of beef.

Qingyang County is a famous hometown of overseas Chinese, and its dietary habits are also influenced by Southeast Asia.

Satay sauce and curry powder, which may be rare items elsewhere, are always available in the supply and marketing cooperatives here.

To make braised beef ribs, you'll need satay sauce, peanut butter, curry powder, white pepper...

Hearing the noise, Shen Huijun looked up from upstairs and saw the pot of meat.

My eyes widened in disbelief.

She couldn't help but swallow hard: "Mom, are you going to make that satay steak? I've been dreaming about it ever since we had it last time."

"Greedy cat."

Song Xianglan smiled and rolled her eyes at her, "If you want to eat, just tell Mom. Buying some beef isn't a hassle. It's just that it's hard to buy these days. Maybe in the future, we'll be able to have whatever we want."

"Mom, this is no trouble at all," Shen Huijun rolled up her sleeves. "I'll help."

"Okay, slice some more ginger."

Song Xianglan worked quickly and efficiently, first taking out the steak and brisket.

Put the pot in cold water, add a few slices of ginger and a knot of scallions, pour in some white pepper, bring to a boil over high heat and skim off the foam.

Shen Huijun was chopping ginger, her mouth never idle.

"Mom, Xiangdong apologized to me. He's been apologizing to me every day for the past few days."

"He deserved it." Song Xianglan took the blanched beef out and drained it. "That kid, instead of learning to play dumb, he scared us half to death. You shouldn't have forgiven him so quickly."

"I...I really can't bear to part with it."

Shen Huijun blushed slightly as she lowered her head to slice ginger. "Mom, seeing him like that in Kunming felt like the sky was falling. Now that he's better, it feels like a dream."

Song Xianglan paused, her nose feeling a little sore.

"It was my fault for what I did before. I'm the one who caused him to have a knot in his heart." Song Xianglan heated the pot and poured in a large spoonful of sesame oil.

"Mom, everyone makes mistakes, and this is your first time being a mother too." Shen Huijun leaned closer, her voice soft. "Xiangdong is very happy that you are his mother, and I am also very happy that you are my mother-in-law."

Song Xianglan felt a warmth in her heart, and her eyes welled up with tears.

He quickly lowered his head to cover it up.

The oil is hot, then the ginger slices are added to the pan. With a "sizzle," the aroma bursts out instantly.

Song Xianglan poured in the drained beef steak and brisket, and used a large iron spatula to stir-fry the beef until the surface moisture dried and the edges were charred.

Next, two large spoonfuls of satay sauce, one large spoonful of peanut butter, one spoonful of curry powder, and a sauce made of soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper were poured in.

That rich, complex fragrance.

It forcefully penetrated into the nostrils, its fragrance so strong it made one's head spin.

"It smells so good." Shen Huijun sniffed.

Song Xianglan poured in the broth from blanching and filtering the meat, covering the beef, and then threw in a handful of star anise, a few pieces of cinnamon, bay leaves, and other seasonings.

Cover the pot and simmer for two or three hours to allow the flavors to meld.

Song Xianglan added two pieces of firewood to the stove, and the firelight made her face look exceptionally gentle.

"I'll stir-fry that bucket of cow's blood later too, with lots of chives and chili peppers, I guarantee you'll love it."