AWB Chapter 257 Grandma Xiang
Chapter 257 Grandma Xiang
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to leave school. I said goodbye to the children and Lei and the others who had helped care for them, and then I set off on my own journey home. The sun was setting, casting a golden afterglow across the landscape, stretching my figure outward. I walked briskly, basking in the warm glow. Reflecting on every moment I had spent with the children throughout the day, my heart was filled with joy and satisfaction.
As I walked briskly to my doorstep, I spotted the package lying quietly on the ground. My heart raced, knowing it must be what I'd been waiting for—the farming tools and vegetable seedlings I'd purchased from Star Shopping Network had finally arrived! The thought of starting my vegetable garden tomorrow filled me with excitement and joy.
I rushed home, eager to get started, and gently placed the package on the table. Taking a deep breath, I carefully unwrapped it. Inside, I saw a variety of farming tools neatly arranged: hoes, shovels, watering cans, and so on. Their metallic sheen gleamed in the sunlight, as if telling me of the hard work to come. The vegetable seedlings were a real eye-catcher, each one juicy and tender, as green as jade, brimming with life and vitality. Looking at these adorable little creatures, I couldn't help but hum a cheerful tune, and with joy, I walked towards the courtyard, carrying them in my arms.
Arriving at the courtyard, I stood in the center, surveying my surroundings and carefully planning the layout of my small vegetable garden. Greens here, peppers there; a patch on the left for tomatoes, beans on the right... Just as I was lost in my vision of the future garden, about to roll up my sleeves and get to work, the light computer on my wrist suddenly chimed.
I looked down and saw it was Yingjie, my colleague from the nursery, calling via video. When the call connected, Yingjie beamed, "Dear, I have great news! I found several truly unique flower seedlings at home. They're absolutely stunning! I was wondering if you could bring them to the nursery to plant? Not only would it bring more joy to the children, but it would also make our nursery even more beautiful and colorful!" Hearing these words, I felt a surge of anxiety. I had just meticulously planned the planting plan for our small vegetable garden, and agreeing to Yingjie's request would undoubtedly disrupt my plans. However, faced with such a sincere request, especially considering the innocent children's smiles blossoming from these flowers, I simply couldn't bear to refuse.
After a brief moment of reflection, kindness ultimately triumphed over selfishness. I smiled and nodded to Yingjie, agreeing to take these precious flower seedlings back to the nursery to plant them tomorrow.
After hanging up the phone, I looked at the seedlings and tools before me and decided to clear a small, temporary area in a corner of the yard to plant them. After a busy moment, looking at the finished seedlings and imagining the bountiful harvest that would soon follow, the little episode just now became more interesting. Then I washed my hands and sat on a chair in the yard, enjoying the evening breeze. I recalled the wonderful time I had spent with the children at the nursery today and envisioned the vegetables in the yard ripening in the future. A smile spread across my face.
When all the seedlings were carefully planted, I straightened up, gently pounding my aching back. Then I slowly walked to the shade of a nearby tree, found a comfortable spot, and sat down to rest. The gentle breeze caressed my face, bringing a touch of coolness that made me feel comfortable and relaxed. I sat quietly for a while, until my fatigue gradually dissipated and my energy was almost restored. Then I stood up and walked briskly towards the kitchen.
As soon as I entered the kitchen, I eagerly opened the refrigerator door and quickly scanned the dazzling array of ingredients inside. Fresh eggs were neatly arranged, like a group of adorable elves; a bundle of tender green vegetables looked as if they had just been picked from the fields, juicy and fresh; and a piece of prime beef, rosy in color and with distinct textures, lay quietly there, awaiting my culinary magic.
The sight of these delicious ingredients instantly stirred a strong desire to cook. Without hesitation, I donned my cartoon-printed apron and officially began my culinary journey. First, I took out a small bowl and gently cracked a few eggs into the bowl, stirring them quickly with chopsticks. Next, I poured a little cooking oil into a frying pan. Once the oil was slightly smoking, I carefully added the eggs. With a sizzling sound, the golden liquid solidified, emitting waves of the enticing aroma of fried eggs. With deft skill, I picked up the spatula and flipped the eggs repeatedly. Soon, a fragrant fried egg was out of the pan and served on a plate.
Meanwhile, on the stove, vegetables were happily dancing in the wok, sizzling from time to time. With a spatula in hand, I stirred the vegetables constantly, ensuring that every leaf was evenly cooked. In just a few minutes, a plate of lush greens was ready.
Finally, it's time for that mouth-watering piece of beef. I cut the beef into chunks of suitable size and soak them in cold water for a while to remove any blood. Then, I remove the beef, drain it, and place it in a casserole. I add a suitable amount of water, ginger slices, scallions, and various spices. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Gradually, the kitchen is filled with a rich, meaty aroma, making everyone's mouths water. After a long stew, the beef becomes tender, flavorful, and melts in your mouth.
Just then, a clear and pleasant doorbell rang, shattering the quietness of the house. I couldn't help but wonder, "Who could be visiting at this late hour?" As I thought about this, I quickly untied my apron and hurried to the door.
Arriving at the door, I cautiously leaned in to peek out through the peephole. When I saw who it was, I was quite surprised—it was Grandma Xiang from next door! This amiable old lady always appeared with a warm smile.
I quickly reached out to open the door, and the old lady was standing outside with a smile on her face. She was holding a delicate little bamboo basket filled with fresh fruits, and said enthusiastically, "Children, these fruits were just picked from our old fruit tree. They are so sweet. Let me give you some to try." Looking at the basket of brightly colored and fragrant fruits, a warm feeling suddenly surged in my heart. I quickly thanked the old lady and kindly invited her to come in and sit down to enjoy dinner together.
However, the old lady gently waved her hand and politely declined, saying, "No need, child. I just came to visit and chat with you. Seeing that you're doing well, I'm relieved." So, we stood at the door and chatted, talking about family matters and interesting neighborhood stories. Although it was just a brief exchange, the strong sense of neighborly friendship was very heartwarming.
After a while, the old lady stood up and said goodbye. I smiled and waved goodbye to her, then turned back to the kitchen and brought the carefully prepared meals to the table and arranged them neatly.