Sweet Girl wanted to share so snacks with her little friends, so she asked Gu Jiaojiao for her opinion.
Gu Jiaojiao smiled and nodded. "Of course, you can."
Hearing this, Sweet Girl happily took so chestnuts and peanuts from a low cabinet, arranged them on a plate, and set it on a nearby table.
"These peanuts and chestnuts were made by my big sister! They’re super yummy. You guys should try so."
As Sweet Girl spoke, a proud look appeared on her face. To use a modern term, she was being a little show-off.
If she had a tail, it would have been sticking straight up in the air.
Gu Jiaojiao felt a sense of helpless amusent.
She was quite fond of dried fruits and nuts like these, so she had prepared a large stash.
She had bought the peanuts from one of the neighborhood aunties, and the chestnuts were picked from the mountain.
She had picked several burlap sacks full and would roast so whenever she felt like eating them. They were excellent.
The children’s eyes lit up when they saw the chestnuts.
Chestnuts were plentiful on the mountain, and every household would gather them. However, they usually only kept a small portion for themselves and sold the rest for money.
So, the children usually only got to taste a few.
Having a whole plate brought out for them to eat as they pleased, like at Gu Jiaojiao’s, was unheard of.
Gu Jiaojiao’s roasted chestnuts had sugar added, making them soft, glutinous, fragrant, and sweet—absolutely delicious.
Seeing how happily the children were eating, she moved the stove a little closer to them.
The stove was filled with coal briquettes that Leng Yuan had bought. She added two more pieces, placed the kettle on top, and told Sweet Girl to have everyone drink so water once it boiled. Then, she turned and left.
When Gu Jiaojiao returned to her room, she took off her heavy, cotton-padded jacket.
When Yu Fangfang and Chen Xiaoli saw this, they took off their jackets as well.
"Jiaojiao, you keep this room so warm."
Gu Jiaojiao smiled and replied, "I get cold easily."
Chen Xiaoli and Yu Fangfang laughed. ’What woman doesn’t get cold in the winter?’ But only Leng Yuan would be so willing to let his wife burn so much fuel.
As for them, even if their husbands let them burn that much, they wouldn’t be able to bring themselves to do it. Matches cost money too, and they saved wherever they could.
Gu Jiaojiao had the two of them sit on the kang, a heated brick bed, while she brought out chestnuts, lon seeds, peanuts, and her homade chestnut cakes, arranging them on a small table for her guests.
The air was dry in the winter, so Gu Jiaojiao brewed so honeysuckle tea she had blended herself and poured a cup for each of them.
Chen Xiaoli and Yu Fangfang’s eyes were drawn to the chestnut cakes.
The pastries were exquisite and beautiful. They looked soft and glutinous, slled fragrant and sweet, and were even imprinted with a lovely pattern. They were as beautiful as works of art—the kind you hesitate to eat after just a single glance.
They had been to the County Town countless tis but had never seen such beautiful chestnut cakes.
"Jiaojiao, where did you buy these chestnut cakes? They’re just gorgeous."
While pouring more tea, Gu Jiaojiao smiled and said, "I made them myself. Please, try one and see if you like it."
She was the type of person who loved to experint with food.
In her previous life, her culinary skills, while not reaching the pinnacle of perfection, were still unmatched by most.
Now that she had the ingredients, she loved creating all sorts of delicious dishes.
The chestnuts from Daqing Mountain behind her ho were plump, soft, and glutinous. They were wild and all-natural, with a flavor far superior to cultivated varieties. Chestnut cakes made from these were wonderfully soft and sweet, with a delicate, refreshing fragrance.
Chen Xiaoli and Yu Fangfang were surprised.
’To think that Gu Jiaojiao can even make such beautiful pastries. She’s really amazing.’
Gu Jiaojiao brought the tea over and placed the cups in front of them.
"Go on, have a taste! They’re not bad."
Both Chen Xiaoli and Yu Fangfang laughed. Chen Xiaoli, always straightforward, said, "Just from the sll, I know they can’t possibly be bad."
Yu Fangfang nodded in agreent.
Curious about the taste, both of them couldn’t resist picking one up.
The chestnut cake was slightly smaller than one’s palm and about as thick. It had a pale reddish hue. A single bite revealed a soft, sweet, and tender texture, combining the soft chewiness of jujube, its distinct aroma, and the sweetness of brown sugar.
It was filled with nothing but good things.
Yu Fangfang was in the later stages of her pregnancy and usually didn’t have much of an appetite. But now, eating this chestnut cake, she found herself wanting more after the first bite.
However, she controlled herself.
’No one’s well-off these days. For sothing this delicious, a little taste is enough. I can’t just eat all of her food.’
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