C12 Explain

Pumpkin flowers are not only good for soothing a sore throat, but their pollen also helps alleviate fatigue. Everyone's been working hard lately, so it's a perfect time to pick some pumpkin flowers for cooking.

Cucumbers and tomatoes are favorites among farm kids. They can be cooked as vegetables or eaten raw like fruit. The homegrown cucumbers are sweet, and the tomatoes are juicy—both are delicious varieties. She picked a cucumber and a tomato, wiped them clean with her hand, and took a bite.

Just as she was enjoying her fresh cucumber and tomato, there was a knock at the door. "Cousin, are you home?"

This cousin really had some nerve. Her arrival put a damper on Fulai's good mood. With Hailan's bad intentions, talking to her was pointless. Fulai decided not to waste her breath and continued picking vegetables, ignoring her.

"Cousin, I know you're home. Can we talk?"

"Yesterday was my fault. I slipped and caused you to fall into the field. If my parents find out, they'll be furious. Please, cousin, have some mercy and don't say anything."

She had been scolded by her mother for not informing the family about the twenty pounds of rice available here, and she felt wronged just thinking about it. Listening carefully, she heard no response. Was her foolish cousin still asleep at this hour?

"Cousin, cousin!" She raised her voice, but still, no one answered. Disappointed, she left.

Fulai didn't pay her any mind, instead focusing on lunch. She planned to make porridge with corn grits and rice, accompanied by three dishes: smashed cucumber, scrambled eggs with pumpkin flowers, and tomato stew.

When the family returned home and saw the spread on the table, they were all taken aback.

"Oh my gosh, sis, have you been possessed by some kitchen fairy? You made so many dishes, and they look amazing!"

The eldest brother exclaimed as he rushed to the table, grabbing chopsticks to dig in.

"Hey, wash your hands," Meizhu called out to her eldest.

"Mom, I was just tasting the food for everyone. It's really good," he said as he headed to wash his hands.

Qingshan entered and washed his hands first, then beamed, "My daughter is so talented. Look at this spread she made without breaking a sweat."

"I'll try some. Mmm, delicious! We've never had these dishes at home before. Fulai, you have a knack for cooking!"

"Hey, Auntie, Auntie!" Little Binbin joined the fun, trying to climb onto a chair.

Fulai quickly helped him settle, "Binbin, tell Auntie what you want to eat, and I'll get it for you."

"You've been cooking all afternoon. Go eat. Binbin's got his mom here," Meizhu said, giving her eldest daughter-in-law a pointed look.

Luo Hongxia hurried over to sit next to her son, "Fulai, go eat. I've got Binbin."

The eldest, still chewing, mumbled, "Sis, listen up. Binbin's got his mom here."

Fulai chuckled, knowing that no matter how much her sister-in-law tried, her mom and brother would always have the final say.

"Sis, you really showed off your skills today. I never knew you had such a knack for cooking," the second brother praised, hoping she'd keep it up.

The third brother teased, "Second brother, that's not quite right. She's got looks, she's got style, and she's got cooking skills. Why should she be a chef?"

"You're just arguing for the sake of it. Did I say she should be a chef? Can't you understand plain English?" The second brother and third brother bantered back and forth, not missing a beat with their eating.

Meizhu, after tasting the food, felt proud, "Daughter, your cooking is better than mine."

"Mom, these are just dishes we don't usually make at home. I just got a little creative," Fulai replied. At home, cucumbers were either in soup or stir-fried, and tomatoes were either tossed with sugar or scrambled with eggs.

Zong Qingshan laughed heartily, "My daughter knows how to stay humble, and that's good. Pride leads to setbacks, while humility brings progress."

"By the way, I checked with the textile mill. They probably won't have any job openings until after the new year. Are you interested in applying?"

She knew about the county's textile mill, a large state-run enterprise focused on spinning and weaving. Her father had a friend working there, and new hires had to start as temporary workers. It took three years of good evaluations to become permanent.

She looked at her father with a mock expression of sadness, "Dad, don't you like having me around at home?"

"Don't be silly. Of course, I love having you here. It's just that farming is hard work, and I thought you might find it easier to work in a factory," Zong Qingshan quickly reassured his daughter.

"Can I ask something? Is Fulai really going to marry that Ren Yuanbo?" Luo Hongxia had once hoped her sister-in-law would marry soon, but now she thought it might be better if she didn't.

Her question piqued Wang Meizhu's interest, "Fulai, I've thought about this a lot, and it seems like a good idea. Ren Yuanbo has been in our village for four or five years now. He's settled here, and I've never seen any relatives or friends visit him."

She didn't have anything against him, but it was true that Ren Yuanbo wasn't the best worker. Compared to her daughter being mistreated by in-laws, this was a flaw she could accept as a mother.

"Exactly, Mom. I feel the same way. Marrying him would be like adding a son to our family." If she could, Zong Fulai didn't want to leave home.

Zong Qingshan agreed with his daughter's perspective, "Right, that's why I'm planning to buy the old shed next door, fix it up, and use it for your wedding."