In the main hall, Grandpa Wu breathed a sigh of relief as he watched his grandson head off to deal with the rabbit. When the boy had said that morning that he’d let things go, Grandpa was still deeply worried. After all, Wu Jun and that girl Li Xue had grown up together as childhood sweethearts, and they’d been engaged for a year.
He’d originally planned to arrange their wedding once both children turned eighteen. Who could have guessed that the Lis would be so insatiably greedy, turning their backs on him at the drop of a hat? What a pity for that girl Li Xue, having such greedy parents. How would she manage in the future?
“Grandpa, what’s for lunch? Did Aunt send word about when she’s bringing Grandma back?”
Hearing his grandson’s question, Grandpa Wu set aside his thoughts. “Yesterday, your Aunt sent your cousin Hongqi to say she’d bring your grandmother back this afternoon.”
“Good. How about cornbread for lunch?” Wu Jun asked, remembering how long it had been since he’d last had the simple farm-style cornmeal cakes.
Seeing the eager gleam in his grandson’s eyes, Grandpa Wu smiled. “Let’s make a few cornmeal griddle cakes. They’ll go perfectly with the braised rabbit tonight.”
Wu Jun went to the kitchen and opened the cupboard. Inside was a small cloth bag containing about 2.5 kilograms of cornmeal. He reached in and rubbed a bit between his fingers—it wasn’t finely ground at all, with a heavy, coarse texture.
After a moment’s thought, he opened another, smaller bag next to it. This one held about 1 kilogram of fine white flour. Calling it “fine white flour” was generous—in these days, with underdeveloped processing methods, even the best flour had a yellowish tint and couldn’t compare in texture to the white flour of ten-plus years later. Still, not every household in the village could afford even this amount of refined grain.
Wu Jun measured out two bowls of cornmeal and one bowl of white flour. After mixing them evenly, he added two bowls of clean water and stirred, then cracked in an egg and added a pinch of salt and a dash of soy sauce, continuing to mix until a smooth batter formed. As he glanced at the oil cloth sitting on top of the grease jar in the corner of the kitchen, he suddenly realized how long it had been since he’d last seen such a thing.
The so-called “oil cloth” was simply a long strip of cotton cloth with a bit of grease soaked into it. Every time someone cooked, they’d wipe this cloth lightly across the pan—and that counted as “adding oil.” It was the dead of winter now, and the oil cloth was dotted with tiny white lumps of solidified lard. Just looking at it made Wu Jun feel a bit queasy. He made a mental note to find some way to get actual cooking oil. Using this oil cloth like this was definitely not healthy.
After heating the pan and giving it a quick wipe with the oil cloth, Wu Jun began making the griddle cakes. Once the cakes were done, thinking they’d be too dry on their own, he decided to use the pan with its faint trace of oil. He poured in three bowls of water, cracked in two eggs, and made a simple egg drop soup.
With the meal ready, he carried everything to the main hall, and grandfather and grandson began their lunch. Grandpa Wu took a bite and found it quite good. He had a sip of the egg drop soup and remarked in surprise, “Your cooking skills have improved. The seasoning is decent.”
Wu Jun felt a twinge of guilt. After all, he had once spent several years as a prep cook in a five-star hotel kitchen. He’d picked up a few techniques just from being around it all the time. Still, if he kept cooking like this, his grandfather would eventually notice something was off. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Grandpa, I just learned by watching you. I was thinking—I’d like you to teach me the skills you learned in the mess hall unit. That way, I can help out when there are weddings or funerals in the village.”
Grandpa Wu considered it for a moment before agreeing. After all, this heavy snowfall meant there’d be no outside work for the next ten days or so. He glanced at his grandson, thinking of the rabbit they’d marinated that morning. “If you want to learn, you’d better take it seriously. I won’t tolerate you giving up halfway. I’ll teach you how to make braised rabbit this afternoon. It’ll be just right to help your grandmother regain her strength.”
They got to work right away. That afternoon, Grandpa Wu had Wu Jun fetch a piece of ginger, a few scallions, and two large radishes from the cellar. He sliced the ginger and scallions and cut the radishes into chunks, setting everything aside for later. After heating the iron pot, he wiped it with the oil cloth, then tossed the ginger and scallions into the pot and stir-fried them vigorously over high heat. The fragrant aroma of scallions and ginger immediately filled the air. After adding a splash of garlic sauce, white liquor, and soy sauce, he gave it another couple of stir-fries.
Then he poured the entire basin of rabbit meat into the pot and put the lid on. He added a bowl of clean water, brought it to a boil over high heat, then reduced the flame to low and let it simmer slowly. The rich aroma gradually faded as the lid was sealed shut. When the rabbit meat was about five-tenths cooked, he added the white radish chunks, gave it another couple of stir-fries, and covered the pot again. Once the liquid had reduced to a rich glaze, the dish was finished.
Wu Jun thought to himself that it was a good thing the weather was cold and their home was near the mountain, with few neighbors nearby. Otherwise, given how delicious this smelled, some shameless people might have come knocking to beg for a taste.
Just as the radish-braised rabbit was finished, his aunt’s voice came from the gate: “Junzi, open the door!”
Hearing her voice, Wu Jun hurried to the entrance and opened it. Sure enough, it was his aunt and grandmother. His aunt was supporting Grandma with one arm and carrying a large bundle in the other. Seeing his grandmother alive and well, and his young, vibrant aunt, Wu Jun couldn’t suppress the joy in his heart. His eyes reddened in an instant.
“Oh my, my dear grandson, what’s wrong? Did your grandfather upset you?” Grandma Wu asked with concern.
Wu Jun composed himself slightly and said, “Grandma, Aunt, you’re home. I’m just so happy to see you.” While speaking, he took the bundle from his aunt and stepped aside to let them enter first.
A neighbor across the way heard the commotion, opened her door, and said, “Junzi, your grandmother’s back!”
“Aunt Chunhua, yes, she just got home.”
“Good, good. I’m glad she’s back. You go ahead and get settled. I’ll come by tomorrow to visit your grandmother.” With that, Aunt Chunhua closed her door.
Wu Jun carried the bundle inside, closed the gate, and headed to the main hall. Inside, Grandma Wu and Aunt Wu were already seated, drinking hot water. Grandpa Wu said, “Junzi, heat up the griddle cakes from lunch. Get ready for dinner. Your aunt is staying here tonight for dinner and to spend the night.”
After Wu Jun reheated the cakes and carried the braised rabbit and griddle cakes to the main hall, the elderly couple had already caught each other up on everything that had happened over the past few days.
“Junzi, I’m so glad you’ve come to your senses,” Grandma said. “If it weren’t for my useless legs, I would never have wanted to leave my dear grandson.” She started dabbing at her tears.
Wu Jun quickly set down what he was carrying, sat beside the old lady, and comforted her: “Grandma, I’ve figured it out. Li Xue and I just weren’t meant to be. I’m not going to dwell on it anymore. From now on, I’ll work hard every day, earn my work points, and take good care of you and Grandpa.” Seeing his aunt smiling across from him, he quickly added, “And you too, Aunt.”
Aunt Wu was amused. “You little rascal, so smooth-tongued. All I want is for you to do well and take care of me and your little cousins.”
Grandpa Wu interrupted, “The food is getting cold. Enough talking—let’s eat.”
The family happily ate the braised rabbit while listening to Wu Jun tell the story of how he had found the rabbit and learned to cook it.
Wu Jun looked at his still-living grandparents and his young, vibrant aunt and once again thanked the heavens for giving him the chance to see the people he loved most in this life.
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