Chapter 84: Mingdai Makes Candy, Zhou Sinian: So Sweet!

When Aunt Huang came to the educated youth center looking for Ming Dai, Ming Dai was busy making candy.

Aunt Huang knocked, and it was Zhou Si Nian who opened the door. He looked at the two women, tilted his head as if trying to recall where he’d seen them, then stepped aside to let them in.

Aunt Huang edged her way in along the door frame, followed closely by Sister-in-law Huang. As soon as they entered, Zhou Si Nian promptly closed the door with a loud snap, startling them both.

He paid them no mind, heading directly toward the kitchen. Hearing the sounds from the kitchen, the two women followed, just in time to hear Ming Dai ask Zhou Si Nian who had come.

Aunt Huang spoke up, “Little Ming, I’ve brought the things the old sisters want to exchange. Is it convenient?”

Ming Dai’s voice called out, “Of course, Auntie, come in quickly, it’s warm in here.”

They opened the door and entered. The room was steaming, filled with mist from the boiling water.

“Auntie, there are stools over there. Please have a seat.”

Aunt Huang finally saw where Ming Dai was. She set down the basket she was carrying. “Little Ming, I’ve brought some dried apples for you to try.”

Ming Dai came over with a kettle of hot water and looked at the sizable bundle of dried fruit in Aunt Huang’s basket. “Auntie, why are you giving me so much? Aren’t you saving some for the children?”

Aunt Huang waved her hand dismissively. “When my family comes visiting, I’ll have to bring more anyway. This is for you all to enjoy.”

Ming Dai didn’t stand on ceremony and fetched bowls for them, filling two with fried flour. “Why didn’t you bring Iron Egg and Dog Egg along?”

Sister-in-law Huang took a sip of the sweet, fragrant fried flour and laughed, “Those two little monkeys ran off early this morning with the other kids to go ice skating. You won’t see them until meal time, absolutely not before.”

“Ice skating?” Ming Dai asked with delight. “Is it already possible to skate now?”

Aunt Huang nodded. “The small river is ready, but the big river still needs a bit longer. The most famous river here is Jade Belt River—it runs right through Song City. Our village is at a bend, that’s why it’s called Liu’s Bay. When Jade Belt River freezes, I’ll take you skating. You can even go ice fishing then. Your uncle always catches plenty every year.”

Ming Dai nodded excitedly. In her previous life, she had gone to watch winter fishing, which was great fun. She had no trouble skating, though only on rinks, never on wild ice.

Suddenly, a rich, sweet aroma drew their attention. Zhou Si Nian, unable to wait, had opened the pot lid.

Ming Dai got up to take a look. Sitting in warm water, the glutinous rice mixed with malt had finished fermenting.

Aunt Huang and Sister-in-law Huang followed to see. “Little Ming, what are you making?”

Ming Dai had Zhou Si Nian bring out the basin and set it on the dining table.

“This is for making candy. Zhou Si Nian loves sweets, but it’s too expensive to buy all the time, so I thought I’d make some myself. He got glutinous rice in his monthly package, so I wanted to try making candy.”

Aunt Huang now had blind faith in Ming Dai, “You’re such a clever girl—even making candy!”

Ming Dai replied shyly, “There was a neighbor who sold candy when I was little. I saw how it was made and thought I’d try it myself.”

Sister-in-law Huang sniffed the air, “It’ll work for sure, the smell is already so sweet.”

Ming Dai nodded, “Since you’re here, Sister-in-law, help me out.”

Sister-in-law Huang agreed cheerfully.

They found a clean cloth, poured the fermented rice into it, and squeezed it. Soon, a plentiful amount of juice drained out—more than half a basin.

Zhou Si Nian snuck a taste and closed his eyes in bliss.

So sweet!

Even when Ming Dai called him to stoke the fire, he didn’t hear her.

Sister-in-law Huang quickly responded, “I’ll go tend the fire! I’ll do it!”

She wanted to help more, hoping Ming Dai would let her taste some candy later. Last time, Ming Dai’s pine nut candy was delicious!

Aunt Huang couldn’t bear to look, thinking, How can she be so greedy!

Ming Dai didn’t hold back, turning to the cupboard for the roasted peanuts and pine nuts she’d prepared.

“Auntie, could you help peel these?”

Aunt Huang nodded, washed her hands, and started peeling peanuts and pine nuts.

She thought for a moment, then called to Sister-in-law Huang, who was stoking the fire, “Eldest daughter-in-law, go home and bring over the rest of our hazelnuts, roasted.”

Sister-in-law Huang’s eyes lit up, “Mom, we still have some sesame seeds at home. Should I roast those too and bring them?”

Aunt Huang laughed and scolded her, “Greedy thing! I only have half a jar of sesame, and you’re already thinking about it. Go ahead, roast them all and bring them over!”

Sister-in-law Huang sprang up and ran home.

Ming Dai praised Aunt Huang with a smile, “You’re such a good mother-in-law, you and Sister-in-law get along like mother and daughter.”

Aunt Huang shook the basket, scattering peanut skins, “All daughters-in-law come from somewhere. If you can be accommodating, you should be. My eldest daughter-in-law is a bit greedy, but she’s very filial, treats me and your uncle well. Even before New Year’s, she made each of us a pair of cloth shoes, always thinking ahead.

If people treat you well, shouldn’t you treat them well in return? It’s just empathy.”

Ming Dai truly felt Aunt Huang was one of the few clear-minded people she’d met since entering this story—the other being Liu Third Master, the seasoned bachelor. Both possessed extraordinary insight.

She handed a handful of roasted peanuts to Zhou Si Nian and told him to stoke the fire. Ming Dai poured the sugary liquid into the pot, stirring constantly with a spatula.

Aunt Huang watched Zhou Si Nian, lit by the firelight. He wasn't wearing his red headscarf today and looked far more normal.

His black hair was neatly trimmed, eyes lowered as he fiddled with the peanuts, appearing docile. He no longer looked mad, and thanks to Ming Dai’s feeding, he’d gained weight—still thinner than most, but at least he looked human now, even handsome.

This young man is blessed, meeting Ming Dai.

They chatted idly while Zhou Si Nian munched on peanuts—the atmosphere was harmonious.

Soon, the syrup in the pot thickened and deepened in color, bubbling around the edges.

Ming Dai judged it ready, grabbed an enamel basin greased with cooked oil, and ladled the finished syrup inside.

Aunt Huang chopped the peanuts and spread them neatly on the board.

Ming Dai carried over the basin and poured a portion of syrup onto the peanuts. Aunt Huang quickly stirred until the peanuts and syrup blended evenly.

Ming Dai took out the wooden mold she’d polished ahead of time, pressed the mixture flat into it, forming a brick-like chunk of peanut candy.

She sliced the block into thin pieces and set them on a bamboo sieve to cool.

Zhou Si Nian’s eyes sparkled as he watched her. Ming Dai couldn’t resist his puppy-like gaze and handed him a piece.

“If you eat it now, it’ll stick to your teeth. Just lick it first, and wait until it cools to bite. Understand?”

Zhou Si Nian nodded vigorously, took a piece, and sat down to lick it. So sweet!

If he had a tail, he’d be wagging it like a little fan.

After the peanut candy, they made a batch with pine nuts, though only enough for a dozen slices.

Finally, Ming Dai grabbed some roasted soybean flour from the cupboard and mixed it with syrup, pulling out strands of candy while it was hot.

Both Aunt Huang and Zhou Si Nian were amazed by her skill. Zhou Si Nian wanted to try his hand at pulling candy, but Ming Dai, afraid he’d make a mess, refused and gave him two chopsticks to twirl some syrup as a game.

Sure enough, Zhou Si Nian was satisfied and played happily.

Before Sister-in-law Huang returned, Ming Dai boiled water in the big pot and poured it into tea mugs for drinking. She added more water to the pot and placed the enamel basin inside to keep the syrup from hardening.

Everyone had a bowl of sweet syrup and crunched on crispy peanut candy. Aunt Huang laughed with joy.

“I’ve never eaten so much candy in my life—enjoying blessings thanks to little Ming!”

Ming Dai smiled, “Auntie’s blessings are still to come, it’s too soon to say.”

Aunt Huang laughed so hard she was almost giddy, and Zhou Si Nian cast her a puzzled glance.

Before long, there was a knock at the door. Ming Dai opened it to find Sister-in-law Huang carrying a small basket, with two little tails following behind.

She grumbled, “These two little rascals insisted on tagging along.”

Dog Egg didn’t care about his mother’s annoyance. He flashed Ming Dai a big, gap-toothed grin.

“Aunt Ming, we’re here!”

Ming Dai welcomed them and led the three into the kitchen.

The two boys were stunned by the tray of candy cooling on the sieve.

Ming Dai settled them next to Zhou Si Nian and gave each a dollop of syrup to play with and eat. Before long, the three were happily playing together.

The roasted sesame Sister-in-law Huang brought was plentiful, but not enough syrup for all of it.

Aunt Huang waved her hand, “Just make a little. Grind the rest with some salt to make sesame salt—it’s delicious!”

Ming Dai chuckled and agreed. Compared to sweets, she preferred savory snacks, and sesame salt sounded tempting.

She brought out the enamel basin again and made hazelnut and sesame candies in turn.

Luckily Aunt Huang was there; her hands were tough from years of cooking, so she could knead hot candy without fear of burns. If Ming Dai had tried, she’d have scalded herself.

Once everything was done, it was nearly noon. Ming Dai invited them to stay for lunch, but Aunt Huang refused.

Only when Ming Dai said they could eat cakes made from the leftover rice dregs did Aunt Huang agree.

Ming Dai had Zhou Si Nian wash the millstone, then placed the leftover rice dregs on it, added water, and ground them into rice slurry.

Aunt Huang sighed as she watched, “Having a millstone is handy. In autumn, you can make fresh corn slurry buns—so sweet and tasty.”

Zhou Si Nian’s ears perked up: Fresh corn slurry buns… sweet… tasty!

Ming Dai thought: Oh dear! He heard that again!

She mixed the rice slurry with some glutinous rice flour to form dough, oiled the pan, and pressed cakes along the bottom. They fried to a golden crisp on both sides, soft and fragrant inside, perfect with syrup. Everyone ate happily.

Dog Egg declared it felt like New Year’s!

Meanwhile, at the team leader’s house, Liu Da Zhu ate corn cakes with hot water, sighing as he looked at his two unlucky sons.

He hadn’t upset his wife, had he? Why wasn’t she coming home to cook?

Thinking his daughter-in-law was absent too, he suddenly banged his chopsticks on his eldest son’s head.

Thud!

Someone’s tears immediately shot out!

“You blockhead, did you upset your wife? Is that why she’s not home to cook?”

Liu Lai Fu clutched his head, eyes brimming with tears. He wasn’t the only one whose wife wasn’t home—his mother was gone too!

But he dared not say so, for fear his father would beat him.

Liu Lai Fa quietly gnawed his cake, grateful he had no wife.