Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 126

"I...I don’t know how to do it," Yang Peiying said, her mouth agape, also a worried expression across her face.

Yang Peimin and she exchanged looks, both momentarily dazed, she immediately thought of Fourth Aunt...

Fourth Aunt had made malt bran before, but the Cooperative Society also had this technology.

Then she thought of caramel.

In her previous life, grandma often made it because her aunt and mother both liked it, and it didn’t require many ingredients. It was the only thing she could think of trying right now; if it were pastries or the like, there would be no chance.

And the ingredients for caramel seemed to require milk, peanuts, starch, sugar...

Without milk, she could use maltose. The more Yang Peimin thought about it, the smoother her thoughts became, and her eyes slowly brightened. She hurriedly shared her thoughts with Yang Peiying.

Seeing her speak so eloquently and with firm confidence, Yang Peiying was instantly impressed, "Sister, you are truly amazing!"

Yang Peimin waved her hand toward her, attributing the idea to Fourth Aunt, and if she couldn’t make it herself, she would still need to ask Fourth Aunt to study it.

The most important thing now was to produce the final product first and then make further plans after tasting it.

She knew Gong Chenglan was still in the county department store.

When the time came, she hoped she could help, and since they were all acquaintances, things would naturally progress smoothly.

Yang Peiying, snapping back to the moment, seemed very excited, asking Yang Peimin about the details of making the caramel diligently.

However, Yang Peimin wasn’t quite sure herself and kept her answers vague.

Yang Peiying couldn’t tell the difference, but she then became anxious about the sales issues and worried about not doing well herself, "Sister, I’m so clumsy... I’m afraid I won’t do well... and I might waste food, mom would definitely get angry."

Yang Peimin gave her a reassuring wink, "Don’t worry, let’s involve mom, then we won’t have to fear her getting angry."

Yang Peiying was about to say that mom wouldn’t agree, but then she thought that if her sister spoke up and tried to convince her, mom would agree, for her sister had a way with words that mom liked to hear.

The next day, Yang Peimin’s biological clock woke her up by six, and getting up, she found everyone else was already up, which embarrassed her slightly. However, Zhang Minghua looked at her and said, "Why not sleep a bit more?" She knew her daughter; it was rare for her to ever get up this early, as getting married was different than being a maiden, except for when she lazily slept in during a visit home.

Yang Peimin smiled, "I’m used to getting up at this time. I’ll go and help sister-in-law in the kitchen."

Zhang Minghua cast a tender glance at her, making her sit beside her, "Sit down. Haven’t you done enough at your in-laws’? With such a small matter, there’s no need for your help. Remember the last time you brought some scallops over? Mom knows you like them. Let’s have some scallop porridge this morning."

The scallops that Shen Yiguang had mailed back last time had been shared sparingly with her parental home for a tasting, as they hadn’t many – some kept at their home, and some saved at her elder sister-in-law’s place for when they returned. The portion shared could hardly go around, which was why her parents had been reluctant to eat them, waiting to make them upon her return.

Moreover, with many people at home, it was uncertain if everyone could get a taste. This made Yang Peimin even more determined about making money.

Zhang Minghua had held her back, preventing her from going out, and breakfast would soon be ready. Yang Peimin couldn’t just sit there doing nothing, so she helped set the table as well.

Bai Hehua came carrying a basin-sized porcelain jar full of porridge, from which wafted the unique salty fragrance of dried marine products; she carefully placed it on the table, her face beaming with joy. "This is our first time trying this. Minmin, did you say this is dried goods from the seaside? How rare! Everyone, smell this aroma—it’s delicious!" As she spoke, she took a deep whiff. frёeωebɳovel.com

Everyone quickly gathered around the table, "It smells so mouthwatering."

Bai Hehua efficiently served everyone the porridge.

Yang Peimin noticed peanuts and various grains inside. It smelled wonderful and had a unique flavor that she hadn’t tasted in a long time.

Initially, she had cooked the usual amount for breakfast, but those who ate slowly said they hadn’t had enough.

Li Hong, for instance.

When she took her bowl to the side table to serve herself, she realized there was none left and asked Bai Hehua, "Elder sister-in-law, did you make less this morning? You forgot, there was an extra Minmin today."

She asked with a smile, but her complaint was clearly evident in her words. Bai Hehua immediately got upset and glanced at her sideways, "You should ask your husband about how many bowls he had just now. I cooked the usual amount. If you’re still hungry, there’s nothing I can do about it. But, sister-in-law, it’s odd that you didn’t throw up today."

Yang Pei usually had three bowls of thin porridge, but today he had eaten four, very fast, and he wasn’t the only one; Yang Peihua and Bai Hehua’s servings were much more than usual, making them eat an extra half-bowl, though it wasn’t as obvious as with Yang Pei.

Zhang Minghua said to Li Hong, "If you’re still hungry, go fix yourself a pancake; it’s quick."

Li Hong reluctantly started to do so, when she suddenly clutched her stomach and exclaimed, "Ow!"

Yang Pei immediately rushed over to support her, asking anxiously, "Wife, what’s wrong?"

Everyone turned to look.

Li Hong shook her head, "I haven’t eaten anything since throwing up last night, and I was terribly hungry all night. Maybe I was too hungry, and today, smelling this aroma made me a bit hungry... I don’t know why, but my stomach suddenly started hurting."

Yang Pei helped her sit down, "It must be because you’re hungry, and now you haven’t had enough to eat. What would you like? I’ll make it for you."

Zhang Minghua glanced indifferently at Li Hong and remained silent.

But Li Hong looked at her and whispered softly, "Mother, is there any more of that dried marine product? I don’t know why, but smelling that aroma really made me hungry."

Bai Hehua looked at her sarcastically, "No need to ask mother, ask me. I was the one who cooked the breakfast. I know how much of the dried marine products was used–it was all put in there, only that little bit; there isn’t any more. If smelling that aroma is the only thing that makes you hungry, sister-in-law, you might as well brace yourself for hunger. Where are we supposed to find more?"

Li Hong’s face flushed red, and she bit her lip, looking towards Yang Peimin, "Min, do you have any more? I won’t take it for nothing, I’ll trade you some food for it," she said, clutching her stomach and leaning painfully against the table edge.

Yang Peimin looked at Yang Pei and said, "Third brother, this doesn’t seem like just ordinary hunger pains. We’d better find a doctor quickly, so it doesn’t harm the baby."

Yang Pei also realized this and nodded repeatedly, "Right, wife, how do you feel? I’ll go call uncle to come take a look. How about you go lie down in your room?"

Li Hong held on to him, "No need to go, it’s nothing. If it’s just an upset stomach, wouldn’t I know? It’s fine, I’ll just eat something in a bit." As she spoke, she again looked at Yang Peimin with a rather pitiable expression.