Chapter 41: Sit Up

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He Xiaoyun watched for a while, then turned around and started knitting a scarf. Wei Jianwei and Wei Yuanhang already had one, so she had to knit one for herself.

Before long, Xu Lanxiang finished her housework and came over to talk to her with the sweater half-knitted.

"Looking at the weather, I will start to accumulate sauerkraut in two days. How much are you going to accumulate this year?"

He Xiaoyun was confused, "Huh?"

"Making sauerkraut, why? You didn't make it in previous years?" Xu Lanxiang asked.

He Xiaoyun just remembered that there is indeed a custom of accumulating sauerkraut in the north. Because it's too cold in winter, there are basically no edible vegetables. Unlike in the south, where the fields are green all year round.

He Xiaoyun has no experience at all. If it hadn't been for Xu Lanxiang asking, maybe this winter, her family will have no vegetables to eat.

"I don't know how to make sauerkraut. When Sister Xu does, can you call me so that I will learn from you."

"It's simple, you don't need to learn," Xu Lanxiang said, "But you have to prepare a big tank first. After two days' rest, let Lao Wang and Lao Wei do this."

"Okay, thanking Sister Xu first." He Xiaoyun nodded repeatedly.

At noon, there was something in Wei Jianwei's camp, and he didn't come back home for dinner. When the two have eaten dinner, Wei Jianwei came back and found the two of them grilling around the stove. Three sweet potatoes are being roasted on the stove.

"Sister Xu said that we must buy a big tank first before making sauerkraut. Lao Wang will help you move it."

"Good." Wei Jianwei said.

"I didn't expect to make sauerkraut. I will ask Sister Xu what needs to be prepared so we can prepare in advance, otherwise, after waiting, I might not even be able to get out the door."

"It's okay," Wei Jianwei said, "I can go out shopping for groceries in the future."

He Xiaoyun imagined Wei Jianwei bargaining with a stall owner and then bought three scallions and four heads of garlic. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Mom, can we eat it?" Wei Yuanhang sat between the two, staring at the sweet potato on the stove.

There was already a sweet smell in the air, He Xiaoyun took a chopstick to poke the sweet potato, and found that it couldn't penetrate, "Let's still wait a minute."

Wei Yuanhang swallowed, and obediently said, "All right."

"Do you have enough clothes for winter? Do you want to wear another sweater? I was studying knitting with Sister Xu recently." He Xiaoyun asked Wei Jianwei.

When she and Wei Yuanhang arrived, they couldn't bring too much luggage. The winter clothes were packed and mailed, but the cotton-padded clothes worn in the south were not enough to wear in the north. She planned to knit two more sweaters and trousers by herself and wore them.

Wei Jianwei nodded, "It's enough. There are two cloth tickets in the drawer. You and the child can add another cotton coat for yourselves."

He Xiaoyun wanted to say no, but couldn't figure out how cold the winter in the north would be. She's afraid that she wouldn't be well prepared and it would be difficult to get through. Wei Jianwei is a big man, unlike her and her child who are afraid of the cold.

He Xiaoyun said: "I will ask Sister Xu tomorrow to see if it's necessary."

"Whether you need it or not, you need to be prepared for it." Wei Jianwei said.

He Xiaoyun thought about it for a while. This is indeed the truth. After all, it's their first year to spend the winter here. It's always right to be fully prepared, "Okay, then I will buy it on the street instead."

Wei Yuanhang stared at the sweet potato for a while. Seeing that the scent became stronger and stronger, he couldn't help asking, "Mom, can we eat it now?"

Seeing that he's like a small hungry cat, He Xiaoyun smiled: "It's okay, it's okay, let's check the small one first."

He Xiaoyun touched the sweet potato with her hand. It didn't feel very hot, so she picked it up directly. Unexpectedly, after a second or two, the hotness came from her fingertips. She hissed and put the sweet potato down again, "It's hot."

Wei Jianwei put down his book and held her hand to look at it.

When winter comes, He Xiaoyun has cold hands and feet, but Wei Jianwei's hands remained warm. The warm palms wrap her hands, which is actually quite comfortable, but a little kid is staring at them. He Xiaoyun pulled out her hand uncomfortably, "Nothing, there's no blistering."

Wei Jianwei didn't let her touch the sweet potato anymore, he broke the sweet potato into two halves, let it cool for a while, and divided it between her and the child.

Wei Yuanhang took a bite, it was hot but he's reluctant to vomit it out, and vaguely said, "It's so delicious."

"Eat slowly, don't choke." He Xiaoyun shook her head helplessly, fanning his mouth with her hand.

After eating the sweet potatoes, seeing that it was almost time, she move the child to bed and coaxed him to sleep, and then went back to the stove to read.

Three stools were placed around the stove. Wei Yuanhang was originally sitting in the middle. After he fell asleep, this position became vacant.

Wei Jianwei patted the empty stool beside him and said to her, "Sit here."

He Xiaoyun glanced at him and did not move, "What are you going to do?"

Upon seeing this, Wei Jianwei moved and sat next to her. The chairs were placed a little closer, and as soon as he sat down, the two people were basically leaning together.

Her space suddenly narrowed, and He Xiaoyun moved her legs, "What are you doing being so close to me?"

Wei Jianwei did not answer. Instead, he pulled her free hand and held it in his palm, "Why is your hand so cold?"

He Xiaoyun looked back on the bed and saw that the child was sleeping, she turned back comfortably: "It's just like this by nature."

"Is it cold?"

"No." He Xiaoyun shook her head. Wei Jianwei didn't let go of her hand and continued reading his book in this posture.

He Xiaoyun felt a little awkward.

About ten minutes later, her free hand had become warm, and Wei Jianwei let go and said, "Change your hand."

He Xiaoyun stared, "How to change?"

The two sat together, he's holding her free hand, and the other one could barely hold her book. If she was asked to stretch the other hand to him, wouldn't her whole body be distorted?

Wei Jianwei seemed to think about it seriously, then patted his leg and said, "Sit up."

The expression on his face was the same as usual as if he had not just made a request for someone to sit on his lap. But He Xiaoyun remembered a famous saying: Sit up and move by yourself.

She became embarrassed and her cheeks warmed up, "No, I'll just sit here."

Wei Jianwei was helpless: "Come here and warm your hands."

He Xiaoyun still shook her head vigorously, "Don't. I'm not cold."

Wei Jianwei looked at her for a while, and finally, he leaned slightly over, put his arm around her shoulders, and took the whole person into his arms, with his palm running along her forearm, finding her hand, and holding it in his palm.

He Xiaoyun stiffened like a rabbit and compared the situation in her heart. Is it better to sit on his lap or be hugged?

This should be better now... right?

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