Chapter 554: Making Dumplings

Han Chunyan and He Yushui bustled about, and the bamboo basket quickly filled up.

He Yushui went to settle the bill, and Director Wang came over specially, pointing to a basket of eggs in the corner and saying:

"Yushui, this basket of eggs just arrived; I've set it aside for you at a discount, to give the kids a boost."

He Yushui thanked her quickly, while Han Chunyan found a sack, stuffed the steamed buns and flower rolls inside; one carried the bamboo basket on their shoulder, the other shouldered the sack, and they walked back leisurely.

When they returned to the courtyard, Ding Qiunan had also finished preparing the epidemic prevention supplies, two big bags full stacked under the eaves; masks and disinfectant were divided into small portions, fever medicine was packed according to dosage, and usage instructions were attached.

Zheng Juan and Qin Jingru were already busy in the kitchen, Zheng Juan chopping ribs, Qin Jingru picking vegetables, the kitchen filled with the clinking of knives and the aroma of meat, especially lively.

He Yushui and Han Chunyan put down their things and immediately went into the kitchen to help.

Han Chunyan was in charge of washing and chopping vegetables; her knife work was swift, and she soon had the cabbage and radish cut up.

He Yushui then squatted by the stove to tend the fire, chatting with Zheng Juan about the latest news from the supply and marketing cooperative:

"Big sis, the supply and marketing cooperative just got in a batch of oranges, sweet and tart; next time I shop I'll bring some for the kids to boost their vitamins."

Ding Qiunan then sorted the epidemic prevention supplies into categories, packed them into two canvas bags, and slipped a few packs of tissues and hand cream into each bag:

"In the workshop there are only mechanical parts, handwashing isn't convenient, so hand cream comes in handy."

Su Qing sat to the side, helping put the packed small masks into the canvas bag, occasionally reminding:

"That pack on the west side seems to be missing a bottle of disinfectant."

After more than an hour of bustling about, the meals were finally ready.

Two big pots of braised ribs steamed, the vermicelli soaked up the meat fragrance, the mapo tofu was red and tempting, the stir-fried cabbage was crisp and relieved greasiness, and there was a pot full of millet porridge and two baskets of steaming hot buns and flower rolls.

Ding Qiunan carried the epidemic prevention supplies, He Yushui and Han Chunyan carried the meals, Qin Jingru took the utensils, and the group marched mightily to the research workshop.

In the workshop at that moment, the machines roared intermittently, Lin Zhengcheng and Chen Mo were discussing engine parameters, their foreheads smeared with oil, and each still clutching half a cold bun.

Seeing them come in, everyone stopped what they were doing, their eyes full of surprise.

"Mom, Aunt Qin, how did you come?" Lin Zhengcheng hurried forward, taking the vegetable basin from He Yushui's hands.

"Seeing you gnaw on cold buns every day breaks my heart." Zheng Juan laughed as she set the meals on the makeshift table, "Hurry up and wash your hands, eat; Qiunan prepared epidemic supplies for you—masks and disinfectant are divided, each person gets one set, look after your health."

Ding Qiunan opened the canvas bag and distributed the supplies to each person, instructing:

"Change your mask daily; with many people in the workshop, remember to wear it. If anyone has a fever or cold, take medicine and rest—don't tough it out."

He Yushui and Han Chunyan then ladled out porridge and passed the buns, saying with a smile, "Hurry up and eat, the ribs are still hot—replenish your strength."

The young colleagues sat together, eating the hot meals, their faces full of warmth.

A young worker bit into a rib and mumbled:

"Thank you, aunts, this is more fragrant than the cafeteria food, just like home cooking."

Chen Mo also held a bowl of porridge, gazing at Lin Qinhua, his eyes full of tenderness.

"You've worked hard."

Lin Qinhua shook her head, placed a piece of rib into his bowl,

"Hurry up and eat; only when you're full will you have the strength to work."

Lin Shengli also came out of the office, saw the scene before him, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Zheng Juan walked over and handed him a bowl of porridge.

"Eat a bit; watching the kids work hard, you're also worrying—don't wear yourself out."

Lin Shengli took the porridge, nodded, his gaze sweeping over the busy women and the team eating happily, his heart full of reassurance.

The setting sun streamed through the workshop windows, gilding every person's silhouette with a warm glow.

The aroma of the food mingled with a faint hint of disinfectant, not at all jarring—instead it exuded a special warmth.

These women, in the simplest way, upheld a gentle expanse for those on the research front lines, wrapping the nights of hard struggle in a rich homely flavor.

After everyone finished eating, the women tidied up the bowls and chopsticks, then disinfected the workshop corners, before slowly heading back.

On the way, Han Chunyan laughed and said, "Next time let's change it up, make some dumplings for the kids to vary the flavor."

He Yushui immediately agreed, "Great, great—I'll knead the dough, you handle the filling, and I guarantee it'll be delicious."

Zheng Juan watched the sisters walking side by side, a smile curling her lips, thinking that as long as everyone pulls together, even the toughest project can be overcome.

The next morning, as dawn just broke, the Lin Family Courtyard was filled with the fresh scent of flour.

Zheng Juan stepped out of the kitchen with dew on her shoes, holding two enamel basins—one containing last night's risen dough, the other empty and ready for filling—while Qin Jingru squatted at the corner of the courtyard picking chives, their green leaves still beaded with water, crisp and fresh.

Not long after, He Yushui came in carrying a bundle of chives and a half-bag of shrimp, while Han Chunyan held a basket of eggs and a slab of pork belly, a light sheen of sweat on their foreheads.

He Yushui set the chives on the stone table, panting, "Today the supply and marketing cooperative got in fresh sea shrimp; I snatched half a bag with Chunyan, to make chive-and-shrimp filling for the kids—so fresh! The pork belly was chosen with a balance of fat and lean, making the meat filling fragrant."

Han Chunyan added, holding up the eggs specially, "This basket of eggs is the free-range eggs Director Wang left for us—big yolks, making the filling even fresher."

Just then, Ding Qiunan returned, holding a cloth bag containing several packets of seasoning and a small bag of shrimp shells:

"I asked Doctor Li at the health clinic; shrimp shells supplement calcium, perfect to add to the filling for the kids. I also brought some thirteen-spice, which is more flavorful than ordinary five-spice powder."

Su Qing also leaned against the corridor pillar and walked over slowly, holding a small bowl of peeled garlic:

"Mom, I helped peel some garlic; minced, it can be mixed into the filling."

Zheng Juan laughed as she took the garlic bowl and pulled a chair for Su Qing.

Sit down and rest; this little bit of work is enough to keep you busy. We'll divide the tasks: Yushui, you're strong—handle kneading and resting the dough; Chunyan, you're skilled at seasoning—first chop the pork belly, then mix it with chive and shrimp; Qiunan, you're meticulous—help pick the chives and screen out impurities in the shrimp shells; I and Jingru will roll the wrappers and fold the dumplings, while Su Qing just sits and passes things to us.

After the assignments were made, the courtyard bustled with activity right away.

He Yushui turned the risen dough onto a floured board, rolled up her sleeves and kneaded it vigorously; the dough gradually became smooth and elastic in her hands, and she occasionally dabbed it with warm water.

"Kneading dough requires the 'three lights'—hands smooth, dough smooth, board smooth—so the dumpling wrappers turn out chewy and hard to tear."

Saying that, she divided the kneaded dough into several small portions, covering them with plastic wrap to let them rest.