Chapter 555: Hot Dumplings Warm Through the Heart of Overcoming Obstacles

Han Chunyan was chopping meat in the kitchen, the cleaver's "duk-duk-duk" sound especially rhythmic.

She put the chopped pork belly into an enamel basin, added minced scallions and ginger, cracked in two free-range eggs, stirred in one direction until the filling became firm, then added the chopped shrimp and chives, plus shrimp skin, thirteen-spice, soy sauce, and a little sesame oil:

"When making the filling, mix the meat first then add the vegetables; otherwise the chives will release water and the filling will turn watery."

Ding Qiunan squatted nearby helping to pick out the shrimp skins, occasionally reminding: "Put in a little less salt; the kids working overtime get thirsty, too much salt makes them uncomfortable."

Qin Jingru rolled the risen dough into round strips, cut them into even small pieces, flattened them with her palm, and He Yushui picked up a rolling pin and rolled out round dumpling wrappers, evenly thick, edges slightly thinner, center thicker, and said:

"Your wrapper-rolling skill has improved!"

Qin Jingru smiled, took it, and handed it to Zheng Juan:

"I cook for the family every day, so I still have this ability."

Zheng Juan's dumpling-folding technique was neat; the pleats were tidy, each dumpling standing on the steamer cloth like little ingots in a row.

Neighbor Zhang Dama passed by, smelled the aroma, walked in, saw the scene, and immediately rolled up her sleeves:

"Let me lend a hand! No matter how fast you wrap, you can't keep up with the amount needed for twenty-odd people."

Saying that, she picked up a wrapper, skillfully scooped filling and pinched the edge, moving even faster than Zheng Juan.

Su Qing sat aside, handing out the rolled wrappers one by one; occasionally she also took a wrapper, carefully scooped a tiny bit of filling, and practiced pleating—though her pleats were crooked, it made everyone laugh.

After a busy morning, the two steamer cloths' worth of dumplings were finally wrapped.

Zheng Juan lit a big pot, added plenty of water, waited for it to boil, then dropped the dumplings in batches.

When the dumplings floated up, she added cold water twice to the pot, smiling as she said:

"Dumplings cooked this way have chewy skins and fragrant fillings; they won't burst and leak."

Qin Jingru then double-checked the epidemic-prevention supplies Ding Qiunan had prepared, placed them together with the dumplings in the insulated buckets, and took a few bottles of warm water: "The kids might choke on the dumplings, so we need plenty of warm water."

The group carried the insulated buckets to the research workshop; just as they reached the door, they smelled a faint scent of machine oil inside.

Lin Zhengcheng and Chen Mo were discussing engine parts when they heard footsteps, turned around, saw several buckets full of dumplings, and their eyes filled with delight.

"Mom, you really made dumplings!" Lin Zhengcheng hurried forward, took the insulated bucket, and said, "We were just saying this morning that we'd be happy with anything hot; I never expected dumplings."

The workshop's coworkers also gathered around; He Yushui and Han Chunyan busily handed out the dumplings.

Zhang Dama also laughed and said, "Hurry up and eat; they're just cooked, and they lose their aroma when they cool."

A young coworker bit into a dumpling, the delicious broth spread in his mouth, and he couldn't help but say:

"So fragrant! Better than the ones we make at home; this shrimp filling is amazing!"

Lin Qinhua took a dumpling, passed a bowl to Chen Mo, and said, "Hurry up and eat; you've lost weight these past few days."

Chen Mo bit into a dumpling, looked at Lin Qinhua, his eyes full of warmth:

"You eat too; thank you for your hard work."

Lin Shengli also held a bowl of dumplings, walked over to the women, and said with a smile:

"Your skill beats the cafeteria chefs'; with you around, the kids work with more energy."

Su Qing stood aside, watching everyone eat with great enthusiasm, a gentle smile on her face.

Ding Qiunan supported her arm: "Let's also find a place to rest; after they finish eating, we'll tidy up." Qin Jingru then took out the oranges she'd brought, handed them out, and said, "After the dumplings, have an orange to cut the greasiness and supplement some vitamin C."

Sunlight streamed through the workshop windows onto each person's face; the steaming dumplings dispelled the deep autumn chill and also the fatigue from days of overtime.

The women sat aside, watching the research team eat happily, occasionally chatting about everyday matters; the workshop's machinery roar seemed to soften considerably.

When everyone had finished eating, the women tidied the insulated buckets and utensils, wiped the workshop tables and floors clean, then slowly headed back.

On the way, Zhang Dama laughed and said:

"Next time let's change it up—make some buns, steam some shaomai, so the kids can vary their flavors."

Zheng Juan nodded: "Sure, we'll take turns leading, look after these kids well, and let them focus on research with peace of mind."

An autumn breeze blew, carrying the dumplings' lingering fragrance; a few more leaves fell from the locust trees in the Lin Family Courtyard, but the warmth in the courtyard was like these freshly boiled dumplings—warming people's hearts until they glowed.

These ordinary women, with their skillful hands, added the gentlest hue to the journey of overcoming tough challenges in scientific research.