An Hao held the five yuan in her hand and went to the village supply and marketing co-op to weigh three pounds of rock sugar, with pre-packaged bags costing six jiao each and bulk rock sugar four jiao per pound. She chose three pounds of the bulk rock sugar and two large sheets of glass paper to make hawthorn cakes, which she would then wrap in the glass paper to sell.
After returning home, she closed the door and immediately began making the hawthorn cakes.
In the eighties, these might have been common snacks in big cities, but in their impoverished, remote mountain area, they were considered rarities.
An Hao, who had been a chef in her previous life, had studied food extensively. Seeing as her current family situation wasn't wealthy, she decided to work with the hawthorn that was readily available.
An Hao poured out a third of the hawthorn, meticulously removed the cores, and then added half a pot of water. She cut the hawthorn into slices and began to cook them until the flesh was soft and cool. Then, with patience, she picked out and discarded the hawthorn skins.
She found a clean piece of cheesecloth and filtered the hawthorn in batches to create a smooth paste, then added an appropriate amount of the rock sugar into the pot with the hawthorn paste. She stirred continuously while simmering until it was thick and sticky, and then took the pot off the stove.
Next, she found a clean, large enamel basin, lightly coated it with a thin layer of rapeseed oil, and poured the cooked hawthorn paste into it to cool and set outside the house.
An Hao worked all day and was exhausted by the time she finished everything.
Afterward, it was already dusk.
Bai Xue Mei was in the house munching on sunflower seeds. Seeing that it was getting late, she lifted the door curtain and stepped out.
Seeing An Hao tidying up in the yard, she walked over and patted her on the shoulder, "An Hao, stop cleaning up; let me do it. You take this ten yuan to the village chief's wife and explain your intentions to her while you're at it."
An Hao wiped sweat from her brow and glanced at the money in Bai Xue Mei's hand but didn't take it, "Didn't you already go there early this morning? What did the village chief's wife say?"
"She's not giving up, is she? She thinks I'm rejecting her money on purpose. You should go and explain it personally. That way, this matter can be put to rest." Bai Xue Mei pushed the money into An Hao's hand and crouched down to start washing the pots and pans they had used.
Since Bai Xue Mei had put it that way, An Hao didn't overthink it. Going there in person to explain would be best to avoid the village chief's wife's continued concern.
An Hao noticed it was getting dark and hurriedly washed her hands before heading to the village chief's house.
Upon entering, she happened to meet the village chief on his way out. After explaining her purpose, the chief told her his wife was in the small woods behind their house, digging up earth to prepare for working with coal mud.
After thanking the village chief, An Hao headed directly behind their house.
From a distance, she saw a silhouette squatting there. An Hao couldn't see clearly, so as she approached, she called out, "Auntie, I've come to repay the money."
When she got closer, she saw that it was Wang Genqiang all by himself crouching there.
Seeing An Hao coming over, he stood up, his tall figure of one meter eighty clumsily smiling, "Heh heh, An Hao, I'm Gen Erqiang. My ma didn't come; it's just me."
"Your mom didn't come? Or did she leave again?" An Hao was wary of his ability to communicate clearly and asked again.
"She didn't come. My mom said she wanted me to meet you." Wang Genqiang, hands in his pockets, grinned at An Hao, the more he looked, the more he liked, "An Hao, you really look nice."
It was then that An Hao suddenly realized there was nothing wrong with what Wang Genqiang was saying—the village chief's wife indeed hadn't come. If that was the case, she had to leave quickly; lingering could lead to idle gossip.
An Hao didn't linger to explain much to Wang Genqiang and turned to leave immediately.
Wang Genqiang saw An Hao leaving and got anxious. He took long strides to follow her, "An Hao, don't run. I fancy you, would you marry me and be my wife?"