Chapter 40: Splashing the Street
"Meng De, let's have fish head tofu soup and braised fish tail for lunch today. I'll also make some cold dishes and add peanuts, which will make four dishes in total.

By the way, bring your coal stove over later, and I’ll use two pots to cook together.”

Sha Zhu said with a smile while cleaning the fish.

I saw him wielding the knife quickly, scraping off the fish scales and putting them away, removing the fish gills, the membrane in the belly and the mucus on the fish's body, and then pulling out the fish tendons.

"Okay, you clean up the fish body and I'll send it to my parents later." Wang Mengde stood aside, helping to press water to rinse it from time to time.

Wearing a straw hat and carrying about two kilograms of fish meat, Wang Mengde quickly arrived at his parents' home.

Ran Xiaomei was just about to cook when she saw him coming with a piece of fish in his hand. She asked curiously, "Little Pig, where did you get the fish?"

"Mom, this is a five-pound carp that I caught in Shichahai. Shazhu and I will eat the fish head and tail for lunch, and I'm bringing the fish body for you to try." Wang Mengde said loudly while standing outside the door.

Sure enough, as expected, someone from the next-door neighbor stuck his head out to check.

"Okay, I'll cook fish for lunch." Ran Xiaomei said happily with her eyes narrowed.

Such a big fish is rare. Those usually sold in the vegetable market are small.

"Mom, I'll go back first." Wang Mengde said as he was about to turn around and go back.

"Wait a minute, little pig, come in, I have something to ask you." Ran Xiaomei quickly called him and pulled him into the house.

In the living room, Wang Hao was sitting on a chair reading a newspaper, while Wang Yuanchao and Wang Weiguo were listlessly lying on the table. When they saw him coming, they just greeted him casually.

"Xiaozhu, how are you and Shengnan getting along now?" Ran Xiaomei asked after entering the house.

A few days ago, after making some private inquiries, Ran Xiaomei discovered that He Shengnan's family in Caochang Hutong had a good reputation, so she became even more concerned and would ask about their progress every time they met.

"Mom, we are fine."

"That's fine. Next month, I'll ask your dad to pick a date. Then we'll find a matchmaker and go to the He family to propose marriage. You two have been together for so long, we can't delay it any longer."

Ran Xiaomei said happily.

Wang Mengde naturally wanted to get married early and end this boring life of having nothing to do except studying at night.

"By the way, Meng De, your relationship isn't finalized yet, so don't bring that girl with you to the yard for now." Wang Hao on the side interjected.

"Dad, I know."

Wang Mengde knew what he meant. He was afraid of arousing jealousy among the people in the courtyard and then doing something bad behind their backs.

There are too many "talents" in the hospital, not only the Lord of Morality, the White Lotus, the master of interception, but also the expert who is good at locking doors.

Haven’t you seen that Sha Zhu dated several people but didn’t know how to keep it a secret, and none of them worked out in the end? This is all thanks to the people in the hospital.

"There's one more thing. The Dragon Boat Festival is coming soon. Next weekend, go to Shichahai and pick some reed leaves for me to use to make rice dumplings.

Give me more discounts, and then go to Fatty Guo's house to buy some pork belly, make some meat dumplings, and send some to Shengnan. I heard that she likes eating more."

Ran Xiaomei gave another instruction.

Wow, Wang Mengde was a little shocked. His mother actually found out about such a secret matter. She was worthy of being someone who had assisted the organization in doing things before.

When he was with He Shengnan, he observed her carefully and found out that she was a foodie.

When I returned to the courtyard, before I reached the middle courtyard, I could smell the aroma of fish soup.

"Shazhu, your cooking skills are great. I can smell the fragrance from far away." Wang Mengde came closer and saw the snow-white fish soup in the pot and said with a smile.

"That's right, I'm not bragging. My cooking skills are almost as good as those of the chefs in big restaurants. I just lack a little experience." Sha Zhu couldn't help but boast loudly. After saying that, he looked at Jia Jia without leaving any trace.

Jia family.

On the dining table, there was a large bowl of steaming fish soup.

This is what Qin Huairu asked Sha Zhu for while Wang Mengde was away.

Jia Zhang, Jia Dongxu and Bang Geng were all sitting around, smelling the aroma of the fish soup with an intoxicated look on their faces.

"Mom, it's great. Let me try it first to see if it's salty enough."

Jia Dongxu couldn't help it. He carefully picked up the bowl and took a big sip impatiently.

Although it was a bit hot, he was reluctant to spit it out, and finally swallowed it. He smacked his lips as he savored the taste, and he had to admit in his heart that although this Sha Zhu looked ugly, the food he cooked was delicious.

Then, he couldn't help but lower his head and take another big sip, and only put down the bowl reluctantly at Banggeng's dissatisfied voice.

As for what I just said, "even dogs won't eat it," I had already forgotten it in front of the fish soup.

In the He family's living room.

Wang Mengde and Sha Zhu were drinking wine and chatting, while He Yushui was eating silently beside them.

At this time, Liu Guangtian from the backyard ran over. He stood outside the door, sniffed twice, and then said, "Brother Mengde, Shazhu, my dad asked me to tell you that the sun will set in the afternoon, and we are going to splash the streets."

"Boy, you called him brother just now, why don't you call me brother too." Sha Zhu put down his chopsticks and looked at Liu Guangtian with an unfriendly face.

"By the way, didn't they splash the streets once before May Day? Why are they doing it again now? Did the second uncle make the decision on his own and want to show off in front of the street leaders?"

"Others call you that, so why can't I?" Liu Guangtian took a step back in fear, and then continued: "The street splashing was announced by the street, what does it have to do with my dad?"

After saying that, he turned and ran, fearing that if he was slow he would be caught by Sha Zhu and get beaten up.

"Bah, it seems this kid is itching for trouble. When I catch him someday, I'll give him a beating." Sha Zhu picked up the chopsticks, picked up a peanut and put it in his mouth, saying angrily.

"Okay, don't be angry with the kid. Just beat him up a few times when you have the chance." Wang Mengde advised.

In the evening, the sun sets.

At this time, adults and children from every courtyard came out together and started splashing water on the streets.

Since the Ming Dynasty, the capital city has had the tradition of pouring clean water on the streets. In addition to showing respect for the emperor when he was traveling, it was also because the streets and alleys of the capital city at that time were all dirt roads, and the weather was dry. When the wind blew, the sky was filled with yellow sand and dust.

After liberation, the main roads in the capital were gradually renovated and paved with asphalt, but the roads in the alleys were still mostly dirt roads, and sprinkler trucks could not get in, so people had to use manpower to spray the streets.

In addition to spraying the streets before major holidays such as May Day and National Day every year, the street will also arrange for residents in the alleys to spray the streets together at the same time based on weather conditions.

Wang Mengde followed the strong laborers in the yard to draw water from the water pressurized well in the yard, then carried it outside the yard and poured it on the ground together.

At this time, the children were the happiest, and one or two of them even started a water fight.

Xu Damao was also among the children. When he saw Qin Huairu beside him, his eyes rolled around, and then he pretended to be careless and poured a bucket of water on her.

The wet clothes on Qin Huairu stuck tightly to her body, showing off her exquisite figure.

Several hot-tempered young men, including Wang Mengde, couldn't help but shudder.

When Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu discovered what was going on, they immediately became angry and walked towards Xu Damao cursing.

(End of this chapter)