Li Ying changed her clothes and calmly followed A Man out of the door. When she looked, she saw that Fisherwomen Li and Zhang, along with a few others, were rolling up their sleeves and blocking the entrance of the village. Opposite them were several dark - skinned and rather sturdy women, who were scolding persistently. They were looking for an opportunity to rush into the village.
The leading woman spotted Li Ying at a glance. Seeing her slender waist and graceful gait, she immediately perked up.
"Humph! I was wondering why our men went on a horse - caravan journey and never came back. It turns out they've been seduced by this coquettish slut!"
These words were so offensive that the complexions of the fisherwomen in the village immediately darkened. A Man was so angry that her face turned red. She was about to rush forward and fight.
"Watch your mouth! I'd like to see who dares to spread rumors about my sister!"
The villagers of the fishing village were united. The woman was no match for them. In the scuffle, she stumbled and almost fell to the ground.
She patted her dress, spat on the ground angrily, and shouted into the village, "You heartless Guo Laosan! Hiding behind your mistress and acting like a coward! Your wife is about to give birth. She's been waiting for you day and night, thinking you might have run into trouble on the horse - caravan journey. She's been crying her eyes out. But you've been enjoying yourself in the arms of a beauty!"
Li Ying frowned. The "Guo Laosan" this woman was scolding was the very brother in the horse caravan who had once made horse - caravan chicken and pot - cooked rice for her to taste.
She looked through the crowd and indeed saw a pregnant young woman with a pale face, listlessly leaning against a blue stone. Her bulging belly clearly indicated that she was about to give birth soon.
Li Ying composed herself and signaled A Man not to make a fuss. On the side, seeing that the situation was getting out of hand, Li the Carpenter and others had already called a few stewards of the horse caravan, including Guo Laosan.
From afar, he heard someone calling his name. When he took a closer look, his eyes lit up with joy.
"Wife, why did you come?"
The pregnant woman gave a gentle smile. Before she could say a word, she was blocked by the scolding woman again.
"If my sister hadn't come to check on you, you might be getting married again in a few days! You heartless man! Your wife has come all the way here with a big belly. Hurry up and go home with her!"
As she said this, the woman couldn't help but roll her eyes at Li Ying. A Man glared back without hesitation.
Li Ying noticed that these women were carrying large and small bags on their backs, looking haggard and travel - worn. She finally understood what was going on.
It turned out that the families of the horse - caravan men, worried about their husbands who had been away for many days, had traveled with their families all the way to the fishing village.
She didn't blame these women. Putting herself in their shoes, if she were pregnant and Lu Xunguang disappeared without a trace, and then suddenly met him with a beautiful woman by his side, she was sure A Man would scold the person without thinking.
Here, Guo Laosan carefully helped his wife up. Most of the horse - caravan men were not good at expressing themselves. It took him a while to explain to his wife and children that they had stayed in the fishing village to repay the kindness of Boss Li and Boss Lu for their support, and they had been helping with odd jobs like building houses and roads.
The women of the horse caravan then came to their senses. The leading and fiery - tempered woman blushed with shame.
"Boss Li, I was being unreasonable and scolding without thinking. Please don't take it to heart!"
The woman raised her hand, about to slap herself. Li Ying quickly reached out to stop her and said with a smile, "This sister was just worried. It's all a misunderstanding. Why spoil our harmony?"
Her kind and gentle attitude made the women of the horse caravan even happier. They whispered to each other, amazed that Boss Li, such a beautiful woman, was as capable as a man in doing business and making money.
Most of the oyster - shell houses in the village had been repaired. The fishermen, having earned some money, had also taken the time to renovate their tile - roofed houses. It was easy for them to spare a few guest rooms.
The New Year was a time for family reunion. The women of the horse caravan had traveled a long way, and they had been separated from their husbands for most of the year. Li Ying was not a stingy person. She immediately warmly invited the men of the horse caravan and their families to stay in the fishing village for the festival.
The villagers of the fishing village were naturally hospitable. Hearing that these women usually lived in the cold and desolate mountains, raising their families alone, they all felt sorry for them. They brought out a lot of cured fish and ducks and urged them to eat more.
The men of the horse caravan also rolled up their sleeves. They washed all the cured meat and ham that they had planned to take home, set up the copper pots, and started making horse - caravan dishes.
Li Ying watched as the women of the horse caravan nestled beside their husbands, smiling happily but also with a hint of bitterness. She understood.
After the New Year, the horse caravan would set off again. They would have to be separated from their husbands once more. This kind of life with little time together was really hard.
Li Ying had an idea. She said softly, "I know a dish that is extremely delicious, the most delicious in the world. I'll make it for you all today."
After saying that, without waiting for a response, she gracefully stood up and started to prepare the dish on her own.
First, she took a bunch of vermicelli, coiled it into a shape like a bird's nest, and deep - fried it in a pan over low heat until it was puffy and crispy. Then she placed it on sliced bitter melons.
Next, she boiled a pot of quail eggs, peeled them, and piled them in the "bird's nest". She also prepared a plate of dipping sauce beside it.
This dipping sauce was made of crushed fermented soybeans, mixed with rice vinegar, brown sugar, and chili water. It had a strong and appetizing taste, a combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.
Li Ying served the dish on the table. Everyone looked at each other in surprise.
Raw sliced bitter melons with boiled quail eggs? How could this be a delicious dish?
Li Ying just smiled and calmly watched the people at the table.
It was Guo Laosan who took the lead. He picked up a chopstick full of bitter melon, frowned, dipped it in the sauce, and chewed with a straight face.
His wife also tasted it doubtfully.
The strong taste of vinegar and spiciness rushed straight to their foreheads, almost making them cry.
Then came the saltiness and a faint sweetness.
Finally, the bitterness of the bitter melon lingered on their tongues. After swallowing, they could still feel a faint coolness.
The combination of sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy flavors left them speechless for a moment.