novelraw Chapter 183: Her Birthday
Chapter 183: Her Birthday
The weather is getting colder and if I had a washing machine, it would be much more comfortable to do laundry.
Especially with those diapers from Little Stone, there’s a big pile every day, and Xu Zhaodi spends almost half a day washing these diapers daily.
If a washing machine could be used, it would save a lot of time and effort.
Having made up her mind, Su Xiaoxiao decisively placed an order for a ten-kilogram semi-automatic washing machine.
Nowadays, most washing machines are fully automatic, so the price of semi-automatic ones is quite cheap.
Su Xiaoxiao specifically scheduled the delivery time for 6:30 p.m., right after dinner at home.
After setting the delivery time, a knock was heard at the door.
Estimating the time, it should be Grandma Liu coming to get the sewing machine.
Today there were no other errands to run, just Grandma Liu’s sewing machine, which had been packed in a burlap sack earlier.
Upon hearing the sound, she quickly went out to greet her, and sure enough, saw Grandma Liu walking in with tiny steps.
Young Grandma Liu had bound feet, and her small feet were the standard three-inch golden lilies, making her body sway when she walked.
Every time Su Xiaoxiao saw her, she was worried the old lady might fall.
She hurriedly stepped forward to support her: "Grandma Liu, I brought the sewing machine you wanted."
After entering the house, Su Xiaoxiao dragged out the burlap sack from the corner, huffed and puffed to get the cardboard box containing the sewing machine out of the sack.
Grandma Liu looked at the box that was a little above her knee and doubted: "Xiaoxiao, why is this sewing machine so small?"
"Grandma Liu, don’t be fooled by its size; its functions are quite powerful."
As she spoke, she opened the box in two or three moves, and carefully took out the sewing machine to show her.
"See, once this sewing machine is placed on the table and plugged in, it’s good to go. Let me demonstrate,"
Grandma Liu looked at the sewing machine that was smaller than usual with some uncertainty: "Can such a small sewing machine really work?"
This sewing machine is the trendy household miniature sewing machine, not only powerful in function but also saves space.
However, in this era, it’s still a bit advanced.
Su Xiaoxiao placed the sewing machine on the table, plugged it in, took out two pieces of patterned fabric from her bag, dragged a stool, and sat down in front of the sewing machine to demonstrate for Grandma Liu.
She deftly stitched a circle of lace, then threaded elastic inside, and in a short while, a beautiful headpiece was completed.
Grandma Liu watched in amazement: "I didn’t expect this small sewing machine to operate so smoothly, Xiaoxiao, thank you so much."
"It’s no bother, we are neighbors. If you have any issues with this sewing machine later, feel free to reach out." she said with a smile.
She helped Grandma Liu pack up the sewing machine again, smiling sweetly.
Grandma Liu took out money and stuffed it into her hand, and when Su Xiaoxiao counted, there was an extra five yuan.
She quickly wanted to return the money, but Grandma Liu stopped her: "Take this money; it’s only right. I can’t let you work for nothing, bringing it from such a distance. When my grandson gets married, you must come for a drink."
Su Xiaoxiao felt a bit embarrassed, as there was a rebate for this item.
Seeing Grandma Liu wanting to move the sewing machine herself, she quickly called into the room, "Old Four, Old Five, help Grandma Liu take the sewing machine home."
"Oh dear, it really is too much trouble for you."
Grandma Liu felt even more embarrassed, as Young Xiaoxiao had not only helped her get a ticket-free sewing machine but also offered to deliver it home; this child really has a kind heart.
The two of them carried the sewing machine and left, and Su Xiaoxiao hurriedly put the money back into the house.
She had a small box dedicated to storing money, where she kept most of the earnings she made.
Just as she put it away, Xu Zhaodi’s voice came from outside the door: "Xiaoxiao, it’s time to eat."
Su Xiaoxiao quickly responded, opened the door, and went out.
As soon as she opened the door, an aroma wafted over.
Smelling the meat scent in the air, Su Xiaoxiao took a deep breath; it was the smell of braised pork, so rich and fragrant!
How did her mom get so generous today, cooking meat?
"Such a lovely aroma, what delicious food are we having?"
Grandma Liu lived not far away, just across an alley from them.
The two little brothers came in and immediately smelled the fragrance in the air, taking a deep breath.
Su Xiaoxiao hurried to the kitchen and came out with a handful of chopsticks.
Liu Cuilan went outside and picked a bunch of fresh spring onions to put on the table.
The white onion bulbs and green leaves appeared fresh and juicy, as if ready to squeeze out water.
Su Xiaoxiao took one, shook off the water, and curiously asked, "Mom, why are we eating so well today? Did our family strike it rich?"
In the middle of the table was a large bowl of tempting braised pork with potatoes, not the usual cornmeal mixed buns but large steamed buns made from second-grade flour. Although not as refined as first-grade, it was the rare hard-won fine grain typically unavailable.
Besides these, there was a plate of stir-fried green beans, and to her surprise, a few pieces of oily bacon were added, making it look very tempting.
Moreover, there was even a dish of scrambled eggs with tomatoes; the golden eggs wrapped in the tomato sauce, though there were fewer eggs and more tomatoes, the sight was still very appetizing.
Su Xiaoxiao uncontrollably swallowed, the meal seemed better than a feast.
"Today is your birthday, did you forget?"
Liu Cuilan said as she made another trip to the kitchen, bringing out a steaming bowl of noodles and placing it in front of Su Xiaoxiao, "These are for you."
It was a bowl full of wheat noodles with a poached egg on top, floating in the broth were bright green spring onion leaves, emitting an appetizing fragrance.
Su Xiaoxiao had forgotten; today was the original owner’s birthday, and also her own.
Both birthdays being on the same day was a kind of fate.
"Xiaoxiao, I don’t have much to give you, but these are gloves I knitted for you, it’s getting cold, wear them while cycling in the morning to keep warm."
Xu Zhaodi handed her a pair of red woolen gloves, the stitching dense, with patterns specially knitted on the back, clearly crafted with thought.
In a hurry, she wiped her hands and accepted them: "Thank you, Sister Zhaodi."
Liu Cuilan simply took out ten yuan from her pocket and handed it to her: "I don’t know what you girls like, just take this, buy whatever you want."
The two little brothers also quickly presented their prepared gifts, Old Four made a little wooden sculpture, a chubby little girl, looking very cute.
Old Five’s was rather abstract, a lump of... clay figure, with crooked mouth and slanted eyes, indistinguishable appearance.
Su Xiaoxiao’s mouth twitched, to make something so unattractive, Old Five surely was talented.
Liu Cuilan said: "Your big brother and second brother will be back tomorrow, they said they’ve brought you gifts too."
Recalling the gifts her brothers gave last time, Su Xiaoxiao felt a twinge of heartache; if it’s the same style of gifts, they’d better just give money instead.
"Alright, let’s eat."
Liu Cuilan was first to pick up chopsticks, placing a piece of braised pork into Su Xiaoxiao’s bowl.
Looking at the smiling faces around the table, she lowered her head to look at the bowl of noodles she was holding.
The rising steam blurred her vision, and her eyes suddenly began to heat up.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up a chopstick full of noodles and put it in her mouth, feeling pure happiness.