Chapter 643: Pig Skin Snack
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Su Fengmao was glad to see his parents so happy. He knew it was all because of his daughter. However, as a father, he was too embarrassed to thank Su Binglan.
Shen Qiuhua nodded. “The play was perfect, Binglan.”
Shen Mohen agreed, “Your crew will cause a sensation if they perform at the capital. It was too good to watch, Cousin Binglan.”
He had grown up in the capital with his family and witnessed many things but had never seen such a spectacular play. He thought the story was moving, and the tune was beautiful.
Shen Mohen could even hum a few words from the song now. Although he did not intend to memorize specific words, those few lines engraved themselves in his mind.
Su Binglan knew her play was successful after hearing everyone’s praises. The modern world’s Huangmei opera inspired her play, but the people of this era would not understand it.
Those who watched only knew the song portrayed a significant story.
After eating a few mouthfuls of rice, Su Binglan said, “l will organize many more stage plays after the holidays, and the crew will perform for free. I want to build a theater with seats around the stage. Then everyone can sit indoors to watch my plays, no matter the weather.”
Everyone became excited when Su Binglan told them her plans.
“You can do all that?”
“We can watch the plays indoors too?”
Everyone looked at Su Binglan curiously. Although they did not know what a theater was, they could imagine what it would look like.
Su Wenxiu and Su Wenwu had been to faraway places and knew about art studios where people sang and danced. Still, such places could only accommodate a few people.
“So many people from other villages and counties came to watch the play today. The place was packed and had at least a few hundred people.”
Su Binglan nodded. “If that’s the case, there’s no need for a stage. Whenever I host a play, I’ll put a notice at the door so everyone will know about it.”
‘Our village is becoming even more prosperous. Soon, we’ll have a food street and a business street.
‘The surrounding villages will develop well and receive more visitors. Every village will be lively with a steady flow of visitors. That will also improve the village’s economy and development.’
These thoughts gave Su Binglan a warm feeling. She knew her brothers would be more relaxed then.
Meanwhile, the family imagined what the theater would look like. Su Wenxiu felt a little doubtful, asking, “Sister, how many people can your theater accommodate?”
Su Binglan explained smilingly, “It can accommodate many people. We have plenty of open space and can build a massive theater with several floors. The stairs can also double as seats.
“Not only can the theater accommodate many people, but they can also see the play more clearly if they sit higher. Even the people in the back row can watch the play better.
“It won’t be like the flat space we had today, where the front row could potentially block those at the back.”
Su Wenzhe grew excited and said, “l can’t wait to see what it looks like, Sister.”
Whatever Su Binglan did, the family knew it would be amazing. She wanted to tell everyone how the theater would work, but she knew they would not understand if she overdid it.
‘They’ll understand what I mean when the time is ripe.’
Everyone went to bed early after eating and drinking their fill. The family woke up early the following day while Shen Qiuhua kneaded dough after breakfast. She planned to make steamed buns and cakes to bring to whoever she visited.
Since she had to make many of these things, the family worked alongside her to quicken the process.
Later that afternoon, Su Fengmao brought his sons outside to prepare the pig skins. It was for an old traditional snack that existed long ago. Although many families knew how to make pig skin snacks, everyone’s version tasted different.
Su Binglan watched as her father prepared the pig skin and could not help but recall her past. When she was a kid, her family looked forward to eating good food during the New Year celebrations.
However, they could only afford steamed buns and pig skin snacks. Su Binglan thought her father’s pig skin snack tasted the best. Even so, the family ate the snack sparingly.
But this year, Su Fengmao bought more pig skins and planned to make them crispier and more delicious. Su Binglan looked forward to it.
Although refrigerators did not exist in this era to help make pig skin snacks, people used the cold weather to their advantage.
Still, they could not keep things cool once the weather became warmer.
Therefore, people could only enjoy the pig skin snacks during the New Year.
The Su brothers helped their father, while Shen Mohen helped with the fire. After staying at his aunt’s house for a few days, he had to learn how to do it. He enjoyed helping and could participate in cooking.
He felt a sense of joy when he ate because the food was fragrant, making him want to eat more.
After preparing everything, Su Fengmao placed the pig skins into a pot to cook. Meanwhile, Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an had other things to prepare in the afternoon.
Luo Jin’an wrote blessing couplets, and Su Binglan prepared to paste them on either side of the house entrance.
However, Shen Qiuhua had to take over because Su Binglan did not know how to use the glue the family had made. Shen Qiuhua was familiar with the glue and finished pasting the couplets in just a short while.
Luo Jin’an wrote the couplets quickly, and everyone was amazed by his handwriting. Shen Mohen felt like keeping the work of art Luo Jin’an had made.
‘Of course, he’s also talented in civil and military affairs. A brilliant person like him is hard to find. Whatever he does is priceless, whether it’s his handwriting or calligraphy.’
Shen Mohen remembered his father always praising and teaching him things about Wei Jin’an. The officials and nobles collected Wei Jin’an’s calligraphy
and paintings back then.
Wei Jin’an’s work was so famous that some sold counterfeits in the capital. Many had learned to imitate Wei Jin’an’s calligraphy and paintings to earn money.
However, those experienced with such art knew the fakes from the real deal. None could perfectly replicate Wei Jin’an’s calligraphy. Shen Mohen was utterly ecstatic after seeing Wei Jin’an’s writing again..