Beisitian paused, looked up at Liu Chunyu, and asked, "Are you talking to ?"
Liu Chunyu stared at her with her mouth open, aning, who else would she be talking to if not you? You’re the only one picking those mushrooms!
"Why can’t we eat them?" Beisitian tilted her head and asked. Judging by the girl’s deanor, she didn’t seem to be making things up; there must be a reason.
In fact, Liu Chunyu and Beisitian grew up together. When they were little, they played together, but after getting a stepmother, their interactions gradually decreased. Later on, Beisitian stopped talking to anyone, and as they both grew up, they beca distant.
In the sa village, you couldn’t avoid each other even if you tried. Liu Chunyu felt sorry for Beisitian; she had a mother who loved her, but Beisitian did not.
This was the first sentence they exchanged after Beisitian beca the Luo family’s daughter-in-law.
"You shouldn’t eat them. These mushrooms grow after a wildfire. The elders say eating them will bring bad spirits!" Liu Chunyu said seriously.
Beisitian was montarily stunned but then burst into laughter. Isn’t it true that morel mushrooms grow after wildfires? Two to three years after a wildfire is the best growing season, and after that, their numbers decrease each year. That’s why they’re considered precious!
A few years ago, there was a wildfire on the North Slope, but it didn’t turn into a disaster as the villagers extinguished it. After that, these mushrooms sprouted, so everyone thinks they’re ominous.
After all, there was a reason for that wildfire; it claid two lives. These mushrooms appearing now must carry resentnt, so the elders warned not to pick them, claiming eating them would bring bad luck!
Liu Chunyu frowned as she watched Beisitian laughing. She didn’t say anything wrong, so what’s with this person? She used to be silent, and now she’s laughing inexplicably!
Beisitian couldn’t hold back. After laughing a few tis, she quickly quieted down, appreciating the good intentions of the other party.
"Thank you, but eating these mushrooms is fine. They’re actually beneficial to your health. I saw it in my father’s guidebook; it said so," Beisitian said earnestly.
It’s well known in the village what Beisitian’s father used to do. He was the village doctor before he passed away, and Yang Wulang took over. However, in terms of skills, he was far inferior to Beisitian’s father.
Liu Chunyu glanced down at the morel mushroom in her hand. After hesitating for a mont, she still shook her head. "It’s better not to eat it. What if it brings bad luck?"
Of course, Beisitian wouldn’t discard such a precious thing. She smiled without further persuasion, simply saying it was okay.
Seeing her insist on picking the mushrooms, Liu Chunyu stomped her foot, said she wouldn’t interfere anymore, and left.
Around six, Liu Chunyu was about to take her brother ho to cook. She glanced at Beisitian, hesitating whether to say sothing.
Even though they only exchanged a few words today, she seed to see the Beisitian from childhood—talkative, cheerful, not at all gloomy.
"Are you heading ho too? I’m about to go. Ping’an, let’s go!" Beisitian initiated conversation with her.
Liu Chunyu hurriedly smiled and nodded.
Luo Anping, hearing it was ti to go ho, dashed back, eyes sparkling. Going ho ant eating at buns!
Beisitian patted his head and herded the sheep back ho.
When they got ho, Mrs. Qin was busy gathering firewood to light a fire. Seeing them return, she asked, "What are we having for dinner?"
Now Beisitian paid close attention to what they ate. Even Mrs. Qin started consulting her unknowingly.
"Let’s fry so bean sprouts and make a cold salad with shepherd’s purse!" Beisitian quickly took the spatula.
Mrs. Qin nodded, noticed Luo Anping standing by, and frowned, "Go practice your writing."
Luo Anping pouted and went into the east room.
The two dishes were ready in ten minutes. They placed the buns on the pot rack to heat, then went inside. Luo Anping had already set the Kang table and sat waiting for dinner.
Beisitian went out to pick up the buns and two corn buns, serving them inside. Mrs. Qin brought the two dishes in, and the family of four began to eat.
Luo Anguo looked at those at buns but didn’t reach for them, his eyes glancing at Luo Anguo. Beisitian smiled, seeing that Luo Anguo hadn’t relaxed their education of Luo Anping and hadn’t completely given up hope.
Knowing that Luo Anping was eager, Beisitian took two at buns and placed them in Luo Anguo’s bowl, then two in Mrs. Qin’s bowl, and then said to Luo Anping, "Go ahead and eat!"
Luo Anping didn’t stand on ceremony, grabbed one, and stuffed half into his mouth!
"What about yours?" Luo Anguo asked, puffing out the last of his cigarette and looking up.
"I already ate in town," Beisitian replied. Seeing Mrs. Qin also looking at her, she added, "That’s why I brought back two dollars and twenty cents."
Luo Anguo nodded and returned one bun from his bowl, "One is enough for ."
Beisitian felt a warm heart, unable to refuse his good intentions, and buried herself in eating. Once she earned more money, she could buy more, no, make them herself next ti!
Neither Mrs. Qin nor Luo Anguo had eaten white bread in a long ti, let alone white at buns. They savored their al, finding it even tastier than at scraps!
In the afternoon, Mrs. Qin had rendered a large piece of fatty at for its oil, and the leftover at scraps served as at dishes. However, because there were at buns for dinner, she skipped serving them. This way, they could have at dishes for several als.
The rendered oil was saved for future cooking, a common way to save money on cooking oil in the countryside!
In the evening, Beisitian braided for a while and then urged Mrs. Qin to go to sleep, saying this was how her eyes got bad!
Mrs. Qin didn’t say much, as the next market day was a month away, so there was no hurry.
The villagers usually wake up early; waking up late earns the labels of lazy husband or wife, affecting oneself and the marriage prospects of the children.
After waking up, Beisitian soaked the morel mushrooms she had collected the day before, planning to make stir-fried mushroom slices and mushroom soup for lunch!
The mountain still had plenty, enough for a while. When paired with other ingredients and dicinal herbs, it would improve the whole family’s health!
However, before eating these mushrooms, she needed to discuss it with Mrs. Qin and Luo Anguo. Even Luo Anping ntioned yesterday that they couldn’t be eaten.
She used her late father’s excuse again, claiming she’d seen it in a related guidebook. Luo Anguo trusted Beidewang, not just because he saved his life but also because he kept him from being bedridden, which would have been more troubleso!
So, even though Mrs. Qin wasn’t keen, since the head of the household agreed, she allowed Beisitian to proceed.
The saying that eating mushrooms would bring bad luck wasn’t her belief; she just thought they might not be good to eat.
In the morning, she embroidered a bit, using handkerchiefs and pillowcases she bought from the Bao Niang embroidery workshop. The quality was undoubtedly excellent. Since it was for double-sided embroidery, Zhang Baoli naturally gave her the best materials, all at cost price, hoping to win her over.
By noon, Beisitian had added two hogrown peppers to the stir-fried mushroom slices and at, the room quickly filling with a delicious aroma.
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