They left, and shortly afterward, Shang Zhenkun returned with three children.
He was carrying two wild chickens and a wild rabbit.
"Sister Jing Chu, you’re here, how fortunate! Look at the wild rabbit that Master Shang caught."
"Feifei, you’ve beco more beautiful."
"Thank you, Sister Jing Chu. But you’ve gotten much darker."
"Absolutely, I have to work every day. It’s very tiring. When you see my brother, you’ll know I’m not the darkest. I wear a straw hat and long sleeves every day."
"Where is Brother Guodong?"
"He’s playing outside with Xiao Qiang."
Jiang Xinyu ca out and helped Sister-in-law Liu prepare the wild ga, saying, "We won’t have at patties for lunch today. We’ll have rice, and stew together the wild rabbit, wild chicken, and preserved pork shoulder; it’s sure to be delicious."
The family had no objections; they were satisfied just to have at to eat.
"Master Shang, are there many wild animals on the mountain?"
"Quite a few. After autumn, I’ll go up the mountain with Xiao Wei."
"That’s wonderful. When the wild chickens are plentiful, we’ll make roasted chicken."
Shi Jing and Feifei rembered the taste of roasted chicken, and Jing Chu had eaten it too. "Master Shang, can I go up the mountain with you during the farming off-season?"
"Sure, we’ll all go."
The children were delighted, especially Jianbin, who had never tasted homade roasted chicken.
Lv Jingchu was simply a big kid. She played well with Feifei.
There was a male wild chicken with particularly beautiful feathers. The three children picked out the ones they liked and played with them.
"I will teach you to make feather shuttlecocks," Shang Zhenkun said with a smile.
Jiang Xinyu stood up as well, saying, "I’ll contribute the copper coins. Just be careful not to lose them; I’ve collected these."
With Master Shang’s guidance, the four children learned to make feather shuttlecocks. Jing Chu, being older, was the first to finish hers.
"Not bad; it’s pretty good. This will be for Xiao Qiang to play with later."
Sister-in-law Liu and Jiang Xinyu were busy in the kitchen, knowing the at needed to be cooked early, or it wouldn’t turn tender.
The two wild chickens, one wild rabbit, and Jiang Xinyu also added a three-pound piece of smoked at, making a large pot of stew. With the aroma wafting out, even Jianbin and Shi Jing were a bit tempted.
Although life at ho was good, it wasn’t possible to eat at every day.
Shang Zhenkun smiled as he watched their eager faces. The family didn’t lack in treating them well.
The carrots in the field had grown quite large, but Jiang Xinyu’s idea was to wait for colder weather before picking them. Still, today she could fry so for them to try.
Jing Chu and Feifei followed Jiang Xinyu out, going with her to the private plot. "I planted carrots here, they have a unique taste but are very nutritious. Jing Chu, do you get mouth ulcers during winter when there’s no vegetables to eat?"
"Yes, and I can’t eat hot food during those tis."
"These carrots are effective for that. I’ll make so for you today; even if you don’t like them, you should eat them. Next year, make sure to plant so in your courtyard; they’re good for you all."
This year, Jiang Xinyu had Wei Kaiyun plant two tenths of an acre of carrots. Judging by the output, they could harvest two to three hundred pounds, enough for both families.
She squatted down to look at the stalks, chose so large ones, pulling out several big ones. She also picked so beans, planning to stew them later with the at broth—surely delicious. Adding so potatoes would make it perfect.
Niang San took a walk in the private plot, then picked a few cucumbers and a couple of tomatoes, before returning ho with the basket.
The lunch that day was very abundant: sugar tomatoes, cucumber with minced garlic, Jiang Xinyu cut so smoked at, soaked wood ear fungus, made a simple fish-flavored shredded pork dish. There was also stewed at, alongside beans and potatoes.
Without homade hot sauce, they added chili and minced garlic. Though lacking the taste of broad bean sauce, it was still quite good.
Wei Kaiyun returned from work at noon, and slling the rich aroma in the courtyard, he craved the food—his wife’s cooking was indeed delicious.
Guodong and Xiao Qiang also ca back. "What did Aunt Jiang make? Why does it sll so good?"
Zhao Xiaoqiang sniffed, saying, "It must be stew."
The two quickened their pace, with Guodong thinking he was glad he refused Chaoyang’s invitation.
When they entered the courtyard, seeing everyone waiting for them, they imdiately washed up and hurried into the hall.
Seeing the dishes on the table, their eyes squinted with joy.
Such a lavish al wasn’t common at ho, so everyone ate a bit too much.
Unexpectedly, the fish-flavored shredded pork was the most popular dish.
"Aunt Jiang, these carrots aren’t bad at all."
"As long as you can eat them, that’s good. Carrots must be fried with oil for the nutrients to be activated."
After lunch, only so stew remained as there was still a large pot left.
Jiang Xinyu sent the children to rest, while Jing Chu helped Sister-in-law Liu tidy up the table.
Old Yang and his group drove away, and the car beca much roomier, providing a more comfortable ride.
Zhao Xiaoli chatted with Ding Xiaojuan. "Mr. Ding, it’s better you don’t go to work; it’s only for a year. Look how skinny you’ve beco."
"Yes, I decided I won’t go back to work once I return—I’ll focus on my health first."
"Absolutely! Health is the most important. If you need help, you can co to ." Zhao Xiaoli had brought quite a bit of money from ho, and Xiao Qiang also brought the remaining amount, so they didn’t need to earn labor points to sustain themselves—they just didn’t want people to talk behind their backs.
"It’s manageable now; if we face difficulties, we’ll definitely ask for help. We both had savings, but spent it all buying a house and furnishings, going into debt as well. We were just about to repay it, and now there’s another loan today," Ding Xiaojuan sighed.
"We’ll take it slow."
"Mr. Yang, can you get at? I believe my wife’s condition is due to nutritional deficiencies, but we simply cannot obtain any at." Chen Hui struggled to ask; it was difficult and embarrassing to beg.
"I can get so, I’ll get you so fatty at."
"Thanks, Mr. Yang, but our funds are limited." Saying this was even more embarrassing.
"I’ll buy you twenty dollars’ worth."
"Thank you so much," feeling truly awkward.
"Mr. Ding indeed needs more nourishnt, so the child can be healthy too."
Old Yang wasn’t typically compassionate, but he found himself ward to Chen Hui.
The group reached the city, dropping Sister-in-law Wu off, planning to et again at 3 p.m. They drove away.
They headed directly to the hospital—the number of people was quite considerable, mostly workers, with few farrs. Those who fell ill often held out, believing hospital visits ant spending big money.
They didn’t realize that waiting till they couldn’t bear it anymore would eventually cost more.
Since it was two pregnant won being examined, they saw one doctor.
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