If soone had told Zhou Jiao in the past that there was a spring drought in the Northeast,
she would definitely have scorned the other person’s intelligence.
The large areas of snow in the Northeast during spring, along with the visible rivers everywhere—are these decorations?
Now, she is ashad of her ignorance.
In Zhou Jiao’s imagination, the Northeast had heavy flooding, avalanches, mudslides, and it wouldn’t easily suffer from droughts. But reality taught her a lesson.
After the New Year, ti flies. As the weather warms and the snow lts, spring plowing becos everyone’s hope in farming families. No matter how tiring it is, when thinking of the joy of harvest, what’s the big deal about tilling the earth?
After two autumn rains last year, it hasn’t rained since, leaving the Old Captain worried, clinging to his long tobacco pipe. Especially since hearing that it has been dry within the pass, he walks along the riverbanks back and forth every day.
Whenever the newspapers report a lack of rain sowhere, Zhou Jiao’s heart tightens with worry. The only comfort is that the water level in the family’s well is low but still provides clear and drinkable sweet water.
Nobody in the county is paying special attention to the farrs’ harvests, nor has anyone noticed that the surrounding villages are planning to significantly reduce rice planting areas this year.
Zhou Jiao holds her son’s hand, standing in line at the street corner. The small square piece of tofu makes everyone involuntarily smile. Huang Juan in front of her whispers with a sigh of relief that she can finally have fish head tofu soup tonight.
Zhou Jiao understands her excitent. Since the beginning of the first month, soybeans have not appeared on the ration cards, and for the past few months, no one has had even a bite of tofu. How could one not be happy?
She squats down to hold her son, looking at his smile. She must admit, she is truly a blessed person. She cannot imagine how their family would live without their resources.
Carrying the small piece of tofu she bought, Zhou Jiao follows Huang Juan slowly ho.
"Jiao Jiao, when are your father and mother-in-law coming back this ti?"
"They’re worried about Xi Zi and the others, so they should be back in a few days. Are you looking for them for sothing, Aunt Juan?"
Huang Juan shakes her head with a smile, "It’s nothing. I just want to know where there’s a lot of wild vegetables. I plan to dig so when I’m off work. Your mother-in-law has experience with that, but you don’t."
Zhou Jiao chuckles silently. She’s indeed not good at it. A few days ago, when she returned to the village, she didn’t see a single wild vegetable nearby. Though she knows there are plenty on the mountain, she doesn’t dare go without Zhang Guoqing by her side.
"I’ll tell her when she cos. In a while, the wild vegetables will grow fast, so don’t worry about not finding any."
Huang Juan nods, inwardly amused. This kid still thinks the wild vegetables are quietly waiting to be picked. By the ti they go there, there won’t be any left.
Before Huang Juan turns to leave and goes inside, Zhao Yuanyuan rides over on her bicycle.
Zhou Jiao curiously watches her.
"Let’s talk inside first. I’m dying of thirst," Zhao Yuanyuan says, already pushing her bike into the courtyard.
In the living room, Zhou Jiao sets Ping’an down, letting him play on his own. She waits until Zhao Yuanyuan drinks two bowls of water before speaking up.
"Taozi and the others are organizing a trip outdoors, and they asked to co to inform you all."
Zhou Jiao shakes her head, "Xiao Wu still has to work, so I’m not going."
Zhao Yuanyuan stomps her feet, pointing at her anxiously, "You haven’t even asked where we’re going before refusing. Isn’t that insincere? What work does Xiao Wu have on the weekend? You have to go this ti!"
Ping’an refuses to be left out, chiming in, "I want to go too."
"Good boy, little darling! Auntie will take you to see the world."
Zhou Jiao shakes her head with a smile, "Now’s not a good ti for outings. Let’s talk about it in sumr."
"Don’t give that. In sumr, you all will probably be heading back to Beijing. Darling, do you want to go or not?"
Ping’an looks at her, "I’ll listen to mom. Auntie, you haven’t said where it is yet?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao bursts into laughter. Indeed, it was a lot of pointless talk.
Zhao Yuanyuan reaches out to pinch Ping’an, but he stops her hand. Unbothered, she happily says, "We’re going to the reservoir, where you can catch fish and grill fish to eat. How about that?"
Ping’an doesn’t wait for Zhou Jiao to answer, "No, I won’t go." After saying that, he turns around to play with his toys.
Zhou Jiao sees that she’s going to pester the child, quickly pulling her back, "We’re really not planning to go. This weekend, my godmother’s family is coming over, so I need to wait for them at ho."
Zhao Yuanyuan gives her a fierce look, and after a while, says softly, "Then I won’t go either. There are a few boys on the trip, what am I doing there as the only girl?"
After she finishes speaking, she sighs, "I originally thought I could go out to relax."
Hearing this, Zhou Jiao frowns slightly, "Did sothing happen?"
Zhao Yuanyuan feigns ignorance, avoiding her gaze, "What could have happened? I’m fine. I just want to walk around now that it’s warm."
Seeing that she doesn’t want to talk, Zhou Jiao doesn’t ask further. Everyone has their privacy, and she doesn’t like to pry. Besides, apart from crushes, what else could trouble Zhao Yuanyuan?
After chatting for a while, seeing lunchti approaching, Zhou Jiao can’t hold her back as Zhao Yuanyuan runs off in a hurry. She cos and goes like the wind, even Ping’an shakes his head with Zhou Jiao after watching her leave.
During lunch, Zhang Guoqing brings up so information when he cos ho to eat.
Zhao Dashan’s hotown urged him to send grain.
With Zhao Yuanyuan in the picture, it all makes sense. It seems that Zhao Dashan and his wife have differing opinions, leading to internal conflict.
Zhang Guoqing looks at Zhou Jiao with concern. He’s worried that his wife might feel indebted to Zhao Dashan and, feeling they have surplus, foolishly help Zhao Dashan’s family back ho.
Zhou Jiao looks at him speechlessly. Is such an obvious expression necessary? She’s not out of her mind. If Zhao Dashan has surplus, then let him send it; their lack of rations has nothing to do with her.
"Do you think I’m Mother Teresa?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing laughs heartily—it’s good that she has this awareness.
The couple teases and plays around with their son, not expecting a real saint to show up.
"Jiao Jiao, try eating these wild vegetables first. If you like them, I’ll dig so more for you in a few days. Don’t go foraging with others yourself; Ping’an is still young, and the fields aren’t safe. Rember?"
Zhou Jiao looks at the basket of wild vegetables Zhang ili brought over, looking helplessly at Zhang Guoqing. Well, take a look at your saintly sister.
Zhang Guoqing looks at the basket of well-prepared tender wild vegetables and can’t help but laugh, "Sister, you didn’t leave the old stuff for yourself and give all the good ones to us, did you?"
Zhang ili proudly shakes her head, "I found a good spot this ti. My second sister and I dug enough for all three families to have a al. I’ll go look again when I’m off work."
Zhang Guoqing listens, feeling embarrassed.
"Sister, don’t go looking anymore. Over the weekend, I’ll make a trip to the mountain. As much as you want, you can have it, and you can even choose your side dishes. You’re working and still foraging wild vegetables; haven’t you noticed you’ve lost weight?"
Zhou Jiao quickly follows up, "Exactly. Sister, rest well when you’re off work. Don’t keep neglecting to take care of yourself. If you lose too much when you’re young, it won’t recover when you’re old."
Zhang ili doesn’t want to continue talking with these two kids. If they keep talking, she won’t do any work at all. People need to work hard when they’re young; otherwise, they won’t be able to move even if they want to when they’re old. She still wants to work a few more years to save money for the kids.
"I’m leaving. Don’t go to the mountain if there’s no need; it’s dangerous up there. Just let your sister know if you want any wild vegetables. You just take care of the children. Don’t go to the mountain unless it’s necessary, alright?"
Ping’an sees her leaving, takes small steps to her, and blinks his big eyes, "Auntie, bend down."
Zhang ili was about to pick him up when she heard his request and squatted down imdiately. Unexpectedly, the child stuffed a candy into her mouth, making her pick him up excitedly, laughing joyfully.
Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchange smiles. No wonder they say children’s hearts are the purest and most transparent.
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