The Daily Life of Farming and Raising Children in Ancient Mountain Re

by Usui Takumii

sidences or Ancient Rural Life: Farming and Raising Children...Not mine, asia novel. Total: 281 Chapters. Waiting for the MTL editor to update.

8. 36 to 40

Chapter 36

In the end, Shen Jin couldn't find out from Chen Ershan how the hu cake actually tasted.

Chen Ershan was a man of few words; he just grunted in response, and that was it.

Shen Jin waited impatiently, and when Shen Ning finally went inside with Sang Luo, and Shen An returned to his hoeing, ignoring the envious Chen Xiaoyi trailing behind him, Shen Jin pulled Shen An aside, asking eagerly, "Shen An, is there any hu cake left?"

Growing up together, Shen An knew Shen Jin all too well. He had anticipated this situation as soon as Xiaoyi mentioned the hu cake.

How could he escape this now that he claimed there was no more oil dregs for the day? Could Shen Jin start showing up here every day?

Shen An just sighed inwardly, his shoulders drooping. With a wooden expression, he said, "No, there isn't any left. It was just a tiny piece, and we three had it for lunch yesterday."

Hearing the word "yesterday," Shen Jin felt deflated, even forgetting to consider their lunch.

After all, lunch wasn't a common meal in the countryside.

His focus was entirely on the words "no more."

Shen Jin perked up suddenly and looked towards the grass hut, his eyes shining with anticipation. "Shen An, did our sister-in-law buy any hu cake today?"

Amused, Shen An corrected him, "My sister-in-law."

Shen Jin chuckled slyly, "My cousin-in-law."

Annoyed, Shen An chose to ignore him: "No hu cake. We're barely managing our meals; who can afford to eat hu cake every day?"

Glancing at the patch Shen Jin was hoeing, he urged, "You're almost done. Finish up and I'll give you the oil dregs. Then go back home. We don't have any more oil dregs, so don't bother coming tomorrow."

If it were yesterday, or even this morning, Shen Jin would have left immediately upon hearing there were no oil dregs.

But now, Shen Jin felt aggrieved, "Are you trying to drive me away? I will come!"

He couldn't believe their sister-in-law was so caring towards Shen An and Shen Ning, even buying them hu cake. He had no idea what hu cake was, but being a cake, it had to be tasty.

Resolute, he thought, "I'll just stick around here. I refuse to believe she won't give me something to eat if I keep working every day. If Chen Ershan and Xiaoyi can get some, there's no reason I can't."

With that thought, Shen Jin was determined. Ignoring Shen An's glowering face, he kept hoeing with great zeal.

He might not be as good as Chen Ershan, but surely he could match Xiaoyi, right?

While hoeing, Shen Jin sniffed the air repeatedly.

"Shen An, do you smell something? It's really fragrant."

Annoyed, Shen An tightened his grip on the hoe, "It's my sister-in-law's lunch. If you're hungry, go eat at your own home."

Shen Jin swallowed hard but remained silent, continuing his work.

The aroma grew stronger. Then, Shen Ning came out with a large bowl, squatting by the spring for a while before heading back into the hut.

Shen Jin felt as if his soul was drawn towards the hut.

Absent-mindedly hoeing the land, he lost track of time. Eventually, he cleared a small patch of land. Shen Ning reappeared, seemingly searching for something near the mountain path.

That morning, Shen Jin, who had turned his back on Shen Ning, swearing never to deal with her again and fantasizing about flaunting oil dregs in front of her, now desperately wanted to follow and ask, "What are you doing in there that smells so delicious?"

Yet, he couldn't muster the courage.

His stomach growled with hunger, weakening his strength. He moved closer to Chen Ershan and asked, "Do you think that's the smell of meat?"

Chen Ershan thought it did seem like it, but he restrained himself from salivating and nodded calmly, purposely distancing himself from Shen Jin.

Shen Jin added, "It seems even more fragrant than meat."

Unable to resist, Shen Yin and Shen Tie swallowed hard, "Third Brother, we're hungry."

"Third Brother, we want to eat."

Shen Jin echoed, "I want to eat, too."

Chen Ershan remained silent.

"Subtly, keeping a distance from the rest."

"The little girl was also tempted by the food, but she knew her role was to help. Her grandma had made it clear: she was not to enter Sister Ning's house or ask for food."

"Bent over, she diligently used a small bamboo piece to dig the soil, loosening the larger stones bit by bit before flipping them out. The work helped her distract from the tempting aroma of meat wafting from the house."

"Shen Ning returned quickly, and as she approached, the children clearly saw she had picked a bunch of wild spring onions."

"She washed the wild onions in the mountain spring and quickly re-entered the thatched hut."

"This time, not only Shen Jin, but also Shen Yin and Shen Tie turned their heads in unison to follow Shen Ning's movements."

"Shen An: ..."

"He was somewhat conflicted."

"They were all working on the land for his family, and to be so enticed by the scent... but it was meat, and big sister was visibly exhausted, needing something nourishing."

"Caught in this dilemma, the scent in the air changed again, likely from the addition of the wild onions. The already rich aroma was now intensified by the scent of onions, causing Shen An to glance sideways, noticing Shen Yin and Shen Tie were spellbound, staring at the hut and salivating, their hands holding the bamboo pieces motionless."

…

"Second Brother."

Shen Ning called out to Shen An from around the corner of the hut.

For the first time, Shen An felt truly torn. Could his sister-in-law be calling him in for some bone broth? Wouldn't that just make the kids even more envious?

Before he could dwell on it any longer, Shen Ning said, "Sister-in-law wants you to help carry out a couple of bowls of meat porridge for everyone."

Shen Jin and Shen Yin's eyes instantly lit up with excitement. Shen Tie, a bit slower to catch on, finally realized what was happening, involuntarily swallowed, and almost instinctively started to suck on his fingers.

Little Ya also swallowed hard, glancing at her brother.

Chen Ershan was somewhat baffled and shook his head, "No need, no need, I had breakfast already and am not hungry. Plus, my mom said if she sells some wild veggies today, she might buy some pork bones."

Shen An had already left.

Shortly after, the siblings emerged, each carrying a large bowl. The bowls contained porridge made from bone broth and minced meat mixed with white rice. Each bowl was only half-filled.

The three Shen brothers quickly gathered around, while Chen Xiaoya went to her older brother, Chen Ershan, who looked somewhat bewildered. Meat, even if just pork bones, was a luxury, and his family might only afford it once in a month or two.

"He wanted to go back, but they hadn't plowed much land yet. Should he stay and continue plowing, or go eat?"

"The twelve-year-old boy didn't know how to handle such a situation."

"Before he could decide, Shen Ning came over with a bowl, smiling: 'Er Shan brother, little girl, this is for you. We don't have enough bowls, so you'll have to share. Go wash your hands and come eat; my sister-in-law's cooking is delicious.'"

"On the other side, Shen Yin and Shen Tie, experienced as they were, had already run to the spring to wash their hands."

"Shen Jin, as usual, wanted to take the bowl of porridge directly from Shen An's hands. He saw clearly that it contained not just rice, but also meat – white rice, minced meat, and green onions – making his mouth water."

"But this time, Shen An wouldn't indulge him: 'Go wash your hands, or do you want Shen Yin and Shen Tie to end up drinking mud from the rim of the bowl?'"

"Shen Jin was annoyed, looking at his hands: 'What mud?'"

"There was a bit; he brushed it off. Wasn't that enough?"

"Shen An just looked at him."

"Shen Jin: '...Having food is what really matters.'"

"'Fine, fine, I'll go wash, okay?' He turned and ran swiftly towards the spring."

"Five people, two bowls, grouped by bloodline – one bowl per family – they stood behind the house and started drinking."

Naturally, at the Chen family's side, Xiaoya was allowed to drink first, while at the Shen family's side, the three brothers took turns drinking, each ensuring they got their fair share.

If Shen Jin took too big a gulp, Shen Yin would immediately protest vociferously.

Shen An: …

"The porridge is just off the stove, why are you rushing to drink it? If your brother gets impatient and drinks too quickly, he'll burn himself."

Shen Jin wanted to retort, but the porridge indeed was quite hot. He grunted in agreement, visibly calming down.

Inside, Shen An and Shen Ning were called by Sang Luo. Each sibling received a small bamboo cup of meat porridge.

Shen An pursed his lips, whispering, "Sister-in-law, Ning and I had fairy tofu for lunch. You should have this."

Sang Luo gestured towards the clay pot, "There's enough, go ahead and eat."

"Feeling distressed?" Sang Luo teased, ruffling Shen An's hair, and whispered, "Cooking soup with bones just means adding a couple more bowls of water. What's there to worry about?"

Shen An shook his head, wanting to deny it, but couldn't find the words.

To say he wasn't worried would be untrue. It wasn't just a matter of adding a bowl of water; the porridge had a decent amount of rice and wasn't too thick or thin – it simply looked delicious.

Having truly experienced hardship over the past few months, Shen An valued food greatly. But to say he was distressed wasn't accurate either. Given the circumstances, it seemed only proper to share some food.

When Shen Ning told him their sister-in-law asked him to serve the food, he felt happy. Though there was a tinge of regret when he served it, joy predominated.

It was only after serving the food and being urged by his sister-in-law to eat that Shen An began to feel a pang of regret.

Shen An wasn't sure whether he was reluctant or willing to part with the food; he just moved his lips, uncertain what to say.

Sang Luo seemed to understand his concern for the food. Recalling the hardships endured in her past life, she felt a deeper empathy for the siblings. She softly said, "Think about it, when we're asking people to help build the house, shouldn't we treat them well? Considering the land they've cleared these past days, adding an extra bowl of water occasionally isn't a big deal. It's okay to be generous at times like these. Weren't you also happy when you served them the porridge?"

Shen An nodded in agreement.

Sang Luo smiled at his response.

Her affection for these siblings wasn't without reason; not only were they intelligent and sensible, but they also had strong moral values, whether towards her as their sister-in-law or towards others, including the previously difficult Shen Jin.

Wanting to ease the boy's concern, Sang Luo gestured him closer with a mysterious wave of her hand. Whispering, she said, "Actually, I only used one bone and very little minced meat. It just looks more substantial. I've saved the larger portion for our dinner tonight."

She then lifted another bowl covered with lotus leaves to show Shen An.

Indeed, it contained several large bones and a good amount of minced meat.

Shen An's eyes lit up at the sight.

Sang Luo chuckled softly, "You see, sometimes we need to consider social niceties, but the best parts are always kept for our own family."

Having heard the entire conversation, Shen Ning giggled to herself. She had already seen her sister-in-law set aside a portion earlier.

To Shen Ning, there was no one better than her sister-in-law. In her eyes, she and her brother were treated differently, more closely than the likes of Shen Jin.

This realization alone filled her with joy. Ever since their eldest brother left home, it felt like they had regained a sense of belonging, unlike before when she and her second brother felt like outsiders in their own home.

For the first time, the young girl felt that the family division had its advantages.

After the division, the sister-in-law only showed kindness towards her and her brother.

Lost in her thoughts, her eyes curved into a smile.

…

The Shen brothers, eating outside, also commented on how wonderful their sister-in-law was.

Sharing a bowl among the three of them, each taking turns for a sip, they even found themselves thinking about their previously inconspicuous eldest sister-in-law.

It was all due to the power of delicious food.

Even Shen Jin, who had held some reservations, nodded in agreement.

The eldest sister-in-law was truly kind, generously sharing meat porridge with them.

Meat porridge.

Meat was a rare treat at home, only enjoyed during pig butchering when some lean meat came with the fat bought by their mother.

Holding his bowl, Shen Jin gazed at the dilapidated thatched house, sighing.

Shen Tie continued to sip his porridge, while Shen Yin looked at him, puzzled.

Shen Jin sighed, "I'm actually envious of Shen An and Shen Ning."

Being with their parents was nothing compared to being with their eldest sister-in-law.

First, it was the oil residue, then the scorched pancakes, and now meat porridge.

Why couldn't he have been sent to live with his parents as well?

Sigh.

Chapter 37

Shen San and Li Shi had no idea that their son was wishing he belonged to someone else's family, all for a few bites of food.

The couple had been at home for half a day, one sitting under the eaves of their own living room, the other fiddling around in the yard, mostly lingering there to spot any approaching visitor from afar.

With Qin Fangniang's return, it likely meant that Sang Luo had also returned.

The couple, while both observant, harbored different thoughts.

Li Shi was anxious, hoping not to be involved with the eldest family's affairs.

Shen San's thoughts, however, were more complex. Their harmony as a couple, often thinking alike, suggested the adage, "Birds of a feather flock together."

Like their mutual reluctance to harbor freeloaders or the way they had conveniently passed the burden of the eldest household to Sang Luo through the division of property, deceiving themselves that this absolved their conscience.

In fact, even when their views slightly diverged on certain matters, one would invariably influence the other, depending on whose will was stronger.

At the moment, both Shen San and Li Shi agreed on one thing – they were unwilling to engage in unprofitable endeavors.

This was their inherent nature.

However, today, their nature was overshadowed by Shen San's concern for his male pride.

Imagine the scenario: stepping outside and encountering villagers, their mocking gazes, half-smiling expressions, deliberately asked ambiguous questions, and the murmuring behind his back as soon as he turned around, promptly switching topics when he faced them again.

Who wouldn't understand?

Who could endure it?

Shen San hadn't left his house all day, feeling as if the whole village was watching his spectacle.

This was even more unbearable than the last confrontation with Sang Luo at the courtyard gate. Back then, only a few neighboring families were involved, and the division of the family had occurred months ago. Sang Luo's near starvation, well, that was just what Shen An, Shen Ning, and Sang Luo themselves spoke of. Who witnessed it? Aren't they alive and well now?

Even Shen San himself didn't believe it, let alone expecting others to.

But this situation was different.

The eldest family was about to build a house, not under his, the sole elder's, initiation, but rather, it was the neighboring Chen family who took the lead.

It felt like a huge slap directly across his face.

Even though he might not want to do anything for the eldest family, it didn't mean his dignity as an elder and a man could be trampled upon, especially under the watchful eyes of the entire village, getting stomped and ground into the mud.

This was truly unacceptable to Shen San. It made him feel utterly discomfited, as if stripped of his clothes, unable to stand tall and walk out of his house with the dignity of a man.

Therefore, while Li Shi hoped Sang Luo wouldn't come, Shen San, on the contrary, was eagerly waiting for her visit. A visit from her would give him an opportunity to save face.

Even if he just symbolically bustled about and helped for a couple of days, it would allow him to stand tall with dignity.

The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. As time ticked away, his anxiety only intensified.

Unable to remain seated, Shen San stood up and started pacing in the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back.

As he passed the courtyard gate, he instinctively glanced outside, much like he had countless times that day.

But this time, who did he see?

Sang Luo!

A surge of excitement shot through Shen San, but he quickly composed himself, pretending he hadn't seen Sang Luo. He continued pacing to the chair outside the main room and sat down.

It was like drinking a refreshing bowl of water on a sweltering summer day; all his anxiety was momentarily soothed.

The corners of his lips involuntarily curled up into a slight smile.

Now that she had arrived, he was already plotting in his mind how to tactfully handle the situation, aiming to reprimand her mildly without overdoing it, so as to smoothly take over the task at hand.

Then, he resolved to visit each household in the village, showing those who mocked him that, in matters of importance, he was still the one to count on.

He thought to himself, if Sang Luo speaks reasonably during her visit and shows due respect to her elder, perhaps he could lend a hand for an extra day or two.

Without a kitchen at their place, would they request his household to arrange for meals?

After all this effort, surely no one in the village could gossip about him any longer, right?

Internally, Shen San rapidly assessed the extent to which he should offer help, his fingers tapping unconsciously on his thigh.

Li Shi, sensing his unusual demeanor, glanced outside and spotted Sang Luo.

A sense of alertness surged within her, recalling the recent quarrel with Sang Luo. A flash of hostility sparked in her eyes.

Why should she extend favors and share her grain to help Sang Luo with her construction? The audacity of Sang Luo to even consider coming here!

The couple, each harboring their own thoughts, then watched as Sang Luo drew closer, and closer, and then walked past…!

Shen San instantly stood up and strode to the gate to look outside, only to see Sang Luo heading straight into the Chen family's house next door.

In that moment, he couldn't hide his displeasure, his face turning unmistakably sour.

Especially realizing that the two neighboring families had probably seen Sang Luo before them and were eagerly awaiting the spectacle. Seeing his reaction, Shen San felt even worse, swiftly turning around to retreat inside his house, no longer staying in the main room.

Surprisingly, Shen San was so infuriated he almost saw black, while Li Shi nearly laughed aloud in the courtyard.

"Sang Luo, well done!" Li Shi thought with satisfaction, knowing her husband well. After such a public humiliation, Shen San would never extend help to the main house again, no matter the circumstances.

Her gloomy mood finally cleared up.

…

Sang Luo approached Mrs. Chen to discuss meal preparations for the next day.

Mr. Chen, who was also present, said, "Tomorrow's main task is cutting down trees. If we finish that by noon, we'll go to the North Mountain in the afternoon to dig clay and transport it for you. That's where our village's best yellow clay is. The men will bring their own axes, baskets, and carrying poles. I haven't called for many helpers; your Aunt You Tian must have already informed you."

Sang Luo nodded, "She's told me."

On the way back from the county, Qin Fangniang had already explained who specifically they had invited and how many people each family would contribute.

One was the Shi family, with only Shi Erlang being able-bodied, so he would come alone. The other was the Lu family, quite populous, with two brothers coming to help.

Including the father and son of the Chen family, that made five people.

Sang Luo said to Mrs. Chen, "Grandma, I have to manage my stall and can't neglect my work, so I'll leave all meal preparations to you. We'll use the grain I bought today, and the salt too. Tomorrow, I'll bring more grain from the county. Aside from rice, I'll give you twenty-five coins daily for you to purchase meat and vegetables."

Mrs. Chen was taken aback, "Twenty-five coins? For just eight people, including your family? Are you planning to serve meat as the main course?"

"Apart from the expensive fat used for oil rendering, good quality meat with an appropriate fat ratio costs only fifteen coins per jin. Are you planning to serve a jin of meat every day?"

Old Man Chen thought Sang Luo was young and unaware of local customs, so he hurriedly explained, "Ah Lie's widow, in the village, when people help build houses, the meals provided usually depend on each family's ability. However, meat is typically just cut into some vegetarian dishes to make it 'meat dishes'. As long as the meals are filling and have some meat, it's considered good hospitality. It's not necessary to serve big portions of meat."

Mrs. Chen added, "Eggs cost one coin each and are also considered non-vegetarian food. Vegetables are cheaper. For eight people, you can make it lavish with five vegetable dishes per meal, twice a day. It should cost about three or four coins, and you don't need to buy from elsewhere. You can get them from us."

"You've invited only five people, and both Xiao An and Xiao Ning are kids who don't eat much. You don't need that much money for a day."

"For two meals a day, having half a jin of meat is quite decent. You could also buy pig liver or heart, which count as meat but are cheaper. This way, fifteen coins a day should be more than enough."

"If you trust me, leave fifteen coins per day with me. That should be about right. If it's not enough, I'll ask you for more. Any surplus will be returned to you."

The old lady went on teaching her how to spend less money for a decent meal. Sang Luo listened and laughed, "If I can't trust you, who can I trust? But it's not eight people eating, it's twelve. You and Auntie, along with the two kids, will also join us."

Mrs. Chen was startled and waved her hand, "No need for that. Lending the kitchen is one thing, but our whole family eating with you is another. We'll just make do with simple meals at our home."

Sang Luo half-jokingly protested, "Aren't you being too formal? Your family has four adults, three helping me out, and Auntie helps at my stall. Am I such a stingy person? Would I begrudge Erlang and Xiaoyar a meal? Besides, the two kids aren't idling around either. They're helping at my place. Don't tell me you didn't know."

Mrs. Chen: …

"It's not about that. You already have big expenses building a house, how can we all eat at your cost?"

"Apart from everything else, the laborers have big appetites, especially since they usually lack proper nutrition. If you cook white rice, each can easily consume a sheng (about a liter) of rice per day. With five people, that's five sheng. For twelve people, even if we eat modestly, it will still be a lot. The dou (about ten liters) of grain you bought today might just reduce to chaff by day's end."

Sang Luo didn't let her finish, wrapping an arm around Mrs. Chen's shoulder, "Consider this as my gratitude for all the thought and effort you, Grandpa, Uncle, and Auntie have put into helping me. Please don't refuse anymore. If I make Auntie and the kids eat separately, I wouldn't deserve to be human. I wouldn't have the face to visit your house in the future."

Oh, my heavens.

The old lady was overwhelmed by this gesture.

"Even her son and daughter-in-law wouldn't act so affectionately with her."

"This was troublesome."

"The old lady was at a loss for words."

"Sang Luo waited with raised eyebrows."

"Old Lady Chen: 'Alright, alright, I'll ask Erlang to help carry mud for your family too.'"

"Sang Luo smiled, pouring out twenty-five coins from her purse onto the table and pushing them towards Old Lady Chen: 'Then it's still twenty-five wen. Please accept it.'"

"Old Lady Chen hurriedly shook her head: 'No need for that, us women and children don't sit at the table; we just grab a bit of vegetables and eat under it. Just add a couple of plain dishes, no need to spend that money.'"

"How much grain would they consume over these days?"

"Old Lady Chen thought about how she had softened her heart to help Sang Luo initially; the two liters of rice, the second liter added begrudgingly."

"Now, her large family of six, even counting her helping with the cooking, only had three people working. Feeding six people for a house-building job that couldn't be finished in just a day or two, especially with few hands, would prolong the work."

"Old Lady Chen felt she must have been dazed by Sang Luo's embrace and soft voice to have agreed so quickly."

"Realizing this, she hastily added: 'We'll all eat together, so I won't charge you for the vegetables either. There's no need for so much.'"

"She quickly counted out eight coins and pushed them back to Sang Luo: 'Take this back, otherwise, I might as well cook myself.'"

"Sang Luo: …"

"What should she say about this old lady? She truly didn't want to take advantage of others."

"Or maybe, it was that almost everyone in the Chen family followed the old lady and old master's disposition."

"Sang Luo looked at the old lady, who looked back at her, until Sang Luo conceded: 'Alright, I trust you with this task. Thank you for your hard work, both you and Grandpa Chen.'"

"She took the eight coins pushed by the old lady and put them back in her purse."

"A smile finally appeared on Old Lady Chen's face: 'That's better. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to eat in peace. Don't worry, leave it to me; it won't interfere with your daily tofu selling business.'"

"Old Man Chen, his face weathered with age, smiled: 'Tomorrow we'll cut trees and carry mud. In the afternoon, after you return, we'll mark out the foundation. The day after, you just head to the county; leave the rest here to us.'"

"Having settled the arrangements for starting work tomorrow, Sang Luo brought up another matter."

"'Tomorrow is the 15th, the day of the big market in Sanli Village. My aunt and I are setting up stalls in the county, so we can't manage the market. I was wondering, when you go to the market in the morning to buy vegetables, could you also try selling ten or twenty pieces of our tofu? It won't take much extra time, and you could easily sell them on the side.'"

"Old Lady Chen's eyes lit up: 'Why not? I won't be carrying much, I can go early and return early. It won't interfere with buying groceries or cooking.'"

"Sang Luo smiled, her eyes curving, 'Great, then I'll go prepare some ingredients later, and bring out your portion for tomorrow morning tonight.'"

"Saying this, she was about to take her leave."

"Old Lady Chen initially nodded, but then, thinking of something, stopped Sang Luo, asking her to wait."

"She went back inside and returned shortly with a small cloth bag, saying, 'I forgot earlier, but if you're going into the mountains, it's fine near the village. If you go deeper, especially into densely vegetated areas, sprinkle some of this on your trouser legs and shoes. It's effective for preventing and repelling snakes.'"

"Sang Luo, surprised and delighted: 'There's such a useful thing?'"

"Old Lady Chen smiled: 'It's nothing expensive. If you need it, just ask me for more when you run out.'"

"Her father in her natal family was a hunter. This snake repellent was a traditional remedy passed down in her family. Sadly, during the drought year, bandits were rampant, and everyone fled separately. She lost contact with her family, and now, whether her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew were still alive or where they might have ended up, she had no news at all."

"This snake repellent was only really used annually in the autumn when her family went into the mountains to gather wild fruits. That's why Old Lady Chen hadn't thought of it earlier."

Sang Luo was delighted. With this, she felt braver to venture a bit deeper into the forest, repeatedly thanking the old lady and smilingly saying, "I rely on the mountains for my livelihood, so I certainly won't stand on ceremony with you. Just don't find me bothersome when the time comes."

Mrs. Chen smiled and said she wouldn't, and with that, Sang Luo happily took her leave, cheerfully taking the snake repellent powder back home.

After Sang Luo left, Mrs. Chen spoke to Mr. Chen, "Such a good-natured person, always mindful of returning any small favor. Those two from next door went too far in their actions; they might one day deeply regret their choices."

"Those two" naturally referred to the neighbors, Shen San and Mrs. Li.

Whether they would regret it or not wasn't clear yet, but Mrs. Li was already quite upset the very next day, without waiting for any of Mrs. Chen's speculative futures to unfold.

Chapter 38

The next day, Shi Erlang and the Lu brothers arrived at the Chen's place just as the sky began to brighten, each carrying a bamboo tube filled with water and a large axe. Mr. Chen and Chen Youtian did the same, borrowing an extra axe from a neighbor, as they all headed into the mountains together.

While the village had only heard rumors about Sang Luo's house construction the day before, they now saw it with their own eyes. Significantly, Shen San was not involved, leading to much amusement among the villagers. Of course, at this point, everyone saw only the cheerful Shen children bouncing around. As for Shen San and his wife, neither had stepped out of their courtyard.

The group of five, led by Mr. Chen, attracted much attention. Passing by each household, they received distant respectful nods, and those more amiable would inquire, "Are you really helping the Shen's eldest family build a house?"

The less courteous would laugh and ask, "What are you expecting in return? After a whole day's work, is Sang Luo just going to serve you wild vegetable soup? And you're willing to work for that?"

"Wild vegetable soup?"

Old man Chen just chuckled.

At the break of dawn, when the villagers began preparing or eating breakfast, a robust aroma of meat tantalizingly wafted throughout the small mountain village.

Unlike Sang Luo's solitary residence in the mountains, the houses in Shi Li Village, though also nestled among mountains, were more clustered, with twenty-two households living in close proximity.

If anyone in the village cooked meat, it wouldn't just be detectable throughout; at least seven or eight households would surely notice.

And if the wind was just right, a gentle mountain breeze could carry the scent far enough to tantalize half the village's children.

Today, as it happened, was just the kind of fine weather that carried scents far and wide.

Villagers who hadn't yet started their meals stepped out of their homes, exchanging glances with neighbors who did the same: "Whose family is cooking meat?"

Those already sitting down to a breakfast of vegetable porridge suddenly found their meals less appetizing upon smelling the enticing aroma, looking at each other inquiringly, "Who's having meat?"

Those who lived further away wondered, but for those living closer, especially Shen San's family who were neighbors to the Chen's, it was unmistakably apparent.

Shen Jin, along with his two younger brothers, having tasted their eldest sister-in-law's meaty porridge the day before and knowing of her lavish approach to food, didn't need oil residue as an incentive anymore. They were now the most enthusiastic members of the land-clearing team, actively participating in the cultivation work.

At dawn, while his mother was still asleep, Shen Jin took the family's small hoe and, along with his two younger brothers, ran up the mountain to showcase their diligence.

After working for about an hour and a half, they returned home hungry, only to be lightly scolded by their mother. Shen Jin was about to eat his bowl of delicious rice porridge when he sniffed something in the air, put down his bowl, and ran outside.

Shen Yin and Shen Tie, who were not tall enough and had to kneel on the bench, reacted quickly. They put down their bowls and swiftly followed their elder brother outside.

In the courtyard, Shen Jin sniffed around and precisely headed to the gate, leaning on it, his gaze fixed on the neighboring Chen family's courtyard.

"Brother, meat!" Shen Tie was already licking his lips, tantalized by the aroma.

Shen Yin joined in, speculating, "It's coming from Chen Xiaoya's house."

Shen Jin nodded affirmatively, "Braised pork with preserved mustard greens!"

Two-year-old Shen Tian, tottering while holding onto the wall, hurriedly followed her brothers outside. As she eagerly tried to catch up without the support of the wall, she stumbled but managed to steady herself by grabbing onto Shen Jin's leg, leaving drool marks on the hem of his coarse cloth shorts.

Mrs. Li stepped outside to see her four children huddled at the courtyard gate, all drooling in the direction of the Chen household.

At that moment, Old Man Chen and his group of five returned from the mountain, followed by Chen Ershan, Chen Xiaoya, and the Shen siblings who had been working in the grass hut and were slightly later in coming down.

Shen Jin's mind lit up at the sight of food. Seeing Shen An and Shen Ning descend the mountain with the Chen family, and recalling that the elder members of the Chen, Shi, and Lu families were helping his eldest sister-in-law with the house building, his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

He swiftly picked up Shen Tian, who was clinging to his leg, and passed her to Shen Yin, before dashing towards Shen An.

"Shen Tian was suddenly whisked away by her brother to a different spot. She nearly fell over, but fortunately, Shen Yin quickly caught her. Nonetheless, the sudden move startled Shen Tian, who pouted, closed her eyes, and burst into tears."

"Shen Jin hadn't run far and was yet to chat with his newfound friends from the recent days of digging when he was spotted by Li Shi, who chased after him and dragged him back by the ear."

"Protecting his right ear, he wailed, 'Mom, mom, why?! Be gentle, my ear hurts!'"

"Li Shi paid no mind to his complaining ear. As his mother, she knew exactly what Shen Jin was up to."

"Seeing Shen An and Shen Ning coming down to eat with the Chen family, how could she not guess what was going on with the meat next door?"

"Watching the villagers, lured out by the smell of meat, either empty-handed or holding bowls, Li Shi's face turned ashen. Her grip on Shen Jin's ear tightened involuntarily as she dragged him home, regardless of whether the meat was provided by the Sang or Chen family. She couldn't afford the embarrassment of Shen Jin begging for food today!"

"The more she wanted to avoid losing face and attracting attention, the less she was able to."

"Shen Jin, overjoyed at the prospect of scrounging some braised pork belly with pickled mustard greens from Shen An, was caught off guard by his mother's physical intervention. She was utterly unreasonable, and he was dragged away without even understanding why."

"Even though he tried his best to keep up with his mother's pace, there's inherently a difference between an adult's and a child's strides, especially when being led by the ear."

"Shen Jin's ear throbbed painfully as it was tugged, and his cries for his mother to let go were in vain. In front of the entire village, having his ear pulled like this left him with no dignity. Overwhelmed, tears sprang to his eyes, and his voice was tinged with angry sobs."

"'Why are you hitting me? What gives you the right to hit me?'"

"The reason? Because you're embarrassing me!"

"But could Li Shi really say that?"

"No, she couldn't. She had to swallow the humiliation and, in front of half the village, not only could she not explain her actions, she had to justify them. So Shen Jin's response from his mother was a stern scolding: 'So what if I hit you? I gave birth to you, can't I discipline you? Why did you run out during the meal? Do you take care of your sister like that? You nearly made Tian fall! If not you, then who should I hit?'"

"Between Shen Jin and Shen Tian, the brother and sister's crying was like a duet of despair, startling two chickens foraging in the dirt, who fled flapping their wings."

"The villagers lured out by the smell of meat, guided by the precise direction of the siblings' crying, didn't need to search further. Watching the scene unfold, no one found it strange to punish a child, nor did they blame Li Shi for Shen Jin's tears. Spanking children was all too common; which family didn't discipline their kids?"

"Especially since Shen Jin was known for being especially mischievous. Usually, he'd throw tantrums and cry on the ground even without a beating, so his wailing didn't attract much concern. It was just another spectacle."

"Once everyone confirmed the direction of the meat's aroma was from the Chen family and saw Old Man Chen and his group, they realized it was the Shen family's eldest branch celebrating the first day of construction with a feast."

"Oh my~"

"What a commotion."

"The Shen family's eldest branch is building a house, cooking at the Chen family's, and has made the children from the third branch cry with envy."

"Observing Li Shi's extreme frustration as she disciplined her child, the villagers holding their bowls realized they didn't need their own home's pickles anymore; the meat's aroma and the commotion were enough to whet their appetites."

"Gathering together, they murmured: 'The Shen family's eldest branch is building a house, and they're cooking at the Chen family's place? When did these two families become so close? The Chens are helping with the work and handling the arrangements too.'"

"'Indeed, who knows? But lately, it seems Sang Luo has been visiting the Chen family quite often.'"

"Others focused on a different aspect, smacking their lips: 'The Shen family is serving meat for a house-building? Had I known there was meat, I'd have gone too. I wonder if they still need more help? Five people isn't enough, right? Don't you usually need dozens for such work, or at least ten or so even for a small project?'"

"'Dream on, did they ask for your help? Would you really have the nerve to just show up? Weren't you the one who said this morning that Sang Luo was only making wild vegetable soup?'"

"'Didn't you say it?'"

"A shrewd woman, with a glint in her eye, whispered to her family, 'Where did Sang Luo get the money? Do people actually buy wild vegetables? How much can that earn?'"

"And so on and so forth, chattering away..."

"The Chen family's group of five, who were mocked and watched by the villagers in the morning, didn't mind much. Old Man Chen and his son knew Sang Luo had paid well for the food. For Shi Erlang and the Lu brothers, it was an utter delight. Now they walked with straight backs and smiles, brimming with pride and vigor."

"Their first meal was meat, and not just a few slices mixed in with vegetables, but braised pork belly with pickled mustard greens!"

"It wasn't thinly sliced or cut too small. Each person got at least one piece of the delicious braised pork belly with pickled mustard greens!"

"You have to understand, in the village, poorer families only dared to make this dish during New Year's, and even then, they hesitated to eat it themselves, saving it for guests during the holiday."

"Instantly, Shi Erlang and the Lu brothers felt that the morning's effort and the upcoming days of hard work were no longer a burden at all."

"Totally worth it! Incredibly worth it!"

"Just having meat in this one meal makes it all worthwhile!"

"Before even entering the Chen family's courtyard, saliva was already uncontrollably forming in their mouths, their steps unconsciously growing larger with anticipation."

"Shi Erlang's wife, watching her husband from a distance, felt a mixture of envy and happiness. Uncle Chen had really found her husband a great job this time. Tiring, yes, but meat and generous servings of white rice were nourishing. Getting such a treat before the busy farming season was like a blessing from heaven."

"As for whether Sang Luo provided white rice, was there even a need to wonder? With meat being served, how could there be a shortage of rice?"

"Shi Erlang's wife's eyes curved into joyful crescents."

"A neighbor of the Shi family, both sour and envious, remarked: 'The Chen family always remembers you all, especially Shi Er. They wouldn't forget to include him in such a good opportunity.'"

"Why didn't they come to ask my husband? He's free too and could have helped with the construction."

"Ah, so envious."

Swallowing saliva with envy.

Mrs. Shi Er Lang couldn't hide her delight, modestly saying, "It's not that Uncle Chen didn't invite more people. It's said that Sang Shi only saved up by selling wild greens. How much can you earn from that? Inviting more would risk not being able to feed everyone."

As she spoke, she almost burst into laughter. Inviting fewer people was a good thing. With fewer people, they dared to make extravagant dishes like braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens. If there were a dozen or more, who could afford such luxury?

The neighbors, seeing her almost joyous expression, felt sour with envy.

Glancing at Mrs. Li dragging Shen Jin into the yard, and then pulling in the other three crying children before slamming the door shut, they commented, "Mrs. Li is taking her embarrassment out on the kids. Poor Shen Jin, wrong place at the wrong time."

Mrs. Shi Er Lang nodded, "Exactly. She's been upset lately, even avoiding people while washing clothes."

The third branch of the Shen family lost face over the house-building matter. Now they had to smell the meat from next door while eating vegetable porridge. No wonder they took their frustrations out on Shen Jin.

She pursed her lips, disapproving of the way Mrs. Li treated her children after such a harsh split in the family.

Chapter 39

The door of the Shen family's house might have closed, but the sounds inside couldn't be contained. Now not only Shen Jin and Shen Tian were crying, but Shen Yin and Shen Tie, who had been dragged inside, were also in tears.

With the Chen family's house as the center, on one side was the lively discussion of the villagers during their meal, and on the other was the sobbing quartet of Shen family's children amidst Mrs. Li's scolding.

After cutting trees in the mountains all morning, Old Man Chen and his group had entered their yard. The four Shen children remained outside, unable to move as they listened to the wailing inside the Shen house.

Mrs. Li, possibly feeling humiliated, scolded in a low voice, trying to stop the crying. But once children start crying intensely, it's not easy to make them stop.

Shen An and the others outside heard Mrs. Li's escalating scolding and worried for Shen Jin. Fortunately, Shen San, hearing the commotion, intervened to prevent further embarrassment. He told Mrs. Li to stop and ordered the children to return to the main house for their meal.

Shen Tian was carried in by Mrs. Li, but Shen Yin and Shen Tie went to check on Shen Jin.

"Shen Jin felt the most wronged today, utterly clueless as to why he had been beaten so abruptly."

"Being publicly reprimanded and dragged by the ear by his mother, crying in front of so many people, was entirely different from his usual pretentious crying to get what he wanted. It was utterly humiliating."

"He truly felt aggrieved today, crying uncontrollably in heaving sobs, unable to stop."

"Shen Yin and Shen Tie went to see him, but he paid them no heed, just continued sobbing."

"One child crying was certainly quieter than four, so Shen San left him be and called Shen Yin and Shen Tie to hurry inside."

"As the two younger brothers tried to pull Shen Jin along, he wrenched his hand away from their grasp, continuing to stand in the yard and wipe his tears."

"Shen An and a few other kids quietly peered through the crack in the gate of his third uncle's house, witnessing this scene."

"When Chen Erlang patted their shoulders to signal it was time to head home for dinner, the kids backed away. Once they were a bit further, the little girl quietly asked, 'Sister Ning, why did your third aunt hit Shen Jin?'"

"Shen Ning was also confused, having no idea how the situation had unfolded."

"She shook her head: 'I don't know, but my third aunt's spankings really hurt.'"

Chen Xiaoya, recalling how Sister Aning used to be beaten, shuddered, "My mother never hits me or my older brother."

"Aunt Shen San is really fierce."

Shen An guessed a bit of the situation and pressed his lips together without speaking.

…

Old Lady Chen, busy in the kitchen, suddenly heard the sound of children crying outside, followed by Mrs. Li's scolding and Shen Jin's wailing, pausing her cooking.

Just then, her husband and son came in with Shi Er Lang and the Lu brothers. She quickly refocused, leaned to the window with a smile, and greeted, "Back already? Wash your hands first, have some water and rest. Dinner will be ready soon."

Shi Er Lang and the Lu brothers smiled shyly and responded in unison.

The youngest of the Lu family, who had just come of age and was unmarried, peeked into the kitchen and asked, "Aunt Chen, did you make braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens today? I smelled it from far away."

Old Lady Chen laughed, "Yes, A'lie's wife specially sent money over yesterday, saying that building a house is hard work and asked me to prepare a good meal for you all."

Then she inquired, "What's happening outside? Why do I hear Shen Jin and Shen Tian crying so much?"

Lu Sanlang awkwardly explained, "Shen Jin was craving meat. I guess he saw Shen An and ran over. Many people in the village came out after smelling the meat. I think Mrs. Shen San is probably embarrassed…"

He chuckled at this point, choosing not to continue.

The affairs of the two branches of the Shen family were well-known throughout the village, including the recent house construction of the eldest branch with the Chen family taking the lead. This topic had often been discussed when their own family gathered.

Poor Shen Jin just had bad luck and caught in the crossfire, an innocent victim of the situation. The scolding he received was truly undeserved.

Old Lady Chen, having nothing more to add, smiled, "Go ahead, wash your hands and rest a bit. We'll be eating soon."

Chen You Tian had already put down his axe and went to fetch water for everyone to wash their hands.

Lu Sanlang and the others went to wash their hands. Old Lady Chen glanced outside the gate, and after a while, she saw her grandson leading Shen An and the other kids in, feeling a bit relieved.

It was good they returned. At this moment, whether it was people from the Shen family's eldest branch or their own Chen family, staying outside could provoke Mrs. Li. Poor Shen Jin was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The boy Shen Jin might be a handful, but what bad intentions could a child have? Clearly, he was an innocent dragged into trouble and his pitiful cries sounded rather heart-rending.

…

Old Lady Chen was efficient in her work, timing everything perfectly. Just as Shi Er Lang and the others could hardly hide their salivating at the sight of food, Chen You Tian brought the rice container from the kitchen to the main hall, with Chen Er Lang arranging bowls and chopsticks, ready for the meal.

As the lid of the rice container was lifted, the aroma of rice, meat, and preserved mustard greens mixed with the steam burst into the room.

The scent was much richer than before when it was still covered, making the men, who were initially conscious of their image as guests, lose all semblance of composure, tempted by the delicious food.

"Glug~"

"Gulp~"

"Whose crazed swallowing is that?"

"Oh, it's me."

"Shift the gaze slightly, no worries, everyone in the room, young and old, are all the same. Nobody can laugh at anyone else."

"Chen You Tian's hands are rough, not even needing a towel, as he directly serves a steaming bowl of braised pork with preserved mustard greens onto the table with his bare hands."

"Chen Lao Han eagerly invites everyone to the table. As they approach and see the generous portion of the dish, Shi Er Lang swallows hard: 'Uncle, this dish is too generous, must have cost you.'"

"Chen Lao Han inevitably has to bring out Sang Luo, the main host, for some praises."

"Old Lady Chen, leading Chen Er Lang and Chen You Tian, who had just returned to the kitchen, brings in four plates of vegetarian dishes and a pot of egg soup. Hearing this, she chuckles, 'Ah Lie's wife is a person of great integrity. Despite her young age, she handles affairs effectively and always ensures fairness. With your help this time, our mothers, daughters-in-law, aunts, and sisters-in-law will surely see her worth, and you'll know my words are true.'"

"Shi Er Lang and Lu Da Lang nod continuously."

"The fact that the Chen family is helping in such a manner clearly shows that Sang Luo has truly won their affection."

"Both men resolve to share this with their families upon returning, suggesting they should be more cordial towards Sang Luo from now on. Starting with this help, it's like forging a new connection."

"With the dishes served and the cutlery set, it's time for everyone to start the meal."

"On the first day of construction, Old Lady Chen spared no expense. Although big cuts of meat weren't necessary for building a house, with the generous sum Sang Luo provided, along with the sixteen pieces of 'magical tofu' that she gave Old Lady Chen to sell, earning an extra eight coins, Old Lady Chen was more than happy to prepare a lavish meal for Sang Luo."

"So, from the eighteen coins she earned yesterday, she spent sixteen on meat and one on a bone."

"She chose the best fifteen-coin-per-pound pork belly, a neatly cut, prime piece from the early morning market."

"Most of the meat went into making the signature dish, Mei Cai Kou Rou (pork belly with preserved mustard greens). The rest was saved to add to the evening's vegetarian dishes. With this high-quality first meal, everyone would put in more effort in building the house, ensuring the walls were solid and durable."

"As for the vegetarian dishes and eggs, they were all from her own garden, so she didn't charge for them. The extra coin would be used for the next day."

"Now, with the dishes served, Old Lady Chen watched the reactions of Shi Er Lang and the Lu brothers, satisfied that she had achieved her goal, and warmly invited everyone to start eating."

"The men, respecting age and status, took their seats. In this household, women and children usually didn't join the table when guests were present. However, as Old Lady Chen was a senior, and considering Shen An and Shen Ning were technically guests, and Sang Luo was footing the bill, they were invited to the table, not treated as ordinary children."

"But the siblings politely refused and served themselves, joining Chen Er Lang and Xiao Ya in the courtyard to eat."

"The breakfast was devoured rapidly and satisfyingly, given how substantial it was. Not wanting to overstay, Shi Er Lang and others left for the mountains shortly after eating."

"Shen An and his group were also heading back to continue their clearing work. Passing by Shen Jin's house, no crying was heard. Shen An peered inside but didn't see Shen Jin."

"He hesitated, feeling strange that a place that used to be his home now felt inaccessible."

"After lingering outside for a short while, hearing only Shen Tian's indistinct chatter inside and not the voices of Shen Jin, Shen Yin, or Shen Tie, he decided to leave."

"Ultimately, he turned around and, with Shen Ning and Xiao Ya waiting, headed back to the mountains."

"The person they couldn't find in Shen's yard was unexpectedly found at their own home behind the grass hut."

"Shen Jin, along with Shen Yin and Shen Tie, were back at work behind their house, clearing the land they hadn't finished in the morning. This time, Shen Jin wasn't using a hoe but a stone hoe previously used by Shen An and Shen Ning."

"Hearing footsteps, he turned and saw Shen An and two others approaching. Normally a brash kid, Shen Jin turned away, presenting his back and the back of his head to them."

"Shen Ning, who usually loved to banter with him, was unusually quiet today, and even Chen Xiao Ya was silent, occasionally glancing at him cautiously."

"Feeling uncomfortable, Shen Jin was called over by Shen An: 'Come here a minute.'"

"Now face to face, there was no hiding his swollen, red eyes. Resigned, Shen Jin confronted Shen An, 'What do you want?' his voice nasal from crying."

"His speech was thick with a stuffy nose."

"'Just come here,' Shen An said."

"Seeing the miserable state of Shen Jin post-crying, Shen An's voice softened more than usual."

"The brothers walked to the front of the grass hut, stopping under the eaves. Shen An stopped, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a bundle of green vegetable leaves, handing them to Shen Jin."

"Shen Jin was puzzled.?"

"He had skipped breakfast in a huff, but why give him vegetable leaves?"

"Shen An, about to hand him the bundle, noticed Shen Jin's dirty hands and frowned, 'Go wash your hands first, then come back.'"

"Shen Jin blinked in surprise."

"Shen An had a habit of always insisting on clean hands before eating."

"Food?"

"Grabbing the bundle of leaves from Shen An's hand, Shen Jin immediately realized it wasn't just leaves—the texture was different."

"Unwrapping the bundle, he discovered a fragrant piece of braised pork tucked inside the light green leaves."

"Hmm, it appeared someone had taken a small bite, but most of it was still intact."

"Shen Jin felt a sudden sting in his eyes; just when he had stopped crying, tears welled up again."

"He wiped his face with the back of his dirty hand, smearing tears and dirt across his cheeks, creating a mess."

"Shen An: '...'"

"Oblivious to his smeared face, Shen Jin sniffled, switching hands, and smeared his right eye and cheek as well."

"'Shen An, you're the best, saving meat for me to eat.'"

"While sniffing, he stuffed the meat into his mouth, eating and crying at the same time, promising, 'I'll be good to you too from now on.'"

"Crying, touched, and savoring the delicious pork."

"Shen An: '...I wasn't being nice; I just felt sorry for you getting beaten.'"

"Shen Jin: '?'"

"Getting meat for being beaten?"

"He hiccuped through his tears, staring at Shen An, pondering if another beating might earn him more meat."

"Shen An, guessing his thoughts from his blinking eyes and slightly exasperated, said as Shen Jin was about to take another bite: 'Aren't you going to save a bit for little Yin and Tie to try?'"

"Shen Jin froze mid-sniffle, staring at Shen An, then looking down at the half-eaten piece of braised pork in his hand, dumbfounded."

"Seeing Shen Jin like this, Shen An rarely cracked a smile. Watching Shen Jin's struggle with the meat losing its appeal, he finally stopped teasing, 'Eat up. Aren't you supposed to be the big brother if Ning brought some for both of you?'"

"Each sibling had received a piece today, probably because they felt sorry for Shen Jin being punished so harshly earlier. With a tacit understanding, they each only tasted a bit and asked the little girl to get two clean vegetable leaves from the kitchen. They neatly wrapped the remaining meat to bring out."

"Shen An thought it was because his sister-in-law had been trying her best to feed them well these days that he and his sister could even consider giving up their meat. A few days earlier, he wouldn't have spared a single grain of rice."

"Shen Jin, unaware of Shen An's thoughts and hearing that his younger brothers had meat, immediately brightened up: 'That's what being a big brother means.'"

"He wasn't the least bit embarrassed, and even the resentment from the earlier scolding faded. No longer sobbing, he stood there contentedly eating meat, managing to smile despite his slightly swollen eyes."

…

"When Sang Luo returned in the afternoon, she and Qin Fangniang were immediately noticed by the villagers who were keeping an eye on the village entrance."

"Then came the onlookers, drawn by the conspicuous handcart, right?"

"Sang Luo was relieved she had carried the water buckets and pottery basins back through a side path, leaving only the baskets for selling wild vegetables and the new pair of baskets and a bag of grain on the handcart."

"The villagers were not very familiar with Sang Luo, so they all greeted Qin Fangniang instead."

"Fangniang, are wild vegetables selling that well? You even needed a cart?"

"Fangniang, what kinds of wild vegetables do you sell?"

Qin Fangniang, who was typically honest, now displayed some acting prowess, smiling innocently and modestly: "Oh, how could it be? Isn't it just because Ah Lie's wife is building a house? We needed to buy some grain and household items, so we just took the cart. It also gave us a chance to rest on it while traveling."

As for whether the wild vegetables sold well or how much they earned, she opted not to lie and simply glossed over the question.

Along the way, the two received many curious glances. It wasn't until they reached the Chen family's courtyard that they felt free from those scrutinizing eyes.

Chen's grandmother had specifically saved some of the morning's best dishes for them. Upon their return, she was ready to reheat and serve it.

But Sang Luo stopped her: "Grandma, it's quite hot today. Eating something cold would be nice."

After Sang Luo and Qin Fangniang washed their faces and hands with water, they sat down to enjoy a comfortable meal, with the grandmother sitting aside, tallying up the money earned from selling the fairy tofu at the market and the extra money left from grocery shopping.

Sang Luo didn't take the money, suggesting to keep it for the next day's grocery shopping.

Only after discussing the important matters did the grandmother mention the morning's drama to Sang Luo.

Sang Luo was both surprised and unsurprised, having memories of her predecessor. She knew a bit about Li Shi's character and was indifferent to the reactions of Shen San and Li Shi, focusing on living her own life without interfering with theirs.

Why should I trouble myself over the thoughts of such disagreeable people? Wouldn't that make life unbearably stifling?

Having suffered enough illness and pain in her previous life, Sang Luo wasn't about to make life harder for herself.

Realizing Sang Luo's stance, Chen's grandmother felt relieved.

Not lingering, Sang Luo left after eating, carrying her newly purchased pair of winnowing fans home. Along the way, the villagers respectfully acknowledged her, but this time, many greeted her actively.

They warmly called her "Ah Lie's wife" with a friendly smile.

Sang Luo, not recognizing everyone who greeted her, returned their greetings with a smile, not wanting to offend anyone.

Approaching her straw hut, she could see four felled trees lying on the ground outside her home. The branches and leaves were likely removed in the forest. Sang Luo, unfamiliar with the type of trees, only noted their sufficient thickness.

Glancing at the back of the house, she saw seven kids busily working. Mindful of what Chen's grandmother had said, she took a closer look at Shen Jin, who showed no signs of recent tears and was energetically digging.

As usual, Shen An and Shen Ning rushed to help with the things. Sang Luo, back in the house, asked Shen An: "Should we tell your cousins to stop working here? No wall is without cracks, and if their mother finds out, they're bound to be punished."

Shen An responded with a resigned expression: "I told them this morning already, but they wouldn't leave."

Shen An felt he might not have chosen the right moment, having just given them a large piece of braised pork. How could he expect them not to come after that?

Sang Luo chuckled: "Well, let them be then."

"After all, was she her own child? Despite being annoyed, would Li Shi really hit him hard?"

"She decided to let it go."

"Perhaps due to the frailty of her body, after working tirelessly from dawn until the afternoon, Sang Luo now felt exceedingly fatigued. Glancing at her home's basket, she saw it was full. Parting the wild vegetables on top revealed the densely packed, precious Shenji tree leaves beneath."

"Feeling relieved, Sang Luo handed the two new baskets she had bought to Shen An: 'We've cleared a small patch of land. Tomorrow, we can gather some leaf mold from nearby trees to prepare the planting soil. Let's start sowing seeds for season-appropriate vegetables.'"

"Shen An, looking at the brand new bamboo baskets, was overjoyed. He eagerly responded, 'I'll get enough soil ready tomorrow to start on one section. I'll ask Aunt Chen about what to plant and how. Big sister, you've worked hard all day; you should rest now.'"

"Implying that Sang Luo shouldn't worry about these matters."

"Sang Luo smiled. Indeed, she needed a short nap, even if just for a quarter of an hour. A brief rest would alleviate much of her fatigue. She asked Shen An to wake her up after a while, stood up to aid digestion, then lay down on the bed and closed her eyes to sleep."

"Free from distracting thoughts, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. When she awoke to Shen An's call, most of her weariness had dissipated."

"Looking at the sky, she estimated it was around 2 PM. She took out the snake repellent powder given to her by the elderly lady yesterday, sprinkling some on her trouser legs and socks, then tightly tied them with cloth strips."

"She then packed the Shenji tree leaves into an empty barrel, freeing up a basket. Taking the only two useful tools they had at home – a sickle and a stone axe – she informed Shen An and left for the mountains."

"The ingredients for the miraculous tofu were seasonal, and she had at most a month left to sell them. She needed to find profitable mountain goods."

"Shen Jin, seeing Sang Luo leave, approached Shen An: 'Is big sister going to the mountains to find wild vegetables again? What kind of vegetables? I can help pick some too.'"

"His casual use of 'big sister' and his overfamiliar tone earned him a glance from Shen An, who coldly pushed away the head that had leaned too close, saying brusquely, 'Go do your own work.'"

Just giving food wasn't enough, it seemed like he was trying to usurp his sister-in-law's affection.

Shen Jin observed Shen An's sour expression and thought to himself, grumbling inwardly about Shen An's pettiness. Why couldn't he call her sister-in-law? Every mention seemed to irk Shen An.

Yet, he only dared to grumble in his mind, remembering gratefully that Shen An had saved most of the delicious braised pork with preserved mustard greens for him earlier that day.

…

Unaware of the boys' subtle rivalries, Sang Luo, armed with the snake-repelling powder from Granny Chen, ventured beyond her usual nearby hills for the first time.

Snapping a bamboo branch, she stripped its twigs and leaves, leaving only the main stem, and ventured deeper into the mountains, bypassing the peripheral areas and heading into previously unexplored territory.

The paths here were evidently less traveled, starting with faint trails that soon gave way to dense undergrowth and thickets, making progress much harder than in the more frequented outer mountains.

Frequently, she startled creatures in the underbrush, sending leaves fluttering wildly; sometimes it was a two-legged snake, other times she couldn't even identify the creature before it vanished.

Despite having the snake-repelling powder, Sang Luo remained cautious, slowing her pace and carefully inspecting the grass and leaves before proceeding.

While challenging, these less-traveled areas promised a richer bounty of natural resources, especially for someone like Sang Luo, who had spent years living in the mountains in her previous life and casually sharing her mountainous lifestyle and nature's gifts on a small streaming site to earn money.

Take, for instance, what she spotted now – something truly valuable.

Konjac!

Ever heard of Wei Long? Konjac snacks, vegetarian spicy beef tripe, and konjac jelly!

Sang Luo's eyes lit up at the discovery!

She moved closer to inspect, and sure enough, despite being in a different time and space, these were indeed the same species. Looking around, she saw two large patches of them.

It was mid-August according to the lunar calendar, a suitable time for harvesting, but Sang Luo refrained. Firstly, there were too many prying eyes at home; secondly, she lacked the proper tools for harvesting and processing.

To preserve them for a long time, peeling, slicing, drying, and grinding into powder was the best method. Properly stored, they could last a year.

Sang Luo didn't believe her bamboo knife was up to the task. She planned to borrow a hoe and a kitchen knife from the Chen family tomorrow.

Finding the konjac lifted her spirits. As she ventured further, relaxed and cheerful, she thought she spotted something else valuable.

Clearing the undergrowth with her sickle and pushing aside branches, she approached to confirm her sighting: it was Southern sour dates.

These sour dates should be ripe by now. Drawing closer, Sang Luo's smile broadened upon seeing ripe fruits fallen on the ground.

Perfect, this was something she could take back home today!

Chapter 40

After ensuring no dangerous animals were around, Sang Luo squeezed through the dense shrubs and crouched to pick up a fruit, placing it in her basket.

She dusted it off, peeled the skin, and her mouth started watering uncontrollably at the sight of the flesh. She couldn't help herself.

Biting into it, the initial sweetness gave way to an increasingly sour taste, causing her entire face to pucker up.

Ah, the sour thrill!

She finished the fruit, overcoming its tartness, and tossed the remains back to the ground, giving back to nature.

The village of Shili truly didn't lack for mountains. Every family had several hills around the village. Deeper in, where few ventured, the sour dates ripened undisturbed and fell to the ground, ignored. She gathered ten, though three were already spoiled.

It wasn't a waste; Sang Luo simply cast aside the spoiled fruits, returning them to nature.

The best sour dates were naturally fallen ones, ripe and delicious. The ground was strewn with them, sparing her the need to shake the branches.

She selectively picked the good ones, discarding the rotten, quickly gathering half a basketful.

Continuing her search, Sang Luo found another tree and only stopped when her basket was nearly full, satisfied with her harvest.

On her way back, she casually gathered wild greens, covering the top of her basket.

The mountain paths were tough to navigate. Approaching her mountain, she met Chen Lao Han and his group carrying a processed tree trunk. Seeing her basket, Chen Lao Han asked cheerfully, "Just back from the mountain?"

Old farmers naturally appreciate hard workers.

Sang Luo replied with a smile, "Yes, picking wild greens to sell tomorrow. You all must have worked hard today."

During their brief chat, Shi Er Lang and others eyed her basket, curious about the full load of ferns.

Not daring to inquire directly, they waited until Sang Luo had finished talking. Once she stepped aside, Shi Er Lang asked Chen You Tian in a low voice, "Does your wife and Ai Lie's wife really go to the county to sell ferns? Do people actually buy them?"

Chen You Tian, always honest, replied, "Some people in the county buy them since there are no mountains there. A few handfuls for one coin, some are willing to try."

Remembering his mother and wife's instructions not to disclose too much about Sang Luo's business, he added, "But not many buy them. They aren't as tasty as regular vegetables, and the costs of entering the city and market fees reduce profits. We don't sell many and earn little."

His statement was true; not all the collected wild greens were sold. Earning a few coins was considered good.

Shi Er Lang found it odd why Sang Luo collected so much when they were not easy to sell.

Knowing Chen You Tian's honesty for decades, Shi Er Lang wondered if a 'handful' might be quite large.

Pondering over the quantity, he found it hard to believe they sold for just one coin for two handfuls. The mountains were abundant with them, easily gathered in half a round.

Shi Er Lang, thinking this way, felt he had unintentionally helped Chen You Tian cover up any potential lie.

Upon reaching the grass hut and unloading the felled tree, Chen Lao Han said to Sang Luo, who was following behind, "Ai Lie's wife, please mark out the specifics of the house's size and what will be built where, so we know how to proceed tomorrow when bringing back mud for bricks. We can also start clearing the ground, digging out stones, and dealing with roots to prepare for the foundation."

Eagerly, Sang Luo responded, "Alright, I'll just put my basket inside and come right out."

Shi Er Lang and others rested while waiting to understand better the house they were helping to build; having a clear idea was crucial.

Sang Luo returned quickly, leading the work group to the left of her current hut. "Let's build the bathroom here. In my hometown, we emphasize the importance of toilets and kitchens. Toilets are usually located in the northeast corner of the yard. This bathroom will be convenient here."

It would make bathing and night visits easier, avoiding a long, dark walk, especially in winter when it's bitterly cold.

Chen Lao Han, already aware that Sang Luo's 'toilet' involved using a chamber pot promptly cleaned daily, nodded in agreement, seeing no issue with its proximity to the main house.

Shi Er Lang and the others were confused. What exactly did she mean by a 'bathroom' and 'toilet'? Isn't a toilet meant to be in an outhouse? How does it relate to a bathroom?

In rural areas, it's uncommon to have a separate bathing space. Men usually bathe in the river, and in summer, they use a basin indoors, later disposing of the water outside. Why the need for a separate bathroom?

Not well-acquainted with Sang Luo, they hesitated to ask directly, keeping their queries to themselves to discuss later with the Chen family.

Chen You Tian, observing Sang Luo's gestures, momentarily stepped aside to the area behind the hut where the children were clearing land. He selected some smaller stones from those the children had dug up and piled aside, then called them over to help transport them to the marked area.

As Sang Luo explained, he used the stones to mark out lines, creating a clear visual representation of where the walls, doors, and windows would be, consulting with her on each detail.

The younger children found this task amusing and treated it like a game, excitedly carrying stones to the marked spots. Shen An, more thoughtful due to his own house construction experience, quietly assisted and listened in.

Sang Luo found using stones for marking convenient. Holding a few stones handed to her by Shen An, she moved a few steps to her left front and said, "Let's build the kitchen here. I want a bigger kitchen..."

As she spoke and arranged the stones, indicating the positions of the kitchen walls, door, and windows, Shi Er Lang and the others watched in amazement. Since this wasn't a sensitive topic like bathing or toilets, they felt comfortable asking, "Isn't this kitchen a bit large?"

It seemed about half the size larger than their own kitchens, almost comparable to a typical living room.

Sang Luo smiled and replied, "Yes, it's larger, but since I don't have farmland, I'm planning to prepare food for sale in the future. That's why I need two stoves inside, and space for water buckets and wooden basins for convenience."

In fact, she intended to install a stone mill for tofu-making inside the kitchen. Placing it outside would be inconvenient, especially during rain, so a spacious kitchen was necessary.

Upon hearing her plan to install two large stoves for food preparation, although unsure what food she intended to sell, they understood given the Shen family's lack of farmland, and the necessity for her daily trips to the county to sell wild greens. They all nodded in understanding.

Chen Lao Han and Chen You Tian assumed she was referring to selling her 'divine tofu' and understood that their help with the kitchen construction was to facilitate her food preparation.

Once the kitchen's location was decided, they moved on to determining the position of the courtyard walls and the main gate. After Sang Luo finished marking most of it, Chen Lao Han thought they were done, but she stopped placing stones when they reached the right side of the courtyard wall near the grass hut.

Sang Luo pointed towards the rear of the grass hut, explaining, "Elder Chen, I want to enclose a backyard here. The land behind where we're farming won't be touched, but I'd like to build a wall around this part near the house to conveniently dry things."

She then indicated her current position and said, "Between where I'm standing and the west wall, right next to this grass hut, I plan to install a door, serving as the gateway between the front and back courtyards. Do you think that's feasible?"

Chen Lao Han looked at Sang Luo upon hearing this.

In rural homes, it's more common to have several rooms enclosed by a single courtyard wall. Having a separate backyard, let alone one divided by a door, was virtually unheard of.

However, considering Sang Luo's unique tofu preparation, which might require a private space, he didn't object. Nodding, he said, "It's doable. Chen You Tian can handle basic carpentry. Though not the finest in appearance, the doors he crafts are solid and functional, and we have the wood. We'll have him work on both courtyard doors and the kitchen door."

Delighted by this unexpected offer, Sang Luo eagerly thanked Chen You Tian, saying, "Uncle You Tian, I really appreciate your help."

Chen You Tian humbly waved it off, "It's no trouble at all, as long as you don't mind the rough craftsmanship."

Remembering that Sang Luo didn't receive any household items during the Shen family's separation, he added, "While we're at it, think about anything else you might need. I can make them all for you. Do you need tables and chairs?"

"Actually, we do need those," Sang Luo admitted. "We've been either standing or squatting to eat. If you could help with that, and maybe a small bed too, I'd be grateful. Once the kitchen is built, we won't need the makeshift one inside. I plan to partition the interior with reed mats for separate sleeping areas, and Shen An can have his own space."

Given Shen An's age, nearly nine by lunar count, it wasn't appropriate for him to share a bed with his sister-in-law and sister anymore. In the countryside, these nuances were often overlooked due to hardship, but better living conditions were desirable when possible.

Thus, Sang Luo requested Chen You Tian's help to make a bed, an offer he readily agreed to.

Sang Luo was pleased with the arrangement. While she didn't strictly adhere to the traditional belief of gender separation after a certain age, she certainly aimed for better living conditions where feasible.

"Sleeping on such a narrow bed, all three of us crammed together, it's impossible to turn without risk of falling off. You wake up with every bone in your body aching."

"As for Shen An's accommodation once he grows older, I don't plan to wait long. Next year, I aim to extend our house to the lower ground in the west. We can move the western wall outward and add a new wing with two small rooms, giving the siblings their own space."

"But for now, I won't push it. The farming season is near, and I'm already grateful for the help from the Chen, Shi, and Lu families in building the kitchen and the wall. It would be unreasonable to ask for more, especially when expanding the ground for future construction is no small feat."

"Moreover, I can't afford to prolong the building period. Our daily earnings are limited and expenses are many. I must save for autumn and winter provisions, and there's the matter of clothing and bedding for the three of us. Expenses are endless."

"Once all the markings were set, it was just in time as Qin Fang Nian came up the mountain, calling everyone down for dinner."

"By late afternoon, everyone, having worked all day, was famished. After a quick wash at the spring, they all hurried down the mountain. I didn't rush, choosing to return home first. I'll go down to wash and eat after the others have left."

"Chen Er Shan and Xiao Ya went down with their mother. The three Shen brothers were still excited, hopping around the stone-marked areas."

Shen Jin, while wandering around, expressed his envy, "Shen An, this is how your house will look? Your sister-in-law treats you so well, even getting Uncle You Tian to make a bed just for you."

Shen An's lips curved into a smile, then quickly shifted to wariness, "I know my sister-in-law is good to me, no need for you to tell me."

"I'm not oblivious. You just have your eyes on the food my sister-in-law brings home, craving the meat and pancakes."

Disdainfully glancing at Shen Jin, he retorted, "The way you speak, it's as if your parents don't provide you a bed."

Shen Jin raised his voice, "That's different. The four of us siblings are squeezed together, and little Tian often wets the bed. You having your own bed is far better."

Thinking of Tian, who could wet the bed twice a night, Shen An closed his mouth and said no more.

"But Shen Jin's just typical, always thinking the grass is greener on the other side. True, his aunt can be harsh, but generally, she's kind to them. I always envied Shen Jin and his siblings for having parents who cared for them."

"Lost in thought, I hardly noticed Shen Jin had already circled around the kitchen, bath, and courtyards, returning to me with sparkling eyes, 'Shen An, how long will it take to build your house? About a month?'"

The hopefulness in his expression was palpable.

Shen An: …

"So, you're just hoping for daily meat, huh?" Shen An rolled his eyes and pushed away Shen Jin's head, which was too close for comfort, "Dream on, get back home for dinner. We also need to eat."

"I told you not to come, but you wouldn't listen. If your mother finds out you brought Shen Yin and Shen Tie here to help me, you'll see if you get a beating."

Shen Jin pouted, still annoyed about the morning's spanking, "Can't I run away? You think I'm dumb enough to stand still and take a beating? This morning was a fluke; she caught me off guard. Just watch, she won't be able to lay a finger on me next time."

Shen An found his defiance somewhat amusing.

Quickly reverting to the main topic, Shen Jin looked unwilling to accept the reality, "Really, no meat every day? When Er Niu was building his house, my dad said they had meat every day."

Shen An honestly replied, "I don't know. If we do get meat, it certainly won't be large portions every day."

"Just a few small slices in the dish. Kids like us might not even get a piece each. Who could afford to give away a whole piece?"

Slightly disappointed, Shen Jin insisted, "Remember, if there's meat, save me a bite. I'll help you out every day."

Then, remembering the pancakes, he drooled, "And if your sister-in-law buys you pancakes, save a bite for me, too. I've never tried them."

Shen Ning interjected with a scoff, "Ungrateful. You've had them before. When big brother bought them in the past, he shared with me and Er Ge. Xiao Tie was too young to eat them, but you and Xiao Yin got your share."

Shen Jin and Shen Yin, who were playing with mud on the side, looked utterly baffled.

Shen Jin: "Really? I don't remember that."

Shen Ning pouted, "You're never short of food, how could you remember anything?"

An alarm immediately went off in Shen Jin's mind as he sensed the resentment from his cousin. Reflecting on the past at home, where he and his siblings had treats that Shen An and Shen Ning didn't, he instantly felt guilty and backed down.

"I'm younger than you, after all. Mom says little kids don't remember much, and that was years ago. How could I, a few years old then, be expected to remember?"

Then, trying to appease, "I'll share my treats with you from now on. I've checked our oil jar, and there's not much left, honestly. Next time my mom makes oil residue, I'll bring some for you and Shen An. I mean it."

This prompted Shen Yin and Shen Tie, who were playing in the mud, to also eagerly promise, "We'll share ours with sister and Er Ge too."

Sang Luo, overhearing this from inside the grass hut, struggled to contain her laughter.

This was her first time finding Shen Jin, the mischievous little rascal, so amusing. All this effort for a bite of food, going so far as to butter up Shen Ning and make such promising bribes.

"This rascal digs in the soil for hours each day," she thought. "Maybe tomorrow I should buy a pancake to share with these little hard workers?"

After all, their efforts deserve some reward. They're quite determined, a little treat to appreciate their hard work seems fair, right?