Song Wei brought the fish over to Li Juan; cooking wasn’t her strong suit, so it was natural to seek out her kitchen-savvy friend for help.

Li Juan’s eyes lit up with joy, squinting in delight at the prospect. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to cook up a rare treat like this with such minimal effort?

“Hey, do you know how to make mushroom sauce?” Song Wei asked.

“Of course!” Li Juan responded without hesitation. “I learned it from Auntie in the village a few years back. I even have a jar left; want to try it?”

Song Wei nodded eagerly. She’d definitely like to try it.

“Do you think you could make all my mushrooms into sauce in two days?”

“That much? Sure, as long as we have the ingredients, we could do it in a day. But it’ll need to cool completely before it can be jarred.”

Song Wei nodded. “Great, I’ll leave my mushrooms with you, then.”

While Li Juan cooked, Song Wei grabbed a stick and went to knock down pinecones from the trees, intending to shell the nuts and roast them, along with some chestnuts she’d found. She planned to prepare some mushroom sauce in large jars and gather more mountain goods to send to her “big brother” soon.

From her memories, she knew her military brother, though rarely home, had always sent money to make sure his little sister was well provided for. He even sent thoughtful gifts from time to time. Sadly, most of those gifts had ended up with her ungrateful father, who’d given them to his new wife’s daughter instead.

Song Wei intended to write her brother a letter, explaining her life in the countryside and the real situation with their father’s new family, so he wouldn’t keep sending them money in ignorance.

In her past life, Song Wei had been an orphan, so discovering she had a brother in this life was like finding an unexpected treasure. Though it felt a bit like borrowing someone else’s luck, she couldn’t help but want to protect this newfound family connection.

She also had an uncle, a scientist, who had once used his connections to get her brother his spot in the military. But due to political issues, her uncle was denounced for having spent time abroad and had been sent to a reeducation camp two years prior. She didn’t know where exactly, nor if her brother had any news on his whereabouts.

“Song Wei! Dinner’s ready!”

After gathering pine nuts, Song Wei heard Li Juan calling her back.

Apparently, her harsh words to their neighbors yesterday had had some effect, as no one dared wander near them today. They even managed to carry the freshly-cooked fish into their room without attracting attention, allowing them to enjoy their meal in peace.

The two dug into the deliciously tender fish. Li Juan quickly felt full, while Song Wei, almost as if making up for lost time, devoured the rest along with a few sweet potato buns. Her eating wasn’t rushed or messy, but her pace was fast, and she left her plate spotlessly clean.

Song Wei’s pretty face and graceful eating style were pleasant to watch, though her hearty appetite made Li Juan feel full just by looking at her.

“Song Wei, do you have enough food?” Li Juan finally asked, a bit worried.

When the new residents had arrived, each of them had received 20 pounds of coarse grain and 30 pounds of sweet potatoes — enough for about a month. But at Song Wei’s rate, it looked like her rations would be gone in ten days, at most.

However, Song Wei seemed unbothered. “My brother will send more food for me soon,” she replied calmly.

In truth, she was lying; her plan was to go to the county in a few days, send her brother a package, and then see if she could buy food on the black market.

Li Juan took her word for it, feeling more envious than concerned — how lucky Song Wei was to have such a thoughtful brother.

After the meal, the two got to work washing the mushrooms when the team leader stopped by. Both Song Wei and Li Juan knew he was here about the plan they had discussed with him yesterday, and their eyes sparkled with anticipation.

They immediately went over, looking at him expectantly like two eager puppies.

The team leader cleared his throat, giving them a wary glance as he tapped his tobacco pipe. “Alright, I discussed it with the other team leaders. It’s possible, but we still need to ask the other Zhiqing what they think.”

Song Wei nearly blurted out that the others wouldn’t mind, but she caught herself and instead called everyone together.

In total, there were twelve youths at the commune: seven men and five women. Song Wei, Bai Yunjiao, Gao Le, and Zhao Su were the new arrivals, while the others were older residents.

Once the team leader explained the proposal, everyone turned to look at Song Wei and Li Juan.

Xu Laidi sneered, “Some people think their little patch of vegetables is some kind of treasure, hoarding it like gold. As if anyone actually wants their stuff!”

Song Wei rolled her eyes. “If you don’t want it, then don’t eat it.”

The team leader’s face turned serious. “I’m here to hear your opinions, not to break up fights.”

Gao Le shrugged. “I’m fine with it. Honestly, it sounds good to me.”

Zhao Su nodded in agreement. “I’m on board too.” Anyway, he would never grow his own vegetables; it was way too much work.

Even now, he was distracted by his own problems, thinking that if he didn’t find a cooking partner soon, he’d go crazy eating watery gruel.

Luo Yecheng frowned.”This is not good. It is not conducive to the unity of the Zhiqing.”

Song Wei shot back, “And yesterday’s behavior was, in your opinion?”

Luo Yecheng was left speechless.

“That was just a one-time thing.”

“Oh, so you can guarantee that Xu Laidi or anyone else won’t try to steal vegetables from Li Juan in the future? Or that they’ll actually grow their own?”

He couldn’t guarantee anything.

Apart from Luo Yecheng and one other guy who had a crush on Bai Yunjiao, the rest of the group voted in favor of the plan. Yesterday’s argument had left an impression, and most were happy to have their own small vegetable patch; at least this way, they could avoid squabbles over food.

With the majority in agreement, the decision was made. The team leader laid out a few rules.

“Each of you is allowed a plot behind your room, no larger than three square meters. Whether you put up a fence is up to you.”

Song Wei and Li Juan happily agreed, thanking him profusely.

Luo Yecheng and Xu Laidi, on the other hand, looked less than thrilled. But with the decision made, they forced smiles as they bid the village leader goodbye. The moment he was out of sight, their expressions turned sour again, with Xu Laidi glaring resentfully at Song Wei and Li Juan.

Song Wei raised an eyebrow. “What’s the problem? Want to fight?”

Xu Laidi backed down immediately, grumbling to herself. It wasn’t fair that Song Wei, with her soft appearance, was still so strong.

Too excited to sit still, Li Juan followed Song Wei to her room, chattering non-stop about how they’d arrange their little garden.

“Song Wei, what do you plan to plant? Maybe we should trade with some village aunties for radish and cabbage seeds. Winter’s coming, so it’s pretty much all we can grow.”

“Maybe not just those,” Song Wei replied thoughtfully. A sudden idea struck her. “We could get some other seeds too.”

Li Juan shook her head knowingly. “Trust me, those are the only crops that’ll survive this early frost. Nothing else will grow.”

Song Wei didn’t argue, though she wasn’t convinced. She planned to experiment a little.

“I’ll get some extra seeds, just in case. If they don’t grow now, I’ll save them for spring planting.”