In rural areas, mornings started with work, often skipping hygiene routines. Washing one’s face or brushing teeth was uncommon—people simply didn’t brush their teeth.

Surprisingly, despite not brushing, their teeth weren’t noticeably yellow. While people were thin and pale, their teeth remained relatively clean. The reason was simple: diets lacked rich or oily foods, and most meals were coarse, so teeth cleaned themselves through constant friction. Unlike modern times, where sugary and greasy foods require strict oral hygiene, dental health in this era wasn’t as compromised.

Regarding bad breath, it wasn’t a significant issue either. Bad breath typically came from stomach or digestive problems, not necessarily from unclean teeth. Luo Cheng, for instance, hadn’t noticed any bad breath from his two sisters.

“Brother, are you awake?”

Luo Cheng stirred slightly, leaning against the bedpost, making enough noise to catch his younger sister’s attention. Her voice came from the other side of the wooden partition. She was awake but hadn’t gotten up yet. With the morning chill and their thin clothing, staying in bed was the best way to conserve energy since there wasn’t much work to do.

A couple of years ago, Luo Xiaoyu might have joined her father at the brigade to earn work points. Back then, their parents and Luo Bing worked in the fields, while Luo Shishi, being younger, stayed home to manage chores. Now, with much of the work halted due to the famine, conserving energy by staying in bed was the norm.

Luo Cheng’s stomach growled, but except for those working in the city, people generally only had two meals, and there was no breakfast.. Only those working in the fields might have a small bite before heading out. On less busy days, skipping breakfast was typical—it was seen as wasteful to eat when there was no work to do.

“I’m awake. Is there a place in town that sells breakfast? I’m a little hungry.”

Luo Cheng was unfamiliar with Longyang Town. It was more like a slightly denser village, serving as a central hub for nearby rural areas. It had a grain station and a supply cooperative, but the cooperative was rudimentary, lacking many goods, especially larger items. On the road to Qin Lan’s village the day before, he hadn’t noticed any shops.

Breakfast in the city was usually sold by state-run establishments, often tied to specific units or organizations. Even small stalls were monitored, and both money and grain coupons were required. Without grain coupons, you couldn’t buy food, even if you had extra money. Each item, whether a bun or a steamed bread roll, had specific standards for size and weight.

Town breakfast shops were rare, but Longyang Town had one. However, its offerings leaned heavily on coarse grain items. Steamed buns and stuffed buns, being made from refined grain, were expensive and less common. Even working-class residents couldn’t afford them often. Instead, the shop sold coarse grain pancakes stuffed with radishes or other vegetables. Meat-stuffed buns were unavailable in the town and had to be bought in the city.

Hearing Luo Cheng’s question about breakfast, Luo Shishi’s mind became alert. Her brother wouldn’t go out to eat alone—surely, he’d bring some back for her. Last night’s buns had been a rare treat, leaving her stomach feeling full and comfortable, something she hadn’t experienced in ages.

“Brother, there’s a breakfast shop in town. Want me to take you there?” Luo Shishi’s excitement was evident. Meanwhile, Luo Xiaoyu hesitated. She thought about their limited money—Luo Cheng’s retirement payment from the army was already allocated for grain. Spending money on breakfast seemed extravagant, and tagging along felt indulgent.

“Not sleeping anymore? Then get up,” Luo Cheng said, sitting up. “I’ll wash up first. Go ask Grandma if she’d like something. We can bring some breakfast back for her.”

After Luo Cheng said this, Luo Xiaoyu knew that everyone would have a share. But there was really no need to ask grandma what she wanted to eat. There weren’t many varieties in the breakfast shop. Most people bought the coarse grain pancakes since they were cheap and filling. Drinks like soy milk were unavailable in town; people just drank water if the food was too dry.

The sisters didn’t typically wash up in the morning since water was scarce and hard to fetch. Luo Cheng, however, was unaccustomed to skipping hygiene routines. Thanks to the daily necessities he had received from the system, he brushed his teeth, catching the attention of his sisters.

The sight of Luo Cheng brushing his teeth fascinated the sisters. They had seen toothbrushes and toothpaste before but had never used them—it was a luxury reserved for the educated or affluent. While the town’s supply cooperative sold these items, they were rarely purchased by villagers.

Even their mother, hearing the commotion, came to watch Luo Cheng brush his teeth. She felt a sense of pride—her son, who had served in the army, was so refined. She mentally prepared to brag about him to her neighbors later.

When Luo Cheng mentioned eating breakfast outside, his mother was concerned. Spending money on breakfast seemed wasteful, especially when the family was buying grain that day. However, she respected her son’s decisions and refrained from objecting, only asking for a simple vegetable-stuffed bun for Grandma.

Luo Cheng smiled, knowing his mother was trying to save money. He didn’t respond directly, but he planned to bring food back for everyone. He believed their current hardships were temporary. The letter from the army should help him secure a job soon, and life would gradually improve.

After brushing his teeth and washing his face with cold water, Luo Cheng noted the water levels in the storage jar were low. Fetching water was labor-intensive, so he planned to be mindful of its use.

In this era, sellers were often more assertive than buyers. Urban stores and restaurants sometimes displayed signs reading “Do not assault customers without reason.” In this era, you can curse and beat people, but the seller had to meet weight and quality standards; otherwise, customers would fiercely object.

When making breakfast, the taste might be average, but if the portion sizes are inconsistent, you could encounter someone with a bad temper who might overturn your stall.

Of course, every trade requires skill, and those who can work as chefs in a breakfast shop generally produce decent food.