Chapter 66

Su Ye smiled sweetly, patted the heads of the two big fat ducks, and said with a shake of her head, “What’s meant to be yours will be yours, what’s not, there’s no use forcing it.”

The group of military wives nearly fainted from anger at her words.

When Su Ye retrieved the ducks, she didn’t expect such drama, but in hindsight, this was for the best. Picking up meat by luck was far better than being suspected of spending a fortune at the black market to buy it.

After all, she was just an ordinary, honest schoolteacher—how could she possibly afford such extravagant food?

Later in the evening, Niu Cuihua burst into laughter upon hearing about the incident.

Someone suspiciously asked, “Could those ducks have belonged to someone in the courtyard?”

One of the military wives vividly described, “How could they be domestic ducks? Those two ducks are so well-built! Green heads, white backs, swift runners, and they could even fly! Domestic ducks couldn’t possibly be that agile.”

Niu Cuihua remarked, “The training area is near the mountains. It’s not unusual for a few wild animals to show up.”

Although the military had installed electric fences around the area, it wasn’t foolproof against flying animals. In winter, they’d even managed to catch sparrows by scattering grain. But to have someone lucky enough to nab two ducks this perfect… it was almost too much to believe.

Su Ye’s luck was truly off the charts. The group thought of how the ducks they’d almost had slipped away and were left pounding their chests in regret.

In the past, they’d heard stories of Su Ye fishing by the river, picking up rabbits, or even catching wild boars. But hearing stories was one thing—witnessing it firsthand and feeling the sting of personal loss was far more impactful.

Those military wives who had once dismissed Su Ye for being a simple, uneducated countryside girl, not worth befriending, were now kicking themselves. Why hadn’t they spent more time with her? If they had, maybe they could’ve shared in her good fortune and enjoyed some meat.

The two ducks were incredibly fat, so sleek and vibrant that even their feathers glistened with a luster no domestic duck could compare to. Just imagining their taste was mouthwatering. Meat was so hard to come by these days!

The deeper their regret, the faster the story of Su Ye capturing the two ducks spread throughout the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Yao Chunyu had just returned from field training and spent 100 yuan at the black market to buy a wild pheasant.

Although 100 yuan didn’t sound like much, this was the 1960s when a monthly salary was only 30 yuan. Handing over the money made her heart ache for a moment. But the pain quickly faded—wasn’t earning money meant for enjoying life?

Thinking back to her previous life at this time, when every meal consisted of cabbage and cornbread, being able to eat meat every few days now felt like the true meaning of rebirth.

Yao Chunyu, carrying her pheasant with great enthusiasm, returned to the compound.

But she didn’t feel happy for long. She soon stumbled upon a group of neighbors chatting about Su Ye:

“Su Ye’s luck is really beyond words. She picked up two ducks—so fat and plump, it’s enough to make anyone jealous.”

One neighbor pointed at the pheasant in Yao Chunyu’s hand. “Look, they’re probably twice the size of what little Yu is holding. Little Yu, did you pick up your chicken too?”

Yao Chunyu’s expression almost faltered, her smile stiffening. In a gentle tone, she replied, “No, I’m not as lucky as her. This chicken was a gift from a relative.”

When Yao Chunyu returned home and shut the door, her smile faded significantly.

What was going on with Su Ye? In her past life, no one ever mentioned Su Ye as being particularly lucky. In fact, when people in the compound talked about her, it was usually with disdain or ridicule. When had she ever been the subject of envy?

As Yao Chunyu began preparing the chicken, a possibility suddenly crossed her mind… Had someone taken over Su Ye’s body?

She thought of her granddaughter, who loved listening to novels on her phone after finishing homework at night. Yao Chunyu had overheard snippets and had a strong dislike for a certain type of period novel. The heroines in those stories always seemed to have absurd “golden fingers,” attracting rabbits wherever they went, digging up wild ginseng on casual strolls, and effortlessly making money. As someone who had lived through the famine years, Yao Chunyu knew how absurd those stories were. Back then, people were so hungry they ate grass roots and tree bark—how could wild animals possibly throw themselves at anyone?

Because Yao Chunyu’s own luck was particularly poor, she especially loathed these “lucky koi” heroines. And Su Ye… fit that mold perfectly.

—

Meanwhile…

Su Ye, thoroughly delighted, cleaned the two ducks. After plucking all the feathers, she weighed them and found they were over three pounds each. When gutted, she discovered a thin layer of fat under their skins, and the meat itself was delicate and tender, leaving her hands slick with duck oil.

What wonderfully fat ducks! Su Ye’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

She cleaned out the innards, stuffed the duck cavities with pre-marinated brine sauce, and used an embroidery needle to stitch them closed. Then she rubbed the ducks’ surfaces evenly with marinade and set them out in a well-ventilated spot to air-dry.

The house given to her by Grandma Zhou was well-equipped with everything she needed. Not only did it have heaters and an imported black-and-white television, but the kitchen was spotless and spacious. There was even a fireplace in the living room, showcasing the original owner’s refined taste. All of these luxuries had now fallen into Su Ye’s lap.

The next day, Su Ye patted the slightly yellowed ducks, lit the stove, hung them up, and roasted them for an hour.

The roast duck gradually turned golden over the charcoal fire, transparent juices seeping from the duck skin and dripping down its body. Su Ye brushed on a layer of honey glaze, giving the duck a beautiful rose-colored hue. As time passed, the aroma of the roasting duck grew increasingly rich.

When Su Ye took out the two ducks, the golden, shiny skin gleamed with an enticing reddish tint from the honey glaze. A closer look revealed that the marinade had penetrated every inch of the meat beneath the skin.

The roast duck was a marvel: the skin separated from the meat, crispy and slightly wrinkled, with a thin layer of fat underneath. Su Ye couldn’t resist tasting a piece. The crispy duck skin was incredibly fragrant, the meat tender and juicy, with the marinade infusing every bite. Her taste buds practically exploded with delight.

The flavor wasn’t inferior to that of Jufu Restaurant’s renowned roast duck.

Although Su Ye’s cooking skills weren’t perfect, the quality of the ducks made up for it. They were naturally flavorful, tender, and delicate. After all, high-quality ingredients often only require simple preparation to shine.

Swiftly, Su Ye carved one of the ducks, packed the meat while it was still warm, and arranged for portions to be delivered to the house of Factory Director Lu and his wife, as well as to Mr. Ning’s family. She kept another portion for Grandma Zhou.

When Su Ye delivered the roast duck to the Ning house, she unexpectedly ran into Grandma Zhou there. With a cheerful smile, she said, “Ah, Grandma Zhou, you’re here too! Save me a trip to your place. Xingdou, come and eat roast duck!”

Ning Xingdou was ecstatic. Roast duck meat? What a treat!

“Yesterday, I heard you got two ducks, and today I’m already eating your roast duck meat. This is amazing!”

Ever since Ning Xingdou tasted the roast duck meat Su Ye had sent, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Even the white buns he usually loved seemed flavorless now. When he compared his usual meals of cabbage, sweet potatoes, and sorghum noodles to this, they felt like pig slop. Truly, comparisons can drive people mad.

Meanwhile, Zhou Honghan and Ning Qian were deep in a serious discussion about a math problem, but the irresistible aroma of food brought their conversation to a halt.

Su Ye pulled steaming roast duck meat from her lunchbox, accompanied by a small dish of sweet and tangy sauce, shredded cucumber, and thin pancakes. The rose-tinted duck meat glistened with a thin layer of duck oil, and the thick, generous slices showcased the plumpness of the ducks. Their rich and juicy appearance was beyond imagination.

Even in better times, this would have been a rare delicacy—let alone during a famine. The food seemed so impossibly wonderful that no one wanted to ruin its perfection by starting to eat.

Unable to resist, Ning Xingdou grabbed a pancake, filled it with roast duck, cucumber shreds, and a smear of the sweet-and-sour sauce. One bite in, the rich, tender duck meat, paired with the refreshing crunch of cucumber, left him in bliss.

“It’s delicious! Hurry and eat while it’s hot!” Su Ye urged everyone with a bright smile.

The roast duck was indeed extraordinary. Zhou Honghan ate with such enthusiasm that oil dripped from her mouth—not because of bad manners, but because the duck was very plump. The crispy skin oozed fragrant oil with every bite, yet it wasn’t greasy. For those who had long lived on a diet lacking fat, this meal was like a weary traveler in a desert finally finding a sweet spring.

By the end, Zhou Honghan was utterly satisfied, her smile extending to the fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

Mother Ning was equally satisfied, her cheeks glowing rosy red, her entire demeanor radiating happiness. Yesterday’s roast duck meat had been delicious too, but with so little to go around, each person barely got a slice. In contrast, today’s portion from Su Ye was enough for everyone to indulge freely.

The three-pound duck was more than sufficient, with each person enjoying their share wrapped in pancakes. They ate so enthusiastically that even their thumbs and mouths glistened with oil.

Su Ye smiled warmly. “I’ll head back now, I’ve still got duck roasting at home.”

“Where do you think you’re going, leaving without finishing your meal?”

“Hey! This kid just got here, hasn’t even warmed her seat, and now she’s leaving? Wait right there!” A group of people hurried to stop her.

Mother Ning wiped her mouth with a napkin and took something out of a cupboard, pressing it into Su Ye’s hands.

“I’d feel bad if we let you go empty-handed every time. We don’t have anything particularly fancy at home, but take this. That roast duck was absolutely delicious!”

Su Ye didn’t expect to receive anything and tried to return the box, smiling wryly. “Auntie, this makes me feel so embarrassed! Those ducks were just something I picked up, and apart from some oil, salt, and seasoning, they didn’t cost me much at all.”

Lowering her voice, Mother Ning leaned in and said, “Don’t argue with me. Uncle Ning and I talked about this beforehand. We can’t just keep eating your food for free. Let’s call this a ‘meal fund,’ okay?”

Their family’s close relationship with Su Ye was something others could only envy. Mother Ning deeply valued this bond, knowing that Su Ye’s generosity came from a genuine place. To keep taking advantage without reciprocating felt wrong—and besides, how could they hope to enjoy such fine grains and meats in the future if they didn’t show appreciation now?

After some thought, Su Ye decided not to refuse. To her, meat wasn’t particularly valuable, but to others, it was a rare luxury. A mutual exchange only strengthened their relationship.

Since moving into Grandma Zhou’s house, Su Ye had been eating meat more regularly. With her daily egg consumption, her energy and vitality outpaced those of most elderly women.

What Su Ye didn’t anticipate, however, was just how extravagant Mother Ning’s gift would be. She had assumed it might be another bottle of liquor and hadn’t been too firm in rejecting it.

Back home, she opened the box and was nearly blinded. Inside, shimmering brilliantly, was a collection of small gold ingots, a beautifully crafted necklace, and a gold pocket watch with an attached chain. The pocket watch’s intricate mechanics ticked softly, emitting a faint sound.

The craftsmanship was exquisite, with delicate engravings that revealed it had been custom-made by a skilled artisan.

Half a box of gold ingots, plus the intricately designed necklace and pocket watch—Su Ye was stunned by the sheer generosity of Mother Ning’s gesture. As she stood there processing it all, a thought crept into her mind: With so much gold, does this mean I’ll have to deliver meals every day from now on?