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During dinner, Mingcheng and the others learned that the elderly men had won first place that day. The children came over one by one, excited to offer their congratulations.
The three brothers, including Zuo Hao, wore proud expressions. “Grandpa, you’re amazing. When I grow up, I want to be like you and also win first place.”
Seeing his grandson’s enthusiasm, Zuo Zhanshan felt even more satisfied. He smiled and said, “Of course, our family won’t be weak. You all need to study well and take over your father’s responsibilities in the future.”
As a former soldier, Zuo Zhanshan naturally hoped that his descendants would follow in his footsteps and fulfill his unfulfilled dream by taking up the steel gun he held.
While they were talking, their neighbor Liu Hui called out from their yard, “, are you home?”
Zhang Lan hurried out to see what was going on. Liu Hui leaned over the wall and shared some exciting news, “Sister San, the village is planning to distribute piglets to each household tomorrow. We’ll draw lots in the morning at the village office. Don’t forget about it.”
This news was undoubtedly a huge surprise for Zhang Lan. She found it hard to believe. “Liu Hui, are you serious? It feels like I’m dreaming.”
Liu Hui smiled and said, “Sister San, it’s not just you. I couldn’t believe it either when I heard it. We’ll be able to raise pigs in the future. Everyone in the village has been notified. You’ve been informed by our Shibao. Stop dreaming and go home to discuss it with your husband. See what kind of pig you’d like. Tomorrow, make sure you draw a good lot. We’ll have pork to eat in the future.”
Zhang Lan immediately shared this good news with everyone at home. Mingyuan’s eyes were sparkling. “Mom, we’ll raise pigs in our family. We’ll take care of feeding them, and we’ll make sure our pigs are fat and strong.”
Mingcheng, on the other hand, thought more long-term. Feeding pigs wasn’t just about grass; they also needed grains. “Mom, do we have enough grain to feed the pigs?”
This might be a concern for other families, but Zhang Lan was confident. She smiled and reassured her son, “Yes, Mingcheng, you’re thinking ahead. Don’t worry. Although we don’t have a lot of grain, we can mix bran, seaweed, and other things together for the pigs. Our grain is enough for us, and your grandparents will help us with seaweed.”
The Wang family was immersed in joy upon hearing the news. The prospect of raising pigs meant there would be surplus meat to eat at home.
“By the way, dear, the kids have a day off tomorrow. Let’s take them with us to draw lots for the piglets. Zuo He caught such a big fish last time, so his little hands are quite capable. Let’s have Zuo He draw the number one lot for us, so we can choose the piglet,” Wang Zhenhe suggested.
The Wang family recognized Zuo He’s good luck. No one else had managed to catch such a big fish at the reservoir, but Zuo He had. To ensure their piglets grew up healthy, Wang Zhenhe decided to take Zuo He along.
Before Hao Lianchun could speak, Zuo He began to feel burdened. “Uncle, what if I can’t draw the number one lot? Does that mean we won’t have good piglets in our family?”
It was at this moment that Wang Zhenhe realized he had unintentionally burdened the child. He smiled and lifted Zuo He, saying, “It’s okay. Even if you don’t draw a good lot, we can still raise the piglets. So, tomorrow, just come with us. Don’t think too much. Just close your eyes and draw the lot.”
Seeing Zuo He looking worried, the older men couldn’t help but chuckle. “Zuo He, just treat it like fishing. Just wait patiently. When it’s your turn to draw, just reach out your hand. That’s all there is to it. It won’t affect raising the pigs. As long as we take good care of them, the piglets will grow into big pigs.”
Zuo Yu had heard stories about his little brother’s fishing skills. To encourage him, he held Zuo He close to his chest. “Hehe, listen to me. You’ll be fine. If you don’t draw a good lot, I’ll eat the piece of paper, and you can draw again. If you still don’t get a good one, I’ll keep eating them.”
Zuo Yu’s words amused everyone in the room. Hao Lianchun brought his two grandsons over. “Zuo Yu, this isn’t like playing with friends in the courtyard. You can’t back out. Otherwise, you’ll be the subject of ridicule. Listen to Grandma. You can’t do this tomorrow.”
Not only the Wang family, but the entire village was excited and couldn’t sleep that night. Everyone in the village was discussing the piglet drawing, hoping to draw a good lot.
After a night of anticipation, the excitement remained. Early the next morning, after breakfast, the villagers gathered at the production team. Each family sent a representative to draw lots for the piglets. It became a major event in the entire village, and the courtyard of the production team was packed with people.
Seeing the crowded yard, Liu Changlin had to stand in a high place and shout, “Everyone, please listen to me. Each family will receive one piglet, so each family should send a representative to draw lots. I will call out the names of the families.”
The accountant, Wang Shibao, began calling out the names on the list, and a representative from each family stepped forward. Men, women, young, and old, each family sent the person they believed had the best luck.
When it was time for the Wang Zhenhe family, Zuo He glanced at everyone, waved to Wang Qian and the others, and walked to the front with a sense of self-sacrifice. The people from the Wang family who followed him felt quite nervous, but to avoid putting pressure on Zuo He, they all tried to remain calm.
Zuo Yu held his older brother’s hand, and his palms were sweating. “Brother, I’m sure little brother will draw the number one lot.” This statement seemed to comfort Zuo Hao, but Wang Qian felt it was more to reassure himself.
The lots were prepared and placed in a water ladle. No one knew which lot was good or bad, so everyone had to leave it to fate. In Wang Qian’s view, this was fair. There was no manipulation or favoritism. Everyone was on an equal footing.
Wang Shibao held the ladle and asked each person to pick a lot. When it was Zuo He’s turn, the little boy, though nervous, managed to keep his composure and selected a lot from the many paper balls. Those who had already chosen looked at their numbers with a mix of joy and disappointment.
Zuo He tightly clenched the paper ball in his hand, closed his eyes, and took a moment to calm himself before decisively opening the paper. However, when he saw the number on it, his eyes widened, and he rushed over to Wang Zhenhe and the others, excitedly shouting, “Uncle, Auntie, I drew number one! Hurry and go pick a pig!”
Zuo He’s exclamation was like a bomb that ignited the emotions of everyone in the yard—some were envious, some were jealous, and a few were secretly gnashing their teeth in the corner. Of course, these few were from the Wang family.
Wang Zhenhe excitedly lifted Zuo He onto his shoulders. “Good boy, I knew you could do it. Let’s go pick a pig, kids.”
At that moment, Zuo He seemed like a little hero, basking in the various gazes below. He didn’t care about the looks of others; he only cared about the happy faces of his family.
“Grandpa, I’m amazing, right? Hehe, I drew number one. I’ll leave the pig-picking to you. I don’t know anything about that,” Zuo He said proudly.
Old Teng chuckled, “Zhenhe, your family is really something. You let Zuo He draw the first lot. You should reward this kid when you get back. His luck is really something. My son drew lot number six.”
To Wang Qian, drawing lot number six was also a good outcome, but she understood the proud look in Old Teng’s eyes. Although their family had done well, it was overshadowed by Zuo He’s success. This was his way of expressing his excitement.
“Old Teng, your family did well too. Let’s go pick the pig first,” Wang Zhenhe replied.
The number one lot meant that the Wang family could freely choose a piglet. Zuo Zhanshan and old Wu, who often worked here, knew which piglet was the strongest and most robust. They led Wang Zhenhe to a circle of piglets and pointed to one. “Zhenhe, what do you think of this one?”
After looking around, Wang Zhenhe agreed with the choice pointed out by the elderly. “Uncle, let’s take this one.”
The strong young men who followed them jumped into the circle and caught the piglet, placing it in the deep basket they had brought.
After the Wang family had made their selection, other families began to come and choose their piglets. Old Teng, knowing that old Wu and the others were familiar with the situation, dragged old Wu to help him choose a piglet for his family. Wu Changyong also chose a piglet that he believed was second only to the one chosen by the Wang family.
While they were choosing piglets, there were also arguments and disputes among some couples who couldn’t agree on which piglet to choose. The courtyard, which had been bustling, became even more lively.
Wang Juan’s family number was a bit later—number twelve, not near the front. However, with the help of Zuo Zhanshan, they were able to choose a good piglet.
After drawing the number one lot and choosing a good piglet, the excitement of the Wang Zhenhe family was palpable. They quickly left, leaving the others to continue choosing.
As they were leaving, Wang Juan saw an elderly lady and her family still waiting. It was Wang Zhenguo who had drawn the lot earlier, but their luck wasn’t as good as the Wang family’s. Their number was basically the last, so Zhu Qiyu’s face was as dark as a storm cloud. Wang Juan family greeted them happily and left.
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People born after the 1970s may have an impression of the importance of choosing piglets, as it was a significant event for a family. The atmosphere was as lively and exciting as buying lottery tickets today.