Chapter 15: Where Does That Meat Smell Come From?

Uncle Li had long been driving his donkey cart to transport people at the village entrance, so everyone knew him. But who was that woman sitting in the cart, especially with all those goods piled up high?

The villagers’ eyes widened as they noticed: on top of the bag, there was not only food but also meat and pig trotters!

In the brigade, there hadn’t been any meat available for some time, and many villagers hadn’t tasted meat in over half a year. Looking at the fresh meat, some people couldn’t help but swallow hard.

With such a large bag, if the top items were so good, who knows what else was hidden at the bottom!

This cartload was worth the amount that could feed more than a dozen families! Who’s daughter-in-law was it that could be so extravagant?

Thinking about this, the villagers wiped the sweat off their foreheads and narrowed their eyes to get a better look.

However, Jiang Yuman was wearing a straw hat and was under the sun, making it hard for them to see her face. Plus, Uncle Li didn’t stop the cart, and quickly passed by the fields.

But as the cart moved away, the villagers started buzzing with conversation:

“Who was that woman just now? I’ve never seen her before!”

“I didn’t see her face clearly either. Wow, she looked really good; just look at those arms that were showing!”

“Did you see that? The stuff in her cart must have cost a lot…”

While they marveled at the sight, the expressions of many turned sour, feeling it was too extravagant.

Suddenly, one of the older women questioned, “Everyone else is working, why isn’t she?”

Everyone paused, realizing it was indeed the autumn harvest season. Normally, everyone should be working!

Another round of discussion erupted.

However, despite their chatter, the movements of cutting wheat didn’t slow down; these were all labor points after all.

Zhou Yun and the others were assigned to the fields nearby, unable to hear the commotion by the main road.

Taking a break with their sickles, Zhou Yun noticed the people by the roadside chatting animatedly but didn’t think much of it.

She had been boiling thin porridge to save on food, and after working in the fields for so long, she had already digested everything.

Rubbing her hungry belly, she couldn’t help but ask the record keeper nearby, “Sister, when can we go back to make lunch?”

The record keeper replied, “We have to wait until noon at twelve o’clock before we can go back. It’s only eleven now.”

Zhou Yun was feeling too hungry to think clearly. Hearing that there was still another hour left, she could only continue working under the scorching sun.

At this time, the Fu family was also red-faced from the sun. This was Fu’s Mother and Fu Haitang’s first time working in the fields, and they were unaccustomed to it, falling behind others at first.

However, practice makes perfect, and after a morning’s work, their speed gradually caught up.

As for Fu Wangshan and Fu Jingchen, their physical strength was naturally not to be questioned; they kept pace with the villagers.

Zhou Yun, feeling exhausted and hungry, glanced at the Fu family nearby and felt a bit better.

When they returned, they would also have to wait alongside her to cook.

Not only that, but they also had to take care of that lazy daughter-in-law.

…

While the villagers were gritting their teeth to endure this last hour of work, Jiang Yuman had already arrived at the educated youth point.

Uncle Li parked the cart at the point and even got down to help carry the bags to the entrance for Jiang Yuman.

“Thank you, Uncle.” Jiang Yuman quickly handed him the payment.

“No problem, but girl, I’ve never seen you before. Where did you come from?” Uncle Li asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

“Yes, our family just arrived yesterday.”

“No wonder.” Uncle Li nodded, looking at the bag full of goods, he couldn’t help but advise, “Girl, don’t take it out all at once. Keep it hidden and don’t let others see, or it might not be good.”

Having been a soldier, Uncle Li was warm-hearted.

When he heard Jiang Yuman mention that her family had come, he understood they weren’t typical educated youths but likely had come down due to some issues.

Re-educated individuals were different from educated youths. If they were to arouse envy among the villagers, they could easily be reported, and then they would have nothing to eat.

Seeing that Jiang Yuman was polite to him, Uncle Li offered his advice.

“Thank you, Uncle, I’ll keep it in mind.” Jiang Yuman didn’t expect Uncle Li to be so kind, and she was a bit touched.

However, with the original owner’s mother’s award, she wouldn’t face any real trouble. But there was no need to tell Uncle Li that.

Uncle Li didn’t know these details, assuming that Jiang Yuman had taken his advice to heart.

“Okay, just be careful.”

After saying this, he chatted for a few more moments before driving away.

Jiang Yuman continued to move things from her space into the house.

She had already gone to town, so she wouldn’t be so straightforward about bringing everything she got back this time.

While her family was away, she took the opportunity to move more things from her space, especially fabrics and food.

Then, she took her purchases into the kitchen to start cooking.

It was the first day her family was working, so they needed to eat well to replenish their energy. Jiang Yuman decided to make braised pig trotters.

She chopped and cleaned the pig trotters, then blanched them.

Next, she took some rock sugar from her space and caramelized it, then added the pig trotters and simmered them with spices.

The educated youth point had two stoves.

While the pig trotters simmered under the lid, she used the other stove to steam steamed buns.

Usually, the educated youths had to take turns cooking, but since they were not working, two stoves were perfect for them.

The pig trotters and steamed buns were ready almost at the same time!

The pig trotters were beautiful red color, and the steamed buns were plump and soft, looking incredibly delicious!

Jiang Yuman was confident in her culinary skills.

As for the soup, she used spiritual spring water from her space and added the seaweed and eggs she had bought at the general store to make a seaweed egg soup.

Jiang Yuman took a sip. It was probably just her imagination, but she felt that the soup made with spiritual spring water tasted much better.

A full pot of soup, a large bowl of braised pig trotters, and plump steamed buns.

Just as she finished cooking, the work whistle blew, signaling the end of the workday.

Jiang Yuman quickly opened the windows and doors of the kitchen to let the air circulate, preventing any lingering smells.

In the modern world, eating good food was normal, but in this era, where everyone was eating coarse grain and swallowing air, it was easy to arouse envy.

Today was a special situation; she had to go to the commune.

In the future, once everyone started working, she could get up earlier to prepare meals and store them in her space.

Jiang Yuman was lost in thought as she carried the food to the house.

Soon, she heard people returning one after another.

Zhou Yun was the first to come back. She was starving, and as soon as she arrived, rushed to the kitchen.

She grabbed some sorghum flour from the house and was about to enter the kitchen when she caught a whiff of a lingering meaty aroma.

In an instant, Zhou Yun’s mouth started watering, and her stomach growled in hunger.

She instinctively scanned the kitchen, but it was clean; she didn’t see a single piece of leftover meat.

“Sister Zhou, what are you doing standing here? Didn’t you say you were starving? Go cook something already.”

Other female educated youths said as they passed by, carrying their basins.

“Why do I smell meat in our kitchen?” Zhou Yun sniffed the air, “Do you guys smell it too?”

“The brigade hasn’t distributed any meat. Where would the smell come from? Sister Zhou, are you mistaken?”