Chapter 81: The Grass Market and Borrowing a Cart

As soon as Ming Dai entered the main room, she saw Huang Dalian squatting on the ground, adding firewood to the kang stove.

Noticing someone coming in, Huang Dalian looked up and greeted her with delight. “Oh! Xiao Ming, you’re here! Come, sit on the kang.”

As for Zhou Sinian, who followed behind, she politely ignored him, not daring to greet him.

Ming Dai smiled and walked inside. On the kang, Aunt Huang was sitting by the window doing needlework, while Tiedan and Goudan were lying on their stomachs, playing a game with pebbles.

When they saw Ming Dai enter, Aunt Huang quickly called out, “Xiao Ming, come over here! The kang is nice and warm! You two little monkeys, go play at the edge!”

Ming Dai quickly waved her hand. “Auntie, let them play here. I can just sit on the edge of the kang.”

But Aunt Huang wouldn’t have it. She insisted on pulling Ming Dai up onto the kang. Left with no choice, Ming Dai took off her shoes and climbed up. Zhou Sinian, meanwhile, sat down in the spot where she had just been, watching Tiedan and Goudan play with the pebbles with curiosity.

Aunt Huang glanced at Zhou Sinian’s expression. Hmm, he seemed to be in a good mood.

Only then did she start chatting with Ming Dai. “So, how’s your kang? Is it warm enough? If not, let your big brother take a look at it for you.”

Ming Dai placed her basket on the small table on the kang and smiled. “It’s warm! At night, I don’t even dare sleep near the head of the bed—I have to sleep in the middle.”

Aunt Huang rubbed her needle against her hair. “That’s right. You’re not used to sleeping on a heated kang yet. Start in the middle, and put a basin of water in the room. Otherwise, it’s easy to get too dry and overheated.”

Ming Dai nodded and began taking things out of her basket.

Aunt Huang gave her a reproachful look. “Why did you bring more things again?”

Ming Dai glanced at Zhou Sinian. “I brought him along to visit. He needs something to eat too.”

At the same time, she looked around in curiosity. “Why don’t I see Xiao Tao and Xiao Xing?”

Aunt Huang pursed her lips. “Their mother took them to their grandma’s house. Her mother’s family home collapsed, so she went back last month to help rebuild it. My son went along too, but even after a whole month, they haven’t finished. They’re making the mud bricks from scratch.”

Ming Dai nodded. No wonder she hadn’t seen Zhou Pandi either.

She took out four pieces of peach crisp and four pieces of sesame cake, originally planning to give one to each person, but now she decided to let the two brothers have them all.

“Tiedan, you and your brother can have two pieces each. Go ahead and eat.”

Tiedan smiled and thanked her before taking the paper-wrapped treats. Goudan, following his brother’s lead, also said thank you loudly, looking very bright and clever.

She had to admit—the brigade leader’s grandchildren were raised well.

Ming Dai then took out two pieces of pine nut candy and four chestnuts, handing them over to the brothers. She placed the remaining treats back into the basket and passed it to Zhou Sinian.

Zhou Sinian tapped on his paper package with satisfaction—his portion was bigger.

Ming Dai pulled out some illustrated storybooks. “Do you still have the books I gave you last time? I brought new ones.”

Aunt Huang quickly nodded. “Yes, yes! I put them away so they wouldn’t tear them up.”

Then she turned and shouted toward the outer room, “Eldest daughter-in-law! Eldest daughter-in-law!”

Huang Dalian responded and soon came in carrying a basin of water and a cloth.

After a month of living together, she had learned well that the “madman” was obsessed with cleanliness. She swiftly wiped down the edge of the kang, especially the spot where her husband usually slept, afraid that the “madman” might catch a whiff of any unpleasant smell and start a fight.

Aunt Huang rolled her eyes at her actions. So, you do know your husband’s feet stink!

Why weren’t you this diligent before?

Once she was done, Aunt Huang spoke up. “Where did you put those two illustrated books? Hurry and find them for Xiao Ming—she brought two more.”

Huang Dalian wiped her damp hands on her cotton-padded jacket, then walked to the corner and opened the cabinet.

Her movements were quick and practiced, making Aunt Huang twitch her eyes. One had smelly feet, the other didn’t care for cleanliness—what a perfect match!

When the books were handed over, Ming Dai flipped through them. They had been well preserved. She then passed the new ones to the two children.

“These are new. Read them first, and once you’re done, I’ll bring more.”

The two children eagerly reached out to take the books, but Aunt Huang smacked their little hands away. “Wait until you’ve finished eating—your hands are covered in oil.”

Ming Dai chuckled and handed the books to Aunt Huang instead, who placed them in her sewing basket.

“You can still visit people now, but once the heavy snow seals the doors, you won’t be able to go anywhere.”

Ming Dai thought of the news from her past life and nodded in agreement.

“In a couple of days, when the people from the mountains come down, there will be a grass market here. I’ll call you when it happens. There will be plenty of mountain goods—you can buy or trade for them.”

Ming Dai was surprised. “Doesn’t the commune crack down on that?”

Aunt Huang shook her head. “It only happens once a year, and the commune turns a blind eye to it. The land in the mountains is scarce, and there isn’t enough grain to go around. If they don’t come down to trade for food before the new year, a few people might starve. The commune has to consider the reality of the situation.”

Ming Dai finally understood. That made sense—policies had to be adjusted based on local circumstances.

She was immediately interested. “What kinds of things do they sell?”

Aunt Huang spoke excitedly. “The mountains have all kinds of good stuff, mostly food. Big hazelnuts, wild walnuts, pine nuts, and red dates. The ones I gave you last time were from my mother’s side of the family.

There are also fruits—people need frozen pears and persimmons for winter. But you don’t need to buy those. My family and your Sister Dalian’s family will send some, and we’ll share with you.

Then there’s all kinds of dried meat, and if you’re lucky, you can even get fresh ones. There are plenty of dried wild vegetables too.

Oh, and medicinal herbs! Quite a few people sell them, but most of the good ones go to the commune’s purchasing station, so you won’t find as many at the market.”

Ming Dai considered it—she could buy things she didn’t have in her personal storage space.

Taking the opportunity, she also brought up the topic of bartering. She had plenty of things in her space that she could use for trade.

“Auntie, I’m planning to write a letter to Beijing before the New Year to arrange a trade for some supplies. Do you need anything?”

Aunt Huang’s eyes lit up. “Oh, that’s wonderful! The last time I mentioned it, all the women in the village were eager to trade. Every household is running low on something.”

Ming Dai nodded. “My father had connections at an enamel factory, so I can get enamel basins and mugs. There are also towel and glove factories, and even a soap factory—though some of the items might have slight defects.”

Aunt Huang was overjoyed. These supplies were always in high demand at the commune’s supply and marketing cooperative, and people had to compete just to get them!

 “Having these is already a blessing. We don’t care if they have minor defects—people in the countryside aren’t that picky.”

Ming Dai smiled. “These items are all discounted because of minor defects, so they’re more affordable. Even in the city, I use second-grade goods.”

Aunt Huang looked at Ming Dai’s bright smile and liked her even more.

Why didn’t she have a capable son? She had completely missed out on such a wonderful daughter-in-law!

She sighed—she just wasn’t that lucky.

“I’ll ask around and come to your place tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll only talk to the tight-lipped ones. Those with mouths as loose as cotton trousers’ waistbands—I won’t even call them over. I’ll also estimate how much each item is worth. I know the exact prices at the supply and marketing cooperative. Those shameless folks will definitely try to haggle with you since you’re young!”

Ming Dai was more than happy to have her help. “Thank you so much, Auntie! You’re really helping me out!”

Aunt Huang sighed. “You’re the one helping us! The people who want to trade are mostly preparing for weddings. Being able to exchange for something nice as a dowry or betrothal gift makes a big difference. We live too far from the commune, so we rarely get good things. That’s why wedding gifts around here don’t look as impressive.”

Ming Dai nodded. “Then I’ll write in my letter to ask for festive-looking items—perfect for dowries and betrothal gifts.”

Aunt Huang’s grin was so wide her eyes almost disappeared. “That would be great! If you can get pillowcases with ‘Double Happiness’ or mandarin duck designs, save me a set. My niece is getting married to someone down the mountain early next year—it would make a perfect wedding gift.”

Ming Dai recalled that she had some in her personal storage and nodded.

“By the way, Auntie, you don’t need to come over to my place tomorrow. Actually, I was hoping to borrow a flatbed cart—I’m planning to head up the mountain to dig for some soil. The chives in my garden have started sprouting, so I want to plant more and see how they grow.”

Aunt Huang was pleasantly surprised. “You’re really something! You actually managed to keep them alive?”

Ming Dai smiled and nodded. “They’ve started sprouting, but I’m not sure how well they’ll grow. I want to get some decomposed mountain soil—it’s really fertile.”

Aunt Huang agreed. “That’s true! You can take the cart with you when you leave—it’s not being used right now anyway.”

Ming Dai nodded gratefully.