Chapter 62

Neither Shuiqing nor Fan Jin, as adults, would inquire too much about Bai Ziqian’s days at Sun Jinhua’s house.

But the five children who returned to Jianghehu with Yan Qiuxing were different. As allies who had also suffered under Fan’s mother and Sun Jinhua, they shared a strong sense of empathy.

It was as if they had found a confidant, and Bai Ziqian had endless topics to discuss with the five of them.

When they ate potatoes again, they felt it was a rare delicacy on earth!

The potatoes were soft and starchy, not rough on the throat, and tasted incredible.

Moreover, he discovered that whether fried, stewed, or steamed, even the blackened ones baked beside the stove, once peeled off the outer black shell, revealed an orange-yellow, soft, and steaming interior, which tasted even better when eaten hot!

It would be great if we could grow them at home.

Maybe, we could buy seeds from Aunt Shuiqing’s family?

Do potatoes have seeds? I don’t know about the yield, or how to plant them…

Lately, as the villagers wished, it has been raining from time to time.

There were more mushrooms, and most of the villagers in Shanshui Village were overjoyed.

Shuiqing also felt good, but noticed that the weather would get much colder after each rain, and gradually found it hard to bear wearing just a single layer of clothing.

She took some fabric and cotton and went to the old village chief’s house.

“The weather is getting cold too early this year,” said the old village chief worriedly in the yard.

Shuiqing’s heart skipped a beat.

She thought it was just an autumn rain bringing a chill, but it turned out that such cold in Shanshui Village was abnormal.

Wang Guifen was chopping vegetables to feed the chickens and was also worried upon hearing this: “In previous years, the mushrooms lasted until the end of October. With this cold weather, they might be gone by early October.”

The courtyard door was open, and Shuiqing knocked on it to remind them. The old village chief and Wang Guifen, who was chopping vegetables, looked up simultaneously.

“Shuiqing, come in!” Wang Guifen hurriedly stood up, wiped her hands on her apron, and said with a smile, “I’ll get you a chair and make some tea.”

The old village chief also sat up straight from his reclining chair.

Shuiqing quickly said, “I have something to ask Sister-in-law for help with. I’ll leave right after, no need to make tea and waste it.”

“It’s no trouble; we have plenty of wild tea in the mountains. It’s not a waste for family to drink,” Wang Guifen said as she briskly brought out a chair and hurried into the kitchen to make tea.

Shuiqing had no choice but to sit down. Facing the old village chief, she asked, “Village Chief, you said the cold this year is abnormal?”

The old village chief nodded heavily and said slowly, reminiscing, “The elders used to say that the winter before a big flood is exceptionally cold.”

Wang Guifen, who had brought the tea, handed it to Shuiqing and then sat down, sighing, “My parents also said that the year before a big flood, the winter is unusually cold.”

Flood? Shuiqing’s face became serious, “What should we do?”

“Reinforce houses, stockpile food, store firewood, and if you have extra money, buy some lime,” the old village chief advised.

“Shuiqing, your thatched house won’t do. It leaks in the rainy summer; if there’s a big flood, there will be continuous heavy rains. Even if your house doesn’t collapse, it will leak everywhere.

Sister-in-law knows that building a house costs money. If the money is not enough, you can make adobe bricks and buy tiles for the roof. This way, the cost is low, and it will be enough to keep out the rain,” Wang Guifen sincerely suggested.

Their Shanshui Village is remote, but not low-lying. The places where houses are built have been chosen and passed down by ancestors, so they usually don’t get flooded.

But during heavy rains, the thatched houses in the village often collapse, and the families who experience this suffer greatly.

Shuiqing already planned to build a house. Hearing Wang Guifen’s suggestion, she quickly said, “Thank you, Sister-in-law, I know. I’ll build a house after the mushroom season ends!”

“Yes, but making adobe bricks is hard work. Your children are young, and your husband is a scholar, so it might be too late.

But don’t worry, just let us know, and our men will come to help make the bricks!” Wang Guifen said cheerfully.

Winter is usually the time they can rest; her men originally planned to go to the city for short-term work to earn some extra money.

But this year, thanks to Shuiqing’s family, they earned a lot of rice, so they will prioritize helping her family.

Reciprocity ensures future help from others.

Shuiqing knew that the old village chief’s family was diligent, working short-term jobs during the farming off-season. This year, they stayed home because picking mushrooms was more profitable.

She gratefully agreed, “Thank you in advance, Sister-in-law. My husband and I plan to build a brick house. When the time comes, we’ll ask the brothers to help, and we’ll pay them like the city workers, not letting them work for free.”

Upon hearing that there would be payment, Wang Guifen quickly waved her hand, “No, we can’t accept that. We’re from the same village, and you’ve helped us so much, we can’t take money from you.”

Shuiqing did not continue the discussion about payment; she would settle it later.

The old village chief, who was silent, instructed, “Eldest daughter-in-law, tell the men to make more adobe bricks and replace the chicken and duck coops with them.

And build an extra woodshed to store more firewood for the winter. When it’s used up, replenish it!

As for food, exchange half of the rice for corn and millet, and the other half for black flour. If next year is indeed a disaster year, having food is better than going hungry.

Also, discuss with the family about planting crops on the wasteland that can survive floods.”

Listening to the old village chief’s methodical instructions, Shuiqing finally understood why his family could live in a brick house and eat coarse grains.

Such an elder truly is a treasure.

Wang Guifen agreed to everything and then asked, “Dad, should we remind the villagers too?”

“Yes, you go and tell them. Those who believe will follow, and those who don’t, we can’t force them.” It’s impossible to make others work against their will.

Shuiqing silently planned for a large woodshed, sturdy livestock pens, chicken coops, and rabbit pens at home…

After discussing the urgent matters, Wang Guifen finally looked at the fabric and cotton placed on the chair next to Shuiqing and proactively asked, “Shuiqing, what are these for?”

Shuiqing remembered her purpose and explained, “The weather is getting colder, and as you know, we’ve had tough times before. The children’s clothes are tattered. I was hoping to ask you to help make some winter clothes for the kids.

Of course, I wouldn’t ask you to do it for free. The five feet of fabric here is a thank you gift for you. Is that alright?”

Wang Guifen was surprised to receive fabric as a thank you for making a few sets of clothes and stammered, “My skills aren’t very good, not as good as Aunt Li’s…”

“I’ve asked Aunt Li too. With so many children at home, plus Hei Zi, I thought it would be good to make a couple of extra sets for changes,” Shuiqing continued.

Upon hearing this, Wang Guifen no longer declined. “Alright, but five feet of fabric is too much; three feet will be enough.”

It would be just enough to make a long robe for Chang Lin.

Shuiqing responded politely, “Sister-in-law, please don’t decline. I’m already benefiting from your kindness. If I were to go to the city to find a tailor or buy ready-made clothes, the cost would be much higher.”

Wang Guifen’s smile widened. How could her skills compare to a city tailor’s? Shuiqing was really flattering her!

Shuiqing thanked her and got up, eager to return home and start preparing!