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Wang Qian wasn’t sure if crops could grow, but seeing the wild chickens thriving, she felt there shouldn’t be a major issue.
“Mom, let’s give it a try. If it works, our family won’t have to worry about food this year. We can all eat our fill, and my brothers won’t have to go hungry. If it doesn’t work, it’s just not in our destiny to have this fortune. What do you think?” she said.
Her daughter’s words deeply moved Zhang Lan. As a mother, her greatest hope was to ensure her children were well-fed and free from worries about their livelihood.
“Daughter, I’m all in. It’s just a bit of effort and getting some seeds. Tonight, I’ll level the ground, and you can figure out the seeds. But this is something only we should know about. Don’t tell anyone, or we might get caught,” Zhang Lan said, trying to scare her daughter, fearing she might not fully understand the consequences.
Wang Qian understood her mother’s concern and nodded, saying, “Mom, I won’t tell anyone. I promise. What about the rice and flour, and these?” She pointed to the large cakes and the living creatures in the space.
Zhang Lan considered for a moment. “Good girl. I’ll sell these when I find the opportunity. We’ll raise chickens ourselves in the future. These creatures will affect the crops. As for the rice and flour, you can leave them here. We’ll take them out when I come up with an excuse.”
Zhang Lan had carefully considered this. If the fine grains were taken out, she wouldn’t have a good excuse. To avoid raising suspicion, this was her only choice.
After reaching an agreement, Wang Qian put everything back into the space and returned to the heated brick bed.
As the day began to brighten, Wang Zhenhe got up to fetch water and tend to the vegetable garden.
Despite the immense surprise, Zhang Lan’s heart was still not calm. However, she maintained her usual demeanor, doing what needed to be done.
In the morning, after the unexpected turn of events, she took a short break from work and went out with her daughter. They sold some of the wild animals at the commune’s purchasing station and bought some seeds at the seed station. They also had her daughter take out the flour cakes from the space, claiming they were brought from the city. After crafting a suitable excuse, they returned home.
This time, Wang Qian carefully observed the surroundings along the way. Their home wasn’t far from the commune’s purchasing station, just up and down two slopes, with the clinic situated in the middle of the two locations.
Instead of going home, Zhang Lan went directly to work at the team. She stored the seeds in the space, and Wang Qian carried the flour cakes back home.
With no one else at home, Wang Xuan was alone. She noticed that the basket at the door was missing, indicating that her brothers had gone to gather grass.
“Sis, Mom bought these pancakes for us. Have some,” Wang Qian said, handing her the flour cakes.
Sitting on the heated brick bed mending her socks, Wang Xuan was pleasantly surprised to see the flour cakes. She took a small bite and savored it slowly.
“It’s delicious. Sis, have a bite too. Let’s save the rest for lunch so we can all eat together, okay?” she suggested.
Wang Qian took a small bite and nodded. “Okay, we’ll wait to eat together.” Wang Xuan put the flour cakes away and returned to her mending.
Wang Qian’s socks were also torn, with both big toes exposed. Seeing her sister sewing, she also took a needle and thread to mend her socks. Unfortunately, her sewing skills were not as good as Wang Xuan’s.
Seeing her sister sewing, Wang Xuan quickly took the needle and thread, afraid that she might hurt herself. “Sis, I’ll finish this soon. I’ll sew yours later. Don’t rush,” she said.
With someone else taking over, Wang Qian didn’t force herself. She wasn’t very skilled at handiwork, and despite being just an eleven-year-old girl, her sister’s hands were quite adept with the needle. The socks were sewn neatly and tightly, unlike her own, which looked like they had been chewed by a dog.
“Hey, we’re back,” came Mingyuan’s cheerful and sweet voice from outside.
“Hey Mingyuan, big brother, come in quickly. I have something delicious for you to eat,” Wang Xuan called from the heated brick bed to the door.
Mingyuan rushed in like a little whirlwind, his face beaming with an especially sweet smile. “Sister, what’s the good thing? Let me see.”
He was eager to know what his big sister had for them to eat. The chicken dinner from the previous night had already left him quite satisfied.
Wang Xuan pointed to the stool, “It’s right there. Each of you can have half, and we’ll save the rest for lunch with Mom and Dad.”
Mingyuan hurried to the big cabinet, opened the door of the stool, and exclaimed when he found the target, “Flour cakes, sis, where did these come from?”
Wang Qian saw that Mingyuan wanted to eat but still insisted on knowing the source. She chuckled and said, “Brother, you can eat with confidence. Mom bought them for us. They’re delicious. Hurry and try them.”
Mingyuan took out a cake from the top, saw that his sister had already taken a few bites, and then carefully tore off a small piece to share with Mingcheng. “Brother, try it. It’s really delicious, so fragrant. I’ve never had such a tasty cake before.”
His eyes widened with happiness, and the unique aroma of the flour lingered in his mouth, making his mouth water.
“Yeah, it’s really delicious,” Mingcheng also praised. Wang Qian, lying on the heated brick bed, observed the two brothers and knew from Mingyuan’s constant swallowing that he hadn’t had enough.
“Little brother, share that piece with your big brother. There’s plenty left for us to have for lunch. When things get better, I’ll make flour steamed buns for you every day, and Mom will make pancakes for you whenever she’s free,” she said.
With the space, she now had confidence in their future. Although the days ahead would still be difficult for a while, everything would be fine. There would be bread and there would be milk, wouldn’t there?
Wang Xuan, while mending the socks on the heated brick bed, advised, “Little brother, share the rest with your big bro. Mom bought these for us to eat. Finish the rest.”
Mingyuan felt as if he had received a royal decree and shared the remaining large piece of cake with his big brother. However, he insisted that the sisters take the first bite. After much persuasion, the brothers and sisters each took a small bite, and that was it.
“Oh, by the way, we’ve made plans to go dig some wild garlic with Xiaoxiang this afternoon. Are you two coming?” Mingcheng suddenly remembered this and brought it up.
Wang Xuan quickly looked up and said, “Of course, why wouldn’t we? Don’t forget to call us when the time comes. We’ll dig some wild vegetables and dip them in sauce. We’re running out of vegetables at home.”
The children knew that the pickled vegetables at home wouldn’t last until the new vegetables were ready, so they decided to go digging for some every day to supplement their meals.
At noon, when Wang Zhenhe returned with the materials, he was surprised to find flour cakes on the table. “Honey, what’s the occasion today? You’re willing to eat this?” he asked.
Wang Zhenhe knew the family’s situation well. Being able to eat flour cakes was a bit of a luxury at the moment, especially with the need to build a house and the ongoing food shortage.