Chapter 78: Mother and Daughter’s Journey

The old man didn’t hide anything from the mischievous young girl. “The people who are watching over us aren’t too strict now. As long as we stay honest here, there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

“Grandpa Zuo, eat less tonight. My mom has made something delicious for you. Wait here at mealtime, and I’ll definitely come over,” Wang Qian said.

To be honest, the old man didn’t need to be told to eat less. He had been indulging himself lately. When he heard about the delicious food, Zuo Zhanshan couldn’t help but nod. “Alright, I’ll wait for you here.”

For dinner, Zhang Lan indeed kept her promise. She cooked a large pot of rice and made a cucumber salad using shrimp skin from her family, and also stewed a tofu carp. Mingyuan saw the sumptuous spread on the table and couldn’t help but salivate.

“Mom, come and eat quickly,” he couldn’t wait and called Zhang Lan to the table.

Wang Zhenhe was puzzled when he saw the cucumbers. “Wife, have the cucumbers from the field been harvested? I checked yesterday, and they hadn’t grown yet.”

Zhang Lan explained with a smile, “These were brought over by my mom from the mountain. It seems like they planted a new variety this year. These ones that haven’t grown yet are the early ones. Let’s all eat quickly.”

With delicious food on the table, Wang Zhenhe didn’t inquire further about the cucumbers’ origin. “Mmm, it’s so delicious. The flavor of these cucumbers is really good,” even Mingcheng noticed that this variety was different from what they had eaten before.

“Xuan’er, eat heartily. There’s more in the pot,” Zhang Lan noticed that her eldest daughter seemed hesitant and encouraged her to eat.

“Mom, I wish we could eat rice every day in the future,” Mingyuan said, reluctantly enjoying the delicious meal.

Seeing her younger brother’s reaction, Wang Qian couldn’t help but smile. “Little brother, I’ll have Mom cook for you every day in the future.”

At this point, Mingyuan shook his head. “No, sister, our family doesn’t have that much grain, and we don’t have money to buy rice. It’s good enough to have bread to eat.”

The children’s words made the couple feel heartbroken. “Mingyuan, Mom will tell you a secret. Can you promise not to tell anyone?”

Seeing all four children nod, Zhang Lan explained how Wang Qian had found the fine grains. “So, in the future, we can eat steamed buns made from white flour. But you all must keep this a secret and not let it slip.”

Hearing that they could eat steamed buns made from white flour in the future, the children couldn’t help but salivate. Previously, they only got to eat them during the New Year, and occasionally they would have a meal of dumplings made from white flour. They rarely had the chance to eat them otherwise.

Mingyuan was the first to step forward and assure, “Mom, you can trust me. I absolutely won’t say anything, not even under torture.”

His words reminded Wang Qian of a line from a movie, “Not even under torture.”

“Yes, we definitely won’t say anything. If there’s something delicious, we’ll quietly eat it at home and won’t eat outside,” the other children chimed in.

Mingcheng understood the situation better. It wouldn’t be easy to explain if they were seen eating outside. Their family’s financial situation was there for all to see. They didn’t want their mom to be gossiped about because of a simple meal.

The children’s maturity gave the couple hope for the future. “Zhenhe, I’ve heated some water in the small house. You and the two boys can go wash up later. It’s hot, and it’s easy to sweat. After washing up, you can all sleep well tonight.”

When it came to bathing, the brothers felt itchy. Mingyuan urged, “Dad, let’s go wash up quickly. We need to make room for Mom and them later.”

Wang Zhenhe was eager to play in the water with his sons, while Zhang Lan took her eldest daughter out for a stroll. Wang Qian packed the items her mom had prepared into the space and also brought along some chopsticks, then hurried to the agreed-upon location.

When she arrived, the old man Zuo was already waiting there. “Grandpa Zuo, you’ve been waiting for a while. Please eat while it’s hot,” Wang Qian handed over the bowl and chopsticks. The aroma of the food had already reached the old man Zuo’s nose. “It smells so good. Thank you, Wang Qian.”

The old man was too busy eating to say anything else. He quickly picked up the chopsticks and took a bite, praising as he ate, “It’s so delicious. Your mom is really skilled.”

Actually, Wang Qian knew that when one is hungry, anything tastes delicious. After all, even Zhu Yuanzhang once thought that the beggar’s meal was the most delicious in the world.

Watching the old man Zuo eat, one could tell how much he had been recently. “Grandpa Zuo, take your time eating.”

Although Zuo Zhanshan nodded, his movements didn’t slow down. It had been a long time since he had eaten such a delicious fish stew with tofu. The feeling was simply delightful.

Wang Qian obediently accompanied him, refraining from speaking further. She was afraid of accidentally causing the old man to choke.

“Ah, I feel comfortable. My stomach is finally full.” It was the first time the old man had eaten a full meal in a while. He had also eaten dinner that night, and with the meal Wang Qian had brought, he felt that life was truly wonderful.

“Thank you, granddaughter. Grandpa really doesn’t know what to say.” Zuo Zhanshan, who had fought battles all his life, was moved by a child’s meal. It wasn’t for anything else but for the kindness and sincerity of this family. Zuo Zhanshan had some understanding of the situation in every household. To receive such a meal from a stranger, he felt that even if he had suffered some injustice, it was worth it, just to have met such a kind and simple family.

“Grandpa, wipe the corner of your mouth. There’s a grain of rice there. I’ll go back now. I’ll bring you some delicious food later,” Wang Qian said.

“Be careful on your way back, granddaughter. Grandpa will watch you leave,” the old man said, watching her gradually walk away before turning back.

Inside the house, a group of brothers were chatting and passing the time.

“Old Zuo, why have you been wandering around for so long? Don’t tell me you’ve been secretly meeting a lover?” one of the old buddies joked with him.

Zuo Zhanshan didn’t take it seriously. “Even if someone were interested in an old man like me, considering where we are staying, who would dare to come here? Sigh, write a letter to my eldest son. I don’t know how things are going over there.”

Everyone knew Zuo Zhanshan’s situation. His eldest son’s family had been sent to the south, his second son’s family to the northwest, and his youngest son had ended up in the northeast. A once happy family had been torn apart. “Old Zuo, we need to look forward. Summon the spirit you had when you fought against the Japanese. That’s the only way we can get through this. Don’t forget, there’s a grandson and a wife waiting for you to come back home.”

The group of people in the room made the best of a bad situation, chatting and joking about everything under the sun. Only Zuo Zhanshan was hunched over, writing his family letter by the light of an oil lamp.

After a few days, Zhang Lan took her daughter to stay at her mother’s house for two days. They also collected a lot of eggs, as well as pickled duck and goose eggs.

They also gathered many things at the seaside.

When the mother and daughter set off for home, they arrived at the station near her mother’s house. Zhang Lan took her daughter and boarded a bus to the city. This time, she planned to accompany her daughter to see her family and then check on the old lady afterwards. She hadn’t seen her in person and was still worried.

Upon arriving in the city, they first went to the district to sell things near Zuo He’s house. Wang Qian didn’t take anything, but the mother and daughter squatted in the aisle with their baskets. The old lady who had bought things from her before recognized her immediately. “Little girl, what good things have you brought this time? We’ve been looking forward to your visit. Hurry and let Grandma take a look.”

The old lady was delighted to see what the mother and daughter had brought. The Dragon Boat Festival was approaching, and they were in need of these items. The little girl had arrived just in time.

“Girl, I’ll go home and get a basket. I’ll also call my neighbor over,” the old lady said.

Zhang Lan didn’t expect her daughter to be so popular here. “Qianqian, do you know them?”

Wang Qian smiled and said, “Mom, the old lady came to buy things from me when I was selling. I guess that counts as knowing each other.”

Unexpectedly, after the old lady returned, she was followed by a group of elderly people. Zhang Lan was a bit surprised. They came, exchanged greetings, asked about the prices, bought things, and left. Those who hadn’t had a chance to buy whispered, “Does the girl have anything left?”

“Wang Qian nodded. “Wait here. My mom and I will go nearby and be right back.”

They went to a secluded spot and took out the items from the space. Afterward, they resumed selling. Some people didn’t have cash and used food coupons instead, as the items were almost as good as money.

After the crowd dispersed, Wang Qian took Zhang Lan to sell near Shan Shuzhen’s house.

Shan Shuzhen, who was preparing dinner, smiled even more when she saw the mother and daughter. “Qianqian, do you have any eggs this time? People here are all prepared to buy from you.”

“Aunt Shan, today I not only have eggs, but also pickled duck and goose eggs. This is my mom. We came together,” Wang Qian said.

Shan Shuzhen glanced at Zhang Lan. She wasn’t dressed well, but her eyes were clear. A mother who could raise such a child must be good.

“Comrade, you’ve raised your child really well. I envy you for having such a good child,” Shan Shuzhen said.

Zhang Lan felt a bit awkward. “Oh, it’s nothing. We had no choice but to let our child come out and earn some money. Qianqian often mentions you. I have to thank you for taking care of my daughter.”

Shan Shuzhen smiled. “Young lady, your child is so lovely. Everyone in our area likes her. Besides, Qianqian has saved us a lot of trouble. Not to mention, I’ve saved quite a bit on my food coupons and ration book.”

Shan Shuzhen was speaking the truth. Free trade was prohibited, and the call for a socialist society was loud. Wang Qian’s behavior had to be done discreetly.

“Qianqian, you and your mom wait here. I’ll go back and call the neighbors,” Shan Shuzhen said hurriedly as she walked home.

“Qianqian, when we’re done, give Aunt Shan the conch and sea snails we gathered. Those are for her. She’s helped you so much, so we should thank her,” Zhang Lan instructed with a sweet smile.

Wang Qian sweetly smiled. “Mom, I’ve already prepared a portion to give her. Do you think your daughter is that forgetful?”

Zhang Lan smiled and patted her child’s head. “Well, this time I see it. Our Qianqian is quite popular here. I can finally feel at ease.”