Chapter 15: Happy Hosts and Guests

Wang Shuning paused her potato shredding. “It’s just a small piece of meat. Let’s share it. This is probably the only time I’ll treat the villagers to a meal.”

The water in the kettle boiled. He Zhuzhu quickly used a thermos to transfer it; if it boiled over, the vegetables would be watery.

“Not just this time. When you get married, you’ll have to treat the village to a wedding feast. That will be much busier.”

Wang Shuning remained silent; that was premature.

When the seven dishes were ready, the corn and sweet potato rice in He Zhuzhu’s iron pot also smelled delicious. The rice, corn, and sweet potatoes were a beautiful mix of yellow and white.

He Haiming looked at the dishes and rice, impressed. Wang Shuning hadn’t let the villagers help for nothing.

Everyone ate corn and sweet potatoes, but no one could cook rice like this; at least half the pot was rice.

There were no drinks or alcohol; they were too expensive.

Wang Shuning stood up with a bowl of water. “I’m new here; please take care of me. Forgive any mistakes.” She drank the water.

He Haiming twitched his mouth. It was like a formal banquet. This girl from Beijing was different. She hadn’t been so polite when haggling for the room, but now she was soft. An eighteen-year-old who understood social graces so well was quite clever.

Calling him “Village Chief” elevated his status, and “uncle” brought her closer to the villagers. Wang Shuning would live in Dafeng Village for years; this meal was not only gratitude but also groundwork for the future.

He Haiming raised his teacup. “No matter where you came from, work hard, and life will be good.”

The villagers raised their cups. “This girl is polite and pretty. If we get good things, we’ll let our wives introduce them to you.”

Wang Shuning smiled shyly. “My parents told me to get their permission before finding a partner. Elders have more experience, but I’m young; I’ll wait until my twenties.”

They understood; her family didn’t want her to find a partner in the village; she’d likely return to the city.

He Guoyue and He Guochai, sitting on low stools, ate heartily, chewing the meat with their baby teeth. Children and women usually didn’t eat at the table, but Wang Shuning insisted; He Zhuzhu sat with her daughter.

After the initial pleasantries, they ate heartily, leaving nothing behind.

When they were mostly full, they started chatting—family matters, village customs—sharing everything they knew.

As it grew dark, the village chief looked at Wang Shuning. “Your cooking is good. It’s time to go; get some rest.”

Wang Shuning stood up and smiled. “Thank you, uncles. Thank you for your help.”

The villagers waved; a meat meal was a luxury. Three meat dishes and such fine rice made it a great meal.

After they left, Wang Shuning quickly cleaned up with He Zhuzhu’s help.

“Thank you, Aunt Zhu. I’ll cook myself from tomorrow. You don’t need to make breakfast for me.”

He Zhuzhu nodded. “The firewood is in the kitchen. Tell me if you need more; you can ask Mingming and Goudan.”

Wang Shuning agreed, boiled water, and went into her space.

She picked several apples, bananas, strawberries, and blueberries and put them in the kitchen cupboard.

Fruits in the space ripened in a week but wouldn’t rot or fall if unpicked.

Tired from the day, Wang Shuning didn’t want to do anything more.

“Knock knock, Zhiqing Ning, are you asleep?” He Qiuqiu called from outside.

He Zhuzhu, bathing He Guochai, came out. “Uncle Qiu, you’re looking for Shuning?”

He Qiuqiu lowered his voice, pointing to a basin and cabinet. “Zhiqing Ning ordered things from me this afternoon. I wanted to deliver them tomorrow morning, but Gu Yazi said she might need them tonight, so I brought them now.”

It was still warm, and they’d been busy; not having a basin would be inconvenient.

The door creaked open. Wang Shuning, hearing someone call, came out. She didn’t know He Chunxi but saw the basin and cabinet.

“Zhiqing Ning, here are the basin and cabinet. Where should I put them?”

Wang Shuning opened her door. “In the room.”

There was an empty space by the bed where the old cabinet had been; it was now in the kitchen.

“My things are good quality. If they leak or crack, come to me; I’ll repair them for free,” He Qiuqiu said, placing the basin against the wall.

“Thank you, Uncle Qiu.”

That night, He Zhuzhu found candies in Mingming and Goudan’s pockets—six candies. She asked, “Who gave you candy?”

The children, sleepy after their bath, perked up at the sight of their candy.

Mingming said, “Sister Shuning gave it to us while Mom was washing dishes.”

He Zhuzhu put the candy away. “No sweets after brushing your teeth; it’ll cause cavities.”

Mingming and Goudan nodded. They hadn’t eaten them; they were saving them.

They’d never had candy before; they only watched other children eat it.

Besides three meals a day, they never had snacks. They were expensive.

At six in the morning, the work bell rang. Wang Shuning woke up.

Work started at seven, ended at eleven, resumed at one, and ended at six.

The team leaders rang the bells an hour early. Dafeng Village had three bells.

Villagers could tell the time by the sun, but Wang Shuning couldn’t.

She kneaded the dough, covered it, and went to wash up.