Chapter 4: Mung Bean Soup

There were quite a lot of people in Chen Family Village, which was backed by the mountains. The main crops grown here were cotton, wheat, and corn.

At the moment, a large number of educated youth and commune members were picking cotton in the fields.

Walking along the ridges between the vast stretches of cotton fields, Chen Manman wore a large straw hat and carried a basket on her back. Inside it was an aluminum pot filled with mung bean soup and several enamel bowls.

From a distance, she could see her mother leading a group of women picking cotton ahead. Each of them had a large cloth bag tied around their waists, picking cotton as they walked and tossing it into the bag behind them.

“Mom, I brought you some mung bean soup. Come have a drink,” Chen Manman said, holding out a bowl of soup as she approached her mother.

“Oh~ Isn’t this Manman? You actually came to the fields!” came a mocking voice—it was the original host’s aunt, her father’s elder brother’s wife.

Chen Manman had one uncle and two aunts. Her uncle was a full-time farmer with a son and a daughter. The daughter, Chen Xiaoli, was the same age as Chen Manman. One aunt had married into a neighboring village, while the younger one married into the county and worked at the local cotton purchasing station. The two aunts only returned to the village during the holidays.

The Chen family had already split households. Grandpa and Grandma Chen took turns staying six months with each of their sons. It was currently the second half of the year, so they were living with the elder brother.

“Aunt,” Manman called out politely. The original host’s aunt was sharp-tongued and loved gossiping behind others’ backs—Manman had no desire to interact further.

“My child, it’s such a hot day. Why didn’t you just rest at home? Where are Dahu and Erhu?” her mother asked as she took the bowl from Manman and took a sip.

The soup was milky green in color and sweetly fragrant in taste.

“It’s delicious! Manman, your cooking is getting better and better! I’m so lucky to have a daughter like you!” her mother praised.

“They’re napping at home,” Manman replied.

Her aunt chimed in sourly, “In this heat, a bowl of mung bean soup is just right to cool down.” Seeing no one paid her any attention, she added, “Manman, give your aunt a bowl too!”

“I didn’t make much, Aunt. I still need to bring some to Dad and my brother. If you’d like some, you can have Xiaoli make some for you,” Manman replied.

“You child, there’s clearly plenty left in the pot. What’s wrong with giving your aunt just a little?” the aunt pressed shamelessly and even reached forward to scoop some herself.

Manman immediately snatched the ladle back and turned to her mother. “Mom, have some more.” She filled another big bowl for her mother.

“Mom, where are Dad and my brother?”

“They’re in the field up ahead,” her mother pointed.

“Okay, I’ll take the mung bean soup to them.” With that, Manman covered the pot, hoisted the basket, and left.

“Ah, this child—Xiulan, I’m telling you, your Manman is too polite…” the aunt muttered.

“She’s my child. I’ll raise her how I want. No need for your comments,” Chen’s mother shot back.

“…” The aunt was speechless. All she did was say a few words! Was that necessary? But ugh, that mung bean soup really smelled delicious!

Manman walked quickly. The cotton fields were large and far apart. It took her ten minutes to reach the area where her father and brother were.

“Dad! Brother!” she called from a distance.

A group of people turned toward her in unison. If it weren’t for her sharp eyesight, it would’ve been hard to pick her father out of the crowd.

Once closer: “Dad, Brother, I brought you mung bean soup. Come try it~”

Her older brother Chen Guangming ran over and took the two big bowls Manman had filled.

“Sis, what are you doing here? The sun’s scorching. It’s not good if you get sunburned,” he said, not realizing how tanned and shiny he himself had become.

The Chen family genes were strong—Manman’s looks were undeniable. But her brother, now tanned and red-faced from the sun, grinned with dazzling white teeth.

Well, nothing beats the glory of the working people!

“Dad, you have some too! Sis made it and it’s so good—cold, sweet, and with a hint of milky flavor!”

Father Chen took a bowl and drank, “It really is good! Thanks for the hard work, Manman. Go home soon—it’s too hot out here!”

“Got it, Dad. Here, have another bowl! Once you’ve finished, I’ll head back.”

Father Chen downed the rest in a few gulps. “Shuhe, come have a bowl too,” he called to his son-in-law not far away.

It was the busy autumn harvest season. Nearly everyone was working in the fields earning labor points—including Lin Shuhe.

Manman had already seen him earlier but didn’t want to acknowledge him.

“Dad,” Lin Shuhe came over, glancing at Manman. The afternoon sun was harsh. Her face was flushed red from the heat, but she didn’t spare him a single glance.

In the past, she would have run up to him calling “Brother Shuhe” affectionately. But today, she was calm and composed. Even her simple outfit made her look graceful and serene—as if she had changed overnight.

Lin Shuhe took a bowl and drank it down. The fragrance lingered in his mouth. It was the best mung bean soup he’d had since coming to the countryside.

“Thank you,” he said, looking at Manman, a strange light flickering in his eyes.

Manman just glanced at him and said nothing.

“Dad, Brother, drink a bit more. There’s still plenty left.”

Father Chen: “That’s enough. Take the rest back for Dahu and Erhu.”

Brother: “Yeah, Sis. It’s too hot. Head back quickly.”

“Okay. Dad, Brother, I’ll go now. The boys are still sleeping at home.” Manman covered the pot again, carried her basket, and headed home.

—-

“Waaah… waaah…”

Before Manman reached the yard, she heard the miserable cries of children. She hurried her pace and entered the yard, ears straining.

“Waaah! Let go! This is what Mom made for us! Waaa… Give it back!”

In the courtyard, Dahu and Erhu were surrounded by two older boys, crying pitifully. It was Dahu speaking, crying hard while trying to snatch something back.

The two older boys were the sons of her uncle’s eldest son—Tie Dan and Tie Zhu. One was ten, the other six, both older than Dahu and Erhu. Tie Dan was especially arrogant and domineering. Spoiled by his grandmother, he roamed the village causing trouble, refusing to help with any work, and led his brother and a gang of village brats in constant mischief.

In this era of scarcity, growing boys were hard to feed, and Tie Dan, hungry for anything tasty, often bullied Dahu and Erhu. Previously, the original host didn’t pay much attention, and the two boys were too scared to tell adults, so no one noticed.

Tie Dan: “You two dared to eat something good behind our backs!”

“This is what our mom made for us. We’re not giving you any!” Erhu shouted and tried to grab it back.

The kids fought over the mung bean soup, spilling it all over.

“Waaa! You ruined it! I’m telling Mom!” Dahu wailed at the mess.

Tie Dan: “Go ahead! See if your mom even cares!” As he spoke, he raised his fist toward Dahu.

Suddenly, a large hand grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him up.

“Who—?” Tie Dan gasped as if someone was choking him. His limbs flailed and his face turned red. He struggled to turn his head—only to meet Chen Manman’s icy gaze.

“C-Cousin!”

“Who were you trying to hit?” she asked coldly.

Tie Dan turned pale and froze, terrified. He knew how favored his cousin was at home.

“I-I didn’t hit anyone!”

“You liar! Mom! They stole our mung bean soup and hit us! Waaa…” Dahu and Erhu ran to Manman crying, aggrieved.

“Shut up! That’s not true!” Tie Dan shouted, glaring at Dahu.

Manman yanked his collar tighter and scolded loudly, “Who are you telling to shut up?!”

“Waaa! Mom! Grandma! Cousin’s bullying me! Waaa!” Tie Dan burst into loud sobs, frightened by Manman’s sharp tone.