Chapter 24: You’ll Suffer Injustice at the Lin Family

Song Yuntang and Song Jinsheng came to the shady side of the slope and picked a small handful of wood ear mushrooms on a section of dead tree trunk. These were good things. After drying them, they could be stored and eaten slowly.

Besides wood ear mushrooms and earthworms, they also collected several types of herbs along the way.

Seeing that the sun was about to set, Song Jinsheng didn’t dare let Song Yuntang stay in the mountains any longer. He urged her to go home quickly, otherwise, it would be dangerous to encounter wild animals.

Song Yuntang reluctantly went down the mountain. Smoke was rising from the kitchens of every household, and the farmers who worked from sunrise to sunset were returning home. Children in patched-up clothes were playing in front of their houses, and occasionally, the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard.

Looking at the surrounding scene, Song Yuntang slightly curled her lips.

In her past life, many young people living in the city yearned for this kind of rural life with its everyday warmth because of the high pressure of city life.

At first, she didn’t understand.

Now, she seemed to understand a little.

Ignoring the issue of food and clothing, this way of life, with its physical fatigue but mental ease, was indeed fascinating.

Passing by several houses at the foot of the mountain, Song Jinsheng greeted the people they met enthusiastically, while Song Yuntang looked straight ahead, ignoring the strange looks people gave her.

Back home, Song Jinsheng directly spread the wood ear mushrooms on the long table outside the kitchen, while Song Yuntang separated one-third of the earthworms, washed them again, and put them in a plate to take to the kitchen.

“These are earthworms. You can fry, stir-fry, boil, or stew them.”

This was the first time Song Yuntang had proactively spoken to them since Lin Zhaozhao left, and Zhao Qiao’e felt a little relieved.

“Okay, put them on the stove. I’ll cut some meat and fry some oil to stir-fry them and try them.”

Song Yuntang hummed. Seeing Zhao Qiao’e take the meat from the roof beam, she went to the back of the stove.

“I’ll help you with the fire.”

Zhao Qiao’e, who was taking the meat, glanced at her and almost dropped it.

“You don’t need to help in the kitchen.”

Song Yuntang said calmly, “Don’t worry, the kitchen won’t burn down.”

Although she had never cooked before, she had seen it many times, and her eyes had learned.

In her opinion, there was nothing difficult about it.

Seeing Song Yuntang insist, Zhao Qiao’e didn’t object and let her do it. After all, once the whole house was filled with smoke, she would be smoked out herself.

Song Jinsheng processed all the herbs in the basket according to Song Yuntang’s instructions. When he turned around and saw her sitting behind the stove, his eyelids twitched.

Not good.

It seemed the kitchen was going to suffer.

He approached Zhao Qiao’e, who was washing the dried meat, and whispered, “Mother, why did you let Sister cook?”

“Let her cook. What’s the big deal?” Zhao Qiao’e said calmly.

Song Jinsheng lowered his voice again. “The weather is dry. Aren’t you afraid she’ll set the kitchen on fire?”

After hearing this, Zhao Qiao’e cautiously looked towards the kitchen and whispered to Song Jinsheng, “Don’t worry, she can’t set it on fire.”

There was a technique to lighting a fire.  She could make the stove full of smoke without setting the house on fire.

Song Jinsheng grinned, showing his white teeth, and gave Zhao Qiao’e a thumbs-up.

Song Yuntang stayed behind the stove until the porridge was cooked. The expected thick smoke didn’t come out of the kitchen. Song Jinsheng looked at the kitchen unexpectedly.

“Táng’er, you did a good job today.”

Song Yuntang clapped her hands and stood up from behind the stove.

“Child’s play.”

Seeing her sweaty appearance, Zhao Qiao’e quickly said, “Táng’er, it’s hot in the kitchen. Go outside for some air. There are only two dishes left. I can do it myself.”

“Okay.”

Song Yuntang nodded and left the kitchen.

…

Dinner included brown rice porridge, a bowl of wild vegetable soup, and a small dish of stir-fried earthworms with sliced meat.

Although there wasn’t much meat, it added a lot of aroma.

As soon as Liu Xiangyun saw the stir-fried earthworms on the table, no matter how fragrant they were, she still leaned back.

“Mother, are these worms?”

“Táng’er said they’re earthworms. I don’t know if they’re delicious. You all try them,” Zhao Qiao’e said to everyone.

Song Yuntang was the first to pick up her chopsticks, picked up an earthworm, and put it in her mouth, eating calmly.

Seeing this, Zhuzi and Zhuangzi each picked one up and put it in their mouths.

Their originally bitter faces suddenly brightened after chewing a few times.

“They’re crispy and tender. They’re quite delicious.” Zhuzi looked at Song Yuntang. “Sister, did you dig these earthworms from the mountains?”

Song Yuntang hummed.

“They’re quite nutritious. Eat more.”

Hearing this, Liu Xiangyun also reached for the earthworms with her chopsticks.

…

On the day they were supposed to pick up the silver needles, Song Yuntang got up early and packed the herbs she had collected in the past few days into a backpack.

After breakfast, she looked at everyone present.

“I’m going to town today. Is there anything you want me to bring back?”

Zhao Qiao’e thought for a moment. “I’ve embroidered more than ten handkerchiefs recently. Táng’er, please take them to Chenji Cloth Shop for me.”

Song Yuntang nodded. “Okay.”

“Also, buy two pairs of shoe soles according to your and your sister-in-law’s feet. Your shoes are from last year and should be replaced with new ones.”

Liu Xiangyun waved her hand. “Mother, I don’t need them. Mine are still wearable. Just make some for Sister.”

“If you’re going to do it, do it all. That’s settled then.” Song Jinbao looked at Song Jinsheng. “Second, don’t go to the fields today. Accompany your sister to town.”

“Okay.”

“No!” Song Yuntang said. “I can go by myself. Second brother has a lot to do, so I won’t delay him.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Song Jinbao nodded.

“Alright, then be careful on the road.”

“I know.”

Zhao Qiao’e wrapped her embroidered handkerchiefs in a bundle and put them in Song Yuntang’s packed backpack.

“Táng’er, take the ox-cart there and back. It’s safer and won’t be so hot.”

Song Yuntang agreed and reached for the backpack, but Song Jinsheng took it.

“Let’s go. I’ll see you to the village entrance.”

She didn’t refuse. If her brother wanted to spoil her, she would accept it. She would just be nicer to him later.

When they were some distance from the house, Song Jinsheng looked at Song Yuntang and, after a slight hesitation, said, “Táng’er, can you stop thinking about the Lin family?”

Song Yuntang glanced at him.

“I’m not.”

Song Jinsheng pursed his lips. “I know I should believe you, but every time you went to town before, it was for the Lin family, so I’m always worried that you’ll really be accepted back by the Lin family.”

Song Yuntang smiled. “What? You can’t bear to see me living a good life?”

Song Jinsheng was stunned, unsure how to answer her question. In the end, he could only say dryly,

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

Song Yuntang curled her lips and didn’t speak.

Song Jinsheng became anxious. “There’s nothing good about returning to the Lin family. First, you have no blood relation with them. When you return, they may not treat you sincerely. Second, Zhaozhao is too powerful. If she uses tricks, with your personality, you will suffer injustice at the Lin family.”