Chapter 88.2

Yang Nanhuai and Dong Mingyue endured disdain and bullying at the border farm, to the point that they almost forgot about kindness. The local farm owner assigned them the dirtiest and most exhausting tasks every day. In just a few years, their once-decent health was crushed. If it weren’t for them falling ill and Han Cheng arranging things on his side, they would definitely still be suffering at the border.

When they came here, they tried to keep a low profile and avoid contact with the villagers. They have also prepared themselves for the suffering they may encounter. At least the climate here is much better than the border, so they endure less hardship.

But they never expected to meet such a good family as Captain Su’s. The Su family respects intellectuals, provides them with a good place to stay, and assigns them the lightest but highest-paying work due to their poor health. Not only did they not suffer here, but they also often received covert care from the Su family. They even let Xiao Bao interact with them. The time they spent in Su Village has been the most comfortable since they were sent down.
They can’t thank them enough for this great kindness. Such kindness and generosity are truly immeasurable.

They have nothing, the only thing they have is their brain, which is full of knowledge. However, they can’t exchange their knowledge for a meal. But they always believe that these dark days won’t last long. Knowledge will always be valuable and meaningful, and they want to pass on their lifelong learning to the diligent and eager Xiao Bao so that knowledge can continue to be passed down.

Dong Mingyue looked at Xiao Bao’s galloping figure and said with emotion, “Old Yang, do you think our Fantuan and Doubao at home are as smart and eager to learn as little Bao?”

Yang Nanhuai nodded and said, “Han Cheng and Yang Mei are both smart people, so how could their children be any different? We can only hope that Han Cheng’s newly married wife can treat them well.”

Dong Mingyue looked up at the sky and said, “Yes, Han Cheng, who is so kind, will definitely find a stepmother who will treat the kids well.”

………….

The snow lasted for two days, and such weather is truly rare in Su Village.

In the blink of an eye, it’s the 28th day—time for cleaning before New Year’s Day.

This year, the river froze, so they couldn’t move their things to the riverbank as usual to wash them. They can only boil hot water at home, using a cloth to wipe things down, clearing away the spiderwebs in the corners, and sweeping every nook and cranny to complete the major cleaning.

On the 29th of the lunar new year, it finally stopped snowing. This day is also a favorite day for children. Families with some means would prepare some deep-fried snacks for the New Year. Even if they didn’t want to fry, they would use a bit more oil to make pancakes or prepare glutinous rice cakes.

Although Han Cheng and Su Xiaoxiao brought barrels of oil back, for such a large family gathering during the New Year, it was better to use the oil for cooking vegetables. Adding the sugar and cookies Han Cheng and Su Xiaoxiao brought back was enough. So, she hesitated to use a large frying pan for oil cakes and just used a small one to fry some sugar rings and cassava pastries for the occasion.

Cassava crisps are a unique snack in Su Village that is made by mixing the cassava flour they grow themselves with water, spreading it out like rice noodles, drying it, and then cutting it into rhombus shapes the size of matchboxes before frying them in oil.

Once it’s done, it’s similar to the prawn crackers from the 21st century.

This cassava crisp is really delicious, but it uses a lot of oil. A handful thrown into the oil pan instantly expands to fill the whole pan, and a good portion of the oil in the pan disappears in an instant.

Because Su Xiaoxiao also loves to eat it, Li Yufeng had to endure the pain of using too much oil. She could only grit her teeth and fry more.

Children also particularly like the sweet and crispy cassava crisps that melt in the mouth.

However, these things can cause heatiness, so Su Xiaoxiao didn’t dare let them eat too much. ^[1]heatiness refers to a state where there is too much heat inside the body, resulting in heaty symptoms such as mouth ulcers, a sore throat, cough with sticky phlegm, or chapped lips.

The Su Zhenzhong family usually comes back from vacation on this day.

In previous years, Xiao Bao would go with his grandparents to the county to buy New Year’s supplies around this time. It’s rare for the weather to improve, so he would clamor to go to the county to buy New Year’s goods and also pick up his brother Dabao to bring him back home.

Li Yufeng said it angrily. “Didn’t you see how much your Auntie brought back this year? There’s no need to buy anything.”

Xiao Bao puffed his cheeks and said, “But we haven’t bought firecrackers yet. I promised Fantuan and Zhuzi that I’d take them to explode cow dung. I can’t go back on my word!”

Zhang Chunying was so angry when she heard her son wanted to explode cow dung that she got furious on the spot and twisted Xiao Bao’s ear. “You dare mention exploding cow dung? Didn’t your dad warn you last time? Have you already forgotten?”

Xiao Bao covered his ears and dodged, “I will pay attention this time, and I will definitely not stain my clothes.”

Fantuan had never seen cow dung before, and when Xiaobao mentioned it, he became quite interested. However, the moment he saw that dark, smelly, and hard lump, his interest disappeared instantly. If that stuff exploded and got all over his clothes, he thought he might lose his appetite.

Xiao Fantuan said, “Xiao Bao, I don’t really want to explode cow dung.”

Xiao Zhuzi also shook his head and said, “Yeah, I don’t want to go either.”

Xiao Bao pouted, “You two traitors, I won’t play with you anymore!”

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t understand why Xiao Bao thought exploding cow dung was fun. Seeing that the little guy was getting upset, she rubbed his head to comfort him. “Okay, let Uncle take us to the county to buy fireworks and firecrackers, but we can’t explode cow dung. It’s too dirty, and Auntie can’t stand it.”

Well, whatever Auntie said was final. Xiao Bao was still happy to ride in his uncle’s car to the county.

Li Yufeng and the others didn’t want to go, and if they had to bring Su Zhenzhong’s family along, there wouldn’t be enough room in the car. So Su Xiaoxiao and Han Cheng set off for the county with the four children in a grand manner.