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“Let’s replace Dad’s liquor so he doesn’t find out we used it!”
Qin Man had promised Jiang’s mother that once they sold the persimmons, they would buy back the Erguotou liquor for Jiang Li.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Cong chuckled and said, “Dad already knows. He just didn’t say anything. The scent of alcohol was so strong from the woodshed—it was impossible to miss!”
Jiang Li would be lying if he said he wasn’t heartbroken. Those two bottles of Erguotou could have bought dozens of pounds of premium rice. But since Jiang’s mother had already spoken to him, explaining that the liquor was needed for his daughter-in-law, he hadn’t said anything.
“Even if he knows, we should still replace it. I promised Mom. Let’s go to the supply and marketing cooperative!”
Qin Man was firm about keeping her word. She grabbed Jiang Cong’s hand and pulled him along.
“Big sister, could you watch our baskets for a moment? We’ll be right back!”
She asked a woman selling vegetables next to them.
The woman smiled and readily agreed, “Sure, no problem!”
“Thank you!” Qin Man politely expressed her gratitude.
After walking a few steps, she suddenly realized—she had no idea where the supply and marketing cooperative was.
Jiang Cong let her pull him along, his lips curved in a slight smile.
“Where’s the supply and marketing cooperative?” she asked, blinking her big eyes.
Jiang Cong helplessly patted her head, then took charge and led the way.
“I’ll take you there.”
They went to the cooperative, bought two bottles of Erguotou, then returned to retrieve their baskets and head home.
The bus back to the village had a departure at 12:30, and there was still more than half an hour left. Not far away, a stall selling rice noodles and dumplings was steaming hot, filling the air with a tempting aroma.
“Are you hungry? Let’s eat something.” Jiang Cong gently wiped the fine sweat from her forehead as he asked.
They had been out all morning. Qin Man hadn’t had much appetite when she first woke up, barely finishing her bowl of noodles. Now, she was starting to feel hungry.
“Yeah, a little,” she admitted, patting her empty stomach.
Jiang Cong took her by the arm and led her to the food stall, where they sat down at a small table.
“What would you two like to eat?”
The stall owner, using a large slotted spoon to cook dumplings for another customer, turned to ask them.
“I’ll have rice noodles. What about you?” Jiang Cong asked.
“I’ll have dumplings!”
Qin Man loved dumplings, especially these soup dumplings, so she made her choice.
“The minced meat topping is an extra four cents, and the tofu and wood ear mushroom topping is only two cents. Which one do you want?”
“I’ll have the wood ear mushrooms. Give him the meat topping!” Qin Man answered quickly.
“I don’t need it. I’ll have the wood ear mushrooms too,” Jiang Cong refused.
But Qin Man wasn’t having it. She insisted he take the meat topping.
“Boss, do as I say! There are two of us, but I make the decisions!” She raised her brows playfully at Jiang Cong, looking adorable.
Jiang Cong sighed in resignation, silently accepting her decision. But deep down, his heart was full.
“Alright!”
The stall owner called out cheerfully. Watching the young couple bicker sweetly, she couldn’t help but smile, her eyes crinkling.
Soon, the steaming bowls of rice noodles and dumplings were placed on the table. The portions were generous—food in this era was simple and honest, especially at long-standing local stalls like this. It was hard to find such places in the future, where people rarely maintained their original sincerity.
Though Jiang Cong’s portion had extra meat, he secretly transferred all the shredded pork into Qin Man’s bowl.
After finishing their meal, they paid the bill and bought several meat buns to take home for the family.
On the way back, Qin Man dozed off against Jiang Cong’s shoulder, only waking up when the bus hit a particularly bumpy stretch of road.
At home, the two children were playing happily in the yard. When they saw their parents return, they rushed over, clinging to their legs and acting spoiled.
“Mama, Jiang Yu missed you!”
The little one tilted her head up, trying her best to look cute.
Qin Man crouched down, cupped her little face, and gave her a kiss.
“Mama bought meat buns for you and your brother. Do you want one?” She lifted the still-warm buns in her hand.
Jiang Yu gulped and nodded eagerly. “I want one!”
Jiang Li clung to his father’s leg, watching enviously. But as a little boy, he was too shy to ask.
Luckily, Qin Man was fair and kissed him too.
They had bought ten buns in total, costing three cents each—a total of thirty cents. Everyone in the family got one.
Jiang Yu and Jiang Li each received a meat bun, their faces lighting up with joy. They took tiny bites, reluctant to finish too quickly.
The two children weren’t even four years old yet, and in rural areas, eating meat was a rare treat. Pork was expensive, and the last time they had meat buns was when their aunt brought some back from town.
“You’re back! Did you sell all the persimmons?” Jiang’s mother returned with a bundle of vegetables.
“Yes, every single one! We made ten yuan in total. Here are the two bottles of liquor for Dad, and we also bought meat buns for everyone.” Qin Man took the Erguotou out of the basket and handed it to Jiang’s mother.
“You silly child, you really bought it back for him?” Jiang’s mother teased, giving her a playful look while putting the vegetables down and taking the liquor.
“I promised, and I always keep my word!” Qin Man grinned sweetly.