Chapter 22: Must Not Be Overheard by Grand-Aunt

Chen Daliu’s words were especially meant to warn those who had married into the village from other places and production teams. A daughter who marries out is like water poured away; once she comes to Niuluo Village, she must abide by Niuluo Village’s rules. If she lets her loyalties stray and speaks carelessly, causing trouble, she’ll find herself excluded from any future benefits.

“We understand.”

“Don’t worry, village chief, we’re not fools.”

“That’s right, we’d never say a word—not even if you beat us.”

“If anyone blabs, may they be cursed with sons who lack virtue.”

As soon as he finished, someone nudged him, “Watch your mouth! If Great Aunt hears that, it’ll be awful.” Great Aunt was so young—if she learned such words, where would their dignity be?

“Yes, yes, my mouth’s reckless, I shouldn’t speak like that. Luckily Great Aunt isn’t here,” he said, lightly smacking himself.

Already lying down, Bai Xi rolled her eyes—she had heard everything, thank you very much.

The wild boar weighed over three hundred jin, and the wild deer more than one hundred twenty. By the time everything was sorted, dawn had already broken. Since Bai Xi had given her word, Chen Daliu felt at ease dividing the meat.

When Bai Xi awoke, Chen Daliu arrived with two men carrying her share of the meat to her home.

“Great Aunt, we’ve saved ten jin of wild boar for you. The rest was divided—four jin per household. I haven’t touched the wild deer; this meat is rare, so it’s yours to enjoy.”

“Did every household get their share?”

“Yes, Great Aunt, rest assured, everyone in the village received their portion.”

Bai Xi had no doubts about this. Chen Daliu was fair in his dealings, and the villagers respected him.

Looking at the basket of meat in front of her, Bai Xi felt troubled. It was the height of summer; the meat wouldn’t keep.

She glanced at Chen Daliu.

He immediately understood, and asked, “Great Aunt, there’s too much meat to eat all at once. How about turning ten jin of pork into preserved meat, keeping two or three jin of venison for you to eat today and tomorrow, and drying the rest into jerky? What do you think?”

Bai Xi listened, considered, and nodded.

She was genuinely thinking it over, but to Chen Daliu and the others, it looked as though Bai Xi was simply mimicking adults with her expressions. They found her adorable and struggled not to laugh.

Bai Xi sensed their amusement, but as a little child, she couldn’t blame them. At least they respected her and did not laugh outright, which was already an honor for her as Great Aunt.

“Could we sell some?” Bai Xi asked.

Although dried meat would keep, Bai Xi wanted to eat fresh meat regularly. Besides, she had nearly finished the five jin of rice she’d bought last time—despite mixing it with sweet potatoes.

“Great Aunt, you want to exchange it for refined grains?”

Bai Xi nodded.

Chen Daliu lowered his head and thought for a while before saying, “Great Aunt, the road out of our village is long. If we can’t sell it and have to bring it back, the meat won’t be fresh. Maybe we should preserve it first, and later, if the chance arises, sell it then. Does that sound good?”

Bai Xi knew that grain was scarce in town. No matter how good the meat, few had grain to barter, and she didn’t need money at the moment. She was just asking.

Hearing Chen Daliu’s suggestion, Bai Xi said no more.

Once Bai Xi spoke, others naturally busied themselves on her behalf.

Helping with village matters earned work points, but helping Bai Xi—even for free—no one minded.

What harm was there in working for Great Aunt? Who would dare ask for work points? Being seen often by Great Aunt was a good thing. After all, the meat they ate at home came thanks to her; one mustn’t be ungrateful.

Soon, Chen Daliu called people together. Some chopped firewood, some fetched water, some tended the fire, and everything bustled near the big tree.

Down below, things were lively. Bai Xi sat on the couch, playing with the Universe Pouch, pondering how to get rice.

The rice in the fields wouldn’t mature for another two months. If she had to eat rough grains for that long, her throat would suffer.

By midday, the scent of meat wafted from every house in Niuluo Village.

Some stewed, some stir-fried, some rendered oil, some seared—the aromas mingled and tempted even the children who usually ran wild through the village to return home early, waiting at the stove for meat.

Who’d be foolish enough to play outside when there was meat to eat?

At Bai Xi’s house, Chen Zhaodi came over to cook.

Following Bai Xi’s instructions, she stir-fried the venison with spices, soy sauce, and a bit of green onion—the fragrance was enough to make one’s mouth water.

Having gone days without meat, Bai Xi was thoroughly satisfied, even though her staple was sweet potato rice. She had no complaints.

Seeing Bai Xi eat so happily, Chen Zhaodi was pleased as well. Once Bai Xi finished and everything was tidied, she returned home.

Four jin of meat per household. For a small family, rationing could make it last three or four days; for a large one, even sparing it, it would last only two.

First they stir-fried, then cooked it with vegetables, and later made meat soup, each getting a bowl.

Now, only Bai Xi’s family still had meat; everyone in the village knew it, but none would covet it.

Still, no one knew how that wild boar ended up chasing the deer into a tree, but it had certainly satisfied their cravings.

Early that morning, Xiao Shunzi and his friends hurried through breakfast, dropping their bowls and rushing out.

Scolding voices followed, but they ignored them. Parents were important, but Great Aunt was even more so, and today she’d promised to play with them.

If not for needing breakfast to stave off hunger, they wouldn’t have bothered eating.

Luckily, when they arrived, Bai Xi was just coming downstairs.

Chen Rui, as usual, began her day by tidying the house. Her parents were out working the fields, so she handled the chores.

Once finished, she shouldered her bamboo basket and went out to cut pig grass.

Passing the tree house, she glanced up as usual; seeing the door closed, she felt both relieved and somehow empty inside.

Great Aunt had spent the past few days playing with Xiao Shunzi’s group, ignoring her.

Chen Rui seemed to forget that, to prevent Bai Xi from following her up the mountain, she always sneaked off to gather pig grass like a thief.

As she walked, she spotted the little figure standing at the corner and paused, then a smile bloomed on her face.

“Great Aunt, what are you doing here?”

Bai Xi tilted her head, her twin braids bouncing adorably.

She spoke, “Do you want to take me along?”

“No, Great Aunt, the village chief said—”

Before Chen Rui could finish, several children popped out from behind Bai Xi.

“And us, too! We’ll all go together. That way, there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Great Aunt had said that with more people, there was nothing to fear—it was a case of collective responsibility.

The children didn’t fully understand, but Bai Xi spoke with such logic and those four words seemed so profound, so they believed her.