Chapter 116: Lacking Some Human Warmth

Chapter 116: Lacking Some Human Warmth

When Jiang Yu brought out the chestnuts and persimmons, quite a few people were watching.

Soon, an older woman approached, "Hey, sweetie, are you willing to trade some chestnuts and persimmons for red dates? I'll give you some of my red dates."

"Red dates?" Jiang Yu looked over.

The older woman opened her bag, "Look at my red dates, they're big and sweet; try one! You can make a red date and chestnut cake at home—it’s really yummy!"

Jiang Yu took a red date and tasted it. Indeed, it was very sweet.

But what interested her more was the red date and chestnut cake.

"Auntie, how do you make this red date and chestnut cake?"

Jiang Yu had never even heard of this dish before.

The older woman was happy to help. Seeing her interest, the woman explained how to make it in detail.

Jiang Yu then traded three jin (about 3.3 pounds) of chestnuts and three large persimmons for two jin (about 2.2 pounds) of red dates, planning to go home and try making the red date and chestnut cake.

Back in the city, Jiang Yu and Jiang Ye, carrying big bags, headed home.

Fortunately, there was a bicycle; otherwise, it would have been quite a struggle.

"Jiang Yu, are you sure you’re just visiting your parents? Looks like you’re setting up a grocery store!" Xu Lihua shouted.

Jiang Yu immediately denied it, "Aunt Xu, don't make wild accusations. I’m not doing anything illegal or selling stuff on the side. What stock am I getting?"

Xu Lihua stepped down from the porch, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Hey! Where did you get that third chicken? Didn't you say there were two hens?"

Jiang Yu curled her lips, "I got lucky and found a pheasant and a rabbit in the mountains."

"A rabbit too?" Xu Lihua was astonished. "Where is it? Let me see!"

Jiang Yu didn’t respond, "Aunt Xu, I'm busy right now. Let's chat later!"

She took Jiang Ye into the house, closed the door, and quickly downed two large cups of water.

At that moment, He Tingyue had just finished eating with his three younger siblings. Seeing Jiang Yu like this, he felt extremely distressed.

"Slow down with the drinking; it's not good for your stomach."

Jiang Yu plopped down on the steps, totally wiped out, and pointed to the pile of stuff on the ground.

"I have no more energy; you guys can take a look yourselves."

He Feiyan and the two younger siblings couldn't sit still anymore and rushed out, rummaging through the things Jiang Yu had brought back.

They had already heard from Xu Lihua's loud voice about the pheasant and rabbit. Coming closer, they realized just how plump they were.

The three of them swallowed simultaneously, their throats gurgling.

This was meat, after all!

He Lilan licked her lips, "Sister-in-law, there's another chicken that hasn't been eaten yet!"

Today at noon, they ate at the cafeteria again. Jiang Yu wasn't at home, and He Tingyue didn't feel like cooking.

So, the chicken they brought back yesterday was still hopping around today.

Jiang Yu leaned against He Tingyue, letting him massage her shoulders.

"Hmm, we're eating meat tonight. Let's see what we should have first."

Since they were still alive, they could keep them for a bit longer.

He Feiyan and He Lilan cheered and jumped up with excitement.

He Zhengdong was grumpy, but it was clear that he was very happy.

"Zhengdong, Lilan, take the mushrooms out of the basket. I picked a lot of pine mushrooms, and they need to be spread out to dry, or they'll spoil."

Picking pine mushrooms didn't require much effort, but they were hard to find.

He Feiyan's eyes were filled with obvious admiration. "Sister-in-law, you're amazing!"

Jiang Yu felt a little embarrassed. "It's not all my credit. Ah Ye, Sixie, and Tie Niu also helped a lot."

The three siblings were busy with joy, keeping the chicken and rabbit that Jiang Yu brought back in the corner of the yard.

The chestnuts and persimmons were placed with yesterday's, and the pine mushrooms, hedgehog mushrooms, and various wild mushrooms were spread out to dry separately.

He Tingyue asked, "Have you eaten?"

Jiang Ye shook his head. "It wasn't convenient with so many things."

Jiang Yu looked up pitifully. "My stomach is starving."

"What do you want to eat? I'll make it."

Jiang Yu said, "Just steam some sausages, and we'll have them with steamed buns. You guys should go to work or school. I'll stay at home with Jiang Ye and peel the persimmons. With this good weather, we'll dry them to make persimmon cakes."

He Tingyue hurriedly got up and went into the kitchen to steam the sausages and heat the buns.

He also made a tomato and egg soup for them.

"Where did the tomatoes come from?" Jiang Yu's eyes lit up.

He Tingyue served her a bowl. "Sister Lin said she had some, so I used the ration card to buy a few. I'll make you tomatoes with sugar later."

"Okay."

Jiang Yu and Jiang Ye devoured the sausages and steamed buns.

After the hard work of climbing the mountain, both of them were starving.

After they finished eating, Jiang Yu said, "Can Jiang Ye stay over tonight? I'll take him to report tomorrow."

"Sure, sleep in the same room as Zhengdong."

He Tingyue looked at the time and stood up.

"Everyone, go to school." He had to go to work too.

He Feiyan reluctantly looked away. "Sister-in-law, can I take two persimmons to give to my teacher?"

"Sure, take a few more; there's plenty."

After He Tingyue left with his three younger siblings, the house finally quieted down.

"Ah Ye, go get some water for me. I’ll wash these pine mushrooms and hedgehog mushrooms."

She planned to dry and store these mushrooms for later, while they would eat the other varieties for now.

As she washed the mushrooms, several neighbors watched, hoping Jiang Yu would share like she did yesterday.

They waited and waited, but Jiang Yu never came out.

Xu Lihua had walked around a few times and finally couldn't resist going up to talk to Jiang Yu.

"Oh, those are pine mushrooms, right? They look so fresh!"

Jiang Yu smiled but didn’t even look up.

"Aunt Xu, these were just picked, so they’re definitely fresh."

Xu Lihua eyed them longingly. "Jiang Yu, how about giving me some? I haven't had pine mushrooms in a long time."

Jiang Yu frowned. "Aunt Xu, that puts me in a difficult position. If I give some to you, should I give some to the others in the yard? If I give to everyone, I won’t have enough left for my own family."

Xu Lihua quickly said, "Just give some to me. No need to give to them."

Jiang Yu shook her head. "I’ve got a bunch of kids at home, and there's not enough for us. I really can't give any away. If you want some, go take a trip up the mountain."

Xu Lihua’s face fell. "With these old bones, how am I supposed to climb up there?"

"Then, Aunt Xu, I’m really busy right now, so I can’t chat. Maybe another time." Jiang Yu directly shooed her away.

Xu Lihua grumbled under her breath as she walked away. "So stingy! She has so much and won’t even share."

Lin Hongxia laughed. "Did you get anything, Aunt Xu?"

Xu Lihua snorted. "She’s getting even stingier. Yesterday she gave us chestnuts, but today, not even a trace of them!"

"You didn’t hear? Last time, I saw those two kids, Zhengdong and Lilan, crying because Jiang Yu made clothes for her own brother but didn’t make any for them."