Chapter 141: Wild Boar Meat

Chapter 141: Wild Boar Meat

There was nothing at home that needed Ye Xiaoxiao's assistance. After getting up and tidying up, she helped set the table.

Ye Baocheng looked up at Ye Xiaoxiao, feeling like his aunt had stolen his job.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked down at the little chubby boy.

"It's morning, you can't have candy."

Ye Baocheng puffed out his cheeks, irritated. He wasn’t thinking about eating candy at all.

Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t figure out what the child was thinking. She gave his chubby little face a pinch and then went back to her work.

Ye Baocheng: "..."

The heavy snow had cut off the mountains, completely cutting off Baishi Village from the outside world.

After the meal, the kids practiced calligraphy on the heated bed. In the afternoon, the snow stopped, and a few shots were heard from the back mountain.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked up, puzzled. What’s with the gunshots again?

Ye Jianguo and Ye Changqing went out to check. After a while, Ye Changqing returned.

"Two wild boars were shot on the back mountain. The village will be handing out the pork today."

"When are they handing out the meat?"

Ye Changning immediately threw down the brush in his hand. He had never liked this activity since he was a kid.

What’s so great about practicing calligraphy?

"Really?"

Ye Xiaoxiao, who had been busy writing, looked up right away when she heard this.

She had never tasted wild boar meat before, as wild boars were also protected animals in her time.

Now, they could actually go hunting for wild boars.

Ye Changsheng: "Good thing it’s winter now, or the wild boars would’ve wrecked the crops."

Ye Changqing: "They’ll butcher them now, and the meat will be handed out soon."

Ye Changning: "Who took the shots just now?"

Ye Changqing: "Most likely the militia trainees. They’ll get one of the boars."

Ye Changning sat back down, "Then we probably won’t get a lot."

Ye Changqing shook his head helplessly, "There are so many folks in the village, how much do you think we’ll get?"

Before sunset, the village committee did call for one person from each family to come and pick up the pork.

It was too cold outside, but Ye Xiaoxiao wanted to go out and see, so she put on thick clothes and went out.

Since coming here, Ye Xiaoxiao had never seen the village so lively.

Folks showed up in the village committee’s yard, carrying basins.

The pork was kept indoors where there was a stove; otherwise, the outdoor temperature would freeze it solid.

The person in charge of distributing the pork was the village head, Zhang Rengui.

Some people stood at the front, haggling with the village head for more meat and fewer bones.

Zhang Rengui was unyielding, "Whatever piece you get is what you get, don't pick and choose."

"Village head, our family has eight mouths to feed, and you're giving us such a small piece."

Zhang Rengui: "This is distributed according to household count, not per capita. The wild boar was hunted by the militia comrades. If you argue any more, there won't be any left."

The villager who spoke felt awkward and dared not speak further.

Ye Changning brought a bowl to collect the pork. He didn't care about the size of the portion and just greeted Zhang Rengui before leaving.

If it weren't for Ye Xiaoxiao wanting to come out and see, he wouldn't have come to collect the pork.

But even so, someone still stirred the pot.

"Changning is here too. I heard you've made a lot of money outside. Why are you still interested in this little bit of meat?"

The speaker was a woman with a mole at the corner of her mouth. Her specific name was unknown, but the villagers usually called her Aunt Dazhi.

No one knew who gave her this nickname, but it was spot-on.

Ye Changning was quick to anger. He narrowed his eyes and glanced at her, snorting, "Aunt Dazhi, where did you hear that I made money? And as the village head just said, the meat is distributed per household. Does our family not count as villagers?"

Aunt Dazhi was unfazed and became even more aggressive, "Changning, don't get worked up. I said that thinking if your family doesn't lack meat, you could leave more for everyone else."

She had seen it that day—the young man who went out with Ye Changning came back carrying dozens of pounds of meat.

So Ye Changning probably made even more money.

How could he care about this little bit of meat?

"Auntie, what you're saying is off. Everyone is having a hard time these days. How come our family doesn't lack meat? I think you have time to gossip about others, so you can't be that hungry."

"You kid..."

Aunt Dazhi had never seen such a quick-witted young man and was momentarily speechless.

At this time, there were still people queuing behind, telling those ahead to move along.

"Aunt Dazhi, quit your yapping and move forward."

"Yeah, stop dawdling. Aunt Dazhi is probably trying to pull a fast one again."

Aunt Dazhi was furious, "Who's trying to cheat anyone? I was just chatting."

Ye Changning snorted and walked away.

Ye Xiaoxiao could hear the conversation, but Ye Changning didn't seem to need help, so she just stood back and observed.

Ye Changning took the meat, "Let's go, that's all there is."

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at it; which wasn't bad, actually two pounds.

"Brother, who were you arguing with just now?"

Ye Changning signaled Ye Xiaoxiao to look, "Aunt Dazhi is even more disliked than Aunt Meili in the village."

Wang Meili just enjoys gossiping and spreading rumors.

Aunt Dazhi, on the other hand, loves to take advantage of others and even steals from people's homes.

However, she usually takes small items, so people don't bother to confront her and just silently bear the loss.

Thus, Aunt Dazhi is a very unpopular figure in the village.

Ye Xiaoxiao glanced at the woman again; she was easy to recognize with a mole by her mouth.

Old folks used to say that a mole by the mouth brings good fortune, but it seems that's not always the case.

After taking a short walk, Ye Xiaoxiao returned with Ye Changning. The roads were still covered with snow, and no one had cleared them.

Fortunately, she was wearing leather boots, or else her pants would have been soaked.

Back home, Ye Changning handed the pork to Miao Cuifang, while Ye Xiaoxiao went to change her shoes.

Miao Cuifang held the meat, "This pork is tougher than usual; I'll mince it and make some roujiamo for you."

Ye Baocheng jumped with joy, "Yay, we're having meat!"

Ye Baoyuan also raised his hands, "Yay, yay!"

"You two little gluttons, go back to your room and stop getting in the way here."

Miao Cuifang shooed the two kids away and busied herself in the kitchen.

Zhang Xue was also in the kitchen, preparing some fried foods for the New Year.

Miao Cuifang said to Zhang Xue, "Xue'er, we've prepared a lot of New Year goods this year. When you and the eldest go back to your parents' home during the New Year, take more things with you."

Zhang Xue and Ye Changqing were high school classmates. When they got together, Zhang Xue's parents were reluctant to let her marry into Baishi Village.

But Zhang Xue was determined to be with Ye Changqing, and over the years, her relationship with her family has been lukewarm.

However, parents always want their children to live well, and Zhang Xue's family has given her plenty of financial support.

Zhang Xue agreed, "Mother, there's no need to take so many things."

Miao Cuifang replied, "That won't do. You rarely go back home, so I've prepared everything for you. Remember to take it when the time comes."

Zhang Xue takes care of both her in-laws and her younger siblings in the Ye family, making her the most devoted member of the household.

Miao Cuifang also remembers her daughter-in-law's kindness and often helps her with various tasks.