Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Once the Laba Festival was over, it was time for the New Year. The icy, snowy weather couldn't stop the people of Daba Village from their lively tradition of slaughtering the New Year's pig. The pigs raised in the village had already been handed over to the authorities long ago, and only a small amount of meat had been distributed. This big wild boar was an unexpected blessing; finally, they could have a real feast.

It was such a large animal; every family could get a good portion of meat!

The Old Village Chief, puffing on a hand-rolled smoke, had someone set aside the best ribs and hind leg meat. This was to be given to the Feng family. If not for Feng Xia, forget about eating pork; just having everyone safe today was already a godsend.

Almost all the villagers had come, gathering in front of the village council office to watch the butcher slaughter and portion the meat. Even the few educated youth were there, staring wide-eyed at the bright red pork, their mouths watering just thinking of the taste of braised pork.

When it was the Feng family's turn to queue for their portion, Zhang Ling came to collect the meat. She stood in the crowd. Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui, seeing Wu Hongxia also in line, went over to chat with her. Someone noticed Zhang Ling and immediately grabbed her hand, chattering:

"Oh my, Aihua's wife, that girl of yours is truly amazing. She sent that huge wild boar flying with one kick. No wonder she was specially recruited into the military. She's incredibly capable!"

"Right, right, right! Aihua's wife, thanks to your girl Feng Xia! If it weren't for her, how could we be eating wild boar meat? That girl of yours, I say she's destined for great things!"

Another woman nearby immediately spat, "Hmph, 'you say'? Xia is already well on her way to greatness. She's been recruited into the army already. If she weren't so promising, could we be eating wild boar? If you ask me, we're all just basking in her glory."

Their words were full of praise for Feng Xia, occasionally throwing in compliments for Zhang Ling. Zhang Ling felt extremely pleased, the wrinkles on her face smoothing out with pleasure.

Finally, Zhang Ling's turn came. The Old Village Chief placed a large slab of ribs into her basket, along with a big piece of hind leg meat. Someone saw this and called out in protest, but the villagers were simple-hearted and asked why they weren't giving the Feng family a piece of the leaf lard. The Old Village Chief glared at them. These ribs were what Feng Xia herself had asked for; what business was it of theirs to meddle?

Indeed, in these times of material scarcity, leaf lard was far more practical than pork ribs. Ribs were tasty, but had more bone than meat. Leaf lard could be rendered down into a jar of lard that would last from the New Year to the end of the year, making it much more economical.

Zhang Ling pursed her lips in a smile. She, of course, knew this was Feng Xia's wish; Xia had also said she wanted to eat scallion spare ribs. Seeing that the distribution was done, Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui each picked up a piece of meat and put it in their own baskets to lighten their mother's load. After saying goodbye to Wu Hongxia, the three of them headed back carrying a basket full of meat.

After the incident the previous day, the Feng family didn't dare breathe a word in Feng Xia's presence. Even if she offered them some wild boar meat, they wouldn't dare touch it.

She had kicked a three-hundred-jin wild boar flying; could they possibly be tougher than that wild boar? The Feng family dared not even think about it!

After dividing the wild boar, the New Year arrived. On New Year's Eve, Zhang Ling, Li Meihua, Feng Jinlian, and Feng Jingui were all busy in the kitchen preparing the New Year's Eve dinner. Feng Shizhu took his sons to paste up Spring Festival couplets. The couplets were written by someone from the educated youth station in exchange for a few sweet potatoes, which also helped the educated youth supplement their own rations.

The only two people in the Feng family enjoying leisure were Feng Chun and Feng Xia. Both girls were treated like princesses. Even Feng Jinbao and Feng Chengzong had to hold brooms and sweep the floor, but these two truly couldn't be ordered around.

Feng Chun lay in bed, her head buried in the covers, still feeling cold. Feng Qiu swept the dust from the corners with gentle movements, afraid of waking Feng Chun in bed.

There was no way around it; Feng Chun was talented! A village girl, she had managed to carve out a career for herself in town, bringing back many things to the family every time she returned. From Old Madam Feng down to Feng Chengzong, everyone fawned over her. And as for Feng Xia, it goes without saying; all the Feng family, except for Zhang Ling and her three daughters, were terrified of her.

Feng Chun had actually been awake for a while, but she just didn't want to get up. Whenever she closed her eyes, the scene from the previous night replayed before her. She had never sensed Feng Xia's strength so up close. At this moment, Feng Chun couldn't describe the feeling in her heart. Jealousy? A little. Disgust? That too. Regret? Definitely.

She thought, if she had treated this younger sister sincerely when she returned, would she, like Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui, have enjoyed her protection and had her marriage go smoothly?

Feng Chun just lay there, eyes open, staring up at the crumbling corner of the wall, a myriad of feelings surging in her heart.

The New Year's Eve dinner was served earlier than usual. Around four or five in the afternoon, the big wooden table of the Feng family was laden with dishes. There were green vegetables and radishes, a small bowl of wild boar meat and cabbage stir-fry, eggs stir-fried with chili peppers, a large bowl of deep-fried shredded radish balls, and a big pot of sorghum rice.

This was already quite a feast. Even the girls, Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui, were exceptionally called to the table. Feng Xia sat beside the two sisters. Perhaps the New Year had given Feng Shizhu a boost of courage. Holding his small cup of treasured liquor, he launched into a long speech. Feng Aiguo and the other young man were very supportive. Old Madam Feng frowned when she saw Feng Qiu stuffing meat into her mouth frantically. Li Meihua ignored her, instead piling meat into Feng Chun's and Feng Chengzong's bowls, as if she wanted to give all the meat to her own children.

Feng Xia sat lazily beside Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui, occasionally picking up a dish for her sisters, but eating little herself. Zhang Ling had already made her a large bowl of garlic spare ribs and a big bowl of cabbage and meatball soup, leaving Feng Xia full and satisfied. Naturally, she couldn't bring herself to eat the somewhat bland food on the table.

Feng Chengzong and Feng Jinbao sat together. The difference in the upbringing of the two boys was starkly evident.

Feng Jinbao paid attention to his mother and sisters. Seeing that his sisters were being looked after by Feng Xia, he focused his attention on his mother.

He frequently picked up a piece of meat for his mother. Zhang Ling's bowl was never empty of meat. Her son's thoughtfulness warmed her heart. As for the big bowl of egg drop soup, Feng Jinbao went out of his way to scoop the egg flowers into his mother's bowl. He didn't forget to eat himself, but he made sure Zhang Ling was well taken care of.

In sharp contrast stood Feng Chengzong.

His bowl was piled high with meat, but his eyes were still fixed on the dishes on the table. He wolfed down the meat in his bowl, not paying the slightest attention to his mother or sister, only thinking about stuffing himself.

This was somewhat common among children. It only became a problem when comparisons were made. Li Meihua insisted on comparing her son to Feng Jinbao, and naturally, she became unhappy.

Li Meihua glared at the people across the table with venomous eyes. Fine, if her son wouldn't wait on her, at least… but even her own daughter was fawning over Feng Xia. What kind of sense did that make! So she had raised a little ingrate after all. Her eyes swept over the girl across from her, clean and bright-eyed with fair skin, and she lost control of her chopsticks. With a "crack," they flew out of her hand.

This sound cast a shadow over the faces of those at the table. Old Madam Feng, sweet on the surface but sharp-tongued underneath, shot Li Meihua a sideways glare: "If you don't want to eat, go wash the dishes. The New Year is here, who are you making that sour face for?"

A bully always meets their match. Li Meihua dared not provoke the old lady. Scolded like this, she didn't dare cause any more trouble and ate her meal obediently. Feng Xia glanced at her, a satisfied smile on her face.