Chapter 36: The Little Hill Has Turned Into a Basin! Heartbroken!

When they arrived home, the ground was covered with chestnuts. Zhou Sinian sat on the firewood pile, basking in the sun with an oil-paper bundle in his arms, idly cracking open chestnuts to eat. He even licked the shells clean before tossing them aside, enjoying a moment of true leisure.

Mingdai smiled, didn’t call out to him, and went straight into the kitchen. She poured the grains she had soaked the night before into a clay pot. Chestnuts are known to strengthen the kidneys and waist, nourish the spleen and stomach, and prevent constipation. They also have hemostatic properties, helping to regulate conditions like blood in the stool, nosebleeds, and vomiting blood.

She added the pre-soaked red beans, rice, lotus seeds, and lilies, together with the large red dates Aunt Huang had given her, and a handful of peeled raw chestnuts. Placing the pot on the small stove, she brought it to a boil, then let it simmer gently over low heat.

After everything was prepared, she brought Zhou Sinian along to the worksite.

These days, they finished their quota in just half a day, so no one minded if they arrived a bit late. When Fang Rou saw them, she handed over the awl. Mingdai accepted it and returned to her seat. Zhou Sinian eyed the awl for a long time before finally taking it. Mingdai didn’t ask why, just picked up another awl and started working.

It wasn’t until she’d threaded over a dozen pieces that Zhou Sinian picked up the awl, sniffed it, and, having confirmed the scent, began to work. Mingdai finally understood his meaning.

Fang Rou’s hand cream smelled of orchids, while hers and Zhou Sinian’s had a rose scent. So he was being particular about the fragrance. Was he a puppy, distinguishing objects by smell?

If Fang Rou knew she was being snubbed like this, she’d probably be furious.

Speaking of Fang Rou, Mingdai noticed that many people were gossiping about her today. Listening closely and glancing over, she saw Fang Rou had donned a pair of lambskin gloves. How extravagant! Now this was showing off—this was real luxury! Even in her previous life, when she was wealthy beyond measure, Mingdai would never have used lambskin gloves to husk corn—had never even had the chance, but just the thought made her heart ache.

Fang Rou, sensing the stares from all around, remained expressionless and indifferent. She couldn’t help it—her hands were not only soaked but had broken skin. She’d thought Aunt Luo would appreciate her hard work, but instead overheard her complaining to her daughter-in-law about how delicate Fang Rou was, breaking her hands just husking corn! Fang Rou was furious. These country folk! If not for Cheng’s sake, would she bother currying favor with some country woman who barely bathed?

So today she gave up, wearing the lambskin gloves to husk corn. Her heart ached for the gloves, but her hands ached more. Since something had to hurt, she chose her heart.

That morning, she switched into machine mode, and before Mingdai had done much, the work was finished. Zhou Sinian always worked thoroughly—Mingdai never had to lift a finger; he sorted the corn kernels and cobs himself.

Mingdai and Fang Rou completed the handover of the awl, then Mingdai took some candy to check their work points, slipping a candy to Liu Miao, who instantly decided Mingdai was her favorite. The others looked on in envy. I want a teammate like that!

Amid the envious stares, Mingdai and Zhou Sinian left right on time, returning to the youth commune alongside the others heading home for lunch.

Today, Qin Fangfang, Cai Mingcheng, and Hou Wei were in charge of cooking. Compared to the quiet Cai Mingcheng, Hou Wei truly lived up to his name: thin and clever as a monkey. He immediately spotted that Qin Fangfang and Cai Mingcheng were honest sorts, so whenever new and old youths were paired up for chores, he always chose them. As expected, most of the time, the two of them did the work of three, under the pretense that Hou Wei was giving them a chance to “gain experience.” Qin Fangfang believed him and was grateful. Cai Mingcheng saw through it but dared not protest.

Now, Hou Wei rubbed his chin, watching the two mismatched figures ahead. “Hey, you all arrived together. What’s with that Ming Zhiqing’s act?”

Qin Fangfang looked up, glancing at Mingdai, who was jogging to catch up with Zhou Sinian. “We don’t know either. We weren’t in the same carriage. But she’s the youngest of our batch, and she’s been pestered by the madman—so pitiful!”

Hou Wei rolled his eyes. No use expecting this big silly girl to notice anything. He turned to Cai Mingcheng.

Cai Mingcheng felt a chill under the scrutiny, adjusted his black-framed glasses, and spoke timidly: “She came from the capital with Fang Zhiqing, Qi Zhiqing, and Liu Zhiqing, but she doesn’t seem to get along well with the other three.”

Hou Wei’s eyebrows lifted. From the capital, huh!

As if sensing someone staring at him, Zhou Sinian, striding ahead with four sacks of corn cobs, suddenly spun around—nearly bowling over Mingdai, who was running to catch up. Poor Mingdai, barely as tall as the sacks, collided right into them; it felt like the little hill budding on her chest was about to be flattened.

The pain brought tears to her eyes. Zhou Sinian’s attention instantly shifted to her, frowning at her red, tearful face.

To the others coming home for lunch, it looked as if the madman had, for no reason, lashed out and struck the poor, lonely young woman, who was now sobbing miserably. What a pitiful girl!

Mingdai had no idea her tragic image was becoming ever more vivid in everyone’s minds. She waved her hand, indicating they should keep moving.

Only then did Zhou Sinian look back. Hou Wei, startled by his rough behavior, hung his head and didn’t dare look again. Relieved, Zhou Sinian continued forward, still striding with head held high, but this time letting Mingdai walk in front. He frowned at her little figure, barely taller than the sacks—so frail.

Mingdai thought: You’re not taller than those sacks! Your whole family isn’t taller than those sacks!

Before they entered the yard, a rich aroma greeted them.

The chestnut porridge was ready.

Under Zhou Sinian’s eager gaze, Mingdai opened the door. In a flash, he darted into the kitchen, food lover in full swing. Mingdai locked the door, then glanced at the chestnuts on the ground—two more days of sun and they’d be perfect.

Seeing she was still outside, Zhou Sinian poked his head out, frowning at her. Mingdai drawled, “Go fetch water and wash your hands before you cook.”

Obediently, Zhou Sinian went to fetch water. After he finished, Mingdai began cooking while Zhou Sinian turned the chestnuts.

Seeing the jar of bean paste and pickled vegetables Aunt Huang had given them, Mingdai thought about making a fried egg sauce and stewing the pickled vegetables with cured pork. Soon, she’d have to visit the commune and buy some fresh meat.

And, after all their trips to the mountains, they’d yet to spot a single wild pheasant—how strange.

She mulled this over while kneading the dough she’d set to rise that morning, pinching off small pieces and rolling them into balls to proof in the big pot. Once the buns had doubled in size, she had Zhou Sinian, fresh from his chores, light the stove to steam them.

Mingdai drew out some kindling and lit the second small stove. She set a wok on it, poured in some oil, and first sautéed the fatty pieces of cured pork to render their oil, then fried the lean. Once all the meat was cooked, she set it aside and used the oil to fry eggs. She fried five eggs, quickly chopping them up, then added a bowl of bean paste. Instantly, a rich, savory aroma burst from the kitchen and spread in all directions.

Hou Wei peeked from behind the shadow wall, inhaling deeply as if he could absorb the scent from the air itself. All he got was a bellyful of northwestern wind, but he imagined the madman sitting in his brick house, feasting on meat and porridge—how blissful!

He wished someone would take care of him like that. If only Ming Zhiqing would marry him, he’d never have to work again—her generous stipend would surely support him. He wouldn’t even insist on eating meat every day—three times a week would do.

Mingdai: Ha! Dream on.

What a pity—a good girl like Ming Zhiqing, wasted on that madman.

He rubbed his stomach, considering the other young women. Qin Fangfang and Liu Yan were clearly from poor families—not worth considering. Fang Rou, though, was quite suitable; just those lambskin gloves today proved she was no ordinary person. But she didn’t live at the commune, making things difficult. Still, they’d be back soon, and the big heated brick bed in the commune house was almost aired out.

He chuckled wickedly as he returned, startling Cai Mingcheng, while Qin Fangfang looked on in concern. There was already a madman at the commune—surely they couldn’t be getting a fool as well?