Chapter 81: The Grass Market, Borrowing a Cart

As soon as Mingdai entered the main room, she saw Aunt Huang crouched on the floor, feeding firewood into the kang pit. Seeing someone step inside, Aunt Huang looked up, delight filling her face as she called out, “Oh, Little Ming is here! Come, sit on the kang.” As for Zhou Sinian behind her, Aunt Huang politely ignored him—she didn’t dare invite him in.

Mingdai entered with a smile. On the kang, Aunt Huang was doing needlework by the window, while Iron Egg and Dog Egg sprawled on the kang, playing with pebbles. When they saw Mingdai and Zhou Sinian come in, Aunt Huang quickly greeted them, “Come here, Ming girl, the kang is warm! You two little monkeys, go play at the end of the kang!” Mingdai hurriedly waved her hand. “Auntie, let them play here, I’ll just sit on the edge.” But Aunt Huang insisted, pulling her up onto the kang. Mingdai had no choice but to take off her shoes and climb up. Zhou Sinian settled into the spot she’d just vacated, watching Iron Egg and Dog Egg play with the stones, curiosity in his eyes.

Aunt Huang caught Zhou Sinian’s expression and thought to herself—he seemed to be in a good mood. She began to exchange pleasantries with Mingdai. “So, is your kang warm enough? If not, ask your big brother to come have a look.” Mingdai set her basket on the kang table and replied with a smile, “It’s nice and warm—so much so that at night, I don’t dare sleep near the head of the kang, I have to sleep in the middle.”

Aunt Huang scratched her head with her needle. “That’s right, you aren’t used to sleeping on a kang yet. Sleep in the middle for now, and keep a basin of water in the room—otherwise, it’s easy to get dried out.” Mingdai nodded and began taking items from her basket. Aunt Huang looked at her with mild reproach. “Why have you brought things again?” Mingdai glanced at Zhou Sinian. “I brought him to play, he’ll need something to eat, too.” Then, a bit curious, she asked, “Where are Yellow Peach and Yellow Apricot?”

Aunt Huang pursed her lips. “Their mother took them to their grandmother’s. Their family’s house collapsed, so last month she went back to help rebuild. Even her second son went along, and after a month, the house still isn’t finished—the mud bricks are all being made on the spot.” Mingdai nodded in understanding, realizing why she hadn’t seen Sister Zhou either.

She took out four pieces of peach shortbread and four slices of steamed cake, thinking to give one to each. But since only the two boys were here, she handed them both two pieces each. “Iron Egg, you and your brother take two pieces each. Eat up.” Iron Egg smiled and thanked her before taking the paper packet. Dog Egg, seeing his brother, also piped up his thanks in a bright, clever way. One had to admit, the brigade leader’s children were well raised.

Mingdai then took out two pieces of pine nut candy and four chestnuts for them, placing the rest back in the basket and handing it to Zhou Sinian. Zhou Sinian contentedly tapped the paper packet—he had more than the others.

Mingdai brought out a picture storybook. “Do you still have the book I gave you last time? I brought a new one.” Aunt Huang nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, yes, I put it away so they wouldn’t tear it.” Then she called out toward the outer room. “Hey, eldest daughter-in-law! Eldest daughter-in-law!”

Aunt Huang’s daughter-in-law responded, soon entering with a basin of water and a rag. After a month of living together, she’d learned that the “madman” loved cleanliness. She came in briskly and wiped down the end of the kang—especially her husband’s usual spot—afraid the “madman” might catch a whiff of something unpleasant and lose his temper. Aunt Huang rolled her eyes at her movements. So you know your man’s feet stink, do you? Why didn’t you ever move so fast before?

Once she was done, Aunt Huang spoke up, “Where did you put those two picture books? Quick, find them for Miss Ming—she brought two more.” The daughter-in-law wiped her wet hands on her cotton coat, went to the corner, and opened the cupboard. Her actions were so smooth that Aunt Huang’s eye twitched—one with stinky feet, one who doesn’t like cleanliness, what a match!

The books were handed over. Mingdai checked them—well preserved—then gave the new ones to the two children. “These are new. Enjoy them first, and when you’re done, I’ll bring you more.” The boys eagerly reached for them, but Aunt Huang slapped their little hands away. “Wait until your hands aren’t greasy!” Mingdai laughed and handed the books to Aunt Huang, who tucked them into her sewing basket.

“We can still visit each other now, but once the heavy snow comes and seals the doors, we won’t be able to go anywhere.” Mingdai recalled news from her previous life and nodded in agreement.

“In a few days, once the mountain folks come down, there’ll be a wild produce market here. I’ll let you know—there’ll be all sorts of mountain goods to buy or trade,” Aunt Huang said with excitement.

Mingdai was surprised. “The commune doesn’t crack down on that?” Aunt Huang shook her head. “It only happens once a year—the commune turns a blind eye. There’s little farmland in the mountains, and not enough food. If they don’t come down to trade before the New Year, several people might starve over the winter. The commune has to consider the real situation.”

Only then did Mingdai understand—of course, policies had to be adapted to local conditions. (Just a plot device—dear readers, don’t take it too literally.)

She grew interested. “What kind of things do they bring?”

Aunt Huang enthusiastically described, “There’s all sorts of good things from the mountains, mostly food. Big hazelnuts, wild walnuts, pine nuts, and red dates—the ones I gave you last time came from my family. There’s also fruit—winter pears and persimmons, frozen and sweet. You don’t need to buy those; my family and your eldest sister-in-law’s family will all send some, so we can share. There are all kinds of dried meats, and if you’re lucky, you might get fresh ones. There are also plenty of wild vegetables, dried, and even medicinal herbs, though most of those are sold to the commune’s purchasing station, so you’ll see less at the market.”

Mingdai considered buying some things she didn’t already have in her space.

She took the opportunity to mention trading goods. She had plenty in her space that she could exchange. “Auntie, I’m planning to write home for some supplies before the New Year. Is there anything you’d like to trade for?”

Aunt Huang looked up in delight. “Oh, that’s wonderful! When I came back last time and told the old sisters, everyone wanted to trade for something. Every household is missing something.” Mingdai nodded. “My father has connections at the enamel factory, so I can get enamel basins and jars, as well as towels and gloves from the factories, and even some soap—though most of it might be factory seconds.”

Aunt Huang was overjoyed. In the commune’s supply store, every one of these items was snatched up the moment they appeared. “Those are just fine, we don’t care if they’re seconds—people in the countryside aren’t that particular.” Mingdai smiled. “They’re discounted, too, so it’s economical. Even in the city, I use seconds myself.”

The more Aunt Huang looked at Mingdai, the more she liked her. What a pity she hadn’t had a daughter as capable as this—she’d missed her chance at a wonderful girl. She wasn’t fated to have such luck.

“I’ll ask around, and come to your place tomorrow. Don’t worry, only the tight-lipped ones—those with mouths as loose as old cotton trousers will not be invited. I’ll estimate how much is needed, and I know the supply store prices inside out. Those shameless ones, seeing how young you are, will definitely try to haggle!” Mingdai couldn’t be more pleased. “Thank you, Auntie, you’re helping me a great deal!” Aunt Huang replied, “You’re the one helping us! People want to trade because they have happy events coming up—if they can get something as a betrothal or dowry gift, it looks much better. We live far from the commune, and anything good is always snatched up, so dowries and betrothal gifts in these parts are never much to look at.”

Mingdai nodded. “Then I’ll write for festive-looking items, which will be perfect for betrothal or dowry gifts.” Aunt Huang’s eyes nearly disappeared with her smile. “That’s great! If you get any pillowcases with ‘Double Happiness’ or mandarin duck designs, save me a set—my niece is marrying into the mountains after the New Year, and I want to give them to her as a dowry.” Mingdai remembered she had just that in her space and nodded in agreement.

“No need to come to my house tomorrow, Auntie. I’d like to borrow the flatbed cart—I’m going up the mountain to dig for soil. The chives have sprouted, and I want to try planting some.” Aunt Huang was truly surprised. “You’re so capable! You really got them to grow?” Mingdai nodded with a bright smile. “They’ve sprouted, but I don’t know if they’ll grow big. I want to dig some rich mountain soil—it’s more fertile.” Aunt Huang nodded. “That’s true. Take the cart with you later—we don’t need it right now.” Mingdai agreed.