Bai Zhi saw her grandfather frowning deeply, clearly agitated about something, again drifting off into his own thoughts. This grandfather, he was perfect in every way; it was just his imagination that was sometimes a bit too wild.
She didn’t wait for him to respond and directly started handling the purchased pork belly by singeing the hairs over the stove,
since the surface of the pork skin sold at the market had a lot of hair which needed to be dealt with. Then she added water, washed it clean, and refilled the pot to start boiling,
Bai Dan made the fire, while Bai Zhi, carrying the vegetable basket, went to the spots she remembered to pick vegetables. Grandfather was very diligent; this season’s eggplants, chilli peppers, tomatoes, and both green and cowpeas were ripe for eating.
Once in the field, everything was there. Bai Zhi hurriedly picked some of each, quickly filling her basket to the brim.
There were also wax gourds, but it wasn’t the season for them; they would be ready to eat in just over a month.
On the way back, she saw Bai Ye and the others again, although from a distance as they weren’t on the same path. By their actions, they seemed to be digging up fish mint, which they often did to exchange for money.
But ah, they never included the original owner in these activities. Truthfully speaking, even if they wanted to involve the original owner, she had no time. Busy all day long, the original owner had so many chores,
cleaning, taking care of them, and also doing homework, feeding chickens and pigs. They could earn money to buy candies, and from time to time grudgingly give a piece to the original owner without even thinking about helping out a bit!
This was their so-called impartiality.
However, the current Bai Zhi didn’t care about these matters. She was the female lead and the male pairing; what was she? Cannon fodder, staying away from them would ensure a better life.
Bai Zhi carried the vegetable basket back. The cucumbers were particularly fresh. She directly grabbed one, washed it, and took a bite,
it was deliciously crunchy, greatly lifting her spirits.
The rest would only be cooked in the meat broth, which would taste even better.
Chillies would be used for stir-fried pork, a stir-fried eggplant, and the remaining tomatoes and cowpeas would be set aside for the afternoon meal.
For the two of them, one meat dish, one eggplant, and soup would be sufficient.
Previously, Bai Dan would eat quite casually, but now with two dishes and one soup, it was well-made.
Bai Dan felt truly fortunate.
“Grandpa, it’s time to eat.”
The chopsticks and spatulas in the house were all made by Bai Dan himself, carrying a hint of bamboo fragrance as they ate.
There was still meat left over, which Bai Zhi had divided into three portions—one was taken to Bai Da and his group, and another cooked portion was set aside for later use.
It was summer now, and if left too long, it would spoil!
That’s why she cooked two portions together. Bai Dan saw Bai Zhi distributing everything reasonably and wasn’t worried, so he just followed her lead!
Bai Zhi planned to stay home in the afternoon to do her homework. She was in third grade now and also needed to wash clothes, tidy up, and then check nearby for fish mint—not to sell, but for their own consumption, which was really beneficial!
And honeysuckle, she remembered there was honeysuckle nearby, which was really her target. Drinking it often was very cooling.
“Xingxing, eat more, the meat Xingxing made tastes wonderful,”
Bai Dan said as he ate, remarking how particularly fragrant it was. If it were up to him, he would just quickly boil it.
“Grandpa, eat, it’s not like you’ve had it tough, Xingxing wouldn’t even get to eat meat otherwise.”
Bai Zhi felt a warmth in her heart, whether in reality or here, grandpa was the person who cared about her the most. She would have to treat him very well in the future.
“In a bit, Xingxing, take a piece of meat to your dad’s place. Even though he’s not a good dad.”
Bai Dan sighed; this son of his was really clueless.
“Alright, Grandpa, I’ll go in the afternoon, my dad isn’t at home now, and I’m scared.”
What if after I deliver it, they don’t acknowledge it? Could that happen?
“They wouldn’t dare. Grandpa will go deliver this, and you will rest at home this afternoon, okay? After Grandpa chops the bamboo and returns, he will go.”
Bai Dan was furious just thinking about it; Xingxing’s wound was terrifying at that time. The doctor had said it would likely leave a scar.
A girl, who would have scars in the future. He was afraid to even tell Xingxing about it. What was she going to do in the future?
“Okay, Grandpa, don’t tire yourself out too much. I’d feel heartbroken. You’ll always stay with me in the future, right?”
Bai Zhi gave Grandpa another piece of meat using her chopsticks. Elderly folks are just like that, always preferring to give the best to the children. He would just eat the garlic shoots, not bothering to take a slice of meat.
Bai Dan kept putting meat into Bai Zhi’s bowl.
“Grandpa doesn’t eat meat, it’s greasy.”
Bai Zhi put down her chopsticks, pouting unhappily,
“If Grandpa doesn’t eat, I won’t eat either. It’s greasy for me too.”
How could she not like it? It was nothing but saving it for her.
“Alright, alright,” Bai Dan felt his nose tingle. Xingxing was empathetic towards him, he was too happy for it.
“Grandpa will eat, Grandpa will eat,”
He said, tears in his eyes as he put the meat into his mouth. It was the most delicious meat he had ever tasted.
After finishing the meal, Bai Zhi cleaned up the dishes and then put the meat in the cupboard made by Grandpa himself from bamboo; it was convenient to close.
Because it was made of bamboo, it was breathable and wouldn’t spoil the food.
In the afternoon, Bai Zhi started her homework, sitting in the main room with the window open. There was a refreshing breeze, and the yard had a pear tree, a loquat tree, and a grapevine, making it very cool.
Third-grade homework was of course nothing much for Bai Zhi. It was just a unit exam, and she started working as soon as she took out her pen. The young girl hardly did her homework, not because she couldn’t, but because she had no time.
After more than an hour, she put away her homework, grabbed a basket and a sickle, and prepared to head out towards the bamboo forest.
There was a lot of fish mint there, and near the bamboo forest, there was also a large patch of wild honeysuckle. She would pick them, process them, and then take them to sell at the pharmacy in town.
In reality, she and her grandfather depended on each other; Grandpa grew honeysuckle, so she was very familiar with processing it, as well as tea leaves. If there were tea leaves, she would even fry them.
Speaking of which, there seemed to be tea trees on the mountain, but nobody cared for them, and she did not know their status. She must go and check them out someday soon, pick some, fry them, and then make tea – that was the right way to do it.
She disliked drinking plain water. Tea was much more comfortable.
Honeysuckle Tea, Jasmine Tea – she knew how to make them.
Once she found the spot, there was indeed a lot of honeysuckle. Bai Zhi was delighted and hurried to pick them all up.
Taking advantage of the time being early, she went back home to prepare them. The fish mint could wait a bit longer; otherwise, their flavors might mix.
The freshly picked honeysuckle needed washing and then began to be sun-dried. Actually, it was best to pick honeysuckle before noon, or they would blossom. But since no one took care of the honeysuckle here, they had already blossomed. Picking them now was still fine.
After everything was prepared, it was already afternoon. Now, without a watch or a phone, she could only roughly judge by the position of the sun.
It was time to dig up the fish mint. After digging it up, she washed it thoroughly. Adding just some soy sauce would make it delicious.
By this time, Bai Dan had brought back the bamboo, carrying that piece of meat towards Bai Da’s place.
Bai Da had also returned. She worked at a cement factory, but it was not busy recently so she had come home earlier than usual, and was surprised to see her father bringing home some meat.
“Dad, why did you bring meat here?”