3 003

◎The Third Day of the King of Scrolls◎

Jiang Wanzhou pursed her lips, looking at her mother who clearly seemed somewhat hesitant.

"Mother!" She suddenly raised her voice, interrupting her with a sob, her finger subtly pointing to Shen Xinglian, who was lying on the kang (heated brick bed) barely breathing. "My sister-in-law lost so much blood. Uncle Qi said she's weakened and needs to eat something good to replenish her energy. Otherwise, if something happens to her, and my brother comes back..."

She deliberately paused there, timidly stealing glances at Jiang's mother.

Jiang's mother's harsh expression froze for a moment.

The eldest son is a regimental commander, the pillar of the family, and the source of pride for Jiang's mother in the village!

Although she was foolish and selfish, she knew that if Shen Xinglian really died under her nose, especially if she died after a difficult childbirth, Jiang Renzhou would never let it go when he returned!

His military uniform doesn't mean he's someone to be trifled with!

Jiang Wanzhou accurately hit the spot that Jiang's mother feared most.

"Hmph! Repair? What can we use to repair? We don't have any spare money at home!" Jiang's mother still spoke toughly, but her eyes clearly flickered, and her voice lowered.

"Mother—" Jiang Wanzhou's voice was even lower, carrying a sense of "being considerate of the family" and "I... I heard that my eldest brother sends money back every month. These past few months, he's been giving money to my sister-in-law to help with her health and the baby, and he's even given her extra."

She cautiously observed Jiang's mother's suddenly changed expression and continued timidly, "Didn't Second Brother say last time that Eldest Brother sent ten yuan? Just take a little bit to buy two eggs and make some soup for Sister-in-law, is that alright? Just a little bit. It'll be easier to explain to Sister-in-law when Eldest Brother comes back and asks."

She deliberately mentioned the number "ten yuan" and then deliberately said "Second Brother said," thus shifting the conflict to Jiang Husheng.

She knew that Jiang's mother was extremely biased towards Jiang Husheng, but she was even more afraid of Jiang Renzhou.

Jiang Renzhou just didn't expect that Shen Xinglian and her family didn't get along.

Originally, Shen Xinglian was a cold and aloof person. Even when she had no money, she would rather starve herself and her child than ask for help or try to find a solution.

Jiang Wanzhou felt that the original owner of this body seemed to be seeking death.

However, Jiang Renzhou would absolutely not tolerate his mother spending the money she used to support his wife on Jiang Husheng.

Sure enough, Jiang's mother's face turned pale and then red.

There was indeed money, but most of it went into Jiang Husheng's pocket.

Jiang's mother knew this, but she turned a blind eye.

Now that Jiang Wanzhou has pointed it out, especially mentioning that Jiang Renzhou would ask about it, she panicked.

"Bullshit! There's no ten yuan!" Jiang's mother retorted fiercely, her eyes darting around. "The money your older brother sent was all spent wisely! Doesn't the family have any expenses?! Where would there be any spare money?"

"Mother..." Jiang Wanzhou's voice was tinged with genuine sobs. She knelt down again with a thud, not to her mother, but to Shen Xinglian's bedside, crying with heartfelt emotion: "Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law, wake up! Mother said there's no money at home to help you recover. Waaah, brother, I'm so sorry! I didn't take good care of you! You can't even support your wife and daughter while you're in the army. I, your sister, don't need you to support me anymore. All the money will go to you, sister-in-law, and my nephew and niece!"

"No! Brother, you should come back and earn work points! At least your sister-in-law won't starve!"

Her crying and wailing were quite loud, deliberately intended for any neighbors who might pass by to hear.

Jiang's mother panicked immediately. If word got out that she had mistreated her daughter-in-law who had just "escaped death," she would be in danger.

Has she no shame? How is she going to explain this to her son when he gets back?

"Shut up! What are you howling about!" Jiang's mother angrily stepped forward to cover Jiang Wanzhou's mouth.

Jiang Wanzhou nimbly dodged, crying even louder: "Mom, just two eggs, only two. Please, if my sister-in-law is gone, my brother will come back, boohoo..."

"Alright! Stop wailing!" Jiang's mother was annoyed by her crying and was afraid that it would attract the neighbors, and even more afraid that her son would pursue the matter.

She groped around in her bosom for a long time, gritting her teeth, and finally reluctantly pulled out a tightly rolled-up little handkerchief pouch.

She opened each layer, revealing a few small bills inside.

She painfully listed two chapters, as if tearing out her heart.

Jiang Wanzhou quickly pulled it away.

"Take it! Shut up right now! Buy two eggs! Not a penny more! Be careful! You spendthrift!"

After scolding Jiang's mother, as if afraid that Jiang Wanzhou would cause further trouble, she stormed out and slammed the door.

The door slammed shut.

The world fell silent instantly.

Jiang Wanzhou immediately stopped crying and quickly wiped away the tears on her face.

Success! Step one!

Jiang Wanzhou walked to the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), looked at Shen Xinglian who still had her eyes closed, and said in a low voice, "I'll go get something to eat."

Shen Xinglian didn't open her eyes, but nodded very slightly, squeezing out a hoarse word from her chapped lips: "...water."

Jiang Wanzhou quickly poured another half bowl of water and carefully fed it to her.

Seeing Shen Xinglian's weak appearance, she looked around the bare house and her gaze fell on the corner of the wall.

Jiang Renzhou was farsighted enough to have stored some grain for his family.

A bold idea popped into my head.

She remembered that in modern times, her grandmother used to bake crispy rice crusts by the stove while cooking, which were fragrant and crunchy!

Adding milk powder is also suitable for Shen Xinglian to supplement her nutrition.

If... if we could get even a tiny bit of oil or... milk?!

Milk?! Jiang Wanzhou's eyes lit up!

Although the Shen family had fallen on hard times, before Shen Xinglian transmigrated, her original father secretly gave her a small can of precious, supposedly foreign-made milk powder when she married into the family!

It was hidden away, just like the original owner, and no one was told!

Shen Xinglian must have inherited her memories since she transmigrated!

"Shen Xinglian!" Jiang Wanzhou leaned close to Shen Xinglian's ear, lowered her voice, and asked with a hint of excitement, "Is that can of milk powder still there?"

Shen Xinglian finally opened her eyelids a crack, a hint of understanding and appreciation flashing in her eyes.

She didn't speak, but very subtly gestured with her eyes towards the old wooden box on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Jiang Wanzhou understood immediately and pounced on him.

The wooden box wasn't locked, so she opened it carefully.

At the very bottom of a pile of patched old clothes, I found a small, cold, hard tin can.

Found it!

Jiang Wanzhou's heart raced.

She quickly took out the tin can and unscrewed the lid.

Inside is a thin layer of snow-white powder, emitting a long-lost and extremely tempting milky aroma!

She resisted the urge to scoop out a spoonful and eat it straight away.

Jiang Wanzhou took it carefully, estimating it to be only half a spoonful.

Then quickly close the lid and hide it back in its original place.

With this, the plan is complete!

She took the precious milk powder, scooped out a small half bowl of wheat flour, and grabbed a pinch of coarse salt.

Then he tiptoed out of the house and headed straight for the abandoned kitchen shed that used to belong to the landlord.

Starting a fire is a skill.

Jiang Wanzhou struggled clumsily for a long time, coughing from the smoke.

Fortunately, she had used this thing when she was a child, and after several attempts, she finally managed to light the firewood in the stove.

She first stirred the wheat flour into a paste, and then let it ferment.

The pot was heated, so she and Shen Xinglian both needed to wash up.

Relying on the rest of the Jiang family is definitely not an option.

After the hot water was transported several times, the dough had fermented properly.

Jiang Wanzhou carefully sprinkled the milk powder water into the paste and added a little salt.

After a while, the rich aroma of milk was instantly released by the heat, mixed with the roasted aroma of wheat, spreading domineeringly and making people's stomachs rumble wildly!

When you take it out, the edges have turned yellow and it makes a faint "sizzling" sound.

It comes out of the pan with a rich aroma of caramel and milk!

The first batch of milk-flavored crispy rice cakes is perfectly cooked!

Jiang Wanzhou followed the same method.

Jiang Wanzhou quickly tidied up the scene and handed it to Shen Xinglian.

Shen Xinglian had just finished feeding Xiaobao. Ignoring the heat, she picked up a small piece, gently broke off a small chunk, and put it in her mouth.

"Sizzle—"

A very slight crackling sound exploded in my mouth!

The steamed buns were baked until crispy, and the rich milky aroma from the slight milk powder instantly won over the taste buds!

Shen Xinglian didn't speak, but simply stretched out her weak hand and gently nudged Jiang Wanzhou's hand holding the rice crust bun, indicating that she should eat too.

Jiang Wanzhou felt a lump in her throat, nodded vigorously, picked up a small piece, and ate it slowly and carefully.

Outside the window, the midday sun shone through the broken window, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Twenty years have passed, yet there is no sense of estrangement.

The two of them, without prior agreement, abandoned the path that had previously led them to part ways.

But neither of them said it aloud.

Jiang Wanzhou carefully licked the last bit of the milky rice crust clean.

The lingering aroma of caramel and milk briefly dispelled the gloom of the journey, giving Jiang Wanzhou renewed strength and clearer thinking.

Shen Xinglian ate two and seemed to have regained some of her energy. She was currently resting with her eyes closed, but her brows were still furrowed, clearly digesting this bizarre and perilous situation.

Jiang Wanzhou knew that they needed nutrition, especially Shen Xinglian, who had lost too much blood and whose baby could be born at any time. The little bit of milk powder and the few pieces of rice crust she had left would definitely not be enough to sustain them.

Eggs are currently the most practical and readily available source of nutrition.

She clenched the two small coins in her hand.

Are you going to exchange these two pennies for eggs in the village?

It's a drop in the ocean. Eggs are precious in the village, and with the arrival of educated youth, it's likely that most households' stocks have been swept away by those relatively "generous" educated youth from the city.

Educated youth...

Jiang Wanzhou's mind flashed back to the aloof figure he had seen outside the window yesterday, and the all-knowing, inquisitive look in his eyes.

For many educated youth sent to the countryside in the past, one of the most important things on their first day, besides settling into their accommodations and ordering necessary furniture, was exchanging eggs!

The educated youth from the city, especially those like Zhou Qingyu who seemed to come from well-off families, had food coupons and money, and were more willing to spend at least one egg a day.

A bold plan took shape instantly.

She had a "rare find"—a tiny amount of milk-flavored rice crust bread, an absolute rarity in those days! She had personally experienced its taste, and it was truly unforgettable! What if she could use this to trade for eggs with the educated youth?

However, not all educated youth were good; some looked down on village girls and even reported them.

Extremely risky!

but--

This is currently the only way to get eggs quickly!

Perhaps we can use this opportunity to test the attitude of that educated youth? It's better than sitting and waiting to die!

After all, that educated youth seemed quite capable of standing up for what's right and actually helped her get a doctor.

Jiang Wanzhou glanced at the weak Shen Xinglian on the kang (a heated brick bed), took a deep breath, and made a decision.

She leaned close to Shen Xinglian's ear, lowered her voice, and quickly explained her plan.

Shen Xinglian didn't even lift her eyelids, only squeezing out a hoarse word from her chapped lips: "...dangerous."