Zhang Hongmei rode her bicycle back, inwardly berating herself. Being soft-hearted was such a bad thing. She didn't even know the person; why did she agree to it on a whim?

I was still upset even after I got home.

"Hongmei, what's wrong?"

"Hey, you simpleton, why am I so clueless?"

"What happened?"

“I went to the post office and promised the staff there that I would help him buy pork in our village.”

"You! But it should be fine. It's good if the villagers can make more money."

"But I didn't mention a price. He said it wouldn't be more expensive than the black market, right?"

"That makes things easier. I'll ask around for you later, and try not to get involved in other people's business in the future."

"Okay, there won't be a next time. Did you need something, Er Lengzi?"

"I just want to use a bicycle."

"Here you go, it's almost two o'clock, what are you going to do?"

"I'll go to the township and deliver the car to you tomorrow."

"It's okay, I don't need it these next few days."

We still need to feed them first; we can't let them keep squeaking, can we?

They'll be slaughtered in a few days, so let's feed them something good. Lock the gate. Send some fresh bean stalks out of the space for them to eat.

Back in the house, the first thing I did without fail was take a shower, followed by dinner. I ordered a steamer of Goubuli steamed buns, but my eyes were bigger than my stomach, and I didn't finish them.

He only opened the gate after watching the sheep eat all the bean stalks, and then sat on the threshold to read a book.

I've already finished reading my junior high textbooks; now I'm reading high school Chinese. A few small heads peeked out from outside the door.

Zhang Hongmei waved to them, "What brings you all here? Have you finished learning all the characters for today?"

"Sister Hongmei, we've finished studying, and we also got all the questions right on Sister Erya's test. We want to listen to the radio."

"No problem, would you like to listen inside or in the yard?"

"Let's stay in the yard, we're not cold."

"Okay. Go get the stool yourself."

Zhang Hongmei sat with them in the courtyard, and she changed to reading a history book.

Listening to the children humming along to "Let Us Row Our Boats" on the radio, I suddenly recalled my own elementary school days.

Wearing a sky-blue pinafore dress, a white shirt, and a red scarf, she sat in the classroom, and the whole class sang the same song as the teacher played the accordion.

The memories are too distant. I can't even recall my music teacher anymore.

Pulling myself out of my reverie, I checked the time. "It's time for us to eat. Let's go. You can come and listen tomorrow."

The children walked beside Zhang Hongmei, reciting poems to her in a very proper manner.

Dinner is always the same: sorghum and pumpkin porridge without fail.

The pickled vegetables were so salty that I had no appetite at all. I still shared the porridge with Shi Tou and San Ya, since each child only gets two spoonfuls of porridge, which probably wouldn't be enough. I only kept a few pieces of pumpkin for myself to make do.

Tomorrow is the Little New Year, and Liu Maocai's family is slaughtering a pig. They originally planned to wait for Liu Jianguo to come back before slaughtering it, but he's been working overtime and probably won't be back until the 28th.

Zhang Hongmei leaned closer to Li Cuihua and asked, "Third Aunt, how many kilograms of pig are you planning to sell?"

“The villagers ordered thirty jin. Your third uncle said that if we keep half a jin at home this year, we can still have sixty jin left.”

“I’ll take them all. I went to the post office today and promised the staff there I could buy pork for him. How much does it cost per pound for the villagers?”

"Your third uncle said it's only one yuan per jin."

"I'll ask him for 2.5 yuan per jin, is that a good price?"

"Isn't it too expensive? Will someone actually want it?"

"He'll definitely take it, he'd take any three pieces, he just feels embarrassed to see me again."

"Okay, if he doesn't want it anymore, you can bring it back."

"Don't worry, he knows that pork on the black market is already five yuan a piece. It's more than fair that we only ask him for half."

"Don't bother buying meat, ten pounds is enough for you."

“If you’re asking for money like the other villagers, then I’ll take it; otherwise, I won’t. There’s no room for negotiation. Even if you give it to me, I’ll return it.”

"Why are you being so formal, girl?"

"It's not that I'm being distant, but I don't want Shi Tou San Ya to suffer for nothing, and also, my life is better than yours."

"I can't argue with you, so I'll have your third uncle talk to you."

“It doesn’t matter who tells me. Shi Tou San Ya is about to start school, and Er Ya Jie will be going to board at school in the county. We need money for everything.”

"You little brat, you little brat," Li Cuihua called out to Zhang Hongmei, her voice choked with sobs.

"Alright, Auntie, stop nagging me. Leave me ten pounds of ribs."

"Here's the rib plate."

That evening, Li Cuihua told Liu Maocai what Zhang Hongmei had said. Liu Maocai sighed deeply, "Then we need money. This child takes care of us in every way."

"That's right. Er Ya ate at her house, and even when there was good food, she still thought of Shi Tou and San Ya. That child."

The next morning, Zhang Hongmei brought the leftover sheep head and offal from the previous day to the old lady.

"Grandma, let my auntie stew it for you to try. I don't know how."

"Zhong, you're not afraid, are you?"

"How annoying! Why don't you just keep it to yourself? Why say it out loud?"

The old lady chuckled and rolled her eyes at Zhang Hongmei.

Before it was even time to eat, Liu Maocai's pig had already been slaughtered. Zhang Hongmei pushed her bicycle over, carrying ten jin of ribs and sixty-five jin of forequarters and hindquarters. She paid ten yuan and carried the sixty-five jin of meat out.

When Zhang Hongmei arrived in the township, she went straight to the school. The students were on holiday, but the teachers were not yet there. Of course, she had to ask the old principal and the others if there was any good news.

The gatekeeper saw that it was Zhang Hongmei and let her in.

"Principal, I'm here. I have good news."

The old headmaster put down his newspaper, took off his glasses, and asked, "What good news?"

"Want some pork? It was freshly slaughtered this morning, 2.5 yuan a pound."

"How much?"

"Why can't you stay calm anymore?"

"You brat, you don't respect your teacher at all! Tell me how many there are!"

"I brought 65 jin (32.5 kg) with me. I still need to ask Aunt Li if she wants some. I also need to send some to the comrades at the county post office."

"Wait a minute, I'll go call them."

Within five minutes, all ten teachers from the school had arrived. The gatekeeper also came over with a scale.

We had to register the quantity with the principal, but when we tallied it up, it wasn't enough; we were short two kilograms. In the end, we had no choice but to give out the points first.

The principal had no choice but to ask for two pounds less. In the end, he calculated the money and handed it to Zhang Hongmei for 162.5 yuan.

"Principal, don't worry. There's another pig slaughtering the day after tomorrow. I'll get you another ten catties. Besides, I'll also give you a rabbit and five catties of meat as a New Year's gift. Don't be upset. I'll bring them to you together that day."

"You even prepared a New Year's gift for me?"

"So you won't say I don't respect my teachers."

"Thank you in advance, you sharp-tongued girl."

"Why are you being so polite with me?"

You're welcome. I'll be waiting for you the day after tomorrow.

"Okay! I'll go ask Aunt Li if she wants some?"

"Go ahead." Watching Zhang Hongmei leave, I felt particularly warm-hearted. It's always better to have a daughter; no one cares about the old couple because of their son.