Chapter 46: Everyone Has a Small Hoe
However, before she could finish her words, Tu Subo spoke up, "A pigsty requires quite a bit of space, and Xuanxuan and I obviously can't fit it on our land. How about we build a fence around the vegetable garden in the backyard, build a small chicken coop, and try raising a few chickens first?"
The old lady's smile faded slightly. She silently gripped her chopsticks tightly and said slowly, "This arrangement is feasible, but when I think about the end of the year, every household in the village is slaughtering their New Year pigs, while our home is so quiet and deserted, it seems to lack a festive atmosphere."
"Grandma, there's no need to worry about that."
Gu Yuexuan smiled and cleverly took over Tu Subo's words, adding: "It is now the end of autumn, and the end of the year is approaching."
"Those families who look forward to slaughtering their New Year pigs at the end of the year raise piglets that they have carefully cared for for a year or even two. Even if we rushed to buy piglets right now, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to raise them to maturity for slaughter before the New Year. It would be better to wait until spring, when the ground is covered with green grass for the piglets to frolic in, and raising them will be much easier.
"You mentioned yesterday that soft and glutinous potatoes are particularly delicious. Why don't you try today's dish and see if it suits your taste?" Gu Yuexuan picked up the public spoon in the big bowl and gently scooped a few pieces of delicate and smooth potatoes into the old lady's bowl. This cleverly stopped the old lady from talking.
The old lady's mouth corners slightly raised, and she lowered her head to enjoy the food. Xi Lanfang, who had been paying attention to her surroundings, couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
Thank God, Tu Subo and Gu Yuexuan were always able to cleverly pick up the thread in each other's conversation. Otherwise, if the old lady really came up with the idea of building a pigpen next to the stable, the reputation of the eldest house would be completely lost!
As for the matter of raising pigs, let’s put it aside for now, but the grandfather was determined to find out about the plan of raising chickens.
After dinner, he went out for a leisurely walk with his hands behind his back. His real intention was obviously to find out where he could find affordable chicks for sale.
He stayed in the village for five or six days, and finally brought back seven cute little chicks in ecstasy from a villager's cozy cottage.
It was the first time for everyone in the family, young and old, to meet these little lives covered with goose yellow fluff. Their joy was beyond words, but they were also a little confused and at a loss. They stared at the delicate little mouths of the chicks, but didn't know how to start taking care of them.
Yu tightly grasped Tu Suminyang's curious little hand, cautiously stepped back a few steps, and asked in a low voice: "Although we have brought them home, what kind of food do these little guys need to grow?"
Can such young chicks find food independently?
Can they really thrive if they are placed in this little world carefully enclosed by a fence?
The old grandfather knew all about this. He pointed to the half-filled bag of bran in his hand and said kindly, "I heard that chopping up the pig grass and mixing it with the bran will make a delicious meal for them. As long as you protect them from the cold, they will grow well."
Despite this, a new task was added to the family from then on - collecting pig grass.
Gu Yuexuan silently lowered her eyes and said nothing, while Tu Suminyang, who was repeatedly pulled by Yu, was full of enthusiasm. He waved his arms excitedly: "Let me do it!"
"Grandfather, I'm going!"
It was just picking some wild vegetables. He was confident that he could complete this simple and easy task!
Tu Su Minxu puffed out his chest and declared loudly without showing any weakness: "I can do it too!"
His skill in pulling weeds is simply amazing!
Tu Su Yanting cautiously poked her head out from behind Li and said in a soft and sincere voice, "Grandfather, I can lead my brothers to cut grass."
Although other heavy farm work is a bit beyond their ability, they are full of enthusiasm to take care of these cute little chicks in front of them.
Those little chicks are so cute!
Li wanted to refuse outright, but after seeing the eager anticipation in her daughter's eyes, her heart softened.
In this village, children of Tu Su Yanting's age not only have to cut grass for pigs and wash clothes, but eight or nine out of ten also have to carry a little brother on their backs.
Tu Su Yanting is willing to take on some tasks within her ability, which is a good thing that deserves praise.
Seeing that Li remained silent, Yu gently soothed her, "That's indeed a good idea."
Since every family has someone working outside, why not let every child participate?
The little guys who were responsible for taking care of the chicks were extremely excited. They rushed forward and couldn't wait to rush out the door, ready to reap the fruits of today's labor.
Before leaving, Gu Yuexuan leaned over and carefully handed small baskets to their little hands. She also did not forget to confiscate the hatchet that Tu Su Minyang tried to take away secretly to prevent any accidents.
"It's okay to feed the chickens freshly picked green grass, but you are too young to handle sharp blades."
She pulled three small, delicate wooden hoes from her bosom and said gently, "Take these, okay?"
Tu Su Minyang, who considered himself a little warrior, was initially a little unhappy because his hatchet was taken away, but when he saw the wooden hoe of the right size in his hand, he immediately let out a cry of surprise and excitement.
"Sister-in-law, is this for me? Does this mean it will be mine exclusively from now on?"
"Of course, it belongs to you."
Tu Su Yanting gripped the polished handle tightly, her soft voice revealing gratitude: "Thank you, sister-in-law."
Tu Su Minxu was more direct. He grabbed the smallest wooden hoe and hung it excitedly by his leg.
"Sister-in-law made a magical little hoe! Sister-in-law is amazing!"
Gu Yuexuan showed a helpless yet amused smile on her face. She gently rubbed his little head and couldn't help laughing. She said, "I don't have the magical ability to conjure up treasures like these. These are made by your eldest brother who stayed up all night, specially tailored for you. Each of you will get one, so take them and play with them to your heart's content."
These chicks have a limited appetite, and a few children pulling some grass while playing is enough to feed them.
These wooden hoes, which are both beautiful and harmless, became their best choice.
The three little children, holding wooden hoes, marched forward with high spirits and high morale.
Witnessing this scene, Mrs. Li couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Xuanxuan, are you saying that those exquisite little hoes were made by Tu Subo himself?"
"That's true." Gu Yuexuan responded with a smile.
She continued, "Tu Subo anticipated that the little ones would have plenty of time to themselves after their grandfather brought the chicks home, so he skillfully crafted these toys in his spare time in the evenings."
It is undeniable that Tu Subo has demonstrated extraordinary talent as a carpenter. These small and exquisite hoes, which are less than the length of an adult's arm, are made so sturdily and delicately that it is truly amazing.
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