As the group talked, the rain gradually subsided, turning into a light drizzle.
They weren't here to chat idly; taking advantage of the lighter rain, the group put on their straw hats and continued working.
Jiang Zhi no longer wasted time looking around, and simply let Old Li let the old mule graze nearby.
The group worked until noon, when Li Laoshi found some dry firewood in the woods and started a fire under a tarpaulin in a corner.
They built a stove with stones, placed the earthenware pot they brought in to boil water, cooked a thick porridge with a small bag of cornmeal, and added salt.
Then, place the flatbreads we brought on the side to bake. With porridge and flatbreads, we can fill our stomachs.
Lazy people have their own methods; they can pick a few big leaves, roll them up, and even save on the need for a bowl.
Jiang Zhi and the others didn't mind, washed their hands, and happily ate around the fire.
Although it's only a little over three miles from the village, no one wants to make the extra trip.
Xiaoman, holding the leaves somewhat awkwardly, asked, "Uncle Li, how are you going to eat these leaves?"
Li Laoshi stepped forward to demonstrate: "You have to lower your head and stretch your neck!"
Tian Gui, Xu Gensheng, and the others remained silent, simply holding their leaf bowls and eating heartily.
Among this group of people, only Xiaoman, Errui, and Jiangzhi had never been refugees.
Although the first six months on the mountain were tough, the food was always plentiful, so I didn't know how to make rice wrapped in tree leaves.
Tian Gui and the others were all wanderers.
In the places where refugees gathered, everyone huddled together. There was nothing around to hold water or porridge, let alone use leaves to hold water or porridge. Even clods of dirt to wipe one's bottom after defecating were scarce.
After eating and resting for a while, everyone got back to work, aiming to clean the place up in a day.
Not long after, a man came from the mountain pass.
Qin was carrying a basket on her back, wearing a straw hat, and holding a wooden stick in her hand.
"Mother, what brings you here?" Xu Genqing put down his work and went to greet her, taking the basket from her back.
Qin said irritably, "How could I not come? Lianhua has been complaining at home that she hasn't come back by mealtime. I guess you don't eat, so I brought you food."
As she spoke, she opened a large bundle of straw covering the basket on her back, and took out a clay pot, several shallow bowls, and spoons from underneath.
Li Laoshi went over with a shameless grin and said, "Sister-in-law Qin, this is for Brother Qing's lunch!"
Hearing his feigned ignorance, Qin turned her face away and pretended not to hear, only instructing Xu Genqing to wash the bowl and serve the sweet potato porridge from the pot.
Li Laoshi didn't care and went to rummage through the kimchi jars he had brought in his basket.
Xu Genqing washed the bowl and came over to Li Laoshi, saying, "Uncle Li, would you like some more?"
He used to joke with Li Laoshi like others, calling him "Brother Laoshi," but ever since Li Laoshi stopped Qin Shi from committing suicide, he has been calling him "Uncle Li."
Li Laoshi is a heartless person; he doesn't care what others call him.
At this moment, when Xu Genqing asked him to eat some more food, he immediately replied nonchalantly, "If there's any, I'll eat some; if not, it's fine!"
Xu Genqing then called Xiaoman and Errui over.
Although we all ate corn porridge and flatbread together, for our stomachs that are so dry, a bowl of porridge is just a quick pass through. It's better than being hungry, and we can still eat now.
Besides, in this kind of weather, having more food in your stomach means you'll feel less cold.
When Jiang Zhi came over, Qin Shi said awkwardly, "Sister-in-law, have a bowl too, it's still warm!"
Ever since Qin Shi stole money and lost it before the Lunar New Year, and then desperately searched for it here, she had rarely appeared in the village. This was the first time Jiang Zhi had seen her.
Even if Tian Gui and his friends didn't tell anyone about what happened, the villagers still knew what had occurred.
Everyone said that Qin shouldn't have taken the family's money, and Pi, who was so quick to speak, even made Qin cry.
After the New Year, Jiang Zhi heard from Li Laoshi that Xu Genqing had indeed bought two chickens for Qin Shi to eat, but only killed one for the New Year. The second chicken was not killed because Qin Shi said it was kept to lay eggs.
Although it's impossible to change one's personality overnight after decades, Qin Shi did change; at least she started thinking about raising chickens to lay eggs so that everyone could eat them.
During this time, Qin Shi was not afraid of the cold and went to the fields every day to pick a basket of grass and deliver it to Xu Genyou's house to feed the pigs and chickens.
Because Liu was going to hatch chicks, she wanted to gather grass for a month in exchange for a few chicks.
Liu agreed, as she had many chickens and pigs at home, all of which Genbao had brought from the mountains.
The eldest daughter-in-law, Tian, and herself worked in the fields every day pulling grass and grinding rice chaff. Feeding them grass saved them some grain.
Taking the half-bowl of porridge scooped out by Qin Shi, Jiang Zhi casually sat down on the straw mat, drinking as she asked, "Qin Ling, are you going to raise chickens?"
Qin is now somewhat sensitive to chickens and also somewhat unfamiliar with her own name.
She awkwardly tugged at her apron, changed the subject, and whispered, "I'll make sure Genqing pays back all of Li Laoshi's money from now on!"
Jiang Zhi was drinking her porridge when she almost spat it out: she was asking about the chicken, and Qin Shi was mentioning Li Laoshi...
Oh, she remembered.
When Qin was devastated by the loss of money, Li Laoshi patted his chest and said righteously: He would pay for the hundred coins!
Naturally, the solution was to make Xu Genqing pay one hundred less coins when he repays the money in the future...
What does it mean to tell yourself this at this moment?
Jiang Zhi put down her bowl. Qin Shi wanted to scoop more for her, but Jiang Zhi waved her hand, saying, "No need, leave it all for them. Is Li Laoshi urging you for money?"
That's not how you ask for money. You should at least wait until you have more money in your pocket before paying me back.
Qin shook her head: "No, Li Laoshi didn't ask for the money. I will pay it back, in full later."
Jiang Zhi is now focused on building a medicine shop, so she is naturally very happy about the changes in the Qin family.
Outsiders can only save you once; you have to rely on yourself for everything.
She smiled casually and said, "Although Li Laoshi is a lazy worker, he has a generous heart. He won't say anything whether you pay him back sooner or later!"
Qin didn't say anything more!
The pot of porridge that Qin brought was quickly eaten up by everyone.
After putting away the pots and pans, Qin wanted to stay and help with the work, and Jiang Zhi did not refuse, letting her stay to shovel weeds.
They worked until almost dark, and the place was completely transformed. Except for the remaining stone walls, everything else was cleaned up.
Beside the house was a clump of bamboo leaves. As Tian Gui left, he picked a large handful of leaves: "Sister Jiang, I was just looking for these bamboo leaves! My family said they were making some straw hats, and they're just missing these leaves!"
The leaves of *Indocalamus latatus* are used medicinally. According to the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, it treats hematemesis, promotes urination, sore throat, reduces boils and swellings, and may prevent esophageal, stomach, and liver cancer.
Bamboo hat, with bamboo leaves inserted inside.
Bamboo woven hats are made by weaving bamboo strips into a net, with bamboo leaves sandwiched in the middle. They provide shade and protection from rain and are an essential item for every household.
Moreover, many farmers know how to weave bamboo hats; a single bamboo stalk and a handful of bamboo leaves can be woven into a hat that can be worn for a year.
Bamboo leaves are also used to wrap zongzi. If you can't find bamboo leaves, you can only use cleaned corn husks or banana leaves. I didn't expect to find them here.
Qin touched the leaves: "I'll pick a few when we make zongzi for the Dragon Boat Festival! Genqing can take them with him when he delivers steamed buns to his mother-in-law's house!"
It was only the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, but she was already making plans for the Dragon Boat Festival.
Lianhua's family home was only a few dozen miles away. The two families had fled the famine together and returned together.
Life was tough outside, and the Qin family wasn't easy to get along with either. The two families fell out halfway through their relationship and didn't even have any contact with each other during the New Year.
Lianhua was pregnant and her family had to be informed. No matter how unreasonable Qin was, she had to do it, so she could only send the gifts together on the Dragon Boat Festival.
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