Upon hearing Shui Qing speak to the old village chief, the villagers all cast envious glances their way.
The old village chief's family was the best off in the village, thanks to the fact that the men in his family often went to the prefectural city to do odd jobs, and the women were capable, managing the household in an orderly manner while also raising chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs to sell in the prefectural city.
They rarely cook chicken head rice or similar foods, since they usually spend most of their time raising chickens and ducks when they have enough grain.
So yesterday, the old village chief's family only handed over seven catties, which was not a small amount among everyone, but it was not a large amount either. However, in just one night and one morning today, their family was able to produce twenty-three catties of chicken head rice and give it to Zhang Tuzi, Wang Mazi and the other four families!
This shows that his whole family had been peeling the leaves all night.
Twenty-three pounds in one go! Adding that to the seven pounds from yesterday, the old village chief has suddenly become the one with the most weight in the village.
"Here, this is seventy-five catties of rice. Sister Guifen, please take it." Shuiqing asked the man who was helping to weigh it and then handed it to Wang Guifen with difficulty.
Wang Guifen responded with a "yes," vigorously rubbed her hands on the clothes in front of her, and then reached out to take it.
Seventy-five pounds of rice, pure white rice. Thinking of the thick layer of rice oil on top when cooking rice porridge, she swallowed hard.
No, one pound of rice can almost buy two pounds of millet. Although millet is coarser, it's more filling.
The remaining rice can be exchanged for silver to pay for Lin Ge'er's tuition...
The second largest family in the village is Aunt Zhang's family.
Apart from Zhang Xiaocao who came to check on the situation, the rest of the family members were either salvaging or peeling the fish, making them the most diligent!
Now, upon hearing that rice is being distributed, he grabs a sack and follows his daughter to Shuiqing's house.
The journey was filled with a mix of surprise and doubt until the sight of the white rice laid out before me brought a sudden sense of relief.
This year, perhaps we can have a good New Year.
"Come on, Aunt Zhang, your total is 27 jin, and the rice is 67.5 jin. Pour it into your sack."
Aunt Zhang felt a sense of unreality as she watched the glistening white rice being poured into the rough burlap sack.
How many years has it been since she last saw or touched rice?
He plunged his rough hands into the rice, grabbing handfuls and letting go, enjoying it immensely.
She murmured softly, "The rice smells so good."
Zhang Xiaocao chimed in, "Mom, the rice looks so good! It looks much better than the black flour, doesn't it taste delicious?"
"Wait a minute, I'll cook it for you later." Aunt Zhang really wanted to say that she would cook rice for dinner, but she steeled herself and held back.
One pound of rice can be exchanged for three pounds of dark flour. When cooked into a porridge, it is enough for a family's daily food supply. However, if cooked as rice, three pounds of rice would probably not be enough.
It's not time to indulge in luxuries yet; let's wait a bit longer.
The old village chief continued to distribute the food to the remaining people, some weighing a few kilograms and others a dozen kilograms; after all, only a minority had received dozens of kilograms the day before.
Shuiqing walked over to Aunt Zhang's side. She was grateful for Aunt Zhang's trust and also grateful that Zhang Xiaocao had come to inform them in advance because she was worried about them.
Just as he was about to express his gratitude, he overheard their conversation, turned back, filled a cloth bag with two or three pounds of rice, and quietly handed it over: "This is a thank-you gift. Don't tell anyone, or it won't look good if others see it."
She didn't pack too much, because she was afraid that Aunt Zhang wouldn't be willing to cook it if she packed too much. She estimated that she packed enough food for one meal for the whole family.
Aunt Zhang instinctively wanted to refuse, but after hearing Shui Qing's words, she didn't dare to make a sound. After Shui Qing stuffed her into her arms, she whispered, "I...you've already given us so much."
“That’s what you earned through your labor, this is a thank-you gift, they’re different.” Shui Qing made the distinction very clear.
Aunt Zhang opened her mouth as if to say: Aren't they all the same? They were all given to us by you.
Shuiqing continued, "Auntie, I didn't pack much, just enough for one meal. Cook it for the children when you get back at noon."
Zhang Xiaocao realized that Sister-in-law Shuiqing had specially sent it over because she saw that her mother was reluctant to part with it, but she wanted to eat it.
Her nose tingled with emotion; for the first time in her life, she felt that helping others was worthwhile!
In the past, every time I helped my cousin Zhang Chunhua, I never got anything in return.
She made up her mind that from now on, no matter what, she would help Sister-in-law Shuiqing!
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