That being said, the couple both knew that this was based on the premise that they could afford to support them. If they couldn't, then their lives or deaths would be beyond the Tao family's control. The Tao family's help was limited to whether they had the ability to help; if they didn't have the ability, they would naturally prioritize their own family members.
Therefore, although they thought this way, they could not say it to the three Tang sisters. They always had to leave themselves room for maneuver. Once words are spoken, they have to take responsibility.
However, after staying at the Tao family's house for a while, Tang Cuihua became bolder and started wearing a straw hat to cover herself up completely when she went out to work in the morning. She claimed that she was afraid the corn leaves would scratch her, but in reality, she just wanted to avoid being seen. Besides, the crops in the field had already sprouted, so who could keep an eye on anyone once they entered the field?
After all, the fields needed weeding and watering. As the weather got cooler, the work became much easier. Cuihua was always busy, and the couple couldn't persuade her otherwise, so they simply let her do as she pleased. After all, their sons were all in school and couldn't help out, so it was just the two of them doing the work in the fields. The old man also needed to brew wine, so having someone to help would make things much easier.
After autumn arrives, the grass grows just as much as it used to. Every time I come back from hoeing the fields, I can pick a handful of dandelions. After washing them clean, I chop them up, marinate them with salt, and then add vinegar, sesame oil, and chili. The taste is so delicious! It not only clears heat and detoxifies but also goes well with rice. It is a rare delicacy on the autumn table.
Besides corn, their family also grew millet, sorghum, buckwheat, and peanuts. Millet was the most troublesome to grow because they had to be on guard against birds pecking at it during the ripening period. So they had to go to the field from time to time to chase away the birds with a long bamboo pole. In those days, there were no window screens like in later generations, and even if there were, they were not available in the small town. So whenever Grandpa had free time during the day, he would take a bamboo pole to the field to guard the crops.
The villagers rely on the harvest from these few acres of land to make a living all year round. The Tao family is hardworking, with a division of labor and cooperation, so the work is not tiring.
Moreover, they can eat their fill before working, unlike their own parents who are afraid that they will eat too much or do too little work, with countless tasks piling up every day. The three sisters are all born of the same parents, and from birth, they have already been divided into different classes.
They were unlucky to be born into the Tang family. After realizing that all their efforts were being squandered by their parents, choosing to withdraw in time was not a bad idea.
Xiao Jiu admired Tang Cuihua for this. Instead of continuing to encourage their laziness like a bitter vegetable, she chose to escape that home. Even though there were many unpredictable dangers, at least they dared to resist, which she thought was excellent.
On the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Tao family rarely ate white flour dumplings. The day before, the old lady specially bought five catties of pork fat, rendered the oil at home, and fried the remaining golden-brown fat. Today, she added chives, used some to make dumplings, and added some to vermicelli to make fried pancakes. Finally, she served a large mooncake. The family happily celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival. Even the little one who was just over six months old drank white flour soup.
Although she couldn't eat dumplings, having dumpling soup was still nice. She smacked her lips and drank with more effort than she would drink milk, and she was so eager to drink water. Her adorable appearance made the whole family smile.
When kids are chubby and drooling, who doesn't love them? Who doesn't want to play with them?
It's a pity her hair is too sparse; it must have been tough for her to have to experience the look of Qiu Qianchi at such a young age.
The Tao family wasn't without mirrors; her eldest sister had held her and made her look in one. So when she saw her reflection, Qiu Qianchi's image flashed through her mind, and she immediately felt a chill run down her spine.
Looking at the hair on her head, she felt sorry for herself. If it weren't for the fact that it was her brain, this child might have been intellectually disabled due to lack of nutrition during pregnancy!
But while her intelligence improved, her body was a result of Cao Amei's actions. Look, there are a few tufts of hair on her head that she can't do anything about.
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day arrived. The two holidays were very close together. This year marks the second anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Colorful paper was pasted and red flags were hung in the streets and alleys. Although their town is small, they even invited dragon and lion dance teams to celebrate National Day. They even held a speech contest under the big locust tree at the entrance of the town and took the opportunity to elect street management personnel. It was really lively.
On National Day, the whole country rejoiced. The radios even played the familiar voice of the great leader, a voice that only existed on phonographs. As she was held by her mother and watched the bustling scenes in the streets and alleys, her heart was filled with excitement. When someone sang the national anthem, she even hummed along. It was a heartfelt excitement and an involuntary emotion. In her previous life, she was born into a time of national prosperity. In this life, she was born into a country that had grown from nothing to something. Being able to witness the country's transformation and progress step by step was a unique opportunity, so she would cherish this day.
Seeing how happy she was, her mother felt guilty for keeping her tied up at home all this time. But she couldn't take care of the farm work while looking after her, so she could only pray that she would grow up quickly and then she could go out and play with her brothers.
On the second day of National Day, families getting married set off firecrackers with a bang, and children followed behind picking up wedding candies. The noise filled the entire street, making the town, which was not very lively before, suddenly beam with smiles because of the double festival (Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day) and even the triple celebration (a wedding during Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day). Everyone told each other that today was a really good day, that they no longer had to live a hard life, and that they had something to look forward to in life. It was wonderful!
That's great! From now on, life will only get better and better, and the country will become stronger and stronger!
The National Day holiday is three days long, but this only applies to the working class. People like them, who run small taverns, and farmers do not have holidays. After a short rest, they resume their busy lives, going back to the routine of working in the fields, wine cellars, and home.
My eldest sister is now used to going out fully armed, and when someone asks, my mother explains.
“My niece has no family left, so she came to stay with me. She has a birthmark on her face and is afraid to see people. She won’t go out unless she helps me with chores.”
Zhao Di and Pan Di stayed at home to help the old lady take care of the household. With Zhao Lingli's explanation, no matter how well Tang Cuihua covered up her secret, no one said anything more.
The household registration system is not yet perfect. After all, the country has just been established and everything needs to be gradually improved. Therefore, no one interferes with the movement of people. Although the country has been liberated, there are still many places where people are so poor that they can't even afford to eat. It's not just their family that comes to seek refuge with relatives. If you say this, not only will no one doubt it, but they will also think it's quite normal.
Moreover, before 1958, there were no restrictions on the transfer of household registration. If you wanted to move to the capital, no one would say anything. After 1958, the household registration system was strictly managed. Xiao Jiu didn't know this. If she had known, she would have been so regretful that she hadn't registered her household in the capital!
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