Chapter 5: The People in the Village

Li Feng had two large bowls of rice porridge and a small half bowl of steamed beans for breakfast. Zhang Lan watched her son eat with delight, feeling a sense of satisfaction in her heart. What mother wouldn't be happy to see her son enjoy the meals she prepared

"Alright, Second Master is looking forward to enjoying your fine wine." Second Master observed that Li Feng indeed had matters to attend to and did not insist on keeping him. Li Feng smiled wryly as he glanced at the village; he had originally intended to take a stroll, but had spent the entire morning at Second Master's house. He decided to come back tomorrow. His childhood friends had all settled down and started families, so it was only proper for him to pay his respects upon returning, bringing gifts with him. Li Feng smiled wryly as he glanced at the village; he had originally intended to take a stroll, but had spent the entire morning at Second Master's house. He decided to come back tomorrow. His childhood friends had all settled down and started families, so it was only proper for him to pay his respects upon returning, bringing gifts with him.

"Where's Dad?" Li Feng yawned as he splashed cold well water on his face, feeling a chill that made him shiver. His spirits lifted, the drowsiness vanished. He looked around but did not see Li Shan, even though he had just heard him speaking.

As for this matter, it is up to Third Uncle to handle it, and it should be done as soon as possible; I am not too anxious. Although Li Feng felt a sense of urgency in his heart, he could still wait for thirty to fifty days, as building a house was not an immediate necessity for him.

You child, still remembering your second grandmother, she is already very happy. The second grandmother smiled as she took it, not being polite at all. The child's heartfelt gesture was observed by the second grandfather, who said nothing, his face beaming with a smile, not feeling any displeasure in his heart because Li Feng did not give him a gift. It was indeed a joyful occasion, as he kept offering the fruit platter to Li Feng.

"Alright, Mom, I have a question for you. Do you still have contact with Xiaoying?" Zhang Lan has been wanting to ask this for a few days. She has met this girl a few times, and her conduct is quite commendable. Not only is the child good-looking, but her character is also admirable. Zhang Lan and Li Shan are very satisfied, but in front of their daughter-in-law, it is unfortunate that a few years ago, Li Feng stubbornly went to Beijing, and this matter was set aside. Now that their son has returned, Zhang Lan is not quite sure if the two still have any contact. Zhang Lan and Li Shan are very satisfied, but in front of their daughter-in-law, it is unfortunate that a few years ago, Li Feng stubbornly went to Beijing, and this matter was set aside. Now that their son has returned, Zhang Lan is not quite sure if the two still have any contact.

In the future, when eating, scoop a bowl, cook it, and there is no need to add anything else. The red sauce made with red chili peppers and tomato paste tastes sweet and sour, with a hint of spiciness. The beans and peanuts are crisp, making it truly a delightful accompaniment to rice

"Your father spoke to me; you should see when you can start working." Li Qing was quite familiar with the area of Taolin. After some consideration, he concluded that building a two-story small building on that plot of land would definitely be feasible. He had already discussed this with the head of the construction team. They urged him to secure this project as soon as possible, as the houses over there would be completed in the next few days. He had more than ten people waiting for work, and with a job available now, how could he not feel anxious?

Hehe, in a few days, I will bring a good bottle of wine for you, so we can have a nice drink together. Let's call it a day for now; my mother is still waiting for me. Li Feng felt touched by the warm invitation from the two elders to stay for dinner, yet he was also helpless, as he had matters to attend to at home, and he was still thinking about the seeds his father had bought.

"Let’s eat, let’s eat, haha." Zhang Lan looked at Li Feng, whose face was full of gloom, feeling heartbroken for her son. She quickly changed the subject, thinking to herself that in a few days she would look for Zhang Pozi to find a good girl for her son, so that she could hold a chubby grandson, thus fulfilling her lifelong wish.

"I went to your third uncle's house. Yesterday, you asked about the construction, right? Your third uncle is currently working with the construction team in town, so he should still be around. Your father can ask him for you." Zhang Lan said while holding a basket and walking towards the vegetable garden. After not seeing it for a night, the green peppers and eggplants had noticeably grown larger, especially the hot pepper plants, which had become even sturdier, with some being thicker than a thumb. Li Feng silently reminded himself that it wasn't just the extra watering of the green peppers that made them grow so well; the growth was truly impressive, even better than those that had been fertilized. After not seeing it for a night, the green peppers and eggplants had noticeably grown larger, especially the hot pepper plants, which had become even sturdier, with some being thicker than a thumb. Li Feng silently reminded himself that it wasn't just the extra watering of the green peppers that made them grow so well; the growth was truly impressive, even better than those that had been fertilized.

Alright, Xiaobao, in three days, Uncle will definitely let you see the bricks and tiles, the quality is absolutely top-notch. Li Qing was anxious in his heart, as he had not yet received the money for the fertilizer from his family. If the construction team had no work, he would have to carry rice himself. Compared to the wall-building work of the construction team, this was much easier, and the pay was also substantial, wasn't it

"Mistress, look, I brought you a Buddha statue." Li Feng returned home with some trinkets, including several Avalokiteshvara pendants worth a few hundred yuan each. He bought five or six of them, and this particular Buddha statue was specifically sought for the mistress. Given her poor health, it is particularly suitable for ensuring her safety. Li Feng had even had it consecrated by someone.

"Second Master, you are busy, and your health is still robust." Second Master Li was tending to the vegetable garden in the backyard, with the fence gate wide open. Li Feng walked in with a smile. The old man, over seventy, had a head of gray hair and a rosy complexion, yet he appeared youthful with his white hair.

"Mom, Xiaoying got married last year." Li Feng spoke in a somewhat subdued tone. He had genuine feelings for Xiaoying; although they had faded considerably over the years, the thought that the girl he once held in his arms had now become someone else's wife filled him with a deep sense of sorrow. It is truly unpredictable how life unfolds. Ultimately, it is Li Feng who is at fault, as he still feels an overwhelming sense of guilt towards Xiaoying.

Zhang Lan is currently contemplating whether to grow more vegetables, considering that the money for oil and salt for the entire year could be covered by the harvest from her vegetable garden.

Li Feng felt that since it could be built faster, how could he not be happy? Li Shan looked at his son, who truly seemed intent on staying at home. As their conversation progressed, he became increasingly certain. In the end, Li Feng took out two thousand yuan as a deposit. As for contracts and agreements, such formalities were not common in the countryside. You see each other every day; if someone in the village spoke out of turn today, wouldn't everyone be pointing fingers at you in just a few days?

After finishing breakfast, Li Feng rarely visits the village. Having returned for a few days, he notices that the mountain village is shaped like a crescent moon, with his home situated deep within, over a hundred meters away from the village. It didn't take long for Li Feng to walk into the village, which, according to hetushucomcom, consists of only about thirty families.

"It's nothing, Mom." Li Feng couldn't be bothered with so much. After a couple of bites, he took a big mouthful. To be honest, it was a bit chilly on his teeth, but this crisp, slightly fragrant fresh cucumber was far tastier than anything bought at the supermarket. Taking advantage of the moment when Zhang Lan was cooking, Li Feng secretly entered the space and fetched half a bucket of water. This time, he had learned from his previous lesson, watering just half a bowl for one cucumber, not daring to give it more. Otherwise, if too many cucumbers suddenly sprouted, it wouldn't be like when the new seedlings hadn't borne fruit yet; although it might seem a bit excessive, it wouldn't attract attention. However, for those who had already harvested cucumbers a few times, an unexpected surge would surely raise suspicions.

"He has arrived, he has arrived, the child's third uncle has entered the house and taken a seat, while Xiaobao goes to brew tea." Li Feng greeted his third uncle and hurriedly ran into the house to take out the tea leaves and brew the tea, then brought it to the main room and sat down. Li Qing mentioned that he is Li Feng's third uncle, but in reality, he is only four or five years older. However, looking at him, the child is already in the third grade of elementary school.

"Mom, don't just look at me, eat something too." In the morning, with several dishes on the table, Li Feng hardly touched anything else, his mind solely focused on the stewed beans. Rice porridge pairs best with these dishes; after finishing one bowl, he still wanted another.

At this moment, Zhang Lan's eyes widened, murmuring to herself, while her hands did not stop working. She had picked over a hundred green peppers, filling a bag that weighed at least sixty to seventy jin. Looking at the smaller green peppers still on the plants, she calculated in her mind that if she picked them all, each pepper plant could yield nearly a pound of peppers. She couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement, her joy evident on her face. Selling this bag of peppers would bring in over 200 yuan, enough for six months' worth of fuel expenses. In the simplicity of rural life, such calculations were indeed significant. If she picked them all, each pepper plant could yield nearly a pound of peppers. She couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement, her joy evident on her face. Selling this bag of peppers would bring in over 200 yuan, enough for six months' worth of fuel expenses. In the simplicity of rural life, such calculations were indeed significant.

Upon hearing Li Shan mention Li Qing, Li Qing quickly offered to help contact the construction team. It wasn't just a simple phone call; the contractor had been worried about not having any work lately, so without hesitation, he agreed. Now, Li Qing came over to ask Li Feng about the construction method. Meanwhile, Li Shan was considering his son's living situation and felt it was inappropriate to speak up, which led to the matter being brought home.

"Hehe, little treasure, you have returned. Second Master has much to say to you. You haven't been back for several years; do you know how much your parents have missed you?" Second Master patted the yellow earth on his hands, stood up, and looked at his grandson, the most promising one among them. Picking up the grass roots from the bamboo basket, Li Feng hurried over to lend a hand.

Before Li Shan returned, the two women had already finished picking the eggplants and tomatoes. In recent years, green tomatoes have become quite popular; when prepared, they are crisp, tangy, and especially delicious. Zhang Lan was concerned that there might be too many tomatoes, fearing that the ripe ones would go uneaten, so she left one or two plants and harvested the rest all at once. Now, their vegetables are on the market earlier than others, and the prices are definitely much higher. Looking at the eggplants and tomatoes together, there are at least a hundred or so pounds. If the market is good today, making four to five hundred yuan is absolutely no problem.

After sending off Li Qing, Zhang Lan and Li Feng helped Li Shan pack the freshly picked vegetables into the basket. Watching Li Shan briskly navigate the bumpy path and reach the main road, Zhang Lan and the others finally returned to the house after a busy morning. Li Feng's stomach growled with hunger; unable to wait any longer, he dashed into the greenhouse and grabbed two cucumbers, prompting Zhang Lan to scold him for having only cucumbers so early in the morning, as it was too cold.

"Second Master, as you said, I won't be leaving this time; I will take good care of my parents." Li Feng helped to clear the weeds onto the stone slabs by the roadside. Under the blazing sun, they would surely wither. Upon returning to the courtyard, Second Madam cheerfully took out the New Year’s fruits: mountain walnuts, almonds, melon seeds, and tea brewed with bitter grass.

"Child's mother, Xiaobao, stop being busy, Uncle San has arrived." Li Shan's voice echoed in the front yard. Li Feng was taken aback; Uncle San was here. It seemed that regarding the matter of building the house, at this time of year, the construction teams had little work. In rural areas, house construction often waits until after the autumn harvest. This period, at the transition from spring to summer, is precisely when the construction teams are the most idle and free.

On the morning of the second day, as the sky began to brighten, Li Feng listened to his parents talking and thought it was time to get up. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he put on his jacket and groggily walked outside

"Grandma, look, I’m here." Li Feng stepped forward to support Grandma, whose body was more frail than many grandfathers, slightly hunched and trembling as she walked. However, her face still radiated kindness as she stroked Li Feng's head, her expression filled with affection. When he was young, Li Feng often caused trouble, playing with the fragrant pears and the toon leaves from Grandma's house. As for the melons, a group of little kids would often steal them, and every time Grandma would just smile and never scold them, making the little ones eager to be close to her. Li Feng often caused trouble when he was young, playing with the fragrant pears and toon leaves from Grandma's house. As for the melons, a group of little kids would often steal them, and every time Grandma would just smile and never scold them, making the little ones eager to be close to her.

"Mom, why are you up so early today?" Li Feng looked at Zhang Lan packing a cloth bag, with a bicycle parked in the yard and a basket on the back seat. Li Feng patted his head, realizing that it was indeed the day to pick and sell vegetables, just as they had discussed yesterday.

You child, though you are not very old, you have quite a forgetful nature. Since you are up, wash your face and pick some vegetables while the sun has not yet risen. It is better to buy vegetables early rather than late, and the same principle applies to selling them. People who buy vegetables will not wait for you; in the morning, people are having breakfast and conveniently buy some vegetables to take home.

At this moment, Li Feng let out a sigh of relief. Although this spring water had miraculous effects, his son was not yet a prodigy. He recalled that during the time of the production team, a good chili pepper weighed over half a pound, while his own was only slightly heavier than that.

For breakfast, Zhang Lan prepared firewood on the rack to cook rice porridge, while the dish was steamed beans. Li Feng helped his mother with the stove, watching the bright red steamed beans, his mouth watering. The steamed beans were simply yellow soybeans that had been boiled, unlike fermented soybeans which had added flour to grow green mold. The steamed beans were cooked and then directly steamed, mixed with half-crushed peanuts, minced ginger, and red chili peppers. This was not all; Li Feng's family did not settle for just these ingredients. While many people used plain boiled water for steaming beans, Zhang Lan used watermelon juice. She blended the watermelon into juice, added it to the beans, and included a bit of white liquor, placing it in a jar and sealing it.