Chapter 209. A wild boar
The meal was eaten at old Zhou's house. After the meal, the two sisters came over and sat around.
Lin Qing He welcomed them. After all, the two of them weren't some high-ranking relatives and were still very peaceful. So it was okay to have these two relatives in the house.
Both First Sister and Second Sister knew Fourth's wife had really changed for the better. Naturally, they were willing to mingle with them.
Before Lin Qing He came over, they hadn't taken a single step here. Of course, the original owner wouldn't care if they did.
In the mind of the original owner, it would be better to remove the relationship with these two paupers earlier.
Eldest Sister and Second Sister took their own man back once it was two o'clock in the afternoon. The two families walked on the same road, so the two sisters had a chat.
"Fourth's wife is getting more and more sensible now." Eldest Sister remarked with great satisfaction.
"In the past, Qing Bai wasn't at home. A woman on her own with three children, wasn't easy especially since she was still young at that time," said Second Sister.
She pinpointed this as the cause.
Eldest Brother thought so too.
For a woman, the rest wasn't important. Just can't go without a man in the family.
The men in the family are just like the pillars, how can they do without pillars?
Eldest Sister and Second Sister both had very traditional minds. But because of this mind, they both lived very contentedly.
Although the parents-in-law were partial to the first branch on Second Sister's side, the couple had have moved out now. No matter what happens in the future, it won't affect them.
So the heart was at ease.
"Eldest sister, I'm afraid it will take a while to pay back the money I owe you." Second Sister told Eldest Sister.
"Live your life well first before we talk about it." Eldest Sister didn't mind much.
The conditions at her home weren't great, but she wasn't in a hurry to spend money.
The two sisters talked all the way until the point of splitting away. Only then they took their man home.
Lin Qing He didn't know about the sisters' conversation revolving around her. She was in the middle of steaming red beans.
She was planning to make some red bean mantou.
The red beans were boiled until the water is gone. Use a spoon to pound these cooked red beans into red bean paste. Then add the appropriate amount of sugar and stir well.
Afterward, scoop it out, put it on the rolled dough, wrap it up, and put it in the pot. The steamed out mantou will come out with red bean paste filling.
It was just slightly sweet. Still, Zhou Qing Bai can eat seven of this mantou in one meal.
The boys especially liked them.
Not to mention Father Zhou and Mother Zhou. Each can eat a few with the soup made with crushed sesame and peanuts.
Seeing how freezing this year's winter was, they didn't go to the city to play. Wait until it's almost spring and see. It was better to take a photo once a year as a memory keepsake.
Zhou Qing Bai and his two younger sons had nothing to do and went hunting pheasants and hares every day. Lin Qing He cooked up wonderful food at home when idle.
Speaking of which, the busiest was Da Wa. He memorized texts, solved math problems, and wrote essays.
On the seventh day of the first month, Lin Qing He gave him a day off.
"Your father and your uncle are going to a place farther away to hunt pheasants. Want ti go with them?" Lin Qing He asked.
Da Wa was really excited, so he looked at his father.
Zhou Qing Bai had no objection, but stated: "Don't hold us back."
"I definitely won't!" Da Wa immediately vowed.
Because the place they were going was so far away, Er Wa and San Wa couldn’t join. It was no problem for Da Wa. This kid was still developing, comparable to an average 14-year-old. He was already one meter sixty.
Last year, he sprouted ten centimeters. During this winter, she got to make two new sets for him. Last year's ones can't be worn.
What's more, his physical fitness was great. If it weren't for the extreme cold, he would go for a run with his father.
Once Third Brother Lin came over, they set off together. Each carried a hatchet for emergency situations.
After all, in winter, it wasn't strange for large wild animals to come out for food.
Of course, Zhou Qing Bai didn't need it. He was quite capable, can handle with his bare hands. A wolf might not be his opponent.
Third Brother Lin and Da Wa had one each, There was also mantou. They didn't need to come back to eat at noon. Just having mantou outside.
It was just one meal, so don't worry about it. A hearty meal will be made when they come back tonight.
It was getting dark, nearly reaching the evening when Zhou Qing Bai, Da Wa, and Third Brother Lin dragged a giant creature back.
Yes, a giant creature!
"Wild boar!" Lin Qing He's eyes bulged out as she uttered in surprise.
This giant creature that was dragged back on a wooden board was truly a wild boar with fangs!
Today they went hunting pheasants, but unexpectedly, such a big wild boar was brought back!
Father Zhou and Mother Zhou came over. Obviously, they were surprised to see such a big wild boar.
"Are Qing Bai and Da Wa okay?" Mother Zhou hurriedly asked.
"They're fine. Father, Mother, don't worry." Lin Qing He comforted.
Third Brother Lin was fine too.
Speaking of this wild boar, there was a certain element of luck. It was Zhou Qing Bai, who dealt the greatest damage. He struck this thick-skinned wild boar twice and force the wild boar to charge toward him. What ability did Zhou Qing Bai?
He deliberately chopped at it. It just happened that it slammed into the boulder when Zhou Qing Bai dodged. Then another two strikes were added and the wild boar was dead.
Although the process described by Da Wa sounded simple, it was obviously thrilling on the spot.
At this time, the three of them were all eating. They had ribs noodles. Also a bowl of scrambled eggs as an accompaniment.
Including Zhou Qingbai, they were all-devouring. Even a brawny man like Zhou Qing Bai was drained after dragging such a wild boar back from such a far place. Especially when they only ate two mantou at noon. They weren't filling at all.
After seeing all three of them were in perfect condition, Mother Zhou was relieved.
Villagers standing outside the door wanted to get some benefit and couldn't endure anymore: "Teacher Lin, this wild boar is such a big one. How about dividing it?"
Before Lin Qing He opened her mouth, Mother Zhou spouted: "You can dream on. My family's Qing Bai and the others used their life to get it. You want to get it by opening your mouth. Why don't you fly to heaven?"
"Our family can't finish this meat. However, Da Wa will enter high school this year. Our family normally got large expenses. There's not much money left. This wild boar came at the right time." Lin Qing He said.
Everyone understood at once. This was for sale?
"Isn't Da Wa in the First Year of junior high school? Why is he going to high school?" someone asked.
"Planning to skip a grade this year and directly enter the Second Year. Isn't there a high school entrance exam in the second semester?" Lin Qinghe said.
Everyone was in an uproar.
"This boar meat count as a normal exchange. It's not selling. The family got no choice, they got to provide for the children's education. If anyone wants to report my fourth boy selling, then you can try. My ancestors were more than a dozen generations of poor peasants. We just want to produce a college student to serve the country!" Father Zhou stated.
The meal was eaten at old Zhou's house. After the meal, the two sisters came over and sat around.
Lin Qing He welcomed them. After all, the two of them weren't some high-ranking relatives and were still very peaceful. So it was okay to have these two relatives in the house.
Both First Sister and Second Sister knew Fourth's wife had really changed for the better. Naturally, they were willing to mingle with them.
Before Lin Qing He came over, they hadn't taken a single step here. Of course, the original owner wouldn't care if they did.
In the mind of the original owner, it would be better to remove the relationship with these two paupers earlier.
Eldest Sister and Second Sister took their own man back once it was two o'clock in the afternoon. The two families walked on the same road, so the two sisters had a chat.
"Fourth's wife is getting more and more sensible now." Eldest Sister remarked with great satisfaction.
"In the past, Qing Bai wasn't at home. A woman on her own with three children, wasn't easy especially since she was still young at that time," said Second Sister.
She pinpointed this as the cause.
Eldest Brother thought so too.
For a woman, the rest wasn't important. Just can't go without a man in the family.
The men in the family are just like the pillars, how can they do without pillars?
Eldest Sister and Second Sister both had very traditional minds. But because of this mind, they both lived very contentedly.
Although the parents-in-law were partial to the first branch on Second Sister's side, the couple had have moved out now. No matter what happens in the future, it won't affect them.
So the heart was at ease.
"Eldest sister, I'm afraid it will take a while to pay back the money I owe you." Second Sister told Eldest Sister.
"Live your life well first before we talk about it." Eldest Sister didn't mind much.
The conditions at her home weren't great, but she wasn't in a hurry to spend money.
The two sisters talked all the way until the point of splitting away. Only then they took their man home.
Lin Qing He didn't know about the sisters' conversation revolving around her. She was in the middle of steaming red beans.
She was planning to make some red bean mantou.
The red beans were boiled until the water is gone. Use a spoon to pound these cooked red beans into red bean paste. Then add the appropriate amount of sugar and stir well.
Afterward, scoop it out, put it on the rolled dough, wrap it up, and put it in the pot. The steamed out mantou will come out with red bean paste filling.
It was just slightly sweet. Still, Zhou Qing Bai can eat seven of this mantou in one meal.
The boys especially liked them.
Not to mention Father Zhou and Mother Zhou. Each can eat a few with the soup made with crushed sesame and peanuts.
Seeing how freezing this year's winter was, they didn't go to the city to play. Wait until it's almost spring and see. It was better to take a photo once a year as a memory keepsake.
Zhou Qing Bai and his two younger sons had nothing to do and went hunting pheasants and hares every day. Lin Qing He cooked up wonderful food at home when idle.
Speaking of which, the busiest was Da Wa. He memorized texts, solved math problems, and wrote essays.
On the seventh day of the first month, Lin Qing He gave him a day off.
"Your father and your uncle are going to a place farther away to hunt pheasants. Want ti go with them?" Lin Qing He asked.
Da Wa was really excited, so he looked at his father.
Zhou Qing Bai had no objection, but stated: "Don't hold us back."
"I definitely won't!" Da Wa immediately vowed.
Because the place they were going was so far away, Er Wa and San Wa couldn’t join. It was no problem for Da Wa. This kid was still developing, comparable to an average 14-year-old. He was already one meter sixty.
Last year, he sprouted ten centimeters. During this winter, she got to make two new sets for him. Last year's ones can't be worn.
What's more, his physical fitness was great. If it weren't for the extreme cold, he would go for a run with his father.
Once Third Brother Lin came over, they set off together. Each carried a hatchet for emergency situations.
After all, in winter, it wasn't strange for large wild animals to come out for food.
Of course, Zhou Qing Bai didn't need it. He was quite capable, can handle with his bare hands. A wolf might not be his opponent.
Third Brother Lin and Da Wa had one each, There was also mantou. They didn't need to come back to eat at noon. Just having mantou outside.
It was just one meal, so don't worry about it. A hearty meal will be made when they come back tonight.
It was getting dark, nearly reaching the evening when Zhou Qing Bai, Da Wa, and Third Brother Lin dragged a giant creature back.
Yes, a giant creature!
"Wild boar!" Lin Qing He's eyes bulged out as she uttered in surprise.
This giant creature that was dragged back on a wooden board was truly a wild boar with fangs!
Today they went hunting pheasants, but unexpectedly, such a big wild boar was brought back!
Father Zhou and Mother Zhou came over. Obviously, they were surprised to see such a big wild boar.
"Are Qing Bai and Da Wa okay?" Mother Zhou hurriedly asked.
"They're fine. Father, Mother, don't worry." Lin Qing He comforted.
Third Brother Lin was fine too.
Speaking of this wild boar, there was a certain element of luck. It was Zhou Qing Bai, who dealt the greatest damage. He struck this thick-skinned wild boar twice and force the wild boar to charge toward him. What ability did Zhou Qing Bai?
He deliberately chopped at it. It just happened that it slammed into the boulder when Zhou Qing Bai dodged. Then another two strikes were added and the wild boar was dead.
Although the process described by Da Wa sounded simple, it was obviously thrilling on the spot.
At this time, the three of them were all eating. They had ribs noodles. Also a bowl of scrambled eggs as an accompaniment.
Including Zhou Qingbai, they were all-devouring. Even a brawny man like Zhou Qing Bai was drained after dragging such a wild boar back from such a far place. Especially when they only ate two mantou at noon. They weren't filling at all.
After seeing all three of them were in perfect condition, Mother Zhou was relieved.
Villagers standing outside the door wanted to get some benefit and couldn't endure anymore: "Teacher Lin, this wild boar is such a big one. How about dividing it?"
Before Lin Qing He opened her mouth, Mother Zhou spouted: "You can dream on. My family's Qing Bai and the others used their life to get it. You want to get it by opening your mouth. Why don't you fly to heaven?"
"Our family can't finish this meat. However, Da Wa will enter high school this year. Our family normally got large expenses. There's not much money left. This wild boar came at the right time." Lin Qing He said.
Everyone understood at once. This was for sale?
"Isn't Da Wa in the First Year of junior high school? Why is he going to high school?" someone asked.
"Planning to skip a grade this year and directly enter the Second Year. Isn't there a high school entrance exam in the second semester?" Lin Qinghe said.
Everyone was in an uproar.
"This boar meat count as a normal exchange. It's not selling. The family got no choice, they got to provide for the children's education. If anyone wants to report my fourth boy selling, then you can try. My ancestors were more than a dozen generations of poor peasants. We just want to produce a college student to serve the country!" Father Zhou stated.
Oh wow! Wish I had a man like Qing Bai 😍! Thanks for the chap!
ReplyDeleteReally? They just expect to get some after asking? Don't even offer anything?
ReplyDeleteI mean, they're starving bumpkins freezing to death half the time.
DeleteSo yeah, they ask. Being turned down doesn't hurt, and if on the off chance they get some, then good for them.
They are communists, what did you expect. In fact, Lin Qinghe is the weird one in this whole story, lol.
DeleteYes, yes. Commenter above me is right. During that time, even the stones or grass outside one’s yard is the collective property of the commune. Everything, even the wild vegetables they foraged and, of course, wild animals they caught were technically public property. This village was already very loose in execution. If they wanted to go by law, even the rabbits that Qing Bai caught before should have been remitted to public supply. In their time, if people were petty, they could label others as capitalists - keeping private property, and enforcers would crack down on them cruelly even just to keep the peace and serve as examples to others. It’s like in some of what I’ve read about the same timeline in the west when even one family member could vouch insanity and people would just get caught and sent in asylums or the witch hunt where anything and everything could make you a witch. However, at this time, China really had no choice. Before communism was the time of the capitalists. It’s just like any other country now but much worse and on a much grander scale where the rich get richer as they hoard the resources of the country while the poor just die. When communism came about, it’s like this. Everyone works the field to get a share of the food to eat, but work was a blessing since it ensures food. That’s also part of the reason why people want to birth more babies - more babies mean more manpower to earn more work points meaning more food allocation. Boys are favored since they will stay and work for the family with the parents while girls not so much since they will marry away and help out her husband’s family. Communism was really regarded as the poor people’s heaven back then. Thinking about it, they had none before but now it’s against the law to deny them of resources while the rich had to submit their riches (mainly land while material wealth became junk) to the government and private employment became illegal. So at that time, everyone was supposedly quite “equal”. Leaders, of course, get more perks. The capitalists, I dunno, they got executed, banished, imprisoned, or escaped to other countries. Even the intellectuals, man, they sure got the short end of the stick. The intellectuals, even though they were not so rich but they were considered to have taught capitalism and they were against communism so they were exiled to very remote villages where they were treated as pariahs. Several families were all kept in abandoned sheds/collective housing and they were not even given the chance to work to earn work points. Education was considered a source of capitalist evil. Many educators and their family died so when the college examination was reinstated, only few were able to come back and there was just a period when China was looked down upon by other countries for being backwards and ignorant. After all, they had to build their education system back up from almost scratch.
DeleteAnyways… yeah.
Killing a wild boar without weapon is really impressive. Those suckers can kill a grown man!
ReplyDeletePerson above should consider that during this time, everything was distributed and planned by government. Private business was essentially outlawed. This is why father-in-law dares them to report the family for selling the meat. So, yes, they'd ask for it for free because it wasn't technically legal to sell it.
LoL thats why they want to 'exchange' it with money
DeleteTechnically, they're just holding the old-school form of a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Da Wa to go to high school. It's just that they'd be accepting funds for a limited time, and all contributors would receive some boar meat as a token of their appreciation...
Delete(Selling? What selling? Nobody's selling anything! Just good honest country folks helping each other out)
Lol. But, it's basically what @Pomelo said. 😅
DeleteThanks for the chapter!
ReplyDeleteBoth Firs Sister and Second Sister knew -> First, t is missing
Then add appropriate sugar and stir well. -> appropriate amount of sugar
Of course, the original owner couldn't care if they did. -> wouldn't care
pheasants. Go with them? -> maybe change to 'Want to go with them?'
He was already one meter six. -> six or sixty? Cause it was said before he was nearly 1,60 but I'm not sure if it meant for example 1,58 or 1,06
One carried a hatchet each for emergency situations. -> either remove 'each' or move it to the beginning of the sentence 'Each one carried....'
Thanks Dorai_O! Adjusted!
DeleteThanks for the chapter !
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chapter!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm confused....wasn't Da Wa going to second year of junior high? Isn't he currently in first year of junior high? So when she said they were skipping a grade, she meant that Da Wa was skipping second year of junior high and is going straight to first year of high school?
I thought she meant Da Wa was skipping to the second semester of second year since he would be in the second semester of first year after the break...
I look forward to your chapters everyday! It really makes my day and I have shared it with several friends. Thank you for all of your hard work!
ReplyDeleteI bought you some Starbucks to thank you for all your hard work on this project it really means a lot to me to read this novel in such a well translated fashion. I read the MTL version but it cannot compare to your translations!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Unknown! 😘
DeleteSo you're saying a 10-year-old is about as tall (if not taller) than me... cry😭
ReplyDeleteand I'm turning 26 this April...
DeleteYou will be surprise how tall kids nowadays is, I feel like minion between junior high schooler 😭 I regret not drowning in milk when I was young 😓
Delete