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Due to limited ingredients, the Shen Yunfang family's lunch was just cornmeal and sweet potato porridge, served with aged cucumber dipped in soybean paste.
"Do you want a drink?" Shen Yunfang successfully sent Shen Yingxue, the tagalong, back home.
She didn't want to look after anyone else's emotions right now; all she wanted to do was fill her own belly and be done with it.
After closing the door, she happily drank the cornmeal and sweet potato porridge and wasn't full until she had three big bowls.
Without taking a break and quickly tidying up, she hurriedly climbed up the mountain. Reaching the slope, she saw all fifteen sheep obediently grazing, not one missing or extra, and only then did her hanging heart settle down.
As for Shen Yingxue, walking home with her head down in dejection, she was still thinking about how to explain things to her mother, so she could let her go to school tomorrow.
When Shen Yingxue entered the home, the Shen family was also having a meal. The four of them sat together, each with a bowl of cornmeal mush in front of them, a dish of stewed potato slices in the middle, and a basket of corn bread on the table.
"You really know when to show up, coming back right at mealtime," Liu Zhaodi said, her face falling immediately when she saw her daughter had not brought back even a single blade of grass.
Shen Dafu lifted his head from the bowl and then, without saying anything, buried himself in eating again, while the two boys, Shen Yingxiong and Shen Yingcai, didn't bother to look up at all.
Shen Yingxue knew her mother's temper and figured it was best to say nothing at that moment. She went quietly to the kitchen, served herself a bowl, and obediently brought it to the table.
Liu Zhaodi was not feeling amicable toward her daughter, "I'm talking to you, are you dead or what? What were you doing out for so long, not bringing back even a blade of grass?"
Shen Yingxue took a bite of her vegetables and explained in a low voice, "I went to find Yunfang, mom. She's sick, which is why she hasn't been sending pig grass to our place. In a few days when she's better, she'll surely continue to deliver."
Although she felt that Yunfang was a bit different today, not as easy to talk to and saying she couldn't help her with the vegetables for a while, Shen Yingxue felt that it was all temporary. As long as she coaxed her a bit more, Yunfang would still be willing to help her.
"Wait? Wait? You can wait, but can the pigs wait? In a few days they will starve to death. If she delivers the grass then, what's the use? I don't care, if there's no one in the house to collect pig grass, and if that stupid girl doesn't bring any over, then you're not going to school. You stay home and work properly," said Liu Zhaodi.
Shen Yingxue bit her lip and swallowed the words that had reached her mouth, her mind racing. She was well aware of both her mother's and Shen Yunfang's temperaments, and humans naturally tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Thus, she instinctively thought about picking on the soft targets, not wanting to bring up any issues about not working hard to her mother, but considering how to win over Yunfang and have her continue to serve her.
She was thinking about how to talk with Yunfang in the afternoon when the two boys of the Shen family finished eating. They threw down their chopsticks and went out to play.
Liu Zhaodi got up from the table, taking with her the basket filled with corn bread, and said discontentedly, "Hurry up and eat. Once you're done, don't dawdle around. Go gather the pig grass right away. If there isn't enough for the pigs to eat tonight, watch your skin."
Shen Yingxue didn't want to waste any more time, hastily finishing off the last bit of her corn bread in a few bites, and quickly cleaned up the table.
The Shen family was a typical patriarchal household. If you didn't listen or work efficiently, Liu Zhaodi's big broom was ready to come swinging down.
After scrubbing the pots and washing the dishes, she thought for a while, went back to her room to change into patched clothes suitable for work, slung the basket on her back, took the sickle, and went out the door.
She headed straight for the Shen Yunfang's house, and sure enough, she saw Shen Yunfang sitting on the hillside, gazing at the sky.
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"Yunfang, I guessed you'd definitely be here," she said, approaching happily.
Shen Yunfang was somewhat unhappy. She was working on her first five-year plan in her head when she was interrupted, and by someone she didn't care for, no less. It would be strange if she was happy.
"Yingxue, came to gather grass? The tall stuff over there, I saw it just now," Shen Yunfang pointed toward the hillside.
Over there was a patch of grey-green vegetables taller than the knee. Despite the cold weather, they were still growing lushly.
Shen Yingxue glanced in the direction, but chose to sit down next to Shen Yunfang instead. She believed that cheering up Yunfang was the key priority.
"No worries, it's not going anywhere. But what about you? Aren't you feeling weak? Why are you still working? You said just this morning that your health is more important than anything, and now you're not taking care of yourself." The concern and affection in her tone were palpable, and she even reached out to touch Shen Yunfang's forehead, "Hmm, not bad, no fever. You just don't know how to look after yourself. When you have a fever, you need to drink more water; when you're sick, you have to rest more. Hey, how about this, since I'm here to cut grass anyway, I'll look after these sheep for you. Go home and rest well. You've always helped me, and finally, I have the opportunity to lend you a hand."
Shen Yunfang touched her own arm, trying to smooth back her own bristling hairs, this was just too ingratiating.
"Don't bother, if someone else sees it, they might report me. Please don't get me into trouble."
Shen Yingxue's face immediately took on a teary expression, "Yunfang, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to help you. It's always you helping me..."
Shen Yunfang nodded soothingly, "I understand what you're saying, but if people see me slacking off while I'm supposed to be working, I'll get criticized. I appreciate your kindness."
"As long as you understand my feelings, that's enough," Shen Yingxue smiled through her tears.
Shen Yunfang really felt like shouting to the heavens. Was it worth it? To get herself to work like a horse, such a young girl was already so calculating and affected. Such people, once grown up, are definitely going to be a force to reckon with.
She couldn't provoke them; it was better to keep her distance.
"Stop worrying about me and go gather the grass. If you plan to go to school tomorrow, you'll need to gather several baskets today. Better start early. I'm fine, I'll just sit here, I can't get tired, so don't mind me," Shen Yunfang waved her hand, hoping the person beside her would go about their business rather than waste time here.
Shen Yingxue looked at Shen Yunfang, then at the vegetation, and after some thought, she realized that Yunfang definitely couldn't help her today, so she must gather enough fodder for the pigs for the next two days too. Otherwise, her mother surely wouldn't let her go to the county school tomorrow. But she still needed to win over Yunfang.
"Why don't you come with me, Yunfang? You sit, I'll gather, and we can still chat," Shen Yingxue suggested with a smile.
How could Shen Yunfang agree? She would rather be far away from her. "No need, I don't feel like moving. There's sun here, and lying down is warm enough for me. You go on your own, don't worry about me." Saying that, she lay down, embodying the perfect image of a lazy person basking in the sun.
Seeing Shen Yunfang like this, Shen Yingxue had no choice but to say, "Alright, then. You lie here, I'll go over there. I'll keep an eye on your sheep, so you just relax."
"Hmm, okay, go ahead. Don't worry about the sheep; I've got them tied up. They can't run away," Shen Yunfang closed her eyes and just waved her hand.
It was finally quiet. Shen Yunfang sighed in relief and resumed pondering the five-year plan that had been interrupted.