Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

"Alright, let’s do it this way. Let your mom go with you to dig, I’ll come to the mountain and look for you when it’s almost dark."

"Dad, it’s that valley you took me to." Wang Xiaolong told Wang Jianqiang.

"Alright, I know, you two are tired from a whole day, quickly go back and sleep."

Wang Ailing washed up and fell asleep on the bed. Luckily, she didn’t have to grind corn in the middle of the night.

Jiang Xinyu returned home, put the basket in her space, then went down to the cellar, took out the basket, and piled the yams inside the cellar.

Today was tiring enough, but seeing the dough that had already risen in the basin, she resignedly steamed buns so she could boil water and cook at the same time.

She took out the steamer, cleaned it, put a cloth in, and placed the prepared buns inside, filling the steamer both top and bottom.

This way, tomorrow will be better than today, won’t have to starve again like today, it’s so painful.

Jiang Xinyu also steamed an egg custard using two eggs for herself. The eggs she had weren’t many, around over a hundred pounds, bought in batches when eggs were cheapest at two yuan fifty per pound.

Looking at the three hundred pounds of pork, only able to salivate, the stew was so fragrant but really didn’t dare to cook it. The brigade still had a few pigs to be handed over, hopefully, she could get some and then seize the opportunity to stew some more to enjoy later.

Actually, buns also had a fragrance, but Jiang Xinyu’s luck was still good, tonight was windy, so nobody came.

After the buns were cooked, though looking pitch black, she broke off half and tasted it, it was still alright.

Egg custard with buns, and a piece of ham sausage; this dinner was quite well arranged.

Finished off the remaining half simply with sugar, making it even more delicious.

After eating, she didn’t wash her hair, just simply washed her neck, face, and feet. Seeing the blisters on the soles, she truly felt she was tough.

Forced herself awake at six-thirty the next morning, brushed teeth, washed face, ate a bun from her space, drank a bowl of milk powder. Found a cloth bag, packed ten buns inside, placed them in the basket, this was today’s meal.

Thought for a moment and cut a piece of pickled vegetables, didn’t slice them but cut into five pieces, to nibble on later.

Filled the kettle with water, still using yesterday’s equipment, left the house at seven.

Wang Ailing and the two met midway, "Xinyu, I was just looking for you, my family made porridge, come over and have a bowl."

"Sis, I brought buns. We don’t have to starve today."

Entering the Wang Family’s house, their house was bigger than her own, they had a proper six-room house. The layout was better than her own, plus two wing rooms.

"Xinyu, come inside for porridge."

Jiang Xinyu didn’t refuse, put her basket in the yard, took out the cloth bag, and entered the house.

"Auntie, these are the buns I steamed last night, try them."

"Xinyu, save them for lunch." Wang Ailing took them and set them aside, "This morning’s yam porridge is already good, better than the cafeteria’s vegetable porridge, and thicker."

After five people finished eating, Wang Jianqiang let the two girls go first, as their pace was slower, Wang Xiaolong and his mom would catch up.

Jiang Xinyu found it amusing, kind of like underground parties.

The two chatted and laughed, greeting villagers they met.

"Are you two going to gather firewood?"

"Yes, nothing to do now, gathering more wood saves us from being cold in winter." Wang Ailing replied with a laugh.

After they entered the mountain, within ten minutes Wang Xiaolong and his mom caught up, the four quickened their pace, and today Wang Family also brought four small hoes which were likely more useful than machetes.

The four started digging at ten, Jiang Xinyu was the slowest, but she was doing her best.

"Xinyu, no need to hurry, take your time, we’ll split the yams evenly."

"Auntie, that’s not necessary, I can’t eat so much alone."

"Just take it."

"Really, no need Auntie, just give me one-third when it’s done." Jiang Xinyu had understood Wang Family’s character, they wouldn’t bother to take advantage.

"Just take half."

"Auntie, if you give me half, I won’t come tomorrow, I don’t want any."

"You child, alright, give me the key, I’ll take this basket directly to your house."

"Great Auntie, I’m really benefiting here."

The three women joked and laughed but didn’t delay their work.

At noon, Jiang Xinyu called the others to eat, giving each two big buns and a piece of pickled vegetable.

The Wang Family didn’t stand on ceremony, wanting to get closer, skipping the formalities was best.

After eating, let the two girls pack baskets and bags, while Wang Xiaolong and his mom continued working.

This is the good thing about rural folks, as long as there are benefits, they’ll really go all out.

The two packed four baskets and ten bags they brought along. Then they didn’t rest and continued digging.

It wasn’t until four in the afternoon that Wang Jianqiang arrived carrying a basket, his basket also had bags.

The Wang Family of three each carried a basket with two bags on top; must be over two hundred pounds?

"You two don’t need to rush, just pack all the bags." Wang Jianqiang instructed them before leaving.

Jiang Xinyu hurriedly handed over a flashlight and her house key. These were surplus items she bought when she stayed as a student in high school, nowadays, it’s aluminum flashlights.

Watching the family of three leave, the two didn’t rest, promptly packed bags, as there’s still daylight to secure them.

After packing, "Xinyu, take a break, I’ll continue digging."

"Sis, no need, I can still hang on."

"Didn’t expect you with those little arms and legs to be good at working."

"For this tasty meal, I must persevere, let’s work."

Actually, Wang Ailing wanted to go back to deliver the yams together, but was refused by Wang Jianqiang, he really wasn’t assured about leaving Jiang Xinyu alone. Her family had only her left, and mistake couldn’t happen again.

The two dug another two hours, it was incredibly dark by now.

They helped each other wash hands with water, Jiang Xinyu handed Wang Ailing a bun, "Sis, eat it, so you won’t feel weak later."

"I’m not eating, my parents and brother will return later, give them each one."

"It’s okay, we can each have one and still have three left, let’s munch."

Wang Ailing was truly hungry, knowing there’s enough for her family, she didn’t hold back, took it, and nibbled little by little. It was quite cold at night in the mountains, earlier while working they didn’t feel it, but now sitting still after sweating, they realized their backs are chilly.

"Sis, this is not okay, it’s too cold, let’s gather branches, I have matches, we need to make a fire. If we catch a cold, it’ll be bad."