During times of famine: I have a spiritual spring space

Chapter 20 Picking Peanuts

Zhuang Lihui still took the food rations for himself and Zhuang Liming for two days. Although his second aunt had changed her mind and he couldn't always think about taking advantage of others, he took a few eggs from his space after thinking for a while.

Eggs are a real rarity these days; people can't even get enough to eat.

In rural areas, people usually use eggs to barter for other things. They might get a few during festivals or when a woman is in postpartum confinement, which shows how precious eggs are.

Zhuang Zhenmin was overjoyed to see his two nephews arrive, but his face suddenly darkened when he noticed what Zhuang Lihui was holding: "Lihui, what are you holding?"

Zhuang Lihui forced a smile and said, "Second Uncle, this is two days' worth of food for me and Liming!"

Zhuang Zhenmin was a little unhappy: "Does Li Hui look down on your second uncle? He can't even afford two days' worth of food for you?"

If outsiders found out, what face would he have left?

Zhuang Lihui explained, "Second Uncle, it's not as serious as you make it out to be. These days, who goes out for a meal without bringing their own food?"

He didn't want his second uncle and aunt to quarrel over this little bit of food; he didn't lack food at all.

Second Aunt chimed in, "Lihui is right!"

There's never too much grain. The older generation always valued grain highly, and having experienced years of famine, they were always calm and collected as long as they had surplus grain at home.

Seeing Zhuang Lihui's determined expression and his wife's attempts to persuade him, she had no choice but to step aside and let Zhuang Lihui carry the corn inside.

Zhuang Lihui took out the eggs he had prepared in advance: "Second Aunt, boil these eggs today. Let everyone have a taste."

Everyone was shocked by Zhuang Lihui's words; they had all forgotten what an egg tasted like.

Even if my second aunt values ​​food highly, she absolutely cannot agree to this. Otherwise, she won't be able to get a good night's sleep, as Zhuang Zhenmin will definitely nag her all night long.

Even if the eggs are delicious, you still have to consider your husband's attitude.

Zhuang Liming stared wide-eyed. How come he didn't know Zhuang Lihui had eggs in his hand? Did someone give them to him when he went to help out today?

Stone and Little Flower couldn't help but swallow hard.

Zhuang Zhenmin sternly refused: "No, it's too expensive. You should take it back and eat it with Liming!"

Accepting Zhuang Lihui's food rations was already his bottom line.

Having no other option, Zhuang Lihui could only threaten, "Second Uncle, if you don't accept us, Liming and I won't stay here. We'll go stay at Chen Jian'an's house. I believe they'll welcome us."

Having food is like being the boss; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them "God."

Auntie quickly tugged at Zhuang Zhenmin's arm, her meaning perfectly clear.

She wasn't particularly craving eggs, but it would be best if her two children could have a bite.

Looking into the eyes of his wife and children, Zhuang Zhenmin ultimately fell silent and said nothing.

Zhuang Lihui then smiled.

"Second Uncle, that's more like it!"

My aunt took the grain and eggs into the kitchen, her smile never fading. It seems my nephew's family is really doing well; they can even get eggs now.

Everyone had a lavish dinner tonight, which would seem rather meager in later generations. Of course, compared to life decades from now, it would be idiotic.

Since there wasn't much oil at home, I could only boil it in water, which would preserve the nutrients to the greatest extent possible.

Zhuang Liming carefully peeled the eggshell, afraid of damaging the egg.

Zhuang Lihui was straightforward and forceful. He banged on the dining table, and after the egg cracked, he pressed it down with his palm and rolled it on the table. If you listened carefully, you could still hear the cracking sound of the eggshell breaking. He peeled the eggshell clean in one go and then swallowed it in one gulp.

Feeling a bit choked, I picked up the water glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhuang Liming said, "Brother, aren't you wasting food? Eating like this, you don't even get to taste it. You should eat like me, chewing slowly and carefully, so you can savor the flavor."

Zhuang Lihui said nonchalantly, "Alright, it's just an egg."

I've been here for a while now, but it's hard to change old habits overnight.

Everyone was very satisfied with the meal.

.......

The next day, Zhuang Lihui said, "Second Aunt, Chen Jian'an and the others will be coming over to help later. Could you please cook lunch for me? If the corn I brought isn't enough, have Liming go back and get some more."

My aunt didn't refuse: "It's nothing, the corn you brought yesterday is enough."

Only then did Zhuang Lihui feel relieved and head to the place he had agreed to meet with Xiao Fan and Xiao Yu.

Having learned from experience, this time it was much faster than yesterday. When they arrived at their destination, they found that the siblings had not yet arrived. They quickly took out a large amount of peanuts from their spatial storage, and placed several sacks next to them to hold the peanuts.

Today's task was to pick these peanuts. Zhuang Lihui didn't have to wait long, less than twenty minutes.

Xiao Fan and Xiao Yu saw Zhuang Lihui from afar and quickly ran over, afraid that Zhuang Lihui would get impatient if they waited too long.

They left early today, thinking they wouldn't keep Zhuang Lihui waiting, but they were still late, mainly because their village is quite far from here.

Seeing the two panting heavily, Zhuang Lihui took out a water bottle: "No need to rush!"

The two siblings were astonished by the sight of the peanuts on the ground; it was the first time in the past two years they had seen so many. The past two years had been marked by drought, resulting in poor harvests and even complete crop failure for many crops.

In the past, their village would grow some peanuts, and each household could get a pound or two of peanut oil, but that's stopped in the last two years.

"Big brother, are all of these yours?"

He even stuttered a little when he spoke. After finishing, he realized he had said something wrong and quickly lowered his head. His mother had told him not to ask so many questions.

Zhuang Lihui laughed and said, "That's right! Your task today is to pick these peanuts, and I'll still give each of you five ears of corn."

In later generations, even dogs would shake their heads at such a wage, but in this era, there were plenty of people eager to do it, unlike Zhuang Lihui who was exploiting child laborers.

"Isn't this a bit too much, brother?" Xiao Fan couldn't help but remind him.

Zhuang Lihui said, "This is no easy task, let's get started!"

Xiao Fan and Xiao Yu didn't say much and started working.

Each person grabs a handful of dried peanuts, still smelling of earth, and picks them from the peanut seedlings first.

These peanuts are dried out.

"Big brother, do you want me to peel it?"

For children like them who grew up in the countryside, peeling peanuts wasn't difficult. The shells were hard, with rough textures, and slightly bulging at both ends. They would pinch the seam in the middle of the shell between their thumb and forefinger and gently squeeze.

With a crisp "crack," the hard shell split open.

Then, following the crack, break it open with your fingers, and the brown peanut shell splits in two, inside which are two or three plump pink peanuts.

"No need, we can talk about it after we peel it. Just pick it off first."

Hearing their older brother say that, the two little ones stopped talking nonsense and acted quite quickly.

"By the way, if you get tired of picking them, you can peel a few to eat, but don't eat too many, or you'll get an upset stomach," Zhuang Lihui added.