Upon returning home, Eldest Brother's Wife had already prepared a large table of food, the aroma of which wafted far and wide.
During the few days Qin Sang was away, Carpenter Zhao had not only added two large beds to the house but also a set of square tables and chairs; finally, they didn't have to sit on stones to eat.
Qin Sang was invited to sit in the seat of honor, and she pressed Eldest Girl down into the seat beside her. The two brothers, A Shui and A Jing, sat to Qin Sang's left, while Eldest Brother and Third Brother each sat on a long bench. Seeing Wen Mo and several girls standing to the side, Qin Sang asked them to come and eat together, but they said they had already eaten their evening meal.
Qin Sang smiled and said:
"It's been a long time since the evening meal, and you've been busy for so long at this hour. Everyone, come and eat a bit; otherwise, with such a large table, wouldn't it be a waste if we can't finish it all?"
Only then did several people each take a bowl and come over. Since there were outside men present, only Wen Mo sat down next to San Gui. The other girls took some food and went to their rooms to eat. Qin Sang didn't force them and beckoned A Shui and A Jing to start using their chopsticks.
"This is wild pork, give it a try. This is vegetable and minced meat soup, this is chili with century eggs, that is shredded potatoes..."
Qin Sang introduced the dishes to the two of them as she ate.
A Shui and A Jing's eyes went wide.
Not only was a large bowl of white rice placed before them, but the portion of every dish on the table was very generous.
In all their years growing up, even during past festivals, their family had never eaten so many good dishes.
"Aunt... Aunt, there's no need to make so many dishes specifically for us. We'd be fine with just a mouthful of porridge. Aunt, you should put these dishes away. A Shui and I can just share half a bowl of rice."
A Shui was worried that Qin Sang's family felt they were guests and were using up the family's limited food supplies to entertain them.
According to his experience, the food on this table could last the two brothers for two months.
Therefore, A Shui didn't dare move his chopsticks at all, and A Jing also sat motionless, even though his saliva kept secreting at the sight of the fragrant food.
Knowing the two brothers were sensible, Qin Sang smiled and used her chopsticks to give them a large serving of steamed meat slices from the very center:
"Don't worry, Aunt's family has food; there's no need to drink porridge. There's still plenty of this wild pork at home. The weather is hot, and if we don't eat it quickly, it won't keep. So eat with peace of mind."
After serving the meat slices, Qin Sang used a soup ladle to scoop a full serving of vegetable and minced meat soup into A Jing's bowl, filling the ceramic bowl to the brim.
After finishing with A Jing, she did the same for A Shui. A Shui's right hand was injured, so a wooden spoon was placed in his bowl. Qin Sang also filled his bowl with a generous amount of food and soup before placing it back in front of him:
"Eat quickly. After eating, sit for a while before going to sleep."
Qin Sang didn't forget Eldest Girl beside her. Although they had already eaten, their standard of living surely plummeted when she wasn't around, so she also served her plenty of meat slices and vegetable soup.
Eldest Girl liked century eggs, so Qin Sang gave her two wedges.
Eldest Girl's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled:
"Thank you, Grandma."
Qin Sang began to eat heartily herself. Da Zhuang and San Gui also repeatedly urged the two brothers, A Shui and A Jing, to help themselves to the food, while they themselves didn't forget to eat and chew vigorously. Wen Mo ate very refinedly, only scooping half a bowl of soup.
Da Zhuang and San Gui were actually at the age where they ate the most. One bowl of rice wasn't enough, so the two brothers served themselves another. With them taking the lead, A Shui and A Jing finally relaxed a bit.
However, they were still internally astonished. Aunt said they had entered the mountains to take refuge; was life during such an escape actually this good?
These meat slices were so delicious; the fat was soft, savory, and fragrant in the mouth. The melt-in-the-mouth sensation made them reluctant to swallow such a delicacy.
Vegetable soup—there was actually vegetable soup.
One must know that after the locust plague, they didn't even have tree leaves to eat. Yet now, Aunt's family had such delicious vegetables, and they were even used to make soup. Heaven knows they had survived back then on just the half bowl of water that dripped out of a Cave every night. A Shui felt he could drink three large bowls of this soup alone.
The white rice was so soft and glutinous. According to the idle chatter A Shui had heard from adults before, he had only heard that the families of wealthy landowners could afford to eat dry rice, and even then, it was usually cooked with Millet. What kind of conditions did Aunt's family have?
These black century eggs were also very tasty. Upon eating them, there was a cool sensation in the mouth at the end, making it feel like much of the summer heat had dissipated. They were just a bit spicy, but it was so satisfying.
What vegetable were these shredded potatoes made from? He had never tasted them before, but they were delicious.
A Shui and A Jing both felt as if they were in a dream. They chewed and swallowed every mouthful slowly, for fear of missing the wonderful flavors within.
Qin Sang asked, "A Shui, there's something I need to ask you two brothers."
A Shui immediately put down his chopsticks and said seriously, "Please ask, Aunt."
Qin Sang smiled and said:
"Keep eating. It's not a big matter; just listen while you eat."
Only then did A Shui hesitantly pick up his chopsticks, his downcast eyes dimming slightly.
Aunt was likely going to talk about whether the two brothers would stay or leave.
Of course he wanted to stay here; the uncles and Aunts here were all very kind, but he felt it was unlikely.
Whatever. Since staying here was a pipe dream, he might as well prepare early. He was an adult and could take good care of his younger brother.
Qin Sang spoke and said:
"Aunt wants to ask you, do you still have any relatives or friends?"
A Shui shook his head:
"Although I still have my maternal grandparents' family, my grandmother, grandfather, and uncle sold my mother here. We cut off ties long ago, and I don't know where they are now."
Qin Sang asked again:
"Then what are your plans next? Are you willing to stay here and become a member of Tianjia Village?"
Hearing the end, A Shui suddenly looked up:
"Is that possible?"
Qin Sang smiled and said:
"I estimate it won't be difficult. At the meeting tomorrow morning, the Village Chief will tell everyone about you two brothers. Of course, we also need to ask clearly about your intentions first.
If you want to go out and live on your own, the village will give you the rice, grain, and... that you deserve."
Before Qin Sang could finish, A Shui said impatiently:
"Aunt, we are willing to stay. Please help us, Aunt."
Seeing his eager look, Qin Sang nodded:
"It's fine if you want to stay; I will do my best to persuade the villagers of Tianjia Village. But I must emphasize one point first: if we really agree to let you stay, you must abide by the village's rules and follow the village's arrangements. At that time, there will be patrol and hunting tasks in the village. If we really encounter danger, everyone must face it together. Especially, you must not collude with outsiders or betray Tianjia Village."
A Shui felt none of these requirements were a problem. He nodded seriously:
"Aunt, we can do it. We will absolutely follow the village's arrangements."
...
The next day, early in the morning, Qin Sang was woken up by the sound of talking outside.
Getting up to look, she found that the villagers had gathered at her doorstep. The old Village Chief was also slowly walking over, supported by Tian Yougen:
"Da Zhuangs Mother, everyone said there are too many people at the clearing, so they said to come here to your place for the meeting."
Qin Sang smiled and agreed:
"No problem. Da Zhuang, quickly take the stools out for the Village Chief and everyone to sit on."
Although they basically all lived in wooden houses in the camp now, not many families had specially asked Carpenter Zhao to make wooden tables and long benches.
Knowing a meeting was to be held here, Eldest Brother's Wife and the others supported Third Brother's Wife as they went to Carpenter Zhao's house. Er Fu, Si Jin, and the others also took Eldest Girl and led Wen Mo to other places to gather firewood.
The villagers consciously gave up the stools for the elderly to sit on. Everyone knew this meeting concerned the distribution of money and grain, and every single face was full of joy.
Qin Sang sat on a large stone, listening to everyone discussing how many catties of grain and how many Copper Coins each family could receive, her expression remaining calm.
Once everyone had arrived, the Village Chief cleared his throat and waited for everyone to quiet down before speaking:
"This time, under the leadership of Da Zhuangs Mother, everyone defeated the Rebel Soldiers and seized a great deal. It is truly worth celebrating."
Everyone beamed with joy, their gazes toward the Village Chief burning with excitement...