Chapter 20: Summer Vacation

Chapter 20: Summer Vacation

At four o'clock in the afternoon, during summer vacation, in Baoshan Village of the Datong Brigade, Deng Shirong and his eldest nephew, Bu Dashi, carried back the last load of wheat. Both were drenched in sweat, their clothes soaked through. It was no exaggeration to say that if you wrung out their shorts, water would drip.

"This kind of work really isn't for humans," Deng Shirong sighed inwardly.

In later generations, few people in his village still farmed, and those who did no longer had to endure such backbreaking labor. They could use threshers to process the rice in the fields, load it onto trucks, and drive home with ease. But in this era, Deng Shirong's body was accustomed to farm work. While the heat was unbearable, he didn't feel overly tired.

At that moment, Deng Shilan, his third sister, handed him a towel. "Brother, wipe off your sweat."

Deng Shirong nodded, took the towel, and wiped the sweat from his forehead and body. Then he said, "Third sister, third brother-in-law, it's getting late. I should head back."

Deng Shilan frowned. "What are you talking about? You brought so much meat and helped us work for half a day. You must stay for dinner."

Her husband agreed. "Yes, the meal is already cooking. It's still early. You can leave after eating."

Deng Shirong shook his head with a smile. "Third sister, third brother-in-law, don't be polite with me. If I stay for dinner, it'll be dark by the time I get back. Besides, I've been eating well lately—meat every day. I had a sumptuous meal at noon while overseeing the house visit."

Deng Shilan tried to persuade him several times, but seeing her brother's determination, she finally relented. She hurried into the house and returned with a basket of eggs. "Brother, take these eggs back with you."

Deng Shirong waved his hand. "No need. We have plenty of eggs and meat at home. Keep them for yourselves. I'll bring Yuntai and Ah Zhen to help tomorrow morning."

Deng Shilan tried to push the eggs into his hands, but he refused. She sighed helplessly. "Your production team will start harvesting soon. Don't bother coming to help. We'll finish this work in a few days."

Her husband added, "Your third sister is right. This little work is nothing for our family. Don't trouble yourself."

Deng Shirong nodded. "Alright, then I won't come tomorrow. I'll visit again when I have time."

With that, he turned and left without looking back.

After Deng Shirong left, Deng Shilan put the eggs away and began preparing the two pieces of pork belly her brother had brought. The children gathered around, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Mom, Uncle brought so much meat. Can we eat until we're full today?" asked 13-year-old Bu Xiaofang eagerly.

Deng Shilan rolled her eyes. "What are you dreaming about? Eating pork until you're tired of it? If you can have two or three pieces in one meal, you're living like a king!"

The two pieces of pork belly weighed about three or four pounds. It was impossible to finish them in one meal, and it would be too extravagant. Deng Shilan planned to stretch them over four days—or rather, four meals.

Bu Dashi chuckled. "Sister, you're really dreaming. Not just our family, but I doubt anyone in the whole village can afford to eat pork until they're tired of it."

Bu Xiaofang ignored her brother's teasing and said to her mother, "Mom, cut the meat into bigger pieces."

Deng Shilan, thinking of how hard the family had worked that day and how long it had been since they'd had meat, quietly adjusted her plan. Instead of four days, she decided to finish the pork in three days.

As she worked, she scolded, "Silly girl, all you think about is eating. Go and light the fire."

Bu Xiaofang, knowing her mother's tone wasn't truly angry, happily complied. Half an hour later, the aroma of cooking meat filled the Bu family's kitchen.

…

On the 23rd day of the fifth lunar month, a Saturday at noon, in a dormitory at Pine Mountain High School, Deng Yunheng scooped the last of the fried radish from his jar onto his rice. He waved over a classmate with acne. "There's still some oil in my jar. Do you want it? If not, I'll eat it myself."

The acne-ridden classmate's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. "Yes! Yes! I want it!"

Deng Yunheng smiled, scooped out some solidified lard with his chopsticks, and placed it on the classmate's rice. As the lard melted into the hot rice, the classmate eagerly dug in, savoring the rich flavor.

Deng Yunheng, too, began eating his meal with gusto. He had eaten braised pork three times that week, and now, on the last day of the term, he was finishing the dried radish he'd brought from home.

After washing their lunchboxes, the two packed their belongings.

"Fellow students, I'm heading home now. See you next term!"

"Take care on your long journey home. See you next term!"

"Goodbye!"

After bidding farewell to his roommates, Deng Yunheng set off for home, carrying his luggage.

By the time he reached the village, it was around four in the afternoon. After walking for over three hours with his heavy load, he was exhausted.

Before he reached home, he saw his younger brothers, Yunsong and Yunhua, waiting for him. They ran over excitedly.

"Second brother, you're back!"

"Brother, you must be tired after such a long walk. Let me help you with your luggage!"

Deng Yunheng saw through their enthusiasm immediately—they were after the money he had. Last week, his father had given him two yuan. He'd spent one yuan and twenty fens at school, leaving him with eighty fens.

He handed his luggage to them and said, "Xiaosong, Xiaohua, let me make this clear: I don't have money to buy you snacks."

Deng Yunsong took the luggage, grinning. "Second brother, we're not that shallow. Don't worry, we won't ask you for snack money."

Deng Yunhua nodded. "That's right. Snacks are nothing compared to fried bee pupae."

Seeing his younger brother steer the conversation perfectly, Deng Yunsong gave him a approving look and added, "How can snacks compare to fried bee pupae? They're nowhere near as good!"

"Fried bee pupae?" Deng Yunheng caught the key words and asked quickly, "Xiaosong, Xiaohua, how do you know fried bee pupae are delicious?"

(End of Chapter)