“If I marry a city wife, won't the whole family have face?
Besides, I’m about to become official as a worker. What about Lin Tang?
She’s just a country bumpkin, a little village girl. She’s not worthy of me anymore; I deserve better!
My mother agreed to break off the engagement too. Lin Tang and I have nothing to do with each other now. I will find someone a thousand times better than her in the future!”
While complaining, Liu Guohui slipped away from home unnoticed while Liu Dazhu wasn't looking.
Liu Dazhu was so angry his chest hurt, and he sat stunned on the stool, his head slightly lowered, making his expression impossible to read.
Seeing that her old man seemed struck, Yang Chunfang nervously poured him a glass of water.
However, she didn't spare him any words, “What’s wrong? Are you going to beat me too? What can you do if Guohui doesn't like Lin Tang?”
“Besides, this is the New Era. It’s fine for young people to date on their own, right?”
“That girl Lin Tang is so dull; I’ve been dissatisfied with her for a long time. It’s already good that I tolerated her until now. What more do you want?”
Her son was about to become a worker soon, and he could find a worker wife then.
Her family would have two people holding the iron rice bowl.
Liu Dazhu glanced at his wife and shook his head.
Women have long hair but short knowledge.
Even if they were to break off the engagement, their parents should be the ones to visit in person and dissolve it privately.
Making this public, does that look good?
“I can’t reason with you. Don’t worry about this matter; I’ll go find Old Lin tomorrow.”
Even if the relationship couldn't be repaired, it shouldn't turn sour.
The Lin Family was a prominent family in the village!
Lin Tang had a head injury and was ordered by her family to rest at home, having no chance to step out the door.
After dinner, time flew by until midnight.
She signed in, filled with excitement.
“Beep, sign-in successful. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Good Luck Buff, valid for twenty-four hours.”
Good Luck Buff?
Could it be a human lucky charm?
If it weren't so late, she would have been eager to go out and test it immediately.
She fell asleep with an excited heart.
When she woke up, the sky was completely bright.
The days were bright early in this era.
Lin Tang didn't know what time it was.
Since she was awake, she had no more sleepiness, so she got up.
She washed her face following her memory.
Looking at the towel that felt like frayed cloth, and the toothbrush that was so worn out it was almost bald, Lin Tang was speechless.
“It seems the road ahead is long!”
At this time, even the mice in the poor house wouldn't bother visiting.
Lin Tang didn't bother thinking about breakfast and went out directly to try her luck.
She still remembered the Good Luck Buff she drew last night.
Shuangshan Brigade wasn't small, and there weren't few people either.
Lin was a common surname, and every household had some familial ties.
Not many people were wandering around the Brigade at this time because the villagers had all gone to work.
Passing through one low earthen house after another, Lin Tang wandered from the Brigade to the foot of the mountain.
“Tangtang, why did you come here? Is the injury on your head alright? Why aren't you staying home?” a group of thin women asked with concern when they saw her.
This woman was called Zhao Honghua, who grew up with Li Xiuli.
Both married into Shuangshan Brigade.
Lin Tang smiled and said, “Aunt Honghua! I came out for a walk, I’ll go back soon.”
Zhao Honghua moved her lips, her voice gentle and soft.
“Okay, then just take care of yourself, don't stay out too long.”
She felt that the Lin Tang before her seemed like a different person.
This young girl, Lin Tang, was actually looking people in the eye when replying.
Moreover, everyone was not getting enough to eat now; if they could lie down, they definitely wouldn't stand...
She actually came out to wander around?
Zhao Honghua thought helplessly, perhaps she came out looking for food because she was hungry.
Sigh! When would this era ever have enough to eat?
After chatting for a couple of sentences, Zhao Honghua hurried home.
Lin Tang sighed looking at how thin she was, like she could be blown away by the wind.
Her mother and brothers were also skinny as skeletons; she guessed it was the same for everyone else in the village.
Life was hard in those days!
These thoughts flashed by, and Lin Tang planned to walk up the mountain a bit.
After taking just a few steps, she heard a 'crunch' sound, as if something... broke.
“Huh?” she exclaimed in surprise.
Lin Tang curiously squatted down and flipped away the leaves and branches covering the dirt ground.
A round Wild Chicken egg, covered in droppings, came into view.
“It’s a Wild Egg!” Her luck was really good.
A hint of pleasant surprise appeared in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth lifted.
She counted carefully; besides the one she stepped on and broke, there were nearly a dozen Wild Eggs.
Thinking of scrambled eggs, egg custard, egg dumplings...
Lin Tang’s stomach, which had long lacked oil and moisture, rumbled loudly, and she swallowed with difficulty.
She took off her jacket and wrapped the Wild Eggs in it.
Just as she was about to wander around some more, she heard the voices of a few loafers from the village.
To avoid unnecessary conflict, Lin Tang turned and went straight home.
Just as she reached the doorstep, she ran into the Lin family's three brothers coming back from work.
“Tangtang, why did you go out? Does your head still hurt?” Lin Qingmu asked with concern when he saw Lin Tang.
“I’m fine.” Lin Tang’s eyes curved into crescents as she said happily, “Third Brother, I found Wild Eggs.”
The three Lin brothers looked bewildered, clearly not believing it.
Where would there be eggs in the village?
If there were, someone would have picked them up long ago.
Lin Qingmu thought his sister was delirious from hunger and looked at Lin Tang with great pity.
It seemed he would have to go to the mountains again later; even picking some Sour and astringent fruit would be better than nothing.
Lin Tang didn't know what her brothers were thinking and handed the jacket wrapped around the eggs to Lin San Ge.
Lin Qingmu looked at the bulging clothes, his pupils contracting, somewhat disbelieving.
Could it be true?
When he opened it, a very bright light shot out of his eyes.
“Hiss~~ So many Wild Eggs!! Tangtang, you are really lucky.” Lin Qingmu praised sincerely.
Unlike him, he hadn't even managed to find a single bird egg.
Lin Qingshan and Lin Qingshui were also shocked, subconsciously swallowing as they looked at the round Wild Eggs.
They had been busy in the fields outside since early morning and hadn't even had a chance to drink water.
Weren't they craving something now?
Not to mention, in this era where it was hard to even eat one’s fill, eggs were the best thing imaginable.
The last time the three brothers ate eggs was several months ago.
It wasn't that the family had no eggs.
It was just that there were many children in the family.
They also needed them to exchange for money and goods.
It was embarrassing for strong men like them to fight over them.
“Qingmu is right, Sister, you are indeed lucky to find so many at once; it’s amazing if others find one or two,” Eldest Brother Lin praised with pride.
Lin Qingshui looked forward with longing, swallowed hard, and said, “Since we got so many for free, I wonder if Mother will be generous enough to scramble a couple. We haven't had any oil in our stomachs, I'm so hungry!”
“Okay!” Lin Tang nodded, “I’ll go tell Mother.”
Li Xiuli heard the voices but didn't see anyone come in, so she called out directly.
“What are you talking about at the door? Say whatever it is inside.”