Wang Chunhua took out the steamed buns and mantou from the basket and handed them to Xia Da Ya.
“You didn’t eat enough at noon, right? I bought these buns and mantou in the county town. Take them and share with the two little ones to fill your stomach. Later, Mother will cook something good for you.”
“Mother, we don’t need buns. Mantou is enough. Please save the buns for you and Second Sister to eat tomorrow morning,” Xia Da Ya said nervously.
“You don’t need to worry about me or that girl. We already ate on the way back. If I tell you to eat, just eat. Stop refusing.” Wang Chunhua said firmly.
Xia Er Gou also helped persuade her: “Da Ya, just eat it. Mother said she already ate.”
Hearing both of them say so, Xia Da Ya finally accepted it. “Thank you, Mother.”
Wang Chunhua carried the three large baskets back into the room and closed the door. Once inside, she brought everything into the space.
But as soon as she entered, she saw the fields were already fully ripe, and immediately rushed to harvest.
When Xia Yan entered the space, she saw her mother working nonstop like a spinning top.
“Mom, didn’t the system have a one-key harvest function? Why are you doing it manually?”
“Oh! I just saw everything ripened at once and forgot,” Wang Chunhua said, slapping her forehead.
Xia Yan sighed and activated the function. In an instant, all the crops were harvested and automatically threshed, neatly piled up.
But after using it, she felt a wave of exhaustion.
“Mom… I’m tired and hungry. Give me something to eat,” she weakly said.
Wang Chunhua quickly went to the spring and washed her hands before handing her food.
After Xia Yan recovered, she said, “Mom, sort out everything we bought. Exchange what can be exchanged.”
Wang Chunhua nodded and began organizing.
She called out to the system:
“I want to exchange 20 jin of salt into refined salt, these cosmetics into modern cosmetics, plus duck eggs, goose eggs, seeds, saplings, and copper tools.”
The system replied:
“Only cosmetics, seeds, duck eggs, and goose eggs can be exchanged. Rice and flour can also be upgraded to refined grains. Salt and other items cannot be directly exchanged. However, a purification method for salt will be provided.”
Xia Yan immediately complained, “This system is useless!”
But Wang Chunhua was satisfied. At least there was a method—she could produce refined salt herself in the future.
The system then transmitted the salt purification method directly into both their minds.
It also completed exchanges for eggs and seeds, and confirmed:
“Live animals have been delivered as last time. Please check after exiting the space.”
Then it added:
“The crops have been partially exchanged: 340 jin of rice, 783 jin of wheat, producing 272 jin of rice and 564 jin of refined flour. Bran has also been processed.”
Wang Chunhua thanked the system, and it went offline.
After exiting the space, Xia Yan handed the fresh cucumbers and pastries to Xia Da Ya.
But Xia Da Ya immediately scolded her, thinking she was eating carelessly again. Xia Yan felt confused—this usually gentle sister suddenly turned strict.
Only later did she realize: Da Ya was worried about her health.
After some explanation, misunderstandings were cleared.
Later, in the kitchen, Xia Yan secretly used the salt purification method.
She dissolved the salt in water, filtered it multiple times using charcoal and cloth, then boiled it until crystals formed.
After one hour, pure white salt finally appeared.
At the same time, Wang Chunhua returned with Xia Da Ya after handling the pig intestines.
Seeing the result, both were pleasantly surprised.
“This is refined salt!” Wang Chunhua explained.
Xia Da Ya looked shocked. “So salt needs purification?”
“Yes. Ordinary salt has impurities that are bad for the body. This one is cleaner and healthier.”
Xia Da Ya looked at her with admiration.
“You really know so much, Mother…”
Wang Chunhua smiled modestly. “I only know a little from books.”
But Xia Yan suddenly interrupted, annoyed:
“If you’re going to talk, can you hurry up and cook? I’m hungry!”
Wang Chunhua scolded her, and Xia Yan stormed off to the side, muttering that she wouldn’t help again.
Soon, they began preparing the meal.
The purified salt was saved for making brine. The pig intestines were cleaned again and then slowly stewed in the new broth made with spices from the county.
The kitchen slowly filled with rich aroma.
And thus, their first successful batch of refined salt and braised food was completed.