Aside from the busy farming seasons, the villagers usually ate only two meals a day.
The only person in the household who could afford three meals was the Old Fourth, Zhou Guanghe. He took two steamed corn buns in the morning and did not return home for lunch.
He reheated them in the steaming pot at the Academy. This was how the students at the Academy usually ate.
However, what Zhou Qingling ate in the morning always left her hungry by noon.
Children in the countryside were not so delicate. When they were hungry, they simply endured it. Life was harsh, and each person had their own fate.
By late May, there was a large mountain behind the village. Many wild fruits on the mountain had already ripened, giving the village children something to satisfy their cravings.
After finishing her work, she slung a basket on her back and prepared to head up the mountain.
The Original Owner’s family lived in the village. After walking for a while, Zhou Qingling reached the foot of the mountain. There was a path worn down by villagers’ footsteps. She did not pause and went straight up the mountain.
This mountain range stretched endlessly. Even the most famous hunters in the village did not know its full extent.
According to the village elders, during bad harvest years, people even heard the roar of “big beasts”—that is, tigers. These stories, passed down through generations, added a layer of mystery to the mountain.
Every spring and autumn were the best seasons for digging wild vegetables and picking mushrooms. This mountain had fed countless villagers at its base.
After walking for a while, Zhou Qingling spotted a wild apricot tree. The lower branches had already been picked clean, but there were still many fruits higher up.
She nimbly climbed the tree, picked a few, and stuffed them into her pocket. Wild apricots were not as sweet as those grown at home. After taking a bite, her small face instantly scrunched up—truly sour.
She ate only two before stopping; her teeth could not handle any more. Fortunately, there were still many wild berries like blackberries and ground berries on the mountain, which could serve as snacks to ease her rumbling hunger.
At this time of year, wild vegetables were no longer as tender as in spring. Only the young leaves could be picked.
Besides gathering wild vegetables, collecting firewood was also part of her daily work.
Most of the nearby wild vegetables and firewood had already been gathered by villagers. Moreover, the broken sickle in her hand was so dull that it was barely useful even for cutting pig fodder, let alone branches. Thus, she had to walk deeper into the mountain.
The afternoon sun was scorching, and the mountain paths were difficult to walk. Before long, she was drenched in sweat.
The work seemed simple, but it was not easy at all. By the time she had gathered a bundle of firewood and half a basket of wild vegetables, it was already close to dusk.
Zhou Qingling looked at the sun and decided to return home.
Once she got back, she immediately went into the kitchen to start cooking over the fire.
As the sun set, villagers gradually returned from the fields. Although planting had already been completed, there was still plenty of weeding, irrigation, and fertilizing to do.
While Zhou Qingling was in the kitchen, she could occasionally hear women and elderly villagers chatting outside.
Next door, Aunt Wang was holding a young boy and talking enthusiastically with others. When she looked up and saw members of the Zhou family returning, she greeted them as was customary among closely connected rural relatives living nearby.
“Dahai’s mother is back.”
Mother Zhou replied: “Yes, I’m back. Goudan went to the river again.”
When Aunt Wang mentioned her grandson, her voice grew louder without her realizing it.
Pointing at the boy beside her, she said: “Of course he did. He’s been misbehaving all day, covered in mud again. This set of clothes will need washing once more. Let’s see if your father beats you when he comes home.”
After speaking, Aunt Wang dragged her grandson home. Mother Zhou smiled and also returned to her courtyard.
While Mother Zhou was speaking with Aunt Wang, the Zhou family father and sons had already entered the courtyard. They put down their hoes, fetched a basin of water, and washed their faces.
Afterward, Mother Zhou finished washing her hands, rolled up her sleeves, and entered the kitchen.
“Is dinner ready?”
Zhou Qingling replied: “Almost. You and Father should rest first.”
After a full day’s work, Mother Zhou also felt tired.
“Alright, I’ll drink some water first.”
Zhou Qingcha, who had been embroidering at home, immediately put down her sewing basket when she heard Mother Zhou speaking outside. She quickly put on her shoes and rushed into the kitchen to help.
Zhou Qingling did not say anything. This kind of thing happened too often to be worth commenting on.
Mother Zhou noticed her elder daughter’s clean clothing and knew she had just come over.
She did not say anything. As long as the household work got done, she did not care who suffered more or who worked harder.
Soon after, Zhou Guanghe returned from the Village School. As soon as he arrived home, he shouted: “Mother, is dinner ready? I’m starving.”
“It’s ready. We’ll eat now.”
As they spoke, the meal was brought to the table. It was the same as always: a pot of vegetable porridge with more vegetables than rice, and another plate of steamed corn buns.
“Why are we eating this again? Mother, fry some eggs! I’m tired of eating this every day.”
Zhou Guanghai complained.
Zhou Guanghe immediately echoed his elder brother: “Yes, yes.” He looked at Mother Zhou with hopeful eyes.
It was often said that teenage boys could eat a family into poverty, yet the food at home had no oil or meat. No matter how much they ate, it never felt enough. In truth, no one had ever truly been full; most only managed to eat half their fill.
“Who doesn’t want good food? Do we have any?” Mother Zhou tapped her bowl with her chopsticks, speaking unhappily.
“It’s already good enough that we have something to eat. Stop being so picky.”
The eldest son was about seventeen after the New Year and was about to get married. She was about to become a grandmother. It was a good thing in itself, but where would the money come from? They would have to dip into their savings. The thought alone troubled her.
Zhou Guanghai was somewhat displeased and picked up his bowl, drinking a few large mouthfuls.
Seeing his elder son upset, Father Zhou, who was sitting at the head of the table, felt it was time to preserve the child’s dignity since he was soon to become an adult.
He said to Mother Zhou: “Once things settle down, go to the city and buy half a catty of meat. Let the children have a treat.”
Hearing this, everyone’s mood brightened again.
“You spoil them too much. No matter how much they eat, it’s never enough.” Mother Zhou muttered a couple of times but did not say more.
In truth, who did not want better food? But with so many mouths to feed, they could only save wherever possible.
In the end, Mother Zhou went to the kitchen and fried two eggs.
The moment they were served, they were gone almost instantly.
Zhou Qingling sat in a corner without saying a word, only eating her steamed bun and drinking her vegetable porridge. Whenever there was something good at home, she only had a chance to drink a little extra porridge. Eggs, meat, and similar foods were never hers.