She had Qingyi light the small stove, placed the small pot on it, and heated it for a while. Then she used pork skin to repeatedly rub the inside of the pot.
Once the pot began to smoke slightly, she let it cool down. After that, she washed it several times with warm water and loofah sponge until it was completely clean.
After the pot was cleaned, she began rendering the lard. She put the cut pork fat into the pot, and soon a rich aroma filled the entire room, making the two children’s mouths water uncontrollably.
After all, they were still children—very little resistance to delicious food.
When the lard was finished rendering, Liu Qingyan brought out a small bowl of crispy pork cracklings and said, “Come, Qingyi, Qingyou, each of you try a piece first. Fresh cracklings taste the best.”
Qingyi sensibly said, “Sister should eat first.”
There was no helping it—if she didn’t eat first, the two children wouldn’t dare touch it.
So she picked up a piece and ate it. Only then did the two children each quickly grab a piece and put it into their mouths.
To be honest, Liu Qingyan didn’t really like greasy pork cracklings. She preferred lean fried meat instead.
But Qingyou’s eyes lit up with excitement as she exclaimed, “Wow, it’s so fragrant! Sister, I didn’t know pork cracklings could taste this good! This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten!”
Qingyi also chimed in, “Yes, it’s really delicious! No wonder the old household never let us eat it. This is the best food I’ve ever had in my life!”
Listening to them, Liu Qingyan felt a wave of sadness. Including the original owner, all three children had lived such miserable lives that even a piece of crackling felt like a luxury. It was truly heartbreaking.
She gave a bitter smile and gently patted their heads.
“My silly siblings, life is still long. From now on, sister will make sure you eat all kinds of delicious food. Our lives will only get better and better.”
“Right! Our lives will definitely get better and better!”
She gave each of them another piece of crackling. When she reached for a third piece, they refused.
“Sister, save it for stir-frying vegetables,” they said.
“Alright then.”
At that moment, Qingyi took out a cloth pouch from his chest.
“Sister, we spent 600 wen today and have 400 wen left. Here, take it.”
He carefully handed it over. The child had never held so much money before and had been nervous the entire journey, afraid of losing it. As soon as he returned, he immediately gave it back to his sister for safekeeping.
Liu Qingyan took the copper coins and carefully put them away, then asked gently, “Are you two tired?”
“I’m not tired, sister.”
“Me neither.”
“If you’re not tired, let’s go ask Aunt Wang about mung beans.” Their family was too poor—earning money had become urgent.
They went to Aunt Wang’s house, and Liu Qingyan explained that she wanted to buy mung beans.
Aunt Wang said, “Qingyan, almost every household in the village grows some mung beans. You can just go buy directly. The village head has a scale—you can borrow it first and then go around buying from each family.”
“Then how much are mung beans per jin in the village?”
“Eight wen per jin. How many jin do you want?”
“I’ll start with five jin for now. I may buy more later.”
“Five jin? No need to go elsewhere then—I have some at home. You can just take mine.”
“Then I’ll have Qingyi go borrow a scale from the village head first.”
“Even better—just buy it here then.”
“Alright.”
Tieniu shouted, “Mother, I’ll go with Qingyi!”
Before anyone could stop them, he grabbed Qingyi and ran off like an arrow. In no time, they returned with the scale.
Uncle Wang weighed out exactly five jin of mung beans and placed them in a small basket.
Liu Qingyan counted out forty wen and handed it to Aunt Wang.
“Aunt Wang, here’s the money.”
But Aunt Wang waved her hand. “Qingyan, just pay later when you have money. You still need to buy so many things for your household.”
Although she wasn’t wealthy, she still felt she was better off than them and wanted to help.
But Liu Qingyan insisted, and Aunt Wang eventually accepted the money.
Then Liu Qingyan asked about buying backpacks and baskets.
Aunt Wang told her about Old Tian at the east end of the village, who made excellent bamboo baskets and back baskets.
So the siblings went there.
Old Tian was sitting in the yard, focused on weaving a basket.
“Grandpa Tian, may we come in?” Liu Qingyan asked politely.
“Oh, it’s Daya. Come in, come in,” he said warmly.
His wife also came out with a smile. “Children, come inside.”
“Grandma Tian, hello,” they greeted in unison.
“Oh, what good children.”
Liu Qingyan explained their situation and said she wanted to buy two baskets.
Old Tian proudly said, “Good timing—I have some ready-made ones. I won’t boast about anything else, but my weaving skills are among the best in the village.”
Grandma Tian teased him, “You’re really praising yourself like selling melons while praising your own vine.”
Liu Qingyan carefully examined the baskets and sincerely praised them, “Grandpa Tian’s craftsmanship is really excellent. These are both delicate and beautiful.”
“See? Even the child says so,” Old Tian said proudly.
Grandma Tian shook her head helplessly. “Alright, alright, your skills are the best. Don’t embarrass yourself in front of the children.”