Chapter 173: A Moment of Leisure Amidst Busyness

By the time they got home, Aunt Rong had already prepared the meal.

The dried meat had been stewed for so long that it fell apart at the lightest touch of chopsticks.

Golden flatbreads, made from a mix of white and coarse flour, were stacked high.

Yan Lao’er had pickled vegetables ready—two large bowls full.

Wild green onions and garlic found in the wasteland, along with fresh dandelion greens, were washed clean and placed in a large basin on the table.

Master Lu and his men finished their work before coming over to wash up and get ready for the meal.

Seeing the small brick table stacked with food, they hesitated.

There weren’t many dishes, but the portions were generous.

Most importantly, the meat was plentiful—not a single vegetable leaf in sight. It was served alone, dripping with broth and steaming hot.

Even Master Lu himself wasn’t sure if they should dig in. Was this really meant for them, or was it the host family’s meal? Had their food not been prepared yet?

Seeing their hesitation, Li Xuemei set an example.

She took a large flatbread, layered it with pickled vegetables, added meat, and casually tore up some wild green onions to sprinkle on top.

She couldn’t help but swallow hard. If not for the timing, she wouldn’t have let go of this wrap for anything.

The finished flatbread wrap was so thick that it required both hands to hold.

When Yan Lao’er came over after washing his face and hands, she solemnly handed it to him.

Yan Lao’er took it and turned to call out to Master Lu and the others.

“Brother Lu, come sit, come sit! It’s my fault—we got so busy I forgot to buy groceries. We just made do with whatever was at home. Haha, let’s just have a simple meal together.”

Master Lu, a man who had seen much of the world, immediately understood—this was a generous and sincere host. He grinned with genuine warmth and called over his cousins and the children.

Each person grabbed a flatbread, and their chopsticks danced between the pickled vegetables and meat chunks.

The wild green onions disappeared fast. Not only were they stuffed into wraps, but they were also mixed with the dandelion greens and dipped into the pickled vegetable sauce before being devoured in big bites.

Their mouths opened so wide it seemed like they might swallow their hands.

The wild garlic, being small, was gone in a single bite.

The flatbreads were devoured with relish, each bite bringing a wide, satisfied grin.

Seeing everyone enjoying the meal, Aunt Rong kept rolling out more dough and making fresh flatbreads.

She laid a large round one in the pan, perfectly fitting its size.

With a flick of her wrist, the flatbread flipped through the air and landed back in the pan smoothly.

Before long, another stack of hot flatbreads was brought to the table.

More stewed meat and pickled vegetables were added, and the wild green onions, freshly washed and still dripping, were replenished.

Master Lu and his men were completely satisfied—one could tell just from the way they worked afterward.

They had been diligent before, but now they worked with even more focus and speed.

Soon, a new group of diners gathered around the small table.

Li Xuemei sat with several children, forming a cozy circle.

Aunt Rong’s steps seemed lighter as she bustled around.

The remaining meat from the pot was scooped out, another basin of wild green onions, garlic, and dandelions was washed, and fresh flatbreads were made—so hot they were difficult to handle.

No one knew where she had hidden a net bag of fresh river shrimp, but when she took it out, they were still lively, jumping around.

Into the hot pan they went, sizzling in oil.

The shrimp turned bright red, their shells forming little battle armors, curling up as if ready to fight.

“Come, mouths, eat up—or get pricked!”

Yan Yu devoured a whole flatbread and then stuffed a few shrimp into the remaining space in her stomach.

Slowly, she climbed down from her stool and strutted around, taking a leisurely post-meal stroll like an important figure.

Was she full? Of course! Walking after eating was just good health practice.

Aunt Rong polished off two flatbreads herself.

Li Xuemei gave her a complicated look, glanced at her stomach, then lowered her head and continued eating her shrimp.

Aunt Rong eating = A chicken eating.

Li Xuemei couldn’t help but sigh—her chickens ate too well!

In the afternoon, everyone worked with renewed energy, clearing out the last patch of weeds and piling them up.

A strong sense of accomplishment filled the air.

Yan Lao’er hitched up Sanbao and plowed the field twice, then, with his eldest nephew, set fire to the weeds.

Before lighting the fire, he pulled out two handkerchiefs to cover their noses and mouths, doing the same for his nephew.

It was stiflingly hot, but at least they didn’t choke on the smoke—perfect!

With work ending earlier than expected, Yan Yu had no intention of doing more labor.

She had earned this break.

They weren’t slacking—they were enjoying the rewards of their hard work.

After finishing the burn, Yan Lao’er pulled down his soot-covered scarf and shook it out.

“Dad! Are you going to the town to buy groceries?”

Yan Yu’s expectant eyes clearly said: Take me with you!

“I’ll buy some meat and vegetables. We can’t always make do with dried meat,” Yan Lao’er said.

“Take us with you, Dad! We’ve never been to town before!” Yan Yu wheedled.

Yan Lao’er looked at Li Xuemei.

She smiled at him.

Then he glanced at his eldest niece and nephew.

With a hearty laugh, he agreed, “Alright, we’ll all go! I’ll take you around Xiqiao Town.”

Yan Yu cheered and ran off.

She needed to grab her beloved little backpack.

Yan Lao’er also had to fetch some money.

Why were father and daughter so at ease leaving money in an empty, open homestead?

Hehe! Because they had left the cat at home.

In special circumstances, a cat was more useful than a dog.

A cat couldn’t guard the house, but it could track. If someone really took the money, they’d just follow the trail right to them.

Besides, in this barren wasteland, there was nowhere to spend money anyway.

That made it perfectly safe.

After informing Master Lu and asking the neighbors to keep an eye on things, Yan Lao’er set off with his family for town.

Yan Yu was thrilled.

This was the first time she—no, their whole family—was going on a relaxed outing.

Last time, they had been wandering through their old hometown, uncertain about the future, surrounded by fog, taking one step at a time.

Now, even though they woke up earlier than the chickens, slept later than the dogs, and worked harder than the donkeys…

They felt secure!

And that feeling was amazing.

She wasn’t going to buy anything, but she had to window-shop.

With that mindset, Yan Yu treated Xiqiao Town like a grand city gate, popping in and out of every store along the main street.

When father and daughter finally stood in front of the butcher’s stall, they shared the same stunned expression.

It was as if they had just heard some shocking news.

“We lost money!” Yan Yu stomped her foot.

Yan Lao’er muttered similar words, “Lost big time.”

Li Xuemei couldn’t stand them making a scene in public.

“You two, if you’re not buying, move along! Don’t block the stall.”

Even the butcher was baffled.

“Are you even from the same family?”

Yan Lao’er grumbled, “Who said we’re not buying? Expensive or not, we still have to eat!”

He stepped forward, scanning the meat with a critical eye.

“Boss, lower the price a bit. Thirty coins is too expensive.”

The butcher slapped his greasy apron and bellowed, “If you can’t afford it, don’t eat meat!”

That shut Yan Lao’er up.

Fuming, Yan Yu dragged her father away.

They were obviously being overcharged!

They had done their research—pork wasn’t supposed to be this pricey.

Just as they rounded a street corner, a little boy waved them over.

Yan Lao’er glanced around—broad daylight, in public—it should be fine.

He slowly walked over.