Chapter 50: Contentedly Enjoying a Bowl of Stewed Meat

“There’s meat to eat!” When Du Yun and her grandfather stepped into the house, the children erupted into a joyful clamor, their laughter and shouts filling the air, as lively as any New Year celebration.

“You’re back!” Du Yun’s mother waited by the door. When she saw her daughter return, she looked her over from head to toe. Only after finding nothing amiss did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Yes, I’m back. Mother, I’m perfectly fine, don’t worry.” Du Yun felt a gentle warmth in her heart at her mother’s concern for her well-being. She took her mother’s hand, assuring her.

“Good, I’m relieved.” A smile lit her mother’s face, her eyes shining with affection. Du Yun was truly a good child—who would have thought she could earn so much meat in just a day!

“Well now, Du Yun, you’re back! You’re really amazing, going to town and bringing back such a big piece of meat! That can’t have been cheap—must’ve cost at least a dollar!” Third Aunt hurried over, her face blooming with such a radiant grin it seemed flowers might blossom from it.

“Oh my, you even bought cloth? That’s not cheap either! I haven’t had new clothes in years—could you spare me a few yards?” Third Aunt was always eager to take advantage where she could. Seeing the thick roll of fabric in Du Yun’s hands, she immediately set her heart on it.

“All right, all right, must you butt in everywhere? If you hadn’t eaten so much yesterday, we could have sold more today!” Grandmother came out carrying the meat, raising her voice.

“How was I to know it was worth so much?” Third Aunt pouted, feigning innocence. If she’d known that a few plates of pastries could be exchanged for a whole side of meat and so much cotton fabric, she never would have eaten those treats.

Now Third Aunt regretted it—if only she hadn’t eaten so much yesterday, maybe they could have brought back even more meat. After all, nothing tastes quite as good as meat.

“Hmph!” Grandmother, seeing that Third Aunt had realized her mistake, gave a snort and went back inside. The piece of meat Du Yun had brought back was a whole slab; it would be wasteful to eat it all at once. With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, she could slice off a large portion to cure and save for the holiday.

“Mother, are we going to stew all the meat at once?” Third Aunt, undeterred by Grandmother’s reproach, followed her into the kitchen as if nothing had happened. Noticing Grandmother set aside a large piece of meat, she quickly guessed it was to be saved and piped up.

“All of it? I might as well stew you too.” Grandmother shot her a glare and then loudly directed Du Yun’s mother and Second Aunt to heat water and start stewing the meat.

Third Aunt, though rebuffed, was not annoyed. She bustled about the kitchen cheerfully, eyeing the remaining pork belly—two or three pounds at least—swallowing hard and plotting how she might get a piece of cloth for new clothes.

The children’s world was much simpler. Knowing Du Yun had brought back meat, every child was giddy with excitement. One moment they clustered around Du Yun, chattering happily and eating the sweets she handed out; the next, they dashed to the kitchen door to see if the meat was ready, laughing and having the time of their lives.

Knowing everyone was eager for meat, the women moved quickly, and before long, the stew was done.

They called the children in for dinner, and every face in the house—young and old alike—was aglow with joy. It wasn’t a holiday, yet there was meat, and so much of it. For everyone at home, this was a cause for celebration.

The fragrance of stewed meat filled the house. Though the heat made the air stifling, not a single person took their bowl outside. The delicious aroma lingered in their noses and, with such a feast in their mouths, there could be no greater enjoyment.

Du Yun too held a large rough porcelain bowl, filled to the brim with stew—chunks of pork, either fatty or lean, cut to the size of a fingernail, mixed with fresh beans, eggplants, peppers from the garden, and bouncy sweet potato noodles. Just one bowl was enough to make one’s mouth water.

Today’s staple was also especially hearty. With so much meat on hand, Grandmother decided the family should have a proper meal and had Du Yun’s mother make cornmeal cakes. Her mother’s skill was excellent—the cakes were perfectly round and golden, each one the same size.

Du Yun bit into a cake with one hand, wielding chopsticks in the other. A mouthful of cake, two bites of stew—the savory, tender vegetables and meat paired with the soft, sweet cakes made for a delightful meal.

She ate with relish, as did the rest of the family. They devoured cakes and meat with such gusto that their faces glowed, their smiles impossible to contain.

After everyone had polished off a big bowl of stew and filled a second, seeing there was still plenty in the pot, they slowed down, savoring the rare treat and chatting leisurely with each other.

Du Yun was more than satisfied with the meal. After finishing, she patted her stomach, let out two contented burps, and still felt pleasantly full. It was hardly her fault—meals had been so meager before, and in the world she came from, there was hardly a chance to eat anything hot.

After dinner, the whole family gathered together for a rare, relaxed conversation. Du Yun took out the indigo cloth. “Grandmother, I bought this fabric. Since my two elder brothers are about to get engaged, it’s just right to make them new clothes.”

“Yes, yes, very good.” Grandmother was pleased with Du Yun’s thoughtfulness—she understood exactly what was needed and was already taking action. Smiling broadly, Grandmother took the fabric and measured it with the wooden yardstick kept on the kang.

The stick, a full foot long, was used to measure the cloth. Grandmother calculated there was enough for three men’s suits and a few children’s jackets besides. Her smile grew even wider.

“Yes, both Dasheng from the eldest’s family and Huai from the second’s are of marrying age. We’ll make each a suit from this cloth and save the rest for now,” she said, stroking the fabric with satisfaction.

“Mother, since Eldest and Second Brother’s families have theirs, could we have the remaining cloth? The third hasn’t had new clothes in years,” Third Aunt said, eyeing the fine, lustrous cotton and moistening her lips, sidling up hopefully.

“Make new clothes for the third? Is he getting married too?” Grandmother shot her a fierce look.

“No, no, of course not!” Third Aunt quickly denied, unwilling to risk her standing for a set of new clothes.

Today I received notice from the editor that the book will be released on August 1st.

My heart is filled with anxiety as I count the days on my fingers, hoping all dear readers will continue to support me when it’s released.