I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel

Chapter 103: Chapter 100: Xiao Yanzi Almost Got Fed

After the old man finished eating, he looked quite emotional. This was the first time in several years he’d had a full meal, and such a good one at that. He expressed his gratitude once again.

Jiang Mingyue waved his hand, indicating that it wasn’t necessary. Instead, she was more than willing to chat with the old man.

"My surname is Li, and I live in the neighboring Liu Village. There’s no one left in my family, just me and my seven-year-old grandson relying on each other for survival."

"Originally, I had both sons and daughters, but my daughter went missing during the wartime chaos, leaving no trace. I settled in Liu Village with my youngest son, who, upon coming of age, married a girl from the village. The family was getting by, but then disaster struck."

"My youngest son suddenly passed away six months after his wedding, and my daughter-in-law saw no reason to stay. But she was pregnant then, and that child was the last bloodline of the Li Family. I implored her to stay, offering her everything of value in our home."

"I don’t blame my daughter-in-law. She was still young, and without a man to support her, living would be difficult, not to mention raising a child. I understood her, but I also longed for this child."

"Luckily, my daughter-in-law had a kind heart and eventually took good care of herself, successfully giving birth to my grandson."

"After the confinement period, my daughter-in-law left the village, and no one knew where she went. I felt a mix of joy and sorrow, and the days since have been me solely raising my grandson, relying on each other for survival. I’m not highly educated, but looking at the fields and the flourishing wheat, I thought to name him ’Wheat’—after all, it’s a good thing that can keep people’s stomachs from being hungry."

"What?"

Jiang Mingyue wanted to ask: Have you been able to fill your stomach these past years? But the grandfather and grandson’s current situation already says it all, is there a need to ask?

"It’s my fault; wheat flour costs eight cents a pound, and even wheat bran is six cents a pound; eating it is a luxury. I thought, if I’d named him Potato, Sweet Potato, or Corn, maybe their lives would be more bearable."

"Good quality potatoes and sweet potatoes are three cents a pound, but poor quality ones can be bought for just a penny. My grandson and I don’t aim for good quality, just enough to eat and be full. But in these times, even potatoes and sweet potatoes are hard to come by; sigh! There’s a food shortage everywhere!"

After sending off Uncle Li and his grandson, Jiang Mingyue felt somewhat heavy-hearted, but still gathered her energy to prepare dinner for over twenty people.

After finishing the meal and cleaning up with her third sister Xiao Hui, Jiang Mingyue found an excuse to take a walk and slip into the space.

In the space, Yan Jinzhi was already in the courtyard of the resting area, working on something.

These days, the courtyard has gradually filled with things from its initial emptiness. There were various materials: metal, glass, wood... anything that could be named, even things that couldn’t be named, were here. Sometimes there would even be a pile of scrap metal and wires of varying thicknesses...aluminum wire, copper wire... in short, metal wires.

"What’s this?"

"In the future, the village will build a road to the city, and Aunty riding a bike with a basket is really inconvenient. I am making a human-powered tricycle for her, an improved version, very lightweight, with off-road capabilities. When it’s done, you can try it."

"So, you’ve been busy with this these past few days?"

"Yes."

"Thanks a lot!"

"I’m staying here for free meals and lodging; it’s only right."

Jiang Mingyue thought, Mrs. Jiang wouldn’t see it that way; she would take care of a benefactor for a lifetime if necessary. Moreover, Yan Jinzhi kept having Qiao Mingtang send things over these few days, like tea, canned food, malted milk, beef, and lamb... It seemed like anything he liked, he’d get, regardless of the price. This was hardly free meals and lodging.

"Oh, by the way, I’ve found you the glass bottles you wanted. They’re in your house out in the wilderness in the city."

Jiang Mingyue: "..." She suspected this person had investigated her. Clearly, she hadn’t mentioned these things to him.

But individuals with many secrets tend not to ask too much, lest they inadvertently expose themselves.

"Thank you, I’ll be going to the city tomorrow anyway." Remembering she had things to do, Jiang Mingyue was about to leave, "You get busy; I’m going to the fields."

Unexpectedly, this troublesome gentleman stopped her, "Do you have any strawberry jam left? Give me a bowl."

"Cough, cough... Can you finish it?" She really liked it, too, you know?

"Later, Qiao Mingtang will bring Huo Ming and the others over to discuss something. Last time they had it, they thought it was delicious."

So that’s how it is!

Remembering that those people had helped the third household, Jiang Mingyue didn’t mind giving away the jam.

"Just eating jam might be sickening. I’ll bake some bread for you in the bread kiln."

"There’s no need; Aunty has already prepared some for me."

Jiang Mingyue: "..." Tsk, the daughter’s popularity isn’t as good as the mother’s!

"Alright then. I’ll make it for you now; go get it yourself later from the storage room. Take whatever you need without being polite to me. In the future, you don’t have to tell me when you take stuff from the space, just do as you please." Except for her treasury of antiques. But she believed this person wouldn’t be interested in those vulgar items; don’t ask why, it’s just a gut feeling.

The last batch of jam was finished, with Xiao Ran and the third sister particularly fond of it, dipping their steamed buns in it for breakfast, and she was no different.

Jiang Mingyue made two bowls in succession, one for Yan Jinzhi to entertain guests and one for her own family, and washed an additional bowl of fresh strawberries for herself, enjoying them one by one. The quality was exceptional, the juicy sweetness was rich and fulfilling, making her feel particularly satisfied.

Jiang Mingyue, being conscientious, delivered a bowl to Yan Jinzhi.

Seeing the figure returning with a small bowl of plump, fresh strawberries in hand, Yan Jinzhi inadvertently smiled.

"Yan Jinzhi, take a break, come have strawberries."

"I’d love to eat, but look..." Yan Jinzhi freed a hand and showed her. His once slender, fair hands were now covered in dust. Besides, some places had spots of blood from scratches. Jiang Mingyue frowned: "Why didn’t you wear gloves?"

"I was in a hurry, didn’t have time. Besides, it’s easier to handle and install delicate parts without gloves."

Jiang Mingyue saw that he couldn’t finish anytime soon; he seemed determined to finish it.

Jiang Mingyue wasn’t sure if she was suddenly afflicted with some impulsiveness, but she blurted out, "Then let me feed you, alright?"

After speaking, she realized what a silly thing she’d said and immediately tried to explain, "Cough, cough... That was a slip of the tongue, I’ll leave them in your room, you can eat later."

What a pity!

Watching the retreating figure, Yan Jinzhi found it amusing—this girl actually knew how to be shy! Yet when she saw him naked, what was there to be shy about?

Jiang Mingyue went to the fields and harvested crops. This time she planted potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn, these cheap coarse grains, even considering not selling them to Pan Zhoucong, aiming to sell them at low prices for poor people to fill their stomachs.

After watering the plants, Jiang Mingyue went to check on her orchard. Miraculously, after the fruit was harvested, the once bare fruit trees sprouted new leaves as if ready to bloom again. Jiang Mingyue was overjoyed—could she harvest several batches? Fruits are far more lucrative than grains, and Jiang Mingyue felt as if a mountain of gold and silver lay ahead of her.

She also processed chickens and rabbits. The chickens were turned into stewed chicken, pine needle roast chicken, large-plate chicken, mushroom stewed chicken, spicy dry-pot chicken cubes, all arranged in large bowls for whenever hunger struck.

The rabbits were made into spicy rabbit cubes, pine needle roast rabbit, aromatic stewed rabbit, pickled pepper rabbit cubes, also stored in large bowls.

As for pork, she wasn’t too willing to part with it; when it’s eaten, it’s gone, but if it’s sent by Yan Jinzhi, she’s more than happy to share it.