Reversed Fate in the 70s: Marrying the Factory Director rather than Rough Man

Chapter 74 : Rabbit Meat

As Liu Lixin stepped out, he bumped into Aunt Geng. News of the quarrel in the Zhuang household had spread like wildfire throughout the brigade. Rumors swirled, with some saying the fight between the sisters-in-law had nearly caused Jiang Hongmei to lose her baby, while others claimed Cheng Yanyan’s child had been lost instead.  

The gossip reached Chen Xianyun, who, curious, went to Old Lady Qi to get more details. “I doubt it was just a trivial argument,” she remarked. “Wu Meili is not the type to fight openly. She’s always felt inferior for not having a son and usually avoids confrontation.”  

Jiang Li hinted, “I heard people mentioning something about pork this morning.”  

Chen Xianyun paused from sewing cotton shoes and clapped her hands in realization. “It must have been a fight over meat!”  

Old Lady Qi, her eyes narrowing in thought, added, “It’s not just that. One night, when I got up, I saw the second son of that family carrying something big that looked like pork.”  

“Mom, are you sure? Where would they get the meat coupons?”  

Old Lady Qi’s expression remained composed. “Not all meat needs coupons.”  

“The black market?”  

Chen Xianyun clutched her chest in shock. “Mom, let’s not talk about this anymore. Try these cotton shoes and see if they fit.”  

“There’s no need, your work always fits perfectly,” Old Lady Qi reassured her.  

At that moment, Qi Shaoqiang walked in, carrying a bundle tied to the back of his bicycle. “Mom, I brought the cotton you wanted.”  

Chen Xianyun, inspecting it, broke into a smile. “This cotton is excellent, white and clean! We can make two or three sets of clothes, just right for Lizi and your grandma.”  

Old Lady Qi waved it off. “I don’t need new clothes. Just take apart my old padded jacket and wash it. Use the cotton to make two for Lizi.”  

“That’s fine,” Chen Xianyun agreed.  

Qi Shaoqiang then pulled out a small cloth bag like a magician. Inside, Jiang Li found it was full of chestnuts, small but perfectly round.  

“Where did you get these chestnuts?” she asked in surprise.  

“They just arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative. We still have some sugar at home, how about I roast them for you tonight?”  

“That sounds great!”  

The mention of chestnuts reminded Jiang Li of the wild chestnut forest on the mountain. “Let’s go to the mountain after dinner. I wonder if anyone else has discovered it.”  

“I doubt it,” Qi Shaoqiang replied confidently.  

After eating, the two set off with backpacks. The crisp autumn evening air grew cooler as they climbed higher into the mountains.  

Noticing Jiang Li shivering, Qi Shaoqiang draped the thick jacket he had brought over her shoulders. Taking her hand, he said, “The mountain path is rough, stay behind me.”  

Suddenly, the bushes ahead rustled. Startled, Jiang Li gasped, “What was that? A snake?”  

Qi Shaoqiang squinted and saw a flash of gray-brown fur. “Not a snake, looks like a rabbit.”  

Jiang Li’s excitement grew. Since the Mid-Autumn Festival, they had run out of meat coupons, and the black market had tightened. The family had been surviving on a monotonous diet of radishes, leeks, eggplants, and cabbages, with the occasional egg as a treat. She had been craving something hearty.  

Before she could speak, Qi Shaoqiang pulled a sharp bamboo stick from his backpack and threw it with precision, striking the rabbit’s hind leg. After a lengthy chase, he returned triumphantly with the plump hare in his hands.  

“It’s a male rabbit, fattened up for autumn, it must weigh five or six kilograms!”  

“I want to make double pepper rabbit and spicy rabbit heads,” Jiang Li said eagerly.  

Though unfamiliar with the dishes, Qi Shaoqiang smiled indulgently. “We’ll make it however you want.”  

The chestnut forest was their main goal, so Qi Shaoqiang led the way. Using a flashlight, they soon found the ground littered with brown, spiky fruits. While some were rotten, they managed to collect a decent haul, filling half their backpack.  

Jiang Li was delighted. “Chestnuts are so versatile! You can stew them with chicken, bake them into cakes, or even roast them in the fire while cooking.”  

Qi Shaoqiang peeled one and handed it to her. “Fresh chestnuts are naturally sweet. Try this.”  

“Delicious!” Jiang Li exclaimed. “They’re even good raw.”