Chapter 10: Digging for Wild Vegetables

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Early in the morning, Lin Sanshui and Mrs. Jiang went to work in the fields.

They weeded the fields and caught bugs for the Zhuang family. There were no pesticides at this time, so everything had to be done manually.

“Third Brother, Little Sister, hurry up! We must go before all the wild vegetables have been dug up!” Xiaohu anxiously urged Gu Nian as she was putting on her clothes.

“Alright. I’m already putting on my clothes. Don’t rush me.” Gu Nian hurriedly put on her clothes and shoes before walking out.

When the adults were busy, the children had to be busy too.

Sanhu and Xiaohu’s task was to bring Gu Nian up the mountain to dig for vegetables, fish in the river, harvest the pigweed, and catch insects to feed the chickens and ducks at home.

“Third Brother, where are we going to dig for wild vegetables today?” Gu Nian asked as soon as she stepped out of the door.

“The vegetables on the plain land have been dug out. We’ll go to the back of the mountain today.”

Sanhu picked up the basket and carried it on his back. He held Gu Nian’s hand with one hand and led the way. Xiaohu followed behind with a basket in his hand. They headed to the back of the mountain together.

There were a few children on the hill, most of them girls. Some were carrying baskets on their backs and digging for wild vegetables. Others were cutting pigweed.

Summer days were much better than winter. If people were diligent, they could find all kinds of wild vegetables and fruits on the mountain to supplement their family. On the other hand, they could only live with lesser food during winter.

“Xiaohu, you’ve followed your third brother to dig wild vegetables again. It’s a girl’s job. How embarrassing.” As the boy spoke, he stuck out his tongue at Gu Nian and the other two.

Xiaohu had a hot temper and wanted to push the boy, but Sanhu blocked him, so he stopped unwillingly.

Gu Nian recognized this brat. He was the Xiaoniu that Xiaohu had mentioned. Xiaoniu was one year older than Xiaohu and was skinny and small. He did not even look as strong as Xiaohu.

“Xiaoniu, be good and don’t cause any trouble.” As soon as Xiaoniu finished speaking, his elder sister came over to pull him back. She smiled apologetically at Sanhu and said, “Sanhu, Xiaohu, please forgive Xiaoniu’s rudeness.”

Sanhu’s face darkened as he said to Xiaohu and Gu Nian, “Let’s go.”

When they reached a place where no one was around, Xiaohu threw a tantrum unhappily. “Third Brother, why did you stop me just now? If you don’t stop me, I’ll beat him to the ground today and let him taste my fist. Let’s see if he dares to provoke me next time!”

“Sister Zhaodi is here. Aunt Liu will blame them for not watching over Xiaoniu after you beat him up.”

According to Sanhu, Aunt Liu’s family heavily favored boys over girls. In addition, they only had one precious son after giving birth to five daughters. Xiaoniu was the apple of the family’s eyes. They would overreact if Xiaoniu hurt a little

“Then we’re just going to let him go?” Xiaohu pouted his lips unwillingly.

Sanhu laughed. Although he did not say anything, Gu Nian felt that her third brother, who had always been a good kid, was up to something bad again.

Sanhu took his sickle and walked to the side where the grass was fresh and tender. He bent down and began to cut the grass slowly. “Stop talking nonsense. I’ll cut the pigweed, and you and Sister will dig the wild vegetables. Stay nearby, and don’t go far. When I’m done cutting the pigweed, I’ll dig with you.”

In this era, it was a common phenomenon that a community favored men over women.

In other families, the girls would do the household chores, while the boys would be idle all day.

However, there was no girl in their family in the past, and Mrs. Jiang was busy with farm work all day long. Lin Dahu and his brothers had been working with adults since they were little kids. After they grew up, they looked for work to do by themselves.