My 1995 Small Farm.

Chapter 203 Certificate of Commendation
Actually, a few days ago, Liang Hongyu and her family also said they wanted to come and help.

They will return to the capital in December, and will not be spending the Spring Festival here this year, since most of their relatives and friends are there.

However, Liang Yuemin and his wife will stay this year to celebrate the New Year at his father-in-law's house in the village.

They rushed back from the city at the end of the month. They had finished their work in the city for the past two months, so they came back to rest and didn't have much to do.

So Chen Ling didn't refuse.

After feeding the dogs, Wang Susu went home.

Chen Ling and Wang Lixian then picked up shovels and leveled the ditches and ridges on the dirt road outside the village. In some soft and easily sunken areas, they also placed some stones and tamped them down.

The dirt road was difficult to travel on, so this made it easier for cars and tractors to pass.

The construction team will arrive in four or five days. Let's make some preparations in advance so we won't be caught off guard.

Chen Ling has gained a deep understanding of this point during his recent journey transporting building materials.

The three of them worked for most of the day, from outside the orchard to the village entrance.

Many people who were on good terms with Chen Ling would also lend a hand, dumping their broken bricks, tiles, and coal ash on the road so he could pave it.

Although it was done with good intentions, it was inevitable that they would ask many questions.

They simply couldn't understand why Chen Ling insisted on tinkering with these things in a remote mountain village when everyone else was desperately trying to get out.

Even if this farm is built in the county seat, it's still better than it being in the village.

It's not like Erzhu built a greenhouse, so how can this farm make money?

Anyway, this kid's thinking is always different from others.

They didn't dare to make wild guesses.

After all, some people say that Chen Ling has made a lot of money this year, and who knows what kind of connections he has that he can't talk about.

"Let's raise some chickens and ducks first, grow some grains and vegetables, and we can talk about the rest later. Anyway, we have plenty of space."

No matter who asked, Chen Ling always gave the same answer.

Most of the villagers are now kind to him, and they've even offered him small favors. He can't just stay silent and not say anything to anyone.

That’s all it can do for now.

There are just too many people asking about it. Lately, he's been using a tractor to transport building materials back and forth, and everyone in the village knows he's been busy working on those thirty acres of land.

Chen Ling inevitably grew impatient with the questions.

However, some people feel differently.

For example, Wang Chunyuan, who had just returned from the county town.

Seeing that Chen Ling always gets a few words of encouragement or help shovel dirt and pave the road wherever he goes, even though it's only a few steps from each other's doors, still makes him very envious.

Looking at their own homes, the houses were being rebuilt, but nobody in the village paid any attention to it.

It was all thanks to his older brother running around finding people that a construction team of seven or eight people was assembled.

But he still had to do all the miscellaneous things himself, and he also had to go to the county town every day to buy things and bring back meals for others.

"Damn it, I don't know what this kid is capable of. How did he manage to make it big this year?"

Wang Chunyuan glanced at Chen Ling and the others from afar, then rode his bicycle down the dam.

On his way home, he cursed under his breath.

He thought it was no big deal; it was just that no one was helping him build a house. He figured if he could go back to the health center or even the county hospital, these bastards wouldn't be able to ask him for help.

Thinking like this makes me feel a little better.

But for some reason, I still felt a slight tightness in my chest.

"Fugui, take some rapeseed seedlings home. You can stir-fry them or mix them in a salad."

After the three finished clearing the road and were heading home, Zhang Qiaoling handed Wang Jusheng a large basket of rapeseed seedlings as they passed by his house.

At this time, winter wheat and rapeseed have already sprouted.

After being touched by the frost and dew of early winter, the rapeseed seedlings at this time taste much better than those planted in spring.

It will have much less astringency and bitterness.

It tastes great whether stir-fried or steamed and then tossed with sesame oil.

Besides cabbage, the only vegetables available this season are radishes and potatoes; it's not easy to find some fresh greens to eat.

So Chen Ling took two big handfuls, saying, "That's fine, sister-in-law. We still have more vegetables in the cellar than we can eat. I'll just take some back to try."

Zhang Qiaoling called out from behind, "Take some more! We planted too much rapeseed this year. These are thinned seedlings. My family can't eat them all."

Before the Great Snow solar term, there have been many sunny days in the past two months, so the rapeseed seedlings are still green and the morning and evening frosts and dews cannot harm them.

In another month, snow will begin to fall on the mountain, and the rapeseed will soon be frozen and withered, but the roots will not die, and it will grow densely again the following spring.

If the seedlings are too dense, they will compete for nutrients, resulting in fewer rapeseed pods and affecting the harvest.

Moreover, harvesting is more laborious.

So, since the women are idle at home anyway, they'll go thin out the seedlings, which means there will be more leafy greens on the dinner table.

When Chen Ling returned home with two bunches of rapeseed seedlings, seven or eight people from Wang Chunyuan's house across the street were busily working.

They laid the foundation a few days ago and are now building the main hall.

When Wang Chunyuan saw him approaching, he nodded with a forced smile and then continued to work with his head down.

This person is quite strange.

No matter what, we didn't break ties with any family in the village.

But he just couldn't get along with the villagers. He was all smiles on the surface, but he just couldn't be close to them.

Even those who have no grudges or hatred towards each other are like this.

Thinking about it carefully, Wang Susu was right about one thing: the couple in that family were really arrogant and always thought they were more capable than others, and they looked down on farmers like them from the bottom of their hearts.

"If you look down on others, they'll look down on you too. Just don't mess with us."

Chen Ling returned Wang Chunyuan's smile and then walked into the courtyard.

"came back."

"Hmm, what are you busy with again? Don't you want to take a break?"

Wang Susu was sitting under the eaves pounding medicine.

Chen Ling put down the shovel, went over to take a look, and found it to be just a few ordinary herbs.

"Xiaoyun's grandmother is old and has been bedridden for half a year. She keeps getting bedsores. She came over this morning and asked me to help her get some medicine..."

“Look, the money is all there. I don’t want it, but you insist on giving it to me.”

Wang Susu felt a little embarrassed about accepting money from an acquaintance.

After all, these herbs aren't even worth a few cents.

"If I give them to you, just accept them. I'll call them over sometime and cook you a meal, that'll be fine."

Chen Ling went to the side to wash his hands, then moved a recliner over and sat down next to her.

"People like us are bound to run into acquaintances. Acquaintances are acquaintances, but let's keep things separate."

"If you never charge money, and some shameless people keep coming to you for treatment, and then blame you when you can't cure them, what will you do?"

"So just take the money when you should. If you're really close to them, they'll understand. If they're unhappy about something like this, then you don't need to be too close to them in the future."

Wang Susu actually understands everything.

She's just too thin-skinned and too soft-hearted.

Just like when she met two old classmates in Fenglei Town, some of the things those two girls said were very unpleasant to hear, but she didn't want to refute them for fear of hurting their feelings.

However, she does have one good point: she listens to Chen Ling.

She regarded her husband Chen Ling as her pillar of support.

Now that Chen Ling said that, she chuckled and said, "Okay, I know what to do from now on."

"Sister Qiumei said that next time we go to the hospital for a check-up, she will take me to get a private medical practice license, and then I will really be a doctor."

During her recent trip back to her parents' home, she found the old medical books left by her grandfather and brought them back with her.

Lately, she spends her days at home reading books, doing chores, and having people come to her for minor medical checkups. She's also much more confident than before.

"How about I put up a sign for you that says 'Wang Susu Clinic'?"

"No, don't use my name, it sounds weird."

"Then use mine? The Rich Clinic? That doesn't fit either."

Chen Ling frowned; the name sounded like something out of a nightclub.

"Forget it, let's not name it yet. I'll go make some savory pancakes. Didn't you say they were delicious last time? Sister Qiaoling gave me some rapeseed seedlings, so I'll make them again tonight."

"Okay, I'll go pick the vegetables for you."

Salty pancakes, also known as "hutazi," are a common food in most areas north of the Yellow River. They are made in a similar way to persimmon pancakes and sweet potato pancakes.

When making it, you don't need to get flour on your hands. Just mix some batter with warm water, crack in an egg, and add some leafy greens, such as chives, spinach, or any kind of wild vegetables, or other vegetables, according to your own taste.

Chen Ling mixed the batter in the porcelain basin, cracked in several eggs, and then Wang Susu helped him wash and prepare the vegetables.

After selecting the rapeseed seedlings, chop them, add them in, mix well, and you're done.

Once the griddle is hot, brush a thin layer of oil onto the bottom of the griddle with a sorghum stalk brush. Then, scoop a spoonful of batter from a porcelain bowl and pour it in, spreading it into a pancake shape with a spatula.

After flipping it several times with a spatula, a golden-brown egg pancake was ready in less than two minutes. Once the pan was fully heated, Chen Ling spread the pancakes even faster.

Basically, one pancake is made every thirty or forty seconds. In less than ten minutes, the batter in the porcelain basin is almost gone, while a dozen or so fragrant savory pancakes have appeared in the bamboo sieve.

After the savory pancakes are baked, mash some garlic, mix the garlic juice with chili oil and vinegar, and you can dip them in it.

Wang Susu eats less spicy food now, so she dips it in a vinegar dish, while Chen Ling dips it in both dishes.

Sitting at the kitchen table, the two picked up a hot, savory pancake with chopsticks, dipped it in the accompanying dish, and tasted its soft yet chewy texture. The rich garlic sauce, the tangy vinegar, and the spicy chili sauce all blended together, making it very appetizing.

Wang Susu ate four in one go.

This stuff is soft and smooth, suitable for women and children. It's also served with garlic, vinegar, and chili, so you won't get tired of eating it even if you eat a lot.

After a simple meal, I heated up two bowls of leftover dumpling soup from lunch, and dinner was sorted out.

It was nearly six o'clock after dinner, and it was almost dark.

The young couple took a bucket of leftover food and a flashlight to the orchard outside the village to feed the dogs.

After crossing two steep slopes on the dirt road in the fields, the two heard a dog barking in the distance. When they shone their flashlights, two figures, one black and one yellow, rushed over from a distance. They slowed down as they got closer, whimpering and wagging their tails like two windmills.

Wang Susu reached out and patted the two creatures on the head, waving at them: "Come on, come on, it's time to eat."

Heiwa and Xiaojin, being exceptionally clever, seemed to understand Wang Susu's physical condition. They immediately stopped running around and became quiet, following behind Wang Susu with small, quick steps.

Such a performance surprised not only Wang Susu but also Chen Ling.

He usually treated the two dogs like playful children; they learned quickly and were good at protecting the house and hunting. He never expected them to be so sensible.

He was immediately filled with joy.

Wang Susu was also happy and hugged and stroked the two dogs.

After playing around for a while, the young wife's flashlight suddenly stopped shining: "Ah Ling, look! There are so many birds online!"

Chen Ling looked in the direction of the flashlight and saw that the bird-catching net looked like it was covered with fallen leaves of all sizes.

All of them were birds with their wings spread, entangled in nets.

The net was spread on three sides, and not a single one of them escaped.

"...Unfortunately, we still couldn't catch the wild pigeons."

Chen Ling looked around and saw that there were doves and magpies online, but no wild pigeons.

Then he stepped forward, took the bird off the net, and asked Heiwa to bring over the chicken coop from the straw shed.

Bamboo chicken coops have small gaps, so they can be used to put birds in.

Then they released a whole cage full of sparrows, pigeons, magpies, and larks.

These are all birds that eat crops and fruits.

The remaining ones with pointed mouths, which mainly eat insects, were all released.

As for the birds that were injured or half-dead online, they were given to the two dogs to eat.

"Let's keep the two pigeons for now, and collect a few more to make smoked pigeons together."

Wang Susu naturally had no objection, "Sure, but can't these pigeons be kept as pigeons?"

"It's possible to raise them, but they're too clumsy. Even if you raise them as meat pigeons, they won't grow big quickly."

Chen Ling shook his head. He wanted to raise some clever wild pigeons as homing and racing pigeons. Pigeons were better off being eaten.

Moreover, keeping them in winter is a waste of food.

"Okay, then let's make it into braised pigeon."

Wang Susu stretched out her finger and touched the pigeon's beak through the gap in the cage, causing it to flap its wings.

……

After feeding the dog, the two headed home.

Having not slept at home for several nights in a row, Chen Ling plans to go back to sleep today.

Back home, the two prepared to boil water for a hot bath.

Chen Ling, who had just poured tea at the table, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"What's wrong?" Wang Susu was making the bed when she heard the sound and looked over.

"I always feel like I've forgotten something."

"Forgot what? Did you forget to feed the cows? Or the sheep?" Wang Susu asked.

"Yes, the cows and sheep were fed this afternoon."

Chen Ling scratched his head, still unable to recall what he had forgotten.

"Oh dear!" He suddenly slapped his thigh. "I forgot to pick Zhenzhen up. Zhenzhen is still at Aunt Hongyu's house. She was talking about her during lunch. I really forgot to pick her up."

"Oh? Right, tomorrow and the day after are the weekend."

Wang Susu was also stunned, then she was both amused and exasperated, wondering how she could have forgotten about this.

There have been some things to do at home lately, so I haven't been able to pick up and drop off Wang Zhenzhen. Instead, I've been letting her go to Liang Hongyu's place after school. The old lady likes her very much and had already asked her to stay there for a few days.

Wang Zhenzhen wasn't unwilling, but on the condition that she be picked up on Saturdays and Sundays, since the county town wasn't as fun as the village.

She also couldn't bear to part with her sister.

The two were talking like that.

Chen Ling then heard a loud, alarming cry coming from the village, and the sound grew closer and closer.

"It's Zhenzhen. Who brought her back?"

Wang Susu hurriedly went out.

Chen Ling also walked quickly outside.

……

"Don't cry, I haven't forgotten you. I'm just talking to your sister, and she'll come pick you up in a bit."

Once inside, Chen Ling was still coaxing the little girl, with Wang Susu behind him, and Qin Qiumei wrapped up in a thick cotton hat and scarf.

"You're lying! You turned on two lights, you must be going to sleep, you just forgot about me."

Wang Zhenzhen pouted and said angrily, tears still glistening on her face.

Chen Ling likes to read a book before bed, and she finds one light too dim, so she always turns on two lights. She knows this.

"Alright, alright, how could we forget you? Look, it's so dark outside, and we still had Sister Qiumei escort you back. It's so dangerous on the road."

Chen Ling tried her best to coax him and subtly changed the subject.

After he finished speaking, Qin Qiumei took off her scarf and laughed, "Zhenzhen got first place in the midterm exam this time. She's been waiting for you to pick her up and wanted you two to know as soon as possible, but you didn't show up after all this time."

"Aunt Hongyu saw that she was about to cry, so she wanted to send her back. However, the two old people were too old to walk on the mountain road in the dark. I happened to be coming to Dongmei's place anyway, so I took her with me."

"However, something happened on the way and we were delayed for a while. It got dark when we were halfway there."

Hearing this, Chen Ling and Wang Susu felt quite embarrassed. After thanking Qin Qiumei again, they turned their attention to the little girl.

"Zhenzhen got first place! Here's the certificate, quickly show it to your sister."

"Humph."

Wang Zhenzhen pouted, still fuming, and snorted as she took out a certificate of merit from her schoolbag.

The certificate was pressed neatly with a book, without a single tear or dent.

She handed it to her sister first.

Wang Susu was overjoyed and looked at it over and over again, "Wow, I really got first place!"

He then handed it to Chen Ling to look at.

"Wow, Zhenzhen is amazing! If you get into university, we'll all benefit from your success."

"Yes, when your sister gives birth to your nephew and niece, it will all depend on you to teach them well."

With a mix of praise and coaxing, the little girl finally calmed down.

After drinking two cups of hot water, Wang Susu took her to wash up and go to bed.

Then he returned to the main room, sat down, brewed tea, and sat down to talk with Qin Qiumei.

"Just now, Dongmei's side..."

"Sigh, she's always had this temper since she was little, Susu, don't take it to heart."

Qin Qiumei said somewhat apologetically.

She had just brought Wang Zhenzhen back when Qin Dongmei saw her. Knowing that she was Wang Susu's younger sister, Qin Dongmei spat at both of them and turned to go inside, ignoring her older sister.

"I'm fine, Sister Qiumei. Aren't you going to visit Dongmei?"

"Sigh, she probably won't even let me into the house anymore. I told you last time, she's been throwing tantrums at me all the time these past six months while I'm at my mom's, complaining that I don't help her with this or that..."

Qin Qiumei sighed repeatedly; her once fair and smooth face had become dull and haggard.

Seeing this, Wang Susu quickly comforted her, and the two women had endless things to talk about.

Chen Ling checked the time. It wasn't too late, just past 8:30, but it got dark early on the mountain in winter, and by this time it was pitch black outside.

He let Qin Qiumei stay and sleep with Susu, while he went to the outskirts of the village to keep an eye on the building materials.

Unfortunately, he had planned to spend some time with his wife tonight, but that's not going to happen now.

(End of this chapter)