https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-142-Searched-High-and-Low-and-Found-It-Effortlessly/12849257/
Chapter 141: When You're Poor, You Eat Anything
Chapter 141: When You’re Poor, You Eat Anything
“Pork for sale!”
“Three cents a pound! Come and buy, Cousin Ah Biao!”
In the morning, Deng Shirong was having porridge with his children and daughter-in-law when he heard the cries of the vendor outside.
Zhang Xiuping was surprised. “Did I hear that right? Three cents a pound for pork? How can it be so cheap?”
Hearing the vendor, Deng Shirong, with his experience, knew what was going on. “At that price, it’s probably from a pig that died of illness. If you don’t believe me, go out and see for yourselves. The pork will definitely be cooked, not raw.”
In those times, most rural families lived in poor conditions. It was normal to go a month without eating meat, and even when they did, the portions were tiny. Aside from a few families who could afford meat more frequently, most people craved it desperately.
So, when a family’s pig died of illness, it was unthinkable to throw it away. They would cut it into large pieces, cook it thoroughly, and then sell it.
Even though others knew it was from a diseased pig, the low price made it irresistible for families who rarely ate meat. They would buy a piece to enjoy.
For the people of that era, nothing was wasted. Even pigs or chickens that drowned in the manure pond would be salvaged, cleaned, and cooked. Some had been in the pond for a whole night, but they were still fished out and eaten.
The taste, well, you had to try it to know.
In short, the rural people of that time were all about not wasting anything. They wouldn’t even discard the lymph nodes from a pig, which they would cook and eat. Some said it was quite tasty.
Hearing this, the children and daughter-in-law put down their chopsticks and ran outside to check.
When they returned, Deng Yunzhen said, “Dad, you were right. The pork is indeed cooked, and the vendor confirmed it’s from a diseased pig.”
Zhang Xiuping added, “If you hadn’t told us, I wouldn’t have known about this.”
Deng Shirong smiled. “You’re not the ones managing the household yet. It’s usually the parents who buy the meat, so it’s normal that you wouldn’t know about this.”
Zhang Xiuping said, “We just saw people buying it. Can they really eat that pork? Is it safe?”
Deng Shirong replied, “This kind of pork is sold every year, and many people have eaten it without any reported issues. However, if you can afford good pork, you should definitely buy that instead. This pork is best avoided, as it’s not good for you.
But for many families, being able to buy a pound of pork for three cents is much more cost-effective than buying regular pork.
In the end, it’s all because of poverty. If we had the money, who wouldn’t want to eat good pork?”
Deng Yunzhen sighed. “The poor soul who raised that pig. It’s such a pity that after all that effort, the pig died and the meat lost its value.”
Deng Shirong finished his last mouthful of porridge and said, “That’s the risk of raising livestock. If everything goes smoothly, it’s great, but if a disease strikes, it can be a huge loss. In comparison, farming carries much less risk.”
The children and daughter-in-law all nodded in agreement.
After finishing their porridge, Deng Yuntai rode his bicycle to the pottery factory to work, while Deng Shirong went to Deng YunGui’s house to discuss the matter of advancing a year’s wages to help Ah Yuan get married.
Although Deng Shirong had a fair amount of cash on hand and could easily lend a few hundred yuan to Ah Yuan, the money was borrowed from the credit union. Lending out borrowed money just didn't feel right, so it was better to advance Ah Yuan his wages under the kiln factory's name.
...
Before they knew it, it was already the tenth day of the second month.
After breakfast, Ou Guohua, accompanied by seven relatives, set off for Naye Village to meet her future in-laws.
Among the seven relatives was her cousin, Ou Guofang.
After leaving Poxin Village, the two sisters walked side by side, holding hands.
Ou Guofang sighed, "Ahua, Ping married last year, and now you're going to meet your in-laws. Once you marry into Naye Village, you and Ping will have each other for company, but I won't have anyone to confide in anymore."
Ou Guohua comforted her, "Sister, don't worry. Ping has already asked her father-in-law to look for a suitable match for you. If he finds someone, he'll definitely help you get together."
Ou Guofang, looking a bit worried, said, "I know, but it's been so long, and I doubt there's anyone suitable for me in Naye Village."
Ou Guohua replied, "Even if there isn't anyone in Naye Village, there will be in the nearby villages."
Ou Guofang sighed, "I hope so!"
...
Naye Village.
Deng Changyuan was dressed in his finest clothes, and he had gotten a haircut two days ago. He looked refreshed and spirited.
Although he knew the group from Poxin Village wouldn't arrive until after 11:30, Deng Changyuan couldn't help running to the village entrance every now and then, eager to see his beloved as soon as possible.
His behavior naturally drew teasing from his relatives and friends, but Deng Changyuan didn't mind at all.
On his twelfth trip to the village entrance, he finally saw the familiar figure of Elder Gong and the woman he had been thinking about day and night. His spirits lifted, and he hurried back to inform his parents and relatives, then led them all to the village entrance to welcome the guests.
When the two groups met, Deng Shirong, acting as the matchmaker, introduced everyone. After some polite exchanges, they all walked back to Deng Changyuan's house.
Ou Guohua noticed that Deng Changyuan, the simpleton, had his eyes fixed on her from the moment they met. She felt both flattered and embarrassed. Once they reached his house, she couldn't help but say, "You should tell Ping that we've arrived, or else she won't know!"
Deng Changyuan, as if waking from a dream, chuckled, "I almost forgot. Ping told me to let her know as soon as you arrived. You all sit down for a bit; I'll go tell her right away."
Seeing Deng Changyuan run off to inform Ping, Ou Guofang leaned in and whispered to her cousin, "Ahua, you've found a good one. Look, his eyes are only on you."
Ou Guohua's ears turned red, and she whispered back, "He's just a simpleton."
Ou Guofang laughed, "He's not a simpleton, he just acts that way around you."
Ou Guohua: "..."
While the two girls chatted, the male relatives and elders were busy greeting the female guests.
Less than three minutes later, Zhang Xiuping arrived.
The three young women were overjoyed to see each other.
...
Sweat, I'll continue renaming tomorrow, I'm clashing with the book title!!!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
