When Qin Mian finished washing the dishware, he put everything back to its original position before he walked out of the kitchen and saw Lei Tie sitting at the table, with one hand supporting his chin, head drooping, eyes closed and the smell of the wine on his body wafted with the wind.
He brought rock salt to the outside of the house and squatted on the ground. While gurgling, he sensed the quietness all around; his mind was at peace. Moving out was indeed a good start.
Afterwards, he went to the bedroom to get clean clothes and scooped hot water into the tub. There was no bathroom, so he had to make do and lifted the bathtub outside. He took off his clothes and went in. He felt so comfortable that he breathed a sigh of relief. Just then he secretly added some spiritual spring water to the bathwater. Now he felt very comfortable to soak in that the previous hard work was not worth mentioning.
Lei Tie opened his eyes and heard the sound of the water outside. His eyes were like a well without waves[1], his thoughts unknown.
After taking a bath, Qin Mian felt refreshed. Water had splashed everywhere and he relaxingly stretched out, “I’ll go to sleep first. There is still hot water in the wok, it should be enough for you.”“Nn. Today, I passed by the rice field, the rice can be harvested.” Lei Tie said.
It seemed that Lei Tie was still very sober, Qin Mian said his own thoughts, “I think we should buy the home site first, so that we can open a vegetable field nearby to grow some vegetables, otherwise we will have to spend money to buy vegetables two months later.”
Lei Tie was about to go to the kitchen but turned around, “Go tomorrow morning.”
Qin Mian did not ask where he was going to buy it but he nodded and entered the bedroom.
Lei Tie looked at the two mouthwash cups placed side by side in the kitchen, he stood still for a moment before he picked up the one which was not wet to gargle.
After cleaning himself, he put the bolt on and blew the oil lamp before he went to the bedroom. Qin Mian had closed his eyes and lay on the side of the bed, leaning to the edge of the bed. Lei Tie didn’t mind, he opened the quilt and went into bed, lying on his side facing Qin Mian. It was because he knew that the little guy would automatically squeeze into his arms when he fell asleep.
This night, Qin Mian slept very comfortably without a dream until he naturally woke up. It was bright outside the window and the sunlight came in through the gap in the curtain, soundless and stirless.Outside the house, there was a sound of blade being sharpened. Lei Tie was sitting in front of a sharpening stone, intently sharpening a sickle.
The sunlight casted a shadow on his forehead, making his angular face softer. Qin Mian stared blankly for a few seconds before regaining his mind.
“Sorry, I got up late. I’ll make breakfast now.” Qin Mian felt a little ashamed. He scratched at the tangled hair on his head and coughed softly to ease the embarrassment.
Lei Tie took a look at him and shook his head before continuing to sharpen the blade. “I’ll go to the field first.”
Qin Mian wanted to ask about the home site, but thought it was important to harvest rice and so he swallowed the question. “I will send you food soon. By the way, why only one sickle?”
“I can do it alone.” Lei Tie stood up.
Qin Mian had other things to do, but thought that he and Lei tie had only a rice field which could be done in one day with Lei Tie’s strength, so he didn’t insist on helping. Looking at the sky, he estimated that it’s nearly nine o’clock and quickly stepped into the kitchen to light fire, mixed wheat flour with water to make a semi-thick liquid, added in chopped green onion, salt, minced meat and eggs, then stirred evenly. Then he quickly made a few sheet of savory chopped onion meat pancakes. He kept three for himself and the remaining seven were rolled up and put in a bowl. Afterwards, he put a lid on before putting it in a small basket. After a thought, he found a clean water jar and filled it with cold [boiled] water. He locked the door and went to send the food to Lei Tie. In his hand was a chopped onion meat pancake which he ate while walking.
The sun was shining brightly in the sky. In the golden rice field, there were farmers bending over to harvest rice. As they quickly and skillfully waved the sickle, a handful of rice stalk was cut down and soon piled high. People dreaded rain in the harvest season, so no one was chatting and everyone was racing against the clock. Only a few rice fields matured a little later. From a distance, the golden yellow was like plushy carpet.
When people in the field heard the movement on the ridge, they looked up. Qin Mian smiled politely and nodded in assent. People with good attitude gave him smile; people with bad attitude quickly lowered their heads.
Qin Mian didn’t pay any attention at all. He soon arrived at “his family’s” rice field and was surprised to see that one mu of rice filed had been cut to one fifth.
Lei Tie was bending down to work. With a sickle, he cut down a lot of rice stalks. He consciously glanced at the back and upon seeing Qin Mian, the indifference in his eyes faded away.
Qin Mian waved, “Brother Tie, eat first.”
In the nearby rice field, an old man in his early fifties was leading two young robust men harvesting rice. Seeing Qin Mian, the old man’s eyes narrowed as he chuckled a few times, “What tasty food did Lei Tie’s wife[2] deliver to Lei Tie?”
Qin Mian found out that the old man was Li Zheng, he was surprised. In ancient rural areas, it could be said that Li Zheng was the villager’s parental official[3] and having a good relationship with Li Zheng could reduce a lot of troubles. Were Lei Daqiang and Du Shi confused or stupid? It was a real surprise that they were given the rice field that was adjacent to Li Zheng.
He walked over quickly. “Is Uncle Li busy? Unexpectedly, the fields of our families are adjacent. It’s a coincidence, later on we will have to bother Uncle Li Zheng a lot to keep an eye on. I made some chopped onion meat pancakes. If Uncle Li Zheng and the two big brothers don’t dislike it, do want to try it?”
Uncle Li Zheng hurriedly declined, “How can we? No need, no need. ”
His two sons had smelled the fragrance and couldn’t help looking into the basket.
Qin Mian gave Lei Tie a hint with his eyes.
Lei Tie took the basket, brought out the bowl and took out three pancakes before he handed them to Li Zheng, “Uncle Li Zheng, taste it. My family’s made is not worth anything.”
Li Zheng had to rub his hands on his clothes before he took the chopped onion meat pancakes and gave two pieces to his two sons. He took a bite. The lingering aftertaste of the egg with the rich taste of the meat complemented each other well. He nodded repeatedly, “Delicious. Lei Tie’s wife’s craftsmanship is good.”
Note:
[1] Well without waves = have no more sexual desire
[2] 家的= jiā de= (old) wife. So jia de [family’s] is an old address for a wife… huuhu… why did I found it late? Anyhow, from now on, a lot of changes will be made. You might not notice it anyway.
[3]父母官parental official (a popular term for a county magistrate)
