Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

Chapter 21: 21 prominent names

Jiang Xinyu looked at Zhou Lihong with a gaze reserved for children throwing tantrums.

”Madwoman, what’s that look in your eyes?”

”Madwoman?”

”Yeah, not only are you a madwoman, you’re also a fool, a wastrel, a jinx, an ugly monster, greedy for money.”

”Tsk tsk tsk tsk! You must have taxed your brain to come up with these names. Zhou Lihong, if you were this clever in school, maybe you wouldn’t have been demoted a class?”

”Jiang Xinyu, what gives you the right to talk to me like that, you wastrel? You guys study well not because you’re smart, but because you have good parents who let you focus on studying. What about me? I have to get up early and work hard all day just to go to school, doing all the chores at home.

If I had your time, I wouldn’t be worse than you.

Additionally, Kong Mengjie graduated from junior high because she has a good family and capable parents. How about you? What do you have? For so many years, you’ve just been bleeding your parents dry, what do you have to show off?”

Jiang Xinyu truly looked at Zhou Lihong with new respect, surprised that this big sister could say such things?

”Yes, I’m terribly ashamed.”

Seeing Jiang Xinyu’s guilty expression, Zhou Lihong suddenly didn’t know what to say. Although she looked down on Jiang Xinyu, it was just verbal jabs; she didn’t really want to expose wounds.

”Let’s go, let’s go back together.” Jiang Xinyu noticed Zhou Lihong’s awkwardness. This girl was alright, at least her nature wasn’t yet spoiled.

”Hmph, who wants to go with you? I’m afraid you’ll suddenly snap and hack me.” With that, she arrogantly quickened her pace ahead, clearly drawing a line.

Jiang Xinyu stood behind and shook her head. That mouth.

Walking steadily on the way home. Upon arriving, she found five or six bundles of branches at her doorstep. Jiang Xinyu wondered who brought them.

It definitely wasn’t misplaced; they were stacked right at her doorstep. Who could have made such a mistake?

She went next door and knocked. ”Auntie, who brought these branches?”

”Qiangzi, come out, help Xinyu carry the branches inside.

Xinyu, I had your Brother Qiangzi chop these branches for you. You have a small frame, shouldn’t do too much heavy work. As a woman, you can’t shortchange yourself in life, otherwise, you’ll understand when you’re married.”

”Thank you, Auntie, and thank you, Brother Qiangzi.”

Qiangzi scratched his head honestly. ”No need, it’s not tiring.”

Just two trips and he placed the branches in the yard. Jiang Xinyu locked the door, then summoned in her space the branches and dead trees she gathered today.

The yard was full of branches, but Jiang Xinyu knew these wouldn’t be enough to burn. Winter was too cold; the only option was to keep the kongs burning to keep the house warm.

After washing her hands and face, she carried her bowl and went to the canteen.

The canteen was crowded today, the village chief was there, ”Everyone, don’t go back yet, I have something to discuss with you.”

Jiang Xinyu figured it was about the grain. She really had no opinion on it; whatever opinion one has now, what can you do?

Not allowed to leave, she stayed to listen. Joining future group activities was essential to not seem out of tune.

She looked around but couldn’t find Wang Ailing. Not back yet?

Standing in line at the back, someone tapped her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Wang Ailing. ”Sis, you’re back?”

”Yeah, I’ll come to your house later.”

Jiang Xinyu nodded with a smile. ”The village chief said there’s something to discuss later, told everyone to stay.”

Feeling speaking like this with Wang Ailing wasn’t convenient, she looked at the two kids behind her in line. ”You two go ahead of me.”

They didn’t hesitate and switched places.

”I brought you eggs. Was planning to have them with porridge at home.”

”An extra meal tonight is better.”

The two took their turn to get food. Jiang Xinyu felt it was even thinner than the morning. But she didn’t say anything; she had her own resources and wasn’t about to squabble over food with them.

With more than a thousand villagers present, the canteen was cramped, so the two squeezed into a corner. ”Xinyu, let’s drink porridge here, or else if it’s cold, it’ll be even harder.”

Jiang Xinyu didn’t mind, just tilted her head and gulped from her bowl.

After eating, Jiang Xinyu considered asking for some water to rinse her bowl but was stopped by Wang Ailing. ”Just stay calm, risk bumping into someone and it’ll be a mess.”

Kong Zhongyou watched as everyone finished eating, excluding the children.

”Ahem! I attended a meeting in the town today; there’s an announcement. When our big canteen was initially set up, it was entirely voluntary, and everyone agreed to its establishment. However, due to the nationwide calamity, most areas have no output, but we are better off here. At least after submitting our public grain, there’s some left.

The commune’s stance is that currently, it’s impossible to ensure everyone is well-fed. Today, the village chiefs were called to convey this, if the canteen runs out of grain, then solve it ourselves; we must not hold back the country.”

”Village Chief, does that mean there’s no grain left for our canteen?”

Kong Zhongyou nodded, ”Yes, the canteen now has less than a thousand jin of grain left.”

”Village Chief. That’s not feasible, we didn’t get a single grain this year. Without the canteen, what do we eat? Northwest wind?”

”Everyone quiet, I understand your feelings. I went to the town last month to ask for relief grain, but it’s the same condition nationwide, and the country can’t spare any.

Our village is still relatively better off; the other villages in our town are already without any grain to cook.”

Living in the same town, everyone knew this news already but didn’t believe it, couldn’t accept it, perhaps?

”Informing you today, and tomorrow, we’ll distribute grain. One jin per laborer, six liang per child. That’s all there is.”

The canteen fell silent, deathly silent. No one spoke.

What good is one jin of grain? It’s just enough for a day’s meal, what’s next?

”Village Chief, when will the relief grain come?”

Kong Zhongyou shook his head, ”In today’s meeting, someone raised this, but the town chief didn’t have an answer; it’s not just our village’s issue.”

”Tomorrow we finish eating, what about the day after?” Someone persistently asked.

”I have no solution either, no grain myself, just have to wait.”

Hearing this, the canteen burst into an uproar. After understanding the situation, Jiang Xinyu wanted to leave, but Wang Ailing held her back, ”Wait, don’t stand out, why attract attention now?”

Jiang Xinyu had to endure continued listening. It was the same words, over and over rearranged.