Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Chapter 26: 26 Snow

Seeing the sheep in the pen, only then did she go into the house to start the fire.

I wonder which family in the village has a lot of red sweet potatoes. I’ll buy some.

After all, it’s all about eating, and thinking about the sweet aroma of baked sweet potatoes makes me crave them so much.

Sitting in front of the stove, it’s much warmer now, but once the snow stops, I still have to shovel it. I really have no ability to handle the roof. I think if there are suitable trees, I’d definitely cut down a couple, then I could ask someone to help and tie a ladder.

Thankfully, this broom was bought, and I’ll be able to use it to shovel snow later.

The kang is probably warm now too. Su Yuanyuan once again snuggled into the quilt.

This nap is really the best, and before sleeping, she thought she’d get up and check in a bit.

Who knew, she slept until it was already past nine in the morning.

After getting dressed, she saw that it was still snowing outside.

Moreover, the snowflakes were large, and it was already a vast expanse of white outside.

”Is it going to snow heavily?” Might as well keep the fire going. I also need to get some hot water for the sheep.

It wasn’t until eleven in the morning, and it showed no sign of stopping.

Su Yuanyuan was worried the snow would get too thick, and there was no way around it. She folded a hat-like shape out of the bottom of a burlap sack, put it on her head, and went outside. Walking on the thick snow, it crunched beneath her. She took out her shovel and first cleared a path.

The path she shoveled was only about a meter wide. When she reached the sheep pen, she looked back and saw it was covered in white again.

Looking at the roof, Su Yuanyuan was distressed. What should I do? This is a newly replaced roof, but I’m afraid it can’t withstand this.

She gave the sheep some food and turned around to the eaves.

She pulled out two withered trees and stuck them under the eaves, simply tying split firewood with ropes, which could also make a ladder. This adobe house wasn’t very tall anyway, just two meters, so Su Yuanyuan tied four pieces.

This makeshift ladder could indeed be used to climb the roof.

Carefully stepping onto the roof, she was afraid of suddenly falling through.

Now the snow had become lighter, thank goodness.

Bit by bit, she shoveled all the snow down with an iron shovel, then used the broom to sweep it again.

The snow had stopped, and Su Yuanyuan’s most worrying task was done.

She slowly climbed down, not dismantling the ladder. Just leave it as it is; although it’s neither sturdy nor pretty, it’s fine for her own use.

She went back indoors and lit the fire.

After having lunch, she began to clear the snow from the sheep pen.

”You say I’m raising you, and I still have to serve you.”

Despite the complaint, Su Yuanyuan didn’t slow down at all.

Once the sheep pen was tidied, she brewed some cornmeal for the sheep before continuing to clear the snow outside.

Clearing a path to the toilet, a path to the main door, and one to the woodshed.

There’s no need for anything else; when spring comes and the snow melts, I won’t need to water the ground.

It’s all done now, and I’ve worked up quite a sweat. I might as well stay inside for a while.

I found a novel, and while eating some snacks, I comfortably leaned back on the kang.

Actually, this is essentially the life I lived in a previous life.

Then I heard Hu Chunhua’s voice outside. Su Yuanyuan hurriedly put away things that shouldn’t be seen and then went out.

”Aunt.”

”Oh dear. You’re quite capable, girl. Great, as long as you’ve shoveled the snow off your roof.”

”Aunt, have you finished shoveling yours?”

”Finished. Hurry up and get inside; it’s too cold outside. And here’s a pair of cotton shoes for you, try not to go out often; these shoes get wet with just a few steps outside.”

”Alright, I understand.”

In the evening, after eating wonton pancakes, she lay comfortably in the warm quilt.

Days of eating and drinking like this are quite enjoyable.

On the third day of snow, Yang Hongwen came carrying half a bag of corn kernels.

”Uncle, I have food, really. I bought a bag of grain at Uncle Meng Xiangtian’s house, enough to eat.”

In the end, Su Yuanyuan didn’t keep the half bag of corn kernels.

Every household has its difficulties; if they give it to me, it’s like they’re eating less themselves. I’m not short of it, so there’s no need to take advantage.

Yang Hongwen suddenly thought of this girl and worried that with the heavy snow and ice, if she was alone, anything could happen.

It’s a real life, after all. If he can, he’ll definitely look out for her.

If she says she has food, then let it be.

”Are you going to grind flour? Shall I get your Aunt to go with you?”

”Uncle, there’s no need these few days. I still have quite a lot; I ground half a bag last time, and it’s still enough.”

After seeing off Yang Hongwen, Su Yuanyuan decided to visit Meng Xiangtian’s house.

”Girl, why are you here?”

”Aunt, do you have sweet potatoes? Sell me fifty pounds, please?”

”Yes, come inside and wait.”

Su Yuanyuan didn’t go inside; she waited outside for a while and saw Aunt carrying a basket out.

The sweet potatoes were stored really well, and they looked delicious.

”Aunt, how much per pound for these sweet potatoes? Let me pay you.”

”Just give me two dollars.” Times are tough at home; it’s hard to say not to charge at all.

”Aunt, do you have a lot of sweet potatoes?”

”Still quite a bit.”

”Can you give me two hundred pounds more?”

”What do you need so many for?”

”For myself, and I also want to feed some to the sheep.” Actually, she was thinking that in a few days, she’d go to the county, steam them at home, and sell them at the train station. Surely, they would sell.

”Alright, I’ll get your Uncle to bring them over for you.”

”Aunt, how much in total for these two hundred pounds of sweet potatoes?”

”Eight dollars will do.” Selling these sweet potatoes to this girl leaves not much at home. But having some money is good; if needed, we can ask my in-laws or my mom’s side for some.

Su Yuanyuan carried this basket home. It was fine to just wait at home.

The first thing back home was to throw a couple of sweet potatoes into the hearth. Cover them with ember-laden ash, and then put some of the sawdust from cutting dead trees on top.

Put the sweet potatoes directly in the house as it’s also freezing outside.

Both Meng Xiangtian and his wife came over with a basket on their back, ”Girl, that’s all there was at home, and here’s a dollar back for you.”

Su Yuanyuan didn’t refuse. This is also why she likes buying things from Zhao Guiying. It’s straightforward, clear, and allows for long-lasting friendly interactions.

”Aunt, I don’t have enough baskets to store so many sweet potatoes at home; I’m just going to put them directly into bags. You can take your baskets back.”

Su Yuanyuan actually felt that boiling water in a big pot always wastes fuel; this way, steaming sweet potatoes and storing them in space means they stay hot anytime.

Another week passed, and she was dressed, with snow boots from her space. There was no choice; wearing the old cotton shoes made at home would have soaked through before reaching the county. This little girl’s hands and feet had all been frostbitten before.

Fortunately, there was frostbite ointment prepared for the orphanage in the space. Otherwise, who knows how bad the itch would be?

Inside, she wore an ultra-light down jacket, with a cotton coat outside, a Lei Feng hat, and a gray scarf. There was no choice; in this kind of weather, going out without staying warm enough would definitely lead to illness.