Chapter 87: Slaughtered Pig Celebration
Villagers gathered from all directions at the drying yard.
“Comrades Mu and Xu are truly capable!”
“It’s a pity I don’t have a daughter of the right age. Either of those two would make a great son-in-law!”
“Exactly! Those two young men are skilled and good-looking!”
“I have a niece in high school. She’s really pretty—perfect match for either Comrade Mu or Comrade Xu! Don’t you think—”
“Oh, cut it out!” Cai Guihua sneered. “Comrades Mu and Xu already said they won’t be looking for partners in the village!”
Aunt Chunhua also warned, “You’d all better not try to play matchmaker! Comrade Xu has a job now. Even if our village girls are great, do they have work? Why wouldn’t he look for a partner in the city? That way, both will be employed. And Comrade Xu and Comrade Mu are close—who knows, Xu might even bring Mu to the city too!”
Those words hit hard, and the women all deflated.
“Fine, fine, let’s drop it!”
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang went home, cleaned up, and started cooking rice.
They used hard firewood in the stove, so no need to watch it constantly—the rice would slowly steam to perfection.
Mu Lantu had bought two brand-new enamel basins from the mall. After cleaning them, each of them carried one and headed to the drying yard with the other educated youths.
More and more people joined the group, everyone glowing with joy.
“All done!” Aunt Chunhua shouted.
The villagers surged toward the big iron pot but quickly formed a line after realizing it was too crowded.
They insisted on letting Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang go first, repeatedly inviting them with enthusiastic warmth.
Even though both were worldly, they were caught off guard and obediently stood at the front of the line.
The auntie serving the food didn’t waste a word and filled both their basins to the brim—mostly with meat!
As they walked back, the rich aroma kept wafting into their noses.
Wangcai stared upward, eyes glazed, drooling all the way.
“Huazhang, slaughtered pig stew smells so good,” Mu Lantu swallowed and nudged Xu Huazhang with his elbow.
Xu Huazhang smiled, “Didn’t we eat this before?”
He meant in their previous life. After retirement in their past lives, they traveled the world sampling gourmet foods—including slaughtered pig stew.
“Yeah, but I didn’t get enough of it. Let’s go, hurry!” Mu Lantu broke into a happy trot.
Xu Huazhang quickened his pace to follow.
Once inside the dining hall, Mu Lantu sat cross-legged at the kang table, staring at the stew without moving, casting Xu Huazhang several pointed glances.
“My beautiful darling…”
Xu Huazhang ruffled his hair, then served him rice and handed over chopsticks, telling him to eat first. He went off to prepare a portion for Wangcai.
Only when Xu Huazhang returned did Mu Lantu pick up his chopsticks. “Let’s eat!”
Xu Huazhang nodded, “Let’s eat.”
Big bones, ribs, pork belly slices, blood sausage—all savory and flavorful. The radishes, vermicelli, and potatoes had soaked up the broth—rich and delicious. You’d want to swallow your tongue too.
“Huazhang, for the time being, this stew is my favorite!”
“I’m your favorite,” Xu Huazhang corrected him.
Mu Lantu almost choked from laughter. “Okay! I misspoke. For the time being, it’s my favorite dish!”
As a reward, Xu Huazhang gave him a large meaty bone—the meat was so tender it nearly fell off.
Delicious!
Mu Lantu returned the favor, picking up the communal chopsticks and choosing a big bone for Xu Huazhang as well.
Laughter and joy drifted in on the wind. The stew seemed to smell even better.
After the meal, they washed the dishes and bathed. While chatting idly inside the room, there was a knock at the door.
It was Du Xuewen and Miao Jiaze, both carrying something.
Xu Huazhang invited them in and poured water.
“Comrades Miao and Du, what brings you over?” Mu Lantu offered them seats.
Du Xuewen smiled and held up a paper packet. “We came to congratulate you. This is mung bean cake, only half a jin—hope you don’t mind.”
Miao Jiaze grinned. “I brought shoe polish. Just half a tin, but enough to make Comrade Xu’s future shinier than polished leather shoes!”
Xu Huazhang was speechless. What kind of comparison is that? Why not say his future is as bright as the sun?
Still, he brewed two bowls of malted milk for them.
Du and Miao were surprised. “You didn’t have to! Just plain water would be fine.”
“You’re too kind,” Mu Lantu said. “You should keep these for yourselves. The thought is what counts.”
Miao Jiaze was genuinely happy for them and beamed. “Don’t refuse! It’s a double blessing! Let us share in your joy!”
Not long after, Xu Jincheng, Lu Manman, and Yue Xiaoying arrived together.
Yue commented casually, “You two sure ran fast. Why didn’t you call us?”
Du and Miao just smiled and sipped their tea. How could we call you? What if someone didn’t want to come and got blamed?
The three newcomers offered their congratulations and small but thoughtful gifts.
Xu Huazhang became a malted milk-making machine again, preparing drinks for the new guests.
Soon after, Bai Ningning and Zhang Jingxian also arrived.
Once again, Xu Huazhang brewed drinks.
Luckily, they had a full set of teacups at home—otherwise, it would’ve been awkward.
Everyone stayed briefly and then left.
Mu Lantu walked them out. “Thank you all. When Huazhang gets his first paycheck, we must treat you to a meal.”
They all smiled and agreed. Reciprocity builds long-lasting relationships.
Xu Huazhang had to leave for work at 8 a.m., and Mu Lantu got up at 5.
The Dongfanghong brigade was far from the county town. Without a bike, Xu Huazhang had to leave at least an hour and a half early to avoid being late.
A bike ticket was already on the way—Mu Lantu had written to a “friend,” who promised to send one.
For breakfast, Mu Lantu made beef noodles for him.
Xu would eat at the cafeteria for lunch, and dinner at home.
Worried Xu Huazhang might get hungry, Mu Lantu packed him some food: a pack of biscuits, two boiled eggs, some pork jerky, and iced mung bean soup in a thermos.
Knock knock.
Someone was at the door again.
Wangcai barked once and stayed lying in the corner.
Xu Huazhang opened the door to find Zhang Guodong at the gate, a large bundle of firewood at his feet.
He was a bit surprised. “Comrade Guodong, please come in.”
“Ah, thanks.” Zhang smiled sheepishly, carrying the firewood into the yard but not entering the house. “Congrats to you and Comrade Mu. I don’t have much to give, so I gathered some firewood. Hope it’s useful.”
He must’ve gotten up early to collect that much.
“Of course it’s useful! This is great,” said Xu Huazhang.
Mu Lantu came out, smiling. “Comrade Guodong, you know Xu Huazhang has to work in the county from now on. Gathering firewood will be up to me alone. What you brought is right on time—thank you.”
Zhang Guodong blushed slightly. “No need to thank me. I know you’re busy, so I’ll get going.”
Indeed, they were busy, so they didn’t keep him, just walked him out.
“No need to see me out—it’s just a few steps!”
Not wanting to delay them, Zhang Guodong quickly walked back to the youth housing.
Xu Huazhang shouldered his bag. Mu Lantu chuckled.
Xu Huazhang looked down at himself: white shirt, black pants—nothing wrong with the clothes. Shoes were cloth, clean.
Mu Lantu leaned against him with a smile. “Never seen you carry a satchel before. Makes you look a bit youthful—quite charming.”
Flirting this early in the morning.
Xu Huazhang’s eyes darkened. He wrapped an arm around Mu Lantu’s waist and kissed him hard.
The gate was open, and even though they trusted their hearing, the thrill made it even more intense.
Xu Huazhang let him go for now. “Be good. I’ve got to go. Don’t go running into the mountains alone.”
“I know.”
After Xu Huazhang left, Mu Lantu latched the gate, returned to his room, and searched the mall.
Satchels were okay occasionally, but long-term use? Backpacks were more practical.
He found an olive-green military-style “three-pocket rucksack.” Not great-looking. Then in his storage, he found a black canvas backpack. Old-fashioned, simple, roughly stitched.
That’s the one.
But it needed some work.
He laid the pack on the table, pressed it flat, then used a steel scrubber to wear down spots until they turned pale. Then he used the back of a knife to scratch the sides.
Still not satisfied, he went to the garden, picked some green leaves, mashed them into juice, and smeared it in random spots. Finally, he hung the bag on a rack in the sun.
After a nap, he got up at 7:30, ate breakfast, washed the bag with laundry powder, and set it out to dry again.
By 8 a.m., the villagers were already out working.
Mu Lantu took Wangcai and headed for the back mountain—to avoid others.
That would be his new routine.
Someone not working hanging around the workers was bound to become an eyesore.
At the foot of the mountain, he again avoided people and entered the forest—to gather firewood and wild greens. Then used the points he earned to buy more firewood from the mall.
He didn’t plan to go home for lunch. He found a flat patch of grass, sprayed bug repellent around, and laid out a picnic blanket.
Shaded by trees, it wasn’t hot—just slightly muggy.
By 5 p.m., he had moved eight large bundles of firewood to the base of the mountain—thick, dry branches and old roots.
That kind of wood burned longer.
People assumed he went deep into the forest to get that much.
Two old women scolded him: no going into the mountains—wild boars, wolves, snakes, and bears!
Mu Lantu obediently agreed and slipped each of them two wild eggs.
He had Wangcai guard the wood, then carried two bundles per trip—four runs total—to bring everything home.
The backpack was now dry. The dye held firmly.
Of course, the firewood still needed drying, and large pieces had to be chopped down to size to burn better.
