Song Sancheng finally agreed to let her come back and farm, allowing Song Tan to breathe a sigh of relief.
Next up was her mother, Wu Lan.
At that moment, Wu Lan called out, "Dinner's ready, Qiaoqiao, go wash your hands and bring the dishes!"
Song Qiao obediently ran over, and despite the winter cold, turned on the outdoor faucet to wash up and then cheerfully brought the dishes.
The milky white wild crucian carp soup with a handful of cilantro on top was so fresh and alive you could tell just by the smell!
Next came eight pieces of braised crucian carp, small ones weighing about two to three ounces each, now paired with cilantro, chili, and scallions in a braise, filling the whole house with a rich aroma!
If it were a bit warmer, there would surely be even tastier fish roe in the fish bellies!
Then came radish stewed with jar meat.
Jar meat is a local method of preparation where suitable cuts of pork are salted and sliced into small pieces, stir-fried in peanut oil until the meat turns golden and fragrant lard is rendered, allowing the meat and oil to be placed into a jar.
Once cooled, a thick layer of white lard protects the meat tightly; cover it, store it in a cool place, and dig out what you need as you eat.
Today's stew had even the fatty parts tasting fragrant without being greasy!
Next was a plate of wild garlic stir-fried eggs, the finely chopped wild garlic bright and green, and their own home-raised chicken eggs fried to a golden color, the combination aromatic!
Lastly, there was a dish nicknamed "Red Beaks Green Parrots"!
The tender green spinach was sweet in the mouth, stir-fried with garlic...
Fairy Song Tan plopped onto a chair, refusing to budge!
Her brother, Song Qiao, was a sweetheart; he had already brought over the bowls: "Sis, I helped catch the fish! Eat more!"
Song Sancheng didn't mind anything else, but the dignity of fishing was not to be infringed upon: "You just hooked a worm; what do you mean you caught it..."
Wu Lan interrupted, "Qiaoqiao hooked the worm well, that's why we caught fish! Otherwise, why'd you catch so many this time, right, Qiaoqiao?"
Song Qiao glanced at his dad, nodding his nose: "Exactly!"
Family dynamics were clear.
Song Tan smiled as she sipped her brother's fish soup, savoring its fresh taste.
The only downside was that behind the fresh flavor was a muddled sensation that only she could perceive.
However, despite lacking spiritual energy and impurities persisting, her hungry stomach could now handle it.
It was far better than the daytime takeout.
...
Wu Lan watched as her daughter refilled her bowl, noting her pale face and frail body, feeling both proud and loving:
"Eat more; there's more in the pot. Tomorrow I'll cook on the earthen stove, and make some crispy crust boiled in chicken soup for you!"
Their kitchen was large, and the old earthen stove from earlier years hadn't been dismantled. Every time Song Tan returned home, she had to have some stove-crust rice.
Song Tan was moved, showing a pitiful expression: "Mom, I don't want to work anymore, I'm so tired."
She had meant to show weakness, but forgot she had cultivated immortality for a hundred years, not grasping her mom's personality.
For instance, Wu Lan now sighed: "Then what to do? Why not switch jobs? It's no big deal if you earn less; your dad and I have saved enough and can look after your brother in retirement."
With Song Qiao's condition, even the hospital said there was no other way, so the old couple had long decided to live together with their son in retirement.
Things like getting married or finding a woman to care for him...
That was impossible.
Qiaoqiao may be troubled, but he's a good kid, and nowadays, even your own can't guarantee they won't abandon you, let alone find someone else.
Avoid causing others trouble, and don't let anyone wrong Qiaoqiao.
Years of thrift and frugality had been to accumulate retirement funds and ensure they wouldn't burden their daughter.
Tantan was beautiful, a college graduate, but shouldn't return to the rural area and waste her potential...there are no young people under thirty in their village now!
They hoped she would have a good job, marry into a good family, just avoiding hardships...
Song Tan didn't realize that in this short time, her mother's mind had already turned a hundred times over. Seeing that showing weakness didn't work, she went straight:
"Mom, I want to come home and farm."
As soon as she said this, Wu Lan was already reaching for a switch, and Song Tan tensed instinctively, then hurriedly added—
"And take care of my health. Mom, I'm too frail!"
Wu Lan caught her breath, paused: "True, you're so young but your job is too exhausting, you need to recuperate."
"Fine, stay home for a few months, spring won't be too busy, you can also get some exercise."
Song Tan and Song Sancheng exchanged a glance, both remaining silent.
But there was one truth Song Tan didn't lie about—her body was indeed frail.
Although she seemed strong and didn't fear the cold, it was only due to the spiritual energy tempering from the accident.
Yet, the city was sparse in spiritual energy, and she had suffered severe internal injuries, nearing death, forcing her to gather spiritual energy to survive...
Despite hospitals claiming she was fine, she knew her body wasn't fully healed and her spirit was greatly depleted.
Saying she would recuperate in the countryside wasn't false.
...
The meal concluded smoothly.
With a full stomach, Song Tan felt noticeably more energetic. Song Qiao eagerly washed the dishes, wanting to impress his sister. She sat by the fire with her family, pondering her future endeavors.
With spiritual energy here, Song Tan was very confident about the future—everyone loved wild and natural goods in today's health craze, and products grown with spiritual energy wouldn't be short on market.
But before that, she had her mother, this great mountain, to pass!
Talking about contracting fields or mountains and making a big move, Song Tan, even after cultivating for hundreds of years, knew her sixty thousand dollars wouldn't suffice; she couldn't avoid using her parent's savings.
Saying a college student suddenly claimed farming could make a fortune...
Song Tan believed Wu Lan would grab a switch, scold her while hitting:
"You're so capable!"
"You know how to farm!"
"If farming could make money, why do people move to cities!"
"If farming could make money, why do your parents still live in the village!"
Alright, it seems she ought to take it step by step, focusing on her family's fields first.
It was late February, just past the Lantern Festival, an ideal time with everything about to spring to life. Her return now was perfect for recuperating and channeling spiritual energy.
When spring rains come, she would achieve results with her family's fields first, then proceed gradually.
Now, she was least lacking in patience and time.
But before that—
"Mom, about the family's fields, let me have a piece to try on my own, without any help from you."
Wu Lan casually tossed a log into the stove, saying leisurely, "So are you wanting to farm or dig mountains? Take that corner field in the bamboo forest that's been neglected for years; have your dad fix it up for you."
"As for mountains...what's there to divvy up? The mountain behind the house is ours, as is our old Tea Mountain, plus another further away...if you can handle it, go ahead and do what you want."
Song Tan: !!!