Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

But judging from past experiences, it's likely that Xiang Zhiqiang won't agree. And Ma Dongmei really can't stand Xiang Zhiqiang.

This method needs some serious thought. I really don't want Ma Dongmei always staying at my house, neglecting hygiene, gnashing her teeth at night. Honestly, everything about her is irritating.

This has to be sorted out quickly. Otherwise, I have to keep putting up with her.

Sometimes, people really can't escape murmurs of complaint.

By late morning, Xiang Zhiqiang came in carrying a bag.

"Lan Ying, guess what this is?"

Ma Dongmei took one look at Xiang Zhiqiang and snorted.

Zheng Lanying hurriedly got up, "Brother Xiang, what is this?"

"Wild rabbit, caught in the field."

At this, Ma Dongmei sat up. Last night, Tan Shaoting went to deliver some meat, but she knew they were essentially withholding food now.

After working hard for so long, having meat would be wonderful.

"Two of them?"

"Yeah, I've already butchered them. I've prepared the rabbit skin for you; once it's done, you can make a hat."

"Thanks, Brother Xiang."

"No need to be polite. These rabbits are all yours; keep them for yourself to eat."

Xiang Zhiqiang said that and was about to leave. Zheng Lanying grabbed him.

"Brother Xiang, don't leave. Stay and eat lunch with us today. I'll stew the rabbit, and you stay to eat."

"No need, just keep it for yourself to eat." Xiang Zhiqiang swallowed, feeling Zheng Lanying holding onto his hand.

"That wouldn't do. Since you're the one who brought the wild rabbit.

It's just that we have no alcohol. If we had some, that would be perfect."

"Lan Ying, do you drink?"

"Not really, just think meat should naturally come with alcohol. Borrowing flowers to offer Buddha, I want to treat Brother Xiang and thank you for your help this year."

Ma Dongmei was lying on the kang and listening, just waiting for them to stew the meat. When the time comes, she definitely plans to stay and eat; they wouldn't dare not invite her, would they?

"Brother Xiang, could you bring some alcohol?"

"Sure, I'll get some for you."

Zheng Lanying pulled out one yuan, "Brother Xiang, use this to buy alcohol; buy plenty so Dongmei can join us, and the three of us can eat meat and drink."

Xiang Zhiqiang also wanted meat and drink. But he didn't take the yuan; he still had money to buy alcohol.

"I'll go exchange some; the farm has a family brewing their own alcohol. I'll exchange grain for it. You guys wait."

Zheng Lanying smiled; what is there to worry about now? She's just naive; when such things happen, others think of her too.

She can't stand Ma Dongmei's arrogant attitude, so she said nothing, took the bag out.

Ma Dongmei sat up stiff on the kang, but in order to enjoy the meat, she decided to bear it.

Zheng Lanying went to the central room, put the rabbit in warm water. She knew how to do this. It should be chopped into pieces, so she noisily worked outside, then scalded cornmeal with boiled water. A pot was ready.

When everything was sorted, she took over twenty potatoes from the house, all placed aside ready for cooking.

She returned to the kang to continue grinding corn, ignoring Ma Dongmei. Actually, she's not entirely bad; just caught up in the moment's anger; internally conflicted, fearing her actions might harm them both.

But Ma Dongmei couldn't hold her tongue, "Lan Ying, you don't want me to stay and eat? Afraid I'll hinder you?"

Zheng Lanying laughed; what's there to dwell on? Ma Dongmei brought this on herself.

"How could that be? Didn't I say to stay and eat?"

"I thought so; you're not like that. If it wasn't for me speaking up, you might not have been able to stay here."

Zheng Lanying was so annoyed by Ma Dongmei. How can someone be so aggravating?

So she just smiled, continued grinding corn, rushed to hand over her work, maybe she'd earn some more money.

Meanwhile, Xiang Zhiqiang quickly ran home, fetched the leftover corn. Since Lan Ying mentioned wanting more, he took thirty pounds of corn to another group.

They wouldn't make things hard; the corn exchanged for five pounds of white alcohol, brewed from grain with an especially high proof.

Xiang Zhiqiang happily cradled the bottle, headed for Zheng Lanying's house.

When he arrived, Zheng Lanying was already cooking, and the aroma of rabbit meat was wafting through.

After working a hard fall harvest, everyone desperately craved some flavor, discreetly swallowing with the scent of the meat.

A huge pot of rabbit and potatoes.

Originally planned for griddle cakes, but couldn't fit them.

No choice, steamed buns would have to do; essentially the same.

"Lan Ying, I can light the fire for you." After marrying Zhao Yanping, he'd never helped with household chores.

"Great, I'll mix some cabbage, and slice some pickled vegetables."

On a rural table, big sauce and pickled veggies were a must.

Ma Dongmei was utterly unreserved, still lying motionless on the kang; now with the fire burning, the kang became even warmer, even less inclined to move.

An hour and a half later, the three sat eating on the kang, with the kang table Xiang Zhiqiang had helped buy, naturally without Zheng Lanying spending money.

A big bowl full of rabbit stewed with potatoes, truly delicious with only salt for seasoning, still, it's meat!

"Brother Xiang, have some, see if I made it tasty?"

Xiang Zhiqiang picked up the bottle, "Lan Ying, would you like to try?"

"Pour me a little; how could there be meat without alcohol?"

In these parts come winter, everyone drinks a bit.

Ma Dongmei also drank, so she pushed her bowl forward, "Fill it up."

"This is over fifty proof."

"When I say fill it up, you fill it up, why all the chatter?"

Xiang Zhiqiang knew Ma Dongmei looked down on him, but he didn't go chasing her; if it weren't for being at Lan Ying's place, who'd bother with her?

But he filled it up for her, also filled his own.

The three then began eating.

Ma Dongmei's eating manner was really unsightly, just picking out meat.

"Brother Xiang, Dongmei, let's toast; thank you, Brother Xiang, for taking care of me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have survived."

Ma Dongmei curled her lips, but raised her drink, half gone in one gulp.

"This alcohol is good; drinking it feels warm."

Zheng Lanying only took a small sip, "Too spicy, you guys drink more. I can't drink much."

Thus, the three ate and drank, with Xiang Zhiqiang and Ma Dongmei competing to drink.

The meal went on for more than an hour, the two of them getting tipsy.

Now Zheng Lanying encouraged them to drink even more; seeing Ma Dongmei with glazed eyes, Xiang Zhiqiang had a slurred tongue, frequently trying to get touchy.