Chapter 4: Roasted Wheat Grains

"What about the solar calendar?"

"I think it’s May 18th, right, dear?"

"That’s right. I went with you to pick up Xiaowu from school the day before yesterday; I remember it very clearly!"

Hearing his father's words, Yang Xingwu thought for a moment and asked, "Is it almost Xiaoman (Grain Buds)?"

"Yes, only three days until Xiaoman!"

"Why do you ask? Is something up?" Wang Zhaodi asked, noticing how detailed her son’s questions were.

Hearing his mother’s concerned tone, Yang Xingwu didn’t hold back. After all, with his frail, scholarly appearance, he couldn't accomplish much on his own; having his family's help would make things easier. Thinking of this, Yang Xingwu said, "It’s the season for green wheat kernels. Our villagers can still manage to eat some, but those city folks survive on rationed grain—can they get their hands on this?"

"What could they possibly eat? They’d be lucky to buy flour with their ration coupons!" Wang Zhaodi dismissed the idea with a scoff.

"Dad, Mom, what if we take some green wheat kernels to the city to sell?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the bustling dinner scene fell into absolute silence. The younger sister, who had been eating, noticed the strange atmosphere at the table and slowed her movements, barely daring to sip her soup.

Seeing the reaction, Yang Xingwu’s heart tightened. Wasn't it said that agricultural byproducts were fine? Why did his family react this way? Was his information wrong? Thinking of this, Yang Xingwu hurriedly asked, "Dad, Mom, is there a problem?"

Yang Chunsheng looked at his son with a complicated gaze. "It won’t work. If we get caught, it’ll be labeled as speculation and profiteering!"

"But isn't it said that agricultural byproducts are fine? We can't even sell a bit of grain? This is all grown from the land!"

"That may be, but who knows what those people are thinking? You, just stop worrying about it and focus on your studies!" Yang Chunsheng said, falling silent.

Seeing this, Yang Xingwu quickly turned to Wang Zhaodi. "Don't look at me. Your father is right; it’s best not to touch this. If it were eggs, I might believe it, but this..."

Seeing his parents' resolve, Yang Xingwu immediately changed his strategy. "Dad, you know that this is the season for green wheat kernels. If we sell some, we can buy coarse grains so we don't have to go hungry. Look at how hungry our little sister is! Besides, we’ll just pick a few pounds to test the waters. If it works, we’ll continue; if not, we’ll stop. If we really make money, we can bring the villagers along. They’ll be grateful to us, and even if something goes wrong, with so many people involved, they can't possibly punish everyone!"

As he spoke, Yang Xingwu kicked his younger sister. Yang Xiaohong hadn't heard much, but the temptation of a full meal was too great. She couldn't help but chime in, "Dad, Mom, why don't we try it? I'm hungry!"

Hearing his daughter’s plea, Yang Chunsheng fell silent. Wang Zhaodi looked at her family; everyone was thin and sallow. Although it was the off-season for farming, the family couldn't even afford a steamed bun for lunch—just steamed greens and watery porridge. They couldn't even guarantee one solid meal a day. Thinking of the dwindling cornmeal in the kitchen, Wang Zhaodi gritted her teeth and said, "Dear, why don't we try it? We don't have much grain left, and the wheat harvest is still half a month away! We'll run out of food by then!"

"That's right, Dad! Let's try it! If anything happens, just say it was my doing!" Yang Xiaolan added.

Yang Xingwen looked at his family in silence. Seeing this, Yang Chunsheng sighed at his own inability to provide for them. With that thought, he made up his mind. "Fine, let’s try it. Tomorrow morning, we’ll cut some and head to the city to test the waters!"

Hearing this, Yang Xingwu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yay! That's great!" Yang Xiaohong cheered.

Watching their smiles, Yang Chunsheng felt his resolve harden. The family finished their lunch in a rare, harmonious mood. After eating, Wang Zhaodi went to wash the dishes, while the others rested on the *kang*.

Yang Chunsheng looked at Yang Xingwu and asked, "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes."

"Then go see your grandfather. He came to see you when you were unconscious. Now that you're awake, you should go over."

"Alright."

Yang Xingwu stood up, and Yang Xingwen led his younger brother out of the house. After walking two or three hundred meters, they arrived at their grandfather’s home. As they stepped into the courtyard, Yang Xingwen called out, "Grandpa, Grandma, I’ve brought Xiaowu to see you!"

Several people emerged from the house. Yang Xingwu quickly greeted them, "Grandpa, Grandma, Second Uncle!"

"Oh, Xiaowu, you’re better now!"

"My dear grandson, are you feeling any better? Is anything bothering you?"

Liu Cuihua walked over, took Yang Xingwu’s hand, and examined him carefully for a long time. "Grandma, I'm much better. I was just too tired lately, which is why I slept so long."

Hearing this, Liu Cuihua frowned. "What do you mean 'slept long'? You were on an IV drip! Don't say it wasn't serious. Child, why push yourself so hard? Whether you pass the exam or not is up to fate—don't be so stubborn from now on!"

Listening to his grandmother’s nagging, Yang Xingwu nodded repeatedly, only being let off after a long while. After speaking with his grandmother, he approached his grandfather and uncle, who asked a few brief questions before telling Yang Xingwen to take his brother home to rest.

Not long after they returned home, his grandmother and aunt arrived, bringing ten eggs. They chatted for a while before leaving. Watching this, Yang Xingwu was deeply moved. His father had four siblings; two had died in the Great Famine forty years ago, leaving only his father, his second uncle, and an aunt. After experiencing life and death, the family had become incredibly close. Although they occasionally bickered, they were united when it mattered most. Seeing this, Yang Xingwu grew even more fond of this era.

The next day, just as dawn broke, Yang Xingwu got up and was about to head out when he saw his father and older brother returning with a handcart filled with green wheat ears. Seeing Yang Xingwu up, Yang Chunsheng said, "You don't need to go! You just recovered, don't overexert yourself!"

"Don't worry, I'm fine!" Yang Xingwu hopped in place to prove it, and seeing that he was truly alright, his father finally relaxed.

The three of them pulled the cart toward the city. Yang Xingwu thought for a moment and stopped them, adding some firewood to the cart and grabbing a box of matches before they set off.

It was already midday when they reached the city. Yang Village was over sixty *li* away, and the three of them had been walking for nearly eight hours. Yang Xingwu had overestimated his stamina; the people of this era walked fast and hard with incredible endurance, unlike him, who was exhausted after twenty *li* and had to be pulled on the cart by his father and brother for the rest of the way.

After discussing it, they headed straight to the elementary school gate. Yang Xingwu lit a small fire and began roasting the wheat ears on it. When the school bell rang, many students poured out. Seeing them, Yang Xingwu shouted, "Green wheat kernels! Roasted green wheat kernels! Delicious and cheap!"

Hearing his call, many students gathered around.

"How much?"

"Three cents for one, five cents for two!"