Farming Family's Pocket Dimension: A Charmed Little Lady Comes to Farm

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Getting Hands-On

Gu Fei retrieved a small stool from the cart for the old woman to sit on, and Mrs. Chen quickly placed some food in her bowl.

The old woman held her bowl, hesitating. "Should I... bring my rations over here?"

Mrs. Chen laughed heartily. "Oh, Mother, don’t even say that. This was all bought with the silver Little Fei provided. You’re her grandmother, isn’t it only right that you eat her food?"

The old woman caught the underlying meaning. Just a few days ago, she had called Gu Fei an ungrateful wretch, utterly unfilial. Mrs. Chen was reminding her that she was now entirely dependent on Gu Fei to survive.

The old woman sighed. ’When you get old, can’t work, and have no silver to your name, you have to rely on your children. But the truth is, nobody wants to listen to you then.’

’I always liked to go on about filial piety, but that was just a way to keep the younger generation in line.’

’But this girl, Little Fei... I clearly can’t keep her in line.’

’Ah, forget it. Having food to eat is more important than anything.’

As they ate, Gu Fei suddenly said, "Father, don’t you think we need to buy another mule cart? With just one for carrying people, it’s not enough for everyone to take turns resting. I’m worried Aunt will collapse if she has to walk for two more days."

Ms. Li had always been frail. Before giving birth to Hu Zi, she had lost a well-formed baby boy in a miscarriage. It took her several years before she managed to have Hu Zi, and the difficult birth left her health even worse.

Gu Rong was nearby. He stood holding his bowl, wanting to say something but unable to find the words. He simply looked at Gu Fei with gratitude.

Ms. Li lowered her head, secretly wiping away her tears.

Gu Zhang nodded. "We’ll buy another one, then. But who’s going to drive it?"

Currently, the men in the family, including their great-uncle, were already taking turns driving. Sitting in the cart all day would jolt a person’s bones apart; it was often more comfortable to get out and walk.

Just then, their great-uncle walked over, bowl in hand. "My eldest grandson can drive a cart," he said. "My wife and our two daughters-in-law can as well. Back home in the mountains, we always used mules to haul things, so we’re all used to handling them. We can just take turns."

Gu Zhang smiled. "That’s perfect. Then we’ll buy another mule cart tomorrow when we reach the next market town."

Uncle Ma, eating his rice soaked in meat broth, nodded in agreement. "We’ll be passing through Fuyuan Town tomorrow. It’s a large town, so they’re bound to have mule carts for sale."

At that moment, Ms. Qian’s son, Bao’er, ran over holding a white-flour steamed bun. Spotting the small bowl of smoked rabbit meat on the wooden plank, he reached in with his hand, grabbed a handful, and stuffed it into his mouth.

Mrs. Chen frowned. She wanted to say something, but it felt inappropriate.

Gu Fei glanced at Bao’er’s grimy hands and glared at him. "Bao’er, if you want some, just ask and I’ll serve you. Your hands are filthy. If you make the food dirty, how is anyone else supposed to eat?"

Bao’er completely ignored her. While still chewing, he plunged his hand back into the bowl, snatched another big handful, and scurried away.

Gu Fei was livid. She had only eaten a single piece, and now there was nothing left but scraps at the bottom of the bowl.

Gu Rong had seen everything clearly. He turned to Ms. Qian and demanded, "Isn’t your family eating white flour too? How is it that you’re willing to give it to Bao’er, but not to Mother?"

Ms. Qian, holding her own bowl of dark, coarse-grain gruel, snorted. "Bao’er is frail and needs to be properly nourished. I’ll give him what I want. What business is it of yours?"

At this, Mrs. Chen couldn’t hold back any longer. "Sister-in-law, get your son under control! We each eat our own food. My family had just that little bit, and Bao’er came over and grabbed it all. What are the rest of us supposed to eat?"

Ms. Qian retorted sarcastically, "My dear sister-in-law, listen to you. Bao’er is just a child, how much could he possibly eat? Besides, he’s your nephew. What’s wrong with your nephew eating a little of your food? To think you’d make such a big deal out of it. I’ve never met anyone so stingy."

Mrs. Chen was so furious her chest heaved. Gu Zhang frowned and cut in, "That’s enough. Just eat."