Fast-forward to the era of cannon fodder

Xiaobao picked a handful of amaranth in the backyard, then ran to the front yard vegetable garden to pick a handful of long beans and an eggplant.

Seeing that there was enough to eat, Xiaobao moved his eyes away from the taro vines. Xiaobao loved to eat the soft and sticky taro, but the taro was still small, not even as tall as Xiaobao, so it would take another two months before it could be eaten.

Xiaobao counts the days on his fingers every day.

"Mom, let's have fried eggplant, stir-fried amaranth, and stir-fried beans for dinner." Xiaobao carried the vegetables and went to the grocery store.

An old lady happened to come to buy salt. She looked at the purple amaranth and said to Yuanchun with a smile, "This amaranth is only grown in the south. You are amazing. You actually got amaranth seeds. Do you want to save some seeds in the second half of the year? Remember to save more seeds so that I can plant some next year. I haven't eaten amaranth for many years."

"Auntie Chen, if you don't mind the small amount of amaranth, you can take some. I have some more in the backyard." Yuanchun gave her some salt and gave her fifty cents in change.

Upon hearing this, the old lady just took the salt and waved her hand, saying, "I won't accept it for free. Just fifty cents. I can't take your food for free."

Knowing that Aunt Chen was honest and didn't like to take advantage of others, Yuanchun didn't refuse. She tied up the amaranth with a rope and handed it to her, "Goodbye, Aunt Chen."

After Aunt Chen left, Yuanchun picked up her son, kissed him on the cheek, and said with a smile, "Son, Mommy has sold the amaranth you picked. Go pick another one."

Xiaobao's eyes sparkled as he said, "Mom, I don't want to eat amaranth anymore. I'll save them to sell for money."

"My silly son, those vegetables can be sold for money, so we won't eat them. That won't do. Mommy can't bear to see my eldest son go without vegetables."

"Then Xiaobao go pick it."

Xiaobao struggled to get down to the ground, changed into a small vegetable basket and went to the backyard.

Yuanchun sat at the door of the shop, humming a song and picking long beans.

After pinching them, Xiaobao also picked some amaranth and brought it back.

Xiaobao would take the vegetables to the yard to wash them.

There was a well in the yard, but the well mouth was covered by Yuanchun with a stone slab. She asked someone to install a water press next to the well. Xiaobao could press the water himself and wash the beans and amaranth cleanly.

After dark, Yuanchun closed the shop and went to the kitchen to cook.

A small dish of amaranth, a small dish of stir-fried long beans with meat, a small dish of fried eggplant with eggs, and two taels of braised pork snout and two taels of fried shrimp that Yuanchun specially reserved.

There was not much of each dish, just enough for mother and son.

After eating and drinking, the mother and son went to the backyard, and under the light, they watered the vegetables, pulled weeds, and planted seedlings... This is how the mother and son digested their food every night.

It can help digest food and get work done.

Moreover, although Yuanchun dotes on Xiaobao, she will not spoil him. As for the housework, Yuanchun will teach Xiaobao to do anything that he can do.

Xiaobao is very well behaved and hardworking, and he likes to work with his mother.

While working, Xiaobao also likes to tell his mother some of the things happening in the nursery.

"Mom, Fatty Li pulled Xiao Min's hair again today. I saw it and told the teacher, who criticized Fatty Li."

Fatty Li is the grandson of Li Qianpo, who wanted to plot against Yuanchun back then.

Xiao Min is Grandma Zhang’s granddaughter.

Because Xiao Min often comes to her grandmother's house to play, she is very familiar with Xiao Bao. In the nursery, Xiao Bao will protect Xiao Min as an older brother.

"What happened next? Did Fatty Li threaten you?" Yuanchun asked.

Xiaobao hesitated for a moment, but still told his mother, "Fatty Li pushed me when the teacher wasn't paying attention, and said that if I meddle in other people's business again, he would beat me. I was so angry that I pushed Fatty Li too, and we both fell down. The teacher criticized Fatty Li and me, but Fatty Li was the first to hit me, so I don't think I did anything wrong."

Xiaobao pouted unhappily.