Crossing the farm gate, the whole family reunites in the disaster year

“It tastes really good.”

As soon as the sour dates entered her mouth, they were covered with saliva. Lin ate three or four in a row and couldn't stop.

Cui Chengliang also stuffed two into his mouth. They were so sour that he couldn't help squinting his eyes. He couldn't stand the sour taste, but seeing Lin eating so enthusiastically, he was happy too.

"There are still a lot of them on the tree. Pick them all when you come back."

Buying a cow was more important than buying sour dates. Lin stuffed the remaining dates into the cloth bag she carried with her, clapped her hands and continued walking towards Shanghe Village.

The man selling the cow was an old farmer. After Lin and Cui Chengliang followed him into the cowshed, a group of little kids crowded at the door.

"Let's go, let's do what we need to do."

After the old farmer drove the children away with a sullen face, he couldn't help but sigh repeatedly.

From the old man's mumbling, Lin understood the reason for selling the cattle, which was ultimately due to the drought.

There are many people and feeds in the family, with a series of children crying out for hunger. It has not rained for months, so the old man can only exchange two acres of land for food. Now it is time to redeem the land, but he can't afford the money and can only sell the cow.

The calf didn't know what was going to happen, but sensing his owner's emotional ups and downs, he tilted his head and nudged the old man's arm.

From the cleanliness of the cowshed, it can be seen that the old man takes good care of the cows. He would not sell the cows if he really couldn't make ends meet.

Cui Chengliang nodded calmly to Lin, indicating that there was nothing wrong with the cow.

"Old man, I bought this cow."

Lin's words were simple and direct, without any hesitation, which surprised the old man who was immersed in grief.

"How about... take another look. My Zhongzi gets diarrhea if he eats too much, and he likes cleanliness. This cowshed needs to be cleaned twice a day, or he'll get mad. I've raised him since he was little, so I don't think others would be so patient..."

"I'm not very skilled at farming, and I'm reluctant to let it work..."

The old man started muttering again, but this time he said bad things about the cow, which made the calf shake its head.

"Its name is Zhongzi? That's a good name." Lin smiled and touched the bull's head.

"It likes this name." The old man's eyes were full of pride. "No matter how far away it is, it will come running over when I call it because it recognizes the name."

Lin could see that the old man really treated Xiao Niu as his own family.

"Don't worry, old man." Lin looked at the old man and assured him solemnly, "We have many children in our family, and with more people and more hands and feet, we will definitely clean the cowshed diligently to ensure that Zhongzi has enough food and a warm house. We live in Xiahe Village next door. If you are worried, you can come and visit more often."

Lin didn't say anything about the remaining labor. Raising cattle requires the cattle to work. If the cattle don't work, is she going to do it?

She could only promise not to mistreat the animals, but she still had to do the work.

The old man was silent for a long time after hearing this. He stroked the calf with his weathered hands. There was reluctance in his eyes, and more of a struggle.

If they don’t sell it, the family will have to sell the child.

Finally, the old man beckoned Lin out of the cowshed, sighed, and said softly, "Eight taels of silver, take it away."

He didn't want Zhongzi to hear it. He had also observed Lin. She was dressed neatly and spoke with a smile. It was obvious that she was living a good life.

It has to be sold sooner or later, and it is better to sell it to this company than to someone else.

Lin immediately took out eight taels of silver, handed over the money in one hand and the cow in the other.

The old man took the money, wiped his tears, turned around, led the cow out, and handed it to Cui Chengliang. Then, fearing that he would change his mind again, he turned into the yard and closed the door.

Lin and Cui Chengliang stood outside the courtyard gate in a daze. They couldn't help but look at each other, and then burst out laughing.

The figure leading the cow walked further and further away, like a family of three who were kicked out of the house.