CHAPTER 51: 51 PIG FARMING

It was 8:30 when Su Yuanyuan set off. She knew that Zhao Yanli and the others must have left long ago.

She spent some time feeding goat milk to the little pig earlier. There’s plenty stored in the space, just enough to feed the pig.

She met many people along the way. However, Su Yuanyuan didn’t greet anyone and kept her head down, avoiding getting too close.

When she arrived at the market, it was really crowded. Su Yuanyuan had never noticed where the stoneware was sold, so she wandered around bit by bit, guessing it should be in the direction where they sell livestock.

Currently, she was anxious and didn’t plan to buy anything else. Finally, she squeezed into the livestock section, where there were significantly fewer people.

Now Su Yuanyuan wasn’t envious of cows, horses, or donkeys; her family’s sheep could manage.

She finally reached the end of the livestock market and discovered they were selling stoneware, but there were only two small pig troughs and some garlic mashers.

"Uncle, do you have bigger pig troughs?"

"I do, but I didn’t bring them today. Which village are you from?"

"I’m from Jue Mountain."

"That’s too far. If you want to buy, come by next market day."

"Uncle, how much is a pig trough? Even if I come next time, I can’t bring it back alone; it’s just me at home."

The strong man frowned, "A big pig trough is ten yuan each. I’ll deliver it to you next market day." He didn’t ask why she was alone.

"Uncle, do you have stone mills? I want to buy one myself."

"I have a one-meter stone mill; that one is thirty yuan each."

"Uncle, I want both items. Can you deliver them to me tomorrow? I already have the pigs. If you’re unavailable tomorrow, next market day is fine too."

"Alright, I’ll deliver them to you this afternoon. Where’s your home?"

Su Yuanyuan had a bright idea. "Uncle, just go to the village chief’s house—he knows where my house is; it’s just at the foot of the mountain."

"Sure, I’ll deliver them this afternoon. You’re just a little girl, so I’ll give you the mill handle for free."

"Thank you, Uncle, you’re really kind. Do I need to pay a deposit?"

Just then, Yang Hongwen came over. He had been watching for a while and came over only after confirming it was Su Yuanyuan.

"Uncle, you’re just in time. I’ve ordered a pig trough and a stone mill from this gentleman."

"What do you need a stone mill for?"

Su Yuanyuan lowered her head, "Everyone doesn’t want to get close to me, so I thought since I have some money, I might as well buy one for home myself.

I raised three pigs, sheep, and chickens; they’ll need to grind grain frequently, and I don’t want to go outside."

Yang Hongwen sighed, "If you want to buy it, go ahead. It won’t wear out anyway."

Su Yuanyuan handed ten yuan to the craftsman, "Uncle, I’ll let this gentleman come to you this afternoon."

Yang Hongwen nodded. He knew how much money the girl had, but others didn’t. When she indeed bought so many things, he could just say he lent it to her.

The craftsman clarified the general direction and agreed to come over in the afternoon.

Only then did Su Yuanyuan feel at ease, leaving with Yang Hongwen. "Uncle, what are you here for?"

"Buying a livestock set. Go and have fun yourself, but come back early."

"Uncle, can I buy corn in the village, five hundred pounds?"

"I have some at home; I’ll bring it over to you tonight."

Now Su Yuanyuan felt like enjoying the market. But she didn’t dare buy much; she already had food for herself. In the end, she bought a piece of cloth from Wang Qiuju’s big brother; clothes need this kind of cotton fabric.

She didn’t buy any food, and on the way back, she met many villagers. Seeing that Su Yuanyuan only bought a cheap piece of cotton cloth, no one said anything.

"Yuanyuan, Yuanyuan."

"Xiao Li, are you going home too?"

"Yeah, you mainly bought cloth at the market?"

"Yes, I grew taller, and the old clothes don’t fit anymore. I want to make a new set."

Several other little girls looked at Su Yuanyuan, but none spoke.

They bought red hair ties and still had the smell of fried dough twists on them.

Su Yuanyuan knew these girls; their families were well-off in the village. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be allowed out and have money to buy fried dough twists.

Su Yuanyuan walked with them, listening to their lively chatter, genuinely enjoying this carefree age.

She used to have such a low presence that no one minded even if she didn’t speak.

With companions along the way, Su Yuanyuan felt they arrived home quickly.

The first thing was to feed the pigs; she didn’t dare give them Spiritual Spring Water, afraid they’d turn into a spirit like that sheep, but the goat milk was a hit with the three little pigs, making them eat joyfully.

After feeding the pigs, she fed the sheep. She didn’t see anyone selling chicks today; maybe they’ll come to the village to sell, or perhaps she could ask Zhao Yanli where to buy chicks.

Everything was arranged. Then she washed her hands and sat down for a meal.

The famous soup dumplings brought an immediate sense of happiness.

After eating, she rested for fifteen minutes before getting busy weeding the sweet potato field.

Thinking after the first weeding there should be ample time, she pondered trying to catch glen or small fish and shrimp.

Although Spiritual Spring Water could bring fish, they were all large fish; small fish might not even get close, being pushed away by the big ones.

These need to be accumulated slowly. Once the pigs grow bigger, they’ll eat more. It’s April now; it would be great if they reach three hundred pounds by next January!

While working, Su Yuanyuan set goals for herself.

The grass was easy to weed now, without deep roots. The weather was good today, and the grass cut in the morning was already dry.

She worked until after five, stopping with a bit left and went to check on the little pigs.

She fed them goat milk again. However, she didn’t plan to breed the ewe now; the lamb could be bred in another two months. She had learned this on purpose at the livestock market today and agreed on bringing them to the market for breeding, expecting to have goat milk again in a few months.

This way, the pigs were bound to grow quickly. Su Yuanyuan looked at the little pigs and smiled—this was money, and she wouldn’t have to spend money secretly in the future.

It’d be best to store the stone mill bought today in the west room for safety and to avoid people seeing it while working.

With this thought, she hurried to tidy up the west room.

In truth, there wasn’t much to tidy; fortunately, without a kang bed, putting down the stone mill didn’t make it crowded.

Everything tidied, she lit a fire to cook food for the sheep and pigs. Su Yuanyuan thought cooked food should be easier to absorb and digest.

There were plenty of wild vegetables in the space; she got some out for the little pigs, mixed in the wild vegetables, and it was fine for the sheep to eat.

Yang Hongwen led the stonemason over, only to see Su Yuanyuan feeding the sheep.

On the way, the stonemason had already learned the pitiful background of this little girl and felt sorry for her from deep within, just nine years old but already having to fend for herself.