Ch 35: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Yu Xiang’an insisted on having two beds made when setting up the new house—one for each of the two bedrooms. That would be enough to accommodate a family of four.

Currently, Yu Xiangju was living with their parents, and it was likely he wouldn’t live alone until he started school. Their original home had enough rooms, but it was an old mud-brick house—nowhere near as clean and bright as the new apartment.

Yu Qingshan didn’t want to move here permanently. It took longer to commute to his factory from this location, and besides, he was sentimentally attached to the home he had worked so hard to build, brick by brick.

However, he agreed to stay for a short time to help his daughter settle in. He couldn’t leave his young, marriageable daughter to live alone in a new place without understanding the neighborhood and its people.

Yu Xiangju was thrilled with the newly furnished apartment, running around excitedly.

“This beautiful, clean, and tidy new home is amazing! I get to live in a new house!”

Yu Xiang’an, looking at the finished setup, also felt deeply satisfied. She finally had her own little space.

The house was ready, but they couldn’t move in immediately—they needed to choose an auspicious day. Although superstitions were no longer officially encouraged, most people still secretly consulted someone to select a favorable date. Luckily, a good day was just around the corner. Coincidentally, everyone else whose homes were ready chose the same day to move in.

When neighbors brought it up, a knowing look passed between them, sharing a silent understanding.

A housewarming meal was a must. According to tradition, the livelier the atmosphere on moving day, the more prosperous the household would be.

For the Yu family, the only relatives in town were the Qin family, so they didn’t invite friends. However, they sent word to their grandparents in the village, and Yu Qingbao and Yang Huili brought Yu Changyou and Zhang Chahua with them.

Originally, they hadn’t planned to bring the two youngest children, but Yu Manwu and Yu Mansheng insisted on coming. To show their sincerity, they even used their saved-up pocket money to buy a red hair ribbon as a gift.

Including Yu Manchang and Xu Xiaojuan, there were eight people in total. With the Yu family and their maternal relatives, the house was bustling with activity.

The new apartment, now warm and welcoming, was a far cry from the empty space they had first received.

Upon entering, the side wall featured a portrait of the Chairman, with a few of his books placed beside it. Below was a large round table, chosen to accommodate their large family. It could seat eight comfortably, and ten if they squeezed in.

Under the table were several long benches. On closer inspection, it was evident they had been repaired, though the casual observer wouldn’t notice. The table and benches were part of a set, and after being refurbished and repainted, they looked about 80% new.

This room served as both the living room and dining area, with two bedrooms at the back.

The two bedrooms were identical in size, each furnished with a bed and a wardrobe, though there was no other furniture yet. The beds had been moved from their old home.

Behind the bedrooms was the converted balcony. Spacious and as long as the apartment itself, the balcony was close to neighboring ones—so close that a single step could bridge the gap. However, most balconies, including Yu Xiang’an’s, had been enclosed for privacy, with many converting them into additional rooms.

To the right was the kitchen. The chimney vented directly outside, making it convenient and unobtrusive for neighbors. The stove had two burners—one for an iron wok and the other for a clay pot or similar utensils.

A faucet in the middle provided running water, and the other side of the balcony was designated for drying clothes. While most garments could be hung in the hallway near the door, undergarments and similar items were best kept out of public view.

For Yu Manwu and Yu Mansheng, it was their first time seeing such an apartment. Solid, clean, and convenient, everything about it amazed them. Filled with admiration, they declared, “One day, we’ll live in a house this nice too!”

No need to haul water from a well, and the lights turned on with the flick of a switch, bathing the room in brightness. Living here was like enjoying the life of a god!

Yu Manchang also found the house impressive and agreed, saying, “Once I learn how to make bricks, our family will build a house like this. The foundations in our village are large, so we’ll make it bigger, with a proper kitchen and a separate bathroom.”

Yu Xiang’an chimed in, “That will definitely be a comfortable place to live.”

Yu Changyou, smiling at the three brothers, felt proud. It was good for the children to have such ambition, and they seemed serious about it—not just empty words. Perhaps before he entered his grave, he might also get to live in such a fine house. If that day came, he could happily face his ancestors with a smile.

Compared to this new home, the only real drawback in their village was the lack of electricity. Their production team still hadn’t been connected to the grid. Later, he planned to ask Shunwen, the team leader, about the possibility of getting power. Shunwen would know best.

The housewarming meal was held at noon, so it wouldn’t interfere with work schedules. Apart from Yu Qingshan and Yu Xiang’an, who had taken the morning off to host, others came during their lunch break. After eating, they still had time to return to work.

The morning was enough for Yu Xiang’an to prepare everything thoroughly. She had started getting ready long before the big day.

Her pot of marinade had been adjusted several times until she was satisfied with the flavor.

With this pot of marinade, many dishes didn’t require much additional preparation. She marinated tofu skin, peanuts, lotus root, mushrooms, dried tofu, pig ears, liver, tail, and duck—an array of ingredients. As she started cooking, the aroma of the marinade wafted through the entire building.

It was her first time making braised dishes.

Yu Qingshan, who had been chatting with Yu Changyou, took a deep breath, momentarily distracted by the enticing smell.

Even Yu Changyou, mid-conversation, found himself distracted. Inhaling deeply, he asked, “What is Xiao’an cooking? This smell is incredible!”

The rich aroma had awakened the foodie within him.

“She said she’s making braised dishes,” Yu Qingshan replied.

Qin Qiang, drawn in by the aroma, had already stepped into the kitchen.

His granddaughter never ceased to amaze him. He had never taught her how to cook braised dishes—he didn’t even know how to make them himself. If she figured it out on her own, her talent was remarkable.

Perhaps she had picked up some tips from the state-run restaurant chefs during her business trips to the city?

But those chefs wouldn’t have shared their recipes, as that was their livelihood.

Could she have a “golden tongue,” able to recreate dishes she tasted with 70-80% accuracy?

Regardless of how she learned, Qin Qiang was increasingly impressed. Perhaps she was more suited for the kitchen than the factory.

Meanwhile, from the kitchen, Yu Xiang’an heard children crying outside. She felt a bit guilty—the aroma was simply too enticing for the kids to resist.

In addition to the braised dishes, she prepared fish that Yu Changyou and his family had brought, along with some purchased meat, making for an exceptionally lavish meal.

There were so many people that the younger ones ate standing up.

But standing didn’t dampen anyone’s enjoyment. Everyone had their fill, and no one went without meat.

The Bao family next door was also celebrating their housewarming, and their house was equally lively. However, a few children, lured by the aroma from Yu Xiang’an’s cooking, peeked curiously into her home. No one else disturbed them, as it was a festive day for all, with families busy enjoying their meals. Still, the fragrance wafting from Yu Xiang’an’s home turned more than a few heads of passersby.

By the end of lunch, Yu Xiang’an received countless compliments. Her marinade became the highlight of the meal, with many guests expressing interest in getting some for themselves.

Yu Xiang’an had prepared extra dishes in advance, so whoever wanted some, she gave them a plate.

The marinade was packed with flavors; whether they cooked with it or just poured it over rice, it would be fragrant and delicious enough.

After lunch, Yu Xianghai, Qin Shengsong, and her second uncle returned to work. Yang Huili and Xu Xiaojuan stayed behind to help clean up. Since they didn’t have work and their return bus wasn’t coming soon, they could afford to linger a bit longer.

When Yan Yuzhen arrived, she smiled and said, “Today must’ve been lively. Here’s a housewarming gift from me—just a small token.”

Yu Xiang’an accepted it with a grin. “Thank you! I won’t hold back.”

She planned to return the gesture with a gift when Yan Yuzhen moved in herself.

Sun Qingchun, a colleague from the office, also brought a gift. They had a decent relationship, and it wouldn’t be polite to show up empty-handed for such a joyous occasion—especially since Yu Xiang’an was clearly on the path to a promotion.

“Thank you! These are some vegetarian braised dishes I made. They’re delicious—take some home to try.”

She carefully wrapped the dishes to keep the strong aroma contained.

By the time Yu Xiang’an returned from work that evening, her grandparents had already left—they couldn’t stay too late as there wouldn’t be any buses back.

For dinner, she reheated some leftovers from lunch and supplemented them with food brought from the canteen. That was their meal.

Afterward, she went into her room to look at the housewarming gifts she’d received.

No matter the occasion, unwrapping gifts always brought joy.

• From her grandfather: A new chest made of camphor wood, simple but sturdy, and insect-resistant.
• From her aunt: Two rabbit pelts, perfect for making gloves or a small vest.
• From Yu Manchang: A pair of new basins.
• From her maternal grandparents: A new bedsheet and a pair of pillowcases.
• From her second uncle: Half a jin of sesame oil, a rare and highly coveted item. Just a drop of it could make any dish incredibly fragrant.

The most significant gift came from Yu Qingshan. Somehow, he had managed to procure a cast iron wok.

That wok, used for cooking lunch today, was a rarity. Cast iron was incredibly hard to come by, likely due to the lack of nearby iron mines and the need to transport all iron goods from other regions. Large items like woks were especially scarce.

Yu Xiang’an had been searching for one on the black market for ages without success. But now, she finally had one of her own. She looked forward to using it to stir-fry dishes, rice, and noodles.

When Yu Qingshan and Zhao Qiaoniang returned, dinner was already ready.

Yu Xiangju, who had napped for hours that afternoon after playing non-stop until lunchtime, had been lured awake by the aroma of the food.

Before their parents came back, Yu Xiang’an even made him take a bath in the communal washing area.

The public restroom and washing facilities were separated by gender. While bathing, he noticed how different it was from home—here, the water drained straight into a proper system, unlike at home where it flowed into the courtyard. The cleanliness impressed him.

He also noticed people cooking in the communal kitchen. Rows of counters were equipped with stoves, and residents used them to prepare meals. The stoves burned coal, something their household seemed to lack.

The lively atmosphere of this place fascinated him. There were always people around, and even at night, it felt different.

When darkness fell, the house lit up brilliantly. Thanks to the snow-white walls, the electric lights made the room as bright as daylight.

Yu Xiangju wandered around excitedly and greeted his parents as they returned.

“Dad, you’re back!”

Yu Qingshan entered, setting down his lunchbox. “The canteen had pumpkin cakes today, so I brought a few extra.”

Pumpkin cakes, sweet, soft, and glutinous, were one of Yu Xiang’an’s favorites.

The four of them sat around the table. In this two-bedroom apartment, the space felt quite spacious for their small family.

Even Zhao Qiaoniang was taken aback by how bright the house was after the lights were turned on. Running her hand over the smooth and polished furniture, she couldn’t help but feel envious. She had never lived in such a nice home before.

“All thanks to this stepdaughter,” she thought gratefully.

She was genuinely tempted to move into this new apartment.

After all, Yu Xiang’an had said it was fine if they moved in. If they did, they could enjoy living in such a wonderful house.

But her husband, Yu Qingshan, didn’t agree, so there was nothing she could do.

At dinner, Yu Qingshan looked at the braised tofu on the table and asked, “Is there any left? If there is, I’ll bring some to the factory tomorrow to share.”

“There’s more,” Yu Xiang’an replied.

She had made a lot of it in her Xixi Farm system. Thanks to her storage’s preservation function, she could keep what they couldn’t finish eating for later. However, opportunities to stockpile food like this seemed increasingly rare.

That night, Yu Qingshan lay in bed, unable to sleep.

He had thought living in a house like this would only be possible when his son grew up and after he emptied his savings marrying off his daughters and sons. But now, his daughters weren’t even married yet, and they were already living in such a nice home.

This daughter of his was more accomplished than many sons, with courage and vision. It had been her idea to apply for the house.

On the way to the apartment, he had noticed many regretful faces. He understood why—they regretted hesitating during the purchase phase. Missing out on this opportunity meant waiting indefinitely for another chance.

But there was a downside. Families without proper housing might now eye his daughter. While this meant she could aim for a better match in the future, it also meant more suitors might only be interested in her because of the house. He vowed to be cautious and avoid another situation like Zhou Boyang’s.

Meanwhile, Yu Xiang’an was also struggling to fall asleep. She rolled back and forth on her new bed for a long while.

For the first time, she could roll around freely without worrying about the bed creaking loudly or collapsing from the strain. She could roll horizontally, vertically, and any way she liked—pure bliss!

She looked up at the ceiling, now unobstructed. In her old home, she had hung a cloth over her bed to prevent spiders and bugs from dropping down. No matter how thoroughly she cleaned, old houses always seemed to have such pests. Now, that worry was gone.

Turning to her side, she glanced at the cabinet.

The house was still sparsely furnished, but she wasn’t in a rush. She would add things one step at a time.

Her thoughts wandered to tomorrow’s meals. Perhaps she’d make green bean soup tomorrow evening to cool off and counter the heat from her recent busy days.

As she imagined the future, she grew more excited. Unable to sleep, Yu Xiang’an entered her Xixi Farm system to do some work. She checked on her ducks, noting that they weren’t like the mass-produced ones of later generations that grew big on feed within a month or so. These ducks needed about six months to mature, or a year if she wanted them heavier.

The ducks ate grass, small fish, and bran, growing steadily. The earliest ones she had started raising could be slaughtered by the end of the year. As for the fish, she planned to enjoy them in various dishes during the Lunar New Year.

Yu Xiang’an reviewed her stock again. The fish were hard to count, but the ducks were easier to tally. She had started with just two and now had close to fifty.

She wanted to raise more, but feeding so many ducks was a challenge. Thankfully, they ate grass and fish, or she would have had to worry about sourcing enough feed for them.

After counting the meat, Yu Xiang’an moved to the “vegetable section.”

This patch of soybeans would be ready for harvest in a while. She had no plans to sell them—soybeans were too cheap. Instead, she intended to turn them into various delicious dishes.

Tofu, soybean sprouts, and soy milk—weren’t they all delightful?

After working hard for a while, she finally felt sleepy. Returning to bed, she quickly fell asleep. The next morning, she woke up refreshed, her spirits high—joyful occasions do that to people.

Yu Qingshan and Zhao Qiaoniang left early to head to the factory. Since Yu Xiang’an lived closer, she could afford to leave later.

After sending off Yu Xiangju, who was on his way to visit Yu Mingjie, Yu Xiang’an prepared a plate of braised tofu and braised black fungus to take to Master Bao’s family next door.

Although the dishes were vegetarian, the marinade was made with meat, giving them a rich, savory aroma. It was a gift she could be proud to present.

Given the enticing smell from her house yesterday, her neighbors must have noticed. She even vaguely heard the children next door expressing their desire to taste it.

Master Bao was still home, one of the perks of living close to work—no need to leave too early.

His wife opened the door. She appeared thin and frail, not the kind of thinness common at this time but a sickly, weak sort. She even coughed softly twice.

“Hello, sister-in-law. I’m your new neighbor. Things were so busy yesterday that I didn’t get a chance to properly greet you. These are some braised dishes I made. They’re quite tasty, so please add them to your table and give my cooking a try.”

Since they would be neighbors for a long time, it was best to establish a good relationship early.

The woman smiled gently. “The smell yesterday was amazing. So it was you who made it? That’s impressive.”

Her smile was warm and soft, with an air of delicacy that made her especially likable. Yu Xiang’an unconsciously lowered her voice. “I just enjoy experimenting with food. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Come in and sit. Don’t just stand there,” she said, inviting Yu Xiang’an inside. She then took the plate and added, “I’ll just empty this plate for you real quick.”

At that moment, Master Bao came out. The couple exchanged a few quiet words before he greeted Yu Xiang’an.

“Good morning, Comrade Xiao’an. Thank you for the dishes.”

“There’s no need to thank me, Master Bao. We’re neighbors—this is nothing.”

Behind him, two children, about ten years old, peeked out curiously.

Master Bao noticed and coughed lightly. “Have you two greeted Sister Xiao An yet?”

The two children hesitated for three seconds before shyly mumbling, “Hello, Sister Xiao An.”

Their voices were so soft that Yu Xiang’an had to strain to hear them.

“Hello! Can you tell Sister Xiao An your names? If you do, I’ll give you some candy.”

She had known there were children next door and had deliberately put a few candies in her pocket before leaving.

Candy was always a strong motivator for kids. Even though the two stirred slightly at the mention of it, they still hid behind their father and wouldn’t come out.

Master Bao sighed helplessly. “These two are too shy around strangers. This is my son, Bao Yucai, ten years old. And this is his younger sister, Bao Yurong, who’s two years younger.”

“I have a younger brother who’s six, about your age. You can play with him sometime,” Yu Xiang’an said, crouching down and placing two candies on the ground before them. “You’ve never met me before, so I feel unfamiliar to you, but that’s okay. We’ll see each other often from now on. Sister Xiao An isn’t a bad person—your dad knows me.”

At this point, Song Shujing returned with two clean plates, one of which was filled with red dates.

“These were sent by some relatives. They’re quite sweet. Take them and give them a try,” she said with a smile.

This was an exchange of courtesy, and Yu Xiang’an didn’t refuse. “Thank you, sister-in-law. We’ll chat another time—I need to get ready for work.”

“Go ahead, no problem. I’m always around, so feel free to come over and chat anytime,” the woman said warmly.

After Yu Xiang’an left, Master Bao watched his two children excitedly unwrapping the candies on the table and shook his head. “You’re already this old and still so timid. That won’t do. Tonight, when I get back, we’re going to have a proper talk about this.”

He too had to leave for work.

On her way, Yu Xiang’an was stopped repeatedly by people striking up conversations.

“Comrade Xiao An, you’ve moved in, right? How does it feel?”

“Xiao An, you’re so lucky to have such a big house to live in.”

“Xiao An, you…”

Even those who hadn’t known about her new home caught on after hearing these exchanges.

Word spread quickly that this young woman was unmarried and already had her own house. For families with eligible sons, this was an attractive prospect. Marrying her would mean not having to worry about housing.

With her two-bedroom unit, she could even partition off a small room in the future, solving the housing issue for her future children.

Many people, thinking strategically, started asking around about whom to approach to introduce potential matches for her. They claimed to know several good young men…

When Yu Xiang’an returned to her office, she immediately sat down and took a sip of water. Yan Yuzhen saw her and smiled. “How does it feel to live in your new home?”

“Fantastic,” Yu Xiang’an replied without hesitation.

Yan Yuzhen laughed. “I knew it! Mine isn’t ready yet—I still have some work to do.”

Yan Yuzhen was converting her balcony into a fourth room. Although small, it was a significant improvement compared to the cramped spaces they used to live in. The rear balcony would be gone, but the front balcony could still be used for drying clothes. As for the kitchen, the communal one was sufficient—having more living space was the priority.

Because of these renovations and limited manpower, her move-in was taking longer. However, she was confident she’d be settled in before the Lunar New Year, which was just over a month away.

The news of the food factory workers moving into their new homes spread quickly. Other factories that had been quiet on the matter began considering similar projects. However, smaller, less profitable factories couldn’t afford it due to limited land, financial strain, and workers unable to pay for such housing.

The food factory, being well-funded and long-established, was in a unique position to undertake such a project.

The buzz about the housing added a lot of new conversation topics around the county. Even Ding Minxiu, who had been staying at home, heard about it.

Her feelings were incredibly complicated. Yu Xiang’an had her own house now? Even though part of her salary was deducted for repayment, it was still a house! How could she live so comfortably?

A two-bedroom apartment all to herself—what kind of luxury was that?

And she had only been gone a few months, yet Yu Xiang’an managed to secure a place in a building. Ding Minxiu couldn’t believe it. Wasn’t she supposed to be dumb? Dumb enough not to notice her relationship with Zhou Boyang? How could she accomplish this?

Ding Minxiu felt a prickling sensation, as if ants were biting at her heart.

How did Yu Xiang’an afford it? It must have been her father helping her out. Yu Qingshan was so biased! She had called him “Dad” for years after marrying into the Zhou family, yet he didn’t even give her a single coin as a dowry or bother to show up.

He was so heartless. Not being blood-related made all the difference. Comparing herself to Yu Xiang’an, the disparity was glaring.

If he didn’t treat her as family, why should she treat them as family? It was nothing more than reciprocating the same treatment.

As she thought about how Yu Xiang’an’s biological father supported her, allowing her to live such a good life and making her a desirable prospect in many people’s eyes, Ding Minxiu’s thoughts turned to her own father.

The difference between them was as vast as heaven and earth. Yu Qingshan could help Yu Xiang’an buy a house, while her own father not only failed to help but actively made things worse. When he learned she was marrying Zhou Boyang, he actually caused a scene, forcing the Zhou family to spend money and a bicycle ticket just to appease him.

Didn’t he realize how difficult that made things for her in the Zhou family?

Why couldn’t he be more like Yu Qingshan?

Wasn’t he supposed to be her father?

Ding Minxiu absentmindedly stroked her belly. When her child was born, she vowed never to be like her father. She would be a good mother, giving her child the best of everything she could provide. She would be a great mother.

Yes, she would soon have her child. Yu Xiang’an didn’t even have a partner yet. When her child was born, Yu Xiang’an might still be single. If the men interested in her house found out she had once been rejected or rumored to still harbor feelings for Zhou Boyang, they would surely hesitate to marry her.

Thinking this, Ding Minxiu’s mood lifted slightly.

But it didn’t last long. Her spirits quickly sank again—this time into an even deeper pit.

She overheard from others that Yu Xiang’an had been promoted.

🌱🌿 🫧🍃