Ch 44: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Once she got more familiar with him, Yu Xiang’an became less guarded around Lin Chuanbai. This time, she was in a rare good mood and decided to bake a cake, sharing some with him.

Although Lin Chuanbai didn’t look the type, he was actually someone who enjoyed sweets. The soft and fragrant cake was an immense delight the moment it touched his mouth.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Cakes existed in the county town too, but they required special coupons. He’d bought one once to satisfy his craving, but it couldn’t compare to this.

If he were to compare, the store-bought cake was like a discounted item from a roadside bakery, while this one felt like something you could only enjoy at a renowned patisserie.

What kind of divine chef was this?

Not only could she cook Chinese cuisine, but her Western desserts were equally exceptional!

He suddenly thought of Lin Duzhong’s upcoming birthday.

“My grandfather’s birthday is next month. Could I trouble you to make a cake for him? He’s grown fond of soft foods as he’s gotten older.” And when it came to soft, no cake had ever lost in that department.

Of course, Lin Chuanbai also knew that making cakes wasn’t easy these days. Without an electric mixer, it had to be done by hand, which was undoubtedly tiring. So he added, “I’ve already got some leads on the ginseng you wanted; it won’t be long now.”

“Next month? That’s doable. How big do you want it?”

“One pound would be fine, but two pounds would be even better. I can provide flour, eggs, milk powder—I don’t have any jam, though.”

The cake he was eating now was grape jam cake. He didn’t have grape jam.

“No problem,” Yu Xiang’an agreed.

“What other kinds of cake can you make?” Lin Chuanbai’s craving was completely awakened by this piece of cake.

Besides fruit cakes, he also loved chocolate, matcha, and Black Forest cakes…

As he listed the kinds of cakes he liked in his mind, he realized how hard it was to satisfy his cravings now. Take chocolate, for example—making a cake required quite a bit of it. If he wanted to buy it, he’d have to go all the way to the city.

Yu Xiang’an decided she needed to add another label to Lin Chuanbai. Who would’ve thought that someone who seemed aloof and unapproachable actually had a sweet tooth—not just for desserts but for cakes? Of course, she didn’t think this was a bad thing at all.

As a chef, she wished everyone could experience the joy of food. But still, how to put it? Yu Xiang’an thought for a moment. Maybe this was what people called gap moe.

A serious, unsmiling man who secretly loved sweets and sneaked them in—it was…kind of cute.

At this point, Lin Chuanbai seemed to realize he should hide it a little and cleared his throat awkwardly. “I didn’t mean anything by it, just expressing my admiration.”

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “Right, you just simply want to eat. Nothing wrong with that.”

She said it so seriously, without a trace of a smile, but Lin Chuanbai felt something was off. Yet what she said wasn’t exactly wrong either.

He had no choice but to change the topic. “My grandfather’s birthday is on the 18th next month. No rush. If you happen to make any cakes before then, could you save me a piece?”

Since she already knew he liked cakes, he might as well be honest. There was no shame in it, just as she said. Nothing wrong with that.

He emphasized this to himself.

Previously, the only one who knew he liked sweets was the old Taoist who raised him. Now, there was one more person. Nothing wrong with that.

---

This time, Yu Xiang’an made quite a few cakes. In addition to giving some to Lin Chuanbai, she also brought some home.

Seeing the cakes, Yu Qingshan couldn’t help but ask, “Did you buy these?”

These weren’t cheap at all.

Yu Xiang’an quickly shook her head. “No, no, I made them myself. I’ve been experimenting for a while and finally got it right. Try some and see how they taste.”

Yu Qingshan eyed the beautifully presented cakes. “I remember this stuff takes a lot of ingredients to make. You used eggs, flour, sugar, jam, and milk, didn’t you?”

Zhao Qiaoniang looked at the cake, her heart trembling slightly. With so many premium ingredients used, if it didn’t taste good, where was the justice in the world?

She thought it was a bit over the top. If this were her daughter, she would have definitely had a word with her.

Yu Xiang’an, sensing what Yu Qingshan was about to say, spoke up preemptively. “Dad, I know this takes a lot of ingredients, but look, I’ve only made it this once after so long. We haven’t tried this before, so let’s all have a taste and enjoy something fresh. Don’t worry about me—I know my limits.”

Yu Xiang’an wasn’t surprised by Yu Qingshan’s reaction.

She understood that, for people of this time, cake was too much of a luxury. An occasional treat was fine, but if it became frequent, she’d be labeled as wasteful. In an era when survival needs weren’t yet fully met, pursuing higher-level indulgences was crossing the line and losing perspective.

Yu Qingshan’s concern was ultimately for her own good.

Whatever Yu Qingshan was about to say was cut short by her words. He sighed, “Xiao An, I know you want us all to have a taste, but remember what you said—just this once. Save the money; there are plenty of places it’ll be needed in the future. This month, don’t buy anything for the house. We don’t lack anything. Save the money for yourself.”

Yu Xiang’an nodded obediently. “Yes, yes, just this once. Come, come, no more talking—try it.”

She had portioned it out carefully, with one piece for everyone, including her eldest brother and sister-in-law.

Yu Mingjie accepted his piece cautiously. Taking a bite, his eyes lit up immediately. The cake melted in his mouth, rich and flavorful.

So there really was something this delicious in the world!

Yu Xiangju was equally stunned.

“Fifth Sister, this cake is amazing! When I start working and earning money, I want to eat this every day!”

Yu Xiang’an thought about the timeline. By the time he grew up—say at 18—several years of reform and opening up would have passed. It would indeed be much easier to have cake by then, and eating it every day wouldn’t be too difficult. She patted his head and gave him an ambitious goal. “That’s why you need to study hard and not slack off, understand? The more you learn and the more you know, the better your chances of earning money later. This cake isn’t cheap—you can’t buy it without money.”

Yu Xiangju clenched his small fists. “Fifth Sister, I haven’t been slacking! I finished all the math problems you gave me before. I won’t slack off in the future either.”

Yu Mingjie nodded enthusiastically beside him. “I’ll study too! I’ll earn money, and we’ll eat cake every day together!”

Yu Qingshan looked at the two little ones, full of determination, and suddenly felt that his daughter’s extravagance this once wasn’t such a bad thing. Look at the kids—they were full of motivation thanks to her.

Learning more was a good thing. Back in his day, he hadn’t even had the opportunity to study, but now the kids did, so they had to make the most of it.

Don’t believe the nonsense about studying being useless. Let someone illiterate take a look—if they couldn’t read a single word, they wouldn’t even know what was written on a contract. They might sign away their freedom and not even realize it. The more you know, the more confidence you have in life.

The current situation, with teachers living in such fear, was troubling. But he believed this was temporary. One day, knowledgeable and capable people would regain the respect they deserved.

If universities reopened and the kids could take the entrance exams and become college students, his life would be worth it.

With this thought, he worked even harder on his papermaking endeavors.

Meanwhile, Manchang was running a bustling brick kiln operation. Yu Qingshan didn’t want to fall too far behind.

Hearing that things were going well over there, they decided to pick a time to visit the Hongxing Brigade. This time, it was just Yu Qingshan, Zhao Qiaoniang, Yu Xiang’an, and the two little ones who went.

When they arrived, they saw a fenced-off area near the water’s edge, enclosed with bamboo and guarded by two dogs to alert the owners to any intruders. This was now the most securely protected place in the entire Hongxing Brigade.

The brick-firing process was strictly off-limits to outsiders, especially those from other villages. Even the educated youth were kept out. Although they were now assigned to the village, earning work points like everyone else and sharing the year-end grain distribution, their time here had been too short. Moreover, everyone knew they planned to return to the city eventually, so their hearts weren’t truly in the village. Trusting them was out of the question.

At times, the villagers could be quite insular.

Thanks to thorough preparations, the bricks were produced quickly.

Some people had already applied to exchange their work points for houses, and construction had begun. Building a house at this time didn’t require much—just leveling the ground, stacking bricks one by one, and then sealing the roof. Judging by the current progress, the houses would be completed by next month.

When they arrived, Yang Huili greeted them warmly, even more so than before. She was especially enthusiastic toward Yu Xiang’an, who had recently helped her son-in-law secure a job. Now her daughter was highly respected in her in-laws’ household. The previously critical mother-in-law and difficult sister-in-law now treated her daughter like a treasure, all thanks to Yu Xiang’an.

To show her gratitude, Yang Huili brought out many specialty items from the mountains, gifts from her own brother, as she knew Yu Xiang’an enjoyed them. Her enthusiasm made Yu Xiang’an feel a bit pressured—this was too much.

To escape the overwhelming hospitality, Yu Xiang’an joined Xu Xiaojun to forage for wild vegetables.

It was springtime, and wild greens were sprouting everywhere. The two little ones tagged along, though they were more interested in playing than foraging. Before long, they wandered off, and when Yu Xiang’an looked around, Xu Mansheng was nowhere to be found either. Most likely, he had taken the kids off somewhere to play.

This was a peak time for foraging, as the food supply was running low between harvests, and wild greens became a staple on many families’ dining tables. Most people foraged close to the village, but as the nearby areas were picked clean, they ventured deeper into the wilderness—though not too far, as the deeper woods posed potential dangers. For safety, people often foraged in groups.

Yu Xiang’an followed Xu Xiaojun with a basket in hand. Unsurprisingly, they became the center of attention wherever they went.

A nearby auntie called out, “Xiao An, you’re back! Come here—these greens are so tender over here.”

Another elder beckoned her from a distance. “Come over here—these wild greens are perfect for soup and great for reducing heat. If you dry them, they’re excellent for making herbal tea in the summer. I still have some dried ones from last year at home.”

A third sister-in-law chimed in, “Xiao An, I’ve picked plenty already. Come over, and I’ll share some with you.”

Yu Xiang’an was stunned. After only a short time foraging, she made a hasty retreat, unable to handle all the attention.

She knew helping her cousin secure a temporary job had shifted the villagers’ perception of her, but this level of enthusiasm was overwhelming.

Opportunities like the one her cousin got didn’t come easily. She herself felt incredibly lucky—it just so happened that someone had been promoted, leaving a temporary position open. Such chances didn’t usually come around.

Xu Xiaojun watched Yu Xiang’an flee and couldn’t help but laugh. Unlike some who might have made sour comments, Xu Xiaojun didn’t feel the least bit envious. Her husband had also worked a temporary job for six months and earned a decent sum. While most of the money was given to her mother-in-law, the elder had later handed them 10 yuan as private funds. Her husband had entrusted the entire amount to her.

Besides, if her husband had taken the new position, they would have to live apart. Xu Xiaojun couldn’t move to the city to work as a temp, and she wanted to have a child. Living separately wasn’t ideal. Now that he was back and had promising prospects, what more could she ask for?

Their family was now highly respected in the village, and her husband was often addressed as “Master” whenever he came and went.

Life felt full of hope—except for one thing: she still hadn’t conceived a child. Her anxiety was growing. Could something be wrong with her?

The thought wiped the smile off Xu Xiaojun’s face. Should she see a doctor? If there was an issue, early treatment would be best. If not, at least she could have peace of mind. She had 10 yuan, which should be enough.

But where should she go for a consultation? She didn’t trust the local village doctor’s skills, and the place was always crowded. If word got out, people might start gossiping that she was infertile. She could go further away—maybe back to her parents’ village? But the barefoot doctor there was even less reliable than the one here. It might be best to visit the city.

If more time passed and she still wasn’t pregnant, she decided she’d find an excuse to go to the city and see a doctor.

While Xu Xiaojun was firming up her plan, Yu Xiang’an, who had fled from the overwhelming hospitality, wandered around and spotted Ruan Chenxi foraging for wild greens.

Ruan Chenxi was delighted to see her. “Xiao An, over here! Are you here to forage too? This spot is pretty good.” She generously offered to share the patch with her.

This area was more secluded, with only Ruan Chenxi and a few other female educated youths present. Unlike the villagers, the educated youths were more reserved. Even though some of them wanted to build a good relationship with Yu Xiang’an, only Ruan Chenxi had taken the initiative to do so.

Yu Xiang’an squatted down and began digging. “How’s it going with your shared meals over there?”

“Pretty good. We eat together, and I contribute my grain to the communal pot. I help with cooking too. Everything’s fine—really fine.”

She emphasized it twice, and Yu Xiang’an understood: she probably hadn’t noticed anyone suspiciously following her again.

Yu Xiang’an glanced at the other female educated youths nearby. Since Ruan Chenxi spent her time with them outside and returned home when there were plenty of people around, her safety had indeed improved significantly.

“That’s good.” If anything truly troubling had happened, Yu Shunwen would have told her. Since he hadn’t, it likely meant everything was under control.

Yu Shunwen, as the brigade leader, was still as responsible as ever. Even without concrete evidence, he would take precautions rather than regret it later.

Yu Xiang’an believed that with her uncle’s character and capabilities, he was bound to rise in rank. The only question was whether he wanted to.

While a promotion to the commune level might sound more prestigious, it also meant being further from home and stepping into a different circle—leaving behind his comfort zone for an unfamiliar one.

She shook her head. Why was she even pondering this? Her uncle was a grown man who knew how to make his own decisions. Whatever he chose, it was entirely up to him.

Meanwhile, Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie had followed Xu Mansheng to gather bird eggs. They were tiny, only about the size of a pinky fingertip.

The boys were thrilled, their excitement stemming from a simple joy: with these eggs, they could add a couple more to their scrambled eggs.

---

Lin Duzhong scrutinized his grandson carefully and suddenly asked, “Have you gained weight?”

It seemed like his grandson had not only grown taller but also put on a bit of weight.

He remembered how skinny the boy used to be, as thin as a bamboo pole. Now, though, he looked not just taller but sturdier—not fat, but no longer so frail.

“Have you been eating meat at every meal in the cafeteria?” Lin Duzhong asked.

He hadn’t taken his grandson’s wages, as he himself had a monthly pension and additional support from his son. Money wasn’t an issue for him.

Since his grandson barely ate at home and spent all his time eating at the hospital cafeteria, this seemed like the only explanation. But if that was the case, it was too conspicuous—something that shouldn’t be done.

He had warned his grandson before, and Lin Chuanbai wouldn’t treat his words like mere background noise.

Lin Chuanbai replied, “No, I eat the same as everyone else in the cafeteria.” He silently added to himself, Except for the times I secretly got special meals made.

“Maybe when I go out to forage for wild greens, I stumble upon something edible and roast it over a fire. Otherwise, I don’t know why.”

Lin Duzhong didn’t buy it. How much unexpected food could he possibly find while foraging?

The area had long been picked clean. Most likely, his grandson had been secretly spending money to buy food—perhaps at a state-run restaurant, an underground eatery, or even cooking it himself with materials he bought.

He emphasized safety and then asked, “Do you have enough money on hand?”

Buying food on the black market wasn’t cheap, and at his grandson’s age, his appetite was like a bottomless pit—never enough. As he spoke, Lin Duzhong pulled ten yuan from a drawer and handed it to him.

Lin Chuanbai refused. “Grandpa, my wages aren’t even enough to feed myself?”

If it really wasn’t enough, he still had the medicinal garden.

Thanks to the herbs in the garden—not counting the ginseng—he had already earned quite a bit. Not only could he fill his stomach, but he could also save some money for himself.

But had he really gained weight?

Every night, he secretly cooked meals for himself in the garden, and once every seven days, he treated himself to a feast. If he had gained weight, it wasn’t surprising. Back in his room, Lin Chuanbai touched his stomach. No fat—good. He could keep going.

It wasn’t just Lin Chuanbai who had filled out. Yu Xiang’an and Yu Xiangju had also changed noticeably.

Yu Xiang’an had previously been thin and sallow, with dull yellowish hair and lackluster skin. Now her body had developed, with curves and a healthy glow. She’d grown taller, her cheeks were full and rosy, and her hair was jet black.

All the good food she’d been eating hadn’t gone to waste.

If she’d been merely pretty before, now she was strikingly beautiful. With her attention to sun protection, her fair skin made her look like a girl from a well-off family. Clearly, she was thriving.

Yu Xiangju, however, was still as dark as before—winter hadn’t lightened his skin one bit. But he had shot up in height, outgrowing his clothes, and looked sturdy and full of energy. He was exactly the type of resilient, lively child adults loved.

Yu Xiang’an measured her height. She still wasn’t 165 cm yet. She resolved to keep trying—her ideal height was 170 cm, but if she could reach 165 cm, she’d be content.

So, she needed to drink more milk.

---

After returning from the Hongxing Brigade, Yu Xiang’an accompanied Gao Yimei to pick up her final batch of medication. Lin Duzhong said that after finishing this course, she wouldn’t need medicine anymore.

Now, during her monthly cycle, she experienced only mild lower back soreness and abdominal bloating—nothing like the unbearable pain she used to endure. With rest and warm water, she could recover quickly. This was a significant improvement.

If Lin Duzhong’s position allowed for it, Gao Yimei would have loved to present him with a banner of thanks.

Initially, she and Yu Xiang’an were just casual acquaintances exchanging supplies. But after accompanying her to see the doctor, their relationship had deepened, and they became genuine friends.

Sometimes Gao Yimei would vent her frustrations and share her struggles. She envied Yu Xiang’an’s current state—young, free from the pressure to find a partner, with a supportive family, and even her own house. While her monthly salary was reduced by the mortgage payments, Gao Yimei would have made the same choice in her shoes.

“My medical expenses cut into the money I send home, and now my younger brother gives me attitude. He’s getting married soon, and once he does, there’ll be no place for me in the family. I need to focus on my future. Xiao An, do you know anyone suitable? My requirements aren’t high—someone without burdensome family ties, decent character, a stable job, and his own room would be enough.”

Honestly, her standards weren’t high—until she added, “He also has to listen to me and hand over his salary to me, not his parents.”

Wanting him to follow her lead made her criteria much harder to meet.

Gao Yimei gave an awkward laugh. “I know, I just raised the bar a bit for bargaining, didn’t I? Just keep an eye out based on this. If you find someone close enough, even if they’re missing a few of the criteria, let me know. I’ll do the digging myself. The only non-negotiables are an official recognized job and good character.”

As for housing, if two people worked together, they could save up over time.

Yu Xiang’an didn’t want to take on this kind of thankless task. Being a matchmaker wasn’t easy—what if she ended up creating a miserable pair? She’d be cursed for life.

“There aren’t many suitable people around me, you know. Most of the people I work with are married.”

The factory manager’s assistant usually dealt with people of a certain rank, and most of them were older and married. She was the youngest among them, and she didn’t interact much with younger workers. She couldn’t vouch for anyone’s character, and if someone turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, wouldn’t that harm others?

“True.”

Gao Yimei sighed. “Just keep an eye out. Honestly, I’m not really counting on you to match me up. You’re not even married yourself. I just need you to look out for me a bit. I don’t have much choice—if I don’t plan for myself, who knows how long my mom will keep delaying me?”

Her mother wanted her to stay unmarried as long as possible, so she could send more of her wages home to support the family.

Gao Yimei was genuinely worried that if she waited a few more years, she’d lose the chance to find someone suitable and would have to settle for less.

She wasn’t ready to accept that.

“Also, I have to tell you—I really can’t take it anymore. Every family has a few poor relatives, and I get that. But they came here for medical treatment, and do you know how many people showed up? Four of them! They’re all staying at my place, sleeping on the floor in the living room. I don’t understand why they’re even here. Shouldn’t they be at the hospital taking care of the patient? How many people does it take to care for one patient?

“They’re eating and drinking at my place, using up my family’s supplies. My parents are too embarrassed to kick them out. If it were just a day or two, I wouldn’t mind, but it’s been a week! Their skin is so thick! And from what they’re saying, it sounds like they expect us to cover the medical expenses. I’m absolutely furious…”

She vented all her frustrations about the past few days. Once she let it all out, she stopped. Gao Yimei was straightforward—once she aired her grievances, she rarely brought them up again. This was something Yu Xiang’an liked about her—she was open and didn’t overthink things. Such people lived happier lives. The only topics Gao Yimei would repeat were her frustrations with her mother exploiting her and her anxiety about finding a partner. Everything else was trivial.

After finishing her rant, Gao Yimei remembered something important. “Xiao An, did you bring the things I asked for?”

Yu Xiang’an handed her the basket, which held two clay jars.

Seeing them, Gao Yimei smiled brightly. “Thank you, Xiao An. Your cooking skills are unbeatable.”

Inside the jars were soybean paste and fermented tofu, which Gao Yimei had asked her to make. She relied on them to liven up her meals at the cafeteria.

She had tasted most of Yu Xiang’an’s cooking and couldn’t forget these two items.

She also loved chili sauce, but unfortunately, she couldn’t handle spicy food. If the flavor was too strong, she’d start sneezing uncontrollably—chili just wasn’t for her.

These two jars were enough to last her a month. Aside from using them herself, she also planned to share them with her coworkers at the factory.

They were preparing to collect their goods. The items Yu Xiang’an exchanged the most were soybean paste and braised delicacies. Making tofu was too much trouble, and she didn’t want to do it often. Soybean paste and braised dishes, on the other hand, were much easier to make and occasionally brought in some profit. Even small gains added up—after all, mosquito meat is still meat.

She wasn’t doing it for money; it was all about bartering. Even if word got out, there was nothing to be embarrassed about. Everyone was friends—what’s wrong with exchanging food?

Thanks to these exchanges, her pantry had grown significantly more abundant with a variety of ingredients.

When Lin Chuanbai found out, he had an epiphany. “I want in too!”

This way, he could enjoy better meals when he cooked for himself in the medicinal garden.

Braised dishes! How had he not thought of that before? Braising liquid could be reused with added water, lasting a long time.

“What do you want? I’ll bring it next time,” he offered.

Lin Chuanbai didn’t hold back. “Chili paste, meat sauce, mushroom meat sauce, sesame paste, all kinds of braised dishes, braising liquid, and fermented tofu.”

Yu Xiang’an stared at him, speechless. “I’ll do my best.”

Most of the dishes she made for Lin Chuanbai were prepared at the farm. Cooking at home risked the smell spreading, which was fine occasionally but would draw too much attention if done often.

---

One day, after finishing work, Yu Xiang’an returned to her room briefly and then came out carrying a basket. She skillfully made her way to the agreed meeting spot, where Lin Chuanbai was already waiting.

Handing him the basket, she said, “The spicy chicken, chili paste, mushroom meat sauce, and braised tofu are all here.”

Lin Chuanbai took the basket. “Great, thanks. Same as before—deduct from the amount I gave you. Let me know when it runs out.”

After getting to know her better, he had started paying a lump sum upfront, and Yu Xiang’an would deduct from it as needed. This method minimized the risk of exposure.

Just then, Gao Yimei appeared from behind a tree, looking at them suspiciously. “What’s this about deducting by yourself?”

Lin Chuanbai: “!!”

Yu Xiang’an: “!!”

🌱🌿 🫧🍃