Ch 45: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai were startled by Gao Yimei’s sudden appearance. “What are you doing here?”

“I came looking for you and ran into Comrade Lin on the way. He looked familiar, and when I realized we were heading in the same direction, I figured out he was coming to meet you.”

She glanced back and forth between the two, her curiosity piqued.

What kind of luck was this?

The meeting spot they chose was different each time. This time, Yu Xiang’an had intentionally picked a secluded area near the food factory, as she didn’t want to carry too many items too far. But as luck would have it, Gao Yimei had run into them.

How could she come up with a plausible explanation? Fortunately, they hadn’t revealed much.

An idea struck Yu Xiang’an. “It’s just like your friends at the factory. He tried my braised dishes once and thought they were delicious. You understand, just like you at work.” She flashed a knowing smile.

Gao Yimei sniffed the air, catching a whiff of the braised food’s aroma.

She looked a little disappointed. If that was the case, it meant their relationship was purely transactional. She had thought there might be something more between them.

Still, disappointment aside, she had to vouch for her friend’s reputation. “Oh, I see! Xiao An’s cooking is fantastic. I tried it once and couldn’t stop thinking about it. You’ve got good taste.”

Seeing that Gao Yimei believed her, Lin Chuanbai’s lips twitched. “Yes, exactly. But this isn’t something to make public.”

“I didn’t see anything,” Gao Yimei assured him with a knowing smile.

Internally, Lin Chuanbai felt a lingering sense of dread. He reflected on his carelessness—he had thought being spotted wouldn’t matter since he could explain it away. He hadn’t been cautious about watching his back.

That was a mistake. He had secrets to protect and couldn’t afford such lapses again. He made a mental note to never let someone tail him without his knowledge in the future.

He nodded, “I’ll head out now.”

“Take care,” Yu Xiang’an replied.

With the basket in hand, Lin Chuanbai left. Gao Yimei turned to Yu Xiang’an with admiration. “Xiao An, impressive! But if too many people find out, could it cause problems?”

“Not many know—just him and his close friends. We’re just friends exchanging food; it’s nothing.”

Gao Yimei thought for a moment and agreed. They weren’t using money, so what could go wrong?

“In that case, do you want me to help you spread the word?”

“So far, I’ve only shared it with close friends at the factory and haven’t mentioned it elsewhere.”

“No need. I can’t handle more demand right now. I still have my regular work, and this is already enough.”

“That’s true. You can’t neglect your main job. This is just extra income—it’s nice if it makes life easier, but losing your regular job would be a much bigger problem.”

When Lin Chuanbai returned home, he had already set aside some mushroom meat sauce and braised tofu for his grandpa, confident he would love it.

He was right. After tasting the mushroom meat sauce, Lin Duzhong immediately requested more, offering to provide the meat for the next batch.

Even Xu Haili, who initially wanted to find faults, was left speechless. The taste was so good that she couldn’t find anything to criticize. How exactly had it been made?

She examined it closely—the meat was cut into small cubes with a golden-brown color, suggesting it had been either fried or seared. It was mixed with bits of mushroom and crushed peanuts. One bite left a lingering aroma and an unforgettable aftertaste.

Lin Jiqing was less interested in the meat sauce but highly impressed with the braised tofu. “This is delicious!” he exclaimed.

Lin Nanxing ate some of the food and, looking at the jar that had been brought back, asked, “Second Brother, can you spare some for me? I’d like to have it at the factory.”

Lin Jiqing added, “And me too.”

Lin Duzhong turned to Lin Chuanbai and asked, “Can your friend figure out a way to make more?”

Lin Chuanbai replied, “I had to ask for help for this. Let me check first.”

He couldn’t make any promises.

He knew firsthand how time-consuming and labor-intensive cooking could be, as he often prepared meals for himself in the medicinal garden. Still, he could tell that the person he worked with genuinely enjoyed cooking. Whenever the topic came up, the contentment on her face was unmistakable.

It was a blessing to find something one loved that could also serve as a livelihood—especially with her natural talent in the kitchen.

As for himself, he spent most of his time and energy studying medicine. While he wouldn’t say he loved it, his strong sense of purpose kept him going. At the very least, he didn’t dislike it. If he harbored resentment, he wouldn’t be able to endure the tedious content for long.

Perhaps he even found it somewhat interesting now. Up to this point, he hadn’t experienced any feelings of frustration or boredom.

He thought he might actually like it a little.

Before choosing history as his major, he had hesitated about studying medicine. Now, it seemed like he was making up for that fleeting regret.

Yu Xiang’an had a dairy cow that was producing milk. The game system had provided the initial pairing of animals: one bull and one cow, one ram and one ewe. In theory, they could reproduce, but that required time, and it wasn’t as fast as simply buying new calves or lambs.

However, buying calves during this time was extremely difficult. Cows were a major asset in this era. With no widespread mechanization, cows were essential for farming. Under collectivization, there were no privately owned cows unless under special circumstances, and even then, they were considered collective property.

How could she step forward to buy one? What reason would she give? To slaughter and eat it? Impossible.

Buying sheep, on the other hand, was much easier. In addition to the initial pair of sheep, her farm now had three young goats.

This increase in livestock didn’t change much for the farm. With its abundant water and grass, there was plenty of room for the animals to roam.

Since she lived alone, Yu Xiang’an couldn’t consume much milk from both cows and sheep. She stored most of it, turning some into milk powder and some into milk candy. Occasionally, when she felt inspired, she made yogurt or cheese to treat herself.

Time passed quickly in her busy routine.

She not only managed the orchard, ducks, fish, cows, and sheep on her farm but also kept up with her job and wrote articles to submit to the newspaper.

Additionally, she kept an eye on Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie’s studies, assigned them homework, and worked on improving her cooking skills. She refused to stay stagnant.

Each day was a balance of innovation, improving her meals, and earning some extra money—a win-win situation.

Before long, it was Lin Duzhong’s birthday. Since his birthday was on the 18th, Yu Xiang’an started preparing the ingredients on the 17th. On the morning of the 18th, she finished making the cake and handed it to Lin Chuanbai to take home.

Since the cake was for a senior’s birthday celebration, she made a peach cake using canned peaches, symbolizing longevity and good fortune.

She baked two cakes in one go—one large and one small. The larger one was for Lin Duzhong, and the smaller one was for herself.

When she saw the finished product, she was very satisfied, though her hands were truly sore.

Lin Chuanbai was thrilled with the cake when he saw it. At the same time, he calculated in his mind that the money he had given her last time must have been used up by now. Next time, he’d bring another payment, deducting it one bit at a time as usual.

His little savings stash didn’t have much, but with a few hundred yuan, it was more than enough for him to spend as needed.

Today was Lin Duzhong’s birthday, and Lin Chuanbai’s eldest sister, Lin Yunling, had come all the way from the city. She planned to stay the night and return the next morning.

She brought gifts: two kilograms of pork belly, a bag of malted milk powder, a box of walnut pastries, and a pair of shoes she had made herself for her grandfather.

Lin Jiqing and Xu Haili, as the son and daughter-in-law, also prepared gifts for his birthday.

They pooled money to buy quality ingredients and made him a new outfit.

Though Xu Haili was known for being stingy, she wasn’t miserly toward her father-in-law. She had benefited plenty from him over the years and knew that showing generosity during such occasions was crucial for maintaining a good impression.

Lin Nanxing, who was already working, also contributed. She made two pairs of insoles and two pairs of socks for Lin Duzhong.

Lin Chuanqiong, still a student, offered his excellent report card as his birthday gift.

Lin Chuanbai and Lin Yunling arrived one after the other. Seeing him holding a wooden box, Lin Yunling asked, “What’s in there?”

“Something tasty,” Lin Chuanbai replied.

He opened the box. The first layer revealed an old duck stew, and underneath it was a round birthday cake with the words Happy Birthday and Longevity as Great as the Southern Mountains written in cream.

Lin Yunling exclaimed in surprise when she saw the cake. “I wanted to buy a cake, but I couldn’t make it in time. I didn’t expect you to get one—it looks just as good as the ones from the city.”

Hearing there was a cake, Lin Nanxing and Lin Chuanqiong immediately gathered around.

They’d had cake once before, but only a tiny slice each. This one was much bigger—there would be plenty for everyone to enjoy a generous portion.

“It’s not my work—I asked someone to make it,” Lin Chuanbai clarified, setting the cake aside. “Let’s eat dinner first. We can have the cake afterward.”

Since it was Lin Duzhong’s birthday, the feast was as lavish as a New Year’s celebration. He was especially happy today—his eldest son had even called to wish him a happy birthday. Despite his busy schedule, his son remembered and made time to call, which brought him great joy.

Even his eldest grandson, who was in Shanghai, called and sent a package that had arrived just the day before.

With his children and grandchildren thinking of him, he felt truly blessed. Coupled with the tokens of appreciation sent by his former students and apprentices, the sight of the bountiful table made him feel completely content. The only thing missing was his great-grandchild.

Lin Yunling sighed helplessly. “I planned to bring him, but the timing didn’t work out. I’ll definitely bring him next time.”

“Why didn’t Yuanyuan come?”

Yuanyuan was Lin Yunling’s son.

Xu Haili chimed in, “We’d better eat while it’s hot. It won’t taste as good once it cools down.”

The main dish today was braised pork with preserved vegetables. The fatty pork, over a finger’s width thick, had been specially ordered from a state-run restaurant. She didn’t want it to cool down and lose its appeal.

There was also a plate of white-cut chicken, which she had prepared herself.

When Lin Chuanbai placed the old duck stew on the table, it added even more to the already abundant spread. Tonight, everyone could enjoy their fill of meat.

Before starting the meal, they each said a few words. Xu Haili signaled to Lin Jiqing, who raised his teacup with both hands and said, “Dad, happy birthday!”

That was all he managed to come up with, so Xu Haili quickly stepped in to elaborate, delivering a much longer blessing.

Lin Yunling said, “Grandpa, I wish you good health and endless joy.”

Lin Chuanbai added, “Grandpa, I wish you peace, happiness, and a life free of worries.”

Lin Nanxing chimed in, “Grandpa, I wish you success in everything and all your dreams come true!”

Finally, Lin Chuanqiong grinned and said, “Grandpa, I wish you a life free of worries, eternal youth, and the joy of growing younger every day!”

Lin Duzhong listened to them with a smile. “Good, good. Let’s eat.”

Lin Yunling was the first to serve him, placing a large chicken drumstick on his plate. “Grandpa, you’re the birthday star, so the drumstick is definitely yours.”

“There’s enough for everyone—don’t worry.”

Including the wings and legs of the chicken and duck, there were a total of eight pieces, and there were only seven people at the table.

After finishing the meal, everyone turned their attention to the cake. Knowing it was coming, they had restrained themselves during dinner, leaving room for dessert. This was no small feat, considering how much they craved meat. It spoke volumes about the cake’s allure—it even overshadowed their love for meat.

“Grandpa, as the birthday star, you get to cut the cake. But first, blow out the candle and make a wish.”

Given his age, they didn’t put candles to match his years. Lin Chuanbai had placed a single candle as a token gesture and used a holder to prevent wax from dripping onto the cake.

“Don’t say your wish out loud, or it won’t come true,” someone reminded.

Lin Duzhong closed his eyes and made a silent wish: May my family remain safe and happy. Then he said, “Alright, all done.”

“Let’s hope Grandpa’s wish comes true. Now, Grandpa, please cut the cake.”

With great interest, Lin Duzhong picked up the knife. This Western tradition was something he’d only heard about before—he had never done it himself.

It was quite fun.

He carefully divided the cake into eight equal slices, ensuring that each piece was the same size. His hands were still steady—after all, if they weren’t, he wouldn’t be able to continue practicing medicine. Cutting the cake was a simple task for him.

After tasting the cake, Lin Yunling’s eyes lit up. “Second Brother, where did you find this friend of yours? Introduce them to me—I want to place an order next time.”

Lin Chuanbai hesitated. “I’ll need to ask first. She’s just one person, and making this is a lot of work. Once or twice is manageable, but if it’s too often, she might not do it.”

Lin Yunling gave him a look. “How do you know? Is your friend a man or a woman?” If it was a man, there wasn’t much to say, but if it was a woman… Since when did her usually oblivious brother start noticing such things?

Lin Chuanbai quickly deflected. “I’ve asked around, so I know a bit. By the way, Big Sister, why didn’t Yuanyuan come today? I got him a toy.”

Lin Yunling had initially planned to test him, suspecting he might have started seeing someone. Though her brother was still reserved and rarely smiled, he seemed a little more open and less gloomy than before. If he was dating, she, as an experienced elder, could give him advice.

Good girls were in high demand, after all.

When he mentioned Yuanyuan, it caught her attention, as it was also something Lin Duzhong had been curious about. At his age, his great-grandchildren were his greatest joy.

Lin Yunling sighed, clearly reluctant to explain but feeling she had no choice. “He got into a fight and broke his hand. It’s not too serious and is almost healed, but it’s not ideal for traveling, so I left him at home to rest.”

Lin Duzhong’s expression immediately turned serious. “Are you sure it’s nothing major?”

Lin Yunling nodded firmly. “I’m a doctor myself—how could I lie to you? It’s really nothing serious. He just needs proper rest.”

Still, she looked a bit helpless as she spoke.

“How did he end up in a fight?” Lin Chuanbai asked.

“Yeah, Yuanyuan’s always been so well-behaved,” added Lin Duzhong.

Lin Yunling sighed again. “His grandparents spoil him too much—he’s grown a bit of a temper, and I can’t manage him well.” She explained that when she gave birth, she had a difficult labor due to the baby’s size, which left her needing years to recover. As a result, Yuanyuan was her only child. Being well-loved by the older generation, he was inevitably indulged.

“This time, though, it wasn’t his fault. An older kid wanted his new toy, and when he refused to give it up, they ended up fighting.”

Hearing this, Lin Duzhong’s expression softened. “So there was a reason—it wasn’t Yuanyuan’s fault. What about the other child?”

“He’s injured too. He’s a bit older, so his injury isn’t as serious as Yuanyuan’s. His parents already apologized and brought money and gifts to our home.”

Since the other family was so proactive and sincere, it wasn’t appropriate to keep holding it against them.

After all, they were both just kids, and the age difference wasn’t significant.

Lin Duzhong nodded. “Make sure to bring Yuanyuan over when he’s recovered.”

Hearing that Yuanyuan’s hand hadn’t fully healed, Lin Chuanbai decided to visit him in the city and buy some things while he was there.

He left early in the morning, took a bus to the city, and first bought some fruits and snacks. On his way, he unexpectedly ran into Feng Jiaye. The moment he saw him, Lin Chuanbai sighed inwardly—what terrible luck.

How could he run into him in such a big city?

Feng Jiaye spotted him too and reacted like a dog catching sight of a bone, immediately rushing over.

…Did that comparison just make him a bone? Lin Chuanbai felt his thoughts had derailed. While the metaphor wasn’t ideal, Feng Jiaye’s excitement made it the first thing that came to mind.

Feng Jiaye’s voice rose enthusiastically. “When did you get to the city? What a rare sight! Come on, I’ll treat you to a meal at the state-run restaurant.”

Lin Chuanbai raised the fruits and snacks in his hands. “My sister’s child is injured, so I came to check on him.”

Hearing this, Feng Jiaye’s face fell in disappointment. Why such bad timing?

But then he realized there was still plenty of time. “No problem. Go visit him, and we can have lunch this afternoon. My treat.”

Lin Chuanbai declined. “I need to catch the bus back this afternoon. Missing it would cause delays.”

“What’s the big deal? You can just head back tomorrow morning.”

Lin Chuanbai countered, “Don’t you have work today?” Implying, Shouldn’t you get back to work instead of bothering me?

Feng Jiaye brushed it off. “I’ve already finished my tasks. No rush. Right now, you, my friend, are more important. It’s rare for you to come back. As the host, I have to take care of you. Tell me where you want to go, and I’ll take you.”

The overwhelming sense of superiority was palpable.

Lin Chuanbai felt that he might be “too old” to understand how this young man’s brain worked.

“I really have things to do. And don’t forget, I lived here for years—I know this place very well. Let’s save it for another time, okay?” If it weren’t for the lingering concerns about certain “rabid dogs” associated with Feng Jiaye, he would have been much more direct.

Grabbing the opportunity, Lin Chuanbai quickly left. Feng Jiaye watched him go but didn’t give up. He turned around and went to find reinforcements.

Last time, he had promised to share any updates. If they all went together, surely Lin Chuanbai couldn’t refuse them all.

That same day, Yu Qingshan and his family received a letter from Yu Xiangyan, sharing good news: Wen Ruzhen was pregnant.

This was a joyful event.

With a child on the way, Yu Qingshan felt reassured. Even if Wen Ruzhen were to return to her privileged life as a wealthy young lady someday, having a child would make her think twice before leaving.

Perhaps she wouldn’t leave his son after all. And even if it took a long time for her old circumstances to be restored, Yu Qingshan had faith in his son. As long as she stayed the same, his son would always treat her like a treasure.

After hearing the news about Wen Ruzhen’s pregnancy, Xu Xiaojun couldn’t sit still. She racked her brains to come up with an excuse, telling everyone she was going back to her parents’ house. In reality, she went to the county hospital to see a doctor.

She kept her visit a secret—neither her family nor her in-laws knew.

Feeling anxious, she navigated her way to the hospital. Although she had never entered the building before, she had previously familiarized herself with the area under someone else’s guidance. That gave her the courage to come alone.

Had she not scouted the route earlier, she wouldn’t have dared to make the trip.

While waiting for the doctor to announce the results, her heart raced. Fortunately, the doctor told her there was no major issue—just the common effects of not having had proper nutrition in the past. Her body was slightly deficient and needed some care.

Nothing serious—thank goodness!

Her biggest fear had been a medical issue preventing her from conceiving. With that worry alleviated, Xu Xiaojun left the hospital feeling much lighter.

She reassured herself that it was simply a matter of timing. Some couples take years to conceive but then have children one after another. She hadn’t even been married a year yet—there was no need to rush. Good news would come eventually.

Coincidentally, Yu Xianghai was at the hospital accompanying Ye Qijia for her check-up when he spotted Xu Xiaojun.

Before he could call out to her, she left in a hurry. “Why is she at the hospital? Is she sick? I haven’t heard anything.”

In this day and age, people only went to the hospital as a last resort because of the high costs. Usually, only serious illnesses warranted a trip. Minor issues were treated with home remedies or by local herbalists.

Moreover, since their family lived in the county, she should have come to them first if there was a problem.

Ye Qijia frowned. “She seemed to be heading toward the OB-GYN department. But her complexion looked fine. You should ask her later. If something’s going on, we can’t just ignore it.”

“That’s true,” Yu Xianghai agreed. “I’ll ask her later. Let’s go—this way. The baby’s movements have been less frequent lately. I wonder what the doctor will say…”

Currently, they were alternating between two check-ups: one at the hospital and another with the retired Dr. Lin. Having dual assurances made Yu Xianghai feel more at ease.

The more he heard about the risks of twin pregnancies, the more cautious he became. If these extra measures gave them peace of mind, why not take them?

Meanwhile, Yu Xianghai had finally achieved stable progress in papermaking and wanted to discuss it with Yu Shunwen and the others. Since he needed to stay with Ye Qijia, he couldn’t go in person. Instead, he shared the matter with Yu Xiang’an.

“I wasn’t mistaken—your sister-in-law saw her too. But for some reason, she hasn’t told us anything. When you go, don’t make a big deal out of it. Ask her quietly and see what’s going on.”

🌱🌿 🫧🍃

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