Reborn as a Landlord-Chapter 69 - 40 Sweet Cane_1

So that was the case, Lian Manman glanced at the several people cutting sorghum in the distance. In this half-day, they had already made some progress. Old Master Lian, in his fifties, had actually outpaced his three sons, who were in their prime years, by a considerable distance.

"Dad, take a break, will you?" Lian Shouxin followed closely behind Old Master Lian, looked up at the sky, and then at Old Master Lian’s sweat-soaked back, and suggested. Old Master Lian, in the words of a farmer, was a person who detested unfinished work, hating to stop until the job was done, unaware of the need to rest.

Old Master Lian heard his son’s words, grabbed the sorghum stalk he had just cut, straightened up, looked up at the sky, estimated that he had been working for about a Chinese hour and a half, then looked back at his sons and grandson, all drenched in sweat, and nodded.

"Let’s rest."

Old Master Lian put down the scythe in his hand and sat on the ridge to rest.

Wu Lang and Lian Manman walked to the side of the cart, where there was a large porcelain jar with a water spout, wrapped in tattered cotton padding and filled with water, brought from home in the morning. Wu Lang picked up the jar, while Lian Manman took a few bowls to bring over to Old Master Lian.

Wu Lang, holding the jar, poured a bowl of water into the bowl Lian Manman was holding.

"Grandpa, have some water."

Old Master Lian responded, took the bowl, and drank the water in one gulp. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Wu Lang was about to pour another bowl for Old Master Lian.

"Grandpa’s had enough. I’m going to smoke." As Old Master Lian spoke, he took out a pouch from his belt containing dry tobacco and rolling paper, rolled himself a cigarette, and started smoking,

Meanwhile, everyone else came over to take a bowl and drink water. Seeing Lady Zhang sitting against a pile of sorghum, Lian Manman poured a bowl of water and took it to her, then sat down next to her.

"Are you tired, Manman?" Lady Zhang took the bowl, took a sip, and asked Lian Manman.

"Not tired," Lian Manman replied, "My brothers and sister helped me."

While they were speaking, Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi also came over and sat down next to Lady Zhang. Xiao Qi leaned coquettishly against Lady Zhang.

Lian Shouyi and Lian Shouli both sat next to Old Master Lian, also rolling cigarettes to smoke. Lian Shouxin didn’t smoke; he drank a bowl of water, then went aside to take a few specially reserved sorghum stalks. He cut off the sorghum heads and chopped the stalks into several segments, about half an arm’s length each, and walked over to where Lady Zhang and the children were resting.

"Sweet stalks, dad picked some sweet ones for us." Xiao Qi saw Lian Shouxin carrying the sorghum stalks and immediately sat up straight, his smile revealing two dimples on his cheeks.

"Sweet stalks?"

Lian Shouxin came over and placed the bundle of sweet stalks down.

"They’re all sweet, be careful not to cut your mouth." After saying that, he too sat down beside the sorghum pile.

Lian Zhizhi, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi each took one, and Lian Manman also chose one to hold.

Sorghum stalks are jointed, similar to sugarcane but much finer. Most sorghum stalks are not sweet; only a few are. Lian Shouxin had a knack for picking sweet ones. He’d only choose those with a bright green hue, taste a bit from the cut end to make sure they’re sweet, and then specifically set them aside, cutting them into small pieces to serve as a treat for the children.

In a rural household with very few material possessions, sugar was a rare delight; the sweet sorghum stalks were a delicious treat for the children.

First, you peel off the outer layer, and inside is the core, full of sweet juice. You take a bite, the sweet juice fills your mouth, you swallow it, then spit out the pulp, just like eating sugarcane.

Lian Manman chewed carefully; it wasn’t as sweet as sugarcane and was quite juicy, pleasantly sweet. Not bad, Lian Manman thought to herself. Being a girl and the eldest, Lian Zhizhi ate more reservedly. Wu Lang also felt he was an adult now, yet he couldn’t hide his enjoyment; Xiao Qi didn’t bother to hide his happiness at all, munching with a blissful expression.

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang watched the children, smiles in their eyes.

A gentle breeze blew, lifting Lian Manman’s sweat-dampened clothes, and she suddenly felt all her pores open, utterly refreshed. Hard labor and material scarcity did not prevent them from feeling the undeniable happiness of this moment.

Happiness can indeed be very simple, Lian Manman thought, perhaps this is the true charm of pastoral life.

Of course, it would be even more fulfilling if one could be a little wealthier, then even wealthier. You’ve got to work hard for that, Lian Manman silently cheered herself on.