The pastoral life of the grass tribe chief

Wang Xiurong and Lu Jijun put on straw hats and went to the field to cut leeks.

My second aunt chopped the meat.

Lu Yao stir-fried wheat.

After the chives were harvested, the others also helped to pick them.

With many hands making light work, the choice was made quickly.

After stir-frying the wheat, Lu Yao went to fry wheat cakes.

Lu Jijun is making soy milk while wearing headphones and chatting with someone.

"I haven't eaten roasted wheat for over ten or twenty years."

"Kids these days have never eaten wheat before, they don't even recognize it."

"My teeth are bad, so I don't dare to eat anything hard. This wheat is fried until it's crispy and fragrant, and it's easy to eat, but I'm afraid of the heat."

"Have some tea, and then some soy milk."

"That's just my constitution; I get heaty whenever I eat fried or spicy food."

"Drink plenty of water, eat fruits and vegetables, and make sure you get enough rest and don't stay up late."

Everyone ate fried wheat while drinking tea and chatting, waiting for the wheat cakes to be served.

The sound of a motorcycle came from behind.

Lu Yao looked up and saw Lu Ji'en.

"It's so lively."

"I didn't know you guys were back too, Uncle Min, otherwise I would have taken a few more zongzi."

Lu Ji'en took off his raincoat, took a bag of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) from the car, and came in.

"Just come for tea, why bring anything?"

Lu Lide said.

"My wife is on holiday at the factory because she has nothing to do. She can't work on rainy days, so she makes zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) since she's idle anyway. I brought a few over for my father to try."

Lu Ji'en said.

"Don't stand, sit down."

"Try the wheat my grandson fried, we'll have wheat cakes later."

The old man said.

"No need, I have people drinking tea at home too, I'll go first, you two chat."

Lu Ji'en said.

"Take these wheat cakes back for your aunt to try."

"It's fresh out of the pan, so it's a bit hot. Be careful not to burn yourself."

Lu Yao packed a few wheat cakes in a plastic bag and put them in a bag for Lu Ji'en to take back.

"I'm gone."

Lu Ji'en hung the wheat cakes on the car, put on his raincoat, and drove off.

"Dad, why would he bring you zongzi (sticky rice dumplings)?"

The second uncle asked the old man, puzzled.

The two families had always had a lukewarm relationship. They would only sit down for tea when someone came to visit, and they would just exchange greetings when they met. They had never had such a friendly interaction before.

"Ayao did his family a favor, and he gave the food to Ayao, but since we're here, he said it was for me."

The old man said.

"What kind of help do you need?"

Lu Jijun asked curiously.

For someone to care so much about something, it must be something significant.

"It's nothing serious. His mother went to work in the fields and suddenly felt unwell. Your brother happened to be there and took her home."

Lu Lide said.

No one asked any further questions after that.

Soon, Lu Yao fried a bowl of wheat cakes.

Lu Jijun has also finished making the soy milk.

"It tastes good, but it doesn't taste the same as before."

Second Uncle said.

"Back then, we were hungry every day, so everything tasted delicious. This flour wasn't made from wheat we grew ourselves, so it definitely didn't taste as good."

Second Aunt said.

"I think it's delicious, much better than burgers, fries, and fried chicken."

Lu Jijun ate a bite of wheat cake and a sip of soy milk with great relish.

"Eat more if it's delicious."

Grandma was very happy to see her granddaughter eating so well.

"Save a few for me, I'll take them back and let my friends try my brother's cooking, they'll be so envious."

Lu Jijun said.

"Not staying home overnight?"

The old man looked at his granddaughter.

"The Dragon Boat Festival is just around the corner, and many people will be going home for the holiday. We need to get to Huacheng early to avoid traffic jams."

"We haven't packed our things yet, we need to go back and pack."

Lu Jijun said.

"Is Fourth Uncle going?"

Although Lu Yao's fourth uncle did not marry into the family, it was no different from that. He lived with his parents-in-law for most of the year and rarely returned home except for major events such as ancestor worship and visiting graves. Many of the young people in the village did not know his fourth uncle.

This trip to Guangzhou was actually just a few siblings accompanying their parents on a trip, something that might only happen once in a lifetime.

All three aunts and uncles went; if the fourth uncle didn't go, everyone would definitely be unhappy and feel regretful.

"He neither said he would go nor he wouldn't go."

Lu Jijun said.

Although Lu Yao proposed the trip, she was the one who organized it.

My second uncle was the most prestigious among his siblings, and she represented him, so it was easier for her to organize the event.

And that was indeed the case.

Apart from my fourth uncle who hasn't made a decision yet, even my three aunts are actively participating.

The others didn't say anything, afraid of upsetting the two elders.

"How is Fourth Uncle's family doing now?"

Lu Yao found an opportunity to be alone with his older sister and asked her.

He knew almost nothing about his fourth uncle, and even his children were only acquaintances.

"I don't know either."

"However, I overheard my fourth uncle borrowing money from my dad, and judging from the tone of my parents' conversation, it probably wasn't a good situation."

Lu Jijun said.

Do you have your fourth uncle's private WeChat account?

"I added him on WeChat, but he didn't reply. I don't know if he doesn't know how to use these functions."

Lu Yao knew that many people in their fifties and sixties only knew how to use WeChat for voice and video calls, and were completely unaware of anything else.

"No, I've tried adding him too, even using my dad's WeChat account, but he never replied. He probably won't use it."

Lu Jijun said.

"Maybe my older brother has his private WeChat account, or if he doesn't, he probably does have his son's WeChat account."

Lu Yao suddenly thought of a possibility.

"Quickly ask Brother Chao."

Lu Jijun quickly replied.

If anyone in the family has maintained regular contact with Fourth Uncle, it must be Lu Yao's eldest brother.

Whenever he has free time, his mouth never stops; he goes through his contacts one by one to chat and brag.

If you want contact information for family members, he's the one to go with.

Lu Yao made a voice call to his elder brother, and as expected, he sent them his fourth uncle's son's phone number and recommended his WeChat account.

"How can we convince Uncle Si?"

Lu Jijun was not confident.

Lu Yao couldn't think of a way to persuade his fourth uncle for a moment.

"By the way, I remember your fourth aunt's birthday is only one day apart from yours, and it's also on the Dragon Boat Festival?"

Just as the siblings were troubled, Lu Yao's eyes lit up.

"You're really smart."

Lu Jijun excitedly patted Lu Yao on the shoulder, almost knocking him to the ground.

The two then discussed the matter with their siblings and other family members in the younger generation's group chat, and things went smoothly.

Before the two had even added the fourth uncle's son on WeChat, the fourth uncle's son had already sent them friend requests.

Needless to say, it must be Brother Lu Yao's masterpiece.

The two chatted for a few minutes and successfully added Uncle Si on WeChat.

"Fourth Uncle, it's been a long time. How are you?"

The siblings used Lu Jijun's WeChat account to video chat with their fourth uncle.

"You're in good health. Are you at home or in the county town?"

Fourth Uncle was all smiles, clearly very happy.

"At Wumutang."

"Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt's birthday is coming up soon, have you given her anything?"

Lu Jijun asked with a smile.

"We've been married for so long, what do you need to show your appreciation for?"

"By the way, I remember your birthday is only one day apart from your fourth aunt's."

Fourth Uncle said.

"I'm going to Huacheng to watch the dragon boat race with my grandparents for my birthday. You should also bring your fourth aunt along. We, the younger generation, will cover all the expenses."

Lu Jijun said.

Uncle Si wasn't stupid; he guessed their intentions when they added him on WeChat, but he didn't expect them to remember Aunt Si's birthday.

He was very moved and wanted to travel with his parents, siblings and other family members, but he was short of money and dared not go.

Although the younger generation will cover all the expenses, they can't go to see their parents and siblings empty-handed.

They might not mind, but he couldn't help but mind.

The three-person call ended.

The fourth uncle's son showed his parents his cell phone.

"Happy birthday, Fourth Aunt."

"Wishing my fourth aunt good health and all the best."

"This is a birthday gift from our younger generation to Fourth Aunt; we must keep it."

In the younger generation's family group chat, everyone celebrated Auntie's birthday via group video and sent a red envelope that only Uncle's son could receive.

Looking at their large group of nephews and nieces, the fourth uncle and aunt's vision blurred with tears, and they choked up, unable to speak.