PCJ – Chapter 25 The most delicious food

“Could it really work?”

Everyone in the room, including Zhang Youping, was staring at the changes in Zhang Shicai. Although Zhang Youping had drunk the water transformed by Jiaohua, in his heart, how could he easily believe that water produced so casually, just like the household water, would really be effective? This time, giving it to Zhang Shicai to drink was purely a desperate measure.

Gulp!

Unexpectedly, Zhang Shicai gulped down all the water in the bowl, making a gulping sound.

Everyone exchanged surprised looks for a moment.

“It really works. This is too amazing!” Zhang Dechun scratched the back of his head, somewhat puzzled.

At this moment, Zhang Enzhong ran in panting, “Secretary Chun, Secretary Chun.” Due to his heavy breathing, he mistakenly said “chun” instead of “春”.

“How is it? Did the hospital send an ambulance?” Zhang Dechun glared at Zhang Enzhong with annoyance, seeing Zhang Enzhong rushing in like a revolutionary hero, he didn’t bother arguing with him.

“The damn hospital refused to come, saying that our village roads are too bad for their vehicles to get through.” Zhang Enzhong gasped before he could speak.

“I knew the hospital couldn’t be relied upon. Didn’t I tell you, if the hospital refuses to send a car over, you should call for a tractor from the township government?” Zhang Dechun knew that since Zhang Enzhong had run back, he definitely hadn’t called for a car.

“Those bastards refused to come in, saying that our village usually doesn’t allow tractors from other villages to transport goods and they wouldn’t come. It’s all because of Liu Qianwang, that damn bully. He monopolizes the whole village and doesn’t allow trucks from other villages to enter. Now, we can’t even get a car. No matter how much money we offer, nobody wants to come.” Zhang Enzhong even offered a high price, but still no one was willing to come. It seemed they had offended Liu Qianwang too much.

“This can’t be allowed to continue as before in the future.” Zhang Dechun regretted deeply. But now it was too late to say anything.

Meanwhile, Luo Ximei’s excited shouts suddenly livened up the atmosphere in the room.

“Shicai, Shicai!”

When everyone’s eyes turned to Zhang Shicai, his only open eye already showed awareness, “Mom, why are there so many people at home?”

“My child! You’re finally awake!” Luo Ximei had been worried all day, and her sadness finally came out.

“Mom, don’t cry. Am I not fine?” Zhang Shicai still hadn’t figured out what was going on.

“Today, thanks to Youping. If not for him, you might have reported to Lord Yan. Your wound was severe, and you had a high fever. Youping helped you drink a bowl of water, and you woke up.” Luo Ximei looked at Zhang Youping gratefully.

“Yes, today was all thanks to Youping.”

“Youping, was this water really transformed by that beggar?”

“That beggar is probably a Daoist. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be so effective.”

“Yes, at first, I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t expect this water to be so miraculous.”

“The real Daoists are indeed powerful. Ma Wulang can only be considered mediocre. The water he transforms naturally has no effect. But the water transformed by the real Daoist is even more effective than special medicines.”

…

The villagers were all praising Zhang Youping.

Zhang Youping quickly said, “Let’s not talk about this. Let’s first check if Shicai’s fever has gone down.”

“There’s no need to check. Look at Shicai’s complexion. It’s completely different from before. The fever must have gone down.” Zhang Dechun glanced and confidently said.

“Youping, thanks to you today. I feel much better now. There shouldn’t be any problems. Thanks to everyone’s concern, I’ve almost died twice today. Despite the narrow escape, from now on, I’ll cherish life.” Zhang Shicai opened up and felt relieved.

“Yes, in this world, as long as you’re open-minded and your wounds heal, find a way to make money again. Life will get better and better.” Zhang Youping encouraged.

“Youping, rest assured. I won’t have any more reckless thoughts.” Zhang Shicai smiled at Zhang Youping.

Seeing that Zhang Shicai was fine, Zhang Youping was about to take his leave. Now Zhang Shicai’s family was in great difficulty, and he couldn’t stay and eat there. Holding the blue and white porcelain bowl, he was about to leave.

“Youping, eat before you go.” Zhang Shicai quickly called out.

“No, no need. You’re all busy, and we didn’t help much. Why eat?” Zhang Youping knew the situation at Zhang Shicai’s home. How could he eat there?

Luo Ximei hurriedly went into the room and grabbed a can of glass jarred citrus. This thing was absolutely rare in the countryside. It was only bought from the department store in the town when visiting patients. Last time when Zhang Shicai was hospitalized, some relatives bought some cans when they visited the hospital.

“Take it back and let Jiaohua drink it.” Luo Ximei forced it into Zhang Youping’s hands.

Zhang Youping originally wanted to decline, but after a moment’s thought, he accepted it, “Then I’ll thank you on his behalf.”

“Why thank you? Let Jiaohua come to our house more often. The grapes on the vine are almost ripe. If he wants to eat, he can come over anytime to pick them.” Luo Ximei smiled. Regardless of how Youping got the water, what mattered was that Zhang Youping saved her child’s life, which was equivalent to saving her life and her family’s. She knew that if her child was gone, she wouldn’t be able to live. Since her man passed away years ago, her child has been the reason she’s kept going. How difficult it is for a woman to raise a child alone and endure so much bitterness and tears, only she knows.

Life, like the several crooked cypresses by the village well, even if their bodies are bent under pressure, they still leave a deep green in the world. That’s the only hope in life.

Zhang Jiaohua now began to feel the beauty of life. Oranges were his favorite, and sweet syrup was also his favorite. Now that the two things he loved were mixed together, the taste was wonderful, evident from the sounds of his enjoyment.

“Is it delicious? Would you like to give mother a bite?” Liu Qianye watched Jiaohua enjoying it so much and leaned over to try it.

“Yes.” Zhang Jiaohua readily agreed, then used a spoon to scoop out a segment of orange and brought it to his mother’s lips.

Seeing her son so generous, Liu Qianye felt sweeter than eating honey. The smile on her face was brighter than the flowers in the fields. “Good boy, Mother won’t eat, just let Jiaohua eat more.”

“Mother should eat.” Zhang Jiaohua insisted. He wanted his mother to share in his sweetness. This was the most delicious thing in the world, and mother should taste it too.

Liu Qianye truly tasted the most delicious food in the world, a single bite might be enough for her to remember for a lifetime.

After feeding his mother, Zhang Jiaohua also gave a piece of orange to his father, who was making a water gun for him at the doorstep. His father gladly ate it and chuckled, “So delicious!”

Happiness doesn’t require great wealth; joy can come from simple fare. The flavors of life can only be understood through slow savoring.