《I'm crazy.》九绚

1、The daily life of Salted Fish Village begins with staying in bed. At th

　　At the third quarter of Mao Shi (around 6:45 a.m.), the sun had already climbed over the eastern wall, yet the bedroom of the Li family's small courtyard remained quiet.

　　Li Mianmian wrapped herself into a round silkworm cocoon, only showing half of her face buried in the soft pillow. There was a drowsy smile on her lips—probably dreaming of Grandpa Zhang's candy shop at the village entrance making sweet-scented osmanthus cakes again, even her breath carried a sweet laziness.

　　"Mianmian! The sun is high in the sky! If you don't get up, your little private savings will be taken by your dad to pool money for Uncle Wang next door to buy wine!"

　　Outside the courtyard gate, Mother Wang's voice was extremely penetrating. Even through the two wooden doors, it could make the window paper tremble slightly.

　　The "silkworm cocoon" in the quilt moved. She slowly stretched out a hand, groped around the head of the bed, touched a cool jade pendant, then shrank back and mumbled, "Mom, just half an hour more... only half an hour... If Dad dares to take my money, I'll move all the wine jars he hid in the firewood shed to feed the pigs."

　　Her voice was not loud, but it accurately reached Father Li, who had just walked to the window. Comrade Lao Li touched his nose, and awkwardly turned around to say to Wang: "Cough, the kid is still young, it's okay for her to sleep a little longer. As for the wine money... I'll think of another way."

　　Wang gave him a glare: "What other way can you think of? Last time you secretly pawned Mianmian's silver hairpin, and when she found out, she chased you around the village three times, and the whole village saw it! If you dare to touch her money again, watch her split your precious fishing rod to make firewood!"

　　Father Li trembled, quickly waving his hands: "I dare not, I dare not, absolutely not!"

　　In the bedroom, Li Mianmian heard their conversation clearly, and secretly held back her laughter so hard that her shoulders shook. Her dad was good at everything except being addicted to alcohol and always wanting to get his hands on her private savings. Unfortunately, he was caught every time, ending up in an embarrassing mess. It had become a scene in the village.

　　After lying in bed for about the time it took to burn an incense stick, the sparrows outside the window chirped loudly, as if urging her to get up. Li Mianmian finally lifted the quilt reluctantly, stretched a big stretch, revealing a section of fair neck. Her eyes were still hazy, with a drowsy cuteness.

　　She got dressed and washed slowly, moving as sluggishly as a sloth. By the time she dawdled to the courtyard, it was already Chen Shi (around 8 a.m.).

　　In the courtyard, Father Li was squatting by the corner, carefully watering his precious orchid. He kept muttering: "Drink slowly, don't choke... Hey, you're still the best, you don't compete with me for wine, nor ask me for money."

　　Wang was busy by the stove. When she saw Mianmian come out, she casually threw over a still warm white flour steamed bun: "Hurry up and eat. After eating, come with me to the field to have a look. If you don't pull out those radishes you planted, they will all be eaten by rabbits."

　　Li Mianmian caught the steamed bun, took a big bite, and said vaguely: "Let the rabbits eat them if they want... I don't like radishes anyway... Mom, can our family stop farming? It's so tiring to water and fertilize every day. It's better to stay at home, bask in the sun and eat steamed buns."

　　"You wish!" Wang tapped her on the head, "If we don't farm, what will you eat and drink? Do you expect pies to fall from the sky?"

　　Li Mianmian touched the spot where she was tapped, and muttered softly: "It would be great if pies fell from the sky. It's best if all falling are meat buns, and they have to be the kind with thin skin and lots of filling."

　　Just as she was talking, a brisk sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate, accompanied by a boy's hearty laughter: "Mianmian! Uncle Li! Aunt Wang! Are you at home?"

　　Then, a boy with bright eyes and a clear face, wearing a cyan short jacket, walked in. He was holding a reed chicken tightly by the neck. The chicken flapped its wings but couldn't make a sound.

　　It was Shen Zhiyan from the neighboring village.

　　Shen Zhiyan was also a strange person. His family had a few mu of thin farmland, but he was never willing to farm it seriously. Every day, he either went up the mountain to dig out bird nests, went down the river to catch fish and shrimps, or led the half-grown kids in the village to run around. He was just an idler. But surprisingly, he was good-looking and had a sweet mouth, so both the elderly and children in the village liked him.

　　When Li Mianmian saw him, her eyes lit up: "Shen Zhiyan? Where did you dig out this chicken again?"

　　Shen Zhiyan put the reed chicken on the ground. The chicken seemed to be scared silly, huddling quietly in the corner and not daring to move. He clapped his hands and smiled: "I didn't dig it out. I picked it up on the mountain. It's probably lost by some family. I felt sorry for it, so I brought it back. I thought Aunt Wang likes eating chicken, so I sent it over."

　　Wang quickly thanked him: "You child, you always bring us things. We're so embarrassed."

　　"Aunt Wang, you're too polite," Shen Zhiyan waved his hand, his eyes falling on the steamed bun in Li Mianmian's hand, "Mianmian, haven't you finished eating yet? Hurry up. After eating, come play with me on the mountain. I found a cave. It's very cool inside, and we can pick mushrooms there."

　　Li Mianmian's eyes lit up even more: "Pick mushrooms? The kind that can be eaten?"

　　"Of course!" Shen Zhiyan patted his chest and assured, "I tasted it yesterday. It's very fresh! Besides, there's no need to bask in the sun in the cave. It's much more comfortable than staying at home."

　　"Great! Great!" Li Mianmian nodded immediately. She stuffed the remaining steamed bun into her mouth in three bites, wiped her mouth, and said, "Mom, I'm going up the mountain with Shen Zhiyan to pick mushrooms. I'll be back later!"

　　Wang shook her head helplessly: "Go ahead. Be careful and don't go too far."

　　"Got it!" Li Mianmian replied, grabbed the small bamboo basket in the corner, and ran out with Shen Zhiyan.

　　As soon as they ran out of the courtyard, they met Grandma Zhang from the village. Grandma Zhang was carrying a vegetable basket. When she saw them, she smiled and said: "Mianmian, Zhiyan, where are you going?"

　　"Hello, Grandma!" The two greeted in unison.

　　Shen Zhiyan spoke first: "Grandma, we're going up the mountain to pick mushrooms."

　　Grandma Zhang nodded with a smile: "Picking mushrooms is good. It has rained a lot recently, so the mushrooms on the mountain are growing well. By the way, Mianmian, I found the embroidery pattern you asked me about last time. Come and get it later."

　　"Thank you, Grandma!" Li Mianmian smiled with her eyes curved, "I'll send you some mushrooms when I pick them."

　　"No need, no need, you child," Grandma Zhang waved her hand, then looked at Shen Zhiyan, "Zhiyan, your mother told me yesterday that she wants you to stop running to the mountain so often and learn to farm at home seriously. You should take it to heart."

　　Shen Zhiyan scratched his head and giggled: "Got it, Grandma. I will."

　　He agreed verbally, but his feet didn't stop. He pulled Li Mianmian and walked forward quickly. When they were out of Grandma Zhang's sight, he heaved a sigh of relief: "Grandma nagged me again. Farming is so boring. How can it be as fun as going up the mountain?"

　　Li Mianmian deeply agreed: "Exactly! Farming is tiring and boring. It's better to bask in the sun, pick mushrooms, and dig out bird nests."

　　As they walked, they chatted with each other. Their topics ranged from the mushrooms on the mountain to the fish and shrimps in the river, and then to Grandpa Zhang's candy shop at the village entrance. None of their words were serious, but they chatted happily.

　　The sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on them, which was warm. The wild flowers by the roadside bloomed freely, and butterflies danced among the flowers. Occasionally, there were a few clear bird calls. Everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful.

　　Li Mianmian looked up at the sky. The sky was blue with white clouds, and the breeze was gentle. She felt very content.

　　How great such days were! No intrigue, no trivial troubles. Every day, she just thought about how to be lazy, how to play, and how to eat delicious food. It was simply a fairy-like life.

　　She secretly glanced at Shen Zhiyan beside her. The boy smiled brightly, and the sunlight shone on his face, coating him with a soft glow.

　　Well, with a little friend who could be lazy and play together, this lazy life was even more perfect.

　　Talking and laughing, they gradually disappeared on the path leading to the mountain forest, leaving only a string of brisk footprints and laughter along the way.

　　And the days in the village still went on slowly as usual, without waves or crises. There were only the trivialities of daily necessities, and the tenderness and comfort hidden in those trivialities.