Chapter 34: Zhan Ye Cannot Kill a Chicken

Shortly after breakfast, Lu Zhanye returned from the armed forces department clutching an envelope, the corners of his mouth curling upward uncontrollably. Su Yao was busy changing diapers for their twins and, glancing up at his expression, asked with a smile, "What good news has you so happy?"

"The military family research subsidy has been approved." Lu Zhanye handed her the envelope. Inside lay thirty yuan, neatly folded, along with a notice stamped with a red seal. "From now on, that's thirty extra a month. It’s for you and the children to build up your strength."

Su Yao held the money, her fingertips brushing the ink smell of the banknotes, feeling a warmth spread through her heart. In these times, thirty yuan was a significant sum; it could buy fifty catties of cornmeal or provide new outfits for all four of their children. She looked at Lu Zhanye, who still hadn't taken off his military coat, its collar dusted with morning frost, yet he smiled like a young soldier who had just been rewarded with a piece of candy.

"Don't just sit there grinning," Su Yao teased. "You’ve just returned from the army, what do you know about managing a household? You have to spend that thirty yuan sparingly."

"Spare it for what?" Lu Zhanye hung his coat on the wall. "It’s mainly for you to recover. You just gave birth to the twins and are managing the medicine factory; what if you wear yourself out? I’m going to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy an old hen and make you some soup."

Before Su Yao could stop him, he grabbed his wallet and headed out. Su Yao watched his retreating figure and laughed helplessly—this man who commanded soldiers with ease in the army was like a clumsy boy who had never touched a spatula when it came to life at home.

Lu Zhanye headed straight for the commune’s supply and marketing cooperative. Director Wang was behind the counter, the clatter of his abacus beads echoing in the room. Seeing him enter, Director Wang stopped his work. "Minister Lu, what brings you here today? What are you looking to buy?"

"I’m looking to buy an old hen, a fatty one, to help my wife recover her health," Lu Zhanye said.

Director Wang pointed to the sign on the wall. "Buying chicken requires meat coupons. Two catties per chicken. Do you have any?"

Lu Zhanye slapped his forehead, only then remembering that in this era, everything required coupons. He ate at the army cafeteria, and his wife handled all the household coupons; he had none on him. Just as he was fretting, he pulled his army home-leave certificate from his pocket—he had heard from comrades that military families could use it to exchange for extra coupons.

He handed over the document. "Will this work? My wife just gave birth and really needs the nourishment."

Director Wang looked at the certificate, which stated, "Lu Zhanye’s family member Su Yao, Deputy Director of the County Research Institute, recently gave birth to twins and requires extra nutrition," stamped with the seals of both the army and the commune. He smiled and returned the paper. "It works! Minister Lu serves the country, so his family deserves to be taken care of during her postpartum period. Aside from the two-catty coupon for the chicken, I'll approve two more for you so you can buy some pork to improve the children's meals as well."

Lu Zhanye’s heart warmed, and he thanked him repeatedly. Director Wang called his assistant to catch an old hen from the backyard. It weighed over three catties, its feathers sleek and its claws hard—clearly a bird raised for two years. He paid with his money and coupons and headed back, thinking to himself that Su Yao liked simple, clear-broth stews with minimal seasoning, just ginger and salt.

But once he got home, he hit a snag. The hen’s feet were tied, and it kept flapping and squawking on the floor. Lu Zhanye crouched nearby, kitchen knife in hand, unsure of where to start. He had slaughtered pigs and sheep in the army, taught by the veterans in the mess hall, but this was his first time with a chicken. The bird looked small, but it was surprisingly strong when it thrashed about.

He reached out to grab its wings, but the chicken broke the rope, flapping wildly as it ran around the courtyard, scattering feathers everywhere. Lu Zhanye scrambled after it, the scene a chaotic mix of flying chicken and running man. He ended up drenched in sweat and even tore a small hole in his military undershirt without ever catching it.

Just then, Widow Li passed by the gate and laughed so hard she couldn't stand straight. "Comrade Lu, are you having a wrestling match with a chicken? You’re so imposing on the battlefield, how come you’re so flustered in the kitchen?"

Lu Zhanye stopped and scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "This bird is too fast. I’ve never killed one before; I don’t know how to go about it."

"You really are a rough soldier," Widow Li said, walking in and catching the chicken in a few swift motions. "To kill a chicken, you first pull the feathers from the neck, then cut the throat to drain the blood. Once it’s bled, put it in hot water to pluck the feathers, otherwise, the roots won’t come out clean and it’ll get stuck in your teeth."

She sat on a small stool, pinning the chicken between her legs, holding its wings with her left hand while pulling out a small blade with her right. With a light, swift stroke across the neck, she was finished. Lu Zhanye stood by, admiring her—Widow Li might seem rough around the edges, but she certainly knew how to manage a household.

"Comrade Lu, go boil some water for the plucking," Widow Li said without looking up. "Don't make it too hot—seventy degrees is perfect. If you can stand the touch of it, it's right. Otherwise, the skin will boil off."

Lu Zhanye hurried to the kitchen to boil the water, thinking he should learn these things from Su Yao later—he couldn't always rely on others. He set the kettle on the stove, watching the flames lick the bottom, and decided that once Su Yao finished her confinement, he would learn to cook from her so he could make delicious meals for her and the children.

When the water boiled, Widow Li soaked the chicken, and a few minutes later, began to pluck it. She was deft, and in no time, the bird was spotless, not even the fine down remaining. She cleaned the innards, washed the meat, and chopped it into pieces, placing them into an enamel basin. "There. When you stew it, blanch it first to skim off the blood foam, then add ginger slices and scallions. Simmer on low until a chopstick can poke through easily."

Lu Zhanye took the basin and thanked her repeatedly. "Thanks to you, otherwise I don't think we’d be eating this chicken today."

"Why be so formal with me?" Widow Li said, wiping her hands. "Little Su is a good comrade; she’s helping our village run the medicine factory and bringing everyone money. It’s only right to help her get some nutrition. I have some red dates at home; I’ll bring them over later to add to your soup for blood health."

After Widow Li left, Lu Zhanye took the meat to the kitchen to rinse it. Su Yao walked in carrying Lu Qingmiao and smiled at the meat in his hands. "Look at you, drenched in sweat. Was killing a chicken that much work?"

"Don't mention it. Thanks to Aunt Li, or I'd still be wrestling with that bird," Lu Zhanye said sheepishly. "I need to learn these things from you later; I can't keep being a hands-off husband."

Su Yao nodded and placed Lu Qingmiao in the stroller. "You blanch the meat first. I’ll go get some mountain spring water; it makes the soup fresh and is good for the body."

She took some spirit spring water from her space and filled a small bowl. Lu Zhanye was in the middle of blanching the meat, skimming the foam as it rose. Su Yao poured the water into the pot. "This water was diverted from the mountains; it's nutritious and makes the soup taste better."

Lu Zhanye didn't ask questions; he knew Su Yao had her ways, and as long as it was good for their health, that was all that mattered. He added the ginger and scallions and covered the pot to simmer on low. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of chicken soup, mixed with the sweetness of red dates, making mouths water.

Lu Xingchen and Lu Yuxuan returned from school and smelled the fragrance as soon as they entered the yard. Lu Xingchen ran into the kitchen. "Dad, are you stewing chicken soup? It smells so good!"

"That's right, it's for your mother to build her strength. You and your brother and sister will have some too," Lu Zhanye said, ruffling his hair. "Go call Brother Wang over. He got burned last time, so he needs to build his strength too."

Lu Xingchen nodded and ran out, returning shortly with Brother Wang in tow. Brother Wang’s wounds had mostly healed, though he still couldn't do heavy labor. He sat on a small stool in the courtyard, watching the steam rise from the kitchen, feeling a warmth in his heart.

When the soup was ready, Su Yao ladled a bowl and had Lu Xingchen take it to Brother Wang. "Brother Wang, Mom says if you drink this, your wounds will heal faster."

Brother Wang took a sip; the soup was fresh and carried a faint, subtle sweetness that warmed his entire body. He looked at Lu Xingchen with gratitude. "Thank you, Xingchen, and thank you, Director Su and Minister Lu."

"Don't mention it, Brother Wang. You were injured for the sake of the medicine factory; we should take care of you," Lu Xingchen said with a smile.

Lu Zhanye served the chicken onto a large platter and gave Su Yao a bowl of soup with some chicken leg meat. "Drink up, it's for your health."

Su Yao took a sip; the rich flavor spread through her mouth, accompanied by the faint, sweet essence of the spirit water. She felt her strength returning. Watching Lu Zhanye and the children gathered around the table, eating heartily, her heart was filled with happiness.

Just then, Widow Li arrived with the red dates and smiled at the sight of the meat. "Smells wonderful! I knew you could pull it off, Comrade Lu."

"It's all thanks to you teaching me how to kill the chicken, or I'd still be busy," Lu Zhanye said, standing up to serve her a bowl of soup. "Aunt Li, you have some too."

Widow Li took a sip and couldn't stop praising it. "This soup is fresher than the ones I make! Little Su, what's your secret?"

Su Yao smiled. "It's just the usual method. Maybe it's the quality of the chicken, and I added some mountain spring water, which makes it extra fresh."

They sat together, eating and chatting, the courtyard filled with laughter. Lu Zhanye watched Su Yao’s smiling face and thought to himself that he would work harder to earn more money to give her and the children a better life. He picked up a piece of chicken and handed it to Lu Qingmiao, who stuffed it into her mouth, her face covered in grease, making everyone burst into laughter.

After the meal, Lu Zhanye took the initiative to clear the table, while Su Yao sat nearby watching. This man might be a bit clumsy in daily life, but he kept her and the children in his heart. With him around, their home would always be this warm.

Once the dishes were washed, Lu Zhanye sat beside Su Yao and held her hand. "From now on, whenever I get my subsidy, I’ll buy you good things so you and the children can be well-nourished."

Su Yao leaned on his shoulder and smiled. "No need to buy too much, just enough is fine. Life is good right now—we have the factory, the children, and you. I’m quite content."

The moonlight shone through the window, bathing the couple in its glow, as well as the sleeping twins. Lu Zhanye looked at everything before him and felt a profound sense of peace. This was the life he wanted: a wife, children, and a warm home. As long as he worked hard alongside Su Yao, life would only get better.