I Became a Medical Genius in the 80s

Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Eating Mushrooms Brings Evil Spirits

Beisitian paused, looked up at Liu Chunyu, and asked, ”Are you talking to me?”

Liu Chunyu stared at her with her mouth open, meaning, who else would she be talking to if not you? You’re the only one picking those mushrooms!

”Why can’t we eat them?” Beisitian tilted her head and asked. Judging by the girl’s demeanor, she didn’t seem to be making things up; there must be a reason.

In fact, Liu Chunyu and Beisitian grew up together. When they were little, they played together, but after getting a stepmother, their interactions gradually decreased. Later on, Beisitian stopped talking to anyone, and as they both grew up, they became distant.

In the same village, you couldn’t avoid each other even if you tried. Liu Chunyu felt sorry for Beisitian; she had a mother who loved her, but Beisitian did not.

This was the first sentence they exchanged after Beisitian became the Luo family’s daughter-in-law.

”You shouldn’t eat them. These mushrooms grow after a wildfire. The elders say eating them will bring bad spirits!” Liu Chunyu said seriously.

Beisitian was momentarily stunned but then burst into laughter. Isn’t it true that morel mushrooms grow after wildfires? Two to three years after a wildfire is the best growing season, and after that, their numbers decrease each year. That’s why they’re considered precious!

A few years ago, there was a wildfire on the North Slope, but it didn’t turn into a disaster as the villagers extinguished it. After that, these mushrooms sprouted, so everyone thinks they’re ominous.

After all, there was a reason for that wildfire; it claimed two lives. These mushrooms appearing now must carry resentment, so the elders warned not to pick them, claiming eating them would bring bad luck!

Liu Chunyu frowned as she watched Beisitian laughing. She didn’t say anything wrong, so what’s with this person? She used to be silent, and now she’s laughing inexplicably!

Beisitian couldn’t hold back. After laughing a few times, she quickly quieted down, appreciating the good intentions of the other party.

”Thank you, but eating these mushrooms is fine. They’re actually beneficial to your health. I saw it in my father’s guidebook; it said so,” Beisitian said earnestly.

It’s well known in the village what Beisitian’s father used to do. He was the village doctor before he passed away, and Yang Wulang took over. However, in terms of skills, he was far inferior to Beisitian’s father.

Liu Chunyu glanced down at the morel mushroom in her hand. After hesitating for a moment, she still shook her head. ”It’s better not to eat it. What if it brings bad luck?”

Of course, Beisitian wouldn’t discard such a precious thing. She smiled without further persuasion, simply saying it was okay.

Seeing her insist on picking the mushrooms, Liu Chunyu stomped her foot, said she wouldn’t interfere anymore, and left.

Around six, Liu Chunyu was about to take her brother home to cook. She glanced at Beisitian, hesitating whether to say something.

Even though they only exchanged a few words today, she seemed to see the Beisitian from childhood—talkative, cheerful, not at all gloomy.

”Are you heading home too? I’m about to go. Ping’an, let’s go!” Beisitian initiated conversation with her.

Liu Chunyu hurriedly smiled and nodded.

Luo Anping, hearing it was time to go home, dashed back, eyes sparkling. Going home meant eating meat buns!

Beisitian patted his head and herded the sheep back home.

When they got home, Mrs. Qin was busy gathering firewood to light a fire. Seeing them return, she asked, ”What are we having for dinner?”

Now Beisitian paid close attention to what they ate. Even Mrs. Qin started consulting her unknowingly.

”Let’s fry some bean sprouts and make a cold salad with shepherd’s purse!” Beisitian quickly took the spatula.

Mrs. Qin nodded, noticed Luo Anping standing by, and frowned, ”Go practice your writing.”

Luo Anping pouted and went into the east room.

The two dishes were ready in ten minutes. They placed the buns on the pot rack to heat, then went inside. Luo Anping had already set the Kang table and sat waiting for dinner.

Beisitian went out to pick up the buns and two corn buns, serving them inside. Mrs. Qin brought the two dishes in, and the family of four began to eat.

Luo Anguo looked at those meat buns but didn’t reach for them, his eyes glancing at Luo Anguo. Beisitian smiled, seeing that Luo Anguo hadn’t relaxed their education of Luo Anping and hadn’t completely given up hope.

Knowing that Luo Anping was eager, Beisitian took two meat buns and placed them in Luo Anguo’s bowl, then two in Mrs. Qin’s bowl, and then said to Luo Anping, ”Go ahead and eat!”

Luo Anping didn’t stand on ceremony, grabbed one, and stuffed half into his mouth!

”What about yours?” Luo Anguo asked, puffing out the last of his cigarette and looking up.

”I already ate in town,” Beisitian replied. Seeing Mrs. Qin also looking at her, she added, ”That’s why I brought back two dollars and twenty cents.”

Luo Anguo nodded and returned one bun from his bowl, ”One is enough for me.”

Beisitian felt a warm heart, unable to refuse his good intentions, and buried herself in eating. Once she earned more money, she could buy more, no, make them herself next time!

Neither Mrs. Qin nor Luo Anguo had eaten white bread in a long time, let alone white meat buns. They savored their meal, finding it even tastier than meat scraps!

In the afternoon, Mrs. Qin had rendered a large piece of fatty meat for its oil, and the leftover meat scraps served as meat dishes. However, because there were meat buns for dinner, she skipped serving them. This way, they could have meat dishes for several meals.

The rendered oil was saved for future cooking, a common way to save money on cooking oil in the countryside!

In the evening, Beisitian braided for a while and then urged Mrs. Qin to go to sleep, saying this was how her eyes got bad!

Mrs. Qin didn’t say much, as the next market day was a month away, so there was no hurry.

The villagers usually wake up early; waking up late earns the labels of lazy husband or wife, affecting oneself and the marriage prospects of the children.

After waking up, Beisitian soaked the morel mushrooms she had collected the day before, planning to make stir-fried mushroom slices and mushroom soup for lunch!

The mountain still had plenty, enough for a while. When paired with other ingredients and medicinal herbs, it would improve the whole family’s health!

However, before eating these mushrooms, she needed to discuss it with Mrs. Qin and Luo Anguo. Even Luo Anping mentioned yesterday that they couldn’t be eaten.

She used her late father’s excuse again, claiming she’d seen it in a related guidebook. Luo Anguo trusted Beidewang, not just because he saved his life but also because he kept him from being bedridden, which would have been more troublesome!

So, even though Mrs. Qin wasn’t keen, since the head of the household agreed, she allowed Beisitian to proceed.

The saying that eating mushrooms would bring bad luck wasn’t her belief; she just thought they might not be good to eat.

In the morning, she embroidered a bit, using handkerchiefs and pillowcases she bought from the Bao Niang embroidery workshop. The quality was undoubtedly excellent. Since it was for double-sided embroidery, Zhang Baoli naturally gave her the best materials, all at cost price, hoping to win her over.

By noon, Beisitian had added two homegrown peppers to the stir-fried mushroom slices and meat, the room quickly filling with a delicious aroma.