娘的嗓门能穿透屋梁，李翠翠顶着个发胀的脑袋，从土炕上滚下来。昨夜在地里挖野菜，被个偷菜的耗子精咬了手指，疼得她直哼哼，还惦记着那点收成呢。现在听娘喊，估计是又要催她下地了。“五更天了，还睡大觉！”李翠翠揉着发疼的眼眶，趿拉着鞋就往外冲。

outside the door, the cold wind bit her face like a knife. Li Cui Cui rubbed her cold hands together, squinting at the pitch-black sky. The backyard chicken coop was quiet, maybe all the chickens had already drunk their morning water. She took a deep breath, the chill made her think clearly. Yesterday's digging in the field wasn't in vain. She had found a particularly fresh patch of bamboo shoots, stashed them carefully in the corner, and added a few bitter gourds she had dried.

“Ah, this morning’s livelihood...” she muttered, her footsteps quickening. Just as she reached the edge of the village, she saw a familiar figure walking towards her. It was Ma Jiazhao, the village head. His face was grim, and his pace was hurried.

“Xiao Cui!” Ma Jiazhao called out, raising his voice slightly. “The county magistrate is visiting the village today, everyone must be at the square by the hour!”