Page 417 - updated on July

Yu Jihui: “A Stinking Old Ninth – A Tale of the Coal Capital” (updated on July 2020)

supper often was two steamed breads made of black

wheat. I put them on top of the stove to roast. Then I

put a mess tin on the top of the stove to cook some

porridge with sorghum. (I got some raw sorghum and

a little bit rice. Rice was very precious at that time. It

was strictly rationed. Each month, each person could

only be provided with one or two kilograms of it.)

One day, while I was eating my supper, Xi Si

came in. I was shocked. She seemed very cold and

hungry. When she saw that I was eating my supper

she said, “Soapy, I’m cold and hungry. Can I eat

some of your supper?”

“Of course! It’s my pleasure.” I said. “But I’ve

already eaten half of it. If you don’t mind, then

please eat it.” I stood up and gave her my seat. I

thought she was joking with me. She was a very

noble lady. Why would she eat a supper which I had

already spoiled? But to my great surprise, she took

414