On Qu Jing's first night at the village chief's house, she squeezed in with several of the chief's granddaughters on the kang to spend the night.
Even though there were no blankets and only straw for cover, at least there was a kang, providing shelter from wind and rain inside the house, much better than being up a tree. Qu Jing happily ate sweet potatoes and eggs before falling asleep, waking only at dawn.
The next morning, while everyone else sipped gruel with half a sweet potato, Qu Jing enjoyed a full breakfast, with as much sweet potato and gruel as she wanted, and more could be cooked if needed.
Watching Qu Jing crouch in the yard, simultaneously eyeing the chickens and eating sweet potatoes just like the day before, the village chief's wife whispered to the chief, "I think she really has a big appetite."
The village chief, not worried since the food didn't come from his stores, replied, "It's fine, Old Qu can afford it."
"Is she dumb?"