As a result, no one was lazy and everyone looked for seeds to grow vegetables, especially in the front yard. If you didn't grow vegetables, you would feel embarrassed to eat other people's vegetables when everyone ate together. So during the autumn harvest season, everyone paid a lot more attention to the vegetable garden.

In short, we should never waste any place where vegetables can be grown.

But Chen Qing, who never lifts a finger, grabbed a few White Rabbit milk candies and chatted and laughed with Liang Shurui in the vegetable garden.

In no time, Liang Shurui went to her vegetable garden.

Zhang Cuicao looked at Liang Shurui from the side, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

Su Ranran noticed this and silently tugged at her arm. She then lowered her head and continued tending her vegetable garden, feeling heartbroken.

For example, scallions, ginger, and garlic—these were seeds they bought from villagers, or seedlings they transplanted.

Now, the leek roots and scallion seeds have been saved, and there are also plenty of winter melons and pumpkins in the kitchen. After the vegetable garden was renovated, it was planted entirely with cabbages and radishes, so everyone has plenty of vegetables.

Looking at the lush greenery of the educated youth settlement, Wang Jianguo laughed and said, "Before, everyone was concerned about how much work they did and complained to each other, afraid that they had done too much. We've been here for so many years, but not many of us know how to grow vegetables. When we first came, we had some money and would buy whatever we needed from the villagers. In the end, when we ran out of money, it was our stomachs that suffered."

"Look, you can save money by growing your own vegetables."

While tending to his vegetable garden, Wang Deping said, "This time, we owe a lot to He Zhiqing. She single-handedly divided the vegetable garden into plots, and divided them so evenly. With one plot for each person, who wouldn't dare to plant? If someone doesn't plant, they won't have any vegetables to eat. I never thought I'd have my own plot of land here. In such a big place, planting some sweet potatoes and potatoes can keep us full."

Wang Jianguo laughed: "It's still not enough. Let's just stick to growing vegetables."

In the backyard, He Wan and the others were discussing pickling sauerkraut. With so many cabbages, and seeing that it was going to snow soon, the vegetables would freeze and become inedible.

Learn from the villagers how to pickle sauerkraut, and use it to make dumplings and steamed buns in winter.

He Wan said, "I don't have any large vats here. I'll go to the village later and see if anyone has any extra large vats. I'll buy two. Do you want some? If you think you don't have enough cabbage, you can buy some from the village."

Su Ranran said she wanted some, and Wang Xiaorong, Li Zheng, and the other two from next door saw that a few female educated youths wanted to pickle sauerkraut and make soybean paste.

He rolled his eyes and said, "Zhang Zhiqing, can you take us with you when you make soybean paste? We'd like to learn from you."

Zhang Cuicao didn't refuse: "We can help you with that. You can go up the mountain these few days and get some hazelnuts, chestnuts, or wild mushrooms, and share some with us." She also wanted to mail some home for the New Year.

The three of them were very enthusiastic in agreeing; they could make it themselves, which was better than buying it.

Li Chunsheng and the others discussed and said, "How about we each buy seven catties of soybeans, and we'll all buy the same amount? If we don't have enough cabbage, we'll go and buy some from the village."

Wang Xiaorong said, "Okay, let's go over there now."

He Wan finally understood. These three were shrewd people; she had seen them frequently in the mountains recently, and they were definitely hunting.

When she first arrived, she gave them some thin porridge every day, and she never saw those grown men complain of being hungry. They must have been secretly going up the mountain to have a treat.

Now that we live alone, the three of us eat quite well.

The group divided the tasks, and Su Ranran asked them to bring her some soybeans as well.

He Wan and Su Ranran went to the village to buy a large vat.

However, the two did not walk together. She first went to Aunt Chrysanthemum's house, which she knew well, and said, "Aunt Chrysanthemum, are you home?"

"Yes, it's He Wan, come in quickly." Aunt Cuihua was cooking beans in the kitchen at the moment. When she heard He Wan's voice, she responded loudly. He Wan saw that no one was in the yard, so she went to the kitchen.

"Aunt Chrysanthemum is busy."

"Yes, I was preparing to make some soybean paste. Why is He Zhiqing here at this time?"

"Aunt Juhua, I want to buy a big vat. I'd like to ask if anyone has one that they don't need. Our educated youth group wants to pickle sauerkraut ourselves this year."

“You can pickle them yourself. It will be more convenient for you to eat them later, and you won’t have to spend money to pickle them yourself. Big vats, I guess every household uses one now. There’s a place over at the farm that specializes in making big vats. If you want, I’ll have your Uncle Haisheng take you to buy one. No coupons are needed. One big vat costs a little over a dollar.”

“Sure, Aunt Chrysanthemum, is it far? When is Uncle Haisheng free?”

"Wait here, let me ask." Aunt Juhua tidied up the fire, got up and went to the main room: "Haisheng, are you free? The kids at the educated youth settlement need to buy two water vats. Could you take them there?"

Uncle Haisheng then got up and said, "Buying a jar? Da Wa's family said yesterday they were going to buy a jar. I'll go ask them, and we can go together by oxcart."

As Uncle Haisheng spoke, he headed towards Da Wa's house. He returned in a short while: "He Zhiqing, hurry up! Da Wa just borrowed an oxcart to buy a large vat. Go with him. It'll be good to make two trips for everyone."