Tian Zhaodi wanted to stop it, but Jiang Suisui moved too quickly and she didn't have time.

"This kid really deserves a beating." He picked Tie Dan up and put him on his lap, then slapped Tie Dan's bottom a few times.

"Aunt Tian, ​​kids will be kids, they just love sweets, it's in their nature. Let's not talk about that anymore, let's talk about firewood instead,"

Jiang Suisui did not stop Aunt Tian from hitting the child, because she knew that Aunt Tian would not actually hurt the child; she was just pretending.

“Young Jiang, you’ve stumped me. We have a large family, but we heat one kang (heated brick bed) in winter. You’re heating one kang all by yourself, this…” Aunt Tian said hesitantly.

“Aunt Tian, ​​what you said makes sense. How about this, just send me two-thirds of the firewood you have. I’ll use it sparingly, and it should be enough for this winter,” Jiang Suisui said directly, not wanting to waste any more time.

“Okay, Little Jiang, I’ll prepare the firewood for you as you said. When my husband comes back, I’ll tell him, Little Jiang, don’t worry, the firewood at my house is top-notch, it’s all thoroughly dried. I’ll tell my husband to pick out the best kind for you. You can trust your Aunt Tian to do things right.” Tian Zhaodi patted her chest and assured him.

“Okay, Aunt Tian, ​​I trust you to handle things. Here’s the cost.” Jiang Suisui said cautiously.

"No need, Little Jiang, how could Aunt Tian not trust you? You can pay us after we deliver the firewood to you. Your Uncle Erzhu will be coming down the mountain soon. I will definitely deliver it to you when he comes back, so don't worry."

"Alright, Aunt Tian, ​​since you trust me so much, I'll pay you after I deliver the firewood. It's getting late, Aunt Tian, ​​so I won't bother you any longer. I'll head back now."

"Young Jiang, what are you going back for? Come sit at my house, don't be shy, we'll have dinner at your Aunt Tian's house later." Aunt Tian warmly invited him to stay.

"Auntie, no, I'll definitely eat next time. I have things to do at the educated youth center, so I'll be going now." Jiang Suisui said and walked out the door.

When she returned to the educated youth compound, there were already people there, and Jiang Suisui greeted them one by one.

Back in the backyard, Jiang Suisui went to Lin Qingxue's room. "Qingxue, have you ordered firewood for the winter? I just ordered it. It's from Li Erzhu's house at the east end of the village. I've inquired about it, and his family is the most reliable in the village."

"Sui Sui, you're too late. I've already made my reservation. I was going to recommend the place I booked to you, but I didn't expect you to have booked it too," Lin Qingxue said, pulling Jiang Sui Sui's hand as they went inside.

“Sui Sui, look, I went up the mountain with some other educated youth today. This is the harvest, it’s huge! Look, mushrooms, and pine nuts too!” He said, showing them off to Jiang Sui Sui one by one.

Jiang Suisui immediately chimed in, "Wow, you guys are amazing! I kind of regret not coming into the mountains with you. I've never picked mushrooms or pine nuts before. Where did you pick these? Are there many of these things on the mountain? You must take me next time, I want to go pick some too."

"Sui Sui, take some with you when you leave, try them out. There's plenty of stuff on the mountain, but there are so many kinds of mushrooms that even the older educated youth don't recognize many of them. They don't dare pick the ones they don't recognize, for fear they might be poisonous. Our harvest is still small. Those villagers who went up the mountain carried sack after sack of mushrooms down the mountain. It's a pity we only picked this much," Lin Qingxue said with some regret.

“Qingxue, we are all educated youth. How can we compare to the villagers? They have lived here for generations and know the terrain in the mountains very well. They know exactly where the mountain delicacies are. How can we educated youth compare to them?” Jiang Suisui advised.

Upon hearing Jiang Suisui's words, Lin Qingxue immediately perked up, "That's right, Suisui, how can we compare to those who have lived here for generations?"

"That's the right way to think about it."

"Sui Sui, look at this. This mushroom is so pretty, but the old educated youth all say it's poisonous and can't be eaten. What a pity!" Lin Qingxue showed Jiang Sui Sui a colorful little mushroom.

Jiang Suisui was startled when she saw the mushroom and quickly said, "That's right, Qingxue, you can't eat this kind of mushroom. It's harmful to your health. Qingxue, you must remember that the prettier the mushroom, the less you should pick it, or you'll end up in the same mess."

"Sui Sui, don't worry, I understand this principle."

"Qingxue, did you tell me when the firewood you ordered would be delivered?" Jiang Suisui asked, looking at the fresh mushrooms.

"They said they'd deliver it after the autumn harvest. What about yours, Sui Sui?"

"It will be delivered this afternoon, but it will be delivered to you after the autumn harvest. Then you'll have to gather firewood yourself. How about this, Qingxue, you take my firewood first, and return it to me when yours arrives," Jiang Suisui said with a frown.

Hearing Jiang Suisui's words, Lin Qingxue happily hugged her, "That's great, Suisui, you're a lifesaver! I was just worried about what to do."

"Little Jiang, are you there? I've brought you firewood."