At this moment, Duoshou also saw the bright red flesh of the watermelon and exclaimed in surprise, "It's really red! Auntie, how did you tell that the inside of the watermelon was red just from the green skin?"

Yu Rujia: "This depends on experience and sound. Next time you go to pick watermelons, your aunt will tell you how to tell the difference. Now go and call your uncle over to eat watermelon."

After Gao Shujing stopped going to other brigades to connect electricity, he stayed home and repaired bicycles again. With him at home, Yu Rujia returned to the days when she only had to treat patients, and Gao Shujing took care of all the housework.

The sweet aroma of the watermelon captivated the little ones, and none of them wanted to leave. The clever Duofu stuck his head out the door and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Uncle, time to eat watermelon!"

Duofu's temperament has become more and more stable, and he rarely shouts like this anymore. It's just that the watermelon is too attractive. The little guy didn't even care about his usual manners and started shouting at the door.

As soon as Captain Huang entered, he heard a shout: "Watermelon? Looks like I've come at just the right time."

Gao Shujing got up from the pile of parts and went to the water that had been prepared to wash his hands: "Captain, try it. This is the first time I've eaten it this year. I don't know if it's sweet or not."

Captain Huang: "Fruit is a rare commodity. Where did you get it from?"

Gao Shujing: "We planted them ourselves, just a few, and we didn't expect them to bear fruit. The brigade leader will take some back for Erdan and the others to try later."

Captain Huang: "Take a look first. I came here to tell you that the power supply station has brought back the remaining power lines. You can help the families in our team who haven't had them installed yet."

Gao Shujing: "No problem. It's a bit late today, and I don't have time to set it up. I'll go install it for them tomorrow."

Captain Huang: "Okay, we'll finish installing it in the next few days. In another week or two, we'll be busy with the double harvest season again. Everyone will be too busy to take care of these things then, so I'd appreciate it if you could get it done before then."

Gao Shujing: "It's just a few families; it can be packed in a few days."

As the two talked, they walked to the dining table. Looking at the sea of ​​red watermelons in front of him, Captain Huang couldn't help but exclaim, "These watermelons are really good. I'm in for a treat!"

Before they came in, Yu Rujia had already cut half a watermelon into slices, which filled the table and looked quite impressive.

She also cut the other half of the watermelon in half and placed it in a corner.

Yu Rujia put the knife in her hand in a safe place, reached for a slice of watermelon and prepared to eat it: "If the captain likes it, eat a few more slices. Take this slice of watermelon with you when you go back."

She was pointing to a piece of the remaining uncut watermelon, which weighed five or six pounds.

A watermelon nourished by spiritual energy weighs over twenty pounds. Even if all six members of their family are big eaters, they wouldn't be able to eat dinner after finishing the whole watermelon.

Captain Huang looked at the little ones whose faces were covered in watermelon and said, "Thank you so much. My Erdan has never eaten watermelon before."

All the land in each production brigade was used to grow grain, and even crops that could be pressed for oil had to be restricted in their cultivation. Watermelons, a type of fruit, were no longer on the farmers' agenda.

Even though they live in the south, where there is an abundance of produce, many people have never eaten watermelon. It's normal that eight- or nine-year-old Erdan has never eaten one.

Yu Rujia: "The brigade leader can arrange to plant some in the orange grove. The orange trees are so tall, while the watermelons grow on the ground, so it won't affect them."

"The problem is that watermelons are planted in March and April and harvested in July and August, which coincides with spring plowing and the double rush season, which is a bit of a hassle."

Orange Orchard was originally a hill. In the early 1960s, under the insistence of Captain Huang, it was reclaimed and planted with orange trees. It has only started to produce fruit in recent years. Everyone's energy has been focused on the orange trees, and little has been allocated to the open space below.

The land there is dry and unsuitable for growing other plants. Another reason is the concern about its impact on the oranges' nutrition, since most fertilizers nowadays come from recycled grains and there aren't many specialized crop fertilizers available.

Yu Rujia felt that since the orange tree was so tall, planting other things might steal its nutrients, so planting watermelons shouldn't have much of an impact.

Her family had everything that others didn't, and over time, some people became envious. She didn't sell watermelons, and they weren't anything special, so mentioning them casually wouldn't affect her.

Captain Huang paused in his hand holding the watermelon, then exclaimed with delight, "That's right! Why didn't I think of planting watermelons before? It's a bit troublesome that the timing overlaps with spring plowing and the double harvest, but watermelons aren't a task. We'll plant as many as we can and make arrangements first."

"No matter how much is harvested, it will be distributed among our brigade. We'll plant next year, and I'll trouble Shujing to give us some guidance then."

This is another great idea for generating revenue; their income next year will definitely surpass that of the Xiafen Brigade.

Gao Shujing took a bite of the sweet watermelon and said, "If you want to grow watermelons, you need to start planting in February next year. You'd better be ready."

Captain Huang looked at the watermelon seeds he had spat out on the table and asked, "These watermelon seeds are quite plump. Can they be used as seeds?"

Gao Shujing: "Okay, we'll collect it and give it to you later. We'll also send you any leftovers."

Upon hearing that the watermelon seeds could be used as seedlings, Captain Huang immediately collected them carefully: "Each seed can grow into a watermelon seedling; we can't waste them."

With his mouth stuffed full of watermelon, bulging like a hamster, Duolu still managed to squeeze in his opinion: "Watermelons are delicious, Uncle Brigade Leader, please plant more."

Captain Huang ate several bites of watermelon, and only after he had satisfied his craving did he say, "This watermelon is really delicious, especially in this kind of weather. One bite and you feel a cool and comfortable sensation. Did you soak the watermelon in well water?"

Yu Rujia: "I've been soaking in this for two or three hours since I had lunch."

Captain Huang: "No wonder it's like it's been frozen, so refreshing and cool."

After seeing off Captain Huang, they welcomed Lü Guihua and Lu Kuohai.

Lu Kuohai was in high spirits when he was happy: "Officer Gao, educated youth Yu, Guihua and I are getting married on the 26th of this month. Are you free to come over to the educated youth compound for lunch?"

Today is the 19th, and they have one week left until their wedding.

Yu Rujia: "Really? That's wonderful! Congratulations on your marriage! I wish you a happy marriage and many children. I'll be looking after you on the 26th at noon."

Gao Shujing: "Congratulations! I wish you a happy and harmonious marriage, joy every year, and all your wishes fulfilled."

With her cheeks flushed, Lü Guihua said, "Thank you, Educated Youth Yu, and Cadre Gao."

Yu Rujia: "You've come at the perfect time. We just cut some watermelon. Come and have a couple of slices with us."

Lu Kuohai said happily, "I haven't eaten watermelon since I came here. I'm really lucky to have it this time. Thank you."

After taking just one bite, Lu Kuohai exclaimed, "Mmm, this watermelon is so sweet and refreshing!"