With the completion of the autumn harvest, the busy time is over.

Next comes some follow-up work, such as drying the grain, counting storage, etc.

Of course, these jobs don't require many people, so most of the members of Dabazi Village are idle.

Although the production team was idle, the members were not idle.

While they have time, some villagers prepare firewood for the coming winter, while others go to the mountains to look for wild vegetables, dried goods, etc.

They went in groups of three or five, carrying bamboo baskets and axes, and headed towards the mountains happily.

The strong men selected those thick and straight trees, and swung their axes skillfully. With the sound of "dong dong dong", suitable pieces of firewood fell down.

They piled the chopped firewood aside, waiting for subsequent transportation.

The women carefully searched the woods for dry branches, which were light and easy to pick up, making them good materials for making fire and cooking.

The children were not idle either. Under the guidance of adults, they collected fallen twigs and pine cones. Their little figures were busy shuttling back and forth in the woods. After a while, their small bamboo baskets were full.

When the firewood was almost collected, everyone worked together to bundle the firewood, and either carried it on their backs or shoulders, returning to the village along the winding mountain road.

After returning home, the villagers stacked the firewood neatly in the corner of the yard or in the woodshed. Looking at the piles of firewood that were enough to withstand the cold winter, they felt at ease and satisfied.

Some families will also saw some firewood into small pieces for easy daily use, making full preparations for the upcoming cold season.

At the same time, another group of villagers turned their attention to wild vegetables and dried goods in the mountains and forests.

Carrying bamboo baskets, they strolled along the mountain path, their eyes like sharp detectors, not missing any place where wild vegetables might grow.

Fresh ferns, fragrant bitter herbs, plump mushrooms, etc. were all put into the basket.

Experienced elders will also lead everyone to find precious wild vegetables hidden deep in the grass or under big trees. While picking them, they will teach young people the skills and experience of identifying wild vegetables.

While picking wild vegetables, the villagers also kept an eye out for ingredients that could be made into dried goods. Fungi such as wood ear mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms were carefully picked, strung together with ropes, and hung in a well-ventilated area to dry.

Wild fruits are also collected, some of which are eaten fresh to taste the gift of nature, and the other part is made into dried fruits to be enjoyed slowly in the future.

They know very well that these wild vegetables and dried goods can not only add rich colors and tastes to the winter table, but also provide additional nutritional supplements when supplies are relatively scarce.

In addition to preparing firewood and picking wild vegetables and dried goods, some villagers also took advantage of the slack time in farming to prepare family side businesses.

The skillful women took out their needles and thread and began to knit sweaters, scarves, insoles and other handicrafts.

They use colorful wool to weave exquisite patterns, and every stitch and thread contains their love for life and care for their family.

These handicrafts can not only meet the needs of one's own home, but can also be sold at the market in exchange for some pocket money to supplement the family income.

Some villagers with breeding experience have begun planning to expand the scale of breeding or try new breeding projects.

They repaired breeding facilities such as chicken coops, duck coops, rabbit cages, purchased feed, and selected high-quality seedlings.

Some plan to raise a few more hens to increase egg production; others want to try raising a few rabbits, hoping they will thrive and bring extra income to the family.

The villagers are actively planning, hoping to add a stable source of income to their family economy through family side businesses.

During this relatively leisurely period, mutual assistance and social activities among neighbors have also become more frequent.

Today this family helps that family repair their house, and tomorrow that family helps this family make pickles.

Everyone worked together to complete tasks that would be difficult for one person to accomplish, and enhanced the relationship between them.

On leisurely afternoons or evenings, villagers would gather in the village square or someone's yard to share their interesting stories in life, the joy of autumn harvest, and their aspirations for future life.

The old people tell stories of the past, and the young people listen and gain life wisdom and experience from them.

The children were laughing and playing, chasing and fighting, adding an endless atmosphere of joy to the village.

This strong neighborly friendship and harmonious social atmosphere make Dabazi Village full of warmth and vitality.

While everyone was busy, Zhou Ziwen was not idle either.

After the autumn harvest, it won’t be long before the grain is delivered. Once the grain is delivered, the production team will distribute the grain and money.

After the food is distributed, they can go home to visit their families.

Xiao Xuanxuan has been born for several months, but he has not met his grandparents yet. He must be allowed to go back and see them this year.

Especially since Chen's father has returned, it is also a great happy event, so they have to go and visit him.

Taking advantage of this free time, Zhou Ziwen began to prepare things to take home, especially meat and local specialties.

During this era, life in the city was not easy either. Supplies were scarce and the supply of all kinds of food was tight.

Therefore, Zhou Ziwen is particularly careful when preparing meat.

For the next period of time, he would take Tayun, Xiaobudian, and three eagles to the mountains to hunt every day.

With capable helpers like Tayun and Xiaobudian, Zhou Ziwen always returns with a full load every time he goes up the mountain.

In a few days, he had collected enough meat.

These meats include hare, pheasant, hedgehog, pangolin, roe deer, etc.

Chen Qiaoyi and Chen Shiying were very happy to see Zhou Ziwen prepared so much meat.

Chen Qiaoyi gently stroked Xiao Xuanxuan's head, her eyes full of happiness, and said:

"Brother Ziwen, you are really amazing. This amount of meat is enough for our family to eat for a long time. We can also bring some back for the elders at home to taste."

Chen Shiying nodded repeatedly, her face filled with joy. "Yes, we can have a good New Year this year. This meat will not only allow us to eat on the way home, but also improve the meals for our family."

Zhou Ziwen smiled and said, "This is all thanks to Tayun and Xiaobudian. With their help, hunting is much easier."

"Besides, since it's a rare trip for us to go home, of course we have to bring back some good things. Especially Dad and Mom Chen, they will definitely be very happy."

When Chen Qiaoyi and Chen Shiying heard Zhou Ziwen mention his parents, a hint of emotion flashed in their eyes.

Chen Qiaoyi walked forward, held Zhou Ziwen's hand and said, "Ziwen, you are always so thoughtful. Dad just came back, we must let him feel our joy and miss him."

Chen Shiying also said, "Mom and Dad will definitely be very happy when you bring this meat back. They will definitely praise you for your ability." (End of this chapter)