After everyone scoffed at her, they all went back to their rooms. They were far from their goal, which was more than just an army away.

They're still a long way off!

"What are you all howling like ghosts in the middle of the night? Can't a person get some rest?"

The five people who were starving in the front yard were particularly annoyed by the faint sounds of laughter coming from the back yard, and they drank several more ladles of cold water in their anger!

The next day, half of the educated youth group asked the brigade leader for leave, saying they were going to the city to sell mushrooms.

When the rainy season arrives and mushrooms start to grow in the mountains, the supply and marketing cooperatives begin to purchase them, which is one of the few sources of extra income for the educated youth.

Xiang Hongjun knew that these people were eager to repay the money, and was about to nod in agreement when Ruan Xianxian, who had been passing by nearby, interrupted.

"What leave are you asking for? What city are you going to? Take some time during lunch break to go to the commune, sell the mushrooms, and come back quickly. Remember to get full work points!"

Watching the frustrated and unwilling figures of the group, Ruan Xianxian rubbed her hands together and glanced sideways at her captain's face.

“They don’t need to ask for leave, but I do.”

"What kind of trouble are you trying to cause now?" Xiang Hongjun exploded!

"Go buy some equipment needed for repairing the river embankment, and while you're at it, give the boss a call; we have some important business to discuss."

"What equipment can't be bought at the commune? What phone call can't be made at the brigade? Get out! Get out now!"

"Okay, thank you!" Ruan Xianxian turned and left.

I don't know if "rolling" means she should roll to the commune or roll into the city? Anyway, she interpreted it as rolling into the city.

There were quite a few people coming to town today. The oxcart at the village entrance was full of people, mostly aunties going to sell mushrooms. When they saw Ruan Xianxian pushing her bicycle over, they exclaimed "Yo-yo!"

"Honey! A new car? It must have cost a lot of money!"

"I didn't spend any money! I found it." Wasn't that a pointless question? She knew these aunties were just being sarcastic and liked to tease her for no reason. And wouldn't you know it, she liked it too!

Mu Xia and Chen Zhaodi, who were following behind, were dumbfounded. The oxcart was full. How were they going to get into the city?

The two women simultaneously fixed their gazes on Ruan Xianxian's bicycle, and a moment later, she was dragged into the grove by the two women...

When she came out again, there was a round wooden stick between her handlebars and the seat, just wide enough for Chen Zhaodi to sit on sideways.

Mu Xia calmly sat down in the back seat.

Caught between the two, Ruan Xianxian's face darkened. She tried to kick, but couldn't budge it.

"Hey Mu-jie, you seem to have plenty of money, why don't you buy yourself a car?"

Mu Xia said innocently, "I want to buy one, but I don't have a ticket. How about you get me one and I'll pay for it?"

Ruan Xianxian simply stopped riding and got off to let the instigator ride. But as soon as the fat man sat down, his big belly pressed Chen Zhaodi's entire slender figure onto the handlebars, and her upper body leaned out.

She looked back at me pitifully.

"Pfft! Hahaha!"

The three were about to stroll into town with their cart when a car engine roared behind them, and Feng Bai's familiar green SUV appeared at the village entrance.

Ruan Xianxian waved for the car with one hand, forcing it to stop. Behind the rolled-down window, Feng Bai's expressionless face was revealed, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the group.

"Commander Feng, I need to go into town to call an old leader surnamed Feng. Could you give us a ride?"

Before he could finish speaking, the car window rolled up, revealing the man's cold and indifferent face behind the glass. "Not on my way, no time."

Ruan Xianxian found it a little strange, but none of the three paid much attention and continued pushing the bike forward. She even sat on the back seat in a very good mood and let Mu Xia push her.

Swinging her little legs back and forth, humming an off-key tune, "I have a little donkey that I never ride..."

After the car had driven some distance, Feng Bai saw this scene in the rearview mirror, and the coldness in his eyes intensified.

The three entered the city and arrived at the post office. Ruan Xianxian dialed the phone number that Feng Lao had left for her on the train, but was told that he was not there.

Okay! She was quite disappointed after hanging up the phone.

I was thinking of using the excuse of getting familiar with the work in advance to go to the provincial capital and avoid the river dam construction, but no one was there, so it seems the plan has fallen through.

"We can't avoid it, let's go buy some equipment."

Unlike in winter when you can walk on ice, soaking your feet and calves in icy river water for extended periods is bad for your health. We need waterproof fabric and rubber boots.

Mu Xia made the suggestion.

When the three of them arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, they each bought a pair of high-top rubber rain boots, which were practically raincoats made of a whole sheet of plastic. They then went to the hospital pretending to be patients with high fevers and got antipyretics.

Two small bags of odds and ends hung on the handlebars. With the essential supplies in hand, I finally felt a little more at ease.

I glanced at the time; it was almost 25. "The state-run restaurant will open soon, let's grab something to eat before heading back."

The three had no objections and arrived at the state-run restaurant just as it was opening for the evening.

Mu Xia ordered a cold shredded radish salad and sweet and sour tofu, but didn't order any staple food.

Chen Zhaodi ordered a bowl of vegetarian noodles.

Ruan Xianxian looked around, then clutched her braised pork belly, corn ribs, and white rice.

Mu Xia looked up and saw her little action, raising her eyebrows: "I've discovered that you're not only stingy, but also possessive of your food."

Ruan Xianxian froze. Could she say she was used to it?

Even the guard dogs in the orphanage know to protect their food.

Seeing her hesitant expression as she wanted to share, Mu Xia calmly put down her chopsticks, waiting to see when she would put the piece of meat into her own bowl.

Meeting her teasing gaze, Ruan Xianxian whispered, "How about we split this piece of meat equally among the three of us? We can each take a small bite?"

The two rolled their eyes at the same time, put their arms on the table to protect their own bowls and plates while eating, and ignored her.

Nguyen Xian was very satisfied with his success in defending his food supply.

She has this problem: even if she has enough to eat, if someone takes even a little bit of food away, she will feel like she hasn't had enough.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!