Yu Hao stayed at the educated youth settlement for almost two months. The place was chaotic and disorganized, and the only person he could stand was Duan Zhou.

After finishing his business with Uncle Yu in the morning, he came back and plunged into the reed field, keeping his head down as if he wanted to work himself to death.

Duan Zhou seized an opportunity, slipped over from his own patch of land, and nudged him with his elbow.

"Hey, Haozi, are you alright?"

Duan Zhou lowered his voice, his bright eyes darting around his face.

This morning, Yu Siyuan disappeared, and the entire educated youth settlement was in an uproar. Later, someone saw Yu Hao following a few menacing-looking men to find the brigade leader. Everyone knew perfectly well that this matter was probably related to him.

Yu Hao's sickle swing was a beat slow, and he shook his head.

After a long while, he managed to squeeze out two words: "It's nothing."

But the voice was dry and hoarse; something was definitely wrong.

He himself couldn't understand how he felt.

Yu Siyuan has been sent away, relieving his aunt of a worry; he should be happy.

But last night, when that kid was taken away, the look he gave him was full of hatred, like an ice pick, piercing straight into his heart, making it hard for him to breathe all day.

That look in their eyes seemed to say, "They're finished."

From now on, he probably really won't have this cousin anymore.

"well……"

He sighed heavily, and the sickle in his hand seemed to grow heavier.

Seeing his dazed look, Duan Zhou raised his hand and slapped him hard on the back, making him jump.

"What are you thinking! Everyone has their own path to walk. Even if we don't separate now, we'll go our separate ways eventually. Why are you worrying so much?"

The words may be crude, but the principle is sound.

It instantly unlocked the rusty lock in Yu Hao's heart.

Yeah, why think so much?

He grinned, revealing a set of white teeth to Duan Zhou, his smile a little silly.

"Alright, I don't want to think about it anymore."

"Come over to my place tonight, I'll make some hearty dishes, like spicy chicken! My uncle brought me a really fat chicken yesterday."

Besides the chicken, Uncle Yu also left behind cured pork and fish, along with a thick wad of cash and national grain coupons. There was no need to explain these details to Duan Zhou.

"Really?!"

Upon hearing that there was meat, and spicy chicken at that, Duan Zhou's eyes lit up instantly, and his mouth watered.

"Yes, yes! I love spicy food the most!"

He instantly felt fully revitalized, as if he had inexhaustible energy, and his speed in wielding the sickle doubled.

………………………………

Yan Yu finished cutting his share at noon, said goodbye to Chen Fengshan, and went home early.

As soon as he pushed open the courtyard gate, a strong aroma of ginseng mixed with the savory smell of chicken soup wafted into his nostrils, instantly dispelling the chill and fatigue that had gripped him.

He was recently at the reed field, working while simultaneously focusing his mind on practicing the "Kun Yuan Golden Soul Technique".

His cultivation level is still stuck at the sixth level of Qi Refining, with no progress.

The meridians have been tempered and become wider and more resilient.

Strangely, his lightning-type superpower was instead stirred up by this metal-type technique, and it looked like it was about to break through to level three.

This puzzled him.

How come practicing metal-based techniques in the freezing cold benefits lightning-based superpowers instead?

"Brother, you're back!"

A sweet, soft voice came from inside the house.

Yan Yu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and strode into the house.

Ruan Tang was sitting obediently on the kang (a heated brick bed), and with a wave of her little hand, she directed the puppet grandmother to bring a large pot of ginseng chicken soup to the table.