Zhang Hongmei pulled Liu Erya to eat with her. The sweet potato balls tasted just as good when they were heated up, and the steamed buns were also heated up. The two of them finished all the sweet potato balls.

In the afternoon, Liu Erya studied the book according to Zhang Hongmei's method, but she didn't have a dictionary and didn't know how to use it. Zhang Hongmei took out a dictionary and taught her. Zhang Hongmei would explain the meaning of each sentence to her, so memorizing it wasn't so difficult.

While Liu Erya was reciting her lessons, Zhang Hongmei read her own book. Once Liu Erya had memorized it, Zhang Hongmei tested her recitation, focusing on the new words and phrases. In half a day, Liu Erya had memorized two lessons.

Liu Erya went back before it got dark. They would be studying together for a long time in the future, and she couldn't keep going back home late every day. She could study at home as well.

"The city dwellers of the future are coming back?" Liu Daya mocked Er Ya in a sarcastic tone.

We had just finished eating at home, and the table was still set up; the whole family was sitting around it.

Upon hearing Daya's words, Liu Maocai let out a heavy snort, which frightened her so much that she dared not continue.

"Mom and Dad, I'm home."

"Eat quickly, it's still warm." Li Cuihua brought out the leftover porridge for her daughter, a total of three bowls. Er Ya didn't say anything, but gave half a bowl each to San Ya and Shi Tou.

Liu Maocai was pleased to see his second daughter's actions. She was a down-to-earth and thoughtful child. If she really succeeded in the future, she would not forget her roots and would also help her brothers and sisters.

After finishing her meal, Liu Erya grabbed the table and washed the dishes. She also filled the stove with hot water, as everyone in the family would need to wash up soon.

Li Cuihua sat down next to her second daughter and asked, "How's it going? Can you still learn?"

"Yes, I memorized two texts in half an afternoon, and I can write all the characters and even look up words in the dictionary. Mom, don't save me too much food in the future, just two bowls will do."

"Don't worry about others. Just eat what Mom has saved for you. I've saved extra for you, so no one is shortchanged. Did Hongmei teach you that?"

"Yes, Hongmei taught me how to memorize texts quickly and firmly, and she also tested my writing skills."

"Okay, from now on you can read with her every day, just try not to bother her."

"Mom, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

The water boiled, and the family went their separate ways to wash up. Liu Erya lay in bed and mentally recited the two lessons she had learned that day.

Zhang Hongmei, however, was experiencing a bittersweet joy in her online space. The soybeans had all sprouted pods, but the dense, swarming mass was exhausting. The corn stalks were dry; she'd start burning them herself tomorrow, but she had to do it discreetly—not even Liu Erya could do it. She also needed to find a way to use the straw; if only she knew how to make paper. Even if she couldn't make white paper, toilet paper would do. She'd find a book to read; if only she could find the papermaking technique.

I have school exams coming up soon, so I guess I'll have to cram a little more. I haven't even read the books I borrowed from Zhang Xingguo yet. I didn't dare to be too presumptuous and only borrowed two poetry collections, which I'll read when I'm bored.

I urgently need books on technology and machinery. I'm thinking how great it would be if I could make paper.

Her thoughts were preoccupied with papermaking, but it didn't affect her sleep. When she woke up, she wasn't so eager to make paper anymore. Women are fickle, but she didn't change that quickly.

I deliberately left the room early today and brought out a large bundle of corn stalks. I'll start a fire first, and then do other things once the kang (heated brick bed) is warm. I'm so fed up with this dark room. I really want to take down the tarpaulin covering the windows so there's some wind. Anyway, I won't be sleeping in the room tonight.

Without further ado, they swept the kitchen floor clean and went straight to peel off the tarpaulins, removing them from both rooms.

When Liu Erya came in, she saw Zhang Hongmei peeling off the tarpaulin. "Hongmei, why are you peeling it off? It's still cold."

"It's so dark and uncomfortable in here, I'd rather freeze."

"That's really annoying. So what if it's a little dark? If you lift it up, the wind will be howling at night, and you'll feel uncomfortable then."

"It's not that scary. It's a glass window, there won't be that much wind. We can sit on the kang and read, the main room is too cold."

Zhang Hongmei didn't care and quickly ripped off the tarpaulin. Once inside, she felt a completely different atmosphere.

"Only your house has glass windows; ours are all made of straw and paper, so it's not as bright as yours."

Zhang Hongmei didn't answer, unsure of what to say. She brought in a kang table, wiped the tabletop and legs clean, and placed it on the kang. The two of them each sat on one side and read their own books.

Liu Erya was doing arithmetic, but there wasn't much connection between arithmetic in upper and lower primary schools. Zhang Hongmei looked up and saw Liu Erya frowning.

"What's wrong, Sister Er Ya?"

"Mathematics is too difficult."

"Shall I tell you?"

"Then you're not going to read? I'm afraid I'll keep you from reading."

“It’s okay, I’ve finished reading all the elementary school books. There’s no rush with the junior high books. I’ll start from the beginning for you.”

Zhang Hongmei explained two major chapters to her in one morning, and Liu Erya grasped it relatively quickly; at least she didn't pretend to understand what she didn't.

I used up the leftover steamed buns from lunch and stir-fried some hot and sour shredded potatoes. I just wanted to eat something else, but there was nothing else besides potatoes, cabbage, and sauerkraut.

Liu Erya thought the meal was already excellent. At least at home, she might not eat white flour even once a month.

In the afternoon, she recited the text on her own. Zhang Hongmei spent an hour explaining the meaning of the text to her, and then it was up to her to finish.

Both of them were very focused on their studies and didn't have time to chat.

Li Cuihua was very satisfied to see her daughter studying diligently, at least she wasn't like her daughter at home who would fall asleep with a book in her hand.

More than ten days passed, and in the afternoon Liu Erya still hadn't returned, but Li Cuihua came over with Zhuzi.

"Hongmei, Zhuzi wants to see you."

"Brother Zhu, what's up? Did you tell me I have an exam?"

"Yes, the teacher asked me to tell you that there's an exam tomorrow, so you should come tomorrow."

"Thanks, Brother Zhu, I won't forget tomorrow."

"Will you come with me tomorrow?"

"That's great! What time and where should I wait for you?"

"I don't know what time it is either. I'll come knocking on your door when I leave."

"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Zhu. I'll get up early so as not to take up your time."

Zhu Zi waved his hand, at a loss for words. This little girl was in the same class as him; it was so embarrassing. He'd even heard the teacher say she was an excellent student. He walked so far to school every day; how well could she possibly learn at home?

Li Cuihua and her two daughters left together. Zhang Hongmei locked the door and went into her spatial dimension. The soybeans needed to be harvested; they had to be harvested today.

After a few breaks, we finally finished harvesting. Pulling up those bean stalks was torture; they were so prickly.

However, we still need to plant it again for the next crop, at least we can thresh the grain ourselves.

Sigh, why is it so difficult? I was just thinking about stockpiling food, hoping it might save lives in case of a disaster. But I never imagined it would be so difficult without machinery. I was just simplistic.

I took a shower and went to bed. I have to walk to school tomorrow. Just thinking about it makes my legs ache. I do have a bicycle in my storage space, but I can't get it out.