That's why they started eating lunch before 11 a.m. today, and after two dishes were served, Chen Shuning asked He Chaoyang to invite Duan Guangyuan to eat first.

She was busy cooking in the kitchen by herself. Although He Chaoyang had said several times that Duan Guangyuan could manage on his own and that he could help him cook, Chen Shuning refused each time.

Thinking that the little girl's foot injury had just healed and she was already busy cooking and preparing meals all by herself, He Chaoyang was very dissatisfied with Duan Guangyuan.

So he's never been very polite in his speech, and now he's gone straight for the door, telling people to leave.

Chen Shuning, who was already embarrassed, became even more embarrassed after hearing He Chaoyang's words. She glared at him irritably and placed the braised pork on the table in front of Duan Guangyuan.

Chen Shuning greeted him with a smile, "Dr. Duan, don't listen to his nonsense. To be honest, I have to thank Mr. Duan for the medicinal wine that helped my foot injury heal so quickly. So please don't be shy when you come here, and eat more."

"Yes, yes, my sister-in-law is the best. Unlike some heartless people, I kindly came to treat his wounds, but not only did they not appreciate it, they didn't even want me to have a full meal. They really have no conscience."

As he spoke, Duan Guangyuan glanced at He Chaoyang with a sly look, then slowly picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in his mouth, chewing it leisurely.

But as the rich and savory meat flavor exploded in his mouth, Duan Guangyuan couldn't help but widen his eyes and then praised repeatedly: "Sister-in-law's cooking skills are truly amazing. This braised pork is even better than the master chef's in the state-run restaurant. Chaoyang is really lucky."

Chen Shuning blushed again as Duan Guangyuan kept calling her "sister-in-law," but she didn't know how to refute him, so she could only look to He Chaoyang for help.

He Chaoyang, standing to the side, was quite pleased with Duan Guangyuan's constant use of the term "sister-in-law."

But when he received his little girl's pleading look, he quickly composed himself and said seriously, "I told you not to talk nonsense, how come all this delicious food can't shut you up?"

"Alright, hurry up and finish eating, then head back. It gets dark early here, and it's not safe to travel back at night."

He Chaoyang's words were true. As the weather got colder, it got dark earlier and earlier here. It was already dark outside at four or five o'clock in the afternoon.

It's not until seven or eight in the morning that it gets light, and since there's not much work to do at this time, many families in the village have started eating two meals a day.

Even the old educated youth in the front yard have started eating only two meals a day for the past two days.

On the other hand, the newcomers in their backyard are not yet able to change their habit of eating three meals a day.

Fortunately, the first year after being sent to the countryside, the educated youth in the backyard did not have to worry about food.

After the meal, Chen Shuning prepared some roasted chestnuts and salt and pepper biscuits for Duan Guangyuan to take back, as a return gift for the bottle of medicinal wine that Old Master Duan had given him.

The two saw Duan Guangyuan off at the gate, and just as they were about to turn back, they saw Tie Dan, the little grandson of the brigade leader, running towards them with his short legs. Judging from his appearance, he was probably heading towards the educated youth settlement.

So the two stopped and waited at the gate of the educated youth settlement.

When the little guy got closer, Chen Shuning saw that Tie Dan's forehead was covered in sweat. He took out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat off the little guy, complaining, "Why are you running so fast? Look at all the sweat on your head. You'll feel terrible if you catch a cold."

The village children were used to running around wildly, so Tie Dan smiled nonchalantly and eagerly asked, "Aunt Chen, didn't you tell me last time to keep an eye out for anyone in the village exchanging hazelnuts and walnuts?"

I told my buddies that day that they'd collected quite a bit over the past few days, and it all looked pretty good, so I came over to ask if you had some time. If you did, I'd have them bring some over.

Seeing the little guy's serious expression, Chen Shuning couldn't help but like him and took out a few pieces of fruit candy from his pocket and gave them to the little guy.

He smiled and said, "Then please go and tell everyone that I have time now, and ask them to bring the things over."

The rains that fell after the autumn harvest this year had already delayed the time for going into the mountains to collect wild produce, and Chen Shuning's injured foot made him miss the opportunity to go into the mountains altogether.

So he thought he could trade some hazelnuts and walnuts with the villagers.

Firstly, there's not much to do in winter, so it can be eaten as a snack. Secondly, Chen Shuning has always wanted to send some back home.

A few days ago, Chen Shuning received a letter from home. In addition to telling her that she had received everything she sent, the letter also described the current situation at home.

Now that the school has been completely closed, in order to prevent her from suddenly requesting to go to the countryside again, Mr. and Mrs. Chen have begun to help their younger brother find a job.

My uncle's sister, Shuzhu, also sent a letter home, saying that there was a severe water shortage in the Northwest, and everyone had to ration their water intake every day.

Now that the autumn harvest has just ended, they have to go with the villagers to dig river channels. The old educated youth said that they are never idle all year round.

The uncle and his wife were so worried that their mouths were covered in blisters, but they were at a loss for what to do.

Chen Shuting, who went to the south, also regretted it because they, as new educated youth, were immediately put to work and didn't even have time to write letters home.

After finally getting through the autumn harvest and being given two days off, Chen Shuting immediately wrote a letter home to complain that the place she was in the countryside was not good, and the food was not good either.

The roof of her house was leaky, so when it rained heavily outside, it drizzled inside. The house was also damp and had a musty smell. During the rainy season, the bedding was always damp.

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