After Li Ling finished eating, Liu Ruoxi cleared away the dishes and then took the pots and pans to the sink to wash them. Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, and Wang Lun and Liu Ruoling were busy with their own things by the fire pit, making it impossible for Li Ling to join them, she followed Liu Ruoxi to the sink to wash the pots and pans.

When Liu Ruoxi saw Li Ling arrive, she frowned slightly, but the frown vanished in an instant. She then squatted down to start washing the pots and pans. Li Ling stepped forward and squatted down next to Liu Ruoxi, washing the dishes with her. While washing the dishes, Li Ling seemed to want to say something, but she didn't open her mouth. In the end, however, Li Ling remained silent.

After washing the dishes, Liu Ruoxi sat on a nearby rock, patted the seat next to her, and gestured for Li Ling to sit down as well. Then, Liu Ruoxi recounted what had happened to Wang Lun after Li Ling left that day. Before Li Ling could speak, Liu Ruoxi added, "I really envy you." After saying this seemingly random remark, Liu Ruoxi picked up the pots and pans and went back inside.

Back inside, Liu Ruoxi and Liu Ruoling wove straw mats together, while Wang Lun continued grinding stones. A long time passed before Li Ling finally walked in. Although all three knew she had entered, none of them looked up at her.

Li Ling walked up to Wang Lun and said, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have acted like that today." Wang Lun paused, his hand on the grinding stone still, and looked up to see Li Ling looking at him sincerely. Wang Lun thought for a moment and said, "You shouldn't apologize to me." Hearing this, Li Ling knew that Wang Lun had let it go, but he still needed to apologize to Liu Ruoxi and the others. As a group, they couldn't let her get angry just because one person wanted to. If it were just Wang Lun and Li Ling, Wang Lun would have indulged her, even coaxed her, but now there were four of them, not just the two of them.

Li Ling walked up to Liu Ruoxi and the other woman, bowed, and apologized, saying, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lost my temper today." Liu Ruoxi quickly helped Li Ling up, saying, "It's okay, it's okay. To be honest, I thought about it too, but you beat me to it." Li Ling knew that Liu Ruoxi was trying to comfort her, but she still accepted Liu Ruoxi's kindness. However, things weren't so easy for Liu Ruoling, as she had always been somewhat annoyed with Li Ling. But Liu Ruoxi gently kicked Liu Ruoling, and Liu Ruoling said somewhat helplessly, "It's okay." After saying that, she continued weaving the straw mat.

Seeing this, Wang Lun said, "Since you know, I can't let you off without punishment. Do you accept the punishment?" Hearing that Wang Lun would also punish Li Ling, Liu Ruoxi and the other two glared at him. Liu Ruoxi even said, "It's not that bad, don't do this, let's not punish you." Wang Lun remained unmoved, only staring at Li Ling. Seeing Wang Lun's attitude, Li Ling said, "I accept it. It's only right to be punished for making a mistake." Wang Lun said, "Since you accept it, that's fine. Tonight, you'll keep watch for Liu Ruoxi and the other two for the first half of the night." When the three heard this punishment, Liu Ruoling was secretly pleased, after all, she could get a good night's sleep. Liu Ruoxi quickly said, "No need, no need, I'll keep watch myself." Wang Lun waved his hand and said, "Without punishment, how can you keep losing your temper all the time? It's settled then." He then looked at Li Ling, who nodded and said, "Okay, I'll keep watch tonight." Seeing that Li Ling had agreed, Liu Ruoxi didn't try to persuade her further.

Wang Lun tidied up and said, "I'm going to sleep now. You keep watch." Liu Ruoxi said, "Can we play cards for a while?" Wang Lun said irritably, "Why are you telling me about playing cards? I don't play cards." Liu Ruoxi said, "I'm just worried about disturbing your sleep." Wang Lun said, "As long as my sleeping doesn't disturb your card playing, that's fine." After saying that, he walked out of the room.

After Wang Lun left the house, Liu Ruoling whispered, "I didn't say I wanted to play cards. I don't want to play cards." Liu Ruoxi kicked Liu Ruoling, who looked at her and saw her glaring at her. She lowered her head and said, "Fine, let's play then. Why did you kick me?" Li Ling said, "Thank you. You should go to sleep first. Don't worry about me." Liu Ruoxi said, "It's okay. I just wanted to play cards for a while today." She turned and glared at Liu Ruoling, saying, "Right? My dear sister." Liu Ruoling understood the implication in Liu Ruoxi's words and quickly said, "Yes, yes, yes, I just wanted to play cards for a while today." Liu Ruoxi then pulled Li Ling to sit down and said, "I'll go get the cards." After Liu Ruoxi left, Li Ling said to Liu Ruoling, "Thank you." Liu Ruoling didn't take it seriously, pouted, and said, "If you want to thank someone, thank my sister or Wang Lun. Why thank me?" After saying that, Liu Ruoxi came over with a basket and glared at Liu Ruoling.

Li Ling wasn't particularly naive. After calming down, she naturally understood from Liu Ruoling's words why Wang Lun had punished her by making her stand guard. Firstly, it was to let her know that this wasn't just between the two of them anymore, but also that Liu Ruoxi and the others were there. It was also to let Li Ling know that Wang Lun always cared for her and would forgive her no matter what. Secondly, it was to teach her not to lose her temper so easily, and also to make an example of her, letting Liu Ruoxi and the others know that there were rules in the group. Actually, Wang Lun also had another idea: to see if they could unite. Of course, this idea came to him when he couldn't sleep and was reflecting on the day's events. But it seemed that Liu Ruoxi, whether she had foreseen it or was overthinking it, had gone a bit too far today, unlike her usual behavior.

Nothing happened overnight. In the morning, after feeding the pheasants, rabbits, and goats, and preparing the things needed for the day's outing, Wang Lun started cooking breakfast and then woke up Li Ling and the others. They had been playing cards for who knows how long the night before; they were still playing cards before Wang Lun fell asleep.

Breakfast was still wild vegetable stewed with fish, but the atmosphere wasn't as somber as last night. There was laughter and conversation, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious. However, everyone understood one thing: yesterday's events weren't a fantasy, but a fact that had actually happened, and they couldn't act on their own whims anymore.

After dinner, Li Ling and Liu Ruoxi went to wash the pots and pans, while Wang Lun and Liu Ruoling went to wash some fine clay in preparation for making larger ceramic bowls that evening.

After finishing these tasks, they each shouldered their baskets, grabbed their spears, and headed out to the foxtail grass patch from the previous day. They also learned that, if all went well, the foxtail grass seeds could be used to make millet porridge, which excited everyone. After all, eating fish every day was unbearable. Although there was no rice to eat, having porridge was a good thing.