There was also a fruit tree with several bunches of grapes. Although the grapes were sparse, each one was plump and dark purple, like precious gems.
Xiao Yi stood under the fruit trees, feeling a surge of emotion. These tenaciously surviving fruit trees and the fruits they produced seemed like a miracle of life in this abandoned orchard, and also gave him a glimmer of hope in this difficult environment.
Xiao Yi returned to his residence with great joy, holding the hard-earned fruits tightly in his hands. He first washed the fruits carefully and set them aside to dry.
When preparing to make jam, Xiao Yi took out a large pot and gently placed the fruit into the pot. His movements were cautious, as if he was treating the most precious treasure in the world. He used a knife to cut the fruit into small pieces, and each cut was extremely cautious, for fear of damaging the flesh.
Then, Xiao Yi lit a low fire and simmered it slowly. He watched the changes in the pot intently, stirring it from time to time with a spoon to prevent it from sticking. As the temperature rose, the fruit gradually softened and exuded a rich sweet fragrance. Xiao Yi added an appropriate amount of sugar and continued stirring to allow the sugar to fully blend into the flesh.
The process of making fruit wine is even more meticulous. He selects intact fruits and places them in a clean large vat. Then, he gently crushes them with a wooden stick to allow the juice to fully flow out. Xiao Yi adds koji and sugar in a certain proportion and stirs them evenly.
Afterwards, he found a piece of clean gauze and sealed the mouth of the vat tightly to ensure that the fermentation environment was not polluted. Xiao Yi placed the vat in a cool and ventilated place, and observed it every day to record the changes in the fermentation.
Throughout the entire process, Xiao Yi maintained a high degree of concentration and patience. His eyes were filled with anticipation, anticipating that these handmade jams and wines would add a touch of sweetness and comfort to his life. Every day, when the first rays of sunlight quietly filtered through the cracks in the cave, Xiao Yi began his wonderful day. In a corner of the cave, he skillfully built a bonfire, set up a simple stove, and prepared to cook delicious food.
The flames danced happily, illuminating Xiao Yi's focused face. He took out the carefully prepared ingredients one by one, including freshly picked vegetables, homemade meats, and wild fruits found in the valley.
Xiao Yi processed the ingredients methodically, the sound of chopping vegetables echoing in the cave. He put the ingredients into the pot, accompanied by the sound of "sizzling" and curling smoke, the tempting aroma gradually spread.
At this moment, the sound of the wind outside the cave blew gently, bringing with it the breath of nature. Occasionally, the sound of birds chirping was heard, like a beautiful symphony, adding a bit of liveliness to the tranquil atmosphere.
Xiao Yi sat aside, patiently waiting for the food to be cooked, his ears listening to the sounds outside. The sound of the wind seemed like the whisper of nature, telling an ancient and mysterious story; the birdsong was like cheerful notes, jumping in the air, bringing vitality and energy.
In this moment of tranquility, his thoughts drifted, recalling past experiences, feeling grateful for the present stability, and feeling hopeful about the future.
The food was finally ready, and Xiao Yi sat at the simple dining table, savoring the fruits of his labor. Every bite of food was filled with satisfaction, while the sound of the wind and birdsong outside became the most harmonious background music for this delicious meal.
In this cave, Xiao Yi enjoyed the tranquility, away from the hustle and bustle, feeling a sense of inner peace and tranquility, as if time had stood still for him. The afternoon sun was warm and gentle, and Xiao Yi would always move a relatively flat stone and sit at the cave entrance, letting the golden light shine on him. His back leaned against the cave wall, his legs stretched out casually, and in his hands, he tightly grasped a book he had painstakingly found among the ruins.
The cover of the book was a little worn, and the pages were slightly yellowed, but this did not affect Xiao Yi's cherishment of it. He gently turned the pages, his eyes focused and devoted, as if he had entered a whole new world.
The sunlight shone on his face, outlining his features, and his eyelashes trembled slightly in the light and shadow. Occasionally, a breeze blew, ruffling his hair and bringing a slight coolness, but his eyes never left the book.
He was immersed in the ocean of words, his heart pounding with the stories in the book. Sometimes, when he read something exciting, he would squint his eyes slightly, and the corners of his mouth would unconsciously curl up; sometimes, when he encountered a touching plot, his eyes would become deep and solemn, as if he was experiencing the joys and sorrows of the characters in the book together.
In this quiet moment, everything around him seemed unimportant. The cruelty of the end of the world, the hardships of survival, were temporarily forgotten. Only he, the sunshine, and the books formed a small, isolated world.
Xiao Yi felt the warmth of the sun, savored the wisdom in the book, and his heart was filled with peace and happiness. This simple and pure time gave his soul a moment of comfort and nourishment, and also gave him the courage and strength to continue to face the challenges of the end of the world.
In that quiet and pleasant time, Xiao Yi was originally immersed in the warmth of books and sunshine, enjoying the inner peace. However, suddenly, from the distant wilderness or the direction of the dilapidated town, there would be faint gunshots.
The gunshots were just a few sporadic ones at first, then "bang! bang!", breaking the silence. Xiao Yi's body tensed up instantly, and he unconsciously stopped flipping through the book in his hand. He listened attentively, his brows slightly furrowed, and a hint of vigilance and worry appeared in his eyes.
Then, there might be chaotic shouts. Some of those voices were filled with fear, some were filled with anger, and some were desperate calls for help. The sound spread across the empty land, seeming distant and vague, but it was enough to prick Xiao Yi's nerves.
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