Several community members carried in a large, thick wooden plank, like a door panel, and placed it on two long benches, thus setting up the slaughter table.
Zhao Jianbin borrowed several butcher knives from the brigade headquarters and sharpened them, ready to slaughter the crocodiles.
*
Seeing that the hot water was ready, Xie Yuyao went back inside to change into a long robe and moved the bath tub from the yard to the east room, intending to take a bath directly.
Yang Shumei and Ren Fei also wanted to take a bath, so they asked to borrow her bathtub.
Although the bathtub was not suitable for sharing, Xie Yuyao agreed out of consideration for their shared hardship.
Zhao Honghui watched Xie Yuyao fetch water from the main room, knowing she had exhausted herself fighting the crocodile. Now that she needed water, he wanted to help, but worried about damaging her reputation, so he could only clench his fist slightly to restrain himself.
Fortunately, Wu Lihong saw this and put down what she was doing to help her carry water, which put her mind at ease.
He didn't realize that his feelings for Xie Yuyao had quietly changed.
Xie Yuyao was taking a bath in the east room, discussing the events with the other female educated youth.
After learning about the harrowing incident, Wu Lihong exclaimed how fortunate she was.
“Since I came here, there haven’t been any crocodiles on this riverbank. Now there’s one, and there might be a second, a third. Everyone should be careful in the future and avoid going to riverbanks where there are few people.”
Xie Yuyao didn't know whether the spiritual spring water had been carried away by the river or would still attract unknown creatures, so she reminded them: "The eyes and nose of a crocodile are vulnerable parts. If you encounter a crocodile again, attack its eyes first."
"Yes, it was Comrade Zhao who injured the crocodile's eye and turned the tide this time." Ren Fei recalled the scene with the giant crocodile, and the image of Zhao Honghui, who bravely saved the day, appeared in her mind. She lowered her head and smiled shyly.
Inside the educated youth compound, two stoves were lit, one simmering crocodile soup and the other stewing crocodile meat. Finally, a large pot of stir-fried potatoes and eggplant was prepared, along with various foods brought by the villagers, including corn, brown rice, porridge, and vegetables.
A crocodile feast is about to begin.
Li Weidong invited the village party secretary, the brigade leader, and the accountant, who also brought several bottles of liquor.
At the table, Li Weidong, the Zhao brothers, the brigade leader, and other prominent figures were drinking and chatting.
Outside the table, other educated youth and community members chatted and laughed, holding their bowls and mingling together.
The unfamiliarity and distance between the educated youth and the villagers in the production team was broken down during this crocodile dinner.
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