The slaughtering, cooking, and feasting continued late into the night before everyone left, carrying their own bowls, plates, and other belongings.
The crocodile feast was a delight for everyone, leaving a deep impression on all those present.
Xie Yuyao was quite satisfied with her meal. Even though it lacked seasoning and cooking skills and the taste wasn't as good as the food in the big restaurants she used to eat, her appetite had decreased a lot after dealing with a few meals over the past two days.
If a crocodile comes every now and then... Stop! She doesn't need that piece of meat; don't let a small thing cause a big loss.
*
The next day, Yang Shumei felt sore all over and showed signs of catching a cold.
Li Weidong then told her to rest for a day, saying he would ask the captain for leave and also ask Xie Yuyao and Ren Fei if they wanted to rest for a day as well.
Ren Fei waved her hand to indicate that she didn't need it, as she was passionate about rural development.
Xie Yuyao looked at Yang Shumei and, seeing that she was doing alright, decided to go to work together.
With the blessing of the spiritual spring water, her strength had been restored. Besides, she could only stay at the educated youth settlement if she took leave; it would be inappropriate if she were discovered by others while trying to go out.
Since Yang Shumei doesn't need a caregiver, she won't stay.
Upon arriving at the drying ground, Xie Yuyao proactively said to the team leader who was assigning tasks, "Team leader, I'm not feeling well today, can I go cut the grass instead?"
The team leader knew she had been frightened the day before, and that her coming to work was already unexpected, so he agreed without hesitation. Of course, he admired Ren Fei's hard work even more.
Xie Yuyao took the sickle and basket and followed a group of children towards the mountains.
A young woman was also with them, her nose in the air, and she gave Xie Yuyao a disdainful snort. Xie Yuyao thought she must be out of her mind.
When she reached the foot of the mountain where she was cutting grass, Xie Yuyao put down her basket, put on gloves, and looked at the lush wild grass in front of her. But she was puzzled: which grasses could be used to feed pigs?
Looking up, she saw Little Tiger not far away and walked over to ask, "Little Tiger, can all the grass here be used to feed the pigs?"
"No, this kind won't do." Xiao Hu pointed to a relatively lush grass in front of him, and then pulled her to identify it one by one.
As a thank you, Xie Yuyao gave him two White Rabbit milk candies. Xiao Hu was very happy and patted his chest like an adult, saying, "If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me."
Xie Yuyao was amused, and the other children gathered around, offering to help answer her questions.
So, tempted by the milk candy, Xie Yuyao learned a lot about Qingshan Village from the children, such as who was friendly, who was gossipy, and which families had conflicts with each other.
Besides a couple who were sent-down youths and teach in town, the only people with regular jobs are the brothers Zhao Honghui and Zhao Jianbin. Speaking of Zhao Honghui, Zhao Chunling, who was traveling with them, said proudly, "He is my eldest nephew, and he's very capable!"
"Yes! Brother Honghui is the most capable person around here. He used to be a military officer!" Xiaohu puffed out his chest, looking proud.
Xie Yuyao smiled, feeling a little puzzled as to why he would leave the army. As for Zhao Chunling, she must have been his grandmother's daughter born late in life.
At that time, most rural families had many children and grandchildren; having three or four children was considered few, and having seven or eight was normal. Firstly, there was little nightlife; secondly, having children increased the family's labor force; and thirdly, it ensured their old age.
Xie Yuyao had a question in her mind, so she asked, "Why did he leave the army?"
"Why are you asking this?" Zhao Chunling looked at her suspiciously, then suddenly realized, "I know, you must have fallen for him, right?"
Xie Yuyao immediately denied it.
She admired his looks and demeanor, and after their two encounters catching a thief and fighting a crocodile, she developed a slight liking for him, but it was mostly just observation and appreciation; she couldn't say she liked him.
Looking at her expression, Zhao Chunling warned, "Don't be hypocritical. I advise you to give up on this idea. My sister-in-law doesn't like female educated youth. Even if you manage to coax my nephew into marrying into the family, he won't be happy."
These words made Xie Yuyao laugh. "We've only just begun!"
These days, people date with marriage in mind, unlike in later generations where breakups and reconciliations are commonplace. She doesn't want to enter the "walled city" of marriage too early.
Xie Yuyao took off her gloves. "It's autumn now. Are there any good wild fruits in the mountains?"
The children laughed, surprised that someone as old as her would still be so fond of wild fruits.
"We've picked all the wild fruits from this mountainside."
"Yes, Sister Yuyao, you're too late. If you had come last month, we could have taken you fruit picking together."
"Yes, now only sour pears are left."
Hearing the children's words, Xie Yuyao had a sudden thought, "Are the sour pears wild? Where are they located?"
Xiao Hu pointed eastward, "There's a large pear orchard at the foot of that mountain, but the fruit there isn't good; it's so sour it'll make your teeth ache."
"It's alright, I'll go check on it. You guys continue cutting the grass." Speaking of sour pears, Xie Yuyao had a flash of inspiration and thought of pear soup and candied fruit.
Zhao Chunling pursed her lips. How could this educated youth from the city be more greedy than a child? Just for that reason alone, she couldn't let her marry Honghui.
She already has Zhao Hongqin at home competing with her for food; if another person joins, wouldn't she be at a huge disadvantage?
Unaware of her inner thoughts, Xie Yuyao walked toward her destination and soon saw a large patch of wild pear trees.
The pear tree was laden with large bunches of fruit, about the size of kiwifruit.
The fruit is quite ugly, with a dark brown skin covered with dense spots, like a person's face covered with pockmarks.
Xie Yuyao picked a sour pear, looked at it, then looked up at the big tree. She closed her eyes, her consciousness entered her spatial dimension, and began searching for information about wild pears.
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