In an effort to salvage his image, Duan Chengyu hesitated several times before dinner, but still openly apologized to Jiang Xile.
Jiang Xile didn't react much to Duan Chengyu's apology. She hadn't suffered any loss, so she just let it go.
After the meal, in order to appease the new educated youth and comfort the older educated youth, Guo Dongxu not only led everyone in reciting Chairman Mao's quotations, but also sang two revolutionary songs.
Seeing everyone so excited, as if they were on steroids, Jiang Xile was deeply impressed. Perhaps this was the unique charm of people in this era!
After the party ended, taking advantage of the early hour, Jiang Xile decided to go out for a stroll. She had been here for two days but hadn't had a proper look around yet.
Mao Gang and Huang Yingjie were also going out together. Seeing the machetes they were carrying, Jiang Xile asked:
"Educated youth Mao, educated youth Huang, are you going to chop firewood?"
"Yes, Jiang Zhiqing, it's our turn to be on duty today. We've already taken care of fetching water this morning, so we'll have to do the chopping of firewood tonight, since it gets dark late anyway."
"Are you going to the back hill to chop firewood? I'd like to go and take a look too!"
"It's over there on the back mountain. You can come with us if you want, but once we get there, we'll be chopping wood, so we probably won't be able to look after you."
You absolutely mustn't go into the mountains by yourself. There's all sorts of things up there, especially after dark; it's extremely dangerous!
"Okay, I understand. Thanks for reminding me, Mao Zhiqing. I'll be careful. I just want to familiarize myself with the route. I'll just take a quick look and come right back. Don't worry about me!"
"Okay, let's go then, it'll be inconvenient if it gets dark any later!"
"Okay! I'll grab a shoulder bag, let's go!"
"Um!"
After entering the room, Jiang Xile took out a satchel from the cabinet and slung it over his shoulder. Then, he left the educated youth settlement with Mao Gang and Huang Yingjie.
Walking east along the woods by the small river next to the educated youth settlement, it takes about ten minutes to reach the foot of the mountain behind the settlement.
"There are also woods by the river, why don't you cut firewood there?"
"The woods by the river were planted later, and the brigade leader has explicitly forbidden them from being cut down, but plucking some branches is allowed."
However, it's hot now, and the branches are damp and don't burn well, so everyone prefers to go to the back mountain to cut firewood, where there are more trees and it's forbidden to build fire there.
"Oh, I see! I really didn't know that if you hadn't told me!"
"You girls don't need to chop wood, so you don't need to worry about these things!"
Jiang Xile smiled. Mao Gang had overlooked the fact that she needed to heat the kang (a traditional heated bed) since she lived alone, but she still remembered it herself.
There was still some firewood left over from when Li Erge and the others built the kang (heated brick bed). After the kang dried up, they didn't use it much anymore because it was summer and there was no need to sleep on a heated kang.
But after autumn comes, I will need to prepare firewood. I am inquiring about this information today in order to make preparations for the future.
The three of them walked quickly and soon arrived at the back mountain. Along the way, they encountered many villagers, some gathering firewood, some chopping wood, and many more.
Mao Gang and Huang Yingjie recognized them and greeted them one by one, but Jiang Xile had a hard time because she didn't recognize any of them and had to smile and make small talk.
"This spot looks good, Gangzi, let's get started here!"
After listening to Huang Yingjie's words, Mao Gang looked around and indeed the bushes here were quite dense.
"Let's stay here then, Jiang Zhiqing. You can wander around the area. We'll go back together after we finish chopping firewood. It should only take about half an hour!"
"No need, you two go ahead with your work. I'll just take a quick look around and head back myself. Don't worry about me."
"Okay, be careful. You have to get back to the educated youth settlement before dark. Our compound locks the gate at 8:30!"
"Yes, I've remembered the time, don't worry!"
With a wave of his hand, Jiang Xile disappeared from Mao Gang and Huang Yingjie's sight. Although the sun was about to set, the visibility was still acceptable.
Jiang Xile took a walk around the foot of the mountain, mainly to check out the environment. Everyone says that Northeast China is a vast and resource-rich land with abundant wild animals!
Jiang Xile didn't dare to hope for ginseng or lingzhi, but it would be nice to catch a pheasant or rabbit for a treat.
After walking around, perhaps because there were more people at the foot of the mountain, Jiang Xile did not find any small animals.
Jiang Xile kept Mao Gang's advice in mind. Even though she felt she had the ability to protect herself, she would not insist on going into the mountains at night.
After going around in circles, Jiang Xile encountered a problem on the way back.
There are several forks in the road here, and they all look pretty much the same. Even though she has a good memory, she's still a little unsure.
Remembering what Mao Gang had said earlier, that these side paths all led to the village and that it wouldn't be a big deal if she took the wrong one, Jiang Xile casually chose one and walked down it.
Unexpectedly, not far along the road, I saw an old man sitting by the roadside with his legs wrapped around his chest, and some branches scattered around him.
"Sir, what's wrong with you?"
Although Jiang Xile asked, she was a little apprehensive. In such a secluded place, could this old man be trying to scam her?
He Zhizhang, who was sitting on the ground, had gone to the foot of the mountain to collect firewood, but he twisted his ankle when he came back without paying attention.
Not only was the firewood scattered, but the person was also unable to move. They thought they would have to sit there until dark before someone would come to find them.
Unexpectedly, we met a kind person just ten minutes later.
"Little girl, I sprained my ankle and can't move. Could you please go to the cowshed and call someone to come and get me?"
Upon hearing the words "cowshed," Jiang Xile instantly guessed the man's identity.
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