Chi Xiaoyu's wound had not fully healed yet, so after breakfast, Qiao An'an told her to rest.
Gu Bei helped Qiao An'an clean up the dishes and wash them.
Qiao An'an shared her idea with everyone: "There is a house behind my house that has been abandoned for a long time. Although the house has collapsed, the courtyard wall is made of stone and is very sturdy. I want to go to that courtyard tonight to turn over the soil and plant the small bag of corn kernels that you brought yesterday. Together with the rice and flour you brought, and what I have left here, it should be enough for the five of us to get through the winter."
Grandpa Gu Bei, however, offered a different opinion: "Sounds travel further at night. If you really want to till the land, I personally suggest doing it during the day. Of course, I don't recommend farming outside of this yard. I've seen the yard you mentioned. Even though the stone walls are sturdy enough, they're not high enough. If you encounter a zombie attack, there will still be danger."
In fact, what Grandpa Gu Bei said was true.
But even if hiding in this small courtyard is safe enough, you will still starve to death without food.
Qiao An'an still wanted to expand their territory: "Then let's go out during the day."
Grandpa Gu Bei firmly objected: "There are too many zombies outside. If you step out the door during the day, you'll be spotted by them. It's too dangerous. No way."
To everyone's surprise, Qiao An'an said, "There's no need to go through the front door. I can take a ladder and climb down from the window at the back of the second floor."
When this two-story house was renovated, no windows were installed on the north side of the first floor. On the second floor, one window was installed near the stairwell and another in the second bedroom. All of these windows were fitted with sturdy security bars that could be opened with a key in case of fire.
Grandpa Gu Bei thought this method was feasible.
He said that at his age he could no longer climb up and down to help Qiao An'an turn the floor, so he could only use a sniper rifle to guard the ladder for Qiao An'an in front of the back window.
Qiao An'an wasn't very confident in Grandpa Gu Bei: "Sniper rifles have a lot of recoil, can someone your age handle it?"
Grandpa Gu Bei was indignant: "Who do you think you are? Back in the self-defense counterattack war, I used a sniper rifle."
Autumn is just around the corner.
If we don't plant corn now, it won't produce any corn before winter.
After much thought...
Qiao An'an decided to take the risk: "I believe in Grandpa's skills!"
Qiao An'an climbed down the ladder from the north window on the second floor, and Gu Bei followed her despite everyone's objections: "I'm strong enough to help dig the ground."
The two men brought hoes, sickles, and water to the yard, where they found the grass already taller than a person. Even if there were zombies outside, as long as they didn't move, the zombies probably wouldn't be able to find them.
The two put on gloves and began to work.
Qiao An'an cut grass, and Gu Bei hoeed the ground. In one morning, the two cleared nearly half of the wasteland. They were so hot that they drank all the water they had brought, and they were too exhausted to continue. They decided to go back to eat and rest, and continue in the afternoon.
Qiao An'an also found mushrooms in a pile of dead wood by the courtyard wall. She didn't care whether they were edible or not, and picked them all to take back with her.
The two returned the way they came.
Qiao An'an took out the mushrooms she had picked to show everyone: "These mushrooms look pretty, so I picked them all. I just don't know if they're edible or poisonous."
After examining the mushrooms, Grandpa Gu Bei said confidently, "These are porcini mushrooms, a very precious type of mushroom. They are not only edible but also extremely delicious."
Qiao An'an was surprised that Grandpa Gu Bei knew about mushrooms: "Grandpa, were you a farmer before? How do you know this mushroom?"
Grandpa Gu Bei laughed: "For the last three generations, we were all farmers. I learned to cook from the local villagers when I was fighting in the self-defense war. This dish tastes even better than meat. You've worked hard digging today, so don't cook. Wait for Grandpa to show you his skills!"
Qiao An'an is really tired today.
Seeing this, he didn't refuse.
After going downstairs to fetch well water to wash my face, I sat on a recliner in the living room to rest.
Unexpectedly, she fell asleep while sitting. It was only when Ya Ya leaned on her that she was woken up. When she opened her eyes, she saw that the table was already full of bowls and chopsticks. Grandpa Gu Bei had made a lean meatball and mushroom soup, stir-fried celery with meat, and a small green vegetable.
While serving soup to everyone, Grandpa Gu Bei called out to Qiao An'an, asking her to taste it and see if it was good.
Qiao An'an scooped up a spoonful of the beef tripe and mushroom soup and felt an unprecedentedly fresh and delicious flavor spread across her tongue. It was so delicious! She couldn't help but exclaim, "Grandpa's cooking is amazing!"
Grandpa Gu Bei laughed: "It's not because of my good cooking skills, it's because the morel mushrooms are good!"
The five of them chatted and laughed as they finished their meal.
While clearing away the dishes, Qiao An'an couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
The apocalypse has lasted so long.
Qiao An'an has never had a day when she could eat as soon as she opened her eyes.
For a moment, she felt that although having more people in the yard would lead to food shortages, it would also bring some heartwarming moments.
Children really do have a lot of energy.
Qiao An'an was exhausted after a whole morning, and Gu Bei put down his rice bowl and soon started clamoring to continue digging the ground.
Grandpa Gu suggested that they bring the corn with them and plant it later: "I soaked the corn in water this morning, and it should be almost fully soaked by now. You can take the corn with you and plant it together."
Qiao An'an disagreed: "There's no well in the back yard, so we have to come to the front to get water. We finished preparing the land today and didn't have time to fetch water. We planted the corn but didn't water it. What if the rats dug it up and ate it?"
Grandpa Gu Bei said confidently, "It will definitely rain tonight."
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