A feeling of gratitude welled up in Chen Shuning's heart, and she handed a chicken directly to Wang Meixiang, who was still helping others move coal.
"Sister Meixiang, thank you so much. Brother Chaoyang was injured, and it was all thanks to you that you helped carry the coal. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know what to do by myself."
"You see, I don't know how to thank everyone, so I bought a chicken and asked Sister Meixiang to cook it for me. Consider it my way of thanking everyone and improving your meals."
Chen Shuning's words were full of sincerity and gratitude.
Wang Meixiang took the chicken and said with a smile, "Shuning, you're too kind."
We were all sent-down youth, so helping each other is only right.
Although Wang Meixiang spoke politely, she accepted the chicken without hesitation and said with a smile, "I will definitely cook this chicken well and make sure it doesn't waste your good intentions."
The courtyard entrance was covered in coal dust, so Chen Shuning, having finished her business, didn't linger. Since she had already given the chickens, she naturally wouldn't stay to help others transport coal; she didn't have the strength for that with her small arms and legs.
After exchanging a few more polite words with Wang Meixiang and receiving thanks from the other educated youth, he returned to the backyard.
Back in the backyard, Chen Shuning first went to the woodshed to look at the neatly stacked bamboo baskets. She felt an instant surge of security. With this coal, she could go with everyone to collect firewood in a while, and her winter would be another warm one.
Chen Shuning bought coal this year based on the quantity purchased last year.
Although there was some left over from last year's burning, it's always good to have more of this stuff on hand, since she doesn't have it in her space.
In addition to coal, Chen Shuning also bought some charcoal this year, based on last year's usage. It's quite nice to light a small charcoal stove in winter to brew tea and roast some snacks.
Chen Shuning didn't know how to kill a chicken. He Chaoyang was injured, and she couldn't bear to ask her own man to do it, so she simply threw the chicken to Gu Xinyi and asked her to figure out how to handle it. Anyway, she had plenty of men at her disposal.
Gu Xinyi glanced at the rooster still flapping in Chen Shuning's hand, waved her hand generously, and said, "You can leave it there. When Brother Gao and Brother Wang come back, let them handle it. If there's nothing else, you can go back and rest for a while. Come back when it's time to eat."
This really proves the saying that she has many men in her life.
Thinking that Gao Hongyuan and Wang Zhi would come back and help out, and that the three of them were all experienced and worked well together, Chen Shuning didn't stand on ceremony with Gu Xinyi. She put the chicken in her hand in the corner of the kitchen and went home.
When Chen Shuning returned to his hut, he saw He Chaoyang sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) looking listless. He was injured, and by the time the coal was brought back, He Chaoyang's face had turned pale.
Startled, Chen Shuning quickly went to the kitchen to get a cup and poured a cup of undiluted spiritual spring water.
He Chaoyang knew the benefits of this water, so he reached out, took it without asking any questions, and drank it directly. He felt that the wound that was still throbbing just moments before instantly healed.
He smiled somewhat helplessly and apologized, "I'm sorry, I wasn't helpful at all, and I only caused you trouble."
Chen Shuning, who had just taken the empty cup, glared at He Chaoyang and said irritably, "What nonsense are you talking about! We're husband and wife, what are you talking about being a burden? You rest first, we'll go to Xinyi's for dinner tonight, I'll go make some pancakes for dinner."
He Chaoyang felt much better at this moment. When he heard Chen Shuning say that she wanted to make pancakes, he smiled and said, "Then I'll go and help you start the fire."
As He Chaoyang spoke, he put on his shoes and got out of bed.
Knowing the effects of the spiritual spring water, Chen Shuning didn't stop them. He smiled and reached out to help them up. The young couple chatted and laughed as they busied themselves in the kitchen.
The days at the educated youth settlement were quite peaceful after that. Chen Shuning worked for several days and finally managed to prepare all the autumn vegetables for the winter.
Aunt Guihua has already helped with the pickling of the cabbage, so Chen Shuning only needs to pickle some spicy cabbage and pickled radishes this year.
Looking at the shelves in the woodshed filled with jars and pots, Chen Shuning felt a great sense of accomplishment.
After finishing his chores at home, Chen Shuning started thinking about going up the mountain for a stroll. Although there was no greenery to be seen in the mountains anymore and no mountain produce to gather, he still needed to prepare firewood for the winter.
Also, Chen Shuning was craving wild rabbits and pheasants from the mountains.
Although he is suspected of having a tendency to attract negative attention, as he always encounters wild boars or wolves whenever he goes into the mountains, this cannot stop Chen Shuning's enthusiasm for wild game.
Chen Shuning cautiously told He Chaoyang her idea, feeling very uneasy, fearing that she would be opposed.
Unexpectedly, He Chaoyang not only did not raise any objections, but also expressed his desire to go along.
This put Chen Shuning in a bit of a dilemma; in fact, she would have preferred He Chaoyang to refuse outright.
It should be noted that, thanks to her meticulous care and the nourishing effects of the spiritual spring water, He Chaoyang's injuries have healed considerably.
But he was still injured after all. If someone found out that she had taken He Chaoyang into the mountains to gather firewood, his reputation as a "skinny man" would probably be confirmed.
No matter how Chen Shuning tried to persuade him, He Chaoyang insisted on going with her. She couldn't help but wonder if He Chaoyang was bored at home and wanted to take the opportunity to go out for a walk, and she just happened to walk into his trap.
In the end, Chen Shuning couldn't persuade He Chaoyang otherwise. The next morning, the young couple packed some dry food and a water bottle, locked the door, and headed towards the back mountain.
With He Chaoyang by her side, Chen Shuning wasn't worried about safety and didn't travel with the other educated youth.
The two chatted and laughed as they walked into the mountains, as if on a picnic.
He Chaoyang often carried out missions in these mountains and knew them like the back of his hand, so he took Chen Shuning to places that villagers rarely went to.
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