CHAPTER 111: 111 DISCOVERY

Tan Shaoting and Bai Lisheng didn’t walk far before they saw the coal yard. Here, you could buy as much heating coal as you wanted; after all, it was life-saving in these times.

The briquettes cost two cents a piece, and Tan Shaoting ordered a thousand pieces straight away. The workers here helped load the carts; they were used to this, so they stacked the briquettes around the edges and left the center for coal balls.

"Uncle Bai, this coal is really good."

"You can buy more. Load one cart with coal balls, and the other with coal chunks."

Both carts were filled to the brim, costing only sixty dollars.

Because they were so full, Bai Lisheng asked the coal yard for a few straw mats to cover them, then tied them down with ropes to prevent losing any.

Although it seemed like an easy task, it took them two hours to finish everything.

The two of them each drove a cart back. At the building entrance, Tan Shaoting saw the little girl hopping around.

Yuanyuan also noticed them. She immediately ran over, feeling relieved to see both carts full of coal.

Tan Shaoting loaded the items Yuanyuan bought onto the cart.

The three of them drove back home.

At this time, the Bai Family was cooking. Cornmeal porridge, buns, and stewed sauerkraut—it was quite a decent meal.

Yuanyuan took out two packets of snacks from her bag and handed them to Tan Shaoting, gesturing with her mouth.

Of course, Tan Shaoting understood the girl’s intention. He didn’t expect someone so young to understand social graces so well, but it was a good thing.

The two of them didn’t stand on ceremony and stayed for dinner at the Bai Family’s.

After dinner, everyone sat on the heated brick bed. "You two should stay here and take a nap. It’s cold outside, and going to the inn now wouldn’t be worth it. Little girl, don’t mind, we only have this one room with a fire."

"Uncle Bai, I’m grateful enough, why would I mind?"

Bai Lisheng chuckled and nodded, offering them the head of the bed, but they refused it.

Yuanyuan laid down near the wall on the brick bed; next to her was Tan Shaoting, then Bai Lisheng, Bai Lisheng’s wife, his young son, and at the head of the bed were his two daughters.

Yuanyuan was really not used to it, as she rarely slept with others. But the day was so cold, and now with a warm bed and quilt, she only took off her outer clothes and lay down in her cotton-padded clothing.

She soon fell asleep, not caring about Tan Shaoting beside her.

Tan Shaoting had always slept alone, and he really wasn’t accustomed to lying on the brick bed with so many people this time.

Though quite tired, he just couldn’t fall asleep. The snoring from Bai Lisheng next to him was deafening, and he even ground his teeth. Tan Shaoting felt even more uncomfortable, so he edged towards Yuanyuan.

He saw the little girl lying neatly, yet sleeping soundly.

At that moment, he was the only one who couldn’t sleep.

He got closer and closer to Yuanyuan, feeling that there was something about her that he really liked, and looking at her made him feel much more comfortable.

When Yuanyuan woke up, she felt particularly tired. Turning her head, she was surprised to find Tan Shaoting sharing the same pillow!

She moved a bit, unsure of what time it was, but since everyone was still asleep, it should still be early, right?

After all, the windows were covered with straw mats outside. It was pitch black inside, completely unknown what time it was.

Actually, Tan Shaoting woke up when Yuanyuan moved. It was really comfortable being close to the little girl. He knew he had a Spirit Root and could cultivate, but there was no Spiritual Energy here, so he couldn’t cultivate. However, being close to Yuanyuan made him feel comfortable, almost as if she had Spiritual Energy.

So he stayed close to the little girl without moving.

Yuanyuan was really uncomfortable lying down, so she thought about getting up.

She carefully got up and quietly got dressed.

Tan Shaoting was reluctant, but he knew this girl had a strong sense of self-preservation, so he slowly moved closer.

When Tan Shaoting saw the little girl was dressed, he got up too.

Yuanyuan saw him awake and asked quietly, "What time is it now? Should we leave now?"

"Yes, we can. I don’t know what time it is either. Let’s get up."

After getting ready, Bai Lisheng also woke up and didn’t say much but just got up to get dressed.

The buns made yesterday were intended for them to take away today.

So after Bai Lisheng got up, he packed the buns for them.

"Thank you, Uncle Bai," Tan Shaoting and Yuanyuan thanked Bai Lisheng in the main room.

"It’s nothing. I’ll make you some noodle soup and fry some buns."

Tan Shaoting didn’t refuse. "Okay."

Yuanyuan had a bowl of noodle soup and half a bun. Just waking up and not brushing her teeth, she really couldn’t eat much, but she knew it wasn’t a time to be fussy.

Tan Shaoting had three large bowls of noodle soup and two and a half buns.

"Take your time on the road, don’t rush," Bai Lisheng advised them with concern.

The two of them thanked Bai Lisheng again, fully dressed and wrapped up tightly.

Each of them had a flashlight. Tan Shaoting led the way, driving the cart, while Yuanyuan followed.

To be honest, this little donkey was really docile. Even someone as inexperienced as Yuanyuan could manage it.

As they moved, the sky gradually brightened.

They left at five, and by eight, Yuanyuan was a bit too tired to walk. The little donkey was pulling a cart full of coal, and she felt embarrassed to sit on it.

But she really couldn’t move her legs now. She secretly took a sip of Spiritual Spring Water.

Tan Shaoting at the front sniffed. It was truly a good thing, likely Spiritual Spring Water, and the grade was probably not low.

However, he didn’t turn around. In time, things would become clear.

He was also considering whether to discuss with Yuanyuan: she might not know she had Spiritual Spring Water and didn’t have a cultivation technique, but he did. If they collaborated, wouldn’t that work?

Not yet, he thought. They should wait a bit. Although he was really eager, knowing that even with Spiritual Spring Water it might not be possible to cultivate to a high level, at least it could strengthen the body and prolong life by decades.

As he walked, these thoughts were on Tan Shaoting’s mind.

Yuanyuan felt much better. It wasn’t until after eleven that the two of them stopped to light a fire, drink water, and eat.

Even though it was just a bun, Yuanyuan steeled herself to eat one, drinking a large mug of hot water.

She noticed Tan Shaoting looking at her several times. Was there something wrong with her? She looked down at herself, but found nothing amiss.

Suddenly, she remembered and quickly pulled out a pack of ox tongue biscuits from her bag.

"Mr. Tan, have some snacks."

Tan Shaoting was bewildered. What was this girl thinking? Why give him snacks? Could it be that she thought all he cared about was eating?

Yuanyuan: Honestly, that’s what I thought.

"I’m not hungry. You keep it. Are you tired?" He quickly changed the subject before the girl could say something else that might wound his fragile pride!