CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 97: THE CONCH GIRL

The yard they were assigned is actually very close to their forest area.

From the residence to the forest area, it’s about a ten-minute walk.

It’s evident that the forest has taken good care of them.

Actually, there aren’t many workers at the forest now, and people are scarce in this yard. It’s mainly taken over by these educated youths, occupying five rooms.

Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jia Shu shared one room, while the remaining four rooms were occupied by male educated youths.

They were roughly allocated.

Eleven people were divided into groups of three people per room.

He Aiguo and Song Moting shared a room.

Everyone was busy tidying up their respective dormitories, and this time, Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jia Shu had plenty of space.

With this big bed, they could roll over without touching each other.

Jiang Xiaoxiao still chose the spot by the wall to place the kang cabinet, and placed a table between them where they could eat and study daily.

Doing a bit of craftwork was no problem either.

The entire room was tidied up methodically by the two girls.

However, the room hadn’t been occupied for years, so it felt a bit damp now.

Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jia Shu went out to find Song Moting and He Aiguo.

Jiang Xiaoxiao knew well that in half a month, the first snow was expected to fall on this mountain.

When the snow falls, it will get heavier, and even if they’re burning wood in the forest, they’ll have to go up the mountain to collect it.

It’s impossible for the wood to come to the courtyard on its own, so they have to gather fuel for the winter.

As soon as they stepped out, they saw Song Moting and He Aiguo along with the male educated youths, changing clothes and carrying axes and ropes, ready to go up the mountain.

It seemed they had the same thought.

"We were just about to look for you. We’re going up the mountain to gather firewood. Winter is coming, and we need to prepare firewood for the winter. You two girls should stay in the house and tidy up the kitchen, and cook for everyone.

The food supplies have already been brought up. Let’s make do and have our first meal together."

Song Moting had already thought about it, planning to take extra care of the two female educated youths.

It’s not about letting them not work in the future, but naturally, the heavy labor is meant for the men to handle.

It’s better for the girls to stay and cook, as cooking is not a strong point for the men.

Everyone working together is better this way.

Each does what they’re good at, not hindering anyone, and they cooperate well.

Jiang Xiaoxiao agreed upon hearing this.

With eleven men going up the mountain to gather firewood, there’s no need for the two girls, and staying behind to cook was indeed the right division of labor.

Watching Song Moting and the others leave.

Jiang Xiaoxiao and the others directly went to the yard’s kitchen, which was a separate room.

Actually, there are many benefits in the forest, like the kitchen where the workers originally built many cabinets, and honestly, they don’t lack furniture here.

The food supplies had already been moved in.

The stove was a large one.

It’s essentially an earthen stove.

Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jia Shu were both capable people, with Jia Shu accustomed to household chores at home, and Jiang Xiaoxiao having done a lot in the past, making this work seem second nature.

The two of them coordinated to clean the room, removing spider webs and dust, making the room much cleaner.

They calculated the food supplies; each received a hundred pounds of cornmeal, ten pounds of white flour, and ten pounds of rice.

This is not a small amount, and they need it to last until next summer’s harvest.

Given this calculation, there are still more than six months left.

With this amount of grain for six months, that’s a real challenge.

Jiang Xiaoxiao wasn’t worried, as her space was filled with a lot of food and vegetables.

Later on, she could secretly add more food to ensure they had enough to eat.

For now, she didn’t do this as Jia Shu was nearby, suddenly taking things out would be too surprising.

They arrived at the forest, where the manager brought workers to visit them, being very enthusiastic about it.

After all, compared to these workers who couldn’t read a word, these educated youths indeed had a sense of superiority.

Educated youths!

The forest manager brought people to deliver 100 heads of cabbage and 100 pounds of radish.

These were planted by themselves in autumn. Besides doing their work, the forest workers would also grow some vegetables and grain to improve their lives.

They can’t just eat communal food.

Though the communal food is sufficient, some life improvements need to be handled by themselves.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was very grateful, as she was worried about not being able to take out the vegetables she’d seen, and now they were being delivered with a reason.

After sending away the forest manager and workers, the two started cooking.

There’s no time to make anything else, so Jiang Xiaoxiao steamed a big pot of rice, and stir-fried cabbage and radish strips.

If Jia Shu wasn’t paying attention, taking the opportunity when cooking.

She took out several bunches of green onions, and added more cabbage to the dish.

Jia Shu didn’t notice it earlier, just knowing the manager had delivered vegetables but not knowing what kind.

When Song Moting and the others returned, they smelled the aroma of the dishes, suddenly feeling like they’d returned home.

This was different from the feeling of a canteen, as if someone was at home waiting for them with a meal prepared.

The eleven of them didn’t idle, as they were all strong guys, working vigorously and efficiently.

In such a short time, they managed to chop a good amount of firewood from the mountain, filling half the yard neatly.

Considering this, in two more days, they’ll probably have enough firewood for the winter.

They washed their faces.

Jiang Xiaoxiao and Jia Shu had already called them for dinner.

The kitchen room was spacious, originally meant for dining.

Once you see the huge round wooden table and several benches, it’s clear these forest workers originally ate here.

This saves trouble by avoiding climbing onto the kang.

Everyone held a lunch box.

Seeing the cabbage and radish strips, they were all surprised, as they remembered receiving only grain but not any vegetables.

"Are you two sea snail fairies or something, having the ability to conjure cabbage and radishes?"

Song Moting joked.

Jia Shu smiled with pursed lips.

"Yes, we are fairies from heaven, so you should treat us well, or else the fairies will punish you."

Jia Shu joking for the first time, who usually was a reserved person.

Jiang Xiaoxiao couldn’t stop smiling.

He Aiguo glanced at Jia Shu.

Actually joking.

"Yes! Fairies, how dare we offend the fairies? We’ll have to rely on the fairies to prepare our meals. If they’re unhappy, we’ll go hungry, right everyone?"

Everyone laughed and joked.

"Alright, stop messing around. These were delivered by the forest manager. They also cared for us educated youths by bringing some cabbages, green onions, radishes, etc. Also, the manager mentioned that there is a cellar in the yard to store the cabbage and radish. Otherwise, they’ll freeze during winter."

Jiang Xiaoxiao explained.

Everyone suddenly realized.

They were all quite grateful to these folks.

They were trying to live a good life now.