Chapter 10: Reunion

It rained for several days straight.

At this time, rain was actually a blessing—no need to water the crops in the fields, which saved a lot of trouble.

For Tang Wan and the others, it was also good news, since they didn’t have to go to work when it rained.

After two days of heavy rain, the third day turned into a light drizzle.

The educated youth at the village point started preparing early in the morning to go to the back mountain.

The back mountain was large, and previously the villagers mostly picked wild vegetables at its foot.

After the recent rain, the wild vegetables in the mountain grew even better, and there were mushrooms and such—very nice for extra food. If lucky, they could even come across wild pheasants or rabbits.

The team had a rule that wild animals in the mountain were captured periodically by organized groups, then distributed among the entire village.

But usually, some people would sneak up the mountain quietly to try their luck.

Generally, everyone understood this tacitly and wouldn’t say much.

After all, near the foot of the mountain, it was mostly about luck since there wasn’t much to find. Deeper inside, no one dared to go alone.

Several young male educated youths excitedly imagined if they could find a wild pheasant. Last year they had caught one, and the fragrance of that meal still lingered in their memories.

But that was the only time.

This trip was mainly to gather edible mushrooms and wild vegetables. Mushrooms could be dried and saved for winter.

Besides, if they picked a lot, they could even send some back home.

So everyone was ready and eager, getting up early.

After a simple breakfast, they set off, and the villagers had already left as well.

A large, noisy group headed into the mountain.

On the way, Tang Wan ran into Luo Ying and Cuicui. The two girls invited her along, saying they knew where the mushrooms were abundant.

Tang Wan had no choice but to say goodbye to Sister Yan Hong and followed the two girls.

Tang Wan was pretty and kind by nature, never looking down on country girls like some did, so both liked her.

Walking together, the two chattered about how good they were at picking mushrooms, promising to take Tang Wan to a great spot where they’d gather more than others.

Tang Wan listened as they walked further in, and the crowd thinned out.

There were many villagers, but the mountain was huge. Everyone basically had their own regular places and tried to avoid large groups.

People usually went in small groups of three to five, and Tang Wan followed the two girls deeper inside.

Tang Wan had no experience digging mushrooms or picking wild vegetables, so the two girls took pity on her and taught her hand by hand.

They showed her what was good to take and what wasn’t. Seeing she was slow, they often tossed a few mushrooms into her basket.

Tang Wan felt a little embarrassed—she didn’t expect to need help from two little girls while working.

When Tang Wan mentioned this, Luo Ying quickly responded, “You’re already really good. Some educated youths can’t do anything!”

Cuicui nodded, “Shuanzi’s wife was like that too. When she first came, she thought working the fields was dirty. It took her a whole day to plant a row of corn, and she’d cry whenever things got tough. I even helped her, but no use—she’d just throw things around.”

Cuicui patted her chest with a look of fright.

“So she married Shuanzi, huh? My mom said it’s because she didn’t want to work. Since Shuanzi always helped her, she stuck with him,” Luo Ying said, clearly an expert on village gossip, getting excited telling the story.

Tang Wan wondered if this was similar to Zhong Ling before her rebirth—marrying a local man quickly just to avoid work.

“And now?” Tang Wan thought.

“Now she can’t get away with it. If she doesn’t work, Shuanzi’s mom beats her,” Cuicui said seriously.

Tang Wan didn’t expect this outcome, but it made sense.

In the countryside, no one would marry a wife who couldn’t work. Probably because the son liked her, they married anyway, but that definitely caused tension and tough days.

Tang Wan listened as they talked about the educated youths who married in the village over the years—dozens of couples, some doing well, others not.

“Are you planning to marry someone from the village?” Suddenly, Cuicui asked Tang Wan.

Tang Wan was just thinking about whether Zhong Ling had met her male lead yet, and hearing the question, she instinctively shook her head. She had no intention of staying here forever.

“Well, you’re so pretty, you can find a worker in the city and have a better life,” in the villagers’ eyes, city workers eating public grain lived the best lives.

Tang Wan smiled at this. In three years, the college entrance exams would resume, and that would be her chance to leave.

Talking with the two girls, Tang Wan didn’t notice Grandma Bai and Qin Zheng not far behind.

Their conversation clearly reached Qin Zheng’s ears. For some reason, Qin Zheng became even more restless.

Grandma Bai had asked Qin Zheng to accompany her to the mountain to dig up two small trees—two little peach trees to plant in the yard. In a few years, they might even bear fruit.

Grandma Bai’s hearing wasn’t sharp enough to catch the girls’ talk.

As soon as they arrived, she instructed Qin Zheng to start digging.

Her voice caught the attention of Tang Wan and the two girls.

When Luo Ying and Cuicui saw it was Qin Zheng, they got a little scared.

It was nearly noon, so the two said they wanted to go back for lunch.

Hearing movement here, Grandma Bai noticed and happily waved when she saw Tang Wan.

Luo Ying and Cuicui became even more nervous and stammered, asking Tang Wan to go back with them.

Tang Wan smiled and reassured them she knew Grandma Bai and told them to go ahead.

The two were still uneasy but left after Tang Wan persuaded them.