Chapter 10 – Working
Dongbei stew counted as a local specialty, but at this time there weren’t many seasonings. The only thing they had in abundance was salt. As for other things, like oil—when a big pot of stew was served, not a single drop of oil could be seen floating on top. It looked just like it had been boiled in plain water.
Lu Miao used an aluminum lunch box with the words Serve the People printed on it, scooped a little to taste, and found the flavor not to her liking. After that, she firmly refused to touch it again.
She didn’t like it, but Geng Xiaoyun and the others ate happily. The big basin of potatoes and sweet potatoes was quickly polished off, not a bit wasted.
Luckily, Ren Bingxin had the foresight to steam extra sweet potatoes. Otherwise, Lu Miao would have gone to bed hungry that night.
Except for the dirty skin, the steamed sweet potatoes tasted good.
Lu Miao scooped with a spoon, the soft, glutinous, sweet taste making her very happy.
“I want to eat this again tomorrow.”
Ren Bingxin immediately agreed: “Sure, it’s no trouble anyway.”
Lu Miao gave a soft “mm”: “Then tomorrow pick me a big one.”
Ren Bingxin chuckled: “No problem!”
That night, when they washed up, the others just fetched some water to wipe themselves before bed. Lu Miao wasn’t used to it. It was one thing not being able to take a bath, but even just wiping—shouldn’t that be done properly?
She went back and forth to fetch two extra basins of water, leaving Yang Xiaojing watching her, hesitating to say something.
Gu Ying gently nudged Yang Xiaojing.
“It’s just a little water, nothing to fuss about. If she wants to use it, let her.”
Yang Xiaojing whispered:
“But doesn’t it mean more effort carrying it?”
“Forget it, they just got here…”
Thinking it better not to stir up trouble, Gu Ying smiled faintly and said, “Go to sleep. Tomorrow I’ll cover an extra day of water-carrying duty.”
Yang Xiaojing could only nod helplessly.
Lu Miao knew nothing of this. After finishing her washing, she lay down in bed. Since she had napped in the afternoon and the bed boards kept creaking “creak, creak,” she wasn’t used to it. Just like the night before, she tossed and turned until deep into the night before falling asleep.
In sleep, time always passed quickly. Lu Miao felt like she had only just fallen asleep when Gu Ying shook her awake.
“Time to go to work, Lu Miao.”
Blinking in a daze, Lu Miao saw Ren Bingxin also being shaken awake.
“You two hurry and get ready, head out early to work. If you’re quick enough, maybe you can come back at noon a bit earlier.”
After reminding them, Gu Ying went to the other room to call Geng Xiaoyun and the others.
Lu Miao got up slowly to wash. By the time she headed out, there were only her, Ren Bingxin, and Geng Xiaoyun.
Ren Bingxin asked, “Where’s Chen Miaomiao?”
“Ah!” Geng Xiaoyun scratched her head. “I think she’s not in good shape. Yesterday she probably got heatstroke, and this morning she had a bit of a fever, so she had to take leave.”
Ren Bingxin was surprised. “Taking leave the very first day?”
Geng Xiaoyun said:
“Yeah, it’s not great to take leave the first day, but if she really can’t get up, then what can you do?”
Ren Bingxin nodded, thinking that made sense.
Then Geng Xiaoyun turned to Lu Miao.
“Hey, Lu Miao, you’d better watch yourself when you work today. Don’t end up like her. You don’t know anyone here, it’s all unfamiliar. Getting sick means not only missing work points but also suffering yourself.”
Lu Miao yawned lazily, carefully avoiding the thorny branches sticking out along the roadside.
“Got it.”
She wasn’t stupid. If it was too hot, she’d just find a place to hide in the shade.
From the southwest to the north, Dahe Village was surrounded by mountains. To the southeast and east lay water. The terrain sloped from high to low, with the lowest point being the pond in front of the educated youth station.
Using the pond as the center: going south was the cluster of fertile farmland for the production team. To the north, right next to it, was the educated youth station. Behind the station the ground gradually rose, and beyond that were the villagers’ houses, scattered across the slope.
Behind the houses, leaning against the back mountain, were scattered plots of hillside land. The production team usually planted coarse grains there.
Beyond those hills, further north, stretched the endless mountains, as far as the eye could see…
