"Yuanyuan, your sheep are really quite obedient."
Yuanyuan didn’t know how to explain, so she said nothing and pretended to have fallen asleep.
The next day, Tan Shaoting got up at seven o’clock while it was still dark.
Yuanyuan heard the noise and got up as well.
"Yuanyuan, I’m taking the sheep out to feed with the little donkey. We should set off soon, or it’ll be too cold to travel at night."
Yuanyuan had no objections, so she started packing up her bedding.
After they finished breakfast, they started loading the cart, filling it completely.
"Yuanyuan, you’d better put a blanket on top. It’ll keep you warm when it gets cold, or else I’m afraid you won’t be able to bear it."
Yuanyuan was grateful for Tan Shaoting’s kindness; the temperature was definitely below minus forty degrees, and the wind made it feel even colder.
In fact, she was wearing thermal underwear and down-filled cotton pants, with cotton pants made by Hu Chunhua on top, and regular pants over that. Her shoes were high-top snow boots from her space, lined with wool insoles, and she wore wool socks.
On top, it was thermal underwear, a down jacket liner, an ultra-light down jacket, a cotton coat, and a leather coat bought in the city that reached her calves because of her height.
She wore a cashre scarf and a headscarf, with a cotton hat on top, and a mask over her face.
The cotton gloves were a gift from Yang Xue. In any case, she was fully ard, looking more like a bear than Tan Shaoting.
At first, she stayed on the cart, but it got too cold, and she felt frozen through. So she got off to walk. The sheep didn’t seem to adapt either, though there was nothing to be done about it, so she patted its head. It had to adapt. She found a burlap sack, cut it, and wrapped it around the sheep. It wasn’t very warm, but at least it blocked the wind.
Tan Shaoting watched Yuanyuan’s actions with a smile. What use would that be, he thought?
He saw that her eyebrows were already frosted white. His probably were too.
But the white mask on her face looked quite good. He should make one himself when he got back so his face wouldn’t freeze.
Neither of them chatted, fearing the wind would enter their stomachs. There was no snow this year, making the road much easier to walk on. If there had been heavy snow, it would have been even harder.
The two walked continuously. By noon, Tan Shaoting stopped the cart and took so firewood down to make a fire, as the water in the kettle had frozen.
"Co over by the fire to warm up. Let’s have so hot water."
As he spoke, he pulled out a cloth bag from his pocket, stuck so stead buns on sticks, and roasted them by the fire.
Yuanyuan now felt sweat on her back. Stopping, she had to sit by the fire, or else she would definitely catch a cold. She dared not take risks, as she already felt chilly on her back.
Really, it was a suffering. Now she understood why Su Daqiang insisted on going back. Outsiders really couldn’t adapt to this temperature.
The water boiled. They each had a bowl, and the rest went to the donkey and sheep. Yuanyuan only ate one stead bun, as she couldn’t eat more.
But with hot water in her stomach, she felt warr, even a bit comfortable.
"We should get moving soon, or it’ll get cold," Tan Shaoting said while packing up.
Yuanyuan had no objections. She wanted to find a place indoors as soon as possible.
While feeding the sheep water earlier, she gave it a drop of Spiritual Spring Water, fearing the ewe might not last.
So for the next part of the journey, the ewe was much better.
"Yuanyuan, your sheep is really great."
"Yes, it’s alright," she said, not elaborating.
"Yuanyuan, what is that you’re wearing on your face?"
"A mask. Do you want one? I have more."
"Thanks, give one, and I’ll give you so fabric when we get back."
Yuanyuan didn’t hesitate and handed a mask to Tan Shaoting. He tried it on, then wore it properly. It felt much more comfortable, at least his face didn’t hurt anymore.
This ti, the two didn’t stop, resting on the cart when tired, and walking when cold.
Yuanyuan wanted to ask how much longer they had to go, as her legs felt like they were filled with lead.
"Almost there, just an hour more. We’re actually already in the farm area. Are you going to stay at my place for a night, or go back?"
Yuanyuan thought staying at his place for a night was the sa as going back to light a fire, not being in a warm room.
"I’ll go back first. Tomorrow, can you help find Group Leader Ma?"
"Sure. Do you have the key? I saw Su Daqiang’s house was locked."
"Yes, I have the key."
"That’s good then. Let’s do that."
Yuanyuan looked out to see the endless land. With no snow this year, you could clearly see the remnants of unharvested corn stalks, along with large patches of dry grass. The houses looked similar to those at ho, made of earthen bricks, probably quite low.
By now, it was almost dark. Less than an hour to go, but she really didn’t want to keep walking, though there was finally a sign of hope.
"Yuanyuan, that’s your house, and mine is over there."
Yuanyuan looked in the direction Tan Shaoting pointed. There were still a few miles to go. This was the nearest neighbor.
She had no strength left to speak, she was so exhausted. And cold. And hungry.
Finally reaching the door of the house, Yuanyuan staggered over to open it.
To her eyes, this dilapidated house was her haven, her refuge from the wind.
After opening the door and seeing the situation inside, she was too tired to even feel disappointed.
She hurriedly laid a few burlap sacks on the floor.
"Thanks, Mr. Tan."
Tan Shaoting nodded, and together they moved everything inside, placing it on the floor.
This was a three-room house, with the middle being the main room, quite large, and bedrooms on either side. Both sides had large stoves, but the west room lacked an iron pot.
"I won’t keep you, Mr. Tan. Go ho quickly. When I have ti, I’ll invite you for a al."
Tan Shaoting didn’t refuse, nodded, and left.
Yuanyuan didn’t take off her coat; it was too cold. If her coat got dirty, so be it.
She imdiately started a fire, but there was no water in the water tank. There was a well outside, but it was impossible to draw water now, right?
This realization was the most discouraging for Yuanyuan. She couldn’t just make a fire without water, or else the large iron pot would be ruined.
She smiled bitterly, feeling truly powerless.
She didn’t even close the door; nobody would co steal anything from this place, fearing they couldn’t leave.
She decided to go to Tan Shaoting’s place and ask him what to do.
As she was stepping out, she saw Tan Shaoting driving over.
Yuanyuan smiled and stayed still, as she saw Tan Shaoting gesturing.
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