"What about the previous land? There’s still thirty or forty acres, right?" Zhao Yanping asked.
"We’ll keep planting it, after all, that land has been taken care of. I’m thinking of planting cotton on these thirty or forty acres, even if it’s just two or three acres, as long as there’s enough for to make cotton clothes and bedding for the winter, it’s fine."
"Yuanyuan, did you bring back so cotton seeds?"
"Yes, I brought so. Do you want to plant them?"
"We want to plant a few acres too, especially since there are kids now."
"Sure, I’m planning to cultivate seedlings, and when it’s ti, you can just transplant them."
"Yuanyuan, I’ll co and help you work." Zhao Yanli said with a smile.
"Sounds good, I’ll make you so good food."
"Yuanyuan, are you and Tan Shaoting going to be together?" Zhao Xiaojing couldn’t help but ask.
Su Yuanyuan was taken aback, understanding the implication behind Zhao Xiaojing’s awkward expression.
She felt a bit upset, as if sothing of hers was being coveted by soone else.
Su Yuanyuan was startled at this thought. Since when did I start seeing Tan Shaoting as mine?
Zhao Yanping and Zhao Yanli looked at Zhao Xiaojing helplessly. How could their younger sister not understand? Those two are already living together, there’s a high chance they’ll be together.
And even if they aren’t together, does that an you have a chance? Tan Shaoting is soone coveted by many.
Su Yuanyuan suppressed her uncertainty. "I don’t know; I haven’t really thought about that question yet."
"Why not? You’re already fourteen, considered a grown girl." Zhao Xiaojing was anxious.
Still not giving up, she needed a definite answer to dispel her hopes.
"Tan Shaoting and I have talked about it, but I feel we’re still young, with too many uncertainties, so we haven’t decided yet."
"Did Tan Shaoting ntion becoming a family? Becoming husband and wife?"
Su Yuanyuan nodded with furrowed brows, "Yes, that’s what he said."
Zhao Xiaojing’s shoulders slumped. It’s ti to let go. Let it go. Don’t have unrealistic ideas anymore. They are ant to be together. Moreover, Yuanyuan is a familiar person, practically like a sister.
This would be unethical. And besides, Tan Shaoting might not even consider her.
The atmosphere turned awkward. Zhao Yanli awkwardly held Su Yuanyuan’s hand.
"Yuanyuan, we wrote a letter ho telling my parents that my eldest brother got married. I wonder if they received it."
Su Yuanyuan looked at the awkward young girl, thinking to herself, this isn’t really your problem. Why are you feeling awkward?
"They probably received it, but a reply might be slow, especially with the heavy snow here."
"I figured as much." Although she resented her father back then, no parent is truly unforgivable. How can children genuinely hold a grudge against their parents?
It’s been more than two years, and all dissatisfaction has faded. Only the longing for her parents remains.
Su Yuanyuan liked Zhao Yanli this way. She was kind-hearted, simple, and forgiving, a friend worth having.
At this mont, they could sll the sweet scent of roasted sweet potatoes.
"Second Brother is roasting sweet potatoes," Zhao Yanli said excitedly.
"Today, co back with ; there’s plenty of sweet potatoes, potatoes, and winter lon in the cellar. You can take so back."
They most likely won’t join Zhao Qingxiang for dinner, so it’s all right to give them an extra share.
"Thank you, Yuanyuan. We’ll certainly repay you in the future."
Even though they knew this wasn’t sothing that could be repaid, for now, they could only express it verbally to ease their conscience a bit.
Su Yuanyuan nodded with a smile, thus making them feel less burdened, as debts of kindness are hard to repay.
Zhao Xiaojing backed away and lowered her head without saying a word, feeling upset at the mont.
Yet she knew it was pointless to be upset; Tan Shaoting was completely unaware.
Zhao Yanli dragged Su Yuanyuan to talk about special topics outside.
Su Yuanyuan shared so interesting stories with her.
About half an hour later, Zhao Qingjie brought in four pieces of sweet potato.
"Eat up, they’re perfectly roasted."
anwhile, on the way, it took Tan Shaoting almost an hour to drive back to the farm. The roads were in bad shape, and sotis when he skidded, he had to help push the cart.
Feng Baoshan stood up happily upon seeing Tan Shaoting return.
"You’re back?"
"Yes, Director Feng, we’re back."
"Where’s Xiao Su?"
"At the Zhao family; the livestock there needed to be looked after for several months."
Feng Baoshan nodded, understanding.
"How did the mission go?"
Both sides understood there were things that couldn’t be asked or said.
"We finished it and then ca back."
And that was enough, just a nodding acknowledgnt.
Tan Shaoting was there just to greet and let him know they’d returned.
"Director Feng, the winter wheat isn’t too good, but it’s not entirely hopeless, right?"
"I’ve checked several tis and I still can’t be sure."
"We’ll find out in at most a month."
"I figure if it survives, it can overwinter. We’ll try again this fall."
Feng Baoshan smiled after hearing Tan Shaoting’s words, "No worries, go ahead and try. I’ll report any losses, you’ll be reimbursed."
Tan Shaoting chuckled, "Thank you, Director Feng."
The outside matters were not discussed further, so they talked about what to do after the thaw.
"We brought back over a thousand pounds of wheat seeds. This year we’ll plant one hundred acres of wheat."
"So there’s extra seed?"
Tan Shaoting nodded, "But I think Su Yuanyuan will definitely give so to the Zhao family, and Group Leader Ma also wants to plant wheat. I’m not sure how much will be left."
Feng Baoshan nodded, "Whatever’s left, the farm will buy."
Tan Shaoting nodded, there would be no problem with that.
"Xiao Tan, you have the fertilizer coupons, should you go arrange so?"
Tan Shaoting thought for a mont, "Sure, I’ll discuss it with Su Yuanyuan, and we’ll go over there in the next few days."
In their eagerness to return ho, they had indeed forgotten about this.
"Alright, discuss it, the farm will cover the cost."
After a few more words, Tan Shaoting drove to the Zhao family, but first stopped by Zhao Qingxiang’s to return the donkey cart.
He didn’t enter the house, being quite traditional, especially regarding propriety between n and won, knowing there were three girls in the Zhao family, he definitely wouldn’t go in.
This ti, only Zhao Yanli and Zhao Qingjie saw Su Yuanyuan off.
"Yuanyuan, are we going ho?"
"Let’s go, we’ll drive back ho."
"Yuanyuan, Director Feng said we should go to the fertilizer factory; we have coupons, let’s get so fertilizer."
Su Yuanyuan was taken aback; she had indeed forgotten. Luckily, it wasn’t too late to go now.
"Can we on the way?"
"Let’s go there first and see."
"Alright then, Xiao Li, you’ll need to take care of the animals for a few more days."
User Comments
0 comments from readers