Gu Jiaojiao’s pace slowed even more in the afternoon.
Her hands had been fine that morning, so her pace was a little faster. But by the afternoon, they were aching, which slowed her down even more.
When Wu Cuizhi saw this, she couldn’t hide the excitent in her eyes. It was as if the one yuan was already in her pocket.
When the others saw her, they had initially wondered if Gu Jiaojiao had really turned a new leaf. But seeing her movents, which were even slower than in the morning, they imdiately scoffed.
’This bet... Gu Jiaojiao is definitely going to lose!’
By evening, almost everyone was done. Wu Cuizhi had finished her portion as well. She stood up and shot Gu Jiaojiao a mocking glance.
"Oh my, you still have so much left! You’d better get a move on."
With that, she walked away, swaying her hips coquettishly.
Seeing that Gu Jiaojiao wouldn’t be able to finish, Aunt Zhao went over to help after completing her own work, but Gu Jiaojiao refused her offer.
"Auntie, you’ve worked all day and must be tired. You should head ho!"
’Everyone has been working, and everyone is tired. No one is just sitting around. Besides, Aunt Zhao has a large family to look after. How could I possibly let her stay here and help ?’
Aunt Zhao didn’t say anything, nor did she leave. She simply started helping Gu Jiaojiao with the work. This made Gu Jiaojiao feel rather embarrassed, but out of respect for her kind intentions, she didn’t protest again.
After working for a short while, Aunt Zhao looked up and saw Leng Yuan walking over, a look of pure surprise on her face.
The n’s work was heavier and more tiring than the won’s. It was rare for any man to co to the threshing ground after finishing his work in the fields.
Leng Yuan walked over, saw Aunt Zhao helping, and thanked her. "Auntie, thank you for looking after Jiaojiao."
Aunt Zhao was on good terms with Leng Yuan. She had children who would be starting school, and she hoped Leng Yuan might look out for them a bit in the future. So, she smiled and replied.
"Don’t be so formal. When it ca to Sister-in-law Xiu Hua, we owe everything to Jiaojiao. If it weren’t for her, our family would have been devastated. All I’m doing is a little work, there’s no need for thanks."
But Leng Yuan thanked her politely again and urged her to head ho.
This ti, Aunt Zhao didn’t refuse. She made way for Leng Yuan and left.
Soon, they were the only two left on the threshing ground. The sun was about to set, and Gu Jiaojiao felt a little embarrassed. ’It’s bad enough that I’m so slow, but now I’m making Leng Yuan help too.’
But Leng Yuan wouldn’t let Gu Jiaojiao work any longer. In one smooth motion, he lifted her and her stool to the side, then sat down and started working himself.
For a man, shelling corn was easy work. A man’s palms were larger; he could grip an ear of corn and finish it in two or three quick twists.
Gu Jiaojiao was stunned by his speed.
’Can it really be done that fast?’
She was certain that if Leng Yuan were assigned to shelling corn, he could finish a full day’s quota for soone else in just half a day.
In fact, it wasn’t just shelling corn. When it ca to picking and hauling corn, others would take a whole day to earn twelve work points, but Leng Yuan could finish the task with ease and still go ho early.
Watching the man work at lightning speed, she couldn’t help but wonder, ’What is this man made of? How can he be so capable?’
Gu Jiaojiao watched him work with delight. Finally, just before dark, he had taken care of all the remaining corn.
Leng Yuan cleaned up, and then they headed ho together.
He didn’t let Gu Jiaojiao cook when they got back, either. However, the al was prepared under her direction.
Gu Jiaojiao taught Leng Yuan how to make a bone broth soup, and they also made a dish of dry-fried green beans. They hadn’t finished the at Gu Jiaojiao had bought earlier, so it had been preserved with salt.
Tonight, they stir-fried the remaining pound of it. Their staple food was corn noodles.
"Leng Yuan, Aunt Zhao helped a lot today. I’d like to bring so of this bone soup over to her."
Leng Yuan didn’t object and imdiately ladled so out.
User Comments
0 comments from readers