Jiang Xinyu really couldn't refuse Wang Ailing's enthusiasm, so she returned to the main room, took another bowl, and the two went to the canteen together.
Breakfast is at eight-thirty, but by the time it was Jiang Xinyu's turn, it was estimated to be nine o'clock.
Holding the porridge, she saw Wang Ailing waiting for her today.
"Xinyu, let's eat at the canteen first then head out, I'll accompany you to gather firewood today."
"Ailing, sure, but I don't need your help. You carry home the firewood you collect yourself, I can handle it slowly on my own."
"Okay, there's a spot over there, let's hurry and sit over to eat."
Jiang Xinyu originally intended to take it home, but seeing this situation, it seemed not possible to not eat here.
The two sat down, watching Wang Ailing with her bowl without using chopsticks, slurping the porridge.
Helplessly, she also picked up her bowl and drank in big gulps, not even knowing what it tasted like, just feeling nauseated.
"Eat slower, if it's not enough, I'll save you some."
"No need, I just want to finish quickly." Such refusal, who knows if it would hurt the girl's feelings?
After the two finished eating together, Jiang Xinyu saw this local beauty cautiously scraping the porridge from the bowl with chopsticks. What an eye-opener, chopsticks can be used this way.
Having bowed countless times already, one more won't hurt, so she imitated the beauty opposite her, gathering the porridge stuck to the bowl into her mouth, finding out it was the most delicious part, even if it was corn grits, at least it was grain, not wild vegetables.
"Xinyu, go back and get your backpack, I'll go back and inform my brother, we'll be responsible for gathering, and let him find us in the afternoon and help carry the firewood back."
"Ailing, isn't that a bit much?" One should at least politely refuse.
"What's wrong with that? He has the strength, no problem, don't always be so particular." Wang Ailing rolled her eyes at Jiang Xinyu.
Alright, alright, you're the boss, you make the decisions. The two walked for a while then parted ways to go home.
After Jiang Xinyu got home, she cleaned the bowl, strapped on her backpack, picked up a rake, some rope, and a firewood knife.
This set of tools is precious, because due to the great steel production drive, every household had to scrap metal, so there were very few left in the village.
It's only because Mr. Jiang put the big pot on the line that he managed to keep this firewood knife.
She went out, relying on memory, and walked to the doorway of Wang Ailing's house, no need to knock, this straightforward beauty already came out with her backpack, carrying a rake.
"Not bad, quite fast, no dawdling today. Let's go, did you bring water?"
Jiang Xinyu widened her eyes, she really forgot, "I'll go home to get it."
"You, hurry up, I'll wait for you at the foot of the mountain."
"Okay, I'll catch up with you soon."
Jiang Xinyu strapped on her backpack, Wang Ailing took the rake, and she ran home. Seeing the green military water bottle hanging from the eaves, she hurriedly took it down, filled it, strapped it on, and rushed out.
Hurrying, she caught up with Wang Ailing and took the rake.
With a protagonist capable of holding up a show, Jiang Xinyu was responsible for listening, occasionally throwing in a word.
"Xinyu, you need to be a bit more observant, don't keep your head down all the time, look at their expressions, you're quite the catch now."
"Ailing, what's the situation? I've become an orphan, how could I be a catch?"
"Your job, the county job."
"Oh? They want my job?"
"Yes, I've heard many families want to marry you, this way they'll get a wife, and also house and job."
"Basically, I'm the one they're eyeing?"
"You're always so quiet, from now on you need to be a bit tougher, don't let others bully you."
"I don't care what others think, but if they want me to agree, that's impossible." Jiang Xinyu stiffened her neck and said defiantly.
"Stupid, fool. Don't end up having to agree even if you don't want to."
"Why? Will they tie me up?"
"What if it's a done deal, what will you do then?"
"I'll, I'll report to the police."
"And how will you live after that? A woman still has to face society. Even if you do get married later, your husband will disdain you."
This really frightened Jiang Xinyu, yes, in this era women's virtue is highly regarded, would she, like her previous life, remain single?
No, definitely not this time, having come back to life and crossed worlds, she needs some change, she also wants her own man, family, and children.
"Xinyu, that's why I keep advising you to find someone you like, with a decent family, and quickly get married. This way, you'll have fewer troubles.
Also, don't have unrealistic ideas. If you really want to marry someone from the city, even if you have a job now, they won't value you. Living as a couple with a husband who looks down on you, you'd be better off as a widow."
Jiang Xinyu admired Wang Ailing, giving a thumbs-up. "Sis, you're strong."
"Calling me sis now? Although I'm only six months older, you were always reluctant before."
"Sis, you're my idol, please accept my kneeling. I truly admire you, really."
"Be serious, consider carefully what I've said."
"Sis, what if I sell my job?"
"But haven't you always wanted to live in the city? Your parents exchanged their lives for this."
"I need to think now, I don't want to marry so early, perhaps there's another way."
As they talked, they reached the mouth of the valley. Wang Ailing didn't stop, continuing to walk inside.
A shout came from behind, both stopped, turning to see three girls running towards them.
"See, those who care catch up." Wang Ailing chuckled.
Jiang Xinyu thought for a moment about the identity of these three girls. Oh, daughters of the village head, the prettiest girls in the village, the dream of all the young men. She used to be incredibly envious of them. The other two were daughters of two squad leaders, both two years older than Jiang Xinyu.
Seeing the three girls running over, Jiang Xinyu thought, they're not so beautiful after all?
"Xinyu, Ailing, let's gather firewood together."
"Mengjie, do you even need to gather firewood?" Wang Ailing asked with a smile, but Jiang Xinyu could sense the sarcasm.
"I'm also a laborer, of course I work, what do you mean by that, Wang Ailing?"
"Nothing at all. Let's go, don't waste time."
The group turned into a fivesome, so conversation wasn't as casual as before, Jiang Xinyu turned back into a silent one.
"Xinyu, why don't you speak?" Mengjie was really disdainful of this village girl.
"I, I don't know what to say?"