Feng Simai wanted to press her case further, but then Yunyi said, "It’s fine, Auntie. There’s no need to trouble two people over one thing. I’ve already spoken with Uncle Suo, so I won’t bother you."
Wang Lanhua also chimed in, "Sister-in-law, I didn’t see you on the ox cart this morning. When did you come to the commune?"
Only then did Feng Simai remember she had come to buy medicine for her younger son. "Oh dear, I almost forgot the most important thing. Doctor Gong is still receiving treatment at the hospital, and Lin Fang has also taken leave. There’s nobody at the village clinic to even dispense medicine. Xiaohu’s feeling a bit unwell, so I came to the health center to get some for him."
After that, the conversation among the people on the cart shifted to Doctor Gong. They also remarked on how truly inconvenient it was with no one manning the clinic.
As the ox cart entered the village, quite a few people were sitting under the large locust tree at the entrance.
Unexpectedly, Geng Erhong was also there, chatting with the villagers. "Yunyi, did you retrieve your package?"
Yunyi smiled back at her. "Mhm, I got it back."
Those sitting under the locust tree heard their conversation and all craned their necks to look at the ox cart.
When only Yunyi was left on the cart, Old Suo cracked his whip on the ground and drove the ox cart towards the small courtyard where Yunyi lived, leaving the others behind to discuss various things.
After bringing all the packages into the courtyard, Yunyi didn’t disappoint Old Suo. She wrapped up two peach crisps in oil paper. "Thank you for today, Uncle. Take these two peach crisps back with you."
Old Suo didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted them. "That Chuanbei’s wife is a blabbermouth and a real handful. It’s better to have less to do with her in the future." For more chapters visit novel·fire.net
Yunyi chuckled. "Thank you for the warning, Uncle."
Old Suo carefully put the two peach crisps into his jacket pocket, then tidied up the things on the cart. Leading the ox away, he slowly headed toward the village storehouse.
Yunyi was about to return to her courtyard when she caught sight of Liu Chenglin approaching in the distance. Even though he was disguised, Yunyi still noticed his injured leg.
Although they were neighbors, they weren’t really acquainted. As curious as I am, it wouldn’t be right to point it out, she thought. She simply gave him a nod and turned back into her courtyard.
First, she opened her own two packages, setting out the items she needed immediately. The rest she stored in her spatial storeroom.
Next was the Gu Family’s package. Inside were a military-issue blanket and a thick quilt. They had probably sent them worried she would be unprepared for the harsh Northeast winters. The postmark was dated the day she left the Capital. Besides the bedding, there were two bags of milk powder, two cans of Malt Essence, and, wrapped in oil paper, four large blocks of brown sugar—clearly artisan-made pure cane sugar.
At the bottom were two sets of work clothes made of durable labor cloth and an 80% new military uniform. A single glance at these items showed how much thought the Gu Family had put into this.
Yunyi was truly grateful for this kindness. The hazelnuts and mountain walnuts on the mountain won’t be ripe for a while yet, she mused. I should first send back some of the mushrooms I’ve dried.
Speaking of sending mushrooms reminded her of the Wei and Hua Families. I’m afraid what I’ve dried so far isn’t enough, she thought. I’ll need to be more diligent.
After stowing everything, she examined the package from the Hua Family. The contents, however, left her rather baffled. What on earth were they thinking? The autumn harvest hasn’t even started, and they’re already worried I’ll freeze to death out here?
Inside was a brand-new women’s military greatcoat and a pair of fur-lined military boots. Tucked into the boot shafts were, to her surprise, four boxes of Snowflake Cream.
At the very bottom, they had considerately included two mosquito nets: one single and one double.
It’s probably because I once casually mentioned that if possible, I’d rent a house and live alone after moving to the countryside, she reflected. Uncle Hua must have remembered that people in the Northeast countryside sleep on large kangs, so he prepared for both situations.
Looking at the items on the kang, she felt a genuine warmth in her heart.