Bab 29: Chapter 27 Sister Liu Arrives
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The spicy hot pot with slices of beef, pork, vegetables, a bit of smoked fish, and chicken wasn't abundant in variety, but the three of them devoured it with relish.
They also made grilled meats, using the grill and stove exchanged from the base. The grilled meat dipped in chili powder, wrapped in vegetable leaves, was incredibly satisfying to eat.
With a little alcohol, Xue Dong and Qin Jianzhong drank sorghum wine, while Li Pan enjoyed a sweet drink made from honeysuckle and stevia.
"Tomorrow let's fry the meatballs and prepare some ready-to-eat food to store in my space. I'm guessing once the rainy season is over, it'll be time to harvest, and there won't be time to cook. Let's make the most of the rain and get it done in advance, so we don't have to keep running back and forth."
"Sure, it's nice to have some fried food with oil once in a while. It's been years since I've had such good dishes."
Xue Dong couldn't help but chuckle.
"Exactly, it's been so long since we had fried food--too wasteful of oil, and there's not that much stuff to fry anyway."
There wasn't even enough grain to eat, so Qin Jianzhong also shook his head and sighed.
"We used to ration our household grain tightly, but now we have quite a bit left over. The new grain will soon be ready to harvest, so let's steam some bread and rice, make some dishes. My space maintains warmth and freshness. When we have our harvest, we should eat well; otherwise, we won't have the energy to do manual labor."
Li Pan thought about planning ahead.
"Okay, since there's nothing else to do when it's raining, let's work on it together."
When it got dark, Qin Jianzhong led the wolf pack on patrol. The closer it got to harvest, the less they could afford to let their guard down, as the scent would attract wild beasts.
At home, Li Pan worked on the dough and steamed rice. This task wasn't tiring, and she could do it for a couple of hours before bedtime. Now with the space, storing things was more convenient.
Xue Dong went to check the cowsheds, pigsties, and sheep pens one by one, then took a round in the fields before returning home.
Li Pan got up early and went to the fields to apply her superpower and check the conditions. Returning home, she cooked more food to put in her space, foreseeing that once the harvest came, it would be a busy time without moments to spare for cooking.
In the afternoon, Liu Qian arrived.
"Xue Dong, Jianzhong, Sister Pan'er, I'm here. Just tell me what needs to be done, I can take on any task—I've done almost every kind of farm work."
Liu Qian with her short hair was especially efficient, a high-level Ice Element superpower user with formidable combat ability, honest and straightforward in temperament, a bit hot-headed, but well-liked and protective of her friends. No one could take advantage of her; those who tried would definitely hit a snag.
"Sister Qian'er, it's great you're here, now I have company," Li Pan said.
"Indeed, I was so glad when the Base Commander asked me to come and work here. I dashed over early in the morning. I figured your place was about ready for the harvest, so coming over, I could get some work done."
"Sister, you're the best. Once the rainy season is over and it dries up a bit, we'll be ready to harvest. Are you hungry? Have you eaten? I've got some food ready, was just about to eat; join me."
"Sure, I haven't eaten lunch and am a bit hungry. Let me know what tasks there are, I can handle them. I'm no less capable than Jianzhong—in fact, I can do even more."
Liu Qian could hold her ground among men, earning their respect not as a weak or fussy woman but as an outstanding and straightforward one in every aspect.
"Hey, talk is talk, but why step on me? I haven't even done anything to you," Qin Jianzhong retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Look at you, taking such a high salary and so many Contribution Points. I'm telling you, lots of people in the team are envious of you. If you don't put in the work, I'll talk to the Base Commander and get you sent back to eat coarse grain buns."
Liu Qian teased Qin Jianzhong with a laugh.
Qin Jianzhong, indignant, protested, "How have I not been working hard? Why would you send me back? They're just jealous because I can eat my fill."
"Well, since I'm here, don't even think about slacking off. I've also got a mission—after the harvest, I need to transport the grain back to the base. There'll be people waiting for it."
Liu Qian huffed.
The group enjoyed a good relationship, teasing and playing jokes on each other.
"You just focus on working hard. Why are you looking at me? There's a mountain of work to do."
Qin Jianzhong, too annoyed to keep talking to her, still brought her a plate of food, knowing she must be hungry after rushing over for hours.
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We had agreed before that we would sell the crops to the base after a good harvest.
Liu Qian hurriedly ate a bite of food and then followed Qin Jianzhong to get familiar with the farm work, helping out as an assistant.
In the afternoon, Li Pan went to the fields to channel her superpower, came back to cook something for the pigs and the Wolf pack, sat there making baskets; the bamboo, white vine, and red vine she had cut earlier were brought back and could be used to make furniture or tools.
She didn't know how to make furniture but could weave carrying baskets and regular baskets, which were convenient for carrying things. She sat and watched movies, keeping her hands busy without stopping.
Xue Dong pestered the Base Commander and exchanged for an old projector, downloaded movies that could alleviate boredom.
Liu Qian and Qin Jianzhong also finished their work and came back.
"Sister, I've tidied up your room for you, made your bed and put all your bathing stuff by your bedside. If you need anything, just tell me. The room across from yours has a bathroom for your personal use, while they use the two bathrooms on the right."
"Okay, thanks, girl."
Liu Qian changed her clothes, and upon entering her room, she saw that everything was neatly arranged; brand new sheets, quilts, pajamas, there was even a closet for clothes, a nightstand for small items, and even a new thermos.
She couldn't help but smile, this girl was truly earnest; she appreciated her effort. Coming here was the right choice.
She had to work hard, aim to stay and work long term.
After changing into clean clothes and washing her face, she came out.
"Making baskets, let me do it. I'm familiar with this work. You go and do something else."
Liu Qian came over to take over the basket weaving from Li Pan and started working on it.
"Alright, I'll go cook. We're having fish today; we still have leftover hotpot from yesterday, and I've also picked vegetables. I'll cook a few more dishes."
"Don't make too much. Overeating is a waste of food; we should eat sparingly."
"The harvest is about to come in; I'll make more for when we work. That Spirit Plant I awakened can be used when I have space."
"I'll help you in a bit. I can't cook, but I have no problem with tending the fire or washing vegetables."
With Liu Qian around, there were more hands to help, and many of the harder tasks didn't have to be done by Li Pan; they were all dependable and worked solidly without any laziness. She felt a bit sorry for them deep inside.
During meals, she would make extra meat and grains so they could have a full meal with plenty of nutrition.
The strawberries had ripened these past few days, and Li Pan brought Liu Qian along to pick them and place them in storage. Whatever they couldn't eat, they would sell to the base.
Liu Qian saw the abundant strawberries and was worried they would spoil, so she asked Li Pan and Xue Dong.
"Pan'er, Xue Dong, these strawberries spoil quickly, we should sell them fast."
"Who would feel like coming with the rain pouring like this?"
"If you agree to sell, I'll find people to come."
"Then go find people. There are also vegetables and herbs; just take them all and give us a price."
"Done."
Liu Qian immediately called up some people, and soon she said, "I've found people. They'll come tomorrow. The weather bureau said the rain might stop in a couple of days, so we need to prepare for work."
"Yes, we need to work, but there's no rush. We need the sun to shine for a few days first. The fields are too damp. Once the rain stops, we can go up the mountain to see if there are any mushrooms or something to pick and dry."
"That's a good idea. Last night, I saw cinnamon; we should gather a batch."
"I was thinking of harvesting it too, but with not enough hands to help, I got too busy and forgot about it. Sister, let's go together later."
"Okay."
Liu Qian was a straightforward person and got along very well with Li Pan, taking care of her everywhere and hardly letting her do the hard work, taking it upon herself instead.
Hadiah
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