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墨書 Inktalez
After Dulisa left, Xiao Fang asked the master with concern about the reason for the emotional fluctuations during the day. Yezhi had nothing to hide from Xiao Fang and explained everything in detail. After hearing this, Xiao Fang's mind began to race. It had been spending time at Cosmic Mall not just to pass the time, but to gather market information.
Suddenly, a bright idea appeared above Xiao Fang's head like a light bulb. "Master, let's buy a hidden protective net!"
Upon hearing Xiao Fang's suggestion, Yezhi's eyes lit up. If safety measures were foolproof, she could rest easy. She urged Xiao Fang to quickly open the Cosmic Mall website to make the purchase. However, Xiao Fang shook its head and refused, calculatingly saying, "Master, online shopping doesn't offer any discounts. It's better to go directly to the mall and bargain!"
Yezhi couldn't escape Dulisa's invitation; she would have to go buy it in person next week. For now, she decided to endure for a few days. With a decision made, Yezhi logged off and closed her eyes in the dark, concentrating on counting sheep. After counting to eight thousand or even ten thousand, she finally fell asleep.
The next day, before Aunt Zhou had even left the house, Flower Sister, Zhou Da and Zhou Xiao's mother, brought over two little geese. Yezhi couldn't refuse; Aunt Zhou took out money and insisted on giving it to Flower Sister.
With the addition of these two snow-white little geese in the front yard, it became livelier. Black Treasure was thrilled to have two new playmates! The big chicken often bullied them, causing the little geese to squawk in surprise. However, brave and caring Black Treasure protected them. The little geese seemed to know who treated them best and became inseparable from Black Treasure, even sleeping together. Yezhi and Aunt Zhou reluctantly moved the bear den outside; Black Treasure protested by scratching at the wooden door and accompanied by the little geese's quacking sounds drove Yezhi crazy. Aunt Zhou's heart was softer than Yezhi's; unable to bear it any longer, she let Black Treasure back inside. At that moment, the two little geese started banging on the door again. When Aunt Zhou compromised and let them in, they snuggled up into Black Treasure's fluffy embrace. After sharing a bittersweet smile with Aunt Zhou, Yezhi blew out the candle.
In August, during the peak of summer, Yezhi rode her folding bike to the rice fields. The lush green rice plants had begun to sprout ears of grain, symbolizing a bountiful harvest. The villagers were both happy and anxious; Village Uncle felt the most pressure as he kept a close watch on things. He couldn't sleep at night and would roll out his bedding in the rice fields just so he could catch some rest.
When Zhou San saw Yezhi arrive, he pointed her out to Village Uncle nearby. Yezhi smiled and nodded at Zhou San as she walked over to where the villagers were living. Aunt Li was stewing a big fish. "Auntie, this meal looks great!"
Aunt Li turned around upon hearing Yezhi's voice and cheerfully replied, "Yezhi! Didn't you say we should make sure everyone who works eats well? Your uncle is strictly enforcing that!"
This was indeed something Yezhi had said; they didn't even have relief food available. Everyone's stored grain wouldn't last through winter no matter how frugally they managed it. It was better for everyone to eat their fill now; once the rice fields yielded a good harvest, all problems would be solved.
"Yezhi! What brings you here?" Village Uncle wiped his sweat with his straw hat. Just as Yezhi was about to explain her purpose for coming, she was surprised to see Xiao Cheng covered in mud.
Today was a school holiday, so Xiao Cheng came with Zhou San to check on the rice fields and also had something to discuss with the village chief. Seeing the familiar rolling green rice fields made him smell the fragrance of hometown rice in his nostrils. "Comrade Yezhi, am I not allowed to come?"
"I'm just surprised that Teacher Xiao also farms!"
"Teacher Xiao, you really have skills. You taught us how to prevent pests and also shared tips on ear emergence and flowering," Village Uncle praised happily.
Yezhi shot a hostile glance at Xiao Cheng, who had taken her teacher's job and even claimed to be an expert in rice cultivation. "Actually, Zhoujiatun is truly a place with great mountains and good water. Looking at the vibrant rice fields, it will definitely yield a good harvest!"
Village Uncle loved hearing this. If Yezhi had scattered so many 'energy' stones and there was no harvest, it would be a huge loss. "Comrade Yezhi, Village Uncle says this seed was brought by your uncle for trial planting. Since your rice fields have grown so quickly since the disaster, if there’s a real harvest, it will be a blessing for the country and the people!" Xiao Cheng said with excitement.
However, Yezhi wanted to turn Bilo into the best rice in Northeast China. If it were promoted nationwide, it would lose its value—blessing my foot.
"Everyone, come eat!" Aunt Li shouted.
Yezhi did not respond to Xiao Cheng but actively organized the meal preparations. Soon, a group of muddy-legged men climbed up from the fields. The uncles stationed at the rice fields were all capable and hardworking individuals; only after ensuring their rations did Aunt Li sit down with her bowl of fish soup. Yezhi broke off half of her flatbread made from mixed grains and handed it to Aunt Li. Aunt Li shook her head, but Yezhi insisted, so Aunt Li could only smile and accept it. Xiao Cheng noticed this and felt embarrassed; the village chief sitting next to him had no fish in his bowl while his was full.
Yezhi noticed Xiao Cheng blushing and sat down beside him with her bowl. "Why sigh? Don’t be shy! This is to take care of you since you're new here; enjoy your meal, Teacher Xiao, it's a token of appreciation!"
Xiao Cheng felt uncomfortable with Yezhi sitting too close and subtly shifted closer to the village chief. When Yezhi noticed his movement, she mischievously shifted closer as well. Xiao Cheng glanced at Yezhi's smiling face, his face turning redder than ever. Yezhi couldn't help but burst into laughter. Village Uncle watched their antics and recalled what Da Zhu had told him; he exchanged a knowing glance with Aunt Li, silently saying, "This is interesting!"
Yezhi stopped teasing Xiao Cheng and moved away a bit. "Teacher Xiao, where are you from?"
Xiao Cheng realized that this comrade Yezhi enjoyed joking around; he sat up straight. "I’m Hunanese!" Yezhi exclaimed in surprise, "Did you bring any chili peppers?" Red chili peppers were her favorite; she hadn't had them in ages and missed them dearly.
Village Uncle was puzzled. "Yezhi, didn’t you plant some in your garden? How are they all gone? I still have some at my place; go home and ask Meizi for some!"
Yezhi shook her head; she had green peppers at home. Village Uncle found it strange that this girl was looking at Teacher Xiao for chili peppers. Surprisingly, Xiao Cheng actually had chopped chili and chili sauce with him; Yezhi looked like someone who hadn’t eaten them in ages.
Yezhi said without any hesitation, "Then later, let’s go get some from your place!"
Yezhi moved to sit next to Village Uncle and got down to business. "Village Uncle, I just walked around the rice fields. Shouldn't we buy some ducks to try raising them?" This was the real reason Yezhi had come to the rice fields. Village Uncle slapped his forehead; he almost forgot about that! So Yezhi and Village Uncle exchanged opinions, and Xiao Cheng also offered his thoughts. They decided to procure a batch of ducklings from the supply and marketing cooperative, duck farmers, and villagers all at once. Yezhi then chased after Xiao Cheng back to Zhou San's House to divide the chili peppers.
For Yezhi, who was always enthusiastic about food, she happily returned home with the chopped chili and chili sauce that Xiao Cheng had given her.
In the afternoon, she took Black Treasure to the riverbank to catch fish, with two little geese following along. Black Treasure splashed around in the water for an hour and finally caught four grass carps weighing about a pound each.
Just as they returned home with the hardworking Black Treasure, One Egg and Dogzi came running over. "Sister Ye, if you want fish, just tell me! Look how small this fish is."
Yezhi chuckled, "I was planning to invite you for dinner, but since you think the fish is too small, I won't keep you! I'll just keep Dogzi!"
"That won't do, Sister Ye! If I can't eat your cooking, I won't be able to sleep," One Egg cried out in distress. Dogzi smugly winked at One Egg, "Sister Ye is right! Don't let One Egg eat!"
One Egg suddenly remembered something and pulled out a piece of yellow paper from his pocket. "Sister Ye, this is realgar for your protection!" Yezhi playfully hit One Egg and accepted it with a smile.
Yezhi sat on a stool directing the child laborer One Egg to kill the fish while Dogzi made the dough. Once One Egg finished preparing the fish, Yezhi told them both to stand still and learn properly. She even lectured the little kids: knowing how to cook is essential for finding a wife.
"Sister Ye, isn't getting a wife just about cooking and having kids?" Dogzi asked eagerly.
Before Yezhi could put the fish into the pot to fry, she first scolded him. "Dogzi, why is your thinking so narrow? Learning is about gaining wisdom and broadening your horizons. The more you learn, the more you regress! A wife should be cherished and loved in your hands; only those who love their wives will succeed!"
Seeing Dogzi being scolded, One Egg laughed heartily. "Sister Ye, my future brother-in-law will definitely be successful; he will surely be someone who cherishes you!"
Before One Egg could finish his sentence, Yezhi felt her face heat up with embarrassment and turned her attention back to cooking the fish.
Yezhi placed the four fish into the oil pan to fry until golden brown. Then she added chopped chili peppers along with scallions, ginger, and garlic into the pan to sauté until fragrant. After that, she added water and soy sauce before finally putting in the fried fish to simmer for a while.
One Egg and the dog were both shouting that it smelled delicious. The dishes they made received praise from some and admiration from others, making Yezhi smile widely. When Aunt Zhou returned home, she was also attracted by the aroma. "Daughter, what delicious food are you making, One Egg? The dog is here too!"
After a few playful exchanges between One Egg, the dog, and Aunt Zhou, Yezhi instructed them to learn how to make pancakes while Aunt Zhou took a basin to wash off the dirt by the well.
At that moment, Black Treasure returned, chewing happily and leading the little goose. Upon seeing “Granny Bear,” Black Treasure wagged its big head and stood up to greet her. Aunt Zhou patted Black Treasure, noticing the Cloth Bag hanging from its head was surprisingly full. When she took it out to check, she found two cucumbers, a peach, several Persimmons, and a few Mountain Red.
Ever since Yezhi made a floral Cloth Bag for Black Treasure a few days ago to hold snacks, the bag had never been empty. Black Treasure even learned to take walks; every time it went out, it never returned empty-handed. As her daughter said: Black Treasure has good relationships and is quite popular!
“Dinner is ready!”
The dog and One Egg eagerly set the table. The four of them sat down together with four fish, just enough for each person to have one. As soon as One Egg and the dog tasted the fish, they both exclaimed that it was “so spicy.” Aunt Zhou also called it spicy, waiting for everyone’s reaction while Yezhi took the last bite. The fish was tender and had a sour-spicy flavor that was very appetizing. The spiciness mixed with the fresh taste of the fish danced in her mouth, with a slight tingling sensation on her tongue, making Yezhi exclaim “so refreshing!”
Seeing how much Yezhi was enjoying herself, the dog, One Egg, and Aunt Zhou bravely tried again. To their surprise, the more they ate, the spicier it became, yet it was so fragrant that they couldn’t stop eating. They each devoured two pancakes alongside the fish. After finishing their meal, they were all sweating profusely. They then drank bowls of thick tomato soup that had cooled down. Holding her round belly, One Egg sighed, “Ah~! This is just too satisfying.”
After cleaning up the dishes, Yezhi told the two kids to head home early. After taking a bath, Aunt Zhou went to bed first. Yezhi soaked some bread in the unsalted tomato soup for Black Treasure. This little guy had somehow snuck a bite without eating dinner and now had a belly that was rumbling like a drum; ignoring it was impossible.
“Master, there’s mail from Cosmic Mall!”
Yezhi logged in with her mind while Xiao Fang helped her open and reply to emails. Ever since she posted photos with Bai Duoya, her inbox had exploded with messages, leaving Xiao Fang busy every day.
As Yezhi opened an email: “Miss Leaf, this is to inform you that the advertisement shoot for Cosmic Mall will take place in the Endless Forest. The shooting time is on the evening of September 10th; Peter will be awaiting your arrival.”
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