farm daughter-in-law

Chapter 35

As the mountain road went further inward, the road conditions became more and more rugged. He Sheng walked in front carrying a bamboo basket, and Zhang Xihua followed behind him with a bamboo basket on his back. They walked into the mountain along a stream, with low bushes growing on both sides of the stream. At this time, the water level in the stream has also dropped a lot, and some aquatic plants have withered and turned yellow without the nourishment of the stream.

He Sheng, who was walking in front, stopped suddenly, and Zhang Xihua also stopped, only to find that they had arrived at a relatively spacious place, surrounded by several big trees to form a natural sunshade, under the trees were placed large and small Different smooth stones should be used by passers-by to rest.

Zhang Xihua asked: "Is it almost here?"

He Sheng put down the basket and replied, "Not yet, let's sit here for a while." Seeing that she was getting more and more difficult to follow, he could only stop and rest for a while before leaving.

Now let alone half an hour before we can reach our destination. The reason why the charcoal cellar was built so far away is that there is no other way. There is no good wood in the mountains too close to the village. If the charcoal burned is not durable, it will not be sold at all. Not a good price.

Zhang Xihua didn't ask any more questions. She handed the water skin bag to her husband, and they both drank a few sips of water. While Zhang Xihua was sitting, He Sheng walked into the stream alone, tied up his trouser legs and sleeves, bent down He took water and scrubbed his hands and feet.

She sweated a lot on the way, and Zhang Xihua was also sweaty, so she walked over and washed her face and neck with a wet handkerchief, and she immediately felt much cooler.

The mountains and forests are silent, with only the occasional sound of birds chirping in their ears. They have not met a pedestrian after walking for so long, and they guess that everyone is rushing to water the crops in the field.

He Sheng turned his head to look at Zhang Xihua, her hair on the forehead was quite wet, and she slightly unbuttoned the two buttons on the collar, revealing a few drops of water hanging on her fair skin, and suddenly realized that her focus was somewhat No, He Sheng turned his head and said in a deep voice, "Pass me the handkerchief."

Zhang Xihua was taken aback, guessing that he must have forgotten to bring the handkerchief, so she handed the one she was using to her husband in a moment.

He Sheng took his wife's veil and wiped it casually, and washed it thoroughly in the stream before handing it back to her, saying, "Let's go when you're done resting."

It took half an hour before the couple reached the charcoal cellar.The charcoal cellar was built on the mountainside. For convenience, they also built a thatched house nearby. There are all places for sleeping and cooking in the house.

Second Uncle He was squatting at the entrance of the cellar at the moment, with a neat pile of better charcoal piled beside him. Seeing the two of them, Second Uncle He laughed heartily and said, "Ah Sheng, daughter-in-law of A Sheng, it's just a coincidence for you to come. Come take a look, the charcoal burning in our cellar is really good."

Hearing this, He Sheng's face, which had been expressionless for a long time, suddenly relaxed, and it was rare that the corners of his mouth cracked and he said with a smile: "That's really good."

As he said that, he hurried over, threw away the basket and squatted with Uncle He and took a look at the charcoal from the cellar one by one. Seeing that the charcoal was completely burned, there were basically no corners left. All that comes out is a smile.

Zhang Xihua was also affected by the joy, and the worries of the past few days were relieved a lot.

Second Uncle He said: "We have to pick up the charcoal and go home as soon as possible."

I never thought that there would be so little rain this year, otherwise they would be able to receive the charcoal at home before the autumn harvest. At this time, they still need to coordinate the time.

Thinking for a moment that there are still a few acres of fields that need to be filled with water, He Sheng gradually put away his smile, and said after a while: "Second uncle is right, we can't keep people here all the time, my fields are almost watered, Let me pick the charcoal."

Second Uncle He said: "I'll let Ah Fu pick it together, and you two will pick it up in ten days or so." Ah Fu is Uncle He's eldest son. It has been ten days, and now he is even more worried about the crops at home, anxiously thinking about going home to have a look.

He Sheng also understood his second uncle's worries, so he said, "Okay. Ah Fu and I pick two back and forth every day, and I guess we'll finish picking soon."

After the uncle and nephew finished speaking, they began to work in silence.

There is a door at the entrance of the cellar. From the door, you can see the charcoal neatly stacked inside, which is dark. At this time, the temperature inside is quite high. Although the second uncle said that the quality of the charcoal is very good, He Sheng still climbed in under the heat to personally I confirmed it.

Uncle He had just selected some charcoal to check the quality. After confirming that it was out of the cellar, He Sheng carefully put the charcoal that he picked out earlier into a basket, and took it home with him on the return journey.

Seeing the two men busy in full swing, Zhang Xihua observed for a while, and it was getting late, so she packed up and prepared lunch for the three of them.

In the morning, I specially posted a few tortillas, which only need to be heated once to serve as a staple food. Because the thatched cottage is close to the stream, Zhang Xihua also picked a few edible wild vegetables and cooked a pot of soup.

Paired with a few pickles brought from home, it is also a hearty meal.

(End of this chapter)