The kang (heated brick bed) for left-behind women

Transplanting is a technical skill, but also a physically demanding one, requiring precise timing and techniques.

Lin Dachun chose a cloudy day, which was the ideal weather for transplanting.

Before dawn, the two of them went up the mountain with a full set of tools—shovels of various sizes, buckets, carrying poles, and a basket of their own composted, not-so-good-tasting farmyard manure.

The process is repetitive and arduous.

Li Ruoxue was responsible for carefully digging up the sea buckthorn seedlings from the seedbed with the roots and soil along with the soil around the pre-marked pits, trying to keep the soil ball intact and reduce root damage.

Her movements were gentle, as if she were holding a fragile treasure, and she carefully checked the roots of each seedling to ensure they were intact.

Lin Dachun was in charge of planting.

He took the seedling with soil attached, placed it in the shallow pit he had dug, straightened it, and then used both hands to backfill and compact the surrounding fine soil to ensure that the roots of the seedling were in close contact with the soil without leaving any gaps.

Then, he scooped up a ladle of pre-dried, lukewarm water from the bucket next to him and slowly poured it over the roots.

Finally, sprinkle a small handful of well-rotted fertilizer around the base of the seedling and cover it with a thin layer of soil.

"The soil needs to be compacted so that the roots can adhere firmly."

"Water thoroughly, but avoid waterlogging."

Keep fertilizer away from the roots to avoid burning the seedlings.

As Lin Dachun worked, he quietly explained the key points to Li Ruoxue.

From dawn till dusk, the two of them repeated the actions of digging, taking, planting, watering, and covering on this slope.

When we get tired, we sit on the edge of the field, drink some water, and eat a couple of bites of cold cornbread.

One day, two days, three days...

For a whole week, apart from necessary meals, sleep, and tending to the remaining seedbeds, the two practically lived on this hillside.

After the last sea buckthorn seedling took root firmly in the newly dug pit and was watered, Lin Dachun and Li Ruoxue stood on the top of the slope and looked out.

The former barren slope has been covered by rows and rows of neat green seedlings.

"They've all been planted." Lin Dachun's voice was hoarse, but it carried a sense of satisfaction that everything had finally settled.

"Yes, they've all been planted," Li Ruoxue replied softly, a long-lost, relaxed smile appearing on her lips.

All the hard work of the week seemed to be offset by this patch of new greenery.

"I'm so tired, my hands are covered in calluses." Li Ruoxue felt sorry for her.

Lin Dachun quickly took her hand and began to examine it.

Indeed, her once slender and pink hands are now covered in sea buckthorn cuts, cracks, and calluses.

"It also makes my heart ache. When we get home, I'll apply some safflower ointment to it for you. Let's go home. We've finally completed the first step." Lin Dachun looked at the sea buckthorn forest with great satisfaction.

"Is this just the beginning?"

"yes."

Transplanted seedlings are the most vulnerable and require more careful management—sun protection, drought prevention, pest and disease prevention, as well as timely fertilization and weeding.

"Won't someone sabotage this?" Li Ruoxue asked worriedly.

"I can't rule it out, so I'll have to keep an eye on things when I have time. Let's go, that's enough for today, we're all tired. How about we go back and take a hot bath? It's been a while since we've had one. Last time you scrubbed my back, this time I'll scrub yours," Lin Dachun joked.

"No way!" Li Ruoxue blushed.

"Starting tomorrow, we'll water it twice a day. The first few days are the most crucial." Lin Dachun has already begun planning the next steps.

"I know," Li Ruoxue nodded. "I'll come in the morning, you can come in the afternoon, and you should come again tonight."

"I can handle everything. You just stay home and rest. You've been working too hard lately. I feel sorry for you," Lin Dachun said truthfully.

The two packed up their tools and descended the mountain in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Li Ruoxue went to cook dinner first.

After the two of them finished dinner, they boiled water.

Because of the heated brick bed, hot water was available while cooking.

Wait until it gets dark.

Lin Dachun then closed the door to the cave dwelling. This time, he also sealed the gaps in the door, so from the outside, there was no chance of being spied on.

Lin Dachun moved the wooden bucket over and placed it in the middle.

After ten days of hard work, a hot bath is the most comfortable treat.