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

The livestock market was filled with all sorts of noises and smells.

Lin Dachun carried an empty basket on his back, with Li Ruoxue following beside him, holding his hand. The two carefully selected lambs from the flocks of bleating lambs.

Lin Dachun observed the lamb with exceptional care, prying open its mouth to check its teeth, feeling its ribs to determine its fatness or leanness, and pinching its hooves to check its sturdiness.

He chose eleven lambs, eight females and three males.

Ewes are the hope of the future; they can give birth to ewes and produce milk.

The rams are raised to adulthood to be sold for meat, or kept for breeding.

After a fierce bargaining session with the sheep dealer, they finally bought all of them with the money they had earned from selling venison and antlers.

The lambs, with their moist black noses and innocent, clear eyes, huddled together, making soft "baa" sounds—they were incredibly cute.

"Look at this one, it has a tuft of white hair on its forehead!" Li Ruoxue said happily, pointing to one of the most lively little ewes.

"Yes, this skeleton is good. It will definitely grow into a big sheep in the future." Lin Dachun nodded, his eyes full of smiles.

The two of them, leading this small, unsteady procession back home, became the most eye-catching sight on the road.

The lambs occasionally try to nibble on the grass shoots by the roadside, requiring patient guidance.

Lin Dachun walked slowly, and Li Ruoxue helped take care of him from the side, her face always beaming with a smile.

These are not just eleven sheep; they represent their future industry, a vibrant and hopeful future.

The journey home took a long time; the lambs wandered around, eating and walking.

Even grass doesn't grow lush on this Loess Plateau, so herding sheep is the only option left out.

Back in the cave dwelling, Lin Dachun had already built a simple yet sturdy sheepfold in the backyard that could shelter them from the wind and rain.

When the lambs were herded inside, they were initially a little panicked and huddled together, but they were quickly attracted by the clean hay and water prepared in the pen and began to eat tentatively.

Looking at the new members in the sheepfold and listening to their soft bleating, Lin Dachun and Li Ruoxue stood outside the pen, their hearts filled with a real sense of satisfaction.

Sea buckthorn takes root in the ground, and lambs make their home in the pen. This courtyard, which was once filled with only sadness and silence, is gradually being filled with vitality and hope.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll drive them to the grassy areas on the back hill in the morning," Lin Dachun planned. "When you're free during the day, cut some fresh grass to feed them in the evening."

"Yes, I've got it." Li Ruoxue nodded vigorously, her gaze gently falling on the little creatures.

"Let's go cook lunch. Keep it simple for lunch, because Ma Guihua is coming over for drinks tonight to celebrate," Lin Dachun said.

"Okay, I'll go burn it." Li Ruoxue happily went off.

"Ruoxue, is the new one you bought suitable? Is it okay?" Lin Dachun regretted asking as soon as he finished speaking. Why did he even ask?

"I just care about you. If it's not a good fit, we can find someone else. Your health is the most important thing," Lin Dachun quickly added.

"It's comfortable, much better than before," Li Ruoxue replied.

In those days, women who menstruated used sanitary napkins or toilet paper, which were very inconvenient.

"I'll go cook." Li Ruoxue went off happily.

After lunch, Lin Dachun went up the mountain.

First, I'll check on the sea buckthorn situation, and second, I'll go pull some grass to prepare for the sheep.

Now, sea buckthorn and sheep are like Lin Dachun's children; he puts all his hard work into them.

Li Ruoxue worked until dusk before returning home and started cooking dinner early. She made a stew of potatoes and pork, a local specialty. It was a large bowlful, served with other vegetables, making it quite a feast.

Ma Guihua also brought over some wine and side dishes.