A Young Woman's Heart

"Maybe, I might also grow some cash crops, but that depends on how well I learn."

"That's really great." Mo Xiaoxiao and her sister squatted down beside the pit, watching the weeds in the pit being set ablaze. "A very meaningful major."

"After all, food is the most important thing for people. I think... if I study agriculture, I will never go hungry."

Mo Zhuyou rested her chin on her hand and glanced at him: "Yang Yankai, you look like an old man."

"what?"

"It sounds like something a farmer would say."

"Haha, no matter what, I am the son of a farmer. I don't think there's anything wrong with being a farmer, especially in this era. Besides, this is how we have lived for generations."

Mo Xiaoxiao nodded gently: "Someone has to go and farm."

"It's just that everyone has a different role."

"But the difference in the amount of money received is enormous."

"The advantage lies in stability."

Mr. Xue did not join the discussion because he was attracted to a butterfly with black and red stripes, and like a cat preparing to hunt, his eyes were fixed on it and he couldn't take them off.

……

(three)

The overcast sky and the fire made of burning wild grass were quite warm.

"Alright." Yang Yan stood up, looking at the weeds that had been burned to ashes. "That's fine. Then I'll shovel them all out."

"What happened after you dug it out?" Mo Zhuyou stiffly straightened her legs, swayed, and braced herself against her sister. "Eek—my legs, my legs are numb..."

"Yang Yankai seems to be alright?"

“Ah… in the countryside, you often squat like this, sometimes even eating while squatting at the door with your bowl in your hand.” He picked up the shovel again. “Spread these wood ash back on the land, sprinkle some quicklime, turn the soil over, let it sit for a few days, and then you can start planting.”

"quicklime?"

"Yes, I brought it. It's on the electric scooter, Xiaoxue?"

"Okay, I'll go get it." Mr. Xue reluctantly turned his gaze away from the red and black butterfly and walked towards Mo Xiaoxiao's house.

"Quicklime can disinfect and sterilize, and it can also increase the nutrients in the soil. Well, that's about it." Yang Yankai evenly sprinkled the wood ash on every inch of the land—of course, only on this half.

Mr. Xue soon returned with quicklime.

He didn't see the red and black butterfly again, and seemed a little disappointed.

"Xiaoxue? Is the slope difficult to work on?"

"Thankfully, it should be finished today." Mr. Xue gave a thumbs up. "It would be best to lay some pebbles on it, so it will be more stable."

“There are quite a lot of stones here. We’ll find a lot when we turn over the soil later. You can use those.” Yang Yankai said with the air of someone who had been there before.

"Wow—you're so experienced." Mo Zhuyou exclaimed, recalling the last time she learned about farming. "By the way, Yang Yankai, does your family raise cattle?"

"Yes, I do keep them, but my dad said he won't keep them anymore after this one is finished—it's an old ox."

"Why don't you keep them anymore?" Mo Xiao smiled, bending over and using a small shovel to shovel the ashes onto the soil next to her.

"Because it's more convenient to use tools now."

"But it must consume a lot of fuel, right?"

"But it's very convenient. Compared to raising cattle, which involves herding them and raising them from calves to adults, tools are much more convenient."

"Even oxen will be phased out," Mo Zhuyou sighed sadly.

Yang Yan grinned and put another cigarette in his mouth, laughing, "Not really. In some places, the terrain is complicated, and each field is very small. Harvesters and tillers can't get in, and handheld machines are too heavy. That's where oxen come in. In those places, oxen that can climb mountains by themselves are much more convenient."

"Oh, that's great, it seems I still have a place to use my skills."

"Nothing is absolutely useless; farmers are the best at maximizing the value of everything around them..."

"Haha, it seems like most people are unwilling to admit they are farmers."

"That's because they're superficial," Yang Yankai said with a hint of disdain.

……

(four)

When everything was finally finished, even the cigarette butts on the ground were turned over and buried in the soil.

The sunset was not visible, but the sky was already tinged with a dim, yellowish glow.

Mr. Xue has leveled the slope, making it very solid. Although it is still soft soil, at least it doesn't look like it will be easily washed away by rain.

Stones were also placed on top to make it more stable.

Given the limited tools and materials, this is already quite good.

When Mo Zhuyou and Mo Xiaoxiao came down, they were finally able to walk down instead of crawling down.

“Just wait a few more days, then turn the soil over again, plan the fields, and remember to build ridges so that drainage is easy. It’s like drawing a picture, making ditches in the soil. Plant crops on the higher parts, and use the lower parts for standing or drainage. As for the ditches…” Yang Yankai said, then slapped his forehead, “Forget it, there’s still a lot to do. I’ll come back in three days and get the rest done in one go.”

"I never imagined that farming such a small plot of land would be so troublesome."

"Haha, the main problem is that we don't have enough tools. Otherwise, we could easily finish several acres of land in a day."

"So in the past, farming relied entirely on people, which was really tiring."

"I'm so tired." Mr. Xue nodded.

"Xiaoxue is actually feeling tired today too?" Mo Zhuyou stretched. "I want to take a shower. Phew, even though there's no sun, I'm covered in sweat. I feel more tired than if I practiced drumming all day."

"Let's have dinner before we leave." Mo Xiaoxiao tried to cheer herself up, but she couldn't hide her exhaustion. "Just something simple, it'll be quick."

"No need, I ordered takeout."

"takeout?"

“Yes.” Mr. Xue nodded. Everyone had already returned to the courtyard, and he hopped on his electric scooter. “The takeout will be here soon.”

Then came the moment when they left everyone else in the dust.

……

(Fives)

More than half an hour later, he quickly returned. On the storage rack of his electric scooter was a large bag containing several styrofoam lunch boxes.

"The takeout is here!" He said with a hint of excitement, as if he found it very interesting.

"So fast?" Mo Xiaoxiao was somewhat surprised.

"It's porridge, no need to wait."

"But the vegetables need to be stir-fried."

"The dishes there are all pre-cooked," Mr. Xue said, picking up the bag and placing it on the small wooden table by the door. "Dinner is ready."

"Okay, you guys eat first, Youyou's going to take a shower."

"Alright, let's get started, Yang Yankai."

"Hmm? Let me finish this cigarette..."

……

Chapter 171 The Heavenly Cicada and the Clear Sky Children's Welfare Home

(One)

Not everyone can reunite with their families during this wonderful holiday.

Because some people don't even have parents or family members.

Kongqing Children's Welfare Home provides a large family for these homeless children, but it is ultimately different from a home with parents.

For them, the concepts of home, parents, and reunion are somewhat vague.

However, most of these children without parents have a healthy mind, and are even healthier and more robust than many children with parents.

Perhaps it's because not all parents can be considered true parents.

……

(two)

The weather wasn't exactly sunny, as clouds blocked out the sunlight.

But at least the clouds were white and soft enough, like clumps of cotton rising in the air.

A gentle breeze blows by, seemingly able to soothe all the restlessness in people's hearts.

It was still early, a little after seven in the morning, and Tian Tingchan was already standing at the entrance of the Kongqing Children's Welfare Home.

The middle-aged teacher who had been waiting for her for a long time smiled and looked at her: "You've come, Miss Tian Tingchan."

"Hello." Tian Tingchan gave a slight bow. In fact, this was not her first time volunteering here, but this time the work was a little more special.

"Come in with me quickly, it will take some time for my makeup to come on."

"it is good."

"How did you get here? Are there buses this early?"

"No, my friend's driver brought me here."

"You can park your car inside."

Kongqing Children's Welfare Home is larger than several high schools combined, with complete facilities, including a large underground parking lot that can accommodate hundreds of cars.

—Although most of the time it's incredibly empty inside.

"No need... She's going back to her hometown for a visit, and she'll pick me up tonight."

"I see. Thank you for getting up so early."

"It's ok."

Tian Tingchan pursed her lips and gently shook her head: "I...am I okay?"