Free Web NovelChapter 455: Chapter 455: Home Again
On August 17th, Yi Roujing and her companions packed their luggage, preparing to embark on their return journey to Jing City.
Yi Roujing rose early and arrived at the crossroads, where a family of three tigers had just dropped something, a whole wild boar.
"I’m going home tomorrow." Yi Roujing handed over the milk powder she had prepared in the morning to the little tiger.
The little tiger, now walking steadily, approached, sniffed, and then eagerly licked and drank, full of joy.
Yi Roujing wasn’t sure if they understood, but she had bid farewell anyway.
After the tigers left, Little He and his group brought up a burlap sack filled with items: dried vegetables, dried mushrooms, jerky rabbit and chicken, preserved meat, and even two jars of pickled vegetables.
"These were swapped with fresh wild game," Little He explained the origin of the jerky rabbit, chicken, and preserved meat, "During the days you were gone, there was wild game at the crossroads daily, yesterday even a deer."
Little He’s voice grew softer toward the end, "We couldn’t finish all the food, so we decided to sell a portion. Here is the money from the sales."
Little He took out a folded handkerchief, revealing money and tickets from the recent days of selling game, quite a sum, totaling ninety yuan, along with various receipts.
"It’s best if you share it, it’s originally wild game from Beidai Mountain." Yi Roujing didn’t plan to keep the money.
"But, it was given to you." Little He insisted, "We’ve improved our meals because of it."
"If you don’t take it, someone else will pick it up. We’ll keep these." Yi Roujing pointed at the dried vegetables and meat.
Yi Roujing and her group exchanged contact information with Little He’s group before boarding the transport truck to Jing City.
"When I get to college, I’ll visit you in Jing City." Huang waved high, eyes somewhat red.
Little He and the others waved goodbye with smiles and teary eyes.
"We’ve truly met like-minded comrades." As the transport truck departed from view, Huang wiped her tears and spoke.
"Looks like Xiaohui is quite confident about the college entrance exams, dreaming to be admitted to her ideal university." Tang Ruhong playfully teased, patting Huang’s shoulder.
"Aren’t you?" Huang rolled her eyes, "Don’t think I don’t know. Back then, you studied under the covers with a flashlight. How else could you achieve today’s excellent score?"
"Yes, I’m very grateful." Tang Ruhong said confidently, slightly lifting her head, "Chen Youdao can’t match my score. I’m just waiting for the admission letter to leave here, while he seems destined to stay a lifetime."
The entrance exam results came out yesterday, igniting excitement at the knowledge center, a mix of joy and disappointment, yet most results were good. Tang Ruhong scored 356, a satisfactory grade to get into a decent university.
Among them, Little He was the top scorer, choosing science, with an impressive 418 points, standing out not just at the center, but also at the commune, being the only one who scored over 400.
When the entrance exam scores were out yesterday, leaders from the county communal came to Daihe Village, commend-ing the knowledge center’s youth, who amidst rural development enriched themselves, bringing glory to Daigong County.
No doubt, Daihe Village had six individuals scoring over 300, qualifying for university, five of whom were from the knowledge center, and one was a member from Daihe Village.
Those five from the knowledge center were the ones who came to send off Yi Roujing and her group, Little He, Huang, Tang, and Rong.
Chen Youdao was the one who didn’t pass, scoring only 250 points. Adding to his woes, the quota for returning to the city fell to Wang at the knowledge center, leaving him with nothing. It’s said that the squad leader’s family had lost interest in Chen Youdao, aiming to sever ties between their daughter and him. Yet, Ni Qingyan remained steadfast, possibly Chen Youdao’s sole consolation, with fiancée plans settled.
Under the setting sun, Yi Roujing and her companions returned to Jing City, arriving under the starry sky, with Xu Ancheng’s family directly heading to Beiluo Lane, Huang Xiaobao’s family too, and the Ding Anguo family of four, leaving the transport truck quite emptier.
Li Hongying had contacted them, preparing dinner for them, as the three families entered immediately to start eating. Li Hongying and Ding Weihuo helped feed several children, bathed them afterward, and tucked four of them into bed, coaxing them to sleep.
After dinner, Yi Roujing and the others also went to bed early.
The next day Yi Roujing slept in until nine, having her energy restored from the journey. After washing up, Li Hongying served breakfast, "First have some porridge to settle your stomach, I’ll fry some dough sticks for you."
This is happiness. Yi Roujing mixed her portion of salted duck egg into the white porridge, taking a few sips followed by a bite of Li Hongying’s pickled radish and pickle cubes, delighting in the refreshing taste.
The aroma of dough sticks reached her nose, and a minute later, Li Hongying brought over a freshly fried, crispy dough stick, "Eat while it’s hot."
Yi Roujing picked up the dough stick, dipped it slightly into soy sauce, savoring the flavor as she devoured half of it in one go.
"By the way, three packages arrived for you, Mom opened them," Li Hongying said, "They were sent about a week ago, one from the in-law, one from Heping, and another from Qiushuang."
"I checked them, mostly food, some fabric, and shoes. Qiushuang’s package even included a remittance slip. Everything is placed in your room, and I’ve sorted the food out. Zong Yin received some, Anmin’s uncle also got a share, with the rest in the kitchen."
Yi Roujing nodded in agreement, "Mom, you can handle it, I’ll write back later. I’ll send some things, we brought back quite a bit of game from Beidai Mountain."
"Yes, I’ve prepared some too," Li Hongying smiled, "Your mom likes my pickles, so I’ve made quite a lot this time."
"Thanks, Mom," Yi Roujing said, her face showing affection.
"What thanks?" Li Hongying scolded gently, "I’ll watch over the children today, you all can have another day to rest. What do you want for lunch, noodles or rice? I bought fresh fish this morning, do you want fish with pickled vegetables, or fish head?"
"Fish with pickled vegetables," Yi Roujing was tempted, swallowing, "We discovered a mountain lake at Beidai Mountain, but Anmin’s fish preparation can’t match Mom’s."
"Talking bad about me, I heard you," Ding Anmin, entering with several children, teased, "Didn’t you savor it at the farm?"
"Among us, you are this," Yi Roujing gave a thumbs up, "But now we’ve returned home."
"Use and discard, I’ve got you figured out, sister-in-law," Ding Anmin said.
"Before going to Beidai Mountain, I ordered face cream at the Department Store, heard it’s imported from Hong Kong, thinking..."
"Sister-in-law is the best, looking as good as ever thanks to sister-in-law," Ding Anmin quickly changed tone, cozying up to Yi Roujing.
Li Hongying watched the playful banter between the two sisters-in-law and smilingly took the children away.
