Meanwhile.
Madam Cai and Madam Xi were also engrossed in picking, managing to fill four large sacks to the brim.
The children had also contributed significantly.
When Madam Xi finally came to her senses, she exclaimed, "Oh dear! What time is it?"
Madam Cai wiped the sweat from her forehead and straightened her back, feeling the ache. She hadn't noticed it while engrossed, but now that she’d come to, she realized she was exhausted.
Hearing Madam Xi’s call, she looked up. The sunlight dappled through the trees, the sun already setting in the west. "Oh, it's so late! Hurry, hurry, we must go back! Children, be quick! Grab your things, we're leaving!"
Madam Xi also felt the urgency. The two of them were responsible for the caravan's meals.
Cheng Xiaotian, though young, was very reliable. Hearing his mother, he immediately rounded up his younger siblings who were still playing.
Then he assigned tasks. With his greater strength, he could carry one sack himself, and the two younger ones could carry a small one each, thus distributing the weight of two sacks of mountain goods.
They had picked mostly mushrooms and some wild vegetables, with only a small portion of bamboo shoots and edible roots. So, although the sacks looked large, their weight wasn't that heavy.
As for the even younger Cheng Bao'er, she simply helped carry some wild vegetables.
Madam Cai and Madam Xi, being stronger, each carried a large sack back.
They hurried back.
Upon arriving, they found that the logging had not stopped either; only those on rotation were present.
Seeing them return.
The men also went to help carry the things to the side of the temporary kitchen.
To avoid suspicion.
They put the sacks down and left in a hurry, not lingering too long.
Madam Cai and Madam Xi, however, felt warmth in their hearts. This feeling of being cared for made them feel safe. In times of chaos, women and children were naturally more vulnerable and prone to bullying. But everyone in the caravan treated them with kindness, which gave them a sense of security.
Ah.
Let's live well from now on!
Madam Xi quietly said to Madam Cai, "I feel like escaping this chaos has made my life better than before. When I was with my in-laws, the whole family ate from a common pot, and there was never enough for me. Meat was something I wouldn't even dream of. But now, with the caravan, I eat meat every meal and fine grains too. Everyone looks out for us. After meals, they even help us collect the bowls and carry them to the river."
She recalled that when she was with her in-laws, everyone would just leave their bowls on the table after eating. She would work tirelessly to cook, only to eat leftovers, and still have to collect so many bowls herself, which were so heavy she had to make multiple trips.
In the caravan, after meals, everyone would自觉地 put their bowls into wooden buckets or large basins. Once a basin was full, they would carry it to the river. Of course, washing them was the women's responsibility. The men, having worked hard logging during the day, naturally wouldn't help with washing dishes.
Madam Cai and Madam Xi were traditional women and felt this was already excellent.
Hearing the other's sigh of emotion.
Madam Cai couldn't help but be cautious. She looked around and said, "This is not something to speak of lightly. The intention is good, but what if someone twists your words?"
Madam Xi immediately covered her mouth and nodded, indicating she would not speak of it again.
Madam Cai was pleased. She let her know that it was enough to keep it to herself and urged her to start cooking quickly. As she spoke, she called out to her eldest son, Cheng Xiaotian, asking him to find Uncle Ji to record the mushrooms and move the supplies cart.
"Also, go ask your Grandpa Ji how much grain we need for tonight. I think we don't need so much. We have plenty of wild vegetables tonight, so we can save on grain and add more wild vegetables and mushrooms to the stew. We'll still be full!"
Madam Cai said this to Cheng Xiaotian, who nodded and left.
Madam Xi saw how efficient the boy was and couldn't help but praise him, "Your eldest son is truly wonderful. Capable and sensible, so well-behaved. I just love to see him."
Her own child being praised.
Madam Cai naturally felt happy. Though she was humble, the corners of her mouth still curved upwards.
When Uncle Ji arrived.
Seeing so many mushrooms and wild vegetables, his beard quivered with joy. "Incredible! You women are truly capable. So much mountain produce!"
He exclaimed "Good, good, good!" This made the future seem even more hopeful.
Madam Cai and Madam Xi were also pleased to be praised, saying things like "not at all," while secretly beaming. Back home, no matter how hard they worked, they never received a word of praise.
Now, they were truly happy.
Uncle Ji roughly inventoried the mountain goods and set aside more than half a sack for dinner.
"According to Xiaotian, you think we can use less grain tonight?"
He asked with a smile.
Madam Cai and Madam Xi replied with smiles, mainly wanting to conserve grain.
Uncle Ji listened and nodded, saying they were thoughtful, but everyone had been working hard. Mushrooms and wild vegetables weren't filling. They couldn't do with less grain, especially since they had to work tonight.
"I know you have good hearts, and it's for our caravan, isn't it? Everyone is like this. I'm not intentionally disregarding your good intentions. How about this, we'll still have the same amount of grain tonight as at noon. Tomorrow, when we're not logging, we can use less grain. But tonight, I have one favor to ask of you two."
Uncle Ji was a skilled diplomat. A few words made them feel comfortable and happy, without making them feel like their suggestions were being rejected.
Madam Cai and Madam Xi naturally agreed, saying anything was fine!
As long as they could help.
They were certainly not stingy with their effort.
Uncle Ji nodded happily and said, "It's been said that the progress these past two days has been delayed significantly, and it's become a bit dangerous. So, orders have been given to cross the river tomorrow and then travel without stopping for lunch. We'll only let the horses rest briefly on the road and then push harder to cover more distance, resting only at night."
Therefore, they needed to prepare some dry rations for lunch tomorrow to save time.
Madam Cai and Madam Xi listened and said it was a small matter. The men were all working hard logging and were exhausted. What was it for the women to prepare some food?
Uncle Ji naturally thanked them and then didn't disturb them further. "Then I'll take my leave. You busy yourselves. I'll have someone bring the grain to you later."
He left with a smile.
The old man was truly courteous.
Madam Cai and Madam Xi exchanged glances, both shaking their heads with smiles, and returned to their work.
After working for a while.
They suddenly remembered how the young couple had managed to stew the meat so that it smelled so fragrant?
Not daring to experiment randomly, they decided to have Cheng Xiaotian ask Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao.
"Oh dear, I hadn't thought about it before. The few children who helped with cooking earlier, we couldn't shoo them away, they kept wanting to help. Where are they today?"
"They're probably exhausted from today. Maybe they're napping somewhere?"
Madam Cai first called for her son, a little worried. It was only when she heard Cheng Xiaotian's reply from the back of the caravan that she felt relieved.
"Mom! Mom! Mom, do you know? Our caravan is going to raise rabbits! Big gray rabbits! Very fat! Little Brother Xi said one of them is even carrying little ones in her belly!"
Cheng Xiaotian ran back.
It was the first time he had shown such a childish smile, all because of a rabbit. Indeed, children loved such things, and he was incredibly excited.