Luckily, the spiritual spring water could only eliminate fatigue and heal illnesses and injuries; it didn't have the effect of cleansing marrow and purifying tendons. Otherwise, she couldn't have endured that pain!
Coming out of the space, it was already raining heavily outside. Accompanied by the sound of rain, Ning Yan fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Zhou Xiaomian came to knock on Ning Yan's door. Ning Yan responded but didn't move. She didn't have to work today, so why get up so early?
Fortunately, Zhou Xiaomian didn't intend to enter her room. Hearing her response, she said, "Ning Zhiqing, a few of us are going to the mountains to pick mushrooms later. Do you want to come?"
Ning Yan wanted to say no, but then she thought: Xu Xuejuan knew her home had been emptied. Wouldn't it be unreasonable if she didn't try to earn money when she had none?
Forget it, she'd just treat it as a trip to the mountains.
"Ah, I really want to sleep all day, but I can't! I'll get up now. You guys wait for me!"
Zhou Xiaomian was amused by her. Ning Yan wasn't as bad as Xu Xuejuan said; wasn't she quite cute!
"Okay, take your time. It's still early. We'll go to the mountains after we eat."
Last night's rain lasted until midnight. Going up the mountain too early would definitely be very slippery, but it would be better once the sun came out and the wind blew. These were all things the older educated youths said, as they had experience.
Thinking that Ning Yan still had to cook for herself later, Zhou Xiaomian was a bit puzzled. Why didn't Ning Yan eat with them? How tiring it must be to cook three meals a day by herself.
She even bought a second-hand large pot. What else could she do with that money?
However, everyone had their own ideas, and she wouldn't gossip about it, lest she annoy people.
After breakfast, the educated youths, some carrying baskets and some carrying smaller baskets, went up the mountain, chatting and laughing.
Meng Changqing instructed the newcomers, "After going up the mountain, everyone can stay together or act separately, but you must never go into the deep mountains. There are really fierce beasts in the deep mountains."
He didn't want to keep leading these people. There was only so much to pick; if they picked together, no one would get much.
The villagers were used to this. After a heavy rain, they could sometimes pick two large sacks of mushrooms. That stuff, dried and sent to the procurement station, could sell for a lot of money, not to mention the black market.
Even if they didn't sell it, it was excellent to eat themselves.
Everyone wasn't foolish; they understood the implication. After going up the mountain, they all split up. Zhou Xiaomian still wanted to go in the same direction as Ning Yan, but Xu Xuejuan pulled her over, "Why are you following her? She's the daughter of a capitalist; she has plenty of money. It doesn't matter if she picks anything or not. Can you afford that?"
Zhou Xiaomian's family was of average means. After Xu Xuejuan said that, she immediately changed direction and walked with her.
Ning Yan didn't care at all; acting alone made it more convenient for her.
However, she had to add that among the five male educated youths—three old and two new—not a single one walked with her, which was enough to prove that everyone was very realistic.
Hmm, that's very good. She was also an extremely realistic person!
There were already footprints on the mountain, likely from the villagers who had gone up early. Ning Yan didn't care and walked straight up the mountain. Occasionally, she would see some mushrooms and pick them, putting them into her small basket.
This small basket was bought from someone in the team who could weave baskets, following Meng Changqing's advice. It was convenient and light to carry.
However, after only half an hour, she noticed someone following her.
She deliberately waited in place, wanting to see who it was.
Soon, a burly man appeared.
"Ning Zhiqing, what a coincidence, you're also here to pick mushrooms?"
Ning Yan rolled her eyes to the sky, "Weren't you following me the whole time? Speak up, what do you want? I don't like people who dilly-dally!"
Fan Dahu awkwardly scratched his head, then gritted his teeth, "Well, I've taken a liking to you, and I want to marry you as my wife.
I know you saw me hitting someone yesterday. Don't worry, I absolutely won't lay a finger on you!
Really, I'm only bad to outsiders. I'll definitely cherish my own wife.
I can also support you. You'll have everything other women have, and things others don't. I, Fan Dahu, am a man of my word. You'll never be wronged a bit if you marry me!"
"Then do you know my family background? My father is a capitalist, and my home was raided before I came to the countryside. They were also sent to a farm in the north."
Fan Dahu blinked foolishly, "And then? Do you want me to find someone to take care of my father-in-law and mother-in-law?"
Good heavens, he was already calling them father-in-law and mother-in-law!
Ning Yan was amused by his simple-mindedness, "Fool, I mean my status is problematic; it will affect you!"
"Affect me? They go to their farm, I live my life. How can it affect me?
My three younger brothers all listen to me, and they're all married. If I marry you, life will still go on the same!"
He was used to being fearless and truly didn't take Ning Yan's family matters to heart.
He wasn't a soldier or an official, so he didn't need political vetting. What was wrong with marrying her?
As long as his wife didn't dislike him, nothing was a problem.
"Can you really find someone to take care of my parents?"
Fan Dahu immediately patted his chest and guaranteed, "I, Fan Dahu, have been out in society for nearly ten years and know many people. Isn't it just Linbei Farm?
Coincidentally, I have a brother who works there as a cadre. Taking care of my father-in-law and mother-in-law is just a word!"
Ning Yan was even more satisfied with Fan Dahu now.
The main thing was that they couldn't eat their fill and had to do the hardest work every day. Her parents didn't have to worry about not eating enough, but they had never done hard or strenuous work their whole lives; in fact, they had never done any work at all!
The hardest thing they had probably ever done was desperately cooking in the kitchen two days ago. If they suddenly went to a farm, how could they endure that kind of labor?
If Fan Dahu could really find someone to help her parents, their lives would definitely be much easier!
"But you also saw that I not only can't do work, but I can't even do a simple task like picking mushrooms well. If you marry me, you can't even count on me for three meals a day. Do you still want to marry me?"
Fan Dahu's eyes immediately lit up. This meant there was a chance!
"As long as you marry me, I guarantee you won't have to work a single day. The cooking at home has always been taken care of by my three sisters-in-law in rotation, and they'll continue to do it. They'll also wash the clothes. I'm in charge of my family; they wouldn't dare have an opinion. You just need to settle down and live with me."
Ning Yan: Today, she had a new understanding of the phrase "settle down and live a good life"—marry him and do nothing!
"Then stop dilly-dallying. Go back and prepare. Although my parents aren't here, marriage matters still need to follow the rules. There should be a proposal, and gifts should be exchanged. The wedding date can also be set quite soon. I don't want to do farm work for another day!"
Fan Dahu was so happy he was practically losing his bearings, "Then, then I'll go back after we finish picking mushrooms?"
This story is a bit longer; you can skip it if you mind.