Chapter 108 Picking Green PlumsWhile Chen Mo, Ma Ye and Hu Youyu were chatting, Aunt Agui came to water the flowers and clean the yard. Seeing Aunt Agui, Chen Mo greeted her and asked, "Aunt Agui, didn't you go to Qingdao?" Chen Mo remembered that Aunt Agui brought some mushrooms over a few days ago, and she seemed to have said that she was going to her son Dayang's place in Qingdao, and she had also prepared a lot of mushrooms and milk mushrooms to take over. Because Aunt Agui had some extra, she gave some to them. Aunt Agui's face flashed a trace of unnaturalness, but she quickly covered it up and said in a "nonchalant" tone: "Hey, my Dayang leader asked him to go on a business trip temporarily. We will go after a while." "Oh, so that's the case." Chen Mo thought thoughtfully. As if she wanted to emphasize something, Aunt Agui immediately spoke up: "Actually, I didn't really want to go. It was my husband Dayang who asked me and his father to go there every day. We couldn't resist and had no choice but to go." "But you said we can't get used to the food there, and we can't stay idle there, so why go there?" Upon hearing this, Chen Mo showed an expression of approval on his face, and consoled him, "Hey, this is the child's thoughtfulness." Aunt Gui nodded and sighed, "It's for this reason, otherwise I wouldn't want to go at all."
"Then we won't be able to wait for the seafood specialties anymore?" Hu Youyu joked. "Seafood is not as delicious as mushrooms." Chen Mo said, and kicked Hu Youyu quietly, bringing up something that was irrelevant. "Yes, delicacies from land and sea, with delicacies from land and sea coming first." Ma Ye agreed and glanced at Hu Youyu who was tactless. Aunt Agui used to "show off" to everyone in the village. When her son was going to take her to Qingdao for a trip, she would bring back seafood specialties for everyone. She also always said that the house her son bought in Qingdao was very big and comfortable to live in. The joy and pride on Aunt Agui's face at that time were not what she says now, that she didn't want to go at all. Everyone knows that Aunt Agui is only saying these things to save face, but she sees the truth but doesn't say it out loud. Hu Youyu also reacted and said quickly, "Yes, yes, yes. I actually wanted to ask, since Aunt Gui is not going to Qingdao, does she have any mushrooms at home? The mushrooms you sent me a few days ago were so delicious." Aunt Agui smiled brightly when she heard this. "That was picked by your Uncle Zeqing early in the morning. It must be fresh and delicious." "I still have fried chicken mushrooms. Since you like them, I'll send you some more." "Thank you, Aunt Gui." "I'm in luck again." "I don't know why, but the mushrooms Aunt Gui sent me are especially delicious." The three of them started to flatter. Seeing that the things she gave were liked, Aunt Agui was very satisfied and happy. She hummed a little tune and went to clean the house. Chen Mo, Ma Ye and Hu Youyu looked at each other and smiled silently. The people here are sometimes so simple and honest. The sun was shining brightly and there were no clouds in the sky. In a fruit forest, there is lush greenery and abundant fruits. Chen Mo looked at Xu Hongdou speechlessly, "Is this what you told me about, picking green plums and relaxing in the countryside?"
Last night Xu Hongdou said that she had found an orchard where one could pick fruits and eat them right there. This morning she got Chen Mo up early and asked them to come over together. After arriving and seeing these picking equipments such as gloves, bamboo baskets, straw hats, etc., Chen Mo couldn't help but wonder what was going on. This is not a place to enjoy the pastoral life, this is clearly a place to work. Xu Hongdou said cunningly: "Just tell me whether this is picked or not? You can also eat it on the spot, eat as much as you want." Chen Mo was speechless. He had just tasted a green plum and his teeth were almost sour from it. This is not eaten directly as a fruit, but is used to make candied fruit, dried fruit or soak in wine. In response, Xu Hongdou said, "It doesn't matter to you anyway. Appropriate labor will help inspire your creative inspiration." Chen Mo said with a smile: "Then I should thank you?" Xu Hongdou smiled playfully, "What's the relationship between us? You don't have to be polite to me." Chen Mo looked at Xu Hongdou, who made him helpless, and said to himself: My girlfriend is chosen by myself. Chen Nanxing laughed and said, "Labor is glorious, just accept your fate." "Am I the only one who doesn't know?" Chen Mo looked at the other people in the courtyard. Nana, Damai, Hu Youyu, Ma Ye, Xie Zhiyao, Xie Xiaochun, and Huang Xinxin also came. "Mr. Xie told us that this was a team-building event." Hu Youyu and Ma Ye said. The two of them met Xie Zhiyao yesterday afternoon and were lured here by Xie Zhiyao. "It's team building. Look, aren't all the people in the yard gathered together? Let's enjoy the fun of picking together, and we'll provide meals later." Xie Zhiyao argued cunningly. "Hongdou and Nanxing did tell us." Nana and Damai raised their hands. It turned out that when Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing were returning to the village from the restaurant yesterday, they saw someone suddenly fall down in the rice field on the road. The two men quickly called for help from passing villagers and together they sent the man to the hospital. Later, Aunt Agui and Aunt Feng also rushed to the hospital, and Xie Zhiyao also came after hearing the news. Aunt Feng was helping with customer service at Xie Zhiyao's e-commerce warehouse. The person who collapsed was her husband, Uncle Chang. Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing learned some information about Aunt Feng and Uncle Chang from Xie Zhiyao. Aunt Feng and Uncle Chang originally had a son and a daughter, but their daughter Xie Yun died in an accident when she was in her teens. His son Xie Qiang is Xie Zhiyao's childhood friend. After graduating from high school, he went out to work and made some idle friends in society. He was instigated by them to steal steel from the warehouse he was guarding and resell it. After the crime was exposed, he was arrested and is still in prison. In order to repay the debt owed by their son for theft, the old couple has lived frugally and worked non-stop over the years. In addition to working as a customer service representative at Xie Zhiyao's e-commerce warehouse, Aunt Feng also weaves baskets and makes brooms to earn some pocket money in her spare time. In addition to planting fruit trees, onions and potatoes, Uncle Chang also cuts reeds and collects corn husks, which are all hard work. This is why he fainted this time due to physical exhaustion. Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing learned from Xie Zhiyao that Aunt Feng had an orchard that needed fruit picked, and now that Uncle Chang had fallen ill and there was a shortage of manpower, they volunteered to help.
After Nana and Da Mai learned about the situation, they also expressed their willingness to help, just to try it out. So there is this scene now. Huang Xinxin explained, "Aunt Feng has high blood pressure and a bad heart, so she can't do heavy work. So Uncle Chang is the only one who waters, fertilizes, and sprays pesticides on these acres of fruit trees." "The village knows about their situation. In the past, anyone who is free in the village would come and help for a day or two." Chen Mo nodded when he heard this. The folk customs here are indeed quite simple and honest, as can be seen from the enthusiasm of Aunt Agui and Aunt Baoping on weekdays. After Chen Mo, Hu Youyu and Ma Ye learned about the situation, they also put on gloves and started working. Since they were already there, they definitely wanted to help. It's impossible for a few girls to volunteer while a few grown men back out at the last minute. At noon, Aunt Feng and Aunt Agui brought lunch, which included braised pork ribs. I have to say, the meal was so delicious after work that everyone ate half a bowl more. After Aunt Feng and Aunt Agui arranged everyone, they continued to pick plums. Xie Xiaochun looked at the two people walking away together and said with a smile: "These two old sisters were arguing a few days ago, but now they are reconciled." "Fighting, why are you fighting?" Chen Nanxing asked curiously. "You all know Aunt Gui. She likes to show off her children. She doesn't have any bad intentions, but she speaks her mind without restraint. I guess you've heard about the situation of Aunt Feng's children. The two of them started arguing, and Aunt Feng even cried out of anger." Xie Xiaochun gave a brief explanation. After listening to this, Xu Hongdou shook her head and smiled, "Girls still quarrel when they are old, huh?" Xie Xiaochun smiled and said, "People have more time to quarrel when they get old." Xu Hongdou couldn't help but laugh. It was true when she thought about it. Chen Mo laughed and said, "I guess you two will quarrel like this in the future." Xu Hongdou raised her eyebrows and glanced at Chen Nanxing, "It's also a kind of happiness to be able to quarrel for a lifetime without breaking up." Chen Nanxing sighed and said reluctantly, "Then I will accompany you reluctantly." Xu Hongdou smiled and "threatened" him, "If you don't keep me company, no one will visit you in the nursing home." Chen Nanxing was speechless, "Can you hope for me to be better? Can't I have children and grandchildren in the future and enjoy the company of my children?" "Hehe~~" The two best friends were playing around. Listening to the conversations of several people, Ma Ye said with emotion: "It is normal for people to quarrel and stumble when getting along with each other." "People are sometimes angry with themselves. They can't even look down on themselves, let alone others." Xie Zhiyao shook his head and laughed, "You are making things difficult for yourself." "My grandma is right. Don't take things too seriously. Be more relaxed. Don't make things difficult for yourself. Don't fight with yourself." Master Ma nodded, "The old man sees through it, we haven't reached that level yet." Hu Youyu teased, "Master Ma, you haven't meditated enough, and your cultivation is not good enough."
Master Ma sneered and didn't take it seriously. He sighed to himself, "I have been dealing with myself for a long time, so I would rather be myself." Hu Youyu gave a thumbs up and said, "You can't see through it, but you can pretend." Everyone burst into laughter, and Master Ma glared at Hu Youyu angrily. After the meal and a short rest, everyone started picking in the afternoon. After a busy day, everyone walked along the path between the wheat fields in the sunset. The breeze brings the fragrance of the soil in the fields, drying up the sweat, blowing away the fatigue, and making people feel refreshed after a day's work. Chen Mo felt the wind blowing in his face, glanced at the barley beside him, and said with a smile: "Da Mai, it's rare to see you actively participating in activities." Da Mai looked relaxed and happy, "Because I have saved the manuscript, I am not in a hurry." "Oh? How many are there?" Chen Nanxing on the side was a little curious. Barley held up two fingers and said proudly, "Two full days' supply." "That's really a lot." Xu Hongdou, who was standing nearby, was "greatly shocked" when she heard this. "Don't find yourself stuck in your room and doubting your life again in a few days," Hu Youyu joked. "Teacher Hu, are you talking about yourself?" Nana teased. "Hey, when did I?" Hu Youyu still wanted to quibble. Da Mai said seriously: "Teacher Hu, I still remember the sour smell coming from your room at that time." Hu Youyu choked. He forgot that Damai's room was next to his and he knew about his situation. "Old Hu, to defeat the enemy you must first defeat yourself." Master Ma patted Hu Youyu on the shoulder. Hu Youyu shook his shoulders and said, "Go away, what's wrong with that? I'm already too perfect, enough to charm thousands of girls." Barley kindly reminded: "Teacher Hu, have you forgotten what you looked like when you crawled back to your room?" "What do you mean by crawling back to the room?" Xie Zhiyao, Xie Xiaochun and Huang Xinxin all looked at him curiously. "That's it." Chen Nanxing wanted to tell a few people. Hu Youyu interrupted loudly: "Hey, hey, hey, what are you talking about? You can't talk nonsense without evidence. I'm suing you for defamation." Barley asked faintly, "How do you know there isn't one?" Hu Youyu froze instantly, eyes wide open in disbelief, "You even recorded a video?" Da Mai answered the question irrelevantly, "As long as the logic of a novel is self-consistent and can make sense, readers will be willing to believe it; but how can people believe in reality? Only evidence can speak." Chen Nanxing's eyes lit up, "Da Mai, do you really have a video? Let me see it." Nana also came forward and said, "I'm curious too."
Xu Hongdou blinked. She helped Chen Mo back that night, and she saw how Hu Youyu crawled, but she didn't really know that Damai recorded the video afterwards. Chen Mo suggested, "Post it in the group so that everyone can enjoy it together." "Yes, yes, yes, send it to the group." "I want to see it too." "I'm curious too." Several people started to make a noise. Hu Youyu jumped and shouted to stop him: "You can't do this, this is my portrait rights." "Ha ha." As the sun sets, the road is bright with evening glow, and everyone goes home together amidst noisy laughter and joy. In the evening, Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou soaked their feet together. Xu Hongdou revealed a section of her fair calves, and her white and tender feet stepped on the instep of Chen Mo's feet, with her pink toes scratching him from time to time. Chen Mo's expression seemed helpless, with a gentle smile in his eyes, and he just let Xu Hongdou play around. "Are you going tomorrow?" Chen Mo asked. Xu Hongdou raised her eyebrows, "Of course, how can you just go for one day? At least stick with it for a few days." "Aren't you tired?" "It's definitely tiring, but it's not that bad. I used to stand all day in a hotel." Xu Hongdou said, and suddenly narrowed her eyes at Chen Mo, "You can't be so bad, you want to run away?" Chen Mo glanced at Xu Hongdou and said, "Don't deliberately provoke me. You don't know if I can do it or not? Do you need me to help you recall it now?" As he spoke, Chen Mo's hand had already placed on Xu Hongdou's thigh. Xu Hongdou shuddered and quickly held Chen Mo's hand, "No, no, I'm really tired today and I have to get up early tomorrow, let's take a break." Chen Mo began to massage through the thin pajamas, and said in a high-sounding manner: "Then I will help you relax your muscles and relieve fatigue, so that you won't be sore when you wake up tomorrow." Xu Hongdou rolled her eyes. Her feet were still soaking, and she couldn't get up and avoid it, so she just let Chen Mo act naughty, but she was on guard against Chen Mo's hand moving up again. Chen Mo did not make any further moves. He just stayed on the thigh, simply feeling the softness and elasticity. He also knew that Xu Hongdou was really tired and her feet were covered with blisters. Although picking green plums also requires standing for a whole day, in terms of physical exertion alone, it is much more tiring than working in a hotel. The good thing is that I don’t have to wear high heels and I don’t have to face all kinds of customers, which would be a waste of time. Xu Hongdou was relieved to see that Chen Mozhen had no further plans, but for some reason, she felt a little regretful in her heart. (End of this chapter)