After listening to Cui Hongyu's suggestion, Chen Xiaobei fell silent. Buying military supplies was a good idea, but those items weren't replicable; once eaten this year, they'd be gone. He wanted the canteen to continue operating long-term and needed a sustainable plan.
"Hongyu, what you said is feasible, but have you considered that once we eat these supplies this year, they'll be gone? What about future winters? We need other methods, something to rely on. These are just supplementary."
Ultimately, these military supplies were good for adding luxury but couldn't be counted on for survival.
Zhai Hongyu nodded in understanding. "I get it. You want to keep the communal dining going long-term."
Chen Xiaobei nodded. "Yes. There are over a dozen elderly people in the village. Besides, with so many people working hard every day, where do they find the time to cook at home?"
"I'm also thinking about whether the village children should eat lunch at school after school in the future, so they don't have to go home. This would also lighten the load for their families, at least saving someone from having to stay home to cook for them."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Cui Hongyu looked at him with a newfound admiration. "Yes, you're right. We should ensure the children have a warm meal."
As they spoke, they arrived at the vegetable patch. The expanse of green was refreshing and uplifting. Chen Xiaobei crouched down and carefully inspected the cabbages in the field. The cabbages were already half a foot tall, and Chen Xiaobei frowned. The spacing was still too close. Based on his experience growing cabbages in his previous life, thinning them out would likely result in a suitable number, otherwise, they wouldn't grow into large cabbages.
He casually pulled out two plants and offered them to Cui Hongyu. "What do you think about chopping these up and stewing them with some fatty meat?"
Cui Hongyu shook her head repeatedly. "No, no. They're still so small. It's a bit of a waste to eat them now. I thought they had already grown bigger!"
Chen Xiaobei led Cui Hongyu further along, finding some areas where the cabbages were more densely packed. He patiently explained. "Hongyu, you see, the cabbages are growing too densely. The really thick ones don't have enough space to grow."
"So, we need to pull out at least half of them. Only then can the remaining ones grow into large cabbages."
"Consider how much you need for each meal. I'll have Dayong send people to pull them out."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu repeatedly shook her head. "No, no. They're all so busy. No need to trouble them. I can bring a couple of people myself."
As she said this, Cui Hongyu began pulling out a few cabbages herself, then said with a smile, "Look, is the spacing appropriate now?"
Chen Xiaobei gave her a thumbs-up. "Excellent, that's exactly it!"
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's praise, Cui Hongyu inexplicably blushed a little. Seeing her rosy cheeks, Chen Xiaobei looked around to make sure no one was watching, then quickly embraced her and gave her a firm kiss.
This made Cui Hongyu blush even more. She quickly pushed him away. "Oh, Brother Xiaobei, it's so embarrassing if someone sees!"
Chen Xiaobei chuckled. "Don't worry, don't worry. No one's here. Believe me, take a look."
Cui Hongyu looked around. As far as the eye could see, the surroundings were vast and empty. Indeed, there was no one. This put her slightly at ease. With a soft sigh, she nestled back into Chen Xiaobei's embrace.
Just a hug wasn't enough for Chen Xiaobei. After so many days, he hadn't been intimate with Cui Hongyu, and he felt a bit restless. But being in the vegetable patch felt a bit excessive. Since a full embrace wasn't possible in the vegetable patch, he decided to steal a taste of her lips and perhaps be a little more hands-on. With this thought, Chen Xiaobei acted immediately.
He suddenly lowered his head and kissed her fiercely. Startled by his sudden move, Cui Hongyu initially resisted, but soon she tightly hugged Chen Xiaobei and became more active. Chen Xiaobei took the opportunity to lift her, letting her wrap her arms around his neck. Cui Hongyu then wrapped her legs around Chen Xiaobei's waist.
"This is perfect, isn't it?" Chen Xiaobei thought smugly, and his "wicked" hands began to move.
But as soon as his hand touched Cui Hongyu's waist, she suddenly became alert and bit Chen Xiaobei's lip fiercely. Chen Xiaobei cried out in pain. Cui Hongyu seized the opportunity and jumped off him.
Cui Hongyu looked at Chen Xiaobei, her face red. "You're so annoying."
"Look at how impatient you are. Even if no one is here, you can't do this here."
Chen Xiaobei helplessly raised his hand and rubbed his lips, pretending to be in pain. "You're so heartless. You're going to shake me to death."
Hearing this, Cui Hongyu's eyes filled with concern. She leaned forward and earnestly examined Chen Xiaobei's lips. Chen Xiaobei seized the opportunity, reached out and gave her backside a firm squeeze, then ran away laughing. Cui Hongyu suddenly came to her senses, bent down, grabbed a cabbage, and threw it. But Chen Xiaobei was running too fast, and the cabbage missed.
After some playful chasing and banter, they harvested dozens of cabbages from the field. They tied them with a rope made of grass. Chen Xiaobei carried the cabbages on his back, with Cui Hongyu following. They returned to Hetou Village one after the other. As soon as they entered the village, Zhang the carpenter was standing at the entrance, smiling.
"Xiaobei, Village Chief, you're here at the right time."
"The doors you mentioned last time are ready. When do you want to install them?"
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei smiled. "Ah, I've been waiting for your doors. Let's get them installed quickly, the sooner the better."
"Alright, then I'll go tomorrow. It'll only take a day to install them."
Chen Xiaobei thought for a moment. "Uncle Zhang, can you also take a look at the rooms in my old house? They're using cloth curtains there too. Please install doors for me as well."
After they finished speaking, Zhang the carpenter turned and entered the courtyard. After Zhang the carpenter walked away, Cui Hongyu couldn't help but speak.
"Brother Xiaobei, there's no need to install doors in the old house. I'm used to living there without a door."
Chen Xiaobei chuckled and leaned closer to her, whispering, "That won't do. If Qiao'er comes to stay in a couple of days, it won't be good if she hears us at night."
Cui Hongyu's face instantly turned red. She playfully hit him. "All you think about is..."
...
As dusk fell, by the Mirror Lake outside Wansui City.
Liu Kai received Liu Rumei's reply and couldn't help but become excited. "Excellent! The Crown Prince has already sent a message to the Emperor via carrier pigeon. I believe the Marquis will be released tomorrow."
Liu Kai's words instantly boosted everyone's morale. "Head Steward, then let's rest well tonight and return tomorrow morning to welcome the Marquis home."
Zheng Ke exclaimed loudly, "Head Steward, I say we go back today. We need to tidy up the house properly."
Liu Kai maintained his composure. He waved his hand. "No, no. The door is sealed. If we start working on it, that would be considered rebellion."