The next morning, the three of them checked out of their hotel and set off from Vladivostok to head back.
The two cars sped along without stopping to rest. Due to a three-hour time difference, they arrived at Pogranichny at around eleven-thirty. It was lunchtime for most families, and it would have been inappropriate for the couple to visit their third sister-in-law's home immediately. After discussing it, they decided to return to the cave first, have lunch, rest for a while, and then go to their third sister-in-law's to deliver gifts and report their safe return.
Chen Lan stored the car in the system warehouse and followed Xu Mingxuan to the cave entrance. Before even entering the cave, the couple got busy. Chen Lan took out all the cooking utensils from the system warehouse, and Xu Mingxuan immediately started a fire and set up the stove. Chen Lan washed the pots and pans with purified water, preparing to make a simple noodle soup and a few steamed buns with mixed flour for lunch.
When making the noodle soup, the water for the dumplings should be added little by little, stirring constantly as the water is added. Cold water, not hot water, is used. This way, the dumplings will be small and fine, and they will cook quickly when added to the pot.
When making the dumplings, do not cook them for too long, or they will not look good and will have a bad texture, becoming mushy and not chewy!
Although the noodle soup is simple to make, it is very easy to digest and absorb, and it is very effective in supplementing nutrition for those with poor appetite.
As Chen Lan was drinking the noodle soup, she remembered the matter of Andre's goods and asked, "Brother Mingxuan, did Andre say when he wants us to deliver his goods to the cooperative?"
Xu Mingxuan replied with a smile, "Yes, he said there's no rush. It can be delivered to the cooperative tomorrow morning. Here, this is the list of goods he requested." With that, Xu Mingxuan took a piece of paper from his cotton-padded jacket pocket and handed it to Chen Lan. Chen Lan didn't understand Russian, so she didn't reach out to take it. She just said, "Brother Mingxuan, I don't understand Russian. You can tell me later, and I'll prepare the goods."
After lunch and cleaning up the cooking utensils, the couple went into the cave to rest for a while. Around one-thirty in the afternoon, they got up. Xu Mingxuan carried a canvas bag with the gifts they had brought back for the adults and children, and they went down the mountain.
The third sister-in-law was naturally very happy that the couple had returned safely. When she received the gift Chen Lan brought her, a large gold ring, she was deeply moved and kept wiping tears from her eyes, saying repeatedly, "Good child, you always think of this old woman."
Chen Lan held the third sister-in-law's hand and playfully chided, "Auntie Sān Mèi, you are not old at all. When I reach your age, I'll be happy if I'm half as good as you are now."
Hearing Chen Lan's words, the third sister-in-law laughed heartily and said, "You child, you have a sweet tongue just like Boris, so likable."
As soon as Chen Lan heard that it was about the little watermelon, she immediately asked, "Auntie Sān Mèi, how are Boris and Yulia getting along now?"
The third sister-in-law smiled and said, "Boris has a sweet tongue and knows how to talk, making everyone happy every day. The Yulia sisters both like him very much. He is also very diligent. After a day of running around trading for grain, as soon as he comes back, if he sees any work, he helps out. He's much more diligent than my two sons. He saw that the Yulia sisters and their two sisters-in-law had to carry a lot of water every day, and said it was too hard. He even plans to dig a well for the family to drink from."
When Chen Lan heard the third sister-in-law's words, she felt that Xiang Xi was very resourceful. Digging a well to solve the water problem for the third sister-in-law's family would change their status in the family's eyes and make an even deeper impression on Yulia. As long as Xiang Xi could uphold the good traditions of a Northeastern man, Yulia would surely be moved.
So Chen Lan stood up and said, "Brother Mingxuan, let's walk around Auntie Sān Mèi's yard and see where it would be suitable to dig a well?"
After saying that, they both put on their cotton-padded jackets and snow boots. Chen Lan took the third sister-in-law's hand and they walked out of the house together, circling Auntie Sān Mèi's yard. Chen Lan used her mind to activate the system's search function. After searching, she found that perhaps because they were close to the sea, the underground water resources here were still quite abundant, but it would require digging deep. She then consulted Auntie Sān Mèi and decided to dig a hand pump well on the right side of her yard, about thirteen to fourteen meters from the kitchen.
In the afternoon, when Xiang Xi and the Edward brothers returned, Xu Mingxuan told Xiang Xi about digging a well on the right side of Auntie Sān Mèi's yard. He also said that the well-digging task would be left to Xiang Xi and Auntie Sān Mèi's two sons, and that he and Lan'er would be returning to Honghua Ridge Village.
Xiang Xi happily nodded and agreed, "I'll bring my well-digging tools tomorrow and start digging. I'll be able to find water within three days!"
As he spoke, Xiang Xi suddenly remembered Xu Mingxuan mentioning returning to Honghua Ridge. He then asked, "Brother Mingxuan, are you and Xiao Lanzi going to deliver grain to Honghua Ridge Village? I've been to several farms with the Edward brothers these past few days and exchanged a lot of grain. Some of the grain I exchanged yesterday is in their granary, and today's grain is still in the car. We'll take it back together later!"
Xu Mingxuan shook his head and said, "No need! Xiang Xi, don't move the grain stored in Auntie Sān Mèi's granary back. When you and Yulia get married, you won't need to send grain over again. Lan'er and I have a more important matter to attend to when we return to Honghua Ridge Village this time, which is to find a matchmaker for you. We're going to ask Aunt Chang from Honghua Ridge Village to be your official matchmaker and arrange your marriage with Yulia. You need to behave yourself these past few days and strive to find water as soon as possible, understand?"
Xiang Xi was so happy his mouth was about to split open. He poured out a flood of kind words, "Thank you, Brother Mingxuan. Thank you and Xiao Lanzi for your hard work! Don't worry, I'll work hard. When you get back, I promise I'll be able to find water."
Xu Mingxuan patted Xiang Xi's small shoulder and said earnestly, "Once you're married, you'll be an adult, the head of the family. If anything happens, seeing as Lan'er has been running around for your marriage, don't be too hard on Lan'er. You should tolerate her more, understand?"
Xu Mingxuan's words stunned Xiang Xi. So this is what Brother Mingxuan was waiting for him with?