Chapter 18: Starting Work

After tidying up the dishes, Jiang Xiaoman stayed for a while before leaving. It was already quite late, and it wasn’t proper for a young girl to linger too long.

Once she had gone, Zhou Yichen closed the door and returned to the warmth of the kang bed. The weather in Heijiang was indeed cold; only by staying on the kang could one feel truly warm. It was no wonder people here spent winters indoors. For now, the chill was bearable, but if it grew any colder, they might not even be able to step outside.

After reading for a bit and noticing the late hour, Zhou Yichen practiced the Baduanjin Qigong twice, improving his proficiency. Satisfied, he then washed up and went to sleep.

The earthen kang radiated cozy warmth. Lying on it, Zhou Yichen felt completely comfortable. Though it had only been a day, through his own efforts he had become the health officer for the production team and was assigned a small, separate courtyard. This was an incredibly auspicious start.

From now on, he wouldn’t have to toil like other educated youth, laboring endlessly under the sun to earn a few meager work credits. Though he was confident that even if he did hard labor, he would quickly adapt and stand out, everyone preferred an easier path if they could avoid hardship.

Moreover, everything he had now had been earned through his own honest effort. While his Heavenly Merit talent had greatly enhanced his progress, the work he put in was genuine, without any shortcuts.

That night, Zhou Yichen slept deeply and soundly.

The next day, before dawn had fully broken, the loudspeaker from the brigade headquarters suddenly blared, the harsh assembly call cutting through the morning stillness.

Startled awake, Zhou Yichen listened carefully. It was the production team’s wake-up horn, summoning members to work.

He quickly dressed, washed up briefly, and stepped into the courtyard. Facing the faint morning light, he began his Baduanjin exercises at a steady, unhurried pace.

After completing a full set, he felt refreshed and energized throughout his body. He then proceeded to practice a second round.

Upon finishing, a thought struck him, and the attribute panel for his Heavenly Merit talent appeared in his mind.

He focused on the Baduanjin skill.

[Baduanjin Level 3 (285/300)]

At this rate, practicing two more times tonight would likely raise his Baduanjin to level four. He was curious to see how much this would improve his physical fitness.

Just then, a loud knocking came from outside the courtyard gate, accompanied by Jiang Xiaoman’s clear voice: “Yichen, Yichen, are you up yet?”

Zhou Yichen opened the gate to find Jiang Xiaoman standing there, looking lively as ever. She still wore her thick cotton coat, and the red scarf around her neck made her cheeks rosy like ripe apples.

“How did you sleep last night? Are you comfortable in the new place?” she asked with curiosity the moment she stepped inside.

Zhou Yichen smiled and nodded. “Very good. Sleeping alone on a big kang is incredibly comfortable.”

“I’m so jealous!” Jiang Xiaoman exclaimed, her face lighting up with envy.

“In our girls’ dormitory, five of us share one large kang. It’s not too cramped, but we have to be careful when turning over, afraid of bumping into each other.”

“Unlike you, who get to have such a big kang all to yourself, sleeping however you want!”

Zhou Yichen chuckled; the girl was indeed straightforward.

Without waiting for a reply, Jiang Xiaoman headed toward the makeshift kitchen in the east wing, familiar with the routine.

“I’ll see what we can have for breakfast this morning.”

She began rummaging through the kitchen for ingredients.

Watching her busy about in the kitchen put Zhou Yichen at ease. Though a bit carefree, she was capable when it came to managing daily life.

Jiang Xiaoman quickly scanned the small kitchen. Aside from some cured meats, sausages, and dried goods they had brought from home, there were almost no fresh ingredients.

She furrowed her finely shaped brows as she rinsed rice to make porridge and glanced back at Zhou Yichen in the courtyard.

“Yichen, we don’t have any fresh vegetables left. What should we do?”

“Let’s just manage with what we have this morning,” Zhou Yichen replied. “When we go to the brigade headquarters for work, I’ll ask Captain Wang.”

He walked to the kitchen door and continued, “If it’s really impossible, we can try trading with the villagers.”

He recalled that in those days, production team members usually had their own small plots of land. Though not large, they could grow enough vegetables for daily needs.

Besides growing grain, the brigade surely cultivated common vegetables too, which should be distributed to members.

Of course, this was based on what he remembered from his previous life; he still needed to observe and learn how the production team actually operated.

Hearing this, Jiang Xiaoman’s worried brow relaxed, and a smile spread across her face.

“That’s good! You always have a way with things!”

“We’ve just come to the countryside, completely unfamiliar with everything. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know what to do.”

Zhou Yichen smiled but said nothing.

He knew that although Jiang Xiaoman was carefree, she was still a young girl, far from home for the first time, navigating an unfamiliar place. It was natural for her to feel uncertain.

They chatted casually as they worked, their pace never slowing.

Jiang Xiaoman was quick and efficient, and soon breakfast was ready.

It was simple—just a pot of fragrant white rice porridge made from their own rice, a few thin scallion pancakes made from leftover flour, and some pickled vegetables cut into small pieces brought from home.

Though humble, in the crisp morning air, the steaming porridge and fragrant pancakes were enough to satisfy their hungry stomachs.

After breakfast, Zhou Yichen and Jiang Xiaoman locked the courtyard gate and set off toward the brigade headquarters.

Although he had been appointed the health officer by Gao Jianjun, he still needed to discuss the specifics of his duties and the rules for house calls with Gao Jianjun and Wang Zhenshan.

Moreover, he planned to visit the commune that day.

First, he needed to buy a set of silver needles. Although Old Zhang’s condition was currently stable, acupuncture would enhance the treatment and help better manage his illness.

Second, if luck favored him, he hoped to acquire some medical books from the commune health clinic or other sources.

While the barefoot doctor’s manual was practical, it was becoming less useful as he advanced. To improve his medical skills rapidly, he needed a deeper theoretical foundation.