Chapter 41: Bathing

Looking at her serious expression, Zhou Yichen couldn't help but chuckle. "Understood, understood, my dear comrade Jiang Xiaoman."

He paused, then added in a more solemn tone, "Rest assured, I have no such intentions toward her."

Hearing this, the expression on Jiang Xiaoman's small face softened, though she still huffed, "I don't care whether you have intentions toward her or not! I'm worried that if your uncle and aunt find out, they’ll break your legs for sure!"

"You’re the only seedling in the Zhou family, their precious treasure! If they found out you were getting tangled up with a widow in the countryside, they’d be furious. At that point, never mind breaking your legs—they might just beat you to death!"

Zhou Yichen was amused by her exaggerated phrasing, but he understood the logic behind her words. In this era, one’s reputation was still of great importance. Especially with his parents' traditional views, they would certainly never accept such a thing.

At the mention of his parents, a thought struck Zhou Yichen, as if he had just remembered something important.

"By the way, Xiaoman," he said, "we’ve been in the countryside for almost a week now, haven't we? It seems we haven't written a letter home to let them know we’re safe."

Jiang Xiaoman slapped her forehead. "Oh my! I would have forgotten if you hadn't brought it up! I’ve been too busy." She added with a touch of annoyance, "We really must write soon, or my parents will start worrying."

"Exactly," Zhou Yichen nodded. "My mother is the biggest worrier; she’s probably pacing back and forth at home right now, fretting over us."

The two exchanged glances, both seeing the shared longing for their families reflected in the other’s eyes.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Jiang Xiaoman said immediately. "Let's write! Once finished, you can find time to go to the commune post office tomorrow and get the letters sent off."

She had to work in the fields tomorrow, so the task would have to fall to Zhou Yichen. In any case, as the health worker, his schedule was quite flexible.

"Deal!" Zhou Yichen agreed readily.

They sprang into action, each returning to their own room to fetch paper and pens. Under the dim glow of a kerosene lamp, two young figures hunched over a makeshift table, earnestly writing down their longing for their families and words of reassurance.

*Scratch, scratch, scratch—*

The sound of pen tips gliding across paper was exceptionally clear in the quiet room. Before long, their letters were finished.

Jiang Xiaoman folded her letter carefully, tucked it into an envelope, licked the stamp, and pressed it on with great care. Having completed the task, she let out a long breath and a relaxed smile appeared on her face.

Zhou Yichen also sealed his envelope and looked out the window. It was getting late, and it was time to prepare dinner.

"Xiaoman," he said, "are you hungry? Let's go make some food."

Jiang Xiaoman rubbed her stomach and nodded. "I am a bit hungry." She looked at her gauze-wrapped fingers and said sheepishly, "Yichen, my hand... I’m afraid I won't be much help today."

Zhou Yichen smiled. "It's fine. Since your hand is injured, don't get it wet today; I’ll do the cooking."

"Then you have to follow my instructions!" Jiang Xiaoman’s eyes brightened, and she instantly became spirited, eager to supervise.

"Fine, I’ll listen to everything you say." Zhou Yichen shook his head helplessly, though his face bore a look of indulgent amusement.

And so, under Jiang Xiaoman’s verbal guidance, Zhou Yichen began his culinary experiment.

"Yichen, tear the cabbage by hand, don't use a knife; it tastes better when torn by hand!"

"Mm."

"Cut the potatoes into chunks, don't make them too small or they’ll turn to mush."

"Got it."

...

Although Jiang Xiaoman’s instructions were a bit long-winded and occasionally led to minor mistakes, Zhou Yichen listened patiently, following every word. To him, this wasn't just cooking; it was gaining experience. With the "Heaven Rewards Diligence" talent, no effort would be in vain. By the time he finished, his culinary proficiency had improved significantly.

[Cooking LV3 (245/300)]

At this rate, after a few more meals, his cooking skill would reach level four. By then, his skills should be no worse than Jiang Xiaoman’s.

Dinner tonight was simple: a stir-fried cabbage and a potato stew. No meat.

As Zhou Yichen chewed on the somewhat bland potatoes, he couldn't help but sigh. He was a man who couldn't live without meat, and these past few days since transmigrating, the thing he found hardest to get used to was the lack of meat in his daily diet.

"Yichen, when you go to the commune to mail the letters tomorrow, buy some meat on the way back," Jiang Xiaoman said, her words slightly muffled as she shoveled cabbage into her mouth.

"Mm, that’s what I was thinking, too," Zhou Yichen nodded. "We’re almost out of oil at home, so we should buy some fatty pork to render into lard."

The oil they had been using was rendered from cured meat. Thinking of fatty pork, Zhou Yichen couldn't help but swallow hard. He had grown tired of fatty meat in his past life, yet he never expected to miss the taste so much in this one. This body was truly craving it.

"Great!" Jiang Xiaoman’s eyes lit up, a look of excitement on her face. "I’ve been exhausted these past two days; we really need to nourish ourselves!"

Seeing how Jiang Xiaoman was craving food, Zhou Yichen smiled. "It’s not just you; I need to build myself up, too."

His physical fitness had been improving rapidly lately, especially after reaching level four in the Eight Brocades (Baduanjin); his body felt as if it had been upgraded, changing for the better every single day. Along with this physical improvement came a growing need for nutrients.

He decided to buy extra meat tomorrow and add some medicinal herbs for nourishment. In particular, he could add a bit of that wild ginseng. Even though it was valuable, it had to be used when necessary. Investing in himself was the best investment of all.

After dinner, Jiang Xiaoman went back to Zhou Yichen’s room and pulled a few bills and food coupons from a small parcel. She kept her valuables with Zhou Yichen, especially the money and coupons. After all, the educated youth dormitory was crowded and full of prying eyes; it wasn't as safe as it was here.

"Yichen, take this money and these coupons," Jiang Xiaoman said, handing them to him. "Since we’re sharing our meals, you shouldn't have to pay for the meat alone."

Zhou Yichen felt a surge of warmth as he looked at the items in his hand. "Alright." He accepted them and said with a smile, "I’ll make sure to buy a nice cut of meat tomorrow!"

"I want fatty meat!" Jiang Xiaoman waved her fist excitedly.

"Done, plenty of fatty meat!" Zhou Yichen replied with a laugh.

Watching Zhou Yichen tuck the money and coupons away, Jiang Xiaoman patted his shoulder. "Yichen, I’m going back to the dormitory to get a change of clothes; I’m going to take a bath here."

"Sure," Zhou Yichen nodded in agreement.

"It’s too crowded at the dormitory, it’s not convenient to bathe there," Jiang Xiaoman explained. "And since I’m not cooking at the dormitory anymore, it's a hassle to use their water."

What she didn't say was that they had grown up together and knew each other's characters well, so she felt safe bathing here. Zhou Yichen had no objections to this, so he simply nodded. "Fine, go ahead."

"Then I’ll be back shortly."

"Mm, go on."

After Jiang Xiaoman left, Zhou Yichen went out into the yard to begin his daily exercises. Although it had only been a few days, he had already begun to adapt to life in the countryside. He had not only become the production team’s health worker but had also secured a separate place to live. Though the accommodation was still quite simple and needed renovation, the environment was far better than the dormitory. For instance, he could now practice the Eight Brocades boldly and openly, without worrying about the gossip of others.

Once the Eight Brocades reached level four, his movements became more standardized; every action was full of harmony. Each movement provided an intense workout, and as he practiced, the proficiency bar on his "Heaven Rewards Diligence" talent panel increased bit by bit.

[Eight Brocades LV4 (29/400)]

[Eight Brocades LV4 (30/400)]

...

Zhou Yichen was immersed in his training, deaf to everything in the outside world. Just then, Jiang Xiaoman returned with her change of clothes. Following behind her was Lin Xiaoyue.

Seeing Lin Xiaoyue also clutching a change of clothes, her motive was self-evident. Observing Zhou Yichen exercising in the yard, Lin Xiaoyue lowered her head, looking a bit shy.