Chapter 42: Jiang Xiaoman's Big Discovery

Jiang Xiaoman spoke in a carefree manner, "Yichen, Xiaoyue would also like to take a bath here. Is that alright?"

Zhou Yichen paused, glancing first at Lin Xiaoyue and then at Jiang Xiaoman.

"Of course, that’s fine," Zhou Yichen nodded.

"Thank you," Lin Xiaoyue whispered, her cheeks flushing even deeper.

"What are you thanking me for? We all came here together; it’s only right to help each other out," Zhou Yichen said with a smile.

"Exactly, we’re all good buddies, no need for formalities," Jiang Xiaoman chimed in.

"Mm," Lin Xiaoyue replied softly.

"Then you two go ahead and boil the water; don't worry about me," Zhou Yichen said.

"Alright." Jiang Xiaoman and Lin Xiaoyue entered the kitchen together.

Zhou Yichen then resumed his workout, continuing for an hour.

[Ba Duan Jin LV4 (76/400)]

Sweat soaked his shirt, outlining his lean, muscular physique under the dim, fading sunlight. Exhaling a breath of stale air, Zhou Yichen slowly finished his routine. He could feel his physical fitness improving once again, which filled him with confidence for the future.

By the time Zhou Yichen finished his exercise, the sound of water came from the kitchen; Jiang Xiaoman and Lin Xiaoyue had finished their baths. It was fortunate they were together; otherwise, both would have felt quite embarrassed.

"Yichen, we’re done."

A moment later, Jiang Xiaoman and Lin Xiaoyue walked out of the kitchen.

"Mm, I see," Zhou Yichen replied.

Blushing and keeping her head down, Lin Xiaoyue said with some shyness, "Thank you, Yichen."

"You're welcome. You can come over with Xiaoman again in the future," Zhou Yichen said with a smile. He was willing to help with such a small matter. Of course, this only applied to Lin Xiaoyue; if it were someone else, he might have had to think twice.

"Mm," Lin Xiaoyue responded softly before leaving with Jiang Xiaoman. As they left, Jiang Xiaoman didn't forget to remind him, "Yichen, we’ve already boiled the water for you, hurry up and wash."

"I know," Zhou Yichen said with a smile.

After they left, Zhou Yichen closed the courtyard gate. He went into the kitchen to wash. The hot water rinsed over his body, washing away his fatigue. Once finished, he returned to the room and climbed onto the warm kang. The thick cotton quilt spread over the bed felt cozy and comfortable. He picked up a medical book and began to study. Resting was simply out of the question.

At his age, this was the prime time for learning; how could he waste it? Furthermore, with the "Heaven Rewards Diligence" talent at his disposal, failing to grind his skills would be a complete waste of a gift. In the countryside, there weren't many entertainment activities, so people usually went to bed early—or spent their time making babies. In this era, the more children a family had, the more confident they felt when speaking. But Zhou Yichen came from a later generation, so he wasn't accustomed to sleeping that early.

After studying for two or three hours, Zhou Yichen checked the alarm clock on the table and found it was just past ten. Before sleeping, he habitually checked his talent panel. He noticed that after a few hours of study, his medical skill proficiency had increased significantly.

[Medical Skill LV1 (815/1000)]

"Not bad," Zhou Yichen nodded in satisfaction. At this rate, his medical skill would reach level two in just a few more days. By then, he would be able to learn even more advanced medical techniques. Thinking of this, he was filled with anticipation. He put down the medical book, blew out the kerosene lamp, and lay down to sleep. Although the living conditions in this era were harsh, Zhou Yichen didn't feel much discomfort. On the contrary, he found this simple life to be more relaxed and free. He knew that as long as he worked hard, he could change his fate, and that was his greatest source of security.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, before the sky had even brightened, Zhou Yichen’s biological clock woke him up on time. Outside the window, the sky was still an impenetrable ink-black, and the air held the biting chill typical of a winter morning.

After he finished washing with cold water, the iconic loudspeaker of the Xiangyang Brigade blared on time, playing rousing revolutionary songs to urge the commune members to get up and start work. Zhou Yichen stepped into the courtyard, ignoring the noise, and unhurriedly assumed his stance. He performed a set of Ba Duan Jin as fluidly as flowing water, feeling his body warm up and his limbs fill with a sense of well-being. He practiced another set, and his proficiency increased once more.

[Ba Duan Jin LV4 (95/400)]

Zhou Yichen slowly retracted his movements, exhaling a long plume of white mist that dissipated into the cold air. No sooner had he finished than the courtyard gate creaked open. Jiang Xiaoman entered, wrapped in her thick cotton coat, a yellow scarf tied around her neck.

"Yichen, up so early?"

Zhou Yichen nodded, "Aren't you the same?"

Jiang Xiaoman shook her hand, still wrapped in gauze, and said with a bit of embarrassment, "My hand isn't convenient, so I've come to mooch some breakfast."

"Alright, wait a moment." Zhou Yichen went into the kitchen to start the fire.

Breakfast was simple: millet porridge with pickled vegetables and two steamed corn buns. Watching Zhou Yichen busy at the stove, Jiang Xiaoman felt a bit guilty.

"Yichen, it’s all my fault. Even with my injured hand, I’m still making you cook."

Zhou Yichen replied without turning around, "It's fine." He paused, a hint of an undetectable smile in his tone, "Just consider it a preview."

"A preview of what?" Jiang Xiaoman didn't catch his drift.

"Bitter first, sweet later," Zhou Yichen turned his head, joking with a straight face. "Once you get used to life in the countryside, I'll leave all the cooking to you. I'm suffering a little now, just waiting to enjoy the good life later."

Jiang Xiaoman was stunned for a moment, then realized he was teasing her. Her face flushed, and she spat, "In your dreams!"

However, she quickly puffed out her chest and declared heroically, "Fine! From now on, the cooking is on me! You just wait to eat!" She agreed so readily not just because they were close, but because she felt it was only fair. Even brothers settle accounts clearly. She was sharing meals with him and staying on his turf; since he provided the space, she should naturally contribute more effort. That was only fair. Jiang Xiaoman had never been the type to take advantage of others.

While eating breakfast, Jiang Xiaoman suddenly lowered her voice, leaned in toward Zhou Yichen, and said mysteriously, "Yichen, let me tell you something. I made a huge discovery last night!" Her bright eyes sparkled with a mixture of gossip and shock. "If you knew, you’d definitely be stunned!"

Zhou Yichen was amused by her feigned mystery. He picked up some pickles with his chopsticks, popped them into his mouth, and asked slowly, "What discovery has you acting so jumpy?"

Jiang Xiaoman looked around cautiously, as if the crude room had ears in the walls. After confirming they were safe, she lowered her voice even further, almost whispering, "It's about Sun Fang."

Zhou Yichen raised an eyebrow, signaling for her to continue.

"Last night, I got up to use the latrine. When I passed the female educated youth's room, I glanced inside subconsciously and saw that Sun Fang’s bedding on the kang was empty—she wasn't there!" Jiang Xiaoman’s expression turned serious. "I thought she had gone to the latrine, so I didn't pay it any mind. But when I got to the latrine, there was no one there at all!"

Zhou Yichen paused mid-sip of his porridge and looked up at her. He knew the important part was coming.