When Gu Yunsheng got up, the Huo family had already gone to work.
Autumn harvest was the busiest time for the brigade. The hard work of the farmers over the past half year depended on this short period for results.
Of course, whether it was the harvest or normal days, there were set working hours.
Huo Chengxuan woke up early to prepare breakfast, worried she might not eat well.
The four Huo family members finished breakfast, leaving some for Gu Yunsheng. When the work horn sounded, they followed the youth in the courtyard outside.
After the harsh countryside training, everyone was exhausted, and the youth looked pale and thin.
Huo Chengxuan and Chu Ziheng were tall, long-legged, and handsome, standing out in the crowd.
They attracted the attention of many young women, including some village girls.
Wan’er and Chu Rongrong also drew quite a few glances.
“Oh my, these people are too good-looking!”
Huo Chengxuan paid no mind to the eyes on him.
He thought about whether Gu Yunsheng had gotten up, whether she had eaten breakfast, and whether it suited her taste.
On the ridges between the fields, Huo Chengxuan led his family, waiting for the brigade leader.
Du Guowei arrived quickly, followed by three men and two women—his three sons and two daughters-in-law.
Seeing that the three families were already there, he was satisfied. At least they were not troublemakers.
He briefly introduced them to the villagers and youth.
When introducing Huo Chengxuan and Chu Ziheng, both the older daughters and young daughters-in-law kept glancing at the two men.
Huo Chengxuan seemed unaware, showing no expression, his face cold and reserved.
Chu Ziheng, on the other hand, smiled the entire time.
He was refined and cultured, with an elegant demeanor, prompting many young women to whisper and discuss.
Huo Chengxuan received more attention, as his build indicated he could carry full quotas.
He seemed oblivious to the stares, thinking about something else. Once he grabbed his sickle, he began working.
Meanwhile, Gu Yunsheng got up, washed up simply, had breakfast, and headed out.
She needed to go shopping, as a long journey meant she could not bring everything and it would be inconvenient.
By luck or fate, just as she left the village, she met an elderly man driving a cattle cart.
After asking, she learned his surname was Wang.
His children had passed away, his elderly wife was weak, and he was too old to work the fields. The brigade allowed him to run a small business.
He usually provided rides to the commune.
This helped support the elderly couple and served people in the brigade.
Anyone from the brigade needing to go to the commune would wait under the old locust tree for his cart.
During the off-season, many people waited, but during the busy harvest, almost no one did.
Wang thought today would be quiet and was about to return home when he unexpectedly met Gu Yunsheng leaving the village.
Gu Yunsheng immediately asked if he could take her to the commune and help carry back a cart of goods.
Compared to hiring a private cart, she would pay the full fare both ways.
Wang was delighted. He could not have been happier about such a deal.
After nearly an hour of travel, Gu Yunsheng asked,
“Grandfather, are we almost at the commune?”
“Yes, just ahead,” Wang replied warmly.
Gu Yunsheng, sweetly, handed him a handful of White Rabbit candies, which made him even more favorable toward her.
Moreover, Wang was so familiar with the route, having made the trip countless times, he could likely drive the cart with his eyes closed.
Sure enough, shortly after, he stopped.
“Grandfather, please wait here. I’ll be quick, at most half an hour.”
“All right! No rush,” he said.
Gu Yunsheng confirmed the location of the supply and marketing cooperative before leaving.
Making a trip to the commune took a long time. Carrying back goods would be inconvenient, so she bought plenty.
In fact, she had already acquired most items in her space’s large market, but needed an excuse to take them out.
It wasn’t strictly necessary to go to the cooperative, but if Huo Chengxuan or others asked later, it would be easier to explain.
With Wang’s help, no one questioned the origin of her items.
The village cooperative was far inferior to the provincial one, but basic daily necessities were available.
So taking them out would not seem strange.
Originally, she did not plan to buy much, just wanted to see what was available.
She could not find what she needed here otherwise.
However, seeing many natural local products, she could not resist.
She picked and purchased a lot, including wild yam and wild walnuts.
These two were highly nutritious, and she bought quite a bit.
After leaving the cooperative, she went into a deserted alley to organize her purchases.
Checking the time, it was just right to head back to where Wang waited.
It was already ten o’clock. Returning would take about an hour, making timing perfect.
Her purchases included rice, white flour, pork, fruits, vegetables, seasonings, and some daily necessities.
These would last for a while. During the exhausting harvest, she had to ensure the family’s meals were well arranged.
Of course, this was also for her own benefit.
It was truly a bit heavy!
Carrying so much over just a few hundred meters left Gu Yunsheng gasping for breath.
This was even after drinking the spiritual spring water, which improved her constitution.
Without it, she might not have been able to carry even one bag.
“Oh my, young lady, you bought so much!”
Wang was surprised at the two full bags. “With so much, you should have asked me to help carry it.”
Gu Yunsheng smiled. “It’s fine, I can manage. Grandfather, let’s go back. We need to hurry to cook!”
“All right, sit tight!”
Once Gu Yunsheng was seated, Wang patted the ox’s back.
The cart moved slowly.
An hour later, they arrived at the Qianjin Brigade.
Gu Yunsheng’s polite and sweet demeanor, along with the many items, ensured she was directly taken to the Educated Youth Point.
She was very grateful; otherwise, it would have taken her much longer.
The only downside was passing by people working in the fields.
As they passed the fields, the workers looked over at them.