Chapter 40: Returning Fully Loaded
After saying goodbye to Aunt Chunsheng, Ning Xiyue set off to look for the next check-in spot.
Although the pigsty check-in had given her an unexpected reward, it was a source of endless meat. In four months, she’d have a bunch of piglets, a bunch of pork — though the process might be a little tough.
The thought of becoming a future pig-breeding tycoon made her slightly excited.
Ding! [New check-in spot detected: Daliu Brigade Reservoir. Would the host like to check in?]
“Check in.”
Ding! [Check-in successful. You have received: one water well and two wild crucian carp.]
Ding! [The water well is a special item and has been placed into the host’s mustard seed space.]
Ning Xiyue, full of wild imagination, asked the system, “Is the water well just for drinking water, or does it have other functions?”
Ding! [This water well is for drinking water only. No other effects.]
Ning Xiyue wasn’t disappointed and nodded repeatedly. “Drinking water is good too. Now I won’t run out of water when cooking in the space. Very convenient.”
She continued walking uphill with a half-full basket of firewood on her back.
Along the way, Ning Xiyue also picked up many flat medium-sized stones and stored them in her space.
She even gathered a whole basket of pig grass and put that in the space too.
As she passed by an abandoned cave, the system’s voice rang out again.
“New check-in spot detected: Abandoned Cave. Would the host like to check in?”
“Check in.”
[Check-in successful. You have obtained: Tai Chi Martial Arts Manual – Direct Enlightenment once. Note: ‘Direct Enlightenment’ will input the entire manual’s techniques into the host’s mind. How much the host comprehends depends entirely on themselves.]
?
Abandoned caves really were full of hidden treasures.
This Direct Enlightenment reward was right up her alley.
When she reached the hillside, Ning Xiyue was lucky enough to find a pear tree with one wild pear still clinging to it.
She successfully triggered a check-in point and received one Crown Pear Sapling.
Ning Xiyue happily planted the sapling near the water well she had just obtained in her mustard space.
Now she wouldn’t have to worry about running out of pears to eat in the future.
Looking at the map of the Daliu Brigade, Ning Xiyue noticed she had lit up the entire southeastern corner. She felt pretty satisfied.
She had only one check-in left. The firewood in her basket was already overflowing, and it was getting late, so Ning Xiyue decided not to look for more check-in points.
The check-in spot at the village entrance had already reset. With her last check-in chance, she circled back to the big willow tree at the village gate and claimed today’s reward — a cup of Mango Pomelo Sago.
This trip was truly a harvest in every sense.
When she returned to the educated youth courtyard, she found that Uncle Jian had already brought over some materials for building her small kitchen. They were piled up neatly in the planned area.
When Ning Xiyue got closer, she noticed that there were two identical piles of materials — and the other one was right next to hers, with a circle drawn around the spot.
Oh? What’s this…
Chen Yechu approached with a cheerful smile. “Xiyue, you’re back. I’m planning to build a small kitchen next to yours. Hope that’s not a bother?”
“It’s fine. Why would it bother me?” Ning Xiyue shook her head.
She was planning to add a door to her kitchen anyway. Once it was closed, no one could see inside. It didn’t matter if they were side by side.
She just hadn’t expected Chen Yechu to move so fast — in just the short time she was gone, he’d already arranged everything for the kitchen construction.
“Thank you, Xiyue,” Chen Yechu said sincerely.
Ning Xiyue waved her hand dismissively and changed the subject. “By the way, did you get your stove and pot? It’s getting late. Let’s cook dinner early — we still have to work tomorrow.”
“Got them. Come, I’ll show you. I left them next to the big kitchen.” Chen Yechu, excited, pulled Ning Xiyue forward.
When they reached the large kitchen, Ning Xiyue saw an old, blackened stove by the door — likely something Chen Yechu had traded for from a villager.
Then he brought out a brand-new pot from inside. “Look, this is our big iron pot. I brought it from home — only used once. It’s a new pot, and it fits this stove perfectly.”
Ning Xiyue’s eyelids twitched as she saw the pot’s design, material, and the patterns on the handle.
Oh boy. This was clearly a modern-manufactured pot.
She could tell right away that Chen Yechu had bought it online.
He really didn’t see her as an outsider — blatantly using modern items where no one would notice.
Except, of course, he didn’t realize someone did notice. Ning Xiyue was the only one who knew.
Feigning ignorance, she asked, “The pattern on this pot is really nice. Did you carve it yourself?”
Chen Yechu froze for a moment. “Ah… this? My grandma carved it. She also prepared the pot for me. She said marking it would make it easier to recognize and avoid unnecessary trouble.”
Yu Zhiyu, who had just walked out of the kitchen, heard this and commented sincerely, “Your grandma is really good to you. So thoughtful.”
It was Chen Yechu’s first time lying, and he felt a little embarrassed. “Hehe, yeah, she’s really good to me.”
Yu Zhiyu scratched his head and grinned foolishly.
Knowing the truth, Ning Xiyue laughed silently to herself. Wow, what a time for the male lead to strike up a conversation — of all moments, he had to speak when the female lead was covering up a lie. Hilarious.
Looks like Yu Zhiyu’s road to pursuing his beloved would be a long one.
Feeling the atmosphere getting awkward, Chen Yechu spotted the firewood on Ning Xiyue’s back and treated it like a lifesaver.
“Xiyue, put the firewood over here. I collected some this afternoon too. If we cover it with straw, the dew won’t make it damp.”
“Alright,” Ning Xiyue nodded, dumping the firewood into the corner. “This should be enough for us to cook two meals.”
“Comrade Yu, I’m going to cook now. You go ahead with your work,” Chen Yechu said with a wave before quickly turning away to look busy.
While Ning Xiyue fetched water from the courtyard well to wash the pot, most of her attention remained fixed on the two leads, watching their drama unfold like a soap opera.
When Chen Yechu turned away, Yu Zhiyu’s expression flickered with brief disappointment, but he quickly composed himself and spoke gently.
“Alright, you go ahead. I need to cook dinner too.”
Sigh. Boring. That was it? She had just started enjoying the show, and it ended abruptly.
Chatting with Aunt Chunsheng about piglets was more entertaining than this.
She decided she’d better just cook, eat, and then lie down to undergo Direct Enlightenment. If nothing else, even reading the Postpartum Care Manual for Sows would be more fun.
