Xu Jinyan would definitely not be used to staying at the ranch since it was his first time here. Hence, Uncle Dong continued," No, how can anyone live in a place like this, especially an intellectual like you? Come, let's go to Uncle Dong's house and sleep for the night!"”
Xu Jinyan was a little reserved when he heard this." Isn't this too much trouble for you?”
The two of them had just known each other for a short while, so it was fine for them to have a meal together. However, it was a little too much for them to suddenly stay in someone else's house.
Uncle Dong waved his hand and smiled." It's okay. It's not a big deal to sleep for a night. Your auntie is very curious about you.”
Xu Jinyan could not refuse the hospitality, so he had to go to Uncle Dong's house. However, as soon as he entered, a strong smell of mutton assaulted his senses!
There was a pot of mutton stew on the simple table!
What was the most common thing on the grasslands of the northwest? Weren't they just cows and sheep?
Xu Jinyan was stunned. He knew that the herdsmen on the grasslands were warm and honest, but he did not expect them to be so passionate.
He had only spent three candles to eat someone else's dinner, and it was stewed mutton!
One had to know that the mutton in Beijing was not cheap!
After coming to this world for so long, other than eating it a few times when he was young, he had never even smelled the smell of sheep after his parents went abroad.
Uncle Dong warmly invited him to sit down.
"Xiao Xu, don't be polite with us. Eat as much as you want!”
As he spoke, he seemed to have thought of something and suddenly said,
"Yo! I remember that I still have a bottle of good wine hidden. Let's take it out and have a good drink!”
Without waiting for Xu Jinyan's reaction, she quickly got up and went to get the wine!
When Xu Jinyan heard his words, he wanted to stop him. After all, he had eaten mutton for dinner and had to stay at his house for the night. There was no reason for him to drink other people's wine.
However, Uncle Dong did not give Xu Jinyan the chance to refuse.
A middle-aged woman came out of the kitchen with a pot of vegetables. She smiled when she saw Xu Jinyan.
"You must be Little Xu? My Old Dong mentioned you the moment he got home. He said that there was an intellectual in the group. He was so happy!”
As he spoke, he sized up Xu Jinyan." Look at how pale her face is. As expected of a city dweller. Compared to us herdsmen who are exposed to the wind and sun, she's like a porcelain doll."”
Xu Jinyan rarely communicated with others when he was in the courtyard house.
Now that he was being teased by a female elder so kindly, he became a little reserved.
"Hello, Auntie."
Aunt Dong smiled and said," Scholars are always polite. You can just call me Aunt Dong. Don't be shy!”
Xu Jinyan's heart suddenly relaxed. There had never been a moment that told him so clearly that this was no longer a courtyard house, nor was there a bitter old woman like the Jia Zhangshi. This was a northwest pasture, and most of them were passionate and honest herdsmen!
Xu Jinyan thought about it, and his smile became much more sincere." Hey, listen to Auntie!”
The woman replied happily," Hey! Remember to eat more tonight. Sleep at my house and don't go anywhere!”
Xu Jinyan smiled and agreed.
Not long after, Uncle Dong came back with a bottle. He poured a glass for Xu Jinyan first, then poured a glass for himself.
"Come and have a taste. It's the special wine of Qilian Mountain. I just don't know if you're used to it.”
Xu Jinyan took a sip and his eyes suddenly widened." It's indeed good wine!"”
Uncle Dong grinned proudly when he heard this.
At this moment, a young man in his twenties suddenly rushed in and shouted.
"Dad, Mom, I'm starving. Is the food ready?!”
He looked like a colt.
Uncle Dong grabbed the kid's arm and scolded him.
"What are you doing? There are guests here today!”
Aunt Dong placed the last bowl of food on the table and said with a smile.
"Why are you making such a big fuss? Go wash your hands and eat!”
Dong Kuan said embarrassedly,"This kid is used to being wild. He still doesn't know how to behave."”
Xu Jinyan smiled and said," A man should be like a fierce horse. It's better to be energetic than to cry when something happens.”
"Dad, is this the educated youth from our village who came today? Look at how knowledgeable you are. Brother Dong will protect you when you go to the Wrangler Team in the future.”
Uncle Dong immediately laughed." Alright, you scholars always have a nice way of talking! The dishes are all served. Let's eat!"
It was raining heavily outside. Xu Jinyan was eating stewed mutton at Uncle Dong's house. The coldness in his body seemed to have been dispelled, and he felt warm all over.
Although Uncle Dong's house was simple and crude, at least it did not leak.
In such an environment, it was already very good that it could not leak.
The two of them chatted while eating.
Xu Jinyan asked curiously," Uncle Dong, did you kill the sheep yourself? The grassland didn't lack sheep, right?”
Uncle Dong shook his head and said," No, this mutton was bought from the county town a few kilometers away. Our ranch can't slaughter mutton privately. If you want to eat mutton, you have to buy it from the county town.”
Xu Jinyan nodded. He remembered this to avoid committing a taboo in the future.
Although this place was remote, the policies here were similar to those in Beijing.
Working in the ranch earned work points, which could be exchanged for food.
For example, those educated youths with clean backgrounds also had additional government subsidies.
However, for people like them who had problems with their composition, they could only be completely self-sufficient and rely on their own labor to eat.
Then, Xu Jinyan asked Uncle Dong about the village.
He saw a health center in the village today, but the conditions were quite simple.
Uncle Dong said," The conditions at that clinic are not good. At most, it can treat a headache or fever. If you break your leg or hand while riding a horse, you can only go to the county a few kilometers away. It's very inconvenient.”
Then, he said," Whenever you go to the county town, call a carriage to follow you and bring back all the things you want to buy. Otherwise, it will be too late to buy them when you need them.”
Xu Jinyan nodded and remembered his words.
The two of them continued chatting until Uncle Dong was a little drunk and held Xu Jinyan's hand.
"You can't leave tonight. Stay at my house and let my son get a taste of your talent. He'll learn how to speak from you!”
After Aunt Dong helped him into the house, he ran out again and reminded Xu Jinyan.
"Have a good rest tonight. I'll take you to see the horses tomorrow. Look at the horses in our team. They're very strong!”
Xu Jinyan agreed readily before he went back to his room to sleep.
After Aunt Dong settled Uncle Dong down and made Xu Jinyan's bed, she turned to him and said kindly,"
"Xiao Xu, you can stay in my son's room tonight and have a good rest. There are still many things to do tomorrow!”
After Aunt Dong left, Xu Jinyan lay on the soft bed and listened to the heavy rain outside the house. He let out a sigh of relief.
He finally left the man-eating courtyard house, and what awaited him was a new life that was about to begin.
That night, Xu Jinyan slept exceptionally well.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]