Weiguo knew that Lijuan had deliberately wanted to avoid this responsibility. In the past, he might not have given an order to her and would only ask Xiulan to help out at home. Now that Xiulan was sick and Lijuan was fine, it was only appropriate for his stepdaughter to do the housework.
He said with some dissatisfaction, "Can't a girl like you cook some porridge? What's so difficult about that? You don't know or you just don't want to do it?"
Lijuan didn't dare to say anything no matter how unhappy she was, she could only follow Weiguo's orders.
However, she glared at Xiulan fiercely, feeling that Xiulan was the reason why her stepfather asked her to do the housework. The cooking job shouldn't have fallen on her as well.
An imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Xiulan's lips, and then she 'sensibly' said to Weiguo, "Dad, I will go to work later and earn work points."
"Xiulan, you are not completely well yet, so can you still work? You should just rest at home!" Weiguo was really worried this time.
"Dad, I'm fine, I can still do some light tasks. We don't have much foodstuff at home. If we earn more work points, we can get a little bit more foodstuffs and our family can have more provisions later as well."
Hearing Xiulan's words, compared with Lijuan, Weiguo felt that his eldest daughter was more sensible.
He used to be too negligent towards his biological daughters, so he needed to love them more in the future.
Their breakfast was a thin porridge with few grains of rice, one bowl per person, plus a wowotou, but there was no reaction in Xiulan's stomach when she ate this meal.
However, in this era, when supplies were scarce, there were not many people who could fill their stomachs in full. Their stomachs were either half-full or empty, so it was still good to be able to fill something into their stomachs.
After breakfast, Xiulan, like everyone in the whole village, went to the rice field of the production team to huddle, waiting for the leader to assign their tasks for the day.
When all the people in the village who were going to work came over, the team leader, Liu Gensheng, took the workbook and began to distribute tasks to the people in the village.
*Original translation is from . Please read it on the translator's website.
"Qian Weihua, go and plow the field along the ditch near the Sun family."
"Li Weihong, go and mow the grass on the field in the east end."
"Wang Chaoying, Liu Fubang, you two, go and open the river ditch in the west end…"
After everyone received their tasks, they all went to start working.
The tasks assigned by Gensheng were based on their genders. Basically, men do some heavy physical tasks, such as digging waterways, plowing fields, and carrying heavy things. On the other hand, women do light tasks, such as mowing grass, sowing seeds, and watering the ground.
The tasks were different and the corresponding work points were also different.
In this era, you could get a maximum of ten work points for a full-day of work. Men who could do heavy work would be given a little more work points, and if they did a good job, they would be given the full ten work points.
For women who could do light work, even if they do well, they would only get at most six to seven work points or seven to eight work points in a day. However, they could only get three to four work points or four to five work points in a day most of the time.
The foodstuff distribution was linked to the total number of work points a family could earn. The higher the work points, the more foodstuffs could be allocated to them. Therefore, every household wanted to be able to get more work points, so that the family could eat more meals.
Soon, Xiulan was also assigned a task—cutting hogweeds!
Gensheng knew that she fell into the river the other day and had a fever. After seeing her face, which didn't look good today, he simply assigned her an easy task.
Xiulan saw that the team leader deliberately assigned her an easy task, so she thanked him gratefully. Afterwards, she took a sickle and a basket from the production team's farm tools and went to the mountain to cut hogweeds.
The few people who were sent to cut hogweeds, as well as the cattle herders, were allowed to go to the foot of the mountain.
Xiulan went up the mountain based on the memory of the original owner.
Now was the era of the Great Famine, coupled with the great steel production in the previous few years, many trees had been cut down, so the mountain hills were a little bald and there was not much vegetation. It was no wonder that one could earn work points just by cutting hogweeds.
Fortunately, there were many people and everyone was working, so it was not boring.
At this time, the slogan came from the loudspeaker and broadcasted in the whole production team, "Unity and diligence, strive for the best results, not afraid of hardship, not afraid of fatigue!
"Suffering comes first and the pleasures of life comes afterwards!
"Blah blah blah…"
On the radio, the announcer's tone was very lively, and the people who were working listened to it and sped up their work.
Although people in this era were very arduous, they were very simple and they had a strong sense of happiness and satisfaction. To be able to have work to do, to have foodstuff to eat, to drink and eat one's fill was their greatest wish.
On the contrary, in the 21st century, conditions had improved and people's desires had become endless, making it difficult to have a sense of happiness.
Xiulan also sped up her work. When she found some hogweeds, she would quickly cut them and then carry the basket on her back to search in the next place.
"Quickly, anyone, help! Wu Jinhua's son was bitten by a snake!"
A panicked voice came not far from the foot of the mountain. After hearing it, the people who were working hurriedly ran over.
The people in the production team were simple and kind. Basically, if there was an accident in one family, other families would help. When they heard that someone had been bitten by a snake, they naturally rushed over to see what happened.
According to the memory of the original owner, Jinhua gave birth to a son after having three girls, so this son was very precious to their family. Now that her son was bitten by a snake, she probably was very worried and nervous.
Xiulan kept up with the rest of the team and went over to take a look, wondering if she could be of help.
When everyone rushed over, Jinhua's son, Gou Dan, had already fallen to the ground. He had fainted and his lips were black. It was obvious that the venom had penetrated into his blood.
Original translation is from . Please read it on the translator's website.
Many people were talking anxiously, "What can we do about this? How can he be bitten by a poisonous snake?"
"It appears that the venom is quite serious. Oh no, it will take at least half an hour to get to the commune's health center. It will be too late to send him there!"
"Yes… I heard that it had to be treated immediately. You won't be saved if there's any delay, half an hour… I'm afraid it's too late for this kid!"
Jinhua had long been so frightened that she lost her senses. When she heard someone said that, she was even more frightened. She cried and shouted, "Who can save Dan? He is my precious son, no bad thing can happen to him!
"Whoever can save my son, I will work extremely hard to repay him for a lifetime!
"Boo hoo… please save my son… Dan…"
Seeing her cried like that, the people in the production team felt sympathetic and helpless at the same time.
None of them was a doctor and there was nothing anyone could do in that situation.
"Why don't you hurry up and send him to the health center to try? It's better than wasting time here," suggested by someone.
The others followed suit, feeling that this was the only way to go now.
Just as someone was about to pick up Dan and send him to the commune's health center, Xiulan stood up with a solemn expression and said to everyone, "I'm afraid that it's too late to send him over there. We have to deal with it now, otherwise his life will be in danger."
After Xiulan finished speaking, everyone's eyes fell on her.
She just ignored their questioning look and walked in front of Jinhua. "Auntie, if you believe me, then let me try!"
Jinhua was already out of her wits. Although the person standing in front of her was just a young girl, she still decided to let the girl try. It was better than doing nothing and letting her son meet a mishap.
Also, listening to Xiulan's tone, it seemed that this girl really had a way to save her son.
"All right, Xiulan. If you have a way, then please try it. If you can save Dan, I will remember it for the rest of my life, and I will repay you well in the future!"
Xiulan didn't think about asking Jinhua to repay her. She just couldn't watch a living life wither in front of her.
In the apocalypse, she had seen too many scenes like this and everyone worked hard to live.
It was only after experiencing the apocalypse that Xiulan knew the preciousness of life.
Since she could save others, Xiulan would definitely spare no effort to lend a hand and hurriedly help out.
In order to cope with the coming of the apocalypse, she not only hoarded a large number of supplies, but also learned some basic medical and health knowledge before the apocalypse, so that she or her companions could help in the treatment of injuries in the future.
She also knew how to save herself after being bitten by a poisonous snake.
After hearing what Jinhua said, she nodded and hurriedly walked to Dan.
Dan was bitten by a snake on his ankle. She glanced around and saw some vines, she pulled one off and tied it above his cross-joint as a ligation. This ligation was to prevent the venom from spreading within the blood vessels, as it would make the situation become serious.
Following that, she quickly looked at his wound to confirm that there were no snake teeth left in it, and then she squeezed out the black blood inside with force.
"Get me some water and prepare some water for him to drink," Xiulan instructed.
Original translation is from . Please read it on the translator's website.
The enthusiastic people on the side hurriedly brought some water. After she got the water, she kept rinsing the wound. When she was almost finished rinsing, she carried an enamel jar with water. When everyone was not paying attention, she took some Ji Desheng Snake Tablets from the space and fed them to Dan.
Fortunately, there were a lot of medicines in her space, otherwise she really couldn't imagine what would happen in this situation today.
After all of this, she felt a layer of sweat on her back because she was too focused.
A moment later, Dan was fine.
The treatment was timely and Dan, who had fainted, woke up. His lip color was not as dark as it was just now and he looked much better.
Xiulan saved him and it made the onlookers looked at her with admiration, and the eyes looking at her were suddenly a little different.
As soon as Jinhua saw her son woke up, she immediately hugged him and burst into tears. "Dan… my little sweetheart, fortunately you are all right. If anything happens to you, how can Mom live…"
Dan was obviously also frightened by this incident, so he hugged his mother and cried as well.
After crying, Jinhua thought of her son's savior, so she knelt down in front of Xiulan, "Xiulan, if it wasn't for you today, Dan would be dead. Your kindness will always be in my heart. Thank you very much."
Xiulan hurriedly pulled her up and said, "Auntie, you're welcome. Everyone in the production team, all the villagers, should help each other. It's merely a slight effort, so Auntie should not worry about it. I believe that you'll help in any way as well when my family has difficulties in the future!"
After listening to Xiulan's words, everyone not only felt that she was capable and could also deal with snake venom, but the most important thing was that she had a good character and had not yet taken credit at all.
It was rare to be able to do this at such a young age.
So they praised her one by one, and they all admired her.
When Jinhua heard what Xiulan said, she was moved too, but she still kept Xiulan's kindness in her heart.
Xiulan said it was not a big deal, but she couldn't stop herself from expressing her gratitude. A reward had to be given to her. She also knew that Xiulan had a difficult time at home with that stepmother, and she owed Xiulan such a big favor. If anyone dared to bully Xiulan in the future, she would definitely be the first to help this girl.
Auntie, Dan's body is still very weak, so hurry up and take him back to rest. Don't treat him badly these next few days and feed this child enough!" Xiulan warned his mother.Jinhua listened to Xiulan's words, nodded quickly, and went back with Dan in her arms.The other people who joined in the fun curiously asked Xiulan."Xiulan, how can you cure the snake venom? This ability is too great, ah!"Xiulan couldn't explain the reason, so she just casually pulled up these words, "Before, when I was studying in the literacy class, I read a medical book. It was written there how to save someone from being bitten by a poisonous snake. I just tried it according to the book, but I didn't expect it to succeed."Upon hearing that, everyone understood that it turned out to be the case.However, they still admired her. For other people, it was difficult to practice the knowledge you would get from the books in real life. Her ability to learn and use it was really powerful.The matter about Dan came to an end, so everyone dispersed and hurried back to work.Xiulan did the same, carrying a basket on her back and holding a sickle, she continued to cut hogweeds.Because she had saved someone today, Gensheng, the production team leader, specially gave her ten work points to reward the behavior of saving lives and helping the wounded in the village.Normally, cutting hogweeds would only give her three to four work points. A few more work points were equal to a little more foodstuff in the future.*Original translation is from . Please read it on the translator's website.No one else had any opinions on Gensheng's arrangement. After all, everyone was convinced that Xiulan did an amazing thing today."Comrade Xiulan, I hope that you will keep up this kind of righteous and courageous work in the future!" Gensheng said with a smile, looking at her with a touch of appreciation in his eyes.With such a big benefit, Xiulan was naturally happy. "Yes, Team Leader, I will keep it up!""Good! Comrade Xiulan, you have worked hard today, so you should go back and rest!"After a tiring day, since the original owner's physique was not very good, Xiulan really needed to go back to rest and catch her breath.Weiguo also came back from work. Upon hearing that Xiulan had saved someone today, he was full of pride when he came back and praised his daughter, "Xiulan, you have done a good job! You must be kind, helpful, and carry on the 'spirit of camaraderie'."In the yard, Lijuan rolled her eyes when she saw Xiulan, her eyes were filled with disdain.Today, she was angry and jealous after hearing the villagers praised Xiulan.In her opinion, Xiulan was just a shrew and everyone should not praise her at all.They should praise her instead.She believed that Xiulan couldn't even match with her, not even with her finger.It was a pity that Xiulan was being praised by others instead of her. The more she thought about it, the more depressed she became. Now that she heard Weiguo praised Xiulan as well, she felt even more uncomfortable.Seeing that Xiulan had been tired for the day, with a layer of sweat oozing out on her forehead, Weiguo told her to take a good rest, and the task of cooking their dinner naturally fell on Lijuan's head again.Lijuan was a little unhappy. "What? I was the one who cooked breakfast earlier, and now you want me to cook for dinner, too? Xiulan also has to bear some responsibility here at home, right?"Weiguo had a straight face and responded with some displeasure, "Xiulan is not feeling well, but she still insisted on going to work. Today, she saved someone's life and got ten work points. So, she deserves a good rest at night. Lijuan, you didn't do much work at home. Why do you still have to push Xiulan to cook our dinner?"
Weiguo would definitely not say this usually. Under normal circumstances, he would favor his stepdaughter.But today, he felt that it was too much for his daughter to cook their dinner.Xiulan didn't expect Weiguo to say that and she also didn't expect that her father, a henpecked husband, would be on her side this time.But this was a good trend for her.She would work hard to get his heart back from this mother-daughter pair, and moved it to her and Xiuzhu's side.Their dinner was still simple.A bowl of porridge with few grains of rice and a wowotou mixed with some straw stalks.It was not delicious and it didn't make you full at all.When she returned to her room, she quickly took out a bowl of eight treasure congee1八宝粥 – bā bǎo zhōu – Eight Treasure Congee/Eight Treasure Porridge – rice congee made with red beans, lotus seeds, longan, red dates, nuts etcfrom the space, she took out an egg as well, and ate them to fill her stomach.Life was indeed difficult in this era.It was a pity that the supplies in her space couldn't be taken out. She had to think of a way to take these things out in a legitimate and reasonable way.Not to mention that her meal was not good, Weiguo and Xiuzhu's meals had to be improved as well.Especially Xiuzhu, who had grown up being thin, that bowl of clear soup-like porridge and a wowotou couldn't be nutritious for her.After waiting for the family to rest in their rooms, Xiulan took out another boiled egg from the space and handed it to her sister."Xiuzhu, here, eat this egg."Even in the dark night, Xiuzhu's eyes gleamed brightly and she asked with a curious look, "Sister, why do you still have an egg?"*Original translation is from . Please read it on the translator's website.Xiulan just gave her a blind reason. "Today, I saved Dan and this was rewarded to me by the team leader."The child was naive and believed Xiulan's words, but she did not want it and pushed it back to her sister. "Sister, you should eat it. You are still sick. Whatever you have, just eat it by yourself!""I'm letting you eat it, so just take it. The team leader gave me two and I already ate one secretly."The child had no more reason to refuse, so she accepted the boiled egg.A child who was only a few years old had little resistance to boiled eggs, so she quickly peeled it and ate it carefully.While eating, Xiuzhu whispered, "Sister, boiled eggs are so delicious, right? It would be great if we could eat it every day. No, it's good to be able to eat such a delicious thing once a month or twice a year!"Xiulan patted the child's head. "Since your older sister is here, I will find a way to get them for you in the future!"Although knowing that this situation was difficult to achieve, Xiuzhu listened to her sister words and still looked forward to it.*Early the next morning, Weiguo went to work first and would come back for breakfast later.Wu Jinhua came over early in the morning, carrying a basket with five kilograms of sweet potatoes in her hand, to express her gratitude to Xiulan.Xiulan saved her only son's life, so for her, this was a great kindness. If there was anything good at her home, she would hurriedly bring it to Xiulan to express her gratitude.Unfortunately, the villagers were very poor and the foodstuffs they had were not enough for their family. Jinhua's house didn't have anything delicious and the only thing that could be taken out were these sweet potatoes.For this kind of situation in the countryside, where there was not enough foodstuffs to eat, Jinhua's ability to give five kilograms of sweet potatoes was already very impressive.Xiulan happened to be in the yard at that time. Jinhua saw her and called her out enthusiastically from a long distance, "Xiulan!"Seeing Jinhua coming, Xiulan smiled and asked, "Auntie Jinhua, why are you here?"