Gradually, people started coming over. Tao Yanzhen greeted everyone with a smile, appearing easygoing and likable.

The fourteen people from the educated youth courtyard also came over. Upon seeing the three of them, they stood together.

Li Cunshan allocated work, because they had a previous record, they were all mixed in with villagers to work.

Li Yungui, after the eggs were sent off, felt uneasy about the newly arrived educated youth, so he strolled to the field.

Observing the three working seemed fine; it wasn’t that their work was exceptional, it was about attitude. At least compared to the first group that arrived, their attitude seemed sincere. It gave off a feeling of earnestness.

Li Yungui felt a bit relieved. Whether or not they fit in, as long as they don’t cause trouble, just behaving properly is good.

When work ended at noon, villagers seemed unaffected, but the educated youth looked wilted like frost-hit eggplants.

You couldn’t entirely blame them; after all, they hadn’t done such farm work before and were still not accustomed to it.

Everyone chatted and laughed on the way home. Tao Chunhe walked behind his two sisters.

His task was to protect the safety of the two sisters. But upon arriving at Li Family Village, he found himself unneeded.

After observing this morning, nearly all those working were women; even if there were men, they’d be in their fifties or sixties, and there were some young teenagers.

Where were the men of the village? Obviously, Tao Yanzhen and Wang Menglin also noticed this issue, but wisely chose not to ask.

Eventually, they’ll know; sometimes curiosity can be a problem.

Upon arriving home, the two girls began preparing the meal.

Though the family conditions were good, Mrs. Tao was a traditional small-footed woman, so all the girls in the family must know how to cook. Whether or not you actually cook is another matter, but you must know how.

Isn’t this proving useful now? Though not as tasty as meals prepared by the household maid, it’s still decent.

In the morning before heading to work, Wang Menglin had already mixed the dough. Once home, she kept a small portion aside and started making pancakes.

Tao Yanzhen helped stoke the fire, blanch wild vegetables in another pot, and then cooked porridge.

The three were taught from childhood that they must eat seriously. As long as your conditions allow, you shouldn’t compromise.

"Jin Erlin is doing quite well; look how many eggs he’s prepared." Tao Chunhe, having washed up, glanced at his cousin beating eggs, and said with a laugh.

"Right? Looks pretty good; I thought we’d be eating bran and vegetables here. Even with cash, I doubted we could spend it."

Wang Menglin still spoke with a straight face, but the siblings, who grew up together, knew she was happy. Just that her expression didn’t show it.

After they finished eating, Wang Menglin soaked the small portion of reserved dough in water, intending to create a yeast starter. You can’t eat pancakes every day; if you want to steam buns, you need dough to rise, which requires yeast.

After resting for a while, the clock struck 1:30, and the three went back to work.

"Cousin, is this the life we’re going to live from now on?"

"There’s nothing wrong with it; it’s also a lifestyle."

"I really envy cousin’s outlook."

"I never wanted to come here; if you two hadn’t been with me, I definitely wouldn’t have come."

Tao Yanzhen just laughed; she didn’t want to come either, but as grandpa had spoken, she had no choice but to come.

The two girls didn’t have hats; seeing the other women wearing straw hats made them feel a bit unique.

Qu Xiaoli, upon seeing the two lovely girls exposed directly to the sun, took off her straw hat and handed it to Wang Menglin, "Girl, wear this. The sun is harsh; a full afternoon in it will make your tender face peel."

Wang Menglin, somewhat stunned, accepted the straw hat. It was Tao Yanzhen who thanked Qu Xiaoli.

"No worries, after work, you two should go to the carpenter’s in the village center. They also weave straw hats; you should each get one."

"Aunt, can you lend your straw hat to this girl?"

"Sure, my old face doesn’t mind a bit of sun."

Now both girls had straw hats.

Wang Menglin was always a bit dazed; normally, her face lacked expression and she had a bad temper, so apart from her extended family, no one had ever treated her kindly.

That auntie who just handed her the hat had a sincere smile on her rough face, leaving a deep impression in Wang Menglin’s heart.

Tao Chunhe watched from the side, thinking Jin Erlin indeed handled matters trustworthily. Li Family Village really was quite nice.

Pan Xiaoying, not having been assigned to the same field with them, tried to inquire, but didn’t get a chance.

Actually, Qu Xiaoli had a liking for the two girls; though delicate, they were willing to work.

Rural folks like kids like that; they’re genuine.

As for the other four female educated youth, she didn’t have the same attitude.

Before work ended, Jin Erlin and Li Yungui arrived.

Tao Chunhe laid down his hoe and proactively walked to the field’s edge.

"Uncle Jin."

"Xiao Chun, looks like you’re adapting. How are Xiao Zhen and Meng Lin?"

"They’re both doing well; not too tired, they can keep at it."

"Good, that puts my mind at ease."

"You two chat, I’ll go check on them." Li Yungui took the initiative to leave; he had the sense to do so.

The two stood at the field’s edge, "Uncle Jin, we need a bicycle; we’ll give you the money and ticket later and ask you to prepare a few other things we lack."

"No problem. Xiao Chun, feel free to eat the eggs; Li Family Village has a chicken farm, so eating chicken is not an issue either."

"Haha, no wonder there are so many eggs."

"Xiao Chun, when you get home, I’ll tell you three more about the village’s situation, so you have a clear understanding."

"Great, then I’ll head back to work; there’s about half an hour left until we finish."

Jin Erlin watched Tao Chunhe head back to the field and then found Li Yungui.

"Village Chief Li, how are the three kids doing?"

"They seem fine so far. Coming here, as long as they don’t cause trouble and behave properly, doing what they’re supposed to do, it’s okay with me."

"That can be guaranteed, they’re all good kids. Village Chief Li, they haven’t endured hardship; if they want to buy chicken farm eggs or roosters, just sell them on my account."

"That’s absolutely fine. This convenience is definitely available."

The two circled around, Li Yungui knowing Jin Erlin was waiting for the three, but with so many people working, letting them leave first wouldn’t be possible. Conversations wouldn’t be easy later.

Once Li Cunshan struck the gong to signal the end of work, everyone put down their tasks.

Jin Erlin stood with a smile at the field’s edge, waiting for the three of them.

The two girls came over, calling out Uncle Jin.

"Alright, are you two doing well?"

Both nodded, "No problems, Uncle Jin. Don’t worry, thank you for making early arrangements for us; we’re very satisfied here."