Going home for the New Year during the winter break, I encountered a cool school girl on the high-sp

"I also photographed these peanuts and soybeans. They are not just food, but more like carefully crafted works of art in the countryside. Each plant is full of the gifts of nature and the hard work of the people."

Seeing Lin Muxi's happy expression, Chen Chen's heart was also filled with joy:

"Yes, every inch of the countryside is full of hope, and behind every crop lies the hard work of the villagers."

Moreover, different seasons bring different scenery and agricultural activities.

In the summer, our area is covered with lush green rice paddies, and at night you can hear the cheerful croaking of frogs.

Autumn arrives, the harvest season, with ripe fruits and crops covering the hillsides, a truly vibrant scene.

Lin Muxi said with longing:

"I really wish I could come and experience it in every season. It feels like there are different surprises here in every season."

Chen Chen smiled and looked at her:
"No problem, I'll bring you here every season so you can fully appreciate the charm of the countryside throughout the four seasons."

After walking for a while, Chen Chen and Lin Muxi arrived at the vegetable market.

The sight before one's eyes is immediately dazzling, with shops lining both sides of the street, displaying a wide variety of goods.

There were stalls filled with all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables. The bright red tomatoes, the lush green vegetables, and the glistening purple eggplants were all vividly colored and radiated an enticing glow.

There are places that sell meat and seafood. Fresh pork and beef are neatly arranged, and lively fish and shrimp are splashing in the tanks, exuding vitality.

There are also shops displaying all kinds of daily necessities, from pots and pans to everyday sundries, everything is available.

Stepping inside the market, the scene was even more bustling and lively.

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares and the back-and-forth haggling created a lively symphony of everyday life.

Chen Chen turned to look at Lin Muxi and asked softly, "What would you like to eat?"

Lin Muxi tilted her head slightly, pondered for a moment, then smiled sweetly and said:
"I want to eat Auntie's braised shrimp."

Chen Chen smiled gently and said, "Okay, let's go buy some prawns now."

The two weaved through the bustling crowd, heading towards the seafood section.

Along the way, Lin Muxi looked around curiously, her eyes drawn to all sorts of novel things.

Some stalls displayed oddly shaped mountain products, while some shopkeepers skillfully arranged freshly arrived dried goods, and the air was filled with the aroma of various foods.

Soon, they arrived at a seafood stall.

The shrimp in the tank were lifelike, waving their long, slender pincers and swimming quickly in the water.

Chen Chen bent down and carefully selected the prawns. He gently picked up a few to check their freshness, and occasionally asked Lin Muxi for her opinion.
"The prawns here look pretty good, don't you think?"

Lin Muxi leaned closer to take a look, then nodded with a smile: "Hmm, it looks very fresh."

The stall owner was a warm-hearted middle-aged woman. Seeing them carefully selecting their items, she smiled and said:

"These shrimp were just caught from the sea, guaranteed fresh! Hey handsome, is this your girlfriend? She's really beautiful."

Chen Chen smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said to the stall owner in Cantonese:
"Hey pretty lady, could you help me pick out a few big, fresh ones?"

The woman deftly scooped several plump, large shrimp from the tank and weighed them on a scale.

"Don't worry, I've picked out the best for you, I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

After paying, Chen Chen, carrying the bag containing the prawns, said to Lin Muxi:
"Shrimp alone is not enough. Let's go buy some vegetables and side dishes. To make braised shrimp, you need scallions, ginger, and garlic to make it fragrant."

Lin Muxi obediently followed Chen Chen, and the two arrived at the vegetable section. The vegetables here were fresh and vibrant, exuding the clean scent of nature.

Chen Chen skillfully selected scallions and garlic, explaining the tips for choosing them to Lin Muxi as he went:

"Look at these scallions. You should choose the ones that don't look so pretty. They're the real farm-grown scallions, and that's when they have the best aroma."

No need to buy ginger, we have it at home..."

Lin Muxi listened with great interest, nodding from time to time. She felt that Chen Chen's familiarity with these trivial matters of life made him even more charming.

They bought some more beef and then left the market.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Chen Chen said:

"I almost forgot, I need to buy some side dishes for stir-frying snails."

Chen Chen led Lin Muxi to several familiar stalls, where they selected side dishes such as perilla leaves, chili peppers, and garlic.

Lin Muxi watched with great interest as Chen Chen chatted and bargained with the stall owners, finding it amusing.

On the way back after buying the side dishes, Lin Muxi sighed:

"The market here is so lively, it's completely different from the supermarkets in Jiangcheng."

Chen Chen smiled and said:
"Yes, this kind of traditional farmers' market has a more lively atmosphere. And the vegetables here are especially fresh, so the dishes I cook when I get back will definitely taste especially delicious."

Back home, Chen Chen and Lin Muxi had just put away the groceries they had bought when they saw Liu Xiuying already dressed in full protective gear.

She wore a straw hat, a raincoat, and rain boots, and carried some tools for growing vegetables.

Seeing this, Chen Chen couldn't help but ask:
"Mom, it's raining outside, where are you planning to go?"

Liu Xiuying replied with a smile:

"Taking advantage of the holiday, I bought some vegetable seedlings and plan to plant them in the garden. With the soil moist from the rain, the seedlings will be easier to grow."

Upon hearing this, Lin Muxi's eyes immediately lit up with excitement, and she quickly asked:
"Auntie, can I come with you?"

Liu Xiuying looked at the rain outside with some concern and said:
"The roads are slippery when it rains, I'm afraid you might fall and get hurt."

Lin Muxi quickly waved her hand and said earnestly:

"Auntie, I'll be careful and I promise I won't fall. I've never planted vegetable seedlings by hand before, and I really want to try it. Please let me go."

Chen Chen chimed in, "Mom, let Mu Xi go with us. I'll look after her. She'll be fine."

Seeing that both of them were so insistent, Liu Xiuying thought for a moment, then nodded and said:
"Alright then, you two go and get your rain gear, and be careful."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen and Lin Muxi immediately ran to get their rain gear, dressed properly, and then followed Liu Xiuying toward the vegetable garden.

Along the way, raindrops pattered against my raincoat, as if playing a cheerful melody.

Arriving at the vegetable garden, one can see that the soil is very soft, moistened by the rain.

Liu Xiuying skillfully walked to an open space, bent down, and began to work.

She first used a small hoe to dig small holes in the ground, her movements skillful and efficient.

Lin Muxi watched from the side, eager to try it herself. She picked up a hoe and imitated Liu Xiuying, but found that this seemingly simple action was not easy to do.

The hoe felt heavy in her hands; after only a few digs, she was already panting. (End of Chapter)