Time Travel: My Comfortable Life After Going to the Countryside

During her three-day sick leave, Gu Xiaoyu stayed obediently in her room. Liu Xiangyang would come by every evening, sometimes bringing two eggs, sometimes a little meat. He wouldn't say much, just watch her take her medicine and then leave.

On the morning of the fourth day, Gu Xiaoyu felt much better and was getting ready to go to work when there was a soft knock on the door.

It was Roland. She was wearing a faded blue cloth blouse, carrying a small cloth bag. Her face was expressionless, but her eyes were gentle.

"Comrade Gu Xiaoyu, are you feeling better?" Roland stood at the door, not coming in.

"Much better, Sister Roland," Gu Xiaoyu said quickly, somewhat surprised.

"Hmm." Roland handed over the cloth bag in his hand. "This is what Inspector Liu asked me to bring to you. He said that you've just recovered, so you should take it easy on the heavy work first. Starting today, you'll work with our team, mainly doing odd jobs like delivering water to the fields, taking inventory of small tools, and repairing sacks. Your work points will be calculated as auxiliary labor, but it'll be easier than the heavy work you did in the third team."

Gu Xiaoyu took the cloth bag; it was a bit heavy. Besides the medicine, there seemed to be two boiled eggs inside. Her nose tingled, and she lowered her head and hummed in agreement.

"Don't overthink it," Roland said calmly. "I've been through tough times too. Inspector Liu... he's a man who cherishes old friendships. Remember his kindness, behave yourself, live your life well, and don't cause him any trouble. That's your way of repaying him."

These words were quite direct, even a bit of a warning, but Gu Xiaoyu understood the goodwill behind them. She nodded vigorously: "I understand, Sister Roland, I definitely won't... I won't cause trouble for anyone."

"That's good. Pack your things and come with me to the fields." After saying that, Roland turned and left first.

Gu Xiaoyu watched her retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She vaguely sensed that Luo Lan's arrival to deliver things and relay messages was a signal from Liu Xiangyang. She quickly changed into clean old clothes and followed her.

The fields of Team One were closer to the village. Roland led Gu Xiaoyu to a makeshift thatched shed at the edge of the field, where several water jugs, a pile of burlap sacks to be repaired, and some scattered farm tools were placed.

"Your main tasks are: keep the water tank full so the villagers can have water to drink during their breaks; mend any torn sacks promptly; register any broken farm tools so they can be sent to the team headquarters for repair in the evening," Roland explained clearly. "When you have free time, you can also help the scorekeeper... that is, me, check the number of workers and the progress of the work, and lend a hand."

This job is definitely much easier than working in the fields. Although the work points are not high, you can stay out of the wind and sun and take a break whenever you want.

Gu Xiaoyu cherished the job and worked with extra care. The water jug ​​was always full, the water ladle was washed clean, and the burlap sacks were mended with fine stitches, making them even sturdier than new ones. When Roland occasionally asked her to check the number of people, she could always count them clearly, without missing a single one.

After a few days, Roland's attitude towards her softened considerably, and he would occasionally say a few more words: "Your needlework is quite good." "The count is very fine."

That afternoon, the sun was setting. Gu Xiaoyu was mending the last burlap sack under the thatched shed when she sensed someone approaching, and a shadow fell over her.

She looked up and saw Liu Xiangyang pushing his bicycle, clearly on patrol.

"Inspector Liu... Inspector Liu." Gu Xiaoyu quickly put down her needlework and stood up.

"Hmm," Liu Xiangyang responded, his gaze sweeping over the nearly finished mending of the burlap sack in her hands, then looking at the neatly arranged water jugs and tools beside her. "How's the work going?"

"It's great, Sister Roland takes good care of me," Gu Xiaoyu said softly.

Liu Xiangyang didn't say anything. He walked to the water jug, picked up the ladle, scooped out half a ladle of water, and drank it slowly. He had his back to Gu Xiaoyu and looked at the people working in the fields in the distance.

Standing behind him, Gu Xiaoyu looked at his broad shoulders and straight back. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on quietly welled up inside her again. She clenched the sack in her hand, not daring to utter a sound.

After a while, Liu Xiangyang put down the water ladle and turned around: "Has Li Jianjun been looking for you lately?"

"No." Gu Xiaoyu shook her head. "I'm on the same team, with Sister Luo Lan there. He... doesn't seem to care much."

"Hmm." Liu Xiangyang took out a cigarette from his pocket, thought for a moment, and then put it back. "Then you should do your job well and listen to Roland."

These words seemed to affirm Roland, and also to tell Gu Xiaoyu that staying in the same team was safe.

"I used the insoles," Liu Xiangyang suddenly changed the subject. "They fit well."

Gu Xiaoyu's eyes lit up instantly, and a blush rose to her cheeks: "Really? Then...then I'll make you a few more pairs! I still have the scraps of fabric you gave me last time!"

"No rush." ​​Liu Xiangyang looked at her brightening eyes and softened his tone. "Take your time, don't ruin your eyes."

"I'm not afraid of staying up late!" Gu Xiaoyu blurted out, then realized she was being too hasty and lowered her head in embarrassment.

Liu Xiangyang's lips seemed to twitch slightly, but he didn't say anything more. He pushed his bicycle and said, "I'm leaving."

"Okay," Gu Xiaoyu responded, watching him ride off on his bicycle along the paddy field ridge. Only after he was out of sight did she sit down again, pick up the sack and needle and thread, her fingers flying across the paper, her movements so light and quick as if she could fly.

After finishing work in the evening, Gu Xiaoyu packed her things and was about to return to her room when Roland called her back.

"Gu Xiaoyu, wait a moment."

Gu Xiaoyu stopped in her tracks.

Roland walked up to her, took a small paper packet from his cloth bag, and handed it to her. "Take this."

Gu Xiaoyu opened it, and inside was a small pinch of brown sugar and a small piece of fragrant sesame cake wrapped in oil paper.

"Sister Roland, this..." Gu Xiaoyu was stunned.

"Take it if I give it to you." Roland's tone remained calm, but there was something more complicated in his eyes. "You've just recovered and need to eat something nourishing. This bread... it was distributed by the family, I can't finish it."

Gu Xiaoyu knew this was definitely not as simple as "not being able to finish it." She looked at Roland, a surge of warmth welling up inside her. "Thank you, Sister Roland."

"No need to thank me." Roland looked away, gazing in the direction of Liu Xiangyang's yard, her voice soft. "If you want to thank someone, thank your brother Liu."

After saying that, she didn't linger and turned to leave.

Gu Xiaoyu gripped the warm paper package tightly in her hand, standing there motionless for a long time.

As night deepened, she returned to the hut, lit the oil lamp, and in the dim light, broke off a small piece of sesame cake, put it in her mouth, and chewed it slowly. The sweet and fragrant taste melted in her mouth, warming her heart.

She knew she had chosen the right path. She took out her sewing basket, found the best piece of navy blue fabric, and began to measure it under the lamplight. This time, she wanted to make him a pair of more exquisite socks.

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