Seeing this, Zheng Wei knew he couldn't dissuade her, so he stopped talking. He watched her quickly put on her clothes, then rush inside to wash up. With her face still dripping with water, she ran out.
"Why are you acting like a child? If you're like this, I can't be at ease leaving you home alone." Zheng Wei took a towel and gently wiped the water droplets from Shen Xiaoyan's face, his tone filled with concern.
"What's there to not be at ease about? Isn't it because I'm worried about not having enough time?" Shen Xiaoyan said dismissively.
Zheng Wei smiled and said nothing more. The two of them walked out together.
As soon as they exited the main house, they saw Sima Han and Yue Qingxin emerging from the west side room.
"Awei, are you ready? Let's set off." Sima Han said.
Zheng Wei nodded in agreement, and the group proceeded towards the courtyard.
Upon reaching the courtyard, Zheng Wei led the mule out from the stable and hitched it to the cart. He and Sima Han sat on either side.
Sima Han glanced at Yue Qingxin, then looked at Shen Xiaoyan and said, "Xin xin will be entrusted to my sister-in-law's care. Although she's older than you, she's like a child. I'll trouble my sister-in-law to look after her more."
Shen Xiaoyan smiled gently, "Brother Han, rest assured, I will definitely take good care of sister."
Yue Qingxin, overhearing their conversation, blushed slightly. She was one year older than Shen Xiaoyan, yet Sima Han wanted Shen Xiaoyan to look after her. It was indeed embarrassing.
Even she understood that Shen Xiaoyan knew much more than she did here, and she needed to learn from Shen Xiaoyan. Therefore, she didn't voice any objection.
Zheng Wei said nothing further; everything that needed to be said had been said. He only hoped the journey would be smooth and they would return soon.
Shen Xiaoyan and Yue Qingxin watched Zheng Wei and the other man drive away. They watched the official road in the cart gradually recede until it was out of sight. Then, they closed the main gate and walked back together.
After Zheng Wei drove away, Shen Xiaoyan's heart felt as if a piece of it was missing.
Since she transmigrated, she had been with Zheng Wei, practically inseparable. This was the first time Zheng Wei would be away from her for such a long period, and she truly felt unaccustomed to it.
However, the next moment, Shen Xiaoyan scorned herself inwardly. It was only three days; when had she become so sentimental?
"Big sister, shall we make breakfast?" Shen Xiaoyan looked at Yue Qingxin beside her.
"Alright. Sister, please teach me." Yue Qingxin readily agreed.
Yue Qingxin didn't feel much about Sima Han's departure. After all, they had been apart for most of their time together, and she had experienced such partings many times before.
Besides, it was only a separation of three days, which was hardly a parting for her.
The two of them went to the kitchen and began to cook.
Breakfast was generally simple. They started by simmering porridge.
Shen Xiaoyan then prepared to teach Yue Qingxin how to make pan-fried cakes.
Pan-fried cakes were a breakfast Shen Xiaoyan often ate in her previous life.
She chopped some scallions into fine pieces and put them in a basin. She then added three eggs, some flour, various seasonings, and finally water, mixing it into a batter that was neither too thin nor too thick.
The wok was heated, oil was added, and once the oil was hot, a ladleful of batter was poured into the wok, forming a circle on the bottom.
After about a minute, the batter formed a thin cake on the bottom of the wok.
Because the cakes were very thin, they were finished quickly.
Then, she prepared some small pickled vegetables and a plate of shredded cucumber to be eaten with the pan-fried cakes.
Shen Xiaoyan first fried two cakes and then asked Yue Qingxin to try it herself.
Making pan-fried cakes looked simple, but it was actually quite challenging.
If you poured too much batter, the cake would be too thick, and the surface would be burnt while the inside remained uncooked. If you poured too little batter, it wouldn't hold its shape.
Yue Qingxin watched Shen Xiaoyan expertly fry two cakes, thinking it was very easy. But when she tried it herself, it turned out to be quite difficult.
She made six consecutive ones, all either too thick or falling apart. Yue Qingxin was starting to feel discouraged.
Shen Xiaoyan comforted her, "It's okay, they're all cooked, and they're still edible. It's not a waste."
Yue Qingxin pouted and said, "They just look bad."
After saying that, she couldn't hold back her laughter, and Shen Xiaoyan doubled over with laughter.
Fortunately, Yue Qingxin made many of them, and gradually she grasped the knack. On the seventh attempt, she finally fried a perfectly round pan-fried cake.
Shen Xiaoyan praised her heartily. This was not mere flattery; it was genuinely good.
Considering it was her first time, her speed was quite impressive.
When they ate breakfast, Shen Xiaoyan looked at the pan-fried cakes on the table for a while. She didn't say anything, just picked one up and ate it.
As Shen Xiaoyan ate, she thought, "I naturally know Sister Yue Qingxin's cooking skills. Today's pan-fried cakes must have been made by Sister Yue Qingxin. It seems Sister Yue Qingxin is learning to cook with Sister.
Does this mean I'll often eat things like this in the future?
Thinking about future life, Shen Xiaoyan shed a silent tear in her heart.
After quickly finishing breakfast, Shen Xiaoyan put on her backpack and went to school. Shen Xiaoyan and Yue Qingxin washed the dishes together, then pushed the flatbed cart to the back of the courtyard to plant fruit trees.
Although Zheng Wei said they could wait for him to return, Shen Xiaoyan thought it was better to plant them early. While they were away, she could also water them with the immortal spring water.
Their speed was naturally not as fast as four people. In the entire morning, they only planted about one-fifth of yesterday's amount. Yue Qingxin's strength was truly limited, and such strenuous labor was difficult for her.
After resting for a nap, Shen Xiaoyan didn't ask Yue Qingxin to continue planting trees. Yue Qingxin naturally disagreed.
Shen Xiaoyan explained, "It's not that I dislike you, sister, but you have a weak constitution. If you keep working, you might not be able to get out of bed tomorrow. How about you stay home and I'll make a beautiful outfit for you as compensation?"
Yue Qingxin could only nod, "Alright then, but tomorrow morning, I still want to plant trees with you."
Shen Xiaoyan agreed to this.
Without Yue Qingxin, Shen Xiaoyan worked very efficiently on her own.
Digging, planting, and finally watering, the entire process was completed in one go, without even a gasp for breath.
Because she didn't have to coordinate with Yue Qingxin's pace, Shen Xiaoyan planted twice the amount in the afternoon as she did in the morning.
Looking at the remaining saplings, she estimated that it wouldn't even take a full day tomorrow, so she planted them all.
Shen Xiaoyan pushed the flatbed cart home. As soon as she reached the courtyard, she smelled the aroma of rice.
Walking directly into the kitchen, Shen Xiaoyan saw Yue Qingxin tending the fire.
Yue Qingxin saw Shen Xiaoyan enter and smiled, saying, "Sister, I've cooked porridge. Teach me how to cook dishes later."
Shen Xiaoyan said, "Okay. I'll go wash up first."
For dinner, Shen Xiaoyan taught Yue Qingxin how to make a few dishes. Although the heat control wasn't perfect, the taste was acceptable. Shen Xiaoyan felt that Yue Qingxin had a good talent for cooking.
After dinner, Yue Qingxin pulled Shen Xiaoyan to see the new clothes she had made, which were pajamas.
The pajamas were made of fine white cotton cloth, with a very well-tailored cut. A few pale purple flowers were embroidered on them, making them look very beautiful.
"How did you make them so quickly?" Shen Xiaoyan was surprised. It was only an afternoon.