With Xu Mingxuan's help, the two worked much faster, truly living up to the saying, "Men and women working together make the task easier." The side dishes for the hot pot that evening were quickly prepared.
Chen Lan then began preparing the soup base. Seeing that there was still some time before dinner, Xu Mingxuan said, "Lan'er, the camp is also having a feast for the soldiers tonight. I'll go see how their preparations are going. If the food at home is ready before I get back, the three of you don't need to wait for me. Eat slowly, and I'll be back soon."
After everyone had eaten their fill, cleaned up the "battlefield," they sat back on the kang and continued working while chatting. Chen Lan decided to take advantage of everyone being present to share her thoughts and plans for the next day.
So, Chen Lan began, "Brother Mingxuan, shall we go out again tomorrow? We can still go under the guise of '(a patriotic wanderer)' to prepare some cold-weather clothing, quilts, mattresses, and cotton shoes for the soldiers. For those with 'old cold legs,' if they don't keep their legs warm and are often chilled, just taking medicine won't be very effective. As the saying goes, prevention is key."
Xu Mingxuan nodded and replied, "Indeed, we must take good care to prevent it. Many soldiers in the camp suffer from 'old cold legs' primarily due to the cold! We need to start preventing it now, while it's not too severe. With some medication to regulate it, they should be able to get rid of it quickly! Oh, right, Lan'er, didn't you say yesterday that the best prevention is wearing knee pads? Get each soldier a pair of knee pads to keep them warm."
Chen Lan nodded in agreement, "Alright! I'll ask Father-in-law to help select the warmest knee pads for the soldiers."
The next day, after a simple breakfast, just as the sun began to rise, Er Zhuang drove the ox cart with the others, leaving the camp to pick up the winter supplies donated by "(a patriotic wanderer)."
Having traveled some distance from the camp in the ox cart, Xiang Xi asked, "Brother Mingxuan, Xiao Lanzi, where are we going now? It's so cold. Shouldn't we find a sheltered spot to bask in the sun and return to the camp after noon?"
At Xiang Xi's question, Er Zhuang also turned to look at Xu Mingxuan, and Chen Lan also looked at Xu Mingxuan. Xu Mingxuan thought for a moment and said, "We don't have too much firewood at home. How about we cut firewood and hunt at the same time? Little Watermelon, haven't you been wanting to practice your skills? Today is a good chance for you to get your fill of hunting. What do you think?"
Chen Lan added, "Let's go to the waterhole we visited last time first. It's a drought year, and there's only that one waterhole in a large area nearby. I believe many animals will come there to drink every day!"
Xiang Xi repeatedly nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes, we should go there and take a look again. Maybe we can even hunt a few more wild boars!"
Xu Mingxuan chuckled, "You rascal, you just ate beef and lamb last night, and now you want pork again?"
Chen Lan also laughed, "Little Watermelon, what else do you want to eat? Quickly list your menu, and we'll satisfy your request today by hunting according to your list."
Xiang Xi looked at Chen Lan with great confusion for a moment, then asked, "Xiao Lanzi, why are you being so agreeable today? Do you have some ulterior motive?"
Chen Lan snorted and said, "Little Watermelon, believe it or not. If you don't, then forget it. I'm being completely sincere here, and this opportunity won't come again! Didn't you say you've lost a lot of weight lately? I wanted to give you a good boost these past couple of days. Are you still doubting my sincerity? Sigh! It's hard to be a good person!"
Xiang Xi immediately became obsequious and said, "Xiao Lanzi, what's there to discuss between us? How could I not believe you? I'm just worried that you'll be too tired!"
Chen Lan looked at Xiang Xi in surprise and said, "Little Watermelon, why has your mouth become so sweet today? If you could always talk like this, I'd be relieved."
Xiang Xi pressed, "Xiao Lanzi, what about me makes you not relieved?"
Chen Lan replied, "I'm just worried that you won't be good with words, won't be liked by girls, and won't find a wife!"
At this moment, Er Zhuang chimed in, "Big Sister-in-law, don't worry! These past few days, Xiang Xi ge and I have been helping dig a well in Honghualing village. Xiang Xi ge is very popular with the girls in the village! Aunt Chang even wants to find a wife for him."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Xi suddenly shouted, "Er Zhuang, you talk too much."
Chen Lan immediately became interested and continued to inquire, "Is that true? Little Watermelon, didn't you feel even a tiny bit of a stir?"
Xiang Xi's face instantly turned crimson, like a monkey's behind. He stammered, "It's not true, Xiao Lanzi. Don't listen to Er Zhuang's nonsense. It's not true."
At this moment, Xu Mingxuan coughed and said, "Alright, Lan'er, stop asking. Little Watermelon is an adult, he knows what he's doing!"
Everyone immediately fell silent and stopped discussing the sensitive topic. The ox cart swayed and bumped its way to the fork in the road. Because the road was difficult, Chen Lan, Xu Mingxuan, and Xiang Xi got off the ox cart, letting Er Zhuang slowly follow behind with the cart.
Chen Lan and the other two walked ahead. Chen Lan took three crossbows and carbon steel arrows from her system inventory and handed one crossbow and six carbon steel arrows to Xiang Xi and Xu Mingxuan each.
Then the three of them quickly headed towards the waterhole. From a distance, they could see animals drinking by the water's edge. Chen Lan glanced back and gestured with her eyes to Xu Mingxuan. When she looked at Xiang Xi, she saw that his hands were trembling with excitement, so she whispered, "Little Watermelon, slow down, don't rush. Take deep breaths. A few deep breaths will help!"
The three continued to walk forward a bit before they could clearly see what kind of animals they were – a group of wild goats and roe deer. Chen Lan estimated that it was likely because of the water here that the vegetation was lush, and the water temperature affected the growth environment of the surrounding plants. Even though there were wild boars here, the wild goats and roe deer had not migrated elsewhere.
As Chen Lan thought about this, she turned around and saw Xu Mingxuan communicating with Xiang Xi with hand gestures. Seeing Chen Lan look over, he pointed to the left, then to himself, and then to the right. Seeing Chen Lan nod, the couple separated to the left and right.