Xu Mingxuan took the car keys from Chen Lan and asked, "Third Sister-in-law, are you all ready? Let's go quickly!" Seeing everyone nod, he picked up his large backpack from the kang, slung it over his back, and then took Chen Lan's hand, leaving the room.
Chen Lan and Xu Mingxuan, each with a large backpack, walked at the front. As the group exited the inn's courtyard, despite the cold, Chen Lan felt the air was much fresher. Xiang Xi, who was the first to spot the car parked fifty to sixty meters across the road, recognized it as his own. He let go of Third Sister-in-law's hand and trotted over.
Upon reaching the car, he first walked around it once, then turned back to ask Chen Lan for the keys. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Xu Mingxuan holding them.
Xiang Xi smiled and said, "Brother Mingxuan, you can look after Little Lan. I'll drive!"
Xu Mingxuan didn't argue and handed over the keys, asking, "Little Watermelon, do you know the way back?"
Xiang Xi replied smugly, "Brother Mingxuan, don't underestimate me. I've gone out alone two or three times. I've brought many of your comrades back to the valley, so you can rest assured! I'm definitely more familiar with this road than you are. I guarantee we'll get home in the shortest possible time."
Xu Mingxuan smiled and patted Xiang Xi's shoulder, saying, "Alright, we'll follow your lead today. As long as we get home before dark."
Xiang Xi said with great certainty, "Brother Mingxuan, just watch! I guarantee we'll be home before dark."
Chen Lan ignored their male conversation and said, "Let's go! Third Sister-in-law, you and the little ones, let's get in the car first. It's warmer in there."
With that, she went to the back of the car first, nimbly lifted the canvas covering the cargo area, and climbed in. Then she reached out and pulled Third Sister-in-law and her two daughters into the back of the car one by one.
Chen Lan had already laid two thick mats in the car and covered them with two thick quilts and blankets. Seeing the three women settled, she lowered the canvas over the car, plunging the interior into darkness. Chen Lan quickly turned on the power switch for the miner's lamp in the corner, and the inside of the car instantly lit up.
Turning back, she saw the three women still looking at her. Chen Lan immediately said, "Third Sister-in-law, Yulia, Milana, quickly take off your coats and get under the quilts to warm up. Remember, don't take off your hats!"
With that, she took off her own thick coat, nimbly slipped under the quilt, and then patted the car body, signaling to those in front that they could depart.
The four women, huddled together, quickly warmed up. Lying under the quilts, they chatted about everything under the sun. Before long, the rocking motion of the car lulled them to sleep! They hadn't had a good rest for several days and were all sleeping soundly. After an unknown period, the car stopped. Chen Lan and the Yulia sisters were still fast asleep, their faces rosy. Third Sister-in-law, a lighter sleeper, woke up when the car stopped. She quickly got up and put on her thick cotton coat.
At that moment, Xu Mingxuan lifted a corner of the canvas on the car and said, "Third Sister-in-law, you're awake. Time is tight. Could you please wake Lan'er and the others? We've reached the foot of the mountain. The car can't go any further. We have to get out and climb two more mountains to get home."
Third Sister-in-law, upon hearing that they still had to climb, didn't dare to delay and immediately woke Chen Lan and the others.
Everyone got out of the car to stretch their limbs. Then, in small groups, they went into the woods to relieve themselves before preparing to set off. Chen Lan looked up at the sun and noticed it had just begun to move west. Looking at the familiar mountains and forests, she took a few deep breaths of the fresh mountain air, feeling completely refreshed and revitalized. She felt a sense of ease and effortless breathing.
Taking advantage of the break to relieve themselves, the couple signaled Xiang Xi to lead Third Sister-in-law and her daughters ahead. Xu Mingxuan then acted as a lookout while Chen Lan put the car back into the system warehouse.
Chen Lan took out three crossbows and carbon steel arrows from the system warehouse, planning to hunt on their way home as they climbed. Perhaps due to the drought and the lack of nearby water sources, there weren't many game animals on the mountain.
The three of them were like fish returning to the sea. Although they were hunting as they walked, it didn't affect their pace. Third Sister-in-law and her daughters had to jog to keep up with the three of them.
Along the way, they only found pheasants and rabbits foraging, but no other larger animals. Chen Lan didn't mind. "Anything caught is good." After slaughtering the rabbits and pheasants raised in the valley, it had been a long time since they'd had fresh rabbit meat or pheasant soup.
Because Chen Lan and the other two were focused on hunting, they walked very fast. In a short time, they had crossed a mountain. This was difficult for Yulia and her sister, who weren't used to climbing mountains. Carrying their baskets, they gritted their teeth and followed closely behind the three of them. Third Sister-in-law was doing a bit better, as she had grown up in the mountains.
By the time Chen Lan realized something was wrong, the mother and daughters had fallen far behind. Chen Lan stopped and chided, "Little Watermelon, you're not taking care of your wife at all. Look at Yulia, you almost lost her."
Xiang Xi also felt he was in the wrong. He turned and saw his wife's flushed, tired face and quickly ran back to take the baskets from Yulia and her sister. Seeing that Xiang Xi was still carrying a large basket already filled with a good amount of game, the sisters shook their heads, not letting him take them.
Yulia reached out and wiped the sweat from Xiang Xi's forehead, saying, "Brother Xiang Xi, the baskets aren't that heavy. We can still carry them ourselves. By the way, Brother Xiang Xi, how much further is it until we get home?"
Xiang Xi said happily, "After this mountain, we're home. I can shout now, and they should be able to hear me at home."
With that, he gathered his strength and shouted, "I'm back! I'm back!"