In the early morning, Chen Lan was awakened by the crisp chirping of birds outside the car window. She got up and gently pushed open the window. A fresh and fragrant breeze wafted in. Chen Lan took a deep breath, feeling a sweet fragrance mixed with the unique taste of the preserved pork and pickled cabbage she had eaten last night. Ah! This was perhaps the legendary scent of life, the aroma of vibrant life!
A gentle morning breeze blew, causing crystal-clear dewdrops to slide down the leaves. The lush green grass was awakened by the soft morning light.
Gazing at the distant pond, the spring breeze blew, dispersing a thin layer of mist. The sun revealed its charming smile, casting warmth and radiance across the entire pond, reflecting a silvery glow.
The morning scenery was incredibly captivating and intoxicating, and everything around was so harmonious and warm.
Chen Lan unconsciously glanced at the system time. "Hmm! It's getting late!" There was no time to admire and marvel at this beautiful scenery.
She hurried to wash up, thinking as she quickly dashed into the washroom.
After everyone had finished a simple breakfast, the RV set off punctually at eight in the morning. The RV rumbled along, and the bumpy, potholed road made the journey even more difficult. The RV stopped and started, but it kept moving forward. Finally, after more than two hours of driving, they arrived at Tonghua, Jilin.
Chen Lan felt that this kind of "blind man touching an elephant" approach to travel was too slow and time-consuming. She said to Xiang Xi, "Little Watermelon, take a few of the steamed buns we didn't eat this morning and get out to ask those comrades over there how far it is to Tonghua County town and how to get there."
As she spoke, Chen Lan handed Xiang Xi the pre-packaged buns.
"Okay! Little Basket, I'm going now!" Xiang Xi replied. He pulled the car over to the side of the road, took the buns Chen Lan handed him, got out, and jogged towards where people were.
Soon, Xiang Xi jogged back and said to Chen Lan, "Little Basket, I've asked! It's not far to Tonghua County town. Go straight on this road to a T-junction, then turn left, and you'll see the county town not far away."
"Little Basket, what are we going to Tonghua County town for?" Xiang Xi asked.
Chen Lan replied, "The navigation isn't working, and we're not familiar with the roads here. There will definitely be buses going to Linjiang from Tonghua County town. If we follow a bus going to Linjiang, we won't have to rack our brains trying to find the way."
Xiang Xi clapped his hands in realization, exclaiming, "That's great! That's so wonderful! How could I not have thought of that!"
So, everyone got back in the car and set off again. Soon, they reached the bus station in Tonghua County town. Chen Lan looked out the window. The station was small, just a little building.
Chen Lan quickly called out to Xiang Xi, "Little Watermelon, hurry and ask at the station if the bus to Linjiang has departed yet!"
Before Xiang Xi could reply, he had already sprinted to the station to inquire.
A moment later, he ran back, panting, and climbed back into the car, telling Chen Lan, "Little Basket, the bus to Linjiang just left about fifteen minutes ago. We can still catch it if we hurry."
Chen Lan asked, "Little Watermelon, do you know how to get there?"
"Yes, I asked clearly how to get there just now," Xiang Xi replied, panting as he started the car.
Chen Lan asked no more questions, not wanting to distract Xiang Xi. After driving for less than half an hour, they saw an old Jiefang truck in front of them with a canvas canopy over the rear, moving slowly.
Chen Lan felt that following behind so slowly was wasting too much time! She checked the system time; it was already 11:30. She told Xiang Xi to pull over.
"Little Watermelon, let's stop here for a while, have lunch, and then we can catch up to the car ahead."
Xiang Xi thought about it and agreed. The car ahead was driving too slowly, and if he followed at that pace, he'd fall asleep. It was better to fill his stomach first.
Xiang Xi nodded in agreement, pulled the car over, got out, and went to the back to call people to get lunch. S novel network
"What's for lunch today?" Of course, it was the "old three pieces": toast, milk, cake...
Lunch was quickly finished. The group slowly set off again. When they caught up to the car ahead, it was just past 12:30. The car swayed back and forth, making people drowsy. The gentle woman, her two younger brothers, and two little babies in the back had already fallen asleep.
Chen Lan's eyes were also getting heavy from the rocking. At this moment, Xiang Xi asked, "Little Basket, you brought us all here. Are you thinking of planting ginseng here? I heard this place produces ginseng, right?"
Chen Lan chuckled and said, "Little Watermelon, you have quite an imagination! Fusong is indeed a blessed land. It's not only famous for its ginseng and was once known as the 'Hometown of Ginseng,' but it's also rich in resources and has fertile land. But planting ginseng? Why would I do that? I'd rather eat it."
Xiang Xi, unwilling to give up, continued, "But you don't know how to farm either. Why do you want to farm?"
Chen Lan replied, "How can that be the same? I can use machines for planting and harvesting crops, but ginseng cultivation requires all manual labor. It's very delicate. Even digging up ginseng can only be done by people digging slowly."
The two chatted happily, and time passed without them realizing it. They arrived at Linjiang Station at 3:10 in the afternoon.
Chen Lan saw that it was getting late. She took out two large steamed buns she had prepared and stored in the system and asked Xiang Xi to get out quickly. The two found an elderly uncle and asked for directions.
Chen Lan stepped forward and asked the uncle, "Uncle, can you tell me where to go?"
The uncle replied heartily, "You've come to the right person! There's nothing in Fusong that I, Old Zhang, don't know! Where do you want to ask about?"
Chen Lan quickly said, "Uncle Zhang, we want to go to Da Panzi Ling."
Old Zhang looked at the two curiously and asked, "There's no one living there. Why are you going there?"
Chen Lan told the truth, "We're going there to reclaim wasteland."
Old Zhang quickly advised, "Young man, young lady, listen to me. That place is large and beautiful, with clear waters and lush mountains, but it's full of stones and cannot grow crops. If you want to reclaim wasteland, Fusong has plenty of barren land, all better than that place."
In the end, Old Zhang couldn't persuade Chen Lan and the two. He told them how to get there and repeatedly urged them to hurry, as it got dark early in Fusong, and they should go and come back quickly.
Chen Lan smiled and thanked him profusely. She pressed the two large steamed buns wrapped in cloth into Old Zhang's hand and pulled Xiang Xi away. Behind them, Old Zhang's surprised exclamation could be heard, "You girl, you're too kind!"
The two ran back to call everyone to get in the car, get ready to depart, heading towards the destination of this trip, and also the place where everyone's new beginning would unfold.
Chen Lan excitedly shouted to the sky, "Panzi Ling, here I come!"