Chapter 147: Environment Plays a Crucial Role in Mood

When Han Li and Yun Yingying returned, the little stream was extremely lively.

Wild chicken was stewing in the pot by the temporary stove, and they had lit another fire, gathering around it in a circle. Everyone held a wooden stick with fine-scale whitefish skewered on it, roasting and eating them around the campfire.

Yun Yingying: "The two of us worked so hard to find things, and yet you guys are already eating roasted fish here. That is really unfair."

Hao Hongmin: "How could we forget the two major contributors? Zhaoqi has been roasting these for you two right over here. Come and try her craftsmanship."

Lunch was simple enough: a batch of small fish roasted, two wild chickens stewed, and everyone toasted the flatbreads and corn buns they brought, or soaked them in their lunchboxes with the chicken soup. This picnic, which would look almost embarrassing by later generations' standards, made everyone extremely happy right now.

The only regret was that the dam had washed out while they were eating, so today's fishing activity could be officially declared over.

Fortunately, the harvest was quite substantial. According to Yang Xiuying and Hao Hongmin, the fish paste and dried small fish made from these small fish would be enough to last their respective households for a while.

After finishing the meal, no one wanted to go back. The stream in the wild, far away from the chaotic people and matters of the village, made everyone feel a little less constrained. Both body and mind felt thoroughly relaxed, so they simply sat there chatting.

Seeing this, He Mi specially boiled some more water, and everyone used their own lunchboxes as teacups, steeping the wild chrysanthemum tea from Han Li's satchel.

True to being someone who could never sit still, Yang Xiuying stood up after a short while and said, "No wonder Han Li likes running into the mountains whenever he has free time. Even though we only ventured a little deeper today, we got to see completely different sights. Autumn in Upper River Village is truly gorgeous."

He Mi agreed, saying, "Indeed, the overlapping layers of forests here are colorful right now. With the high sky, clear clouds, clear and slow-flowing water, white birches, blue sky, green pines, red maples, golden leaves, and brilliant wild flowers, these are landscapes I've never seen before. Staying here makes me feel incomparably relaxed."

Yang Xiuying: "Anyway, since everyone has nothing better to do, why don't we sing a few songs in such a beautiful environment?"

As soon as those words left her mouth, the scene fell silent for a moment. Singing at a time like this... Then Hao Hongmin smiled and chimed in, "We're out in the middle of nowhere and it's just our own people. Whoever knows how can sing a couple of lines, and if you don't know, nobody's going to force you. How about that?"

Yang Xiuying: "Then shall I start by casting a brick to attract jade?"

Everyone applauded and cheered at this. Yang Xiuying cleared her throat and sang a song, "Waves on Honghu Lake":

"The waters of Honghu wave and ripple, wave and ripple,
The banks of Honghu are my hometown, my hometown.
Early in the morning, the boats go out to cast their nets,
Returning in the evening with fish-filled holds.
All around are wild ducks and water chestnuts,
The autumn harvest fills the fields with the fragrance of rice, the autumn harvest fills the fields with the fragrance of rice,
I want to eat cooked white rice."

"Hahaha!"

Yang Xiuying really had a bit of a comedic streak, drifting right into wanting white rice as she sang.

After teasing her for a bit, Hao Hongmin followed up by singing "Nanniwan":

"The flowers in the basket are fragrant, listen to me sing a tune, sing a, sing a tune,
Arriving at Nanniwan, Nanniwan is a good place, a good pla-ace..."

According to the seating order, it was Yun Jingjing's turn next. She pulled her younger sister Yun Yingying over and said, "The two of us sisters will sing 'Sailing the Seas Depends on the Helmsman' for everyone."

He Mi then took over Yun Jingjing's words, saying, "I'm not good at singing, so can I just dance a short piece to your song?"

Why wouldn't that be okay? Right now, everyone was just looking to be happy, joyful, and to relax themselves.

He Mi stood behind the Yun sisters, and only started dancing gracefully after they began to sing.

This dance was one that men, women, young, and old of that era all knew how to perform, and it was also one of the few dances permitted in public settings.

"Sailing the seas depends on the helmsman, all things grow relying on the sun, rain and dew nourish the tender sprouts."

The Yun sisters' voices were extremely crisp, and their pronunciation while singing was almost identical. Under these circumstances, Han Li truly couldn't tell which was which.

However, He Mi dancing behind them was quite a sight to behold. A few simple movements made by her caused her to sway gracefully and captivatingly.

Everyone present was young, and He Mi quickly pulled Hao Hongmin, Yang Xiuying, and Qi Zhaoqi into the circle to dance together.

At this moment, Han Li's eyes were a bit overwhelmed. Qi Zhaoqi and Yang Xiuying could be set aside, but Hao Hongmin's fluctuations were only a tiny bit less than He Mi's, paired with the crisp voices of the Yun sisters...

Han Li bent forward at that moment and shouted inwardly in his heart: Where is my bicycle?

As soon as the song and dance concluded, Yun Yingying immediately sat down beside Han Li and asked with a tone that demanded praise, "Han Li, did I sing well just now?"

"Wonderful. Your singing was as melodious, clear, and pleasing as a lark, lingering in the rafters for three days without fading. You must sing more for me in the future, alright?"

At that moment, Yang Xiuying ruined the mood by saying, "Han Li, you're the only one left who hasn't performed. Do you plan to sing or dance?"

Making him sing and dance in front of everyone was absolutely out of the question. Han Li smiled, shook his head, and said, "I've been tone-deaf since childhood, so I really can't participate in this activity."

Hearing this, Yang Xiuying immediately refused to let it go, insisting by any means that he perform a talent. Han Li thought for a moment and said, "I'm no good at singing or dancing, but I can give everyone a very, very difficult riddle to see whose brain is sharper. How about that?"

Yang Xiuying was still a little unsatisfied, but Yun Yingying immediately chimed in, "Guessing riddles is great. Everyone can just rest a bit and drink some water."

Han Li: "Ahem... ahem, listen up everyone. It is said that a rabbit and a turtle are having a race, and a pig acts as the referee. Who wins?"

Yang Xiuying and Qi Zhaoqi said almost simultaneously, "Of course it's the rabbit."

Han Li looked at them both with a smile and said nothing. Just as Yun Yingying wanted to say something, seeing his expression made her swallow her words right back down.

Seeing this situation, Qi Zhaoqi wasn't quite sure. She tentatively said, "Could it possibly be the turtle?"

Han Li maintained the exact same expression. This time, while the others were fine, Yang Xiuying cracked first.

"Who actually won?!"

Han Li smiled and said, "Never mind, that one was a bit too difficult. Let me give you a simpler one: a rooster and a hen—guess three characters."

"A rooster and a hen—guess three characters?"

Han Li glanced at his watch and said, "Riddles can be guessed slowly, but this path is not easy to walk. Let's pack up and get ready to head back."

While packing their things, Yun Yingying crept up to Han Li and asked in a low voice, "Who actually won the race between the turtle and the rabbit?"

Han Li replied in an equally low voice, "Because the pig was the referee, that answer is only known to the pig."

Yun Yingying caught on almost immediately. She looked around, covered her mouth, and laughed as she said, "Hahaha! No matter which one is answered, whoever answers is the pig. You are truly so bad, how can anyone pose a riddle like that?"

"You can't blame me for that. Who told Yang Xiuying to force me to sing?"

"Then won't the answer to the rooster and hen riddle also be an insult?"

"No."

"Then what is it?"

"Guess."

While the two of them were talking, Yang Xiuying shouted loudly from over there, "I know! The answer to 'a rooster and a hen' is the three characters 'dating', just like Han Li and Yun Yingying right now."

Hearing this answer, everyone froze for a moment, and all eyes turned toward Han Li.

Han Li said helplessly, "Your imagination is really interesting. Dating? Why didn't you just say 'married couple'? That's also three characters."

"Then what do you say it is?"

"The answer is two chickens."

"Two chickens? Aren't you just cheating?"

"I was afraid you wouldn't be able to guess it, so I gave a simple one. That can't possibly be called cheating."

"Han Li, who do you take me for? Give us a truly difficult one."

"A rooster and a hen—this time, guess five characters."

Yang Xiuying: "Even if we caught four chickens today, you shouldn't hold a grudge against chickens, should you?"

He Mi smiled and said, "Same soup different medicine, is it still two chickens?"

Han Li: "You've got some skills. A rooster and a hen—this time, guess seven characters."

"Same riddle premise, but this time it's seven characters? Now you are definitely cheating."

"Only ever-changing riddles are truly interesting to guess."

Chinese characters were broad and profound, and increasing the combination by two characters instantly raised the difficulty significantly.

As everyone walked back, they discussed which seven characters it could be. Han Li and Yun Yingying walked at the very back of the group.

Just as they were approaching the village entrance, Yang Xiuying finally couldn't hold back anymore. She turned around and asked, "Han Li, which seven characters is it?"

"Idol, it's still two chickens."

"Haha..."

Hearing this answer, everyone immediately burst into laughter. Han Li was truly too mischievous; it was better not to ask this riddle, because whoever asked was a fool.

"You... you're the fool!"

Just then, they ran into the married women coming down from the mountain along the road. Seeing the heavy bamboo baskets, they became curious.

"You guys have quite the harvest today, huh? What did you forage?"

Hao Hongmin turned her basket toward the villagers: "We just caught some small fish."

"You aren't even feeding chickens, why are you catching these things?"

"To eat?"

"Eat?"

Han Li stepped forward two steps to explain, "Auntie, Comrade Hao and the others are from the southern regions, and they just love eating small fish like this."

Auntie: "Hehe, we all like eating big fish. But these small fish aren't delicious and don't fill you up. You folks have fine tastes."

Chatting along the way, the group finally returned to the village. At the entrance of the educated youth courtyard, they saw Jiang Xiaoli and Wu Lili chatting by the door.

Both of them were in a good mood right now. Jiang Xiaoli was happy because she was about to leave this place, and Wu Lili was happy because Sun Yong had gone home for the New Year, meaning she wouldn't have to worry about him retaliating against her for a long time.

Before Han Li's group even reached them, both of their gazes snapped over.