New ink fragrance in old times

Harvesting soybeans is undoubtedly the most challenging part of this season's farm work.

Even before the morning dew had completely dissipated, Lin Mo had already stepped into the fields, beginning the long and arduous work. The soybeans had a well-developed root system, deeply embedded in the soil, and pulling each one out required immense effort.

Time seemed to slow down at this moment. At the end of the morning, the pile of soybeans he could harvest was only a small pile, which was far from proportional to the effort he put in.

The most unbearable thing was the constant bending movement, which was like an invisible shackle that tightly bound Lin Mo's waist.

As time went on, the pain surged like a tide, until he could barely stand up. His hands, rubbed against the soybean stalks and the dirt, were already covered in tiny wounds. The pain was even more excruciating than when he threshed corn.

What's worse is that there were no gloves in ancient times, so he could only face it all with his bare hands.

Lin Siyuan was careful enough to notice the wound on Lin Mo's hand. He found Han and wrapped a piece of cloth around Lin Mo's hand, which slightly relieved the pain.

Although Lin Mo occasionally complained in his heart, his hands never stopped moving.

Lin Mo stood on the edge of the field, looking at Lin Sixuan and Lin Siyuan who were bent over and busy in the distance, feeling mixed emotions.

The sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, dappling onto their tough backs, and the sweat gleamed in the sun.

Lin Mo sighed softly, thinking to himself: If Dalang and Erlang come back to help, grandma will let them rest because she feels sorry for these two grandsons, and I, an "old bone", will be able to benefit from the love and reduce the time I work.

Old Mrs. Lin's gaze darted between the busy children, finally settling on Lin Mo and Lin Sizhe. Noticing their occasional slowness, she coughed softly, her voice stern. "Sanlang, Silang, look at your brothers! They haven't stopped since this morning. You two, get on with it! Don't just slack off!"

Lin Sizhe said aggrievedly: "Grandma, we are not lazy."

Mrs. Lin: "Look, Wulang and Liulang are faster than you two. As brothers, you two should set a good example."

Hearing his grandmother's scolding, Lin Mo looked up at Lin Sixuan and Lin Siyuan, who were working hard, feeling both admiration and helplessness. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied bitterly, "Grandma, we're working hard too, it's just... sometimes we just don't have the energy to keep up."

Lin Sizhe echoed from the side: "Yes, grandma, we are also trying our best, but... just resting for a while."

Mrs. Lin's expression gradually softened from stern. She took a deep breath and said to Lin Sizhe earnestly, "Silang, I know you're tired, but the crops in the fields won't wait for us just because we're tired."

At this point, Mrs. Lin turned her gaze to Lin Sixuan and Lin Siyuan, who were working hard, her eyes full of praise: "Dalang and Erlang came back not only to help with the housework, but also to set an example for you. Look at them, how motivated they are. You should also learn from them and not be afraid of hardship or fatigue. Only then can our family get better and better."

After hearing what Old Lady Lin said, Lin Sizhe looked up at Lin Sixuan and Lin Siyuan, his eyes gleaming with admiration and determination. "Grandma, I'll do my best too. Seeing how hard my brothers are working, I won't be lazy anymore. Let's work together to harvest all the beans in the field."

After hearing Lin Sizhe's statement, Mrs. Lin smiled with satisfaction. She nodded: "Okay, okay."

After listening to Mrs. Lin's big bowl of chicken soup, he continued to bend down and pick soybeans with Lin Sizhe.

Lin Mo muttered to himself, "With these two back, not only do I not have time to rest, but I'm also being fed chicken soup."

Lin Mo felt miserable.

As the sun sets, its afterglow fills the Lin family's courtyard, adding a touch of warmth to the busy day. However, for Lin Mo, this tranquility is about to be broken.

At dinner time, the whole family sat together, but the atmosphere was a little more solemn than usual.

Lin Xueqin put down his bowl and chopsticks, his eyes filled with apology, and slowly spoke: "Dad, Mom, I have something to tell you. I have to go to the county on the third day of the new year. This time, my employer gave me more than 20 days of leave, which is already very difficult. If I delay it any longer, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain it to them."

Hearing this, Old Master Lin sighed softly, "Boss, you did the right thing. You don't have to worry about things at home. I and your mother are here for you."

Lin Wenru: "Shitou, don't worry. We are here to take care of you. Your boss has given you two consecutive months of leave. Others will be jealous. Besides, if it goes on for too long, your boss will be unhappy too."

Mrs. Lin had a loving look on her face. She patted the back of Lin Xueqin's hand and said, "Big brother, your second uncle is right. It would be better for you to go back to the county. You can sleep peacefully every day and don't have to work so hard. Don't worry about the family matters."

Lin Mo sat aside. He secretly glanced at Lin Xueqin, but his heart was in turmoil: his uncle's departure meant that the time line for harvesting soybeans would be extended by at least one day.

Lin Mo comforted himself: It’s okay, it will pass if I just bear with it.

Old Master Lin turned to Lin Xuebo who was standing beside him and asked, "Third Brother, what are your plans?"

Lin Xuebo looked at Old Man Lin blankly: "Dad, what's wrong with me?"

Old Mrs. Lin patted Lin Xuebo and said, "You kid, your father asked when you are leaving."

Lin Xuebo: "Leave? Where to?"

Mr. Lin was so angry that he slammed the table.

Lin Xuejin reminded quietly: "Dad is asking you when you will go to the county. Don't let yourself get anxiously waited."

"Hey, I'm not in a hurry about this matter." Lin Xuebao said lazily.

Old Master Lin glared at Lin Xuebo, his tone tinged with reproach: "How can you be so careless, kid? Your eldest brother is going back to the county, and you're hiding at home. How will others view you?"

Lin Xuebao quickly explained, "Dad, you misunderstood. It's not that I want to sit idle, but my employer really hasn't had much work for me lately. My master felt sorry for me and didn't want me to make a wasted trip and have to pay for my own food, so he asked me to come back first. He said he would send me a message as soon as there was work so that I could prepare."

Seeing this, Mrs. Lin quickly tried to smooth things over: "Okay, okay, Third Brother didn't mean it. Since there's nothing urgent right now, it's just right for you to help out at home and finish harvesting the soybeans. It won't be too late to go back when there's work in the county."

Lin Xuejin also agreed, "Yes, Dad, the family is in need of help right now. Since Third Brother is back, he can just stay home and help. It won't be too late for him to go back after this busy period."

Chapter 66 Cold Dew