Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

At noon, the veterans had lunch at the Chai family's house. Some tables were moved in from the house and yard, and some were also brought in from the school. Everyone sat around to eat, baskets of leavened bread were placed on the table, and each person served their own rice. Each person received a bowl of vegetables and served their own food. The hot and delicious meal made the winter feel less cold. The Chai family was warm and welcoming, and the veterans felt relaxed. They ate happily, and the veterans opened their hearts and talked during the meal. ...After the meal, the veterans' eyes were filled with tears. They had never eaten such a delicious meal in their lives. Even a few days ago, the food they ate was not as good as the food cooked by Old Lady Li and her family. The Chai family looked at them and said, "You will often eat well in the future. This is just the first meal..."

In the afternoon, Jiale led everyone back. Chai Zhen said, "You've all come a long way, so take a good rest these few days. There's no rush to work. It's almost Chinese New Year, and everyone in our village is taking a break. Enjoy a few days. There's plenty of work to do during the New Year."

The veterans returned, found their own rooms, and unpacked the belongings they'd brought from the border—none of them much, just a bundle. They placed them on their beds and went to sleep. "Why aren't I cold? I feel warm!" Four people shared a room, all occupying the lower bunk, with no one living upstairs. Someone looked around, checking for cleanliness and tidiness. It was too bright, making it hard to sleep. They felt the windows, finding no draft. Someone pulled the curtains, instantly darkening the room. "This is sleep-worthy." Someone felt around, even the north wall. The north wall was warm. "So it's the wall that's warm." "Touch it!" the four people said, feeling the north wall. "The whole wall is warm. No wonder it's so warm inside." "Who designed this? It's amazing!" The four were so excited that it took a long time for them to fall asleep. Everyone in the other rooms did the same thing, searching for a heat source.

Chai Zhen instructed his grandson to give each of them a new coat. Jia Le said, "Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll do as you say."

Jiale was busy with the veterans' affairs, making fire and boiling water for them to keep every room warm. The people he brought with him - the staff of the Ministry of Household Affairs - also lived here. It was too cold to live in tents, so they all moved into the second floor.

The veterans slept until the night before some of them woke up one after another. "It was a good sleep," said Li Dafa. Zhang Ergou, Lai Shun, Wang Xiao

The four of them sat in a room, chatting and discussing what to do. They finally felt at ease. Li Dafa said, "Everyone here listens to Second Uncle. The general said so. Let's ask at dinner later. Let's get up." Zhang Ergou said, "Sister Guoguo is nice. I like her." Lai Shun said, "Who in the barracks doesn't like Guoguo?" Wang Xiao said, "All the soldiers like Sister Guoguo. Don't underestimate her size; she's a hard worker. Have you ever seen such a young child helping doctors with wounded soldiers?" "Yeah, let's do our best. I think we've made the right choice. Just look at what we're eating today, and look at where we're staying. There are heated walls, so classy. The layout is different, with beds on either side. Beds, who's ever heard of them? We've never seen anything like them before, but I really want them. Look, there's a row of tables in the middle, with stools underneath." Zhang Ergou asked, "Are they asking us to learn from them?" "Just look at how nice the toilets are. They're better than ours. I've never seen anything like that." Li Dafa said, "Let's go."

Jiale shouted, "Everyone is going to eat. Let's go."

At the Chai family's house, food was already on the table: steamed buns, leavened flatbreads, and millet porridge with carrots and spinach. There was a delicious, spicy-sour white radish side dish, stir-fried potatoes, and stir-fried pork and green peppers. There was a sink for washing hands before eating; the water was still warm. Everyone sat on stools, chatting and laughing, the atmosphere was lively. The Chai women were busy serving the food, while everyone else sat on stools around the table to eat. "It's so delicious! I've never eaten anything like it!" a soldier exclaimed. Jia He, who was standing next to them, said, "Things will get better from now on. Don't worry. First comes the hardship, then the sweetness. You've suffered first, so it's time for everyone else to have a better life. Work hard. At least it's safe, and there's no killing." "Hey, we're all disabled!" Chai Zhen said, "There's no shortage of work, and we'll be fine. Eat, everyone, eat well, get enough rest, and don't dwell on anything else. Even if you want to work, you need to get your health back." "Grandpa is right. Let's eat," Li Dafa said.

Suddenly, everyone quieted down and started eating. Old Lady Li smiled and said, "Everyone, eat more and take good care of your health. There's no shortage of work. There are plenty of jobs to earn money. Take care of your health first."

After dinner, Chai Zhen said, "Tomorrow, Dr. Chen Jun will see you all. You have a large courtyard, and the large playground is a martial arts arena. You can move around freely and exercise, but don't exert too much force. Maintaining your health is the priority. ... It looks like it's going to snow, so just stay warm inside, enjoy a few days of good health, and rest."

Chai Zhen looked at Jiale and asked someone to send some teacups for him to drink when he was thirsty at night. He also arranged for someone in the kitchen to keep the fire going all night to ensure the house would not get cold.

Old Lady Li and her wife cleared the table while the Chai women ate. Chai Zhen carried Guoguo back to his house, and Li Jingwen and his grandson followed suit. This row of houses all had modern heating systems, with a fire burning in the kitchen and hot water piped in. The houses were large and clean, with every window and desk spotlessly clean. Zhang Ying and Juanzi's house was impeccably tidy. They had the inner room for living and the outer room for the living room, with a sofa—a modern fabric sofa and coffee table. The curtains, too, were floor-length, covering the entire front wall. It was a pleasant sight.

Guoguo's room had the same layout and furniture as Zhang Ying's. Li Jingwen's room had an outer room for the children to study in, with a bookcase, and a large bed in the inner room, with a sofa and coffee table for two. It was more spacious. There was no woman's dressing table.

What makes Chai Zhen's house different is that it has a stove that can burn fire, and food can be roasted by the fire.

What's different about Guoguo's house is that it has thick carpets, so the children can play without worrying about falling. When they're free, the children sit on the floor and watch TV, eat, drink, play, and have fun.

The kids need to go to bed early tonight; they have exams tomorrow. Morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor—the six arts of a gentleman in ancient times. …

Li Jingwen and his grandson lit candles, drank tea and chatted! Li Jingwen said, "Is your life good, grandson?" Li Qi: "Good, I eat well and dress well. When my grandson grows up, he will live here and won't leave." Li Jingwen said, "You kid, you have a bad life, don't make any progress." "But my grandson thinks the Chai family is good, and it's comfortable to live here. You can do whatever you want, without being bullied, and without calculation." Li Jingwen, "Hey, who says it's not. Grandpa also wants to retire here! The world outside is dangerous. Do whatever you want! Grandpa will help you and won't let your father control you. The Chai family's children are also good, so just follow Huanhuan and play with them. Xiaodong is here, you have to make friends with him, so just follow Xiaodong." "Grandson knows." "Let's go to bed early too." Li Qi made the bed.

In Taohua Village, at the Night King's residence, the old soldier slept soundly. Jiale lit a fire, boiling water for thirst. To keep the house warm, someone had to watch the fire. Jiale paused for a moment to practice martial arts, learning from Chai Hua, and his progress was rapid, his Qinggong skills even better!

In the second half of the night, someone helped Jiale rest.