Go back to the past to plant trees

The meal lasted nearly three hours. All the dishes on the table were finished, leaving nothing behind. A lot of alcohol was also consumed, including two bottles of Erguotou and three jin of loose liquor. Feng Cheng had also drunk his fill.

It was already past 7 p.m. after dinner, and Feng Cheng went straight to sleep at the Zhao family's house.

Feng Cheng woke up early the next morning. He was a little unaccustomed to sleeping in a different place. Although he had been drinking, he still woke up early.

"Xiao Feng, you're up so early."

Feng Cheng smiled and said, "I went to bed early yesterday."

"Wait a minute, I'll go cook some millet porridge for you. You've drunk so much wine, eat some porridge to calm down," Zhao Ma said to Feng Cheng before going into the kitchen.

Feng Cheng didn't refuse; he also wanted to drink some porridge to warm his stomach and ease his body's discomfort.

Zhao Jinquan hadn't gotten up yet, so Feng Cheng ignored him and went outside to get some fresh air in the courtyard. Although the room was warm, it had a musty smell because it hadn't been ventilated for a while, and Feng Cheng couldn't stand the smell either.

Half an hour later, Zhao's mother called Feng Cheng back to drink porridge, and at the same time shook Zhao Jinquan awake.

"Jin Quan, I'm going back soon. Stay home for a few more days and then go back later!"

“What’s the point of staying at home? There’s nothing going on there. Just let him go back with you,” Zhao’s mother interrupted before Zhao Jinquan could even speak.

"It's okay. There's no work at the camp anymore. Going back would just be playing around. Besides, it'll snow soon, and then I won't be able to go home for more than half a year. I'll take advantage of the free time now and stay home for a few more days."

“Okay, then I’ll go back in a few days!” Zhao Jinquan nodded in agreement. He also wanted to stay home for a couple more days. He didn’t stand on ceremony. He had been with Feng Cheng for two years and knew that Feng Cheng wasn’t the kind of person who was polite.

"Xiao Feng, why don't you stay here for a few more days?" Zhao Ma said at this moment.

Feng Cheng smiled and shook his head. "No, the camp needs someone to look after it, and I also have a dog there that I need to go back and watch over."

"Then come and visit next time you have time. Next spring, when you have nothing to do, you can come here to play. There are more people here, and it's more lively than where you are."

"Okay, I'll come again next time I have time."

After finishing his porridge, Feng Cheng rested for a while before preparing to go back. The journey would take three or four hours, so Feng Cheng wanted to leave a little earlier.

When they returned, Zhao Ma gave Feng Cheng a lot of things, including sauerkraut, grain, and eggs. However, Feng Cheng didn't accept them, but Zhao Ma insisted on giving them to him. In the end, he couldn't refuse and could only take a few eggs.

Carrying a few eggs, Feng Cheng finally returned to the camp after walking for most of the day. Fortunately, his memory was now superb, and he could remember most of the way after just one walk. If it were someone else, they might not have been able to remember the way back.

Back at the camp, Feng Cheng first released Xiao Liu, who was locked in the dugout. Xiao Liu was very happy to see Feng Cheng and kept circling around him.

After getting some food for Xiao Liu, Feng Cheng, seeing that it was still early, went to check on the nursery and the saplings that had been transplanted some time ago.

Looking at the planted saplings, Feng Cheng smiled with satisfaction. In the blink of an eye, he had been here for over a year, and the saplings bred in the nursery were ready to be transplanted. Next spring, he would be able to test the results and achievements of his two years of work.

Although he knew the saplings would survive, Feng Cheng was still a little uneasy. He was worried that the survival rate of the saplings would not be ideal and would not meet his expectations.

If the survival rate of the saplings is high next year, proving that my method is correct, will I be promoted to a higher position?

Give him a deputy section chief position, or some salary. He's worked hard for three years at the dam and achieved results. He deserves some compensation!

Feng Cheng thought with some anticipation. Although he felt he wasn't cut out to be an official, he thought, regardless of whether he was, at least you've given me this opportunity. Maybe I can do it well. Those managers in my previous life, with their level of expertise, could do it and stay in it. Why can't I?

Lost in his own thoughts, Feng Cheng walked back to the dugout.

The work at the camp was basically finished, so Feng Cheng had nothing to do. He listened to the radio and occasionally teased Xiao Liu, feeling both relaxed and bored.

Three days later, Zhao Jinquan returned, bringing back a whole bunch of things, including all the things Feng Cheng had turned down a few days earlier.

Feng Cheng was somewhat helpless, but he didn't say much.

At the end of October, heavy snow fell in Saihanba, officially marking the arrival of winter.

Last winter was boring, and this year is no different. Feng Cheng bought a lot of books at the toll station this year. He used to not buy those pirated books because the paper was bad, the printing was bad, and there were a lot of typos. But now, as long as the books are readable, he buys a lot of them.

He not only bought books at the toll station, but also asked Xiao Pang, who was delivering supplies, to buy books for him at the Xinhua Bookstore in the area, including some professional books and books on history and literature. However, he didn't buy many of these because new books are relatively expensive.

Zhao Jinquan also received two books, one on basic carpentry and the other on basic stonemasonry. Feng Cheng prepared them for him because he was bored and wanted to find something for him to do so that he could learn a trade.

Zhao Jinquan did learn quite well. He followed the book and could make some small items without a teacher. For example, he made a new set of dining tables and chairs. Although the materials were not good, the workmanship was acceptable and the items were quite neat.

Zhao Jinquan put Feng Cheng's pen holder, book box, and even ink bottle in a small wooden box, just like the various protective cases used for electronic products in later generations.

"Brother Feng, what do you think about me buying some wood next year to make a wardrobe?"

Zhao Jinquan took some time that day to repair the chicken coop. After he finished, he suddenly asked Feng Cheng a question.

"Sure, go ahead and do it. I think your skill level is pretty good. You should have no problem making a wardrobe or something."

Feng Cheng affirmed his craftsmanship.

Zhao Jinquan scratched his head, looking somewhat unsure. "I'm just afraid I won't do it well and will waste the materials."

Feng Cheng encouraged him: "Don't worry, it's something you use yourself, not something you're going to sell. As long as it works, it doesn't matter if it's not very good. Besides, how do you know you can't do it well if you don't try? If you can't do it well the first time, you'll be able to do it well after a few more tries."

"That's what I think too. Anyway, I'm making it for my mom to use, so it doesn't cost any money. It doesn't matter if it doesn't look good."

"When you finish making it, make one for me too. I need a wardrobe or something to store things."

Although Zhao Jinquan also got two cabinets for Feng Cheng, Feng Cheng had too many things. The pile of books alone filled an entire cabinet, and with other miscellaneous items, two cabinets were simply not enough. Moreover, Feng Cheng would be buying more things later, so the boxes would be even more insufficient. Getting one or two more wouldn't be a problem.

"Okay, I'll get one for you while I'm at it."

Feng Cheng's words gave Zhao Jinquan a lot of confidence and strengthened his determination to make cabinets.