Unable to endure the hardships of rural life, she returned home to arrange a marriage with a militar

During this period, her health fluctuated, and she had been taking leave to recuperate at home. She was not in charge of this version of the propaganda poster, but she could not shirk her responsibility. She could only bite the bullet and take the blame.

After the minister finished venting his anger, his expression softened. "If I hadn't seen it during my inspection, I don't know how many embarrassing things would have happened. I know this isn't your fault, but as the person in charge, you have an unshirkable responsibility. You need to reconsider your personnel decisions in the future."

After Huang Ju left, she took several deep breaths to catch her breath before storming off to the propaganda department's office.

Ever since Ye Shufen was questioned by the military, she has been somewhat absent-minded, as if there is a sharpened sword hanging over her head, ready to cleave her brain at any moment, making her uneasy and anxious, and unable to concentrate on her work.

She hadn't originally intended to spread the news about Shu Yun, but during a conversation, she overheard someone praising Shu Yun's abilities, and she couldn't help but blurt out the information about Shu Yun.

Her colleague urged her, "Shufen, when can you give me your artwork? I need to review it again. It's due tomorrow."

Ye Shufen didn't draw anything, but she said confidently, "What's the rush? All you do is rush me. Don't you know I'm very busy? If you're in a hurry, go ahead and draw it."

There was nothing on her desk except a cup of hot water. Busy? What a load of rubbish!

As soon as Huang Ju returned to the office, he called a meeting with everyone and focused on the issue of the propaganda posters. Although he did not name names, Ye Shufen's face was still very ugly. Huang Ju directly kicked Ye Shufen out of the painting group.

In preparation for her second comic book, Shu Yun planned to go to the countryside for inspiration. Gu Jun happened to have a rare day off, so the two prepared some food and rode their bicycles to the countryside as if they were on a trip.

Around noon, the people working in the fields went home for a nap. The country lanes were quiet and deserted, lined with tall trees that provided ample shade. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow through, making the summer heat go away and the area feel cool and comfortable.

Shu Yun and Gu Jun walked slowly along the path and saw an elderly couple ahead of them, supporting each other as they walked slowly. The old man helped the old woman along, and their figures, leaning on each other, looked particularly peaceful and serene in the summer scenery.

Shu Yun looked to her side and asked Gu Jun, "Do you think we'll ever have a day like this in the future?"

Gu Jun held Shu Yun's hand and said, "Yes, we will grow old together. I will accompany you for the rest of your life."

Shu Yun smiled, her dimples appearing and disappearing. "Mm."

She winked playfully at Gu Jun, "But from now on, I'll definitely be the one supporting you, since you're several years older than me."

Gu Jun: "Yes, you hold my hand."

The two were walking and talking when Gu Jun saw a group of children catching shrimp and fish by the stream not far away and couldn't help but laugh, "I used to do that when I was a kid."

He recounted his childhood anecdotes, and as Shu Yun listened, she noticed that the children's bamboo baskets contained many small fish and shrimp, as well as a few crayfish.

Crayfish! Spicy crayfish! Shu Yun was a little hungry. She shook Gu Jun's hand, "You're so good at it, go down and catch some crayfish too, we'll eat them tonight."

"What?" Gu Jun thought he had misheard. Shu Yun pointed to the child's bamboo basket, "Crayfish?"

Gu Jun hesitated, "Don't be fooled by its size, there's not much meat inside."

Shu Yun insisted, "But it tastes very fresh and delicious when I cook it."

As Shu Yun spoke, she shook Gu Jun's hand, "Come on, didn't you say you could catch them all when you were a kid?"

Gu Jun: He said he just wanted to have a clean date with Shu Yun and didn't really want to roll up his sleeves and go fishing for lobsters in the mud.

But he didn't persist for long before giving in to Shu Yun's coaxing. He sighed and said, "But how am I supposed to catch them without a net?"

Upon hearing that there was a way, Shu Yun patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, I'll go borrow one right away."

Gu Jun: "Okay."

So the second half of the activity turned into catching crayfish. Gu Jun's hands and feet were covered in mud. He worked all afternoon and filled a bamboo basket with crayfish.

On the way back, they happened to run into an old yellow ox that had died in a village. The whole village was gathered together waiting to share the beef. Gu Jun knew many villagers when he was building roads in the area, so Shu Yun traded some beef with them and took it back with her.

As soon as they got home, Shu Yun diligently boiled hot water for Gu Jun so he could take a bath, and she put the crayfish in the bucket to purge the sand.

By evening, the crayfish caught in the afternoon had become spicy crayfish on the dinner table. The aroma of hot oil poured over chili and garlic was pungent and overpowering, making people unconsciously swallow their saliva.

Shu Yun was the first to eat one. It was the season for crayfish to be plump and delicious, with plenty of meat and roe. One bite with a mouthful of white rice was fragrant and very flavorful.

Gu Jun was just playing around with Shu Yun. He had tried this kind of creature when he was a child. It had a hard shell, little meat, and no flavor. It was just a waste of seasoning.

However, when Gu Jun smelled the aroma coming from the kitchen, he changed his mind. Perhaps he could give it a try.

He couldn't stop eating, and most of the bowl of crayfish ended up in Gu Jun's mouth. Shu Yun teased him, "Are you going to eat again next time?"

Gu Jun: "Eat!"

Shu Yun snorted, "Then will you help me catch them or not?"

Gu Jun readily replied, "Of course we'll catch them."

He teased, "I'm afraid if I stop fishing, you won't help me when I'm old."

Shu Yun nodded. "You're right. You have to listen to me now, or I'll mistreat you when you're old!"

Gu Jun hesitated for a moment, then said, "Fine."

The next day, Shu Yun processed the beef she had brought back from the village the day before, preparing to make beef jerky that could be stored for a long time. Since there was no oven to speed up the process, she could only use the traditional method of air drying.

Cut the beef into appropriately sized strips along the grain, add sugar, salt, light soy sauce and other seasonings to marinate. To allow the beef to absorb the flavors, it needs to marinate for a relatively long time. Shu Yun covered the bowl with a lid and set it aside to marinate.

It took almost a day before the beef was taken out again, the strips of beef were strung together with rope, and hung in the yard to air dry.

Ah-happy was so tempted by the aroma that she couldn't wait to reach it, but Shu-Yun had hung the beef jerky high up, and Ah-Xi's short legs couldn't reach it no matter how many times she jumped.

It's so painful to be able to see something but not be able to eat it! Ah-happy says she hasn't been enjoying her food lately!

After taking a day off, Gu Jun got busy again. Shu Yun didn't come back when she went to bed that night, and she didn't see him when she woke up in the morning either. Shu Yun touched the blanket next to her and found it was cold.