Chapter 10 Going to the Market

Gao Jiaxing was at a loss for words. How could he possibly like Xia Xiao, that little thing? It seemed that next time, he would have to keep his distance from Xia Xiao; otherwise, his mother might misunderstand and make a whole ordeal out of nothing.

Zheng Xianghong was oblivious to her son's complaints. She had just received Gao Guoqiang's worn-out pants and now sat stitching them by the oil lamp.

And on the other side, Xia Xiao had no idea she was being disliked. While taking a bath, she had sneaked into the space and had a sip of springwater before coming out.

To grow taller and reduce fatigue, Xia Xiao now relied on the space, but she dared not drink too much for fear of being noticed.

Thinking about the empty space, Xia Xiao had been planning these past few days to bring some seeds into the space to plant. She hoped to buy some chicks to raise there and also to bring in some firewood and kitchen utensils, so she could prepare her meals in the space in the future.

After half a month of hard work, Xia Xiao still wasn't quite used to it, but the spring water from the space greatly relieved her fatigue. Today, as the farming season had slowed, the team gave everyone a holiday. Everyone went into the city for the market fair, and Xia Xiao went along.

Many people walked on foot, while some hitched rides on ox carts. Unable to catch an ox cart, Xia Xiao could only walk. As she traversed mountains and valleys, she felt her legs were about to give out.

However, the large group of people heading to the market brought a sense of camaraderie. They chatted and laughed along the way, with some even singing loudly, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Thinking of the little money she had in the space, Xia Xiao decided she needed to prepare some things so she wouldn't need to come out again. The journey was long and inconvenient.

"Xia Xiao."

Hearing her name, Xia Xiao turned and saw an ox cart coming from a distance, already packed with people.

It was Zheng Xianghong, and Gao Jiaxing was driving the cart. Xia Xiao initially thought she might be able to hitch a ride, as her feet were barely enduring it, possibly even blistering. But seeing the cart crammed with people, her heart sank.

"Auntie," Xia Xiao called out with a smile and waved at Zheng Xianghong and Gao Jiaxing.

"Xia Xiao, come on up," Zheng Xianghong said.

Someone interjected, "There's no room left."

"It's okay, she can sit on my lap," Zheng Xianghong suggested. With Xia Xiao's petite frame, she figured holding her wouldn't be a problem.

Gao Jiaxing arrived at Xia Xiao's side and jumped down from the ox cart, giving his spot to Xia Xiao and took over leading the ox.

Yang Xuehua and the others watched enviously as Xia Xiao got onto the cart. Who wouldn't prefer a ride over walking? Unfortunately, it was a busy day, and everyone was headed to the market. The few ox carts in the brigade had been reserved early by the village women.

At Youth Point, there was also an ox cart, but it, too, was filled to capacity. Xia Xiao and Yang Xuehua hadn't managed to squeeze on.

Now on the ox cart, Xia Xiao couldn't concern herself with Yang Xuehua and the others any longer. Relieved, she said to Zheng Xianghong, "Thank you, Auntie."

"Seeing you walk with such difficulty, you were about to give out, weren't you? You need to walk more often," Zheng Xianghong said and then asked, "Are you seated securely?"

Xia Xiao nodded, and then Zheng Xianghong told Gao Jiaxing, "Let's go."

Gao Jiaxing cracked his whip, and the ox cart started moving. Xia Xiao waved at Yang Xuehua and the others, signaling she'd see them later.

Living in a future era accustomed to convenient transport, sitting in an ox cart now made Xia Xiao feel unreal. Seeing Gao Jiaxing in front leading the ox and wielding the whip, Xia Xiao felt a bit embarrassed. Still, her feet hurt too much to decline the ride eloquently.

Gao Jiaxing could drive the ox cart, and could even sit on the ox, which was an idea that flashed through Xia Xiao's mind, making her shiver immediately.

Gao Jiaxing was originally a large man, sitting on the ox would look like a huge mountain blocking the view of the road ahead. Xia Xiao couldn't bear to look at that scene directly, but since he had offered his seat to her, she couldn't be too unkind.

The mountain road was rugged, and the ox cart jolted a bit. Xia Xiao was still not used to it, feeling somewhat dizzy, but it was indeed much better than walking.

Xia Xiao's feet were a bit painful, and she was sure she had blisters, but it was not convenient to check them while on the cart.

"Xianghong, are you raising Educated Youth Xia as a daughter?" laughed one woman.

Another woman added, "Exactly. All her daughters married out and it isn't easy for them to return to their mother's home."

A few women started chattering; Xia Xiao listened with a smile, not joining in. She didn't understand the local dialect too well, but she roughly got the gist.

The ox cart finally reached the county town and Xia Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. When she got off, her feet felt unnatural, and she said to Zheng Xianghong, "Auntie, you go and explore; I'll sit here."

"Alright then, but don't wander off far. We need to be back here by five," Zheng Xianghong reminded.

Xia Xiao nodded, watched everyone go, and while Gao Jiaxing also led the ox cart to the side to park, Xia Xiao hurriedly found a place to sit and removed her shoes to check.

Indeed, the sole of her left foot was fiery hot to the touch, and there were two large blisters on the right. Fortunately, she didn't have to work tomorrow; otherwise, how could she do any labor in this condition?

Xia Xiao poked at the blisters with her hand, immediately inhaling sharply from the pain.

Suddenly, it darkened before her eyes, and she saw Gao Jiaxing standing in front of her. Xia Xiao was about to hide her feet, but Gao Jiaxing had already walked away.

Xia Xiao was speechless, feeling that Gao Jiaxing was sometimes like a strange person. Watching him leave, she didn't bother much, thinking that it was a rare chance to visit the county town, yet she couldn't stroll around, which made her somewhat depressed.

After sitting for about an hour, Xia Xiao saw Yang Xuehua and the others arrive.

"Xia Xiao, why are you sitting here?" Yang Xuehua approached.

"My feet have blisters," Xia Xiao showed her soles to Yang Xuehua.

Yang Xuehua's voice was sympathetic, "It's alright, just prick the blisters with a needle when we get back and apply some herbal medicine. That's how we all got through."

Xia Xiao felt a bit embarrassed, thinking that she may be the most delicate of them all, but she also admired Yang Xuehua and the others who, despite the harsh conditions, hardly complained and were positively active.

Yang Xuehua patted Xia Xiao's shoulder, "You'll get used to it soon. You must adapt quickly here, or you'll make things difficult for yourself."

Xia Xiao strongly agreed with these words. She was trying hard to adapt, but the thought of her frail body enduring labor brought tears of bitterness in her heart.

What was crueler was that this labor wasn't for just one or two years, but for eighteen or nineteen years, her prime youth to be spent here.

"Xia Xiao, what do you want to buy? I can get it for you," Yang Xuehua offered.

Xia Xiao shook her head, not knowing what to buy, and replied, "I don't need to buy anything."