Chapter 114

After finishing the busiest part of the afternoon, Logan started to get used to the rhythm.

As lunchtime passed, Summer, Amy, and Billy sat down to rest.

With a smile, Summer praised Amy and Billy, "My judgment was right. You both are hardworking and quick-witted, doing an excellent job. After a couple more times, you'll be able to manage the stall on your own."

Amy and Billy were pleased and a bit embarrassed by the praise.

With a shy smile, Amy asked, "Really?"

Summer nodded at her, "Absolutely."

Amy was delighted and exchanged a glance with Billy. 

Billy, not only happy but also appearing more cheerful than usual, looked less timid and more like a young man full of vigor.

Both Amy and Billy were not very talkative. Their natural shyness and self-consciousness made them reluctant to speak too much in front of Summer.

After exchanging a few polite words with Summer, they took their books and sat down at the table together to read and work on their assignments.

Summer glanced back and saw Logan still lying on the cart. She didn't disturb him and instead turned to chat with the elderly man selling melons nearby.

They chatted idly until the evening when more people came to eat. They busied themselves again for a while.

When night fell and the other stalls began closing, they too packed up and headed home. 

But instead of leaving the commune immediately, they pulled the cart to the blacksmith shop to collect two large iron pots and some cooking utensils.

By the time they returned to the brigade office, it was already dark. 

Amy and Billy greeted them and then went home.

Summer and Logan didn't rush back to the youth point. They unloaded the other items from the cart, leaving only the two large iron pots and utensils, and headed to their new house.

***

Over the next week, Summer and Logan gradually moved things from the youth point to their new home.

Aside from moving, they also visited the supply and marketing cooperative to buy essential household items, such as kerosene lamps.

On Sunday, they set up their stall at the market as usual, bringing Amy and Billy along.

Planning to move the rest of their belongings that day and spend the night in their new house, Summer and Logan decided to pack up after lunch and return to the brigade early.

As Summer and Logan were getting ready to pack up, Amy hesitantly suggested, "Ms. Summer, how about you and Mr. Logan go back first? Billy and I can watch the stall."

Summer was slightly surprised by their boldness. 

However, since she had already taught them almost everything, and they showed the courage to take responsibility, Summer agreed.

She had brought them here to learn to be independent, after all.

So Summer and Logan left the stall to Amy and Billy and carried the vegetables Logan had bought in the morning back to the brigade.

When they returned, the sun was setting in the western sky.

They put the vegetables in the new kitchen and borrowed a cart to move the remaining items from the youth point.

The remaining items were few, mainly things used in the morning. Besides a table and two benches, they took their dishes and a medium-sized water jar.

Summer double-checked the youth point to ensure they didn't miss anything. Finally, she let out the six hens from the chicken coop.

The hens, familiar with Summer, followed them to their new home without any issue.

Logan pulled the cart while Summer walked alongside, helping to push. Behind them, the six shiny-feathered hens followed, heading towards their new home.

Although they had lived at the youth point for more than half a year, Summer felt no attachment to it. Since becoming self-aware, she had always wanted to escape from the oppressive atmosphere there.

The further they walked, the lighter Summer felt. Her mood brightened like the sunlight filtering through the leaves.

***

"Welcome to our new home!"

Summer joyfully ushered the hens into their new pen, a small clay tile house with a neat fence.

After securing the hens, Summer eagerly started arranging her room.

Though there wasn't much to arrange, having her own space made her heart swell with excitement.

She spread her bedding on the new bed, placed her clothes in a travel bag, and arranged her shoes under the bed. Her washbasin and towel went on a makeshift washstand, and her toiletries and books found a place on the table.

Content with her tidy room, Summer lay down on her bed, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

She had finally moved out of the youth point, a significant step towards freedom. 

But she couldn't afford to be complacent. She still had to break free from the constraints of the original novel's plot.

Determined, Summer sat up and grabbed a mirror from the table, looking at her reflection.

Her features seemed clearer, and as she blinked, her eyes became sharper.

Startled by the clarity, Summer blinked again, confirming that her eyes were indeed more defined.

Her heart pounded with excitement. Summer stared into the mirror, hardly daring to blink.

Her reflection showed a pair of bright, lively eyes framed by long, thick eyelashes.

Overwhelmed with joy, Summer couldn't stop smiling.

Satisfied with her reflection, she put the mirror back and decisively got up.

She went to Logan's door and called out, "Logan, do you want to fetch water together?"

From inside, Logan responded, "Give me a minute."

Summer didn't rush him and continued, "After fetching water, shall we gather some firewood together?"

Logan replied, "Sure."

"And after that, how about picking some wild vegetables together?"

Logan agreed, "Alright."