Going Out

In the afternoon, all eight children arrived, and Lin Yan continued the lessons.
She noticed that Huisheng was in a low mood, while the other children were extremely excited, though no one said anything.
Everyone knew the situation in the Shui family well, but no one could interfere.
Lin Yan was not worried; Granny Shui was a clever old woman and was now the leader of the sixth group. She had the ability to clear away all obstacles for Huisheng.
An afternoon of teaching passed quickly amidst the chatter of the children.
Every new knowledge point Lin Yan explained sparked lively discussions among them, and their imaginations flew wildly without boundaries.
After three classes ended, no one was willing to leave. Since it was not yet time for dinner, they wanted to stay a little longer.
Shizhi stared at the periodic table of chemical elements on the slate, then looked at a few physics formulas, deep in thought. "Who discovered these? Are they all correct?"
Lin Yan smiled and said, "Who discovered them is not important. You can use practice to test whether they are right or wrong, and apply these basic principles to change real life."
"You are right," Shizhi said steadily. "Right or wrong can be verified through practice. I suddenly understand how to modify the spinning machine you mentioned."
"Modify what?" Lin Yan was stunned. This practical application was happening much too fast.
Shizhi looked serious. "The spinning machine, Hongling's version can still be modified to make it easier to use."
"That's great, Shizhi, you figured it out so quickly. I'm waiting for your results."
Hongling also chimed in, "Shizhi, let's go improve the spinning machine right now. It's already September, and the cold season is coming soon. If we make a better one earlier, everyone can use it."
"Good point. Everyone stays huddled indoors during the cold season, which is just the right time for spinning thread and making more linen cloth," Lin Yan agreed. The long cold season could not be wasted.
Lanyu added, "Many families have planted jute; it can be harvested this month. We will have plenty to keep us busy during the cold season."
Huangying followed up, "My grandma also said we'll have things to do this cold season. Everyone is still using drop spindles to spin thread, so we need to make the spinning machine quickly."
Huamin sighed, "My family didn't clear land for farming, but my mother and father have also been gathering some jute recently, getting ready to make linen clothes."
Seeing the topic drifting further and further away, Lin Yan quickly said, "So, your first assignment is for each of you to make a spinning machine before the cold season arrives."
"Is the assignment mandatory?" Yicong stood next to Lin Yan, blinking his eyes.
Lin Yan looked at him; it wouldn't be easy for this little frame to complete the assignment. "Of course. You are still young, so you can ask others to help you finish it."
Yicong thought for a moment and asked, "What does a spinning machine look like?"
Baichen also asked, "Has the spinning machine already been built?"
Lin Yan looked at Shizhi and Hongling. "The two of them made it. They understand the principles, and you can study it together."
After thinking for a moment, she added, "Let Shizhi explain the manufacturing process and principles of the spinning machine to everyone."
Watching Shizhi talk eloquently while writing and drawing on the slate, everyone finally understood.
The group of children went home with their assignments, and Yicong sighed, "The assignment is so hard."
"Didn't you understand?" Lin Yan asked in surprise, seeing that he didn't look like someone who hadn't understood.
"I understood, but actually making it is very difficult." Yicong looked at his own skinny little arms. "Handicraft is hard physical labor; I can't do it."
"Ask your father to help. You just need to use your brain."
"That's the only way." Yicong looked helpless. "Come on, let's go eat at my house."
Lin Yan shook her head. "Go home and eat. I'll wait for Mother to come back and eat together."
When Huohong returned, Lin Yan had already prepared dinner: a large bowl of steamed eggs, two boiled eggs, and a pot of meat soup.
"Mother, come and eat."
Putting down her basket, Huohong looked at the dinner and smiled. "You're getting more and more capable. How was the first day of class?"
"Pretty good, they are all very smart."
"Of course, they were carefully selected as the smartest kids in the tribe. What did you teach them?"
Lin Yan briefly described the content of today's lessons.
Huohong listened with a blank expression and didn't quite understand. "It's different from the past."
"Yes, what they learn is deeper. Once they master it, they can teach more people. Mother, one day, we won't have to work so hard and will have plenty of food and clothing."
"Mother believes you. Eat more steamed eggs; you need to grow big and strong."
Lin Yan made a wry face. Although steamed eggs were delicious, eating them every day would eventually get tiring.
After the meal, Huohong cleaned the kitchen, went to feed the hares, and then picked up her drop spindle to spin thread, never having a moment of leisure.
Lin Yan sat in the courtyard, resting her chin in her hands and looking up at the sky.
The starry sky under the night was beautiful—sparkling, vast, and profound, making human beings appear all the more insignificant.
She couldn't help wondering when she would be able to conquer the sea of stars.
Just as she was lost in thought, she was startled back to reality by a commotion at the front gate. Looking over, she saw that it was Lao Hei who had come.
He was talking with Huohong. The wicker gate opened, and they walked in together.
"Lin Yan, Lao Hei is looking for you for something."
"What is it?" Lin Yan stood up and walked over.
Lao Hei stated directly, "The people to look for the flock of geese have been found—fifteen in total, all strong young men. They are all going voluntarily. When should we set off?"
"Really?" Lin Yan was pleasantly surprised. "Since people have been found, we can go anytime. I want to go too."
"No way." Huohong immediately intervened. "Lin Yan, you are still young and cannot go take risks."
Lao Hei did not approve of Lin Yan going either. "Your mother is right. Stay home and wait for us to return."
Lin Yan insisted, "Only with me there can you all be safe. I must go."
Her current spiritual power could explore a distance of over three meters, and any poisonous insects or hazards around her would immediately trigger a warning.
Huohong thought of the time Lin Yan found wild goose eggs and hesitated.
Lao Hei knew nothing about this and persuaded her, "Lin Yan, you are too young, and the outside is dangerous. Don't take risks. If you want goose eggs, I will definitely bring them back for you."
Lin Yan shook her head, insisting on going.
Lao Hei looked at Huohong, hoping she would persuade her. Aside from being too young, Lin Yan's current status in Sun City was different; she could not take risks.
Huohong looked at her daughter. "Must you go?"
Lin Yan nodded firmly. "Mother, they are going to find the flock of geese. The outside is dangerous, and if I am there, I can help them as much as possible."
After struggling with the thought for a moment, Huohong looked at Lao Hei. "Let Lin Yan come along. I'll go too. With me carrying her, she won't be a burden to everyone."
"It's not a matter of being a burden. How can Lin Yan take risks? Nothing can happen to her!" Lao Hei grew anxious. "Huohong, what are you thinking? How can you let Lin Yan go? No, she cannot go."
Lin Yan persuaded him, "Lao Hei, Mother and I are going together. Don't worry, nothing will happen. We'll set off early tomorrow morning."
Lao Hei still wanted to dissuade them, but Huohong said, "It's settled then. Go quickly and notify the others, get your things ready, and we leave tomorrow morning. I need to make some preparations too."
Helpless, Lao Hei could only leave, inwardly regretting that he had ever gone looking for people in the first place.