Li Long rode his bicycle out of Small White Poplar Gully and sped toward the county town. This wild boar meat would not keep well, so he needed to get it home and deal with it as soon as possible.
He reached Township Middle School right at lunchtime. Gu Xiaoxia was heating up food in her dormitory. When Li Long rode over, she happily helped him steady the bicycle and prop it up.
"We killed these in the mountains this morning. Would you like a leg or some ribs?" Li Long said. "Soak the meat in cold water first to keep it cool, then braise it when you have time this afternoon."
"No, no, I don't need any. I haven't finished the two jars and that piece of meat you brought last time."
"Why are you eating it so slowly? You didn't get enough nutrition before. You need to make up for it now."
"I can't eat any more. If I do, I'll... get fat." Gu Xiaoxia said the last two words very quietly, but Li Long heard them. He smiled and said:
"How are you fat? You're not... Besides, a little plumper is good. It means you've got resistance to illness."
Without taking no for an answer, he cut off a piece of wild boar ribs for Gu Xiaoxia and put it on her chopping board.
"Just get a basin of water and soak it. You can deal with it tonight. I've got to hurry back to the production team now. It's hot out, so I can't leave the meat sitting around."
"Have something to eat before you go!" Gu Xiaoxia hurried to stop him, but Li Long waved his hand.
"No, there's a pile of things waiting at home, and I have to get back to the mountains