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"Hey, Xiao Ming, listen, I'm going back to my hometown next week for a few days, can you do me a favor?" Little Red's voice came from the phone.
"What's the matter?" I asked, a little confused.
"I want you to help me buy 100 native eggs in the village, the free-range kind, you know. "
"What? 100? You're crazy, that's not a small number!" I was taken aback.
Countless questions crossed my mind. Why did Xiaohong have so many eggs? Does she want to open a small workshop or something? Or do she plan to make something special? However, it is useless to think so much, anyway, since she asks for it, there must be her reasons. It's just, 100, that's an astronomical number!
"Hey, Xiaohong, why do you want so many eggs?" I was too curious to ask her.
"Hey, don't talk too much, it's just a need anyway, can't you help?" Xiaohong replied impatiently.
"Don't worry, you can definitely find it, I asked someone to inquire. Just do your best to find it, don't be verbose. "
I clutched my phone, my mind swirling with doubts. Xiaohong's side seemed to have lost patience, leaving only a moment of silence. I sighed and turned to look out the window. In the yard, my mother was busy working in the vegetable patch, humming a little song softly. My eyes fell on the chicken coop in the distance, where a dozen native chickens were lazily basking in the sun. From time to time, they roll around and shake the feathers off their bodies. It suddenly occurred to me what a difficult task it was to collect 100 native eggs. If you only get it from my house, it will take a few months!
My small village is located in a valley surrounded by mountains and has a pleasant view. The village is not too big, with more than 300 families, most of whom make a living from farming and farming. In addition to being self-sufficient at home, our family also sells surplus produce to the town's market.
There is a small stream that meanders through the village, and the stream is covered with green trees and red flowers, and in the spring, the mountains are full of bright scenery. My favorite thing is to walk along the stream, get some fresh air and listen to the birds. When I was a child, my children and I used to catch shrimp and fish by the stream.
This idyllic village is my hometown and where I grew up as a child. Whenever I leave, I always miss the grass, trees, flowers and butterflies here. And Xiaohong's request at the moment also made me have to leave the city temporarily and return to this familiar world.
"Alright then, I'll give it a try. I finally decided, "But you have to give me some time, 100 is not a small number." "
"Okay, just do your best to find it. Xiaohong's tone softened a little, "If you really can't make it up, it's okay to have less." "
"Then I'll go back to the village, and I'll give you a letter in two days. I answered.
As soon as I hung up, I started packing my things and getting ready to go back to my hometown. My mother was surprised when she saw me suddenly packing up my things: "What's the matter? Are you going home?"
"That's right, Xiaohong has entrusted me with a big trouble, so I have to go back and do it myself. I said helplessly.
"What's the matter? I haven't heard you talk about it?" Mom asked.
"She asked me to find her 100 free-range eggs at home, do you say it's annoying?" I directly said Xiaohong's request.
My mother was stunned, then shook her head with a smile: "This is really a big request! 100 eggs is not a small number, I'm afraid all the farmers in our village can't make it up, right?"
I sighed, and I actually thought the same thing in my heart. However, since Xiaohong has already asked for it, I have no choice but to try it. However, the dozens of local chickens in our family are not enough, and I have to find a way to find the farmers in the whole village.
I walked around the room with some anxiety, pondering what to do. Seeing my sad face, my mother comforted: "Don't be too careful, if you can't make it up, you can't make it up, anyway, Xiaohong also said that it's okay to have less." "
"But I'll have to try it with all my might!" I insisted, then picked up my phone and opened my contacts to look through it.
Soon, I was able to find the contact information of several of the main farmers in our village. Looking at those familiar names, I couldn't help but smile. Yes, they are all old acquaintances, and if I go back to them, I believe they will do their best to help.
Xiaohong and I are old classmates, we have known each other since elementary school and have been in high school all the way. Xiaohong is an amazing girl, strong and independent, with a strong curiosity and desire to learn everything.
By the time we were in high school, she had already developed a keen interest in rural life and farming culture. After graduating, she chose to stay in the city and go to college, while I returned to my hometown village. Although our paths have diverged, our friendship has not changed.
Xiaohong would often call me and ask me about rural life, and I was happy to share what I saw and heard with her. Perhaps it was because of her strong interest in this area that Xiaohong suddenly asked for 100 native eggs this time. However, she didn't tell me why. But it doesn't matter, friends don't need to be too careful, I will do my best to meet her request.
"Hey, Xiao Ming, it's been a long time!" Uncle Wang patted me on the shoulder and said affectionately.
"Isn't it, how long has it been since you came back?" The uncle in the village also said with a smile.
"yes, yes, I'm probably going to be at home for a while this time. I responded with a smile.
"Oh, what's wrong? Isn't that job in the city not going well?" Uncle Wang asked with concern.
"Not really. I waved my hand, "I've been asked by a friend to do a big problem this time, so I have to come back and do it myself." "
"Oh, what's the matter? Uncle asked curiously.
I suddenly hesitated, not knowing how to speak. If you say Xiaohong's request directly, I am afraid that these old people will laugh in an uproar. 100 free-range eggs, that's an astronomical number! Even if I bought all the eggs from all the chicken farmers in the village, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to get them together.
However, since I have made up my mind to give it a try, I will simply tell the truth. Anyway, these are fellow countrymen, they are all acquaintances, even if they think it's funny, I believe they won't laugh at me.
Sure enough, when Uncle Wang and Uncle Wang heard my words, they couldn't help but look at each other, and immediately burst into laughter. I stood aside, my face a little hot.
"Hahaha, 100 of them! That's a big request!" Uncle Wang wiped the tears from his laughter and giggled.
The uncle also laughed heartily on the side, leaning back and forth with laughter. I had to explain again, "yes, I know it's a bit excessive, but that's what she said." So I'm going to come back to you myself and see if I can make it up. "
"Haha, young man, you're such an honest boy!" Uncle Wang patted me on the shoulder and said, "Okay, okay, let's help you inquire and see if we can get it together." "
Uncle also nodded, and said with a smile: "Yes, yes, you can rest assured, with us, we will definitely do our best!"
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although I was a little embarrassed by their initial reaction, they generously agreed to help me. That's exactly what I expected.
Over the next few days, I began a "carpet" search in the village. During the day, I walked all over the village, going door to door, visiting every farmer. When some people heard my request, they would first look suspicious, and then smile and shake their heads and say that there are not so many. However, after my repeated explanations and pleading, they finally readily agreed and let me collect all the local eggs I had at home.
When I got home in the evening, I began to count the "results" of the day. My mother watched me carefully put the eggs into the carton one by one, and couldn't help but sigh: "It's really hard for you, just for a friend's request, you are so heartbroken!"
"It's okay, it's okay," I smiled and shook my head, "Xiaohong, although she is a little excessive, we are old classmates and old friends after all." Besides, it's a bit strange for her to ask, but I'm sure she has her own reasons. "
Just as I was about to continue counting, my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID, and it was Xiaohong calling.
"Hey, Xiaohong, what's the matter?" I picked up the phone and asked.
"Oh, it's nothing, I just wanted to ask how your progress is going?" Xiaohong asked.
"It's okay, but it really took a lot of work. I told the truth, "I've been looking for all the farmers in the village in the past few days." "
"Oh, can you get 100 of them?" Xiaohong asked nervously.
Hanging up, I continued with my work. Xiaohong's phone call once again made me puzzled by her request. 100 free-range eggs, that's an astronomical amount! Even a person like me, who grew up in the countryside, struggles with this requirement.
I couldn't help but wonder in my mind why Xiaohong was making such a strange request, was she trying to make something special, but even the pickiest diner probably wouldn't need 100 eggs.
I couldn't figure it out, so I had to put my mind back on the task at hand. Whatever it is, I've already said yes anyway, so I'll do my best to complete it.
I sat down at a low table and carefully stacked the eggs into the cartons. From time to time, my mother came over to take a look, sighed and said, "It's really hard for you, just for a friend's request, you are so heartbroken!"
I smiled and shook my head, signaling that it wasn't a big deal. Seeing me like this, my mother shrugged helplessly and went back to the kitchen to continue her housework.
I was concentrating on checking and counting the eggs in the carton one by one. Some of the eggs had already cracked during transport, so I had to sort them out separately so as not to contaminate the other intact eggs. Gradually, my brow furrowed, because I found that even if I added up all the "results" of the past few days, I am afraid that it would be difficult to meet Xiaohong's request of 100.
"It's over, it's over, it looks like I can't make up 100!" I patted my head anxiously.
My mother was attracted by my exclamation, and when she saw my sad face, she couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"
"It looks like this. I nodded, took out the eggs in the carton one by one, and recounted them in front of my mother, "It only adds up to more than seventy, which is still far from it." "
"What should I do?" Mom was also anxious, "You have invested a lot of money in the past few days, but your efforts have not been in vain!"
"I don't know what to do anymore. I shook my head, a myriad of questions swirling through my head. Do I really want to fail and disappoint Xiaohong? No, I have to find a way, even at the last minute, to do everything I can to fulfill her request!
Just as I was deep in thought, my mother suddenly patted me on the shoulder and said with a solemn expression, "There is another person, you can go and find it!"
"Who?" I looked at my mom suspiciously.
"Have you forgotten? It's our biggest chicken farmer back then, and although he is retired now, his chicken coop is still there!" Mom said, "Why don't you try your luck at his house?"
"That's right, why did you forget the old Zhang family!" It dawned on me and I perked up, "Okay, then I'll go find him, maybe he still has stock at home!"
With that, I immediately changed my clothes and rushed out of the house without looking back. Mom shouted behind her, "Be careful on the road!
"Don't worry, Mom, I will!" Without looking back, I answered and ran to the west end of the village.
Soon, I arrived at the door of Lao Zhang's house. I took a deep breath and stepped forward to ring the doorbell.
"Who?" An old voice came from within. I hurriedly explained, "Uncle Zhang, it's me, Xiao Ming! I have something I want to ask you for a big help!"
The door opened, and old Uncle Zhang appeared in front of me. He looked very old, but his eyes were still bright. Seeing that it was me, he was stunned for a moment, and then showed a familiar smile.
He patted me on the shoulder and said affectionately, "What, are you coming back to visit my relatives this time?"
"No, no, no, in fact, I was entrusted with a big trouble by a friend this time. I quickly explained, "She asked me to find her 100 free-range eggs in the village, is it too much?"
Old Uncle Zhang was stunned for a moment, and then laughed out loud: "100 of them? This is really a big request! Even when I was a farmer, I am afraid it would be difficult to get so many at once!"
Looking at the old man's hearty smile, I couldn't help but laugh too, and the depression in my heart was suddenly shaken a little.
"Yes, uncle, I know it's a bit excessive. I nodded, and said in a sincere tone, "But because this request was made by a very good friend of mine, I had to go to great lengths to find all the farmers in the village." "
"Oh, I see. Old Uncle Zhang nodded thoughtfully, "Then you are really heartbroken." "
"Yes, in the past few days, I have been running around for days, looking for all the farmers in the village. I spread my hands helplessly, "But even so, I only managed to get more than seventy, which is still far from it." "
"Oh, there are only seventy of them. Old Uncle Zhang touched his chin thoughtfully, "That's really a bit too much to say." But don't blame yourself too much. "
"I'm relieved to say that. I nodded, a hint of melancholy in my tone, "Still, I hope to be able to fulfill Xiaohong's request." After all, she's my best friend, and I don't want to disappoint her. "
"I see your friendship. Old Uncle Zhang smiled and patted me on the shoulder, "As an old friend, you have worked tirelessly for her so tirelessly, which is really commendable." "
I was a little embarrassed by the old man's approval, and I was speechless. At this moment, Old Uncle Zhang suddenly became interested and asked me mysteriously: "However, I am still a little curious, why does your friend want so many free-range eggs?"
"Oh? Old Uncle Zhang nodded thoughtfully, and just when I thought he would comment on my speculation, he suddenly smiled mysteriously and said, "Why don't you come with me to the backyard for a walk, maybe there will be an unexpected discovery!"
I was confused by Old Uncle Zhang's sudden and mysterious words, and I couldn't help but look puzzled. However, looking at the friendly smile of the old man, I hesitated a little.
Sure enough, Old Uncle Zhang didn't care about my expression, just turned around and walked towards the courtyard by himself. I hesitated for a moment, but eventually followed.
We walked around to the backyard and saw a chicken coop that looked very old. The door to the coop was wide open, but the inside was empty. I looked at Old Uncle Zhang in confusion, trying to seek an explanation, but I saw that he looked as usual, and just snorted into the chicken coop.
I followed his gaze and found that in a corner of the coop, there was a large pile of eggs! I was stunned for a moment, then my eyes widened, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
"Of course!" Old Uncle Zhang smiled heartily and said, "These are the eggs laid by the local chickens I raised back then, but they are the most authentic goods!"
I looked at the messy pile of eggs on the floor and was ecstatic. I hurriedly squatted down and looked carefully, and sure enough, each egg was a pure native egg, exactly the same as the one I had collected in the past few days!
"Well, that's enough for your friend's 100, right?" Old Uncle Zhang was overjoyed when he saw me, and nodded with satisfaction.
"There are hundreds!" I nodded my head again and again, speechless with excitement for a moment.
"Then take them all. Old Uncle Zhang waved his hand, "It just so happens that I'm about to blow up my backlog here." If you two young people like it, use it!"
I was grateful and thanked him repeatedly. Just as I was about to start packing the eggs, Old Uncle Zhang stopped me again: "By the way, young man, when you get this batch of eggs back, you must tell me what your friend wants so many eggs!"