Mo Yan had not managed to split a few pieces of wood by the time breakfast came around. Liyan, concerned that his frail body would faint from hunger, brought him rice porridge and steamed buns with Mo Yan's silent approval.
But Cui Pingan refused, declaring that he wouldn't eat until he had finished chopping all the wood. As a man, he said, he must keep his word.
Liyan tried to persuade him for a long time to no avail, and had no choice but to take the food back.
Seeing this, Mo Yan said nothing, only instructing Mao Tuan to watch over him after a full meal, and if he couldn't take it and fainted, to drag him inside the house.
Mao Tuan, having enjoyed a treat the night before, agreed readily. After eating his fill, he indeed lay down under the eaves, keeping an ever-watchful eye.
Cui Pingan mistakenly thought Mao Tuan was sent by Mo Yan to supervise his work. Feeling stifled and distrusted, he chopped the wood with even greater force, and his efficiency improved significantly.
