Lin Suhe followed Jiang Wangchuan into the mountains.
It was early spring, when everything was coming back to life. The flowers, grass, and trees that had withered during winter were growing new buds. Birds sang from time to time, and the mountains were full of life.
Before transmigrating, Lin Suhe had always been weak and sick, so she had never had the chance to go hiking. Although her current body was small and delicate, it was very healthy.
She insisted on climbing part of the mountain by herself. As she walked, she panted while carefully looking at the plants around her.
The paths near the mountain had already been searched many times by the villagers. There were no valuable herbs or wild vegetables left. If they wanted to find anything useful, they had to go deeper into the mountains.
When the trail finally ended, Lin Suhe was too tired to continue. Jiang Wangchuan lifted her onto his shoulder and used a sickle to cut away the tall grass as they moved forward.
Sitting on his shoulder gave Lin Suhe a much better view.
Afraid she might get bored, Jiang Wangchuan started talking to her.
“I usually don’t hunt in spring. It’s the season when animals mate and give birth. It’s easy to catch pregnant females, and that would reduce the number of wild animals in the mountains.”
It was the first time Lin Suhe had heard such an idea.
“Then we won’t hunt today either. We’ll just see if we can find anything useful.”
“So, have you found anything yet?”
Lin Suhe frowned.
“Not yet. They’re all just ordinary plants.”
Jiang Wangchuan did not mind.
“It’s okay. Let’s go farther in. There are many things deeper in the mountains that you won’t find out here.”
“Okay!”
They continued walking for a while before reaching a small forest. The tree branches were covered with green thorns.
“Those are Chinese honey locust trees!”
Lin Suhe excitedly patted Jiang Wangchuan’s arm and pointed toward the trees.
Jiang Wangchuan walked in that direction.
“Chinese honey locust trees? I didn’t know they were called that. I’ve tasted the fruit before. It was awful.”
Hearing the dislike in his voice, Lin Suhe laughed.
“Brother Jiang, you have to prepare the fruit properly before eating it. It can also be used as medicine. And besides that, the pods can be used to make something very useful!”
Jiang Wangchuan asked curiously,
“What useful thing?”
“Soap!”
Lin Suhe explained what soap could be used for.
Jiang Wangchuan looked doubtful.
“Can it make bubbles and wash away dirt? That terrible fruit can really do that?”
Lin Suhe nodded confidently.
“Yes. Let’s gather some and take them home. I’ll teach you how to make it. Soap works much better than wood ash.”
Making soap was almost something every transmigrator tried to make. She certainly was not going to miss the chance.
At this time of year, the Chinese honey locust trees had not yet flowered or produced new fruit. However, many long, dark brown pods from the previous year had fallen onto the ground. They were a little dried out, but they could still be used.
Lin Suhe and Jiang Wangchuan collected a whole basket of honey locust pods. They also picked some mushrooms growing in the shade, planning to make mushroom soup for lunch.
After returning home, the wheat soaking in the wooden basin was ready.
Jiang Wangchuan poured the soaking water into an empty wooden bucket. The water was still clean and could be used later to wash the honey locust pods and mushrooms.
Together, they spread the soaked wheat evenly onto a bamboo tray and placed it in a cool, shaded area.
“This wheat needs to be sprinkled with cool water two or three times every day, and it should be turned over often. After three to five days, the sprouts should grow to about the length of a finger.”
Lin Suhe carefully explained everything he needed to know about sprouting the wheat, and Jiang Wangchuan remembered every detail.
“Brother Jiang, I’ll wash the honey locust pods. You go cook lunch.”
The sun was already high overhead, and Lin Suhe was beginning to feel hungry.
Jiang Wangchuan looked at her fair, delicate hands with concern.
“The water is cold. Can you handle it? Just leave it there. I’ll wash them after we eat.”
“Brother Jiang, I can do it!”
Lin Suhe did not want to be completely useless. In this world, she could not afford to be delicate. She had to learn to adapt.
She gently pushed Jiang Wangchuan toward the stove.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m so hungry my stomach is empty. Hurry and cook something.”
Unable to argue with her, Jiang Wangchuan could only start the fire.
Lin Suhe struggled to carry the bucket of wheat-soaking water to a large stone in the yard. She poured some of the honey locust pods into it. There were too many to wash all at once, so she would have to clean them in several batches.
She sat on the stone where Jiang Wangchuan usually sat while working, rolled up her sleeves, bent over, and began washing the pods.
The stone beneath her was cold and hard, making it uncomfortable after sitting for a while. The water was also chilly. Before long, her fingers had turned red.
Jiang Wangchuan was cooking rice in one pot and boiling water in another. He walked to the water jar to wash the mushrooms they had picked.
When he glanced toward the yard, he immediately noticed Lin Suhe’s bright red hands.
“Oh, my little sweetheart, stop washing them.”
He quickly walked over, took her hands out of the water, carefully dried them with his sleeve, then tucked her icy little hands inside his clothes against his chest.
Frowning, he said,
“Your hands are freezing. It hurts me to see them like this.”
Looking up at him, Lin Suhe smiled brightly.
“After they’ve been in the water for a while, I don’t really feel the cold anymore.”
“Even so, you’re not washing them anymore! I’ll do it later. My hands are bigger. I’ll finish in no time.”
As he spoke, he carried the bucket far away.
Lin Suhe pouted unhappily.
“Then I won’t be able to help with anything.”
Jiang Wangchuan crouched down until they were eye level.
“You can just sit here and watch me cook. Having my wife watching me makes me happy.”
A pretty blush spread across Lin Suhe’s fair cheeks.
“You’re a grown man. Can’t you be serious for once?”
Jiang Wangchuan grinned from ear to ear. He gently patted her head before standing up and returning to his work.
Lin Suhe rested her chin on her hands as they sat on her knees. She watched Jiang Wangchuan’s tall figure busily working by the stove while enjoying the warm spring sunshine. She had never felt so comfortable.
For lunch, Jiang Wangchuan cooked a pot of mushroom soup with sliced meat, stir-fried wild vegetables with mushrooms, and a pot of fragrant rice.
The meat was a small piece they had bought in town the day before after selling the animal hides. The rice had been bought that morning while they were purchasing the wheat and glutinous rice.
Jiang Wangchuan believed that no matter how poor they were, his wife should never have to suffer. Besides, she had said they would definitely become rich.
It was the most satisfying meal Lin Suhe had eaten since transmigrating.
Jiang Wangchuan picked every slice of meat out of the soup and placed it into Lin Suhe’s bowl.
“Girl, you’re still growing. You need to eat more.”
Holding her bowl, Lin Suhe tried to avoid the meat he kept offering her.
“Brother Jiang, you can’t give me all the meat.”
Jiang Wangchuan stretched out his long arm and accurately dropped another slice of meat into her bowl.
“As long as I’m full, that’s enough. It doesn’t matter whether I eat meat or not.”