“Eldest Brother, our land is too little. There’s no room now—how can we plant tomatoes?”
Third Brother said,
“Little Sister, why don’t we clear some land on the edge of the mountain to plant tomatoes?”
“Good idea. When Father comes back, let’s ask him.”
“Little Sister, I’m going to catch fish.”
“Third Brother, with so many vegetables, we don’t need fish.”
“But Little Sister, aren’t we making fish-flavored shredded pork? How can we do that without fish?”
“Third Brother, that’s just the name of the dish. It doesn’t actually use fish; it’s made with shredded meat. Does our village have a river?”
“Yes, there’s one at the east end of the village. But most fish have already been caught. Only small ones are left. Everyone in the village is watching the river. If they don’t have money for meat, they catch fish to satisfy their cravings.”
While they spoke, Tang Yunshu had already started preparing braised pork and cooking the rice.
Once the meal was ready, Zhao Lanzhi still hadn’t returned, so the family sat down at the table to wait.
Third Brother said,
“Father, Little Sister wants to plant tomatoes and sell them at the inn. We don’t have this vegetable, and our garden is full. I was thinking we could clear some land on the mountain edge for it.”
Tang Dashan replied,
“Alright, but no one is there to watch the mountain. I’m worried that people or animals might damage it.”
Tang Yunshu said,
“Father, let’s just plant a small test patch. Do we have sweet potatoes? They grow underground like potatoes.”
“No, never heard of them. Yunshu, bring some so we can see how they look. Maybe the planting method is different.”
Tang Yunshu went to her space and retrieved two sweet potatoes, handing them to the family.
Tang Dashan looked them over.
“No, we really don’t have this here. Never seen it before.”
“Father, after the autumn harvest, we can buy more land and plant sweet potatoes. They yield more than potatoes and taste delicious. Do we have corn? Also high-yield crops.”
She then fetched a corn cob from her space to show them.
Tang Dashan was puzzled.
“We don’t have this either. Is it for eating?”
“Yes, Father. It’s a grain crop, with higher yield than others and many ways to cook it.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! If we plant more, we won’t have to worry about food shortages.”
“Yes, Father. After we save some money this year, in winter we can buy more land to plant corn, sweet potatoes, and soybeans.”
After a while, Zhao Lanzhi returned.
“Let’s eat. Why didn’t you start without me? Second Brother stayed at Grandma’s—tomorrow he’ll teach my uncles to gather herbs.”
In the following days, the Tang family continued to climb the mountain to gather herbs. The Zhao family washed and dried the herbs and sold them to Tang Yunshu.
Everyone in the Zhao household also went up the mountain to collect herbs and earned a good amount.
That day, Tang Yunshu prepared to perform surgery on Tang Zhuan.
Everyone in the Tang household stayed home, worried even though they couldn’t help.
Tang Yunshu injected Tang Zhuan with anesthesia. He soon fell completely unconscious.
She carried him to the clinic in her space villa and began the surgery alone.
Without any assistants, the operation was difficult and time-consuming. After two hours, she finally finished, putting casts on both of Tang Zhuan’s legs.
Tang Yunshu, exhausted from intense focus, felt faint. She still had to ensure that her brother wouldn’t wake up and see the villa, so she mustered her strength to bring him back.
She walked weakly to the room. The family had been waiting by the door; as soon as it opened, everyone gathered around, asking questions.
Zhao Lanzhi, worried, said,
“Yunshu, you look exhausted. Sit down and rest for a moment.”
Tang Yunshu replied,
“Mother, the surgery was very successful. The bones are set. In about six more months of rest, he’ll be able to walk. Father, Second Brother, Third Brother, help carry him back to his room. Be careful with his legs—I’m too tired and need to rest.”
Tang Dashan asked,
“When will he wake up?”
“About half an hour,” Yunshu said.
Once everyone was in the room, Tang Yunshu went straight to the villa and lay down on the bed, falling into a deep sleep.
She slept until dinner time, when Fifth Brother came to wake her.
After waking, she first went to Tang Zhuan’s room and asked with concern,
“Brother, are you in much pain now?”
“Don’t worry, Little Sister. I can endure it. It was this painful before as well. If I can stand again, I can bear any pain. You’ve worked hard enough.”
“Oh, you’re my real brother. Why be so formal with me?”
That day, Su Youtian arrived with a wheelchair. Tang Dashan exclaimed,
“Youtian, this wheelchair looks great! Your craftsmanship is incredible!”
Su Youtian replied with a smile,
“Hehe, Dashan, where’s Yunshu? Let her check if the wheelchair is suitable. If anything’s off, I’ll adjust it.”
Hearing this, Tang Yunshu quickly came out, saying,
“Uncle Su, the wheelchair is already done? Thank you for your hard work!”
“You don’t need to be so polite, girl. Check it thoroughly—if anything is wrong, tell me, I can fix it.”
Tang Yunshu inspected it carefully, then sat in it herself.
“Uncle Su, it’s perfect. No issues at all. Your skill is so good, you could work as a carpenter in town. The village is wasting your talent!”
“You’re too kind, Yunshu. My skills aren’t exceptional—carpenters in town are much better. I wouldn’t dare compete for work.”
Tang Yunshu turned to Tang Dashan.
“Father, let’s have Uncle Su stay for dinner tonight. I hunted a wild chicken and rabbit from the mountain.”
“Right! Youtian, eat here tonight. We can drink a bit—my daughter even bought some wine for us last time,” Tang Dashan agreed.
Tang Yunshu asked Zhao Lanzhi,
“Mother, do we have dried mushrooms?”
“Yes, we do. Perfect for stewing with chicken.”
“Mother, invite Uncle Su and the brothers to eat together.”
Su Youtian quickly declined,
“No, I’ve already prepared dinner at home. I should go back.”
Tang Dashan pulled him down,
“Youtian, sit! Since you’re here, eat with us. Being too polite isn’t proper brotherly behavior. Wife, go get your sisters-in-law and nephews to join us.”
Tang Yunshu said,
“Second Brother, Third Brother, Eldest Brother, help move Brother onto the wheelchair so he can join us and move freely.”
Tang Zhuan sat in the wheelchair and turned it himself, beaming with excitement.
Having been bedridden for so long, he finally had freedom of movement, spinning around the courtyard in joy.
Tang Yunshu returned to her room and used her phone to order two rabbits and a chicken for dinner.