When they reached the pond, the younger siblings ran over cheering, but when they saw how utterly exhausted their sister-in-law looked, they stopped short, eyes reddening.
San Ya hurried forward to support Yu Qiu. “Big Sister-in-law, you’ve worked so hard. Mother sent us with porridge—please drink some before going home.” Her voice carried a faint choke of tears.
Er He was quieter, perhaps because he felt he was the only boy in the family and needed to act steadier. Without a word, he ran to the creek, cleared off a large stone, and gestured for her to sit and rest.
Then he went to the basket and pulled out the porridge they had brought. It had cooled by now, but in the heat of the day, drinking something cool was refreshing.
His actions alone expressed his concern.
Looking at the two children’s sincere worry for her, their care, and at the thick, fragrant porridge they had brought, Yu Qiu felt her heart soften deeply. A sour, warm, sweet feeling surged through her, filling her body.
It seemed to sweep away all her fatigue.
It made her feel that the exhaustion was worth it.
To be remembered, cared for, and thought of—that was enough.
It wasn’t in vain that she had chosen to live this second life well.
She had spent too much energy today. Her body was fragile; she had drained her ability twice accelerating the growth of spiny amaranth. Out of the forty-five red fruits she had collected, after what she consumed on the road, only sixteen remained.
After drinking the porridge, Yu Qiu finally felt alive again. But once she relaxed, her legs grew unbearably heavy, her muscles sore and swollen. Even the slightest effort made her calves tremble.
With so many eyes watching her, she forced herself to endure. Only after sending them away could she use her ability to ease her discomfort.
She had originally planned to spear a few fish as thanks for Meng Ping and the others, but she could no longer manage it today. It would have to wait until tomorrow.
The villagers had only just resettled, and every household was busy. For them to spare hands to help her was already a kindness she would remember.
She couldn’t simply take others’ help without giving something back.
Right now, the only thing she could offer was fish.
Wild vegetables and fruit could be found around the village too, though not in such quantity as in the mountains.
She knew no one would despise simple food, but she couldn’t in good conscience think a few greens or fruits balanced their help. With her abilities, it wasn’t equal.
“San Ya, there are red fruits in the basket. Take them out and share them. Leave two for Mother,” Yu Qiu said after a pause.
Seeing her a little recovered, San Ya quietly sighed in relief, nodded, and went to look.
But the fruits were at the bottom. In the end, Meng Ping and Guzi tipped out the basket, revealing not only the red fruits but also a pile of spiny amaranth seeds among the herbs.
Guzi frowned in puzzlement. “Big Sister-in-law, some of these things aren’t edible.”
Yu Qiu smiled without hiding it. “They’re medicinal herbs. Even spiny amaranth can be used in medicine. But these seeds are for you to plant along the village paths, like in town—they can help ward off beasts.” After a thought, she added, “Tomorrow I’ll gather more to share with the villagers. They shouldn’t be planted too densely though, or by next year we’ll have no ground to walk on.”
For a moment, Meng Ping and Guzi said nothing.
It wasn’t that they doubted her.
They were struck by how she had gone into the mountain alone, nearly to collapse, yet still thought of the villagers.
A girl about their own age dared to venture into the mountains, while they themselves shrank back in fear.
It wasn’t shame but a deep sense of inadequacy.
They looked at each other, seeing the same feeling in each other’s eyes.
Yu Qiu noticed their thoughts easily—on their faces with no attempt to hide them. She quickly shook her head. “I only dare because I know the terrain. Don’t go into the mountains lightly. If you must, wait until the spiny amaranth surrounds the mountain. Then it’ll be safer.”
The boys instantly understood. They had thought wrongly. The elders had warned them their whole lives of the danger of the deep mountains. They shouldn’t assume it was safe just because someone else returned unharmed.
Yu Qiu truly wasn’t worried about them competing for resources. The mountains were vast—she couldn’t claim them all.
What she feared was them rushing in recklessly. Forget beasts—even just getting lost could mean death.
Many paths looked covered with greenery but led to deep pits or sheer cliffs.
With her ability, she could control plants to clear paths, ensuring the ground beneath her feet was safe. That was the only reason she could move through the forest more freely.
Even then, she walked cautiously, never recklessly.
Without her ability, even with her past experience, she wouldn’t dare to venture deep inside.
Seeing they had given up the idea, she finally relaxed.
“I’ll teach you mountain survival skills, but not now,” she promised.
Green Mountain Village was one of over a dozen villages nestled in the mountains, each surrounded by peaks. The hundred or so people who had migrated with them came from East Mountain Village nearby.
Though “nearby” meant climbing over several ridges.
Her original home had been near plains, much safer than these mountain settlements.
In the mountains, danger came not only from beasts but from treacherous terrain. Many who ventured in slipped into ravines or got trapped, never to emerge. Over time, these tales were exaggerated, adding to people’s fear and respect for both the mountains and the beasts.
As long as there was enough food to stave off starvation, few dared risk entering.
By now, the sun was sinking. The sky grew darker.
Meng Ping, Guzi, and the siblings washed the herbs, leaving them to drain on rocks poking up from the pond.
Yu Qiu rested. When the mountain wind blew, she became acutely aware of the grime and odor clinging to her. Unable to stand it, she told San Ya to stay and sent the others ahead.
She didn’t need to explain—leaving the girl behind was enough for everyone to understand.
The two boys, flustered, quickly gathered the herbs and left with Er He.
San Ya, left alone with Yu Qiu, was delighted. She excitedly said, “The stove at home is finished, and the iron pot is set up. Mother says we can use it in a few days!” As she spoke, she supported Yu Qiu toward the pond.
Yu Qiu, only half a head taller than the little girl, tilted her head to smile at her. “Mm. Then we’ll catch a wild chicken and pick some mushrooms to stew, and stick pancakes all around the pot. You’ll be drooling by then…”