Yun Xi led Madam Yun down the only mountain trail, then began climbing along the mountainside instead. Because of the steep terrain, every step was difficult, but the dense trees provided enough support for them to hold onto. As they progressed, wild vegetables became more common—small ones here and there—clearly others had also come searching, but not as many people climbed this high.
“Xier, we can’t go any farther. Beyond this point is near the forbidden area.”
Madam Yun wasn’t bad with directions. She could tell they were moving along the mountainside and gradually approaching the forbidden back mountain. Of course, Yun Xi had planned this—if she couldn’t reach the area by the main path, then climbing from the side might reveal something.
“Mother, we’re not close yet. I know where we are. Look—there are more wild vegetables here.”
Yun Xi diverted her mother’s attention intentionally. Sure enough, once Madam Yun saw the scattered greens, she bent down to pick them, forgetting about the forbidden land.
Yun Xi continued climbing. The closer she came to the forbidden area, the more humid the air felt. She could practically sense moisture. There must be a water source here.
Excited, she quickened her pace—when suddenly, something caught her eye.
A leaf.
Round and familiar.
A small cluster of them grew from the ground. Though it was autumn and the leaves were turning yellow, Yun Xi recognized them instantly.
Sweet potato leaves.
Her heart leapt. In the modern world, she had worked with sweet potatoes countless times. They typically grew best in sandy soil, but here in the mountain? If the leaves were here—then beneath them…
There might be sweet potatoes.
“Xier, what are you doing?”
Madam Yun caught up, her basket unexpectedly half full. Normally, she could search all day and still barely fill the bottom. Today’s harvest clearly surprised her.
“Mother, look at these leaves. Do you know what they are?”
Yun Xi pointed at the sweet potato vines.
“Aren’t they wild greens? Look, I have a bunch in my basket.”
She held out her basket.
Yun Xi stared.
The basket was full of sweet potato leaves.
“Mother… does everyone in the village eat these greens?”
“Yes, the mountain used to be full of them. They were easy to find. But people have picked them for months. Thankfully the mountainside still has some. We’ll have enough for lunch today.”
Madam Yun sounded relieved.
Yun Xi almost laughed—then almost cried.
These people…
They were starving while standing on treasure.
They had eaten every leaf on the mountain…
Yet never once dug into the soil below them.
“Mother, do you know this plant has roots?” Yun Xi asked carefully.
“I know. But everyone says the roots are big and purple. People think they’re poisonous, so no one dares eat them.”
Purple.
Purple sweet potatoes.
And big ones too—this world’s soil must be incredibly fertile.
Yun Xi pointed at the cluster she had spotted.
“Mother, look—there’s a whole patch here. We should collect them.”
“No need. We already have enough. Leave some for others.”
Madam Yun spoke kindly, thinking only of the community.
But Yun Xi didn’t listen.
She stepped forward, grabbed a vine, and pulled hard.
The soil here was covered in deep, thick leaf litter—years of decomposing leaves had created a soft, loose layer over a foot thick. Perfect for sweet potatoes.
A huge purple sweet potato popped out of the ground.
Then another.
And another.
In one pull, she unearthed a cluster—six fist-sized purple sweet potatoes, each the size of a big soup bowl.
Yun Xi’s eyes sparkled.
Jackpot.
She plucked them quickly, then gathered the leaves.
“Xier! Don’t touch those! The elders say they’re poisonous—eat them and you’ll die!”
Madam Yun rushed forward in panic.
“Mother, those elders were wrong. These are sweet potatoes—purple sweet potatoes. They’re edible, delicious, and extremely filling. Trust me. Let’s pack them up.”
Without waiting for permission, Yun Xi pulled more vines.
The entire patch had five bushes, totaling twenty large purple sweet potatoes of all sizes. Enough to fill the entire basket.
“Sweet potatoes? Xier… you actually know what they are? The whole village calls them wild greens. Only the leaves are edible…”
“Mother, don’t worry. I’ll cook them later and show you.”
Madam Yun watched her excited expression and couldn’t bear to scold her.
If they really were poisonous, she thought, I’ll just secretly throw them out later.