With their basket filled to the brim, Yun Xi and Madam Yun headed back down the mountain. The path was uneven, and they slipped more than once—fortunately, the densely packed trees prevented any serious falls.
“Xier, what did you call these? Red… sweet potatoes? They’re so heavy.”
“Mother, do you think the whole mountain has these? If so, the village won’t starve again.”
Yun Xi originally wanted to explore further and find the source of the moisture she had felt, but Madam Yun was watching her too closely. She had to give up for now.
On their way down, they encountered several villagers. Seeing their basket full of massive purple roots, everyone was stunned and asked what they were. Madam Yun awkwardly explained that they were roots of the “wild greens,” and they were going to test if they were edible. The villagers panicked and anxiously warned them not to eat such things—claiming they were poisonous.
Yun Xi almost laughed out loud.
These ancient people were starving to death while standing on a mountain full of food. Truly unbelievable.
Once home, Madam Yun immediately looked for a chance to throw the purple sweet potatoes away. But Yun Xi didn’t give her the opportunity. She knew her mother would never believe these things were edible unless she saw it with her own eyes.
So Yun Xi washed the sweet potatoes and set them to steam. Sweet potatoes could be cooked many ways—steamed, boiled, roasted, sun-dried—but steaming was quickest and would prove their edibility the fastest.
Soon, a sweet, pleasant aroma drifted from the kitchen.
Madam Yun paused, staring toward the kitchen.
What a strange smell… sweet? Could these things really be edible?
No one in Yun Village had ever eaten them; everyone believed they were poisonous. Yet here was Xier confidently cooking them—and even knowing they were called “sweet potatoes.”
Her confusion vanished when she saw Yun Xi holding a steamed purple sweet potato… and taking a big bite.
“Xier, you absolutely must not eat that! It’s poisonous! You only have one life, child!”
Yun Xi was helpless.
“Mother, this is really edible. Smell it—it’s sweet.”
“Xier… how about Mother tastes it first? Better I die than you.”
Madam Yun looked ready to sacrifice herself.
Yun Xi almost burst into tears from frustration.
So many delicious ways to eat sweet potatoes existed, and she had been starving since arriving in this world—and now people were trying to stop her from eating it!
While Yun Xi was speechless, Madam Yun suddenly grabbed the sweet potato from her hand and shoved a big chunk into her mouth.
She ate too fast, swallowed wrong, and started choking—her eyes rolling.
“Mother!”
Yun Xi quickly brought her water. Madam Yun drank desperately before catching her breath.
“Ugh… I nearly died…”
“Mother, you have to eat it slowly. Does it taste good? Isn’t it sweet?”
Yun Xi took a bite herself—sweet, soft, sticky, warm. Delicious.
“It is good… so good. Could it really be edible? Not poisonous?”
Madam Yun stared at Yun Xi, noticing she showed no signs of poisoning.
“Of course it’s edible! How could I harm you? Here—eat more.”
Yun Xi handed her another sweet potato. Madam Yun hesitated but accepted.
Even if it kills me, she thought, it’s better than starving to death.
The mother and daughter sat and devoured sweet potatoes until they were so full they couldn’t stand.
“Ow… I’m stuffed.”
Yun Xi held her stomach and slowly got to her feet.
“Mother, you can’t eat too much at once. It’ll hurt later.”
“Xier… how did you know what this was? And even its name?”
Madam Yun asked while happily storing the remaining sweet potatoes.
“Oh, that. I read it in Father’s books.”
“That old man! If it was in his books, why didn’t he tell us earlier? He’s getting more muddleheaded by the day!”
Madam Yun muttered as she packed up the sweet potatoes, scolding Yun Dahai under her breath.
Yun Xi only smiled—finally, something good had happened in this harsh world.