The two boys’ smiles vanished instantly.
Ah, their sister wasn’t going to play with them today.
Wuyou casually braided her hair into a long plait that fell down her back, a mischievous glint in her eyes:
“I have a big task to do—do you two want in?”
The boys’ eyes lit up immediately. They nodded vigorously:
“Sister, of course we do! Whatever you say, we’ll follow.”
“Yes, yes! If you say east, we won’t go west. If you tell us to shoo a dog, we won’t hit the chickens.”
Grandma Sui rolled her eyes at them, then poked Wuyou’s forehead with a finger, scolding:
“Quiet, both of you! I swear, if I don’t spank you for three days, you’d go wreck the roof. Anyone causes trouble, I’ll make sure you pay for it!”
Sui Changan and Sui Changjian shrank their heads in silence, while Wuyou only giggled lightly:
“Grandma, we’re thinking about ways to make money—we won’t get into trouble. Once I earn some, I’ll buy you a big gold bracelet!”
Grandpa Sui chuckled, taking a slow sip of corn porridge:
“See how thoughtful Wuyou is? Just wait and you’ll get that gold bracelet.”
Grandma Sui’s heart melted, though she pretended to scold:
“That’s right! You old man can’t get one, you’re just jealous. And you want Wuyou to get you a gold pipe? Don’t worry about burning your mouth!”
“Hehe, even if it burns, I’ll smoke it.”
Grandpa Sui was in high spirits, finishing his porridge and getting ready to head to the fields.
Lately, he felt unusually light and energetic; after a full day of work, he no longer felt sore all over.
Sui Changan and Sui Changjian were impressed. In just a few words, Wuyou had their grandparents smiling from ear to ear. Their admiration for her grew a little more—they would remember this trick to charm their parents in the future.
“Wuyou, I’m heading to the fields too. No more mountain adventures today.”
Grandma Sui, concerned about the work in the fields, had no time to argue. After breakfast, she reminded them again, then left with Grandpa Sui.
Wuyou took a few sips of her porridge, then summoned the boys:
“Old Three, Old Four, clean up the dishes. I have something to do.”
“Alright! Sister, leave it to us.”
Sui Changan moved quickly, clearing the dishes, eager to earn money with Wuyou to buy a gold bracelet for their mother. Sui Changjian followed behind, helping.
Wuyou carefully recalled the wine-making process from her childhood.
The most crucial step was preparing the wine starter—or all efforts would be wasted. Fortunately, the ingredients were available on Woniu Mountain.
Thinking this, she sprang to her feet, grabbed a carrying basket, and called toward the kitchen:
“Old Three, Old Four, I’m heading to the back mountain. I’ll be back soon.”
The boys, thinking they weren’t going today, immediately wanted to follow:
“We want to go too!”
“No, you’re not coming. I’m just going to dig something up and will be back shortly.”
Wuyou gave them a sharp glance, then set off.
“Alright!”
The boys knew better than to disobey.
Wuyou’s steps were swift, and in no time, she reached the foot of Woniu Mountain.
Walking along the winding path, she soon spotted a Xiao family boy carrying a muntjac deer down the mountain.
Wuyou recalled how he had defended her when arguing with the Shi family earlier, testifying on her behalf. She hadn’t had the chance to thank him then.
She opened her mouth to call out.
Unexpectedly, the boy’s gaze swept past her as if she were invisible, walking straight by without stopping.
Wuyou closed her mouth, awkwardly scratching her nose.
This person… really was cold!
She shrugged it off—if needed, she would seek help another time.
Continuing up the mountain, the morning air was cool and refreshing. Her wood-element power made her feel particularly invigorated.
The wine starter would require glutinous rice flour and wheat bran as base ingredients, with small amounts of poria, licorice, and spicy smartweed for fermentation.
After a short search, she gathered all the ingredients. On the way home, she spotted bamboo clusters and cut two stalks, necessary for wine-making.
Back home, Sui Changan and Sui Changjian waited obediently. Seeing Wuyou, they helped carry the bamboo and basket.
“Changjian, spread out the contents of my basket to dry.”
Wuyou instructed, then went inside. She found some glutinous rice, brought it to the courtyard, and ground it into flour using a stone mill.
Changan eagerly followed, asking:
“Sister, what are you making? I want to help!”
Wuyou happily entrusted him with the rice milling, while she sat nearby, planning her next steps.
Fermenting the wine starter would take a few days. She used the time to prepare the tools needed.
By the end of the day, the poria, licorice, and spicy smartweed were dried under the sun. Wuyou ground them into powder, mixed with the rice flour and wheat bran, added water, and shaped the mixture into small balls. She placed them carefully into clean wooden boxes.
After a full day of work, the wine starter was finally ready.