“Is this really made from wild strawberries?” Xiao Shuo felt that it tasted much better than raw wild strawberries, which were sour.
“Of course. Didn’t you see it being made?” Xiao Yao encouraged him. “Auntie is going to sell this for money. It will definitely fetch a good price.”
Xie Yuan also saw jam as a business opportunity. If they later sold ginseng for money, they could use jam as a cover so it would not attract too much attention or jealousy.
After the meal, he took the family to the bamboo grove in the back mountain.
Zhou Xing had never been to this bamboo forest before. From afar, it was a stretch of lush green, the wind passing through it with a rustling sound.
The weather was not yet hot. When summer came, it would be a perfect place to escape the heat.
The south truly was good—clear water, beautiful scenery, and abundant resources.
“The bamboo shoots are already sprouting. In another half month, we can dig them up,” Zhou Xing murmured.
“Auntie, how do you know so much? Are bamboo shoots delicious?” Xiao Shuo followed behind, while Xiao Yao tugged at Zhou Xing’s sleeve.
Zhou Xing felt helpless. The children’s clothes were so worn that she was afraid Xiao Yao might accidentally tear his trousers.
She took Xiao Yao’s hand. “Bamboo shoots are delicious. They can be stir-fried, made into soup, or dried for winter storage. They taste very fresh. I’ll cook them for you later and you’ll see.”
XieYuan nodded. “Yes, they can be dug up in a few days.”
Bamboo shoots were indeed delicious.
In his past life, he had eaten them before. In fact, they had helped some villagers survive.
Zhou Xing wandered through the bamboo forest with the children, hoping to find bamboo seeds or something similar, but found nothing.
Xie Yuan quickly made bamboo tubes, and the family returned home under the moonlight.
Madam Fang saw them returning and called out from a distance, “Where have you all been?”
“Sister Fang, we went to the bamboo grove to cut some bamboo and make cups,” Zhou Xing replied, taking a moment to remember who she was.
Madam Fang approached and handed over two large bones.
“Sister, what is this?” Zhou Xing was slightly surprised.
For poor families, bones were already valuable—at least they contained meat flavor.
At the riverside market in Flowing Flower River, they would cost seven or eight coins each.
“I heard your family is planting rice fields, so I came to ask you for advice. Also, my family used to sell pork—your brother Liu plans to return to the trade,” Madam Fang said straightforwardly.
“That’s good news. Doing business is better than farming. Come with me, I’ll explain it to you,” Zhou Xing said, leading her to the backyard and showing her the seedling area.
She carefully explained everything, and Madam Fang quickly understood.
“So that’s how it is. Ah Xing really knows a lot! Xie Erlang married a good wife,” Madam Fang praised generously.
Xie Yuan was the second son of the Xie family.
Since Zhou Xing joined the household, even the two children had become properly dressed.
“Don’t praise me. I only learned these things from others,” Zhou Xing said modestly.
Madam Fang laughed and patted her hand. “You’re willing to share without hiding anything. That alone is worth gratitude. We plan to do business and travel daily to Flowing Flower River—there’s no time to tend fields. If this rice grows well, it’s all thanks to you.”
After more conversation, Madam Fang insisted on leaving the bones behind, and Zhou Xing did not refuse.
“Tomorrow morning I’ll make bone porridge for you. You two stay at Madam He’s house tomorrow. Your uncle and I will go to the city,” Zhou Xing said to the children.
The two children looked at her with pleading eyes, but she ignored them.
“After the spring planting is done, I’ll take you to the city,” she added.
“Really?” Xiao Yao asked excitedly. “Uncle, is that okay?”
Xie Yuan nodded. “Yes.”
A month later, after spring planting was finished, they could indeed go to the city.
With Xie Yuan’s approval, the children finally went to sleep.
Under the moonlight, the couple carefully packed the jam into bamboo tubes.
For appearance, Xie Yuan even polished the bamboo openings smooth and painted strawberries and raspberries on the outside.
“This looks great!” Zhou Xing praised.
Early the next morning, they brought steamed buns and set out for the city in the misty dawn.
“Isn’t there a ox cart to the county town?” Zhou Xing asked.
“There used to be, but not during this season,” Xie Yuan said, taking her backpack. “I’ll carry it.”
They walked all the way without finding any passing carts. As expected, it was spring plowing season.
Soon they reached the boundary stone engraved with “Shuishui Town.”
“We’re finally here!” Zhou Xing exclaimed.
The town was lively—stone-paved roads, bustling shops, street vendors, and fluttering signboards. Roof corners curved upward, and temple towers rose in the distance.
Zhou Xing felt overwhelmed. It looked like an ancient city yet filled with real life and warmth.
At that moment, she finally felt truly part of this world.
“Where should we try selling first?” Xie Yuan asked.
“We’ll start with pastry shops,” Zhou Xing said.
They headed straight to the west market, where many shops lined the streets. Among them was a pastry shop named “Wang’s Pastry Shop.”
“Excuse me, do you sell jam?” Zhou Xing asked.