The next day, when Zhou Xing woke up, Xie Yuan had already risen and filled the courtyard water jar.
The children had just gotten up as well and were brushing their teeth in the yard.
After the first time they used willow branches, their gums hurt, so Xiao Zong and Xiao Yao had been a little afraid of it.
But after being taught by their aunt and using it for a few days, they got used to it—and now they felt uncomfortable if they didn’t brush their teeth even for a single day.
Besides, having white teeth really looked good.
Xie Yuan already had a habit of brushing his teeth. In his previous life, he had suffered greatly from tooth loss.
If Zhou Xing knew, she would have told him it was due to malnutrition.
“You’re all up. I’ll go make some breakfast.”
The Xie family kitchen could only be called a cooking shed. It had a thatched roof and wooden supports. In winter, it would likely be impossible to cook there.
Thinking of the coming winter cold wave, she felt making money had to be prioritized.
Building a proper house also needed to be done quickly. Fortunately, it was April—there was still plenty of time before winter.
In the morning, she made scallion pancakes using wild green onions.
Wild scallions were smaller, thinner, and shorter than cultivated ones, but their aroma was extremely strong.
She also noticed the yeast she had left in the corner—it had already formed many bubbles.
She had fed it flour three times before, and it had now become active.
“Xiao Zong, Xiao Yao, go find some large leaves,” she called out.
“Okay!” The two children ran out, already smelling the pancakes and swallowing their saliva.
Outside the door, there were large leaves from an unknown tree—smooth and broad. They picked a pile and brought them back.
Zhou Xing was satisfied. The leaves could be used to dry yeast, or to wrap food for mountain trips.
Soon, the scallion pancakes were ready, eaten with pickled vegetables.
After breakfast, she instructed the children, “I’ll leave lunch in the pot for you. Don’t forget to eat. There’s boiled water on the stove—let it cool before drinking. Don’t drink well water, or you’ll get stomach aches.”
“These leaves contain the yeast I made. Watch them at home. Don’t let the wind blow them away.”
“Okay, Auntie. Be careful in the mountains.”
“Alright, Auntie knows. Your uncle has a bow and arrows—don’t worry.”
She patted their heads and finally left reluctantly.
Xie Yuan also thought the same: they needed to build a courtyard wall soon. Without it, the home didn’t feel proper, and it wouldn’t be safe for the children.
On the road, Zhou Xing pointed out sulfur stones, and they collected more soapberries along the way.
The trip to the sugarcane grove went smoothly. They quickly extracted sugarcane juice, filling all the leather bags and bamboo tubes they brought.
On the way back, Xie Yuan carried most of the load while Zhou Xing carried a smaller portion, still gasping from exhaustion.
Only then did she realize Xie Yuan had very good stamina.
He always trained his body and ate seriously.
A disciplined person was indeed ruthless.
After returning home, they rested briefly before starting to boil brown sugar again.
“While you’re boiling the sugar, I’ll go draw the blueprint,” Zhou Xing said.
Xie Yuan nodded and took over the fire.
Soon she finished the drawing.
“Look, this is the crossbow. If anything is unclear, ask me.”
Xie Yuan studied it carefully, surprised. It was extremely delicate.
If made with iron, its power would be even greater.
Unfortunately, they lacked the conditions now and could only make it from wood.
Xie Yuan became eager. “I’ll go find Tie Niu now.”
“Alright. Don’t forget to come back for dinner. I’m making dumplings tonight.”
They still had meat preserved in oil from earlier, stored in a jar as preserved meat, which could last a long time.
Fresh meat was best for dumpling filling, but they did not have that condition.
Fortunately, wild scallions and water celery were fresh and tender, making excellent filling.
Xiao Zong and Xiao Yao were told to eat more since they had contributed by gathering wild vegetables.
Xiao Yao had never eaten dumplings before and was very excited.
Zhou Xing felt sorry for him. These children had endured too much hardship.
Soon, the brown sugar was ready. She poured it out to cool, then began preparing the dumpling filling and dough.
Before nightfall, they also picked wild fruits. A Shan happened to join them and helped.
In the evening, Xie Yuan returned and they ate dumplings together.
For the first time, Xiao Yao ranked dumplings as his favorite food.
Zhou Xing smiled and promised to make different fillings in the future.
At the Lin household, Aunt He received another delivery of fruit jam and tried it.
She and A Shan praised it, though Aunt He still reminded Zhou Xing not to spend too much on them.
Zhou Xing listened and nodded repeatedly.