When Wang Nuannuan returned home with her grandparents, they saw her mother sitting in the yard picking wild vegetables. Aunt Wang Da and Aunt Wang Er were preparing the meal, while Father and the eldest and second uncles were bundling firewood. Hehe, with all the things we brought back, they didn’t yet know how everyone would react.
“Third Aunt! We’re back! Look, we found so many good things today!”
Wang Shengyi excitedly placed his little bundle at Qian Jinping’s feet. When she opened it, she found four little rabbits. Qian Jinping looked up at her father- and mother-in-law:“Father, Mother, look! They even found a nest of rabbits.”
Old Madam Wang put Wang Nuannuan in Old Master Wang’s arms, then took down the basket behind him.“Not just that—look here too.”
Qian Jinping lifted the straw cover from the basket and was surprised to see three carp and more than a dozen eggs.
“Mother, where did you find all this? We went up the mountain with Second Aunt and Eldest Aunt all morning and only gathered a basket of wild vegetables and wild mushrooms. You just wandered the back mountain and found so much?”
Wang Shengyi chirped:“Yes, Third Aunt! I found the rabbits, Big Brother found the eggs, and the fish were discovered by all three of us together!”
He tilted his face proudly.
“Yes, our three little rascals are amazing. They really helped us,” Qian Jinping said, ruffling Shengyi’s small head. Shengyi’s cheeks reddened. He loved Third Aunt the most—so gentle, never scolding, and always praising him.
Wang Shengyi hurriedly added:“Little sister is amazing too! Before, we never found anything good on the mountain, but this time, with her, we did!”
Shengli and Shengman nodded vigorously, confirming their younger brother’s words.
The innocent voices resonated through the yard, touching everyone’s heart, but no one commented further. They quietly continued their work.
Old Madam Wang smiled, eyes twinkling at the grandchildren’s harmony. She fetched a basin, filled it with well water, and placed the three fish inside, then turned to put the eggs in the kitchen.
“Eldest son, go get a dry basket. Line it with straw, put the rabbits in, add some fresh grass, and place it in a shady spot,” Old Master Wang instructed Wang Dazhu.
Wang Dazhu nodded: “Okay, Father.”
Zhang Xiuer, standing in the kitchen, called to the yard:“Father, Mother, lunch is ready. Jinping, stop picking for now. After lunch, we’ll finish tidying up the rest together.”
Zhao Shuqin brought a bowl of goat’s milk:“Jinping, Nuannuan’s milk is ready. I’ll take it to Third Uncle’s house first. You bring Nuannuan here so she can eat. After the morning outing, she must be hungry.”
Qian Jinping agreed, holding her plump little girl to eat. Wang Nuannuan drank her milk hungrily, then quickly dozed off so her mother could eat in peace.
Old Master Wang sat at the table and planned their afternoon:“This afternoon, Eldest, Second, and Third sons go to town. Keep some firewood and wild vegetables, leave two rabbits, and sell the rest.”
The three sons chorused: “Yes, Father.”
Wang Dazhu and the others carried their goods to town. Wang Erzhu pointed toward the left side at the town entrance:“Big Brother, we’ll set the firewood here. You stay and sell. I’ll take Third Brother and sell the vegetables and rabbits.”
Wang Dazhu nodded: “Okay, you two go ahead.”
Wang Erzhu and Wang Tiezhu arrived at the east side of a manor, knocked on the door, and a servant peeked out. Judging from their rustic appearance, he didn’t recognize them and asked:“Who are you looking for?”
Wang Erzhu replied politely:“I’m here to see Steward Li. Could you inform him? Wang Erzhu is visiting.”
The servant nodded: “Alright, please wait. I’ll go find Steward Li.”
Wang Tiezhu thought quietly: Even the servant is so courteous—this household’s master must be a person of good character.
The main door opened, and a voice called out:“Oh, Brother Wang! You finally came to see me. I’ve been asking about you everywhere. If you hadn’t come, I’d be upset.”
Wang Erzhu saw a middle-aged man, well-built, with a neat mustache. He bowed slightly:“Haha, Steward Li, I’m here, haha.”
Steward Li looked at the other man, tall and handsome, with refined features. Seeing both still carrying things, he asked:“Brother Wang, who is this?”
Wang Erzhu smiled:“This is my younger brother, Wang Tiezhu. Third Brother, this is Steward Li of the Li Manor.”
After mutual greetings, Wang Erzhu took two little rabbits from the basket:“Steward Li, these are little rabbits we caught in the mountains. I remember you said the young master likes fresh things, so I brought them for you to see.”
Li Defu examined the rabbits and his eyes lit up. They were pure white with distinctive black-ringed eyes.
“Brother Wang, wait here. I’ll show them to our young master.”
He returned shortly, the rabbits gone but a happy smile on his face:“Brother Wang, you solved my urgent problem. The young master was in a bad mood, and seeing these rabbits made him happy. I’ll buy them. Next time you find something fresh, remember me.”
Wang Erzhu grinned:“Of course! I’ll bring it to you as soon as I catch it. No need to talk about money—consider it a gift to Brother Li.”
Li Defu laughed:“No, you helped me solve a problem. Rabbits deserve to be bought. Here—one rabbit, one tael of silver.”
Wang Erzhu thought for a moment: Fine. I’ll take it. I also have a basket of fresh wild vegetables collected today—gift for Brother Li.
Li Defu was impressed. Wang Erzhu’s gesture delighted the young master, earned silver, and didn’t cost him a thing. The basket of vegetables was a bonus.
Li Defu said with a smile:“Alright, Brother Wang. I won’t be formal. Li Da, take these vegetables to the back kitchen and return the basket to Brother Wang.”
Wang Erzhu collected the basket and the two taels of silver, thanked Li Defu politely, and hurriedly left with Wang Tiezhu. They were a bit anxious—Big Brother was honest but Wang Erzhu worried after being away so long.
The two hurried back to the town entrance, spotting Wang Dazhu squatting in a corner. They patted his shoulder, asked if everything went smoothly, and the three then headed home.