Hearing Li Meiling’s thoughtful words of comfort, Yun Yixuan felt a warm current flow through her heart, instantly washing away her earlier disappointment.
She realized just how fortunate she was. In this unfamiliar world, she had family who cared for and loved her, as well as a true friend who treated her sincerely.
With that thought, she nodded firmly, determination shining in her eyes.
“Alright, then. For now, we’ll just have to work hard and make money.”
The two packed their food, water bottles, and woven sacks into their baskets. After securing the baskets on their backs, they carefully locked the door and followed the winding path up the mountain.
Along the way, the morning sunlight filtered through gaps in the branches, scattering patches of light across the ground.
They also saw quite a few villagers from Weijia Village working on the mountain. Some bent down to gather firewood with practiced movements, while others crouched among the grass, carefully searching for mushrooms.
Everyone was absorbed in their own work, busily gathering whatever they could find.
The winter forest was peaceful, though the air carried a biting chill.
Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling continued along the winding mountain path, dry leaves rustling beneath their feet with every step.
Suddenly, a familiar and enthusiastic voice called out from behind them.
“Hey, Educated Youth Yun! Educated Youth Li! Did you two come up the mountain to gather firewood and mushrooms too?”
The two turned around and saw the brigade captain’s wife standing not far away. She held a bag in one hand and waved at them with a broad smile.
Beside her stood a little girl around seven or eight years old.
Sunlight fell across the older woman’s simple, weathered face, highlighting the traces left by the passing years while making her smile seem all the warmer.
Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling immediately smiled and greeted her warmly.
Li Meiling glanced at the bulging bag in the woman’s hand and asked with a smile, “Auntie, did you come up the mountain to gather mushrooms too?”
There was both curiosity and concern in her voice.
The woman nodded and smiled gently.
“Yes. I want to gather more and store them away. That way, when the New Year comes, we won’t have to climb the mountain again. You two should gather plenty of firewood and mushrooms as well, so you can have a comfortable New Year.”
Her gaze carried the warmth and concern of an elder toward the younger generation, and every word was filled with genuine kindness.
Yun Yixuan smiled modestly and replied gratefully, “We understand, Auntie. Thank you for reminding us. We really hadn’t thought about that.”
Silently, she began making plans.
There were still twenty-five days before the New Year.
Their most urgent task was still to make as much money as possible. Once they had money, they could buy meat, white flour, and rice to improve their meals.
After that, they could find time to gather more firewood.
As for mushrooms, they only needed to gather some. When the New Year came, they could toss them into a pot with chicken and stew everything together.
Just thinking about how delicious it would smell made her mouth water.
Yun Yixuan’s gaze then fell upon the little girl standing beside Auntie Li.
The girl was small and timidly hid behind her grandmother, revealing only half of her face. Her large eyes were filled with curiosity and a trace of nervousness as she secretly observed Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling.
She looked like a frightened little deer, so adorable that anyone who saw her would instinctively feel protective.
The corners of Yun Yixuan’s lips curved into a gentle smile.
“Auntie, your granddaughter is such a well-behaved little girl.”
She walked over and gently crouched down in front of the child so they were at eye level.
Smiling, Yun Yixuan reached into her pocket and took out five pieces of fruit candy. She gently placed them in the girl’s palm before closing the child’s little hand around them.
Her eyes curved warmly as she said, “Hold on to them. They’re very sweet.”
The little girl was clearly startled by the unexpected kindness.
Her tiny hand tightly clutched the candies as she turned uncertainly toward her grandmother. There was a questioning and slightly anxious look in her eyes, as though she were silently asking whether she was allowed to accept such a precious gift.
Seeing the candy in her granddaughter’s hand, Auntie Li immediately became anxious.
“You girl, why are you so generous? Keep them and eat them yourself.”
As she spoke, she reached out to return the candies, her actions filled with the simple courtesy common among country folk.
Yun Yixuan quickly stopped her hand and smiled sincerely.
“Auntie, there’s no need to be so polite. I liked this child the moment I saw her. I really wanted to give her some candy.”
After saying this, she smiled at the little girl once more before standing and walking back toward Li Meiling.
She had only taken a few steps when she heard Auntie Li speaking to the child behind her.
“Taozi, hurry and thank Auntie.”
As soon as Auntie Li finished speaking, a clear childish voice rang out.
“Thank you, Auntie!”
The little girl’s voice sounded especially bright in the quiet mountain forest, carrying the innocence and sweetness unique to a child.
Yun Yixuan stopped and turned around with a warm smile.
“You’re welcome. Come play with Auntie when you have time.”
Then, as though suddenly remembering something, she tilted her head slightly and asked politely, “Auntie, I just realized I never asked your name. What should we call you?”
Auntie Li lightly slapped her forehead in realization.
“Look at my memory! Just call me Auntie Li.”
She gave them another enthusiastic smile, filled with the simple warmth and friendliness unique to neighbors in the countryside.
Yun Yixuan glanced around at the villagers working here and there on the mountain and immediately became cautious.
She couldn’t let anyone discover that she and Li Meiling had actually come here to gather medicinal herbs.
So she said softly, “Auntie Li, we’ll let you get back to work. Meiling and I are going to head a little farther into the mountain.”
“You two be careful! Don’t go too deep into the mountains. I’ve heard there are wolves in there. It isn’t safe.”
The moment Auntie Li heard that they intended to go farther in, worry immediately appeared on her face. She raised her voice and anxiously warned them, her concerned words echoing through the forest.
Yun Yixuan, who had already started climbing higher, abruptly stopped.
She turned around and shouted toward Auntie Li, who was now some distance away.
“We understand, Auntie Li! You go ahead with your work!”
Her voice was clear and cheerful, sounding exceptionally obedient.
The two continued climbing for a while longer.
Eventually, there was no one else in sight. Only the sound of their footsteps and the occasional chirping of birds could be heard throughout the forest.
Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling exchanged a knowing glance.
Without needing to say anything, they took the small hoes from their baskets.
Their expressions immediately became focused and alert.
Whenever they spotted a medicinal herb, they quickly crouched down and carefully dug it from the soil.
This time, they weren’t as selective as before.
As long as they recognized the herb and knew it had medicinal value, they dug it up without hesitation.
After all, they now had their own courtyard where they could sort, clean, and process the herbs.
Properly prepared medicinal herbs could be sold for considerably more than unprocessed ones.
The thought immediately filled them with even more motivation, and their hands moved faster and more efficiently.
Gradually, the sun climbed high into the sky.
Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling found a flat patch of ground and sat down to eat their simple lunch—the coarse-grain pancakes and vegetable dumplings they had brought from home.
The coarse-grain pancakes were dry and rough, while the vegetable dumplings tasted rather bland.
Even so, the two ate with surprising enjoyment.
After spending the entire morning working hard, simply being able to fill their stomachs was already deeply satisfying.
Yun Yixuan had also adapted considerably compared with when she first arrived in this era.
After working all morning, her stomach was already growling loudly with hunger.
No matter how unpleasant the food tasted, it was still better than going hungry.