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Yu Chunmiao asked Chen Ruolan to bring a clay pot and pour the remaining Loquat Leaves into it. After letting it cool, she planned to drink a bowl before bed and another bowl first thing in the morning.
"Mother, this remedy is effective, but the results won't be immediate. We need to keep drinking it. If I find any more herbs, I'll bring them to you," she reassured.
Chen Ruolan felt a pang of emotion; she realized that she had become so reliant on her husband for care that she couldn't manage anything herself. Now, with her daughter-in-law taking charge of her illness and even thinking of ways to earn money for her son's leg treatment, she felt grateful. She believed it was her husband's blessing that had brought such a wonderful daughter-in-law into their lives.
At dinner, Qi Rong imitated Yu Chunmiao's method of sucking on Apple Snails, finding it as delightful as chewing on sweet cane. He was amazed by how delicious they were. The secret to their flavor was letting them sit for two days to expel the mud inside. Blanching them before cooking and rinsing them with cold water made the snail meat springy. Adding plenty of chili, scallions, ginger, and a splash of wine eliminated any fishy taste. Most importantly, the tails had to be cut off.
As Qi Rong served a plate of Apple Snails to Qi Chong, he felt proud to be his older brother's loyal helper.
Qi Chong was reading in his room when he noticed the plate of Apple Snails and wondered if Yu Chunmiao had prepared them again. In his eyes, Yu Chunmiao was no longer just a silly girl; her presence in their lives made everything feel less intrusive.
"They're delicious! Sister-in-law made them," Qi Rong exclaimed excitedly. "There are so many that we can have meat every day now! Watch me eat!"
Proud of being able to teach his older brother something new, he picked up two snails and demonstrated how to eat them before closing the door behind him. He remembered clearly that leaving the door open would earn him a scolding.
Following his younger brother's example, Qi Chong tried two Apple Snails and found them increasingly flavorful. Having a daughter-in-law like this seemed truly wonderful.
Later that night, Chen Ruolan drank another bowl of Loquat Leaves water before bed. As usual, she coughed during the night, while next door, Qi Qin coughed in his sleep, unaware that anyone was waking him.
Suddenly, there were sounds of closing doors and footsteps in the dim light.
"Ah!" A sharp scream from outside startled everyone; the oil lamp flickered out.
Qi Chong sat up instantly and got out of bed in the dark. His injured leg still hadn’t healed completely, but he heard Qi Qin's voice calling out: "Yu Chunmiao, what happened?"
The light returned momentarily.
"Mother, there's a snake as big as this! It scared me to death!" Qi Qin's voice trembled slightly with fear.
Hearing that cry filled Qi Chong with an inexplicable protective instinct. He forgot about his crutch and hopped out the door on one leg.
"What happened? Where's the snake?" Qi Chong asked as he leaned against the wall for support.
Qi Qin held the trembling Yu Chunmiao in his arms, comforting her, "It's okay, the snake has run away. There's nothing to be afraid of." But she completely ignored his words.
Yu Chunmiao leaned her head against Chen Ruolan's shoulder and pointed behind her, saying, "Mother, I'm scared. Can you see if it’s gone?"
Qi Chong jumped in front of Qi Qin and took the oil lamp from him, saying, "Let me take a look."
Yu Chunmiao was terrified of snakes; when she was little, she had been bitten by a Cai Zhi She. Although it wasn't poisonous, it left her with a lasting psychological scar.
Qi Chong squatted down and shone the oil lamp around, but he couldn't go far. As soon as he jumped, the lamp would go out.
Chen Ruolan noticed her son's predicament and wanted to take the lamp herself, but Yu Chunmiao clung to her, pleading, "Mother, don't go. I'm scared."
Chen Ruolan gently patted her daughter-in-law's back and said softly, "Alright, Mother won't leave."
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