Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
A small stretch of shallow water had been disturbed by Uncle and Aunt for two days, and the number of Clams was dwindling. Yu Chunmiao wouldn’t let Qi Rong collect the tiny Clam babies, warning that it would lead to their extinction.
After using a scoop, they only found three. Qi Rong frowned and said, "Sister-in-law, what should we do? They’re almost gone."
Yu Chunmiao placed her shoes and socks into the basket and replied, "We need to keep moving upstream. These things grow here for a reason; they must be coming down from upstream."
Thinking about those two bony sticks, Qi Rong swallowed hard and decided to take the risk.
The upstream riverbed was narrow; it could hardly be called a riverbed at all, more like a small stream. Uncle and Aunt didn’t miss a single inch of the streambed, continuously scooping sand to test.
Although there weren’t as many Clams in this narrow stream, they were larger.
Before they knew it, they had walked quite a distance. Yu Chunmiao glanced at the sky and realized it was time to head back; the two of them had collected nearly half a basket full.
"Let’s sit on the rocks for a bit and dry our feet before we go," she suggested. Not being greedy, she found a stone to sit on, stretching out her feet to bask in the evening sunlight.
Qi Rong busily organized their shoes and socks like an eager assistant while sorting the Clams.
As they rested, Yu Chunmiao looked around aimlessly when suddenly her gaze was drawn to a cluster of plants under the shade by the stream.
There was a solitary stem with three leaves spreading out from it, each leaf bearing a brown seed in the center. Wasn’t this Banxia? Her grandmother had taken her to dig for medicinal herbs since she was little; this was one of the most valuable plants in the mountains. While other things sold for mere cents per pound, this could fetch over ten dollars.
This plant thrived in moist, shady environments, which perfectly described this spot.
"Qi Rong, dig up that Banxia root for me," Yu Chunmiao commanded without hesitation.
Qi Rong approached the cluster of Banxia but was so startled that he could barely speak. "Sister-in-law, this... this is called Sanbu Tiao! It’s poisonous!"
He worried that she might want to take it home to cook for them; he wouldn’t eat it no matter what she said.
Yu Chunmiao chuckled and said, "I know; it has a bulb at its root that’s medicinal. I want to dig up a couple to take back and ask at the apothecary tomorrow if they’ll buy them."
"May Banxia grow well; now is just the right season for harvesting," she added.
Qi Rong felt relieved as long as it wasn’t something she intended for him to eat.
They dug up three bulbs, each larger than a longan fruit. After collecting the bulbs, Uncle and Aunt started their journey home.
Deliberately walking along the shaded stream bank, Yu Chunmiao discovered many more Banxia growing there.
"Qi Rong, we got rich!" she exclaimed while shaking him excitedly and pulling him into an embrace.
Qi Rong’s face flushed bright red.
"Hey! I’m your Brother-in-law! Be careful!" he protested.
Yu Chunmiao felt much lighter with the basket on her back and skipped all the way home. Along the way, she also cut down quite a few banana leaves to sell for clams the next day.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, her mother-in-law was hanging up clothes, and Qi Chong walked out from the kitchen.
"Mother," Yu Chunmiao exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her mother-in-law in a playful manner, "I found something in the mountains today! You have to praise me!"
Chen Ruolan was taken aback by this sudden embrace and playful request, responding mechanically, "Yu Chunmiao, you’re amazing, but you’re dirty and got your clothes all messed up."
Yu Chunmiao stomped her foot insistently, "Praise me again! Just one more time!"
"You're incredible; Yu Chunmiao is a reincarnated lucky star who always finds treasures," Chen Ruolan complied helplessly.
"Come here; I’ll praise you," Qi Chong said.
Yu Chunmiao happily bounced to the backyard, completely ignoring Qi Chong's intention to compliment her.
Qi Chong swallowed his words and turned away awkwardly. He didn’t expect to see his younger brother standing in the yard with an innocent expression, looking dejected.
"What’s wrong with you?" Qi Chong asked him. "Did you get frostbitten?"
Qi Rong shook his head with a sigh, handing his basket to Chen Ruolan. "Mother, can you help me dump the clams in the backyard?"
He needed to find a chance to tell his older brother that his sister-in-law had hugged him. He hoped his brother wouldn’t beat him up; even though it wasn’t his fault, he had a feeling he would end up getting punished anyway.
Comment 0 Comment Count