Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Qin Zhenzhen and Su Ning agreed to venture into the mountains the next day.
Early in the morning, Su Ning informed Qin Zhenzhen, âMy Fifth Brother will join us. Heâs going to gather firewood.â
âAlright,â Qin Zhenzhen agreed without objection.
She had intended to explore the mountains to identify the herbs growing there. She had even fabricated the story about collecting seasonings to share with Su
Ning.
After having breakfast, the three of them set off.
Curious villagers couldnât help but inquire, âSu Ning, are you three going to gather firewood in the mountains?â Su Ning nodded, âYes.â
âThen why are you carrying a basket?â
âWeâre gathering wild fruits.â
âHaha, you three seem so relaxed!â
The Su Familyâs water fields had been rented out to her uncleâs family for cultivation since there were no adults at home. The rent was not substantial.
Su Ning and her brother cultivated the remaining dry land, planting soybeans and peanuts in spring and sweet potatoes in autumn. Sweet potatoes served as their main source of sustenance.
Observing that Qin Zhenzhen had no intention of providing further explanation, Su Ning decided not to press the matter.
Actually, Qin Zhenzhenâs main purpose was to dig medicinal herbs, which required her to carry the basket.
As the villagers watched them leave, they began discussing among themselves. âThatâs quite strange. Doesnât the chubby girl look like a different person now?â
âShe used to be so lazy. I heard she would eat and sleep all day, and when she slept, she wouldnât eat anything. Thatâs why she became so fat.â âBut now, she can fish, fry pancakes, and even set up stalls to earn money.â
âAnd now we have to go into the mountains to fetch firewood.â
âBut thatâs not all! Have you noticed that she has lost weight recently? Her waist has become smaller, and her face looks better.â
âItâs not just her. Su Ning and Su Cheng have also gained weight and their faces look healthier. â
Qin Zhenzhen couldnât help but smile to herself.
Indeed, Su Ning and Su Cheng had visibly gained weight.
And she had lost some weight herself in recent days.
All thanks to the spiritual water on her fingers.
Spiritual water was truly miraculous and versatile.
It could help with weight loss and weight gain.
When they reached the mountain, Su Cheng started gathering firewood while Qin Zhenzhen spotted a yam vine on the opposite side.
Excitedly, she told Su Ning, âIâm going over there. I saw many yams!â
Su Ning looked puzzled. âWhat are yams?â
Qin Zhenzhen explained, âYams are a type of medicinal herb. They are root plants that grow underground.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âLook, there are small mounds of medicinal grains on the vines. Those are yam vines.â
Su Ning noticed the vines too and asked with curiosity, âAre yams valuable?â
Seeing Qin Zhenzhenâs excitement, she assumed those herbs must be quite expensive.
Qin Zhenzhen replied, âIf we dig them up and dry them at home, they can fetch a good price.
Itâs more profitable than selling them directly.â Su Ning became eager. âThen letâs go dig them!â She regretted only bringing one small iron hoe in the basket. She wished she had brought two.
Qin Zhenzhen chuckled. âYou can start picking the yams now. We can continue digging tomorrow. â
In reality, Qin Zhenzhen wasnât very optimistic about selling yams directly. It would involve hard work, and Su Ning and Su Cheng were still young. Her plan was not to make immediate money from this venture.
Instead, she intended to enlist the help of the villagers to harvest the yams, and then she would purchase them. Later, she would find a larger buyer in town to make a substantial profit.
For now, she wanted to create some samples.
Upon hearing the possibility of making money, Su Ning grew even more excited. She called out to Su Cheng, âFifth Brother, Third Sister-in-law and I are going to the opposite mountain to dig yams.. Join us when youâre done with the firewood!â