Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Private Plot, Falling Over

Zhong Zijun was making three-grain steamed buns, mixing white flour, cornmeal, and black flour together.

Of the three, cornmeal made up the largest portion, while white and black flour were used more sparingly.

Surprisingly, the steamed buns made this way had a unique flavor—chewy, with a rich, original aroma of grains.

The shredded potatoes were also perfectly seasoned for a cold dish.

After running around all afternoon, Gu Qinghuan was already starving. She ate with relish, washing it down with spiritual spring water.

“Huanhuan, now that you’ve split off, how is the private plot being allocated? It’s a bit late to plant cabbage, but you can still sow a round of spinach, cilantro, garlic sprouts, baby bok choy, and late-season radishes,” Zhong Zijun asked, tending to the two children as she spoke.

“We need to get them in the ground quickly. Otherwise, there’ll be no vegetables for the winter, and you can’t go all winter without eating greens.”

Gu Qinghuan paused—she honestly hadn’t thought about this issue.

That’s right. Right now, the only vegetables at home were potatoes, or wild greens picked from the mountains. There wasn’t a single leafy green in sight.

They could buy some, but buying every day clearly wasn’t realistic.

But as for the private plot, she really wasn’t sure how it worked. Back at the educated youth spot, everyone shared the private plot—planting and eating together—so she didn’t know the specifics.

“The team allocates private plots based on labor force—two-fifths of a mu per laborer,” Xu Huai’an, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.

Gu Qinghuan was used to his sudden interjections by now, so she wasn’t startled.

Had this guy been recovering a bit too quickly these past few days?

He was lucid for a stretch every day now, which was a good thing. It seemed the spiritual spring water, combined with the medicine, was working.

Zhong Zijun looked worried. “Only two-fifths of a mu isn’t much. Huanhuan, you should ask the team tomorrow. Logically, since Huai’an is a retired soldier, he should get a private plot too.”

An extra two-fifths of a mu would mean a lot more crops.

The private plot was a lifeline for farmers, one of their main sources of income, and a symbol of hope.

Currently, the brigade allocated land according to the “seven labor, three non-labor” rule. The land was poor and irrigation was scarce, so people weren’t motivated to work, resulting in low collective income and even trouble meeting basic needs.

So the private plot became the only way for families to make ends meet. Everyone did everything they could to tend their little patch of land.

As the saying goes: “You’ll risk your butt for collective work, but you’ll risk your life for your own.”

The private plot really was a family’s vital economic support.

“I’ll ask tomorrow,” Gu Qinghuan nodded as she ate.

Chewing on her steamed bun, she suddenly remembered something. “Oh right, I should have a share of the private plot at the educated youth courtyard too. Last time, they didn’t give me any of the vegetables from there. I’ll go talk to them tomorrow.”

She didn’t really need those vegetables, but she’d put in the work, so she should get her share—it wouldn’t do to let them take advantage.

“Alright, just talk to them nicely,” Zhong Zijun said.

Xu Huai’an listened to the mother and daughter’s conversation without saying more, secretly resenting his illness. He couldn’t help with anything and needed to be cared for—he wasn’t even as useful as the two kids.

Still, he’d been lucid for longer stretches these days, and his hands could manage simple movements. It seemed he was slowly improving.

Maybe, just as Gu Qinghuan said, he really could get better?

Gu Qinghuan noticed Xu Huai’an’s dejection and didn’t continue the previous topic.

“By the way, Xu Huai’an, you seem to be clear-headed more often these days. How are you feeling?” She reached out and handed him a steamed bun.

Xu Huai’an took it. “Thank you. I feel like my mood has stabilized a lot these past few days. I can manage my anxiety and agitation better—I don’t lose my temper so easily.”

Honestly, he was surprised by his own progress. It had only been a few days since Gu Qinghuan said she’d help treat him, and already he could move his hands, feed himself, and stay lucid for a while each day.

Could her so-called psychological therapy really be working?

But he thought the bigger reason was probably the improved living conditions—he didn’t have to worry about the two kids anymore, so it was easier to stay calm.

Whatever the reason, he saw a glimmer of hope.

Gu Qinghuan was genuinely happy for him.

“That’s good. Once you can control your emotions, we’ll untie your legs. If you stay tied up too long, your legs will waste away.”

Xu Huai’an nodded hopefully. As long as people see a bit of hope, their desire to live grows wild.

He wanted to climb out of hell, step by step, and return to the world of the living.

He kept feeling like he’d forgotten something important, as if there were still many things waiting for him to do.

Zhong Zijun watched the young couple interact and felt happy for them. It looked like Huai’an really had a chance to recover. As long as he kept improving, Huanhuan’s days would only get better.

The bond forged through hardship ran deeper than any sweet words.

After dinner, as usual, the two kids went to wash the dishes. Zhong Zijun made an excuse to go boil water, leaving the space for the young couple to talk.

Gu Qinghuan hadn’t thought much of it at first, but now that only the two of them were left, she suddenly felt a bit awkward.

“Oh, I picked some persimmons on the mountain today. I’ll wash a few for you to try.” Gu Qinghuan seized the excuse to slip away.

She stood up quickly, but after sitting cross-legged on the kang for too long, her legs were numb. With no support, she toppled straight toward Xu Huai’an on the other side of the table.

It all happened in a flash.

The next moment, she was on top of Xu Huai’an.

Her first thought was how bony he was—he was all bones, and it hurt to land on him.

Xu Huai’an was startled too. He instinctively tried to catch her, but his arms hadn’t fully recovered their strength, so she knocked him flat onto the kang.

The two of them ended up in a rather intimate position.

A faint, uniquely feminine fragrance drifted from her hair to his nose.

Her chest pressed tightly against him, and he suddenly felt his skin burning, as if it were on fire.

The next moment, he realized he was having a physical reaction and immediately wanted to crawl into a hole from embarrassment.

She’d been so kind, taking care of him and the two kids, and yet…he was having indecent thoughts about her. He really shouldn’t.

Xu Huai’an turned as red as a cooked shrimp, closed his eyes, and silently recited a calming mantra.

Zhong Zijun came to the door with the persimmons, about to enter, but saw the two of them tangled up together. She grinned and quietly walked away.

Gu Qinghuan saw him close his eyes and freeze, and thought she’d hurt him. “Sorry, I lost my balance just now. Xu Huai’an, are you alright?”

Xu Huai’an gritted his teeth and squeezed out, “I’m fine. You should get up.”

Forget it, let whatever happens happen! What would she think if she saw? Would she think he was a pervert?

Right now, Xu Huai’an’s mind was a complete mess.

Gu Qinghuan, ignoring her numb legs, quickly scrambled off him.

She was about to check on him when she noticed a certain someone’s lower half was standing at full attention—so prominent it was a little shocking, especially since his legs were tied, making the outline even more obvious.

For a moment, she was both amused and exasperated.

This guy was so innocent. It was just a little tumble—she hadn’t even kissed him—why such a big reaction?

Still, it proved she hadn’t lost her charm.

Gu Qinghuan understood he was mortified and only pretending to be unconscious, so she didn’t call him out.

“I’ll go wash the persimmons.”

After she left, Xu Huai’an finally rolled over and pulled the blanket over himself, his heart pounding wildly."

"Chapter 41: Making a Fortune

When Gu Qinghuan came out, Zhong Zijun had already washed the persimmons.

The two kids were munching away happily.

“These persimmons are really delicious—sweet and refreshing. Are there more on the tree? Pick some more when you have time. We can store them in the cellar for the winter,” Zhong Zijun said.

Gu Qinghuan absentmindedly picked up a persimmon and took a bite. “There are still some on the tree. I’ll go pick more when I have time.”

“These red dates are great too. They’re small, but quite sweet. Chewing a few every day is good for women—it nourishes the blood. You should eat more,” Zhong Zijun said as she carefully put the dates away in the cupboard.

The dates were already half-dried on the tree, so there was no need to dry them further.

After tidying up, mother and daughter got ready to boil water and wash up for the night.

Gu Qinghuan, not wanting to feel awkward if she ran into Xu Huai’an, didn’t go to the east room again. She just grabbed a few persimmons and asked Dabao to take them over.

Xu Huai’an, seeing that Gu Qinghuan didn’t come by again, thought she must be upset with him. His mind raced with all sorts of thoughts, and he couldn’t help cursing himself for being so useless.

He ate two persimmons in silence. A familiar sense of ease spread through his body.

This feeling…

Every time he drank the water she gave him, he’d feel much lighter, as if the long-standing stiffness in his limbs was relieved. Not just physically—his mind felt clearer too, and he was getting better day by day.

Now, the persimmons had the same effect as the water. Clearly, she had some kind of secret.

But why, if she could live so much better, did she…

Xu Huai’an couldn’t figure it out, nor did he want to. If life could just go on like this, it didn’t seem so bad.

He touched his stiff legs. Suddenly, he really wanted to stand up—more than anything.

The two kids were chattering away on the kang.

Xu Huai’an suddenly asked, “Was Mom angry just now?”

Beibei answered honestly, “No, she wasn’t.”

Dabao, being older, was already learning to read adults’ moods.

“Dad, did you make Mom mad?”

Xu Huai’an didn’t know how to explain, so he just sighed.

That night, he was completely sleepless.

Gu Qinghuan, on the other hand, quickly forgot about it all and slept soundly.

The next morning.

Gu Qinghuan got up at seven. Today, she was going to the commune market to sell schisandra berries.

At least, that’s what she told Zhong Zijun and Xu Huai’an.

Zhong Zijun had always been a sheltered beauty, so she didn’t know much about these things.

But Xu Huai’an, who grew up in the mountains, knew full well that nobody would ever buy schisandra berries—otherwise, the villagers would’ve picked them clean long ago.

Still, he didn’t expose her. He just gave her a meaningful look.

Gu Qinghuan felt guilty under his gaze. She knew Xu Huai’an was sharp—her clumsy lies could never fool him.

She’d probably given herself away countless times already.

But she really didn’t know how to explain, so she just let it be—taking things one day at a time.

Gu Qinghuan set off with the schisandra berries—a full three hundred jin (about 150 kg). She couldn’t carry them all, so she borrowed a handcart from Carpenter Liu to haul them out.

Of course, once she was out of sight, she and the cart disappeared into her space.

She was about to put the three hundred jin of schisandra berries up for sale.

But when she opened the automatic vending machine, she was stunned.

What was going on? Over five hundred unread messages? More than a thousand product reviews?

She checked her products—every single persimmon and schisandra berry she’d listed had sold out overnight.

“Boss, are you out of persimmons? I want more! Can you restock?”

“Do you know your shop is blowing up?”

“Is it really as amazing as everyone says? I don’t believe it!”

“When I bought, there were over a thousand in stock. I wanted to order more, but suddenly it was sold out. I regret only buying one jin—crying!”

“These are some god-tier persimmons. I can’t praise them enough!”

“Really out of stock? I’d pay fifty yuan a jin! Please!”

“I’m in the medicinal herb business. I bought some of this shop’s fresh schisandra berries out of curiosity—turns out they’re truly wild. Worth buying.”

“I’ve been looking for this kind of schisandra for ages.”

“Amazing seller—everything is wild and pollution-free. I started with the wild greens, then bought persimmons and schisandra. Top quality. I’ll keep coming back.”

…

All the reviews were glowing, begging for restocks. Many people even messaged her privately, wanting to buy more persimmons.

Gu Qinghuan nearly jumped a meter high with excitement! She’d made a fortune—everything had sold out!

She pulled out the cash from the box and sat right down to count it.

1,186.5 yuan—no mistake!

And this was pure profit. All she had to do was gather things from the mountains and list them—her costs were basically zero.

It was a pity, though—she still had a few hundred jin of persimmons left, but couldn’t sell them. She needed to save those for her family for the winter.

She was out of schisandra berries for now, too—she’d have to go back to the mountains to look for more.

But she’d gathered a lot of other things yesterday that she could sell. She’d sort them out later and put them up for sale.

Oh right, she still had four bottles of Maotai liquor—almost forgot! Now that was the real treasure.

First, Gu Qinghuan listed the three hundred jin of schisandra berries she’d brought in.

Then she carefully took out the four bottles of Maotai and put them up for sale.

In the product description, she wrote: “1975 Sunflower Maotai. Guaranteed authentic—ten times your money back if fake.”

She set the price at 500 yuan per bottle.

That was equivalent to about 50,000 yuan in the future—about right, not too expensive, not too cheap.

Thinking about another 2,000 yuan soon coming in, Gu Qinghuan rubbed her hands together in delight.

She went back to the villa and treated herself to a bottle of ready-to-eat bird’s nest.

She hadn’t paid much attention the past few days, but now, looking in the mirror, she thought her skin looked a little fairer and smoother.

Must be, right? She’d been drinking spiritual spring water every day—of course her skin would improve.

After tidying up, Gu Qinghuan left her space and headed straight for a mountain she hadn’t explored before.

She didn’t know that, because of her four bottles of Maotai, the internet was about to explode again."

"Chapter 42: Unconditional Support