Cheng Tao was somewhat surprised to learn that Cheng You had gone up the mountain to gather pig feed.
"She's the most delicate, she cries if her hands hurt from washing clothes, how could she possibly go gather pig feed!"
Song Yu Lian pursed her lips, "Isn't that the truth? And she said it was to be considerate of your dad, such sweet words!"
It was probably just to please Cheng Tian Hua.
"Aren't you going to watch a movie today? Have you prepared your clothes?" Song Yu Lian suddenly remembered.
Although her daughter wasn't top-tier in looks, her brains were just like hers, knowing what was best.
Cheng Tao smiled shyly, "I'm going in the afternoon, no need to change clothes so early."
She had even specifically borrowed lipstick from Sun Xiao Wan at the educated youth point, ensuring she would succeed on the first try.
Otherwise, it would be difficult to get such an opportunity again.
Song Yu Lian smiled with satisfaction, "As long as Zhao Yun Lin likes you in his heart, your dad won't be a problem."
Cheng Tao pouted, "Mom, it's not even a sure thing yet, don't rush to say that."
"Are you silly!" She nudged Cheng Tao's head. "Hint to your dad a few times now, and when you actually bring it up, he won't be so angry."
She knew Cheng Tian Hua too well; he wouldn't do anything without a benefit.
Cheng Tao and Zhao Yun Lin's matter would affect his reputation to some extent, and he would definitely be angry.
They needed to proceed gradually, and it would be best to find a way to shift the blame onto Cheng You.
...
Cheng You followed Cheng Xian Jing's instructions and went up the mountain to find San Leng.
She walked a good distance without seeing anyone.
Children loved to run around in the mountains, with their boundless energy, they could climb all over.
But Cheng You couldn't. After just a few dozen meters, she felt out of breath, her body covered in sweat, and she sat down by the side.
"San Leng, where did you run off to!" she called out, gasping for air.
Then, a voice came from behind her, "Are you calling me?"
Cheng You was startled and turned around. It was indeed San Leng.
He was wearing a T-shirt, and his indigo pants were rolled up to his knees.
At thirteen years old, he was already a few centimeters taller than Cheng You, reaching over 1.6 meters.
"I'll gather pig feed with you from now on."
San Leng gave a sound of acknowledgment but didn't say anything, though the disdain in his eyes was evident.
His older brother had said that women were trouble and only slowed down work.
Cheng You completely ignored the disdain in his eyes and asked, "Where do you usually gather pig feed?"
San Leng pointed vaguely ahead, "Up ahead."
His steps were agile, and he strode forward, quickly leaving Cheng You far behind.
Afterward, they gathered pig feed separately, without exchanging a single word.
As they were about to head down the mountain, Cheng You discovered a nest of wild wood ear mushrooms.
She was happily picking them alone when she suddenly remembered the little rascal beside her.
"San Leng, there are mushrooms here, you should pick some to take back too."
San Leng scratched the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
"No need, what you find is yours."
He didn't want to compete with a girl for things, even though he really wanted them.
When it rained, everyone would go to the mountains to pick mushrooms, and with good luck, they could have an extra meal in the evening.
He clearly wasn't one of the lucky ones, as he had often come here before and never found so many wild wood ear mushrooms.
Cheng You didn't like to eat alone. She beckoned him over, smiling like a flower, which made San Leng's eyes water a little.
"There are quite a lot of these mushrooms, I'll just pick enough for one meal, you come and pick some too, take them back for your grandma to eat."
Since she had put it that way, San Leng walked over.
The wild wood ear mushrooms broke the ice between them, and they gradually started talking more.
As they descended the mountain, San Leng took a different path, saying he wanted to see if there were any wild pheasants or rabbits.
But their luck clearly wasn't that good.
They didn't find any pheasants, but they did find a hawthorn tree.
The bright red fruits hung on the branches, looking very appealing.
Cheng You's mouth watered at the sight.
San Leng had clearly eaten them before, "Sister, those aren't good to eat, they're very sour."
Cheng You calculated that they were distant cousins, although they didn't interact much usually.
He didn't know what kind of fruit it was, but he just knew it wasn't tasty.
"These are hawthorns. Eating them like this will definitely be sour, but if you make them into candied hawthorns, they're quite delicious."
Sweet and sour, very appetizing.
Cheng You thought about it, and her mouth watered even more.
The only drawback was that candied hawthorns required sugar, and sugar was a rare commodity.
"Sister, you still recognize hawthorns?"
San Leng came here every day but hadn't recognized them.
"If you read more books, you'll know."
Cheng You had found a tattered copy of "A Hundred Herbs Collection" before, which recorded hawthorns as having medicinal and edible properties.
It was a sad story. She had originally been in high school, but after her mother passed away, Cheng Tian Hua, saying that it was useless for girls to study, stopped paying her tuition.
And her old textbooks had been given away by Cheng Tian Hua.
That tattered copy of "A Hundred Herbs Collection" was the only book she had. She would flip through it in her spare time, remembering the properties of almost every herb in it clearly.
"San Leng, help me pick some, and I'll make something delicious for you later."
On the account of the wild wood ear mushrooms, he naturally wouldn't refuse. He climbed the tree like a monkey in a few strokes.
"Sister, catch them below."
He shook the hawthorn tree with force, and ripe hawthorns began to fall, some even hitting Cheng You's head.
Cheng You laughed heartily, repeatedly calling out, "Enough, enough, San Leng, come down!"
San Leng jumped down from above and helped her pick up the hawthorns. He picked one up and put it in his mouth, his face puckering from the sourness.
"This isn't tasty. I'll make you candied hawthorns when I'm done. This is good stuff, it stimulates saliva and whets the appetite," Cheng You said with a smile.
"Appetizing? My grandma hasn't had much appetite lately. I'll let my grandma try it then."
Cheng You nodded with a smile, "Okay."
San Leng was the youngest grandson of the sixth aunt and was the most doted on at home.
If she wanted to sever ties with Cheng Tian Hua and establish herself in Wujing Village, building a good relationship with the sixth aunt would be ideal.
"Let's go home," Cheng You shouldered her basket again.
This was her first time out gathering pig feed. Although she was a bit tired and her palms had blisters, she still felt very satisfied.
They walked down the mountain one after another. Cheng You, walking behind, suddenly heard San Leng's voice, "Sister, a pheasant!"
Before Cheng You could get a clear look, she saw San Leng rush over, picking up a plump wild pheasant, his face full of excitement.
He touched it a couple of times and exclaimed in surprise, "It's not dead, it's just fainted!"
He licked his lips, today was indeed a lucky day.
"Sister, I'll take it home and kill it. Let's split it."
Everyone who sees it gets a share.
Cheng You bit her lip and finally shook her head.
"If I take it home, the pheasant won't be mine."
Even if she did get some, she wouldn't get many pieces.
San Leng had heard about her. People said she was lazy and gluttonous. Although she had a stepmother, she was domineering, and everyone had to humor her.
But hearing her now, it didn't seem like that was the case.
He knew then that it couldn't be easy where there was a stepmother!