Chapter 10: First Encounter with Porcini Mushroom

The sound of “sister” seemed to chase away the disappointment on Tang Yao’s face. She picked up her wooden bucket and continued climbing toward the mountainside.

Halfway up, she still hadn’t found the chicken mushrooms, but she discovered another type of mushroom.

Porcini, round, plump caps with black stems, tender enough that a simple bowl of rice could pair with two servings.

Tang Yao recognized this mushroom. Back when she was still at home, her grandparents had taken her to a state-run restaurant to try it.

She had only been three years old at the time. Out of curiosity, she had sneaked to the kitchen doorway and caught a glimpse of these mushrooms.

A waitress inside had explained that they were from Yun Province, called porcini, and had been sent over through the head chef’s connections.

They were fresh off delivery when Tang Yao saw them. If you wanted to eat them, you had to act fast.

Tang Yao had been captivated by their appearance. It was also the first time she’d heard of such mushrooms. She had only eaten wild mushrooms before, never ones this large.

She immediately asked her grandfather to order a plate of stir-fried porcini.

The taste left a permanent mark on her. Just the plain stir-fried porcini, without anything added, was so fresh that she ate two bowls of rice.

After that, the state-run restaurant never served that dish again. It was the first and last time Tang Yao ate porcini.

Recalling the memory, several fist-sized porcini lay beneath the trees, waiting for her to dig them out. She unfastened her straps, placed the kicking Fang Mingxi under the tree, and found a sturdy branch to pry the soil.

Fang Mingxi, now free, hurriedly rolled over and began crawling toward her pre-selected target while Tang Yao remained distracted.

Peanuts, a whole patch of ripe peanuts, dozens of peanuts.

Fang Mingxi struggled to reach the edge of the peanut patch, grabbed the roots with both hands, and pulled hard.

“Snap!”

The roots broke. The peanuts didn’t budge, and Fang Mingxi fell backward, clutching half a leaf.

Fang Mingxi: “…”

I hate this body.

After failing the first time, Fang Mingxi tried again.

She nimbly climbed up, legs flat on the ground, loosened the soil around the peanuts, and gripped the roots once more.

The moist earth split apart, and this time the peanut roots came out easily, a mound of soil-covered peanuts emerging.

Fang Mingxi glanced back at Tang Yao, who was still digging porcini behind the tree, and felt relieved enough to stash the peanuts in her backpack.

She didn’t dare rest and used the same method to dig more peanuts.

But after a few more, her hands weakened, her body exhausted, and she panted heavily.

Realizing she had reached her physical limit, Fang Mingxi had no choice but to loosen the peanut, cover the soil, and continue crawling on all fours.

She even tried standing with her feet. At first, she could only crawl with her knees supporting her, but gradually her legs regained some strength, allowing her to crawl upright.

Tang Yao, still excited over the porcini, finally remembered Fang Mingxi. She stole a glance, saw her crawling from afar, and rushed over to scoop her up.

“Xixi, don’t run off, or sister won’t see you.”

Fang Mingxi’s face fell as she spotted a large radish. “No, sister…”

My sister, let me go. Half an hour left, and I still have one picking session unused.

Tang Yao ignored Fang Mingxi’s struggles and protests, holding her firmly. Around them, the field was filled with mushrooms, nearly a pound each. Tang Yao hadn’t finished digging yet and needed to continue.

Fang Mingxi caught a glimpse of the porcini in the basket.

Looking at Tang Yao with her back turned, she smiled faintly and reached her mischievous hand toward the mushrooms.

…

Half an hour later, Maple Leaf Mountain returned to its original calm. Sunlight filtered through the trees. Tang Yao was already carrying Fang Mingxi down the mountain.

They had collected many porcini this time. If rationed carefully, it could last several meals. Tang Yao glanced at Fang Mingxi, whose eyes were red, and sighed.

She had wanted to dig a few more porcini, but Xixi had suddenly started crying. Only then did she notice how bright it had become. She had no idea how much time had passed since they started climbing.

Tang Yao felt a pang of fear. If they had tried to escape when it was still dim, it would have been easier. Now, in full daylight, escape would be impossible.

Not to mention the bucket was full of porcini. Yesterday, she hadn’t even known where she had gotten the courage to lie in front of so many people.

Looking at the wooden bucket in her hands, Tang Yao frowned.

She clearly remembered digging a lot of porcini. Why did it feel like a few were missing?

Tang Yao didn’t think much of it, assuming she miscounted. After all, it was only her and Xixi here. Could Xixi have taken any?

The mischievous Fang Mingxi rubbed her eyes, letting down the tension in her chest.

Lucky, almost miscalculated. Today, Tang Yao had been so absorbed in digging porcini.

Several times along the way, Fang Mingxi had worriedly watched the countdown, afraid that when the mountain disappeared, her secret would be exposed.

Fortunately, she cleverly squeezed out a few tears of her own; otherwise, Tang Yao would still be reluctant to leave the mountain.

Fang Mingxi felt troubled. If tomorrow went the same way, how could she hide? Should she avoid activating the game for the next few days and sneak up the mountain only when she could leave?

But that would take too long. Not only would her grandparents worry, Tang Yao, who was always watching her, wouldn’t let go.

Yet, if she didn’t go up the mountain, how would she manage food, drink, or bathroom needs? She also couldn’t find a chance to send out the vegetable seeds in her backpack.

Going up the mountain risked exposure; not going meant starving.

She was utterly distressed.

…

The sun rose high, and the heat weighed heavily on everyone in the field.

The Maple Leaf Brigade worked tirelessly, not daring to pause, their sickles sparking against the ground.

Everyone was drenched in sweat, their clothes soaked, droplets sliding down their necks, steam rising from their heads.

Tong Lingxian and her group had moved to a new spot today, but their pace was slow. After a long while, they hadn’t even finished half as much as the others.

Nearby elderly women couldn’t stand it any longer and huddled together, whispering as they stole a moment’s break.

“These people really act like capitalists, working so slow. If it were me, we’d never have enough grain after the harvest.”

“Exactly. September is almost here. If we don’t earn enough work points during harvest season, there won’t be enough food later.”

“I heard there’s a little baby here, already running a fever. They say the brigade leader helped get medicine.”

“Poor thing… a baby already here, it’s terrible…”

“Instead of fetching medicine, they might as well find a good place to bury it.”

As they spoke, a voice suddenly cut in.

Everyone looked up and saw the speaker: the eldest of the Wang family at the village entrance. He was lazily leaning in the shade, chewing on a grass stem, sickle in hand.

He curled his mouth mockingly. “What? Am I wrong? These people are here for reformation. Why waste medicine? If there’s extra money, why not give me some?”

The few elderly women, who had felt some sympathy before, immediately lost it.

Exactly! These people were sent for reformation. Why pity them?

As they changed their tone, ready to agree, another voice spoke again.