Chapter 21: The End of Harvest Season

A week passed in the blink of an eye, and the harvest season finally drew to a close.

After the initial clumsiness, Tong Lingxian, Wu Meixia, and the others had gradually improved their speed. Even if they couldn’t earn a full work points in a day, seven or eight points was still attainable. Everyone was delighted, working a little harder now meant they would naturally have more grain later.

These past few days, they owed much to Tang Yao. Every time she went up the mountain, she returned with something new, either large wild potatoes or sweet-and-sour fruits. Not once did she come back empty-handed.

The group couldn’t help but wonder why the little girls at home were so lucky. Every time they ventured into the mountains, they always found fresh food, while others couldn’t even spot a single feather or root. Watching Tang Yao lead Fang Mingxi along, they sighed in awe, luck really does differ from person to person. But such luck was welcome; thanks to these two little girls, their days had become far more comfortable.

Since Fang Mingxi had learned to walk, she had started “acting” in these past few days. She went from crawling across the room to walking by chance, right under their eyes. Tong Lingxian and Fang Bo Song were astonished, and even Wu Meixia found it unbelievable.

Other children at eight months would only crawl, yet Xixi was already walking. Sure, in poor families children had to grow up fast, but this was simply too early.

Fang Mingxi’s precocious walking brought joy, but also concern. Tong Lingxian held her gently, checking to ensure nothing was physically wrong. Too many surprises could easily become shocks. Her biggest fear was what might come next, especially since Fang Mingxi had just recovered from a serious illness. Now she was walking, and Tong Lingxian couldn’t fully relax.

Thankfully, after a few days of observation, they found nothing amiss and finally accepted that their eight-month-old granddaughter really could walk. Xixi learning to walk early turned out to be a blessing, they no longer had to worry about her while working. Now she could move about on her own, and with the harvest season over, she could even accompany them to the fields.

Fang Mingxi, however, had no idea her schedule had already been decided. At the moment, she was leading Tang Yao outside, but her thoughts had drifted to Maple Leaf Mountain.

After days of tireless effort, progress on the little cart had finally reached ninety percent. Just ten more jin of food, and the cart would be unlocked. She was itching to see what would happen next.

The system had already rewarded her with two lottery draws when the cart reached ten percent. Who knew if reaching one hundred percent would bring even more rewards? If she got something even more magical, she could hardly contain her excitement.

Eager to return to the mountain, Fang Mingxi tugged at Tang Yao, hoping she would understand her plan. But today, Tang Yao didn’t seem to catch on. As Fang Mingxi walked outside, Tang Yao slipped her arms under her and lifted her back inside.

“Xixi, it’s getting dark. We can’t go out, there are big gray wolves outside.”

Fang Mingxi stared in disbelief. Big gray wolves? She was the real “big wolf,” thank you very much.

She twisted, trying to get down, but Tang Yao’s grip was like a vice, holding her tight. Realizing resistance was futile, Fang Mingxi gave up. The mountain trip would have to wait.

She couldn’t understand it, a girl not even seven years old, yet this strong. As long as Tang Yao held her, escape was impossible. Could she be a natural strongwoman? But no, even a strongwoman shouldn’t be this weak.

Tang Yao usually didn’t carry much; whenever they went up the mountain, the adults carried the finds. Perhaps Tang Yao was destined to be Fang Mingxi’s nemesis, suppressing restless little children like her? Fang Mingxi thought it very likely. Defeated, she was carried back home, watching Maple Leaf Mountain disappear beyond the gate.

“I want to grow up. I want freedom!” she thought miserably.

The next day, after nearly ten days of constant work, the group finally slept well. They no longer had to rise before dawn and toil until dark, instead working at regular hours.

That morning, Tong Lingxian was in high spirits. She slowly finished breakfast, fed Fang Mingxi, dressed her, and prepared to take her to the fields. She even went to find Fang Yao to tell her to rest today, Xixi would be taken care of, and she didn’t have to work so hard.

Fang Mingxi’s good mood was shattered. Why hadn’t her grandmother consulted her? She hadn’t even started working, yet her freedom was already being crushed! No way. Fang Mingxi refused to go to the fields. She wanted to stick with Tang Yao.

She pulled away from Tong Lingxian, staggering toward Tang Yao, pouting and calling, “Older sister… h-hold… me.”

Tang Yao didn’t want to be separated either. After spending time together, they had grown close. Seeing her like this, Tang Yao’s heart melted and she quickly scooped Fang Mingxi up.

“Xixi, don’t cry. Sister’s here.”

Wu Meixia nudged Tong Lingxian with her elbow. “Lingxian, maybe you should let Xixi stay with Yaoyao. They’ve been together all these days; they must be close. Suddenly separating them might be hard.”

“Besides, Yaoyao doesn’t have anyone else here. I’d worry leaving her alone.”

Tong Lingxian replied helplessly, “But I don’t want Yaoyao to be troubled either. She’s still a child herself.”

Wu Meixia waved generously. “There’s nothing to feel bad about. We’re all in this together. Honestly, I should thank Xixi for keeping Yaoyao company. Alone, Yaoyao couldn’t have found all this food herself.”

She paused, then added, “Think about it. Before Xixi came, Yaoyao went up the mountain a few times alone but always returned empty-handed. But together, Xixi and Yaoyao never came back empty-handed.”

Everyone credited the effort to both children, but in Wu Meixia’s eyes, most of the credit went to Xixi’s luck. After all, the girl had even secretly told her that the first time they went up the mountain, it was Xixi who led her to find the chicken mushrooms. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have seen them.

Wu Meixia was certain that Xixi deserved most of the credit. If Xixi was that lucky, perhaps she was truly a person blessed with extraordinary fortune. For Yaoyao, being with Xixi was nothing but beneficial.