Chapter 60: Setting Off to the County

Tang Yao squatted at home, carefully cleaning the black truffles she had brought back. From what Grandmother Zhou had taught her, the mushrooms she dug up today were a rare and valuable delicacy.

Of course, that was the price abroad. She had no idea what they were worth domestically. If she happened to meet someone who knew their value, she might get a few yuan at best.

For a moment, Tang Yao felt excited at the thought, but then her shoulders slumped. To sell them, she would need to go to the town’s supply and marketing cooperative, but with their current status, going out was impossible. To leave the Maple Leaf Brigade, she would first need to see the Brigade Leader. Otherwise, there was no way out.

Tang Yao sighed, changing the water in her basin and staring at the now-spotless black truffles. If only she could make it to town, she could sell them and at least buy something for Grandmother. Money was tight at home, and nowadays, it seemed everything required cash. This was the only way to earn any.

“Xixi? What are you doing here? Are you looking for Yao Yao? She’s washing mushrooms.”

Wu Meixia, busy with the laundry, saw Fang Mingxi and pointed to Tang Yao, who was huddled nearby.

Tang Yao had been quiet and downcast since returning in the morning. At first, Wu Meixia thought it was some squabble among the little ones at the mountain top, but judging by Mingxi’s expression, it didn’t seem like that.

What was wrong with Yao Yao?

Fang Mingxi called out to Grandmother Wu, then quickly scurried to squat behind Tang Yao, who was engrossed in cleaning the mushrooms. Leaning on her shoulder, she whispered into her ear:

“Sister, I have good news for you.”

Tang Yao came back to herself and turned to her. “What good news?”

Mingxi glanced around. Seeing that Wu Meixia wasn’t paying attention, she whispered in Tang Yao’s ear:

“These mushrooms can be sold for money. Do you want to sell them together?”

Tang Yao’s pupils shrank. A black truffle plopped back into the water. “Xixi, what are you talking about? Who told you that?”

Fang Mingxi didn’t elaborate on the plan. “Sister, don’t ask. I’m just telling you secretly. If we manage to sell them, we’ll split the money half and half.”

Tang Yao: “!!!”

She could hardly believe that these words came from a child just over a year old. She wanted to ask if Mingxi had overheard something or had some way to get out. But seeing Wu Meixia washing clothes nearby, she swallowed her doubts.

In that moment, she trusted Fang Mingxi instinctively. She knew Xixi had always been lucky and never lied to her. If Xixi said the mushrooms could be sold, then they could be sold.

Tang Yao scooped the truffles out of the water, dried them with a cloth, and placed them on some leaves.

“All right, Xixi. I won’t ask questions. I’ll do as you say. I trust you.”

The morning before their departure, Fang Mingxi anxiously eyed the items already prepared on the table.

There was one black truffle for her and one for Tang Yao, plus the two black truffles she had dug up on the mountain yesterday, making a total of four truffles carefully placed in a tightly covered basket.

These were meant to be sold openly, but in reality, their backpacks still contained a large number of black truffles and wild onions.

A round trip to the county town would take at least a day. For safety, her cousin had suggested they not return at night and stay in the county inn, returning the next day. That way, the following morning would be the best time for Fang Mingxi to sell the mushrooms.

The map interface didn’t show the county town, and she didn’t know if her body could appear there. If it could, they could sell the mushrooms; if not, they would try another time. The system map couldn’t only show Hongqi Town; on such a large map, there would be chances to unlock new locations.

But no matter what, this would be Fang Mingxi’s first time going to the county, and the first time this body had gone anywhere. She was so excited she couldn’t sleep all night.

At the agreed time, she got up with panda-like eyes, and before dawn, her grandparents and maternal grandparents escorted her down to the roadside at the foot of the mountain.

She would be away for two days, meaning she couldn’t see Tang Yao or He Ruoruo during that time. She wondered what lies her grandparents would tell to cover her absence, but after explaining everything the night before, Yao Yao would probably understand.

Fang Mingxi held two wild eggs and stood by the roadside. Soon, she saw Tong Xueyan approaching, wearing a military-green padded coat.

That color… Fang Mingxi twitched at the corner of her mouth. It was indeed a symbol of the times, but wouldn’t it stand out too much if worn outside?

Today, Xueyan had braided a side plait, tying it with a red hair band, and clipped two blue pins near her ears.

“Grandaunt, you’re all here?”

Tong Lingxian handed Fang Mingxi over to Tong Xueyan. “Xueyan, thank you for helping.” She slipped a few bills to Xueyan.

Xueyan took them back quickly. “Grandaunt, no need. I have money.”

Embarrassed, Lingxian withdrew her hand. “Sorry to trouble you. Xixi, remember to listen to your sister.”

Ou Wenrui said the same: “Xixi, don’t run around outside, okay?”

“Mm!” Fang Mingxi waved at the adults on the roadside. “Grandfather, Grandmother, maternal grandparents, goodbye! I’ll be back tomorrow.”

After bidding farewell, Xueyan took the basket from Fang Mingxi. Feeling its weight, she asked in surprise, “Xixi, aren’t you cold? What did you bring?”

Fang Mingxi replied eagerly, “Sister, didn’t you say we could sell the mushrooms? These are the ones we found that day. Once I sell them, I’ll buy some candy.”

“Eh!” Xueyan choked on her words, staring at the four perfectly cleaned black truffles in the basket. She had just said it casually; how could Xixi have taken it seriously?

Seeing Fang Mingxi so earnest, Xueyan gave up on explaining.

Well, it was good for a child to want to earn money. She would take her to the county and see. If they couldn’t sell the mushrooms, she could find someone to buy them, but she couldn’t let the child be disappointed.

Unaware of Xueyan’s plans, Fang Mingxi happily walked for an hour until they reached Hongqi Town.

They were lucky. They had planned to walk to the county, but just as they left town, a tractor slowly approached.

Xueyan stopped it and asked. The driver was headed to the county and had some errands to run, which was perfect for them. She quickly offered him one yuan for a ride.

The tractor driver was a dark-skinned old man, not from the Maple Leaf Brigade. He accepted the money and pointed to the back seat for the two girls to sit.

Fang Mingxi was lifted onto the tractor, and Xueyan climbed up after her.

Once seated, the tractor started moving. The scenery began to pass by in reverse. Fang Mingxi looked around curiously.

Xueyan placed a hat over her head and pulled her close.

“Xixi, it’s still a long way to the county. Take a nap, and I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

“Mm, okay, sister.”

Having not slept all night, Fang Mingxi immediately grew drowsy. She found a comfortable position and rested in Xueyan’s arms.

As soon as she closed her eyes, the jade pendant around her neck suddenly glowed. A warm heat spread across her skin, so hot that she shivered violently.