The sweetness of the cherries is unforgettable, and the price is really fair.

Looking at the slightly worn clothes on the old woman, it was not difficult to imagine that she was not well off. Ran He felt reluctant and said, "No need to reduce the amount. Just give me 100 coins. The money is here."

This series of simple yet heartwarming transactions not only added rich colors to Ran He’s dining table, but also quietly warmed every corner of the market.

Ran He gently placed the copper coin into Aunt Lin's skinny palm. The round coin seemed to be warm, reflecting the satisfied smiles of both the buyer and the seller.

The cherries were bright and juicy, like gems, and she carefully packed them into the backpack. She imagined the light sparkling in the children's eyes when they saw this sweet surprise, and her heart was filled with warmth.

The vendor next to them spoke with a hint of sourness, but also with a hint of envy. The words floated in the bustling market, adding a bit of liveliness to this ordinary scene.

When Aunt Lin heard this, she smiled like a flower, and the wrinkles on her face blossomed like chrysanthemums. She nodded repeatedly, her eyes flashing with gratitude for the chance encounter by fate.

I secretly rejoiced in my heart that this unexpected good luck made all the hard work this morning instantly worth it.

Then, Ran He turned briskly into the narrow alley, where there was a familiar butcher who always reserved the freshest pork for her.

Thinking about riding on the leisurely ox cart and passing through the dusty path, the outline of home gradually became clear in my mind, and a feeling of eagerness to return home arose spontaneously.

The sun was setting and the bustle of the market began to slowly ebb. Ran He quickened his pace.

When I got home, there was no smoke from the kitchen and the kitchen seemed particularly quiet.

She opened the storage space with ease. It was a mysterious jade pendant. The space inside was like a small world. The aroma of the previously marinated meat wafted into the air. The color was tempting. It only needed a simple arrangement on the plate to become a mouth-watering dish.

Although children are not very fond of pickled pork with vegetables, it is a symbol of frugality and housekeeping. With careful processing, it can also become a warm corner on the dining table.

Green peppers and shredded pork jump and dance in the pot, accompanied by the aroma of garlic, and a plate of delicious stir-fried dishes is immediately served; green vegetables and egg drops swim leisurely in the boiling water, turning into a bowl of sweet soup, and the preparation for dinner is quietly completed in a busy and orderly manner.

At this time, although the craftsmen on the roof had to wait a little longer, they had no complaints in their hearts.

For them, knowing Ran He's daily habits, they would understand that there is a plan behind his late return home when every second counts.

In this simple work shed, having a hot meal is a great happiness. As for the time, it has long been melted away by this simple sense of satisfaction.

In a short while, the table was filled with delicious dishes arranged in an orderly manner under Ran He's skillful hands. The aroma of rice spread as the steamer was opened. The familiar and warm breath was like a silent call.

The gentle words "Dinner is ready" were like a spring breeze. The craftsmen put down their tools, walked down the wooden ladder, and looked at the sumptuous dinner in front of them. In addition to amazement, their eyes were filled with admiration and respect for Ran He's ability.

Their admiration flowed like a river, endless, but they all tacitly agreed not to ask any more questions, because at such a time, having food to eat and the warmth of home was enough.

After the meal, Ran He cleaned up the dishes quickly. It was already dark outside, but the pace of life did not slow down.

At this time, another frequent visitor of the night - a mushroom vendor, came walking on the wet cobblestone road.

The end of the rainy season brings rich gifts to the back mountains. Mushrooms are scattered like stars. With just a little searching, you can find a bountiful harvest.

The figure of Gougoudan was the first to come into view, but today his backpack did not seem as heavy as before, and a hint of imperceptible loss flashed in his eyes.

Ran He saw through Xiao Goudan's thoughts at a glance. From enjoying the generosity of the mountains and forests alone, to more and more competitors joining in and sharing this gift from nature, his income naturally decreased.

But this was already expected by Ran He. She had already made up her mind that although picking mushrooms could solve the problem temporarily, it was not a long-term solution.

She silently planned to provide the mother and son who depended on each other with a more stable source of income, even if it was just to ensure the most basic daily expenses.

As soon as Xiaogoudan finished speaking, his innocence and understanding made people feel distressed.

"Auntie's" response was full of understanding and love. The new plan she proposed was not only to solve the current problem, but also to guide Xiao Gou Dan to a broader path.

However, Xiaogoudan's shaking head in refusal revealed a maturity and self-esteem beyond his age. He knew very well that he could not rely too much on others, especially since his aunt had already given so much help, and he did not want to add to the burden.

In Xiaogoudan's worldview, every help was out of his aunt's good intentions, not a right he deserved.

He clearly realized that on the road of life, every helping hand is worth being grateful for, but it is also common sense not to help, and no one is born with the debt of repaying favors.

He cherishes this hard-won opportunity. At the same time, he is ready to turn around and find a new fulcrum in life at any time when this luck is no longer there.

Ran He looked at the little man in front of him, feeling both moved and relieved.

She decided to adjust her strategy and provide a job opportunity that was more suitable for Xiao Gou Dan, so that he could participate while avoiding the consumption of excessive competition.

Ran He's proposal not only includes practical economic considerations, but more importantly, care and protection for the future growth of Xiao Gou Dan. He hopes to maintain his self-reliance spirit while also providing him with a broader sky.

But the job of drying mushrooms seems much simpler and quieter, and it is almost a peaceful chore that can be done independently by one person.

Every once in a while, just gently turn over the mushroom caps scattered in the sun and watch their color gradually change from moist dark brown to dry light brown, until every piece of mushroom has fully absorbed the warmth of the sun and becomes crisp and brittle. Then you can carefully collect them and store them in a warehouse for proper preservation.

"Drying mushrooms? Is it that simple, just spreading them out in the sun?"

Puppy's eyes widened, his face full of childish curiosity and confusion, as if this was a completely new, unexplored world.

"Yes, look at that empty space over there. It will become a temporary drying ground for our mushrooms. What you need to do is to place the fresh mushrooms you collect every day in batches on it and wait for the magic of the sun to slowly transform them into precious dried products. As for the reward, I will give you 200 copper coins every day. What do you think?"

Ran He explained patiently, his words gentle and encouraging.

Two hundred copper coins, this amount means that Xiao Gou Dan needs to collect 20 kilograms of fresh mushrooms to earn this amount.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like