Chapter 2 - Chapter 2 ：The Medicine Eases the Ailment, Reclaiming Wasteland and Stockpiling Grain

The setting sun sank gradually, the last streak of golden afterglow gliding over the eaves of the thatched cottage and fading quietly into the distant mountain forest. Dusk descended like a thin veil, slowly shrouding the entire village. The light inside the hut grew dimmer still, and Lin Wanxing lit a small oil lamp. Its wick flickered with a faint flame, stretching the family's shadows long across the mottled earthen wall and adding a touch of warmth to the space. Mrs. Shen slept soundly, her breathing steady. The flush on her cheeks had faded little by little, no longer burning hot as before, and her furrowed brows smoothed out, her expression growing peaceful. Lin Wanxing sat by the kang, keeping watch over her, reaching out now and then to touch her forehead to make sure the fever did not return. The temperature beneath her fingertips grew milder each time, and the stone hanging heavy in her heart slowly lifted. Lin Laoshi sat on a low stool in the corner of the room, still clutching his hoe in his hand, but his eyes were no longer clouded with guilt. Instead, they sparkled with a new light. He stared unblinkingly at Lin Wanxing, at Mrs. Shen sleeping on the kang, and then at the two children sitting obediently to the side. A faint smile tugged at his lips unconsciously—the first easeful smile he had worn in a long, long time. Lin Wanzhou and Lin Wanyue had lost all their earlier timidity. They sat huddled together on the dirt floor, their small bodies pressed close, their eyes bright as they looked at Lin Wanxing. They whispered to each other now and then, their voices soft as a mosquito's hum, afraid of waking Mrs. Shen on the kang. "Sister, will Mother really get better?" Lin Wanyue snuggled up to Lin Wanxing, tugging at the hem of her clothes and asking in a small voice. Her big eyes were full of hope, her long eyelashes fluttering gently in the lamplight, making her look sweet and pitiful. Lin Wanxing lowered her head, stroking her hair gently, her fingertips brushing over the dry, yellow strands, and said in a firm tone: "She will, Yue'er, don't worry. After Mother drinks the medicine I brewed and has a good sleep, her fever will be completely gone when she wakes up tomorrow, and she'll be able to get up and cook for us." "Really?" Lin Wanyue's eyes lit up, and a long-lost smile spread across her face. At last, a hint of a child's innocent joy appeared on her small features. "Then I'll be good from now on, won't make Mother angry, and won't make Sister angry either, so Mother gets better quickly." Lin Wanzhou nodded hastily too, his small face earnest: "Sister, me too. I'll help Father chop firewood, help Sister pick medicinal herbs from now on, and never be lazy again. I'll make it easier for Mother and Sister." Watching the two children's sensible little faces, Lin Wanxing's heart swelled with warmth, and her eyes grew moist again. In her past life, she had overlooked these two small figures, ignored their thoughtfulness and dependence. Now that she had been reborn, she would guard them well, let them eat their fill and wear warm clothes like other children, and grow up carefree. "Good, Sister believes you." Lin Wanxing smiled, reaching out to hold their small hands—cold and tiny, yet surprisingly strong. "From now on, our whole family will work hard together, live a good life, and never let anyone bully us or look down on us again." Lin Laoshi watched the scene before him, his eyes reddening once more. He cleared his throat, his voice hoarse: "Wanxing, it's Father's fault for making you and the children suffer so much. From now on, Father will work hard, reclaim wasteland and farm with you, and make sure your mother and the three of you eat your fill every day." "Father, don't say that." Lin Wanxing looked up at him, her voice soft yet firm. "In our family, no one is useless or useful—we just need to work together as one, and do things down-to-earth, and we'll surely make our lives better. Mother's illness will get better little by little. We'll reclaim a few more plots of wasteland, plant crops and vegetables, pick more medicinal herbs to sell in the town for some silver to buy seeds and farm tools. Our days will only get better and better." Lin Laoshi nodded heavily, his eyes full of agreement: "Good, good, I'll listen to you. Whatever you say to do, Father will do it. There's plenty of wasteland on the back mountain—we'll clear it tomorrow, and try to plant crops as soon as possible." "Father, no hurry." Lin Wanxing shook her head. "Tomorrow I'll go pick more medicinal herbs on the back mountain. On the one hand, to brew more medicine for Mother and consolidate her recovery; on the other, to sell the extra herbs at the medicine shop in the town for some silver. First, we'll buy some seeds and simple farm tools, and a little grain, just enough to let the whole family have a full meal. Then we'll take our time reclaiming the wasteland." She knew well that the family had nothing now, not even the most basic grain. If they rushed to reclaim the wasteland without seeds or farm tools, it would all be in vain. It was better to first pick herbs to exchange for silver, solve the immediate problem of food and clothing, and then prepare for farming the wasteland—that was the steady way. Lin Laoshi suddenly realized, and hastened to say: "You're so thoughtful, Wanxing. Father was only in a hurry and forgot all about that. Alright, we'll do as you say. Tomorrow you go pick the herbs, Father will stay home to look after your mother and the children, and go ask around the village to see if we can borrow a good hoe. I'll also gather some firewood to cook for you all." "Mm, good." Lin Wanxing nodded, then urged him: "Father, be polite when you borrow the hoe. If someone's willing to lend it to us, we'll repay them well later; if not, don't force it, we'll think of another way. Also, be careful when gathering firewood, don't fall." "I know, Wanxing, don't worry, Father has it all memorized." Lin Laoshi smiled, the guilt on his face fading away, replaced by full hope. He knew that with Wanxing here, their family would surely break free from adversity. The night grew darker, and the village gradually fell silent, leaving only the occasional bark of a dog and the rustle of wind blowing over the thatched roof. The oil lamp's flame still flickered, casting the warm silhouettes of the family. Though the hut was dilapidated and life was hard, at this moment, the room was filled with warmth and hope—the kind of hope that sprouts through the cracks in despair. Lin Wanxing stayed by Mrs. Shen's side until late at night, and only when she was certain the fever was completely gone and her breathing was steady did she stand up in relief. She spread a thin layer of straw for the two children to sleep on by the kang. Lin Laoshi sat in the corner, leaning against the wall, and gradually fell asleep, still clutching the hoe tightly in his hand, as if holding the whole family's hope in his grasp. Lin Wanxing did not sleep. She sat by the stove, by the faint light of the oil lamp, carefully sorting out her plans for the future. She knew the road tomorrow would still be hard—picking herbs, selling them, borrowing farm tools, buying seeds. Every step was filled with difficulties, but she was fearless. She thought of her tragic end in her past life, of her family's suffering, and her resolve grew even stronger. First, she would cure Mother's illness completely—that was the top priority. Then, pick herbs to exchange for money, solve the problem of food and clothing, and buy seeds and farm tools. Next, lead the family to reclaim wasteland and farm, plant crops and vegetables to achieve self-sufficiency. After that, pick more medicinal herbs and start some simple side businesses to earn more silver, improve the family's life, make new clothes for them, buy snacks for her brother and sister, and provide for her parents in their old age. Before she knew it, the sky was growing light, the eastern horizon turning pale with the first glimmer of dawn. The first ray of morning light filtered through the tattered window paper into the hut, dispelling the cold of the night. Mrs. Shen slowly opened her eyes, her gaze much clearer, no longer blurred as before. A hint of color returned to her cheeks, and her spirits were much better. "Mother, you're awake?" Lin Wanxing noticed her movement and hurried to the kang, asking anxiously. She reached out to touch her forehead, and when she confirmed the fever was completely gone, her heart eased fully. "Great, Mother, your fever's all gone!" Mrs. Shen looked at Lin Wanxing, a gentle smile spreading across her face. Her voice was still a little hoarse, but much clearer than before: "Wanxing, you've worked hard, staying with Mother all night. Mother feels much better, no more fever, and the cough's almost gone too." "That's wonderful, that's wonderful." Lin Wanxing smiled, tears glistening in her eyes—tears of joy. "Mother, rest a little longer, I'll brew some porridge for you. Drinking it will help your body recover faster." "Mm, good." Mrs. Shen nodded, watching Lin Wanxing's busy figure, her eyes full of heartache and relief. She could feel that her daughter had truly grown up, become sensible and resilient, no longer the vain, spoiled little girl she once was. Lin Wanzhou and Lin Wanyue were woken up too. They rubbed their sleepy eyes, and when they saw Mrs. Shen was awake, they hurried to the kang and called out in unison: "Mother!" "Ah, my good children." Mrs. Shen reached out, stroking their heads gently, her face soft with affection. "Mother's fine now. I'll never get sick again, and I'll take good care of you all." Lin Laoshi woke up as well, and when he saw how much better Mrs. Shen looked, a delighted smile broke out on his face: "Wife, you're finally awake! How do you feel? Is there anywhere that hurts?" "I'm fine, husband, I made you worry." Mrs. Shen smiled. "It's all thanks to Wanxing. If it weren't for her, I'm afraid I would have..." Her voice choked off mid-sentence, and tears welled up in her eyes. She dared not imagine what would have happened if Wanxing had not come back—she probably would not have survived this illness, and what would have become of the two children and her husband then? "Mother, don't be sad. I'm back, and I'll stay with you all forever." Lin Wanxing walked over, taking Mrs. Shen's hand gently and speaking softly. "I'll go brew the porridge. You and Father, and Brother and Sister, all rest well." With that, Lin Wanxing turned and walked to the stove outside the hut to start brewing porridge. The family had barely any grain left—only a little coarse rice and some dried wild vegetables. She washed the coarse rice clean, added an appropriate amount of clear water, and threw in some chopped wild vegetables, then lit the firewood and let it simmer slowly. The firewood crackled, and a warm mist spread out, carrying a faint fragrance of rice and wild vegetables. Lin Wanxing sat by the stove, adding firewood now and then, her eyes fixed on the porridge in the pot, soft and firm. She knew this bowl of porridge, though simple, carried the whole family's hope, and her promise to guard them. Before long, the porridge was ready, and a rich, thick aroma filled the entire yard, making one's mouth water. Lin Wanxing carefully lifted the pot down, ladled out a bowl of warm porridge, and carried it into the hut, handing it to Mrs. Shen: "Mother, drink this bowl of porridge quickly, it'll nourish your body." Mrs. Shen took the bowl, staring at the thick porridge with wild vegetables inside, and her eyes reddened again. She knew the family had little grain left, and this bowl of porridge was what her daughter had saved for her. She picked up the spoon and sipped the porridge slowly. Though the taste was plain, it was the sweetest thing she had ever tasted—tasting of her daughter's filial piety, and the warmth of family. Lin Wanxing ladled out a bowl of porridge for Lin Laoshi and the two children as well. Though each bowl was small and full of wild vegetables, the whole family ate with great relish, satisfied smiles on their faces. This was the first time in a long while that they had sat together for a bowl of warm, thick porridge, the first time they had felt such warmth and peace. After eating the porridge, Mrs. Shen's spirits improved even more, and she could sit up slowly and talk with Lin Laoshi. Lin Wanxing cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, brewed another bowl of medicinal herbs for Mrs. Shen and watched her drink it, then picked up the bamboo basket from the corner and said to Lin Laoshi: "Father, I'm going to the back mountain to pick medicinal herbs. You stay home and look after Mother and the children. If Mother feels unwell at all, call me at once—I'll be right back." "Good, Wanxing, be careful on the way. The dew on the back mountain is heavy, the road's slippery, don't fall." Lin Laoshi hastened to say, and pulled a few odd silver coins from his bosom, handing them to her. "This is all the money the family has, the few coins your mother and I saved up by scrimping and saving. Take it. If you sell the herbs, buy a little more grain on the way, and some salt too—we're almost out." Lin Wanxing looked at the few silver coins, her heart aching. She knew these coins were the family's entire savings, what her parents had scraped together bit by bit through endless frugality. She did not refuse, took the coins, tucked them carefully into her bosom, and nodded: "Father, I know. I'll spend it wisely, and I'll be back as soon as possible." "Sister, be careful!" Lin Wanzhou and Lin Wanyue ran to the door, calling out in unison, their small faces full of worry. Lin Wanxing smiled, stroking their heads: "Don't worry, Sister will be careful. When I come back, I'll buy you candy." With that, Lin Wanxing turned and walked toward the back mountain. The early morning wind carried a faint chill, mixed with the fresh fragrance of plants and trees and the dampness of dew, brushing her face and feeling wonderfully refreshing. The dew on the field ridge soaked her cloth shoes, and her steps were soft and cool, but she paid no heed, walking light and quick, her heart brimming with energy. After a night's rest, the plants and trees on the back mountain looked even greener. Glistening dewdrops hung on the weeds, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting golden specks of light on the ground, dappling the earth. The air was filled with a rich fragrance of vegetation and medicinal herbs, invigorating the spirit. Lin Wanxing walked along, her eyes sharp as she identified the medicinal herbs by the roadside. Drawing on the memories of her past life, she soon found dandelions, honeysuckle, bupleurum, mugwort and other herbs that could reduce fever and fight inflammation, as well as some tonic herbs like licorice and angelica. She plucked them carefully and placed them in the bamboo basket, her movements skilled and gentle, for fear of damaging the precious plants. As she picked, a weed scratched her hand again, a small cut welling up with blood, overlapping with yesterday's wound. The pain made her frown, but she just bit her lip, plucked a clean leaf from the roadside, crushed it, and pressed it to the wound for a simple dressing, then kept picking. She knew these herbs were Mother's hope, the family's hope, the only way to earn money. She could not afford to be the least bit careless or slack. She would pick as many herbs as she could, exchange them for more silver, solve the family's food and clothing problems as soon as possible, buy seeds and farm tools quickly, and lead the family to reclaim the wasteland and farm without delay. Before she knew it, the sun had risen high in the sky, its rays growing warm, bathing her in gentle heat. Lin Wanxing's bamboo basket was full of medicinal herbs, heavy enough to make her arm ache, but her heart was filled with joy and drive. She glanced at the sky, knowing she could not delay any longer. She lifted the basket and hurried toward the town. The town was not far from the village, about an hour's walk away. She walked quickly the whole way, the mud under her feet still slippery, her toes still sore, but she did not slow down for a moment. There was only one thought in her heart—to sell the herbs quickly, buy grain and seeds quickly, and return to her family quickly. On the way, she met a few fellow villagers. When they saw Lin Wanxing carrying a basket of medicinal herbs, wearing tattered clothes, her face tired yet her eyes still firm, they all looked surprised. The old Lin Wanxing had been spoiled and vain, and would never have done such rough work. Now, she had become so hardworking and resilient—it was hard to believe. Someone greeted her actively: "Wanxing, off to the town to sell herbs?" Lin Wanxing stopped, smiled politely, and nodded: "Yes, Auntie. My mother is ill, so I picked some herbs to sell for silver to treat her, and buy a little grain too." The woman nodded, a look of sympathy on her face: "What a sensible child. Your mother will get better. Be careful on the way—the town's full of people, don't let anyone cheat you." "Thank you, Auntie, I will." Lin Wanxing smiled, thanked her, and continued walking toward the town. After another half an hour's walk, Lin Wanxing finally reached the town. It was far livelier than the village. On both sides of the street, various stalls were set up—selling grain, vegetables, farm tools, cloth, and snacks. The streets were bustling with people and carriages, filled with the rich hum of daily life. Lin Wanxing had rarely come to the town, especially after marrying into the Zhang family, and she had never been near such street stalls. Staring at the lively scene before her, she felt a little flustered, but she calmed down quickly, remembering her purpose for coming. She lifted the bamboo basket and walked toward the medicine shop in the town. There was a medicine shop in the town called Huichun Hall, the largest one in the area. Its owner was Mr. Wang, an honest and kind man. Whenever someone in the village fell ill, they would come here to buy medicine, and Mr. Wang often gave discounts to poor families. Lin Wanxing carried the bamboo basket and stepped into Huichun Hall carefully. The shop was filled with a rich aroma of medicinal herbs. Behind the counter, a middle-aged man wearing a long robe and glasses was sorting herbs—it was Mr. Wang, the owner of Huichun Hall. "Good day, Mr. Wang." Lin Wanxing stepped forward, her voice a little hoarse but polite. Mr. Wang looked up, saw Lin Wanxing, and then her bamboo basket, a look of surprise crossing his face: "You're Old Man Lin's daughter, Lin Wanxing? I thought you married into the Zhang family in the town. Why are you back, and with a basket of medicinal herbs?" A flash of embarrassment crossed Lin Wanxing's face, but she spoke calmly: "Mr. Wang, I was driven out of the Zhang family. My mother is ill with a high fever, so I picked some herbs on the back mountain and want to sell them to you for silver to treat her, and buy a little grain." Mr. Wang sighed when he heard that, a look of sympathy on his face: "You've had a hard time, child. That Zhang family has always been harsh—you must have suffered a lot married there. How's your mother's illness? Is it serious?" "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Wang. I brewed medicine for her, and her fever has broken. She just needs a good rest and tonic now." Lin Wanxing said, then took the herbs out of the bamboo basket and laid them on the counter. "Mr. Wang, take a look. How much can these herbs sell for?" Mr. Wang lowered his head, examined the herbs on the counter carefully, picked up a few stalks and sniffed them, then nodded: "These herbs are all fresh, a good variety, all common and useful ones—they can sell for a fair bit. How about twenty coins? Is that alright?" Lin Wanxing's face lit up with surprise. She had thought the herbs would fetch only a dozen coins at most, never expecting Mr. Wang to offer twenty. Twenty coins, though not a lot, was enough to buy some grain and salt, and leave a little for vegetable seeds. To her, it was undoubtedly wonderful news. "Thank you, Mr. Wang, thank you so much!" Lin Wanxing hastened to say, her face full of gratitude. "You're such a kind man!" Mr. Wang smiled, took twenty coins from the counter and handed them to her: "You're welcome. These herbs are worth that price. Your mother is ill and needs good care. If you need to pick more herbs or buy medicine in the future, just come here—I'll give you a discount." "Thank you, Mr. Wang, I definitely will." Lin Wanxing took the twenty coins, tucked them carefully into her bosom, and clutched them tight, afraid of losing them. These twenty coins were the first money she had earned with her own hands since her rebirth—the start of hope, the first step in leading her family to turn their fate around. "Mr. Wang, I'll take my leave then. I still need to buy some grain and salt, and medicine for my mother." Lin Wanxing said. "Alright, off you go. Be careful on the way." Mr. Wang nodded. Lin Wanxing thanked him again, then picked up the empty bamboo basket and turned to walk out of Huichun Hall. As she stepped out of the medicine shop, her heart was filled with joy and resolve, and her hand holding the twenty coins trembled slightly. She knew this was only the beginning—she would earn more money in the future, and let her family live a much better life. She walked along the street to the door of a grain shop. It was filled with all kinds of grain—rice, millet, corn, flour, and various coarse grains, their aroma wafting out. Lin Wanxing stepped inside, and a middle-aged man was doing accounts behind the counter. "Shopkeeper, I'd like to buy some coarse rice, and some salt." Lin Wanxing stepped forward and said. The grain shopkeeper looked up at her and nodded: "Alright. How much coarse rice and salt do you want?" "Shopkeeper, ten jin of coarse rice, and half a jin of salt, please." Lin Wanxing said. She calculated in her mind: ten jin of coarse rice would cost about fifteen coins, half a jin of salt about three coins, totaling eighteen coins. The remaining two coins would be just enough to buy some vegetable seeds—it was perfect. The shopkeeper nodded, turned to weigh the rice and salt, and soon packed them up and handed them to her: "Eighteen coins in total." Lin Wanxing took eighteen coins from her bosom and gave them to him, then took the coarse rice and salt, tucking them carefully into the bamboo basket. The coarse rice was heavy, and the salt was in a small clay pot. Staring at these things, Lin Wanxing's heart was filled with a solid sense of peace. She knew that with these, her family would eat their fill, and temporarily break free from the grip of hunger. "Shopkeeper, do you sell vegetable seeds here? Like green vegetable or radish seeds?" Lin Wanxing asked. The shopkeeper nodded: "Yes, they're in the corner over there. Go take a look for yourself. Not many varieties, but they're all drought-tolerant, perfect for planting this season." "Thank you, shopkeeper." Lin Wanxing smiled, walked to the corner, and looked carefully. There were a few kinds of vegetable seeds there—green vegetable, radish, and spinach. She picked up a small packet of green vegetable seeds and a small packet of radish seeds, and asked: "Shopkeeper, how much for these two packets?" "Two coins total." the shopkeeper said. Lin Wanxing took the remaining two coins from her bosom and handed them to him, took the seeds, tucked them carefully into her bosom, then picked up the bamboo basket and turned to walk out of the grain shop. By this time, the sun was directly overhead, its rays growing a little harsh. Lin Wanxing's face was covered in sweat, her clothes soaked and clinging to her body uncomfortably, but she paid no heed, her heart brimming with joy and drive. She had bought grain, salt, and seeds—she could finally go home, finally let her family eat their fill, finally start preparing to reclaim the wasteland and farm. She carried the bamboo basket and hurried toward the village, her steps light, her heart full of hope. She knew the days ahead were still hard, but she believed that as long as she and her family worked together as one and did things down-to-earth, they would surely overcome all difficulties, prop up this dilapidated home, and let everyone live a life of plenty and peace. It was already afternoon when she returned to the village. Lin Laoshi was standing at the village entrance, waiting for her anxiously. When he saw her, he hurried over, his face full of delight: "Wanxing, you're back! How did it go? Did you sell the herbs? Did you buy grain?" "Father, I'm back. I sold the herbs for twenty coins. I bought ten jin of coarse rice, half a jin of salt, and two packets of vegetable seeds." Lin Wanxing smiled, holding out the bamboo basket to him. "Look, it's all here." Lin Laoshi stared at the coarse rice and salt in the basket, then at Lin Wanxing, his eyes reddening instantly, his voice hoarse: "Good, good, wonderful! Wanxing, you're so capable! With this grain, the whole family can eat their fill! With the seeds, we can reclaim the wasteland and farm!" "Yes, Father. We'll live a good life soon." Lin Wanxing smiled. Father and daughter walked side by side toward home. All the way, Lin Laoshi kept asking about the town, how much the herbs had sold for, how she had bought the grain and seeds. Lin Wanxing answered him patiently one by one, a gentle smile always on her face. When they got home, Mrs. Shen was sitting by the kang, talking with Lin Wanzhou and Lin Wanyue. When she saw them come back, she hastened to say: "Wanxing, you're back. You must be tired." "Mother, I'm not tired at all." Lin Wanxing smiled, walked to the kang, and took the coarse rice and salt out of the bamboo basket. "Mother, look. I bought coarse rice and salt, and two packets of vegetable seeds. We'll never go hungry again from now on. We can reclaim the wasteland and farm, plant vegetables, and eat fresh vegetables soon." When Lin Wanzhou and Lin Wanyue saw the coarse rice, their eyes lit up, and they hurried to the basket, saying in small voices: "Sister, can we really eat our fill now?" "We can, of course we can." Lin Wanxing smiled, stroking their heads. "From now on, we'll eat our fill every day. When the vegetables grow, we'll eat fresh ones too. Sister will also make wild vegetable cakes and pickled vegetables for you, fill your bellies up, and watch you grow tall and strong." "Wonderful! Thank you, Sister!" Lin Wanzhou and Lin Wanyue broke into happy smiles, bouncing around in excitement. Mrs. Shen watched everything before her, a relieved smile on her face, tears glistening in her eyes. She knew their family truly had hope now. With Wanxing here, they would surely break free from adversity and live a good life. Watching her family's happy faces, Lin Wanxing's heart was warm, and her resolve grew even stronger. She knew this was only the beginning. The road ahead was still long, and many difficulties awaited her, but she was fearless. For she had her family, the people she wanted to guard, and a heart willing to toil down-to-earth. That afternoon, Lin Wanxing discussed it with Lin Laoshi and they decided to start clearing the wasteland behind the house early the next morning, preparing to reclaim it for farming. They would plant the vegetable seeds they had bought, and then reclaim more wasteland little by little to plant corn and potatoes. They would strive to achieve self-sufficiency as soon as possible, lead the family out of adversity quickly, and cultivate their own prosperous age. Dusk fell once more. Inside the thatched cottage, the oil lamp burned bright, and the whole family sat together talking, long-lost smiles on their faces. Though the hut was still dilapidated and life was still hard, their hearts were all filled with hope and longing for the future. That small oil lamp not only lit up the darkness of the room, but also lit up the family's road to turning their fate around, and the hope in their hearts.