Chapter 13: Going to Buy Rice

“There’s still hope?” Madam Zhou asked in surprise.

Du Wanchun nodded. “Yes, these seedlings and vegetables are just sick. With the right treatment, they should recover.”

Farming and growing vegetables required proper techniques. It wasn’t as simple as just planting seeds and leaving them be—just like people, crops needed care, or they would fall ill.

Back when Du Wanchun was still considered slow-witted, he often followed his mother into the fields, observing and experimenting. Over time, he had picked up some knowledge.

Madam Zhou and Zhou Zhao had also read about such things in books, so they quickly understood what he meant.

“Alright! I still have some copper coins on hand. I’ll go to town later to buy some medicine, and while I’m at it, I’ll get some rice and seeds,” Madam Zhou said enthusiastically, brimming with energy.

The family returned home and shared the news with Zhou Ruizhen and Zhou Feng.

Unlike the others, Zhou Ruizhen and Zhou Feng were calm and composed. Upon hearing that they had reclaimed the land, they immediately searched the house for any remaining seeds from before.

After Madam Zhou counted them, she realized they had enough and didn’t need to buy more.

Du Wanchun squatted down, picked up a handful of seeds, and examined them before smiling. “Mother, why don’t you skip the trip to town today? Let’s plant these first and see how they do.”

Madam Zhou stood up and laughed. “I still have to go. Even if we don’t need seeds, I still need to buy rice and medicine.”

With that, she turned, went inside, grabbed some copper coins, and tucked them into her pocket. Then she said, “Wanchun, stay home. Zhao’er and I will go.”

Du Wanchun nodded with a bright smile. “Mother, be careful on the road.”

Madam Zhou, in high spirits from the good news, responded energetically, “Changliu Village is close to Cheng’an County. It won’t even take half an hour on foot. You and Ruizhen stay home and wait for us. Zhao’er and I will be back soon.”

“Got it, Mother.” Du Wanchun stood up and walked to Madam Zhou’s side, then sent her and Zhou Zhao off at the door.

Not long after they left, it was nearly noon, and every household was preparing lunch.

Du Wanchun entered the kitchen and found that the rice jar was almost empty. When she checked the pot, she saw a few pieces of cooked cornmeal cakes inside.

She reached out to touch them—they were still warm.

It seemed Madam Zhou had made them earlier that morning.

She took the cornmeal cakes out and set them aside. Then, she found the remaining sweet potatoes in the house, peeled them, cut them into chunks, and tossed them into the pot along with the last bit of rice.

Squatting down, she checked the fire and picked up a dry twig to add to the stove.

Just as she reached out, she felt someone grab the twig from her hand.

It was a pair of hands as fair as white jade.

Following the hands upward, she saw that it was Zhou Ruizhen.

Without a word, he took the twig from her, broke it in half, and tossed it into the fire.

Then, with practiced ease, he picked up two larger pieces of wood and pushed them into the stove.

With the larger logs in place, the fire stabilized, and steam began rising from the pot of sweet potato porridge.

Du Wanchun quickly picked up a large spoon and stirred the pot. A thick cloud of steam billowed out, and soon, bubbles began forming on the surface of the porridge.

Neither of them spoke a word, yet they worked together seamlessly.

Du Wanchun was surprised—his legs were immobile, yet he was so skilled at farm work. On the other hand, Zhou Ruizhen felt a pang of heartache watching a young girl move so fluidly in the kitchen, clearly experienced in such labor. She must have done this many times before.

Once the porridge was ready, Du Wanchun quickly ladled out a bowl and smiled at Zhou Ruizhen. “Husband, leave the rest to me. You should go wait outside.”

Zhou Ruizhen glanced at her hands holding the bowl before silently turning his wheelchair and leaving.

Du Wanchun then scooped out a few more bowls and carried them to the front room.

Just as she placed the bowls on the table, she saw Zhou Ruiyuan emerge from his room, holding a small incense box.

The box was made of sandalwood and was exquisitely crafted.

Du Wanchun noticed it immediately and paused for a moment before smiling. “Husband, come and have some porridge.”

After saying that, she turned to fetch another bowl from the kitchen.

But before she could take a step, Zhou Ruizhen came up beside her and gently grabbed her hand.

“Wait a moment.”