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Glass: “How is that possible? Don’t try to scare people, Chacha Li!”
Chacha Li: “Worst-case scenarios are worth thinking about. Keep asking yourself, ‘what if?'”
Glass: “…”
Chacha Li: “Everyone, seriously, find food to last the winter. Speaking of, are you growing vegetables at home?”
Glass: “…”
The next day, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an finished breakfast and decided to go for a walk. They wore their raincoats, rubber boots, an umbrella, and carried two small baskets. Before leaving, they invited Zhang Heping to join them.
Seeing how well-equipped the couple was, Zhang Heping re-equipped himself.
This was their first foraging trip into the mountains. Shen Yanming suggested Qingning Mountain because they knew there would be mushrooms there, a subtle way to compensate Zhang Heping.
But just as they stepped outside, a familiar face stopped them. “Hey guys! Haven’t seen you in a while. Been tough to find you!”
“Hello, what’s up?” It was the man they’d chatted with downstairs the day Chief Alliance Officer Li released the video.
“Not much, just felt like we connected the other day. Where are you all headed? Mind if I tag along?” the man asked, rubbing his head shyly.
“We’re planning to forage for some edible ingredients. Want to join?” Shen Yanming didn’t mind one more person tagging along.
The man’s face lit up. “Absolutely! I’ve been bugging my family about wanting to find food, but they think I’m being silly. I was about to give up.”
“Why not go alone, then?” Zhang Heping found him a bit amusing.
“I’m a little shy about it, honestly,” the man admitted with a sheepish grin. “And, well, I wouldn’t know an edible plant from a weed if it bit me.”
“Alright then, let’s see what we can find together,” Bi Qiao’an said with a smile. “What’s your name by the way?”
“I’m Zhao Yu. Truthfully, from the first moment I saw you, I sensed you were like those big shots who always make the right call at the right time. So, I’ve been hanging around, hoping to bump into you,” Zhao Yu confessed, his eyes bright with admiration.
Seeing that no one seemed upset, Zhao Yu pressed on, “I just have a hunch that following you means finding food!”
“Well, your instincts aren’t wrong!”
And with that, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an had two new companions heading for the back slopes of Qingning Mountain.
These back slopes were notably different from the landscaped areas at the front. The front was like a botanical garden, with various plants specifically chosen and maintained by developers. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers, and the well-maintained paths crunched beneath their feet.
Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an knew the front had edible stuff too—rose flowers, elm leaves, toon trees—easy to spot and recognize.1 They planned to give the two newcomers tips on the way back.
The back mountain remained untouched. Despite the plants being a bit overgrown, the variety was impressive. The rich, earthy scent of the soil mingled with the fresh aroma of the vegetation. Thankfully, it didn’t feel like a wild jungle, which made it relatively safe. The soft, spongy ground cushioned their steps as they navigated the natural terrain.
Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an led the two newcomers to the path towards the mushroom patch. After a month or two of the energy rain, the area was transformed. Thousands of thick, tender mushrooms covered the ground.
“What are these? Edible?” Zhao Yu gaped, almost drooling at the tempting aroma.
“Mushrooms. Don’t you recognize them?” Bi Qiao’an gave Zhao Yu a puzzled look.
“Shiitake, oyster… These don’t look wild. Could someone be growing them here?” Zhang Heping eyed Shen Yanming thoughtfully as he spoke.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Shen Yanming replied, dodging the question.
“Good, good! Who cares who planted them? Finders keepers!” Zhao Yu ignored the others, already picking mushrooms with trembling, eager hands. The soft, spongy texture of the mushrooms yielded to his touch as he plucked them from the ground.
Instead of a basket, he had only brought plastic bags. His reasoning? “No one sees what I take, no one laughs if I return empty-handed!”
Bi Qiao’an found Zhao Yu’s logic strange. She wondered, ‘Who did he think he was, that anyone would laugh at him?’
She also started picking mushrooms, reminding the group, “Leave the small ones alone. Let them grow bigger before you take them.”
Zhang Heping and Zhao Yu grunted in acknowledgment, hands still busy with their task. The patter of the rain, rustling of the foliage, and the soft snapping of mushroom stems filled the air as they worked.
Once their basket was full, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an decided they had enough mushrooms. They strolled a short distance away.
Soon, Bi Qiao’an spotted a patch of white goosefoot.2 This was a particularly tasty wild vegetable, known for its delicate flavor. She knelt down, gently stroking its leaves. The soft, velvety texture of the leaves tickled her palm.
Bi Qiao’an pulled Shen Yanming along. The two of them carefully selected the most tender parts, managing to fill half a basket. She cleverly used the basket to shield her movements as she dug up some white goosefoot seedlings, which she then stored in her spatial planting area.
Meanwhile, Zhang Heping and Zhao Yu focused on the larger mushrooms. By the time they’d finished their harvest, they noticed Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an had moved on.
Packing up, they hurried to catch up. With Shen Yanming’s guidance, they found a plentiful spot and gathered a hefty amount of white goosefoot and purslane.3
At dusk, everyone’s baskets and bags were brimming with treasures. The setting sun cast a warm, golden glow over the mountain, and the chirping of birds hiding in the trees gradually gave way to the gentle hum of insects. Shen Yanming led the group back along the main road. As they passed the front of the mountain, he pointed out the locust flowers4 and elm trees’ leaves, explaining that they were edible.
Upon reaching the community garden at the foot of the mountain, Shen Yanming surprised Zhang Heping and Zhao Yu. He filled half a basket with vibrantly colored, edible roses. He explained their culinary uses, and soon, everyone was eagerly gathering these unexpected floral treats. The group descended Qingning Mountain with a bounty of mushrooms, the sweet scent of roses mingling with the earthy aroma of their finds. The weight of their baskets was a satisfying reminder of their successful foraging adventure.
They encountered many neighborhood residents—some returning from work, others heading home after errands or school. Their baskets full of mushrooms and vegetables attracted curious glances from people they passed. A few people even approached them to inquire about their haul. Shen Yanming proudly displayed their finds and enthusiastically promoted the show “Foraging in the Wilderness”.
Shen Yanming’s thoughts turned to the abundance of edible plants on the mountain. He knew they would go to waste if people didn’t harvest them now. Plus, with the energy rain, everything was growing like crazy. With a little effort, they could easily store enough leafy vegetables to last through the year.
He remembered his previous life, where no one knew the drought was coming. They had missed their chance, and edible plants were picked cleanly before they could recover. When the dry season hit, nothing would grow. Leaves yellowed and fell, leaving not even a scrap of edible foliage. A shiver ran down his spine as he recalled the memory of those barren, lifeless landscapes.
The group reached Building 6, where they had to part ways. Zhao Yu added Shen Yanming on WeChat, agreeing to message next time they went foraging.
Shen Yanming also reminded Zhao Yu to clean the ingredients immediately upon returning home. He instructed him to follow the recipe for making vegetable and mushroom flakes, ensuring they were stored properly.
Once Zhao Yu was out of earshot, Zhang Heping turned to Shen Yanming, his voice tinged with disbelief. “We’re really going to eat weeds and flowers in the future?”
Shen Yanming rolled his eyes. “It’s better than nothing.”
Zhang Heping eyed the mushrooms, white goosefoot, and roses in his basket. He swallowed and nodded. “You’re right!”
Back home, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an didn’t rush into dinner preparations. Instead, they took a moment to bask in the satisfaction of their successful foraging.
1. Edible leaves:
2. How to Identify:
3. Purslane:
4. Black Locust & Honey Locust:
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Katra1212[Translator]
Hi I'm Katra! Translator by day, lemon aficionado by night. Secretly suspects a past life as a citrus fruit. Squeezing the joy out of language, one word at a time.🍋