Chapter 28: Everything Makes Sense Now

Chen Manman entered the bathhouse and, as usual, went into her spatial realm. It was much more convenient to bathe in the modern bathroom.

After washing up, she weeded the vegetable garden inside the space, added fertilizer, and watered the plants.

Worried that if she stayed too long, Lin Shuhe might come looking for her again, she quickly exited the space.

Sure enough, that pesky man was really waiting outside the bathhouse.

“Manman, it’s too dark at night, I was worried about you!” Lin Shuhe stood nearby with a flashlight. Honestly, he had almost rushed in just now since there had been no movement inside for a long time.

Luckily, she came out just as he was at the edge of losing his patience. Otherwise, she would’ve had to show him her disappearing trick on the spot.

Chen Manman quietly replied, “No need, I’m not going to go missing.” But going into the space at night really wasn’t safe—felt like gambling with her life every day!

The lights were turned off, and the night passed peacefully.

The next morning, after breakfast, Chen Manman brought out the Schisandra berries she had laid out to dry yesterday afternoon and spread them under the sun again. Seeing how dry they were, she figured she could go sell them in the afternoon!

The two little ones had gotten up early, begging to listen to the radio—specifically the story of Journey to the West they heard yesterday.

But once they found out it only aired in the afternoon, the two little guys looked visibly disappointed. Though Chen Manman already knew the story, she didn’t spoil it—because that feeling of suspense was best experienced firsthand.

Heehee!

Too restless to sit around, Chen Manman decided to go treasure hunting in the back mountain. The last two times she’d gone, she came back with something good—it truly was a treasure trove.

Old Master Chen was still worried about his granddaughter and insisted on going with her. Chen Manman was helpless—there are some dangers only grandpas think you’re in.

So the two of them set out with sacks, a small hoe, and baskets.

The sack was Grandpa’s idea—he wanted to pick more Schisandra berries.

This time, they ventured a little deeper. Seeing clusters of bright red berries, the old man grinned happily, opened the sack, and started picking.

Meanwhile, Chen Manman wandered nearby. Forests in this era were still rich with resources, untouched by over-harvesting and mostly preserved in their original state—though that also meant hidden dangers were everywhere.

Chen Manman pulled out some realgar powder from her space. In thick grass like this, snakes often roamed. Better safe than sorry.

She doubled back to where her grandfather was and sprinkled the powder around the grass nearby before feeling at ease again.

Wandering further, a sweet scent suddenly hit her. Looking around, she eventually stopped under an ancient tree—turns out it was an old tea tree.

Most modern tea leaves were cultivated, but this one deep in the mountain had an ancient, quiet aura and gave off a refreshing fragrance that calmed the soul.

Chen Manman picked a tender leaf, placed it in her mouth, and gently closed her eyes. The taste was fresh and sweet with lingering orchid aroma and a wild mountain flavor.

Good tea! If it was already this fragrant fresh, it would be amazing after being roasted.

She hung a basket from her waist and nimbly climbed the tree. Using her thumb and forefinger, she skillfully plucked the buds by twisting and lifting.

Soon, one basket was full. Seeing the tree still filled with tender shoots, she regretted not bringing more. She placed the basket in her space and brought out another of the same size to continue picking.

In total, Chen Manman picked four big baskets full. She didn’t strip the tree bare but left plenty behind to allow it to continue growing.

After storing the remaining tea leaves into her space, she climbed down carrying one basket.

By the time she returned to her grandfather, he had already picked a full sack of Schisandra berries.

The two returned home with heavy loads, grinning from ear to ear.

Back home, Grandpa began processing the Schisandra berries, while Chen Manman prepared to roast the tea. Both required stove fire, but the kitchen only had one stove.

The old man waved his hand decisively and said he would build a new stove against the wall outside the kitchen specifically for processing Schisandra.

He got right to it, pulling out leftover mud bricks and mixing mud.

He was an expert in farm work, and building a stove was nothing to him. By noon, a brand-new stove was complete.

The new stove needed to be lit and cured.

After measuring the size of the stove opening, Chen Manman decided to head to the county in the afternoon to “buy” a large iron wok.

Meanwhile, Grandma and her sister-in-law were already preparing lunch. Seeing she wasn’t needed, Chen Manman returned to her room—but the two little ones weren’t there, so she went looking.

Finally, she found them in the backyard vegetable patch, seriously catching bugs. Under the blazing sun, the bug-hunting brothers were still hard at work—it was clear how much they loved it.

Chen Manman hurriedly called them back, worried they might get heatstroke.

These past few days, she had been thinking a lot. Since she came to this world, she needed to live well. She wanted to pick up traditional Chinese medicine again. Not studying TCM in university had always been her biggest regret.

Now, in the 1970s, she had plenty of time to study and explore.

What made her fully commit was the book Qing Nang Shu she had found at the toll booth. She had resisted reading it these past few days, but now, she finally understood.

As a Chinese person, she believed that promoting traditional medicine and preserving cultural heritage would be her lifelong mission.

Having made her decision, Chen Manman felt energized and began planning. First, she’d build a medicine cabinet—like those used in TCM pharmacies, with one drawer per herb.

Her room was large, and the wall across from her bed would be perfect for building cabinets and a desk. Eventually, she could divide the room in two—one part would be her dedicated pharmacy and study room.

At lunch, she shared this idea with the whole family. Her parents were hesitant at first but expressed support.

Grandpa was even more enthusiastic, “I’ll go chop some trees this afternoon! Draw me a blueprint for the medicine cabinet—I’ll make it for you!” Grandpa had once been a carpenter for wealthy families and had built all their home furniture himself—he was quite skilled.

Everyone in the family supported her wholeheartedly. They pampered her, even Lin Shuhe, who looked at her like, Whatever my wife does is right! I support her!

Uh… the original Chen Manman was truly blessed. She was even a little jealous.

In her past life, her mother had been a high school teacher, and her father a university professor. They had high expectations and were strict with her. Though she never lacked material things, she often felt stifled.

After high school, she had applied to a college far from home against their wishes and later settled in a big city.

The most carefree time in her life had been the summers at her grandfather’s house, where she had been spoiled to the heavens and developed a deep interest in TCM.

Here, this family pampered her just as much. Her parents and grandparents doted on her so much it made her envious.

But since she was now Chen Manman, she would protect this family well and cherish the ones who loved her.

As for Lin Shuhe—if things worked out, great! If not, she’d dump him. Just treat it like dating.

Having thought through everything, Chen Manman smiled happily. “Thank you all! I’m so lucky to have you!” If you love someone, say it boldly!

Under the scorching sun, the whole family sat around the table, chatting, laughing, enjoying the moment together.

This—this might just be what happiness really is.