The next day, Li Xiaohan sorted through the basket of fruit.

Normally, jujubes were harvested in early autumn. But the ones in Pingshan Village ripened a little later, likely due to their variety. As a result, they had a longer growing period and were larger, fuller, and sweeter.

The batch Dazhuang delivered was a prime example: round and plump, with vibrant color. One bite, and they were crisp and sweet.

Aside from jujubes, the second most common fruit Dazhuang brought were pears.

In winter, people stayed warm by burning fire pits, but this often made the body feel overheated. If you ate a frozen pear, it could help cool you down. That’s why pears were very popular in the city. If villagers had mountain land, they often planted pear trees. The reason was simple: city people loved them, and they sold well.

The pears that Dazhuang gave must’ve been from the first harvest. Each one gave off a fresh, fragrant pear scent.

Li Xiaohan paused for a moment. There were only three men in Uncle Dashu’s household. She remembered that Uncle Dashu didn’t pay much attention to his appearance, so she hadn’t expected him to be this thoughtful. All the fruit they sent over had been carefully selected.

After some thought, Li Xiaohan decided to boil the pears into pear syrup. That way, whenever they wanted to have some, they could just scoop out a spoonful and mix it with water.

Frozen pears were a bit too cold. They weren’t suitable for people who were often sick, or for the elderly or young children. But pear syrup mixed with hot water was warm and suitable for most people.

This way of drinking it had existed since ancient times, though no one in Pingshan Village seemed to do it. If this could become a new way of enjoying pears and help them sell for better prices, that would be great.

Once she made up her mind, Li Xiaohan got a large wooden tray, washed the pears thoroughly, and chopped them into small pieces. Then she used a stone mill to grind them into a pulp, and simmered the pear mash with its juice in a large pot over a low flame. Once the mixture was fully cooked, she strained out the solids and continued boiling the liquid until it thickened into a syrup.

Golden flames burned quietly beneath the pot as the sweet aroma of pears gradually filled the air, making it feel like they were standing in the middle of a pear orchard…

Busy days passed quickly. Just as Master Han predicted, the well at Li Xian’dong’s home reached water quickly. After only seven days of digging—just over three zhang deep—the water had begun to rise swiftly.

“Alright, since the water hasn’t accumulated too much yet, let’s deepen the well in one go,” Master Han said, holding his breath. “Master Li, please have your wife and daughter step away for a bit.”

Li Xiaohan figured the well had started filling up and that the water now reached Master Han’s calves. He probably needed to undress to work more freely, so it made sense for the women to step away.

Madam Wang had no objection. She and Li Xiaohan grabbed their baskets and fruit-picking poles, packed some dry food, and headed into the mountains.

Now that they had fruit-picking tools, Madam Wang and Li Xiaohan could pick fruit more safely.

They walked from the village into the mountain area. Along the way, they often saw long bamboo poles faintly visible between the trees. It looked like the fruit-picking tools had become quite popular already.

The first thing the mother and daughter did upon reaching the mountain was check how the Sanqi seedlings were sprouting. Li Xiaohan inspected them one by one. Under the shade of scattered trees, the seedlings were doing fairly well.

Winter had already begun, and the temperature difference between morning and night in the forest was getting larger. Once it got colder, it would be harder for them to come often to tend the plants.

Unlike the vegetable patch in the backyard, where straw could be used to keep the seeds warm at night, uncovered during the day for sunlight, and watered as needed, the forest seedlings mostly had to fend for themselves.

Li Xiaohan only hoped these seedlings would grow quickly enough to withstand the coming cold.

After inspecting and watering the seedlings, they turned their attention to harvesting persimmons using their fruit-picking poles.

It was the perfect season for persimmons. They planned to peel and dry them into persimmon cakes—just in time for the New Year.

By afternoon, they had filled a basket with bright orange persimmons.

After that, they picked some jujubes from a tree and prepared to head home.

Despite Li Xiaohan’s repeated protests, Madam Wang only let her carry a small, shallow basket.

The last time they saw Doctor Zhang, Li Xiaohan asked if there was a way to grow taller. Doctor Zhang told her not to carry heavy loads, as it could affect her height.

Since then, both Li Xiandong and Madam Wang took Doctor Zhang’s words to heart. Unless absolutely necessary, they wouldn’t let Li Xiaohan carry a full basket anymore.

On their way back, they ran into several other villagers.

“Xiaohan, Xiaohan’s mother—wait up!” A familiar voice echoed through the forest, and the two stopped in their tracks.

As the person approached, they saw it was Madam Zhao, Li Guiqian’s wife.

“Aunt Zhao!”

“I saw you two from a distance. Here, have some fruit to sweeten your mouths.”

Madam Zhao dropped a big handful of jujubes into Li Xiaohan’s basket.

She wasn’t the least bit surprised to see that Li Xiaohan’s basket held only a few fruits. After all, she was already familiar with their family. With only one daughter, of course they’d pampered her.

Besides, if she had a daughter as smart and capable as Xiaohan, she’d spoil her too.

“Auntie, it’s really okay,” Li Xiaohan said, waving her hands.

“I said take it, so take it. It’s just some fruit from home, nothing valuable,” Madam Zhao insisted, then changed the topic. “How’s your well coming along? Is the master doing a good job?”

“We hit water already. After today, we’ll probably have to stop for a few days, then come back to clear it out and finally build the well wall.”

“Wow, you already reached water?” Madam Zhao was surprised. That was fast.

“Right? Master Han also said he didn’t expect the water at our place to be so shallow. We’re several days ahead of schedule. Soon we’ll be able to draw water from our own yard—life will be so much easier.”

“Oh, I see.” Madam Zhao nodded with a hint of admiration, looking a little lost in thought. Li Xiaohan didn’t say anything.

When people have money, they’re willing to spend it to improve their lives.

As they spoke, another family caught up with them.

“Xiaohan, Aunt Wang, Aunt Zhao—no wonder you looked familiar, it was you!” the woman said warmly.

She was a cheerful, slightly tanned older woman, already advanced in age, yet she was of the same generation as Li Xiaohan. She didn’t mind this and greeted them naturally. “Xiaohan, I heard that fruit-picking tool was your idea. How clever your mind is—it really saved us a lot of effort. Here, try some of the jujubes from our trees. With your tool, we could finally reach the fruits on even the most difficult branches.”

“Sister Fan, that’s really not necessary,” Li Xiaohan said quickly. She remembered that the woman’s surname was Fan, and that she had once learned how to process eucommia bark from her.

“If I’m offering it, you better take it. They’re just homegrown fruits—not worth much—just a little sweet treat. If you don’t take them, you’re looking down on me. What, that fruit-picking tool wasn’t worth a few jujubes?” Madam Fan pretended to be angry.

“Xiaohan, your Sister Fan offered—just accept it. Everyone in the village is grateful for what you’ve done,” Madam Zhao urged.

Unable to refuse the warm gesture, Li Xiaohan accepted.

But on the way home, they ran into a few more families who had just come back from fruit picking, and each of them stuffed her with a large handful of fruit. Because her basket was already full of jujubes, everyone assumed she especially liked them—and kept giving her more.

By the time she got home, the shallow bottom of her basket was now heaped with jujubes.

At home, Master Han and his apprentices were already tidying up. Madam Zhao took a walk around the well at Li Xiandong’s house, gave it some thought, and decisively asked Master Han to come look at her own property—if the conditions were right, she also wanted to dig a well.

Since the host didn’t mind, and based on how she was addressed, Master Han realized she was a close relative. He agreed to go.

Even Li Xiandong went along to take a look.

“Your aunt’s only now thinking about digging a well. Isn’t it too late?” Madam Wang asked worriedly.

She was actually a bit concerned that if Master Han took on another job, it might delay progress on their own well.

“Don’t worry, Mother. We’re ahead of schedule. Besides, Master Han’s just going to check it out. Father went with them. Even if Second Great-Uncle’s family wants a well, they’ll arrange the time properly,” Li Xiaohan reassured her.

She wasn’t too concerned. In ancient times, craftsmen usually worked in limited areas. They wouldn’t ruin their reputations for short-term profit.

Sure enough, about half an hour later, Li Xiandong returned.

“Master Han looked at the land and said there’s a high chance of finding water, but it might be deeper than ours. If they want to dig, he can bring his master to help. While they’re finishing up here, they’ll dig over there too. Second Uncle agreed on the spot. They’ll start right away, and the well should be usable before winter.”

“That’s good, then,” Madam Wang said, relieved that it wouldn’t delay their own well.

“Master Han has a master too? Is he much better—and a lot more expensive?” Li Xiaohan asked curiously.

In the old days, artisan apprenticeships were strict and hierarchical.

“His master is also his father-in-law. The cost isn’t much higher, since Master Han himself is already a veteran and still in his prime,” Li Xiandong explained.

“Oh, I see. Master Han must’ve really impressed his master back then—otherwise, why would he have married his daughter to him?”

After talking a bit about Master Han, Li Xiandong brought up something else. “When I went to Second Uncle’s place, I saw them sun-drying cotton and removing the seeds. That’s when I realized, we don’t have any cotton for this winter. So I ordered 100 jin of seed cotton from them. Once the seeds are removed, we should get about 30 jin of seed cotton. We’ll make two thick quilts of 8 jin each, and each of us will have at least a 3-jin cotton-padded winter coat.”

This would be their first New Year as an independent household. Now that they were earning their own money, they ought to spend the holiday with both dignity and warmth. Li Xiandong was willing to spend generously for that.

“Making that many quilts and coats all at once, that must cost a lot,” Madam Wang said, distressed. “My old coat still works.”

“It’s not that much. In town, seed cotton sells for 20 wen per jin, and Second Uncle gave me the same price. He also promised to give me the largest cotton balls. Once we remove the seeds ourselves, we’ll have the cotton we need. If we were to buy processed cotton in town, new seed cotton from this year would cost at least 80 wen per jin.”

Li Xiandong used to manage the farming for the old house. He didn’t speak much, but he was always meticulous.

“That means each coat would cost two strings of coins. That’s too expensive. Maybe I’ll skip making mine this year,” Madam Wang said, hoping to save 200 wen.

“Mother, that coat of yours, who knows how many years you’ve worn it? It’s stiff and hard—there’s no warmth in it anymore,” Li Xiaohan interrupted.

Her mother’s coat was so old and crusty it barely served its purpose.

“The quilts are the major cost. How much can one coat save? Besides, if Father and I are wearing new coats while you’re still in that old thing, people will think Father’s mistreating you.”

Since it would affect Li Xiandong’s reputation, Madam Wang didn’t say more.

“Besides, Grandfather didn’t give us any cotton fields when the family was divided, so we don’t have any cotton of our own. If we went to the city to buy cotton, it’d cost even more. Now Father’s buying seed cotton from Second Great-Uncle, and we can de-seed it in our spare time—that’s another half a string saved. Saving money is earning money.”

The Li family grew cotton. A hundred jin of seed cotton produced about 30 jin of seed cotton. Buying 100 jin from Li Shengyi cost 2,000 wen. Buying 30 jin of seed cotton in the city would cost 2,400 wen. So, by comparison, Li Xiandong really did save 400 wen.

Removing cotton seeds was a time-consuming task. But since their family had been allocated less land, they naturally had fewer farming duties. Plus, the eucommia bark had already been roasted, so they were mostly staying home before the New Year to pick out cotton seeds.

Also, there weren’t many forms of entertainment in ancient times. People spent every day working without rest. Picking a bit of cotton seed was really nothing in comparison.

That was how Li Xiaohan saw it.

After hearing her explanation, Madam Wang finally suppressed the ache in her heart, and Li Xiandong felt even more confident in his decision. Although his father said no one in their household knew how to weave cloth and refused to assign them any cotton fields, now that the family had split, even without cotton fields, they were still able to wear new cotton clothes and sleep under new cotton quilts.

Even at the old house, the cotton wasn’t usually kept for personal use—it was mostly sold.

All these years, Li Xiaohan had only owned one old cotton coat.

Eating well and staying warm were the most basic human needs. Now that eating was taken care of, it was time to focus on warmth. Li Xiaohan fully supported Li Xiandong’s decision.

Still, in ancient times—cotton clothes were really expensive.

Li Xiaohan frowned slightly. Because the old house were worried that Li Xiaohan and her mother would secretly learn how to weave, and since light work like picking cotton seeds was never given to them, she hadn’t known much about their own cotton fields before.

But… wasn’t the yield from cotton fields quite low?

The next morning, just after Li Xiandong’s family had finished breakfast, Li Shengyi sent his youngest grandson, Li Jiabao, to call on them.

“Uncle Xiandong, my grandfather asked me to bring you over. We borrowed the clan head’s scale so you can come weigh the seed cotton yourself,” said Li Jiabao, who was ten this year and Li Shengyi’s youngest grandson.

Even though it was family doing business with family, accounts between blood relatives should still be settled clearly. It was always better to handle this kind of transaction face-to-face—money in one hand, goods in the other.

“Alright. Give me a moment.” Li Xiandong went into the main room, took out two strings of coins, and left with Li Jiabao.

Two strings of coins’ worth of cotton—that was a hefty purchase. While Madam Wang was tidying up the east wing, she kept peeking outside.

Li Xiaohan, on the other hand, wasn’t in such a hurry. After all, buying a cotton quilt and a few clothes didn’t seem like a big deal to her.

However, when Li Xiandong returned, Li Xiaohan suddenly realized she had misunderstood—what they had bought wasn’t two quilts and three cotton jackets, but the raw materials to make those: four full loads of seed cotton.

Li Xiandong led the way, carrying one load into the east wing first. Behind him, the three grandsons from the Li Shengyi household followed.

“Here, just set it down here,” said Li Xiandong.

The three young men deftly unhooked the carrying poles. The eldest of them said, “Uncle Xiandong, we’ll be heading off now. Grandfather said your family doesn’t have that many baskets, so we’ll just take the poles back with us.”

“That’s fine,” Li Xiandong replied. As for a few baskets, he could just cut some bamboo from behind the village and weave them himself—it’d just take a bit of effort.

Neither family minded this small detail. After unloading the cotton, the three young men left quickly.

“This is really good seed cotton,” Madam Wang said, picking up a cotton ball. It was white, large, and free from tough stalks or shell fragments.

“Isn’t it? The weather’s been good this year, and the cotton grew well,” Li Xiandong squatted down and praised it. “When I saw how good the cotton was at Second Uncle’s place, that’s when I made up my mind to buy it. Quilts made from this kind of quality cotton can still keep you warm after ten years.”

“Mhm.” Seeing the cotton in person, Madam Wang’s eyes brightened. She no longer felt it was a waste to spend those two strings of coins—cotton quilts and clothes are valuable and can even be used like money.

Only Li Xiaohan picked open a cotton ball and looked at the seeds inside. “Mother, are we really going to pick all these seeds out by hand, one by one? There’s no way we’ll finish before the New Year, right?”

“Definitely not all of it,” Madam Wang said, “but that’s okay. Let’s start with picking out just enough cotton for the padded clothes. That way, we’ll have new clothes for the New Year. The rest for the quilts can wait a bit. Right before and after the New Year, this is what we’ll be doing—picking cotton seeds.”

In the past, light tasks like removing cotton seeds never came to Madam Wang or Li Xiaohan. But now that they could do it themselves, Madam Wang didn’t feel distressed anymore. She even started getting excited, already picturing her whole family dressed in new cotton-padded clothes.

Li Xiaohan, however, suddenly came to her senses. She had been too optimistic before. Sitting on the heated brick bed every day to remove cotton seeds by hand might not be too cold or too tiring, but the process was painfully slow.

If only she weren’t so clueless about mechanical engineering. She couldn’t even remember the structure of a cotton gin from her previous life.

Madam Wang was very efficient with her hands. That morning, after buying the cotton and finishing other chores, she had already prepared two baskets and was ready to sit down with Li Xiaohan to start picking seeds.

Li Xiaohan knew how exhausting this kind of work was, but what could she do? All she remembered was the name “Whitney’s Cotton Gin”—not the principles behind how it worked.

There was no choice. They had to stick to the old-fashioned, manual way of removing cotton seeds.

But after just half a day, Li Xiaohan looked at her cramping hands from repeating the same motion and felt like a brainless machine.

And even then, they had only managed to fill half a basket. The efficiency was incredibly low.

This can’t go on. Li Xiaohan, you have to come up with a solution!