Chapter 31: Motion Sickness

As the sun began to rise, Ye Xin first headed out to feed the chickens. However, it was still quite early, and the chickens were yet to wake up. Not one to be deterred, she tossed in some golden corn kernels, deliberately scattering a bit more than usual, and added water for the evening and next morning’s feed.

Next, she grabbed a bamboo basket and made her way to the vegetable garden behind the house. Shen Zhuo was already busy in the kitchen, stoking the fire to prepare breakfast. When he saw her moving about in the dim light, he couldn’t help but say, “You should take an oil lamp with you.”

Ye Xin shook her head. “I know this garden like the back of my hand; I could walk it blindfolded. Just focus on cooking!”

Shen Zhuo replied, “I’ll come help you in a bit.”

“No need,” she insisted. “Go look in the storage room for the pickled vegetables. Take out a piece, chop it, and stir-fry it with some chili and a little extra oil.”

After a bountiful harvest, Ye Xin had not only pickled cabbage but also made sour pickles, dried vegetables, and even pickled peppers and radishes. The storage room was lined with jars and pots of all sizes, so they wouldn’t tire of fresh vegetables and could enjoy various flavors.

Shen Zhuo had only seen her busy a few times and was unaware of all the variety she had stored. After a while, he took the lamp to search and indeed found the pickled vegetable jar. Following her instructions, he retrieved a piece, washed it, and finely chopped it.

Once he got busy, he forgot about helping her altogether.

Ye Xin conveniently harvested a variety of vegetables from her garden, focusing on late-season produce like eggplants, cucumbers, and various leafy greens. She also gathered some cabbage, cauliflower, and radishes, easily collecting a hefty amount.

Once done, she brought her bounty back to the courtyard and divided the produce into two baskets. The heartier vegetables filled one basket, which she decided Shen Zhuo should carry. Her own basket contained the out-of-season veggies and only two heads of cabbage, making it much lighter.

Both baskets were lined with straw, a valuable resource in those days before plastic bags became common. Straw was useful for thatching roofs, lining chicken coops, tying vegetables, and even as kindling. After the rice harvest, every household had its share. Previously, Ye Xin and Shen Zhuo had brought back plenty.

She also pulled out some dried vegetables and chili peppers, which weren’t heavy and could fit into a separate bag.

By the time she finished her chores, Shen Zhuo had prepared breakfast. When he called her to eat, he noticed her hands were red from the cold and felt a pang of concern. “I could have done it; it’s freezing out here.”

Ye Xin hadn’t thought much of it until she saw his worried expression. Playfully, she pressed her cold hands against his face and teased, “Then you can warm me up!”

Shen Zhuo was caught off guard, and a blush crept onto his cheeks. He quickly pulled her hands away, realizing how cold they were, and clasped them in his own to warm them. “Next time, you cook, and I’ll gather the vegetables.”

“But your cooking is much better!” Ye Xin retorted.

As her stomach rumbled, she pulled her hands free. “Let’s eat before it gets cold!”

Shen Zhuo squeezed his empty hands together, following her into the kitchen.

The stir-fried pickled vegetables made a comforting dish, warming their bellies, even if they missed the meat. As Ye Xin ate heartily, she plotted to buy more meat: fatty, lean, marbled pork, cured meats, smoked chicken, dried duck, and maybe even some goose, beef, or lamb. Meat and dried vegetables stewed together were perfect for winter!

Though the sky was still dim, they needed to prepare to leave. Once they gathered all their supplies, Shen Zhuo weighed the two baskets, opting for the heavier one. Ye Xin noticed and smiled. The bag of dried vegetables was tied to the front of the cart, sturdy enough to endure the ride.

Before heading out, Shen Zhuo glanced at the chicken coop and asked, “Did you feed the chickens and give them water?”

“Did you really need to remind me? I took care of it first thing this morning,” Ye Xin replied.

With that settled, they locked the courtyard gate and rode downhill on their bike. It was still dark outside, barely enough light to discern the path ahead. The darkness wasn’t the worst part; it was the biting cold that made the ride a challenge.

The cart stirred up the wind, biting cold against their faces. Just yesterday, Ye Xin had complained about the heat, but now, nestled against Shen Zhuo’s back, she found the warmth comforting. Her hands wrapped tightly around his waist, she leaned closer, considering how he shielded her from the icy gusts. “Are you cold?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Shen Zhuo’s cheeks felt stiff from the chill, but he replied, “Not cold at all.” Ye Xin could feel the coldness radiating from her hands around him and knew he was being stubborn. “When we reach the county, I’ll buy you something warm to wear. You can’t keep riding like this every day; you’ll freeze!”

“Really, it’s not necessary. I’m fine,” he insisted. Despite his words, he felt a warmth spread through him, knowing she cared so much.

As the cold air enveloped them, he savored the warmth of her embrace, which felt both cozy and sweet. However, it didn’t take long before he redirected all his focus to pedaling. Carrying both Ye Xin and the heavy load of vegetables was no small task. Even though he was stronger now and could manage the weight, the uneven road was a challenge, and the dim light only heightened the difficulty. He needed to carefully navigate around the potholes to avoid tipping over.

As he pedaled, beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. Ye Xin noticed his struggle and, considering the shorter daylight of winter, silently added a flashlight to their shopping list in her mind.

They rode against the wind all the way to town. Though dawn had yet to fully break, the agricultural market was already bustling with early risers setting up their stalls. There would always be those who rose earlier and worked harder than them. Life may be tough, but everyone was striving to make a living.

Ye Xin skillfully found a good spot for Shen Zhuo to park, quickly unloading the heavy basket. There was no time to catch his breath; she first emptied his basket of vegetables and then selected a cabbage and two radishes to add to it.

Shen Zhuo watched her actions, a reluctant frown forming. “Are you giving more to Doctor Xu again?”

“Of course!” Ye Xin handed him the basket. “Take these vegetables to Doctor Xu and ask if we can leave our bike at his shop for the day while we go to the county. We’ll come back tomorrow to pick it up.”

Realization dawned on Shen Zhuo. “Is this what you meant by ‘convenient’ earlier?”

Ye Xin nodded with a smile. “Otherwise, where were you planning to leave the bike? It’s worth a lot; if it gets stolen, it’ll be a huge loss. We know someone in town who can help with that.”

Now understanding, Shen Zhuo accepted the basket and pushed the cart toward Xu’s herbal medicine shop. Perhaps it was too early, as the door hadn’t opened yet when he arrived. After a short wait, the door creaked open from the inside.

Doctor Xu, bundled in a fur-lined winter coat, peeked out, a look of surprise crossing his face. “Come in! You’ve been waiting long? It’s freezing out here!”

“It’s not too bad; I just got here,” Shen Zhuo replied, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Doctor Xu, Ye Xin and I are planning a trip to the county and would like to leave our bike here for the day, if that’s alright.”

“Not a problem at all! It’s no trouble,” Doctor Xu smiled, waving him inside. “Just push it into the corner; it won’t be in the way.”

“Thank you!” Shen Zhuo maneuvered the bike into the shop, placing it carefully against the wall to take up minimal space. He then pulled the vegetables from the basket and offered them to Doctor Xu.

Without hesitation, the doctor accepted with a warm smile. The last batch of cabbage and pumpkin had been a hit with his family, and now, seeing the fresh, glistening cabbage leaves and plump radishes, he knew these would be just as good. Ye Xin, Shen Zhuo’s fiancée, was truly skilled at growing vegetables.

Feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders, Shen Zhuo stepped out, ready to head to the county. This time, he wouldn’t be looking for chickens, ducks, or eggs; he would head straight back to Ye Xin.

When he returned, Ye Xin had already sold some vegetables. Seeing him come back, she quietly told him, “Watch the stall for a moment; I need to run to the Chen family’s courtyard.”

Shen Zhuo frowned in confusion. “Aren’t we going to the county?” Typically, trips there were for buying supplies.

Ye Xin patted the other basket, still full and covered with straw. “I’m going to see if they’ll buy a basket of vegetables. Winter means fewer vegetables, so they might be interested.”

“Let’s sell everything quickly so we can head to the county sooner,” Ye Xin suggested, her enthusiasm evident.

Noticing the weight of the basket, Shen Zhuo replied, “I can carry it.”

“No way!” Ye Xin frowned. “I always sell the vegetables. I’m tired of it this time; you can do it! And don’t forget to put out that bag of dried vegetables to see if anyone wants to buy them.”

Unable to argue against her determination, Shen Zhuo resigned himself to manning the stall while Ye Xin shouldered the basket and set off.

Once she reached a quiet spot, with no one around, she took advantage of the early morning light. Swiftly, she slipped into her space and pulled out a bag of rice, returning in less than a couple of seconds. Even if someone had seen her, they might have thought they were imagining things.

However, it was a bit risky. If the rice hadn’t been prepared in advance, she wouldn’t have dared to make such a quick trip. With the bag slung over her shoulder and another in hand, she knocked on the door of the Chen family courtyard.

Chen Er poked his head out, surprised to see her alone. “Little girl, why are you here so early?” He noticed the weight of her load and ushered her inside.

Once the door was closed, Ye Xin smiled and explained, “I’m here to sell some goods. I wanted to see if you would buy them.”

Chen Er led her to the main room. Seeing her petite frame struggling with the bags, he was taken aback when he realized how heavy they were. The Chen brothers were gathered there, and their surprise grew when they learned she was selling goods. They encouraged her to set down her burden to see what she had.

When they spotted the fresh out-of-season vegetables, their faces lit up. While greenhouses existed at this time of year, fresh vegetables were rare, making them a valuable find. They quickly agreed to buy, knowing they could either sell them for a profit or enjoy them themselves.

The quality of her vegetables was excellent, and the price reflected that. In summer, they might sell for two or three cents a pound, but now they offered her twenty or thirty cents, a tenfold increase. Though she could have sold them on the street at the same price, she’d kept them hidden from view to avoid drawing attention. In total, she had about forty pounds, which came to around ten dollars.

The Chen brothers examined the rice she had brought, each grain plump and golden, a clear sign of its quality. They agreed to take it, paying her a fair rate of one dollar and eighty cents per hundred pounds—eighteen dollars in total.

After the transaction, Chen San marveled, “You’re so small; I didn’t expect you to carry so much!”

Ye Xin laughed, a hint of pride in her voice. “What can I do? I need money to spend!”

Though she appeared delicate, the nourishment from her special space had given her surprising strength. Still, she wanted to downplay it. “I’ve worked on the farm all my life. I’m just used to it.”

Chen San nodded, impressed by her determination.

Chen Da added, “In the harsh winter, if you have more of these fresh vegetables, just bring them over—we’ll buy whatever you have. We’re always in need of grains, too.”

Ye Xin agreed, “Sounds good!”

“Do you need to buy anything this time?” Chen San asked.

“Not today; we’re heading to the county soon,” Ye Xin replied, pocketing her money before leaving the Chen family courtyard. With over fifty dollars on her, she felt confident it would be enough for their trip.

Returning to the stall, she saw that they had sold a good amount of vegetables. Shen Zhuo was busy weighing some for a pair of women. Ye Xin rushed over to help.

During winter, most sales were of cabbages and white radishes, and though the prices were low, their quality ensured they sold quickly. By eight o’clock, all the fresh produce was gone. They’d also sold some dried vegetables, earning over three dollars. The remaining dried goods were packed away, as they were light enough to carry.

After tidying up, they headed to the bus stop.

By nine, they boarded the bus to the county. The ride was bumpy, and after more than two hours, they finally arrived.

As they stepped off, Ye Xin felt nauseous. The road had been so jarring that even though she had never experienced motion sickness before, the closed windows in winter intensified the unpleasant odors, making her feel extremely unwell.

Noticing her pale face, Shen Zhuo frowned, worried. “Are you still feeling bad? Should I get you something to eat?”

Pointing toward a large sign in the distance, she replied, “I want to eat at the state-run restaurant.”

Seeing her ashen complexion, Shen Zhuo disregarded the cost. He gently supported her, saying, “Alright, let’s go get lunch.”