Chapter 13: A Precious Treasure

It was broad daylight, yet the house was lit with lamps.

Hua Yuanyuan used their old clothes to sew large bags for their luggage.

They were like burlap sacks, rectangular or square, without zippers, just tied with cloth strips.

They needed to be spacious and sturdy.

They would take everything they could carry, maximizing their carrying capacity.

This would save them from having to buy more in the capital city. Of course, Hua Yuanyuan would also secretly put some things into her space.

This was done without arousing the suspicion of her father and younger brother.

Most of her personal belongings could be put into her space.

She would only pack a few items for show, filling the bags with large, lightweight things.

Hua Youcai and Hua Fangfang never entered her room without permission. If they needed something, they would call her to the east room.

Even if the west room door was open, they would never barge in; they would simply speak from outside the door.

Observing gender boundaries, Hua Youcai had taught Hua Fangfang from a young age not to touch her sister’s things or enter her room unless invited…

That night, the Hua family’s house was bustling with activity.

Hua Yuanyuan was sent back to her room early by her father to bolt the door. The kang (heated bed) was already warm, and plenty of firewood was prepared on the floor.

A thermos, teacups, some peach cakes, a frozen pear…

Oh, and a chamber pot.

Her father’s intention was clear: to ensure everything was handled within the room.

If they needed something, they could call out; otherwise, they should stay put.

Hua Yuanyuan obediently complied, securing the door with not one, but five bolts.

It was both exaggerated and heartbreaking.

The doors and windows of their house were secured like a prison by her father, fearing that someone might force their way in.

To ease her father’s worries, she obediently followed his instructions and did as she was told.

When she had nothing to do, she worked in her space.

The greatest convenience of her space was using the bathroom…

Not long after Hua Yuanyuan entered her room, visitors arrived.

Her older brother, Hua Youwei, her second older brother, Hua Youde, and her fourth younger brother, Wang Youzhi, arrived carrying bedding.

They had decided to have a few people sleep at home to bolster their courage.

This was discussed by Hua Youcai with his daughter and son.

In the original owner’s memories, the four Hua brothers were very close and got along well.

Hua Fangfang was three years old, and Hua Yuanyuan was nine when their mother passed away.

Things related to girls, like making small clothes, were taught by their aunts and fourth aunt.

From junior high graduation until marriage, during winter breaks, they would gather around the kang, learning needlework and chatting.

This was a happy time in the original owner’s memories.

Since there was no concern about inviting trouble, Hua Yuanyuan had no objections.

After dinner, Hua Youcai went to call people over.

“Big brother, just have the nephews come over.”

Hua Youcai hesitated, as did his older brother. They were all getting on in years; what use would they be in a real emergency?

Hua Youwei checked the doors and windows. He had just sat down on the kang when he heard this and didn’t like it.

“Third brother, have the younger generation come over tomorrow. There’s a saying: ‘Old ginger is still the spiciest.'”

“That’s right, third brother, you’re dreaming. We’ll still come every day to watch the door for you.”

Hua Youde kicked the third brother’s butt, urging him to move.

Hua Youzhi was already lying in bed, but not in his own bed, but in his nephew’s.

“Third brother, when did you make these new quilts? They’re so comfortable. Nephew, I’m borrowing your comfort tonight, hahaha—”

Hua Fangfang wrinkled her nose in disgust, smelling her fourth uncle’s quilt. “Fourth uncle, how long has it been since you washed this? It smells!”

“Hehe, your fourth aunt said we should save it to wash together for the New Year. If we wash it now, it’ll be dirty again by then.”

Hua Fangfang… “Fourth uncle, I’m only letting you use it tonight. My sister just got new ones.”

Humph! One night is better than none.

Hua Youcai was uneasy and came to check what was going on.

Wang’s boy had also returned home that day, making the Wang family lively.

A large car was surrounded by people from children to the elderly. Everyone in the village, except the Hua family, had gone to see it.

Even though they didn’t go near, the gossip automatically reached their home.

Villagers, after joining the excitement, specifically told him about it.

Wang Changjiang had become successful, rising to the rank of battalion commander in just a few years…

When he was young, this boy was already handsome. In just a few years, he had become even more refined in the army.

Wearing his military uniform, his posture was straight, and the girls and young wives couldn’t take their eyes off him.

Compared to him, the village’s young men all wanted to go back into their mothers’ wombs and be reborn…

It was infuriating to hear.

——

Hua Yuanyuan worked from five o’clock until midnight before taking a bath and going to bed.

She finally planted everything in her space.

In the seed room, she discovered a super treasure: ginseng seeds.

Their effects were equivalent to the most expensive wild ginseng. The system’s description stated that ginseng seeds could mature within a year in the space.

The benefits of wild ginseng to the body need not be mentioned. It’s difficult to find on the market, and even money can’t buy it.

Wild ginseng takes decades, or even hundreds or thousands of years to mature.

It is said that the most expensive wild ginseng once sold for millions.

The system provided a detailed planting method for ginseng seeds. Hua Yuanyuan carefully studied it three times and followed the steps strictly.

After planting these treasures, she had a new idea.

If she had the chance, she could collect wild ginseng from the mountains and transplant them into her space.

This required luck, a coincidental encounter, and money to buy them.

Both conditions must be met simultaneously.

Hua Yuanyuan wasn’t worried about her family. She concentrated on her work in the space and slept soundly.

On the kang in the east room, Hua Youde and Hua Youzhi had fallen asleep early.

Hua Youwei and Hua Youcai were talking softly, drinking tea to stay awake.

The four brothers were divided into two groups. Hua Fangfang was already fast asleep.

“Third brother, if Yuanyuan looks for a partner again, you have to be very careful.”

It was all useless talk, but Hua Youwei still had to say it. Of all the children, Yuanyuan was the best-looking, so why did she get divorced?

His wife also said that Yuanyuan was beautiful. Although she wasn’t good at farm work, the third brother often secretly helped her.

Wang Changjiang was said to be good, but what use was that? They still divorced.

“Big brother, I know. We can’t rush it. We’ll wait until she wants to find someone again.”

Hua Youcai hadn’t told his brothers that they were leaving for the capital. He would tell them when they were about to leave, or perhaps write to them after arriving in the capital?

Otherwise, his older brother would have a lot more to say.

“Several families have come to your sister-in-law to inquire about Yuanyuan’s marriage, and each one spoke more sweetly than the last.”

Hua Youcai… “Who were they?”

“Dongzi, Liu Jianjun, Zhao Jianguo.”

“Big brother, let’s wait a little longer. I’m scared.”

“Okay, let’s wait until Yuanyuan is willing to talk about marriage herself.”

…

That night passed peacefully without incident.

This didn’t make Hua Youcai relax his vigilance. What if someone had come the previous day, heard the noise inside, and left?

They spoke softly in the room, but if someone had good hearing, they might have heard them.

When Hua Yuanyuan came out in the morning, her uncles had already left.

Their shoes weren’t even properly on; they were wearing slippers. She first went to her father to ask important questions.