Chapter 21: If Anyone Offends Me—I’ll Eradicate Them Completely

“Grandpa, I almost forgot to tell you—the schisandra berries can sell for a good price!” Chen Manman suddenly remembered the schisandra she had collected. She held up two fingers, her face full of excitement.

“Twenty cents a pound?” Grandpa Chen guessed cautiously.

“Grandpa, be bold! Try again!”

“Could it be… two yuan?” Grandpa Chen looked uncertain.

“Grandpa, the clinic in the county pays 2.3 yuan per pound—but it has to be processed first. I’ve read books about it, and I know how to do it. Let’s try processing some tomorrow!”

“Really? Two yuan and thirty cents? Oh my heavens!” Grandpa Chen looked out toward the mountain, his eyes brimming with tears of excitement.

Chen Manman blinked in surprise at his sudden emotion. “Grandpa?”

A little embarrassed, Grandpa Chen quickly wiped his eyes. “As long as it makes money, that’s great. Good, good, good!” The triple “good” revealed just how happy he was.

“Grandpa, let’s try processing it at home tomorrow. If it works, we’ll go back up the mountain to pick more.”

“Okay, we’ll do as you say.”

“I’m going to dig up some wild veggies over there.”

Chen Manman began collecting shepherd’s purse again. One hand yanked the plant, while the other lightly shoveled at the base. With practiced ease, she filled a basket in no time.

She wandered further and harvested a bunch of Yuan mushrooms—known for their tender texture, silky smoothness, rich flavor, and high nutritional value.

She quietly stored the mushrooms in her space—those were for after her aunt left. No way was she letting them have any. Tonight’s meal? Entirely vegetarian.

As she thought about this, something under a tree caught her eye. A familiar plant—with palmate compound leaves whorled at the stem tip, elliptical leaflets with finely serrated edges, and sparse bristles along the veins. The bright red, flattened spherical drupe—there was no mistaking it.

Wild ginseng.

Chen Manman was thrilled. Although she had seen plenty of ginseng in her past life, this was her first time encountering a fresh wild one. She had to take it.

She pulled her ginseng-harvesting tools from her space and carefully crouched down, gently scraping away the dirt. Bit by bit, the entire ginseng root revealed itself.

Its shape was elegant, with a wild aura and strong spiritual essence. This was high-quality stuff! Easily over 100 years old. A huge score!

She wrapped it in moist moss and soil, stored it in her space, and decided to dry it after her aunt left.

Overjoyed with her find, Chen Manman skipped along the path home.

Ahead, Grandpa Chen had bundled the firewood and was carrying two massive loads on a shoulder pole. He wobbled forward under the weight.

Chen Manman followed behind with a full basket, her heart aching. Those bundles easily weighed over 80 pounds. Back when Grandpa was staying at her uncle’s house, he’d had to work like this every day.

His aged body, stooped back, unsteady steps, and calloused hands made her heart clench.

She made a vow right then: She’d earn good money and give her family a happy life!

“Grandpa, let me help!” She quickly grabbed the two remaining bundles. One in each hand—tightly tied with vines, solid and sturdy.

Grandpa glanced at her relaxed expression and didn’t argue. “If you get tired, just drop them—I’ll come back for them.”

“Grandpa, I’ll tell you a secret—I’m super strong! I could lift these with one hand!” She even gave a quick demo.

Grandpa Chen burst into laughter. “That’s my granddaughter, alright!”

—-

“Dad! You’re finally back.” Chen Shufang, Manman’s aunt, hurried up with a fawning smile.

“Mm.” Grandpa Chen replied absentmindedly, heading toward the kitchen with his load.

Seeing her father indifferent, Chen Shufang turned toward Chen Manman. She stepped in front of her. “You little brat! Did you badmouth me to your grandpa? Just you wait!”

Chen Manman: “…” Heh.

“Maybe Grandpa just doesn’t want to talk to you,” she muttered under her breath, then added loudly, “Auntie, could you move aside? This firewood is heavy, and you’re blocking my way.” She sounded a bit aggrieved.

Chen Shufang was enraged by her fake sweetness. “You wretched girl! What did you say? I’m standing here because I want to—”

Before she could finish, Grandpa Chen’s voice thundered from behind, “Shufang! What are you doing?! Can’t you see how much firewood she’s carrying? Do you have no sense of decency? Move aside!” He shot her a disgusted glare.

He turned toward Manman with a kind smile. “Manman, you’re home. Let Grandpa carry that for you.” He reached out to take the bundles from her.

“I—I didn’t… It’s her, that Manman girl—” Chen Shufang stammered in frustration. She never imagined she’d lose face to her own niece. Clearly, she’d underestimated her.

Chen Manman: “…” Your skill level is too low. Even that educated youth Li Yan was better than you.

She ignored her aunt and headed to her sister-in-law’s room, where she found her two boys crying on the heated brick bed.

“Dahu, Erhu? Mommy’s back!”

At the sight of her, both boys burst into wails.

“Mom! Waaaah! Cousin beat my brother and stole our candy! Waaaah!”

Erhu sobbed, “Mommy… my hand hurts!” He lifted it—his wrist was covered in bruises.

“Manman, I’m so sorry,” said her sister-in-law Yao Chunzhi apologetically. “I just stepped away to wash dishes for a second. That boy, Xiao Zhi, saw your kids eating candy and tried to snatch it. He stepped on Erhu’s wrist in the process.”

“What? Erhu, let Mommy see. Blow blow— all better. Now tell Mommy exactly what he did.”

“Waaaah… Mommy, he hit me like this, then stomped on me like this!” Erhu demonstrated with his fists and feet.

The more Manman watched, the angrier she got. How could anyone treat such little kids this way? Unforgivable!

“Come on, let’s go. When I tell you to cry, cry loudly.” She gently wiped his tears and picked him up.

“Xu Zhi! Get out here!” Her voice was cold as ice—like a demon straight from hell.

“What are you shouting about?!” Chen Shufang stepped protectively in front of her son. She’d already heard what happened. Kids roughhouse sometimes—no big deal, she thought.

“You’re asking me?! Your son stomped on my kid—and you think I’m shouting for no reason?” Manman’s eyes burned with fury. She looked ready to fight.

“What’s going on?” Grandpa Chen walked over.

Manman quickly explained. As if on cue, Erhu’s face crumpled and he started bawling again. “Great-Grandpa… it hurts… my hand hurts… waaah!” Giant teardrops rolled down his cheeks.

Grandpa Chen’s heart shattered. He scooped Erhu into his arms and began comforting him.

Manman wasn’t one for empty talk. If someone crosses me, I’ll make sure they regret it.

You don’t mess with me unless you’re ready for the consequences. If you do? I’ll root you out completely.