Chapter 125: Carrying His Wife Back to Camp

Shen Chuning was worried about being seen by Zhou Yubai and his comrades, a grown woman being carried.

She patted Zhou Yubai’s shoulder, “Brother Yubai, put me down when we’re near the camp. Don’t let anyone see.”

“Mm,” Zhou Yubai responded concisely.

Shen Chuning rested comfortably on his back, admiring the mountain scenery.

Children growing up in mountain villages spent most of their time in the mountains.

Her brothers had explored the mountains year-round, collecting mushrooms in spring and summer, chestnuts and wild fruits in autumn, and hunting in winter.

But she was different.  Lazy and fastidious, she avoided the mountains to keep her clothes clean.

Her father, protective and worried about her safety, kept her away from the mountains.  Despite growing up beside them, she had rarely entered.

Now, she found the plants and trees fascinating.

Suddenly, a flash of red caught her eye.

She didn’t realize it at first, but as Zhou Yubai walked further, she had a sudden realization.

That red flash had been ginseng seeds!

She patted Zhou Yubai’s shoulder, “Brother Yubai, stop. I think I saw ginseng.”

Zhou Yubai knew ginseng leaves fell in this season, leaving only the stem.  Even experienced mountain people might not recognize it.

Shen Chuning, who rarely entered the mountains, was even less likely to spot it.

But he didn’t want to disappoint her.

He stopped, put her down, and took her hand, “Where?”

Shen Chuning pointed.

He carefully cleared the bushes and weeds before leading her there.

“Here, Brother Yubai.  Is this ginseng?” Shen Chuning pointed to a plant with bright red seeds.

Zhou Yubai was incredulous.  Ginseng still had leaves this late in the season.

They had taken this path to Xiahe Village; his comrades would have returned the same way, yet they hadn’t seen it.

Shen Chuning had spotted it on her first pass.

No wonder his mother called her a lucky star.  Since she arrived, his sister-in-law was no longer so negative, his second brother was more open, and even his parents seemed healthier.

Zhou Yubai nodded, “It’s ginseng.”

A mature wild ginseng; judging by the stem’s thickness, it was at least fifty years old.

Shen Chuning’s eyes sparkled, “Brother Yubai, let’s dig it up quickly before it runs away.”

She’d heard her father and brothers say wild ginseng was hard to find because it could move.  If disturbed, it would disappear.

“Okay, wife, rest here; I’ll dig,” Zhou Yubai said.

Even precious ginseng wasn’t as precious as his wife’s hands.  Her delicate hands weren’t for digging.

He placed leaves on the ground for her to sit.  He found a suitable stick to dig up the ginseng.

Shen Chuning watched him, finding him incredibly handsome.

After a while, she got bored.

She looked around, deciding to search for more ginseng.

Zhou Yubai noticed her movement, “Wife, be careful and don’t wander too far.”

“Brother Yubai, don’t worry, I’m not a child,” Shen Chuning replied.

But her attention was drawn to something reflecting light in a small ravine.

They were on a slope overlooking a ravine, beyond which was a higher mountain and the deeper forest.

Initially, she thought it was water.

But it was a black liquid, oily and reflective.

Curious, she poked it with a stick.  The liquid clung to the stick like ink.

It had a strong, unpleasant odor.

She wanted to throw the stick away but decided to show it to Zhou Yubai. He knew the mountains well and might know what it was.

Zhou Yubai had just unearthed the ginseng, carefully wrapping it in moss and leaves.

Shen Chuning showed him the stick, “Brother Yubai, what is this? Black, liquid like water, oily, and reflective.”

Hearing her description and smelling the strong gasoline odor, Zhou Yubai’s pupils dilated.

“Wife, where did you find this?”

“There,” Shen Chuning pointed to the ravine.

Zhou Yubai shoved the ginseng into her arms, “Wife, hold this.”

He slid down the slope to the ravine.

He reached the spot Shen Chuning had taken minutes to reach in seconds.

Seeing the black liquid flowing from the rocks, he was overcome with excitement.

He found it!  Finally!

He returned to Shen Chuning, scooped her up, and ran towards the camp.

She saw signs of activity and couldn’t ask him to put her down before encountering anyone.

They burst into the camp.

The air still smelled of radish and pig’s feet soup, braised pork, and stir-fried meat.  The soldiers were finishing their meal.

Those who fetched the food had described Zhou Yubai’s beautiful wife and his gentleness towards her.

Most soldiers were initially skeptical, not about her beauty, but about his gentleness.  They couldn’t imagine the stern Zhou Yubai being gentle.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps.

Zhou Yubai was carrying his wife towards the camp.

The soldiers were shocked.

Shen Chuning, blushing, urged him to put her down.

He carefully put her down, naturally placing a hand on her waist for support before letting go.

The soldiers were stunned.

This was the fierce Zhou Yubai?