Chapter 46 – Spatial Test Field

Gu Yuzhu’s heart was pounding—because it seemed like the plants growing inside the space were showing even more obvious effects.

The reason she said “seemed” was because she still didn’t know whether time flowed differently inside the space compared to the outside world. So, brimming with excitement, Gu Yuzhu decided to set up a control group.

She’d water one group with spring water and the other with ordinary water. If it turned out the spring water truly could accelerate plant growth, then she’d really be onto something!

Being a woman of action, Gu Yuzhu immediately got to work. After checking on the growth of the crops, she quickly transplanted two scallion plants of similar size into the space. One would be watered with the space’s spring water, and the other with regular well water.

Once she finished setting everything up, she thought she shouldn’t isolate herself too much—she should go play with her cousin Meihua for a bit.

Yan Meihua and his younger brother Yan Tietou were digging in the front yard, first digging sand, then playing with mud. Children’s joys were just that simple.

Seeing his soft, adorable little cousin approaching, Yan Meihua lit up with joy and eagerly invited her to dig mud with them.

Gu Yuzhu: “…” However, Gu Yuzhu had no desire whatsoever to play with mud.

“Cousin, how about we go out and play instead? Want to go pick some wild fruit?”

Yan Meihua’s eyes instantly lit up, but thinking of the unpleasant experience they’d had at the riverbank last time, he decided to take his cousin somewhere else—somewhere with lots of fruit, but far from the river.

Yan Meihua clearly knew the places near the mountain foot and riverbank well—frequent haunts for kids like them. Before long, he led them to the base of a small hill. The hill wasn’t too steep, and hanging along its side were long strands of dangling fruits.

These wild fruits were both sour and sweet—very popular with kids. However, this spot was a little high for children.

But Yan Meihua was totally unfazed. “Zhuzhu’er, Cousin will pick the fruit for you—just wait right here!”

Four-year-old Tietou was already drooling after hearing that. At that age, kids had only one major trait: being food-obsessed.

Gu Yuzhu was mortified to discover she had started drooling too. It was terribly embarrassing. She tried to cover it up a little—only to realize no one had even noticed. That helped her regain a bit of composure.

Then she suddenly remembered—oh! She wasn’t here just to pick fruit! She had other motives!

But why was it that just being around her cousin made her crave those fruits too? Sigh! It must be the fault of this child’s body.

Gu Yuzhu silently blamed her physical form while watching Yan Meihua climb up the slope. He lay flat on his stomach, reached out, and extended a stick toward the dangling fruits…

Gu Yuzhu nearly had a heart attack!

Oh my heavens! She had wanted to call out and tell him to be careful, but she was so anxious and worried that not a word came out.

But she had clearly worried too much. A seasoned “veteran” like Yan Meihua was extremely experienced. In no time, he used the branch to hook down several strands of the fruit.

Then he turned to his younger siblings with a triumphant grin.

Gu Yuzhu: “……”

“Zhuzhu’er, come over—come here and I’ll give you some.”

“Big brother, give them to me! I want to eat them!” Tietou couldn’t wait. Fearing his brother wouldn’t share, he rushed past Gu Yuzhu up the slope.

Helpless, Gu Yuzhu followed. Yan Meihua got up, and the three children happily shared the fruits. Gu Yuzhu realized that her cousin Meihua had been raised well by her second aunt.

He was playful, sure, but he also knew his limits. Even though wild fruits were delicious, if something was out of reach or dangerous to get, he wouldn’t go for it.

This left Gu Yuzhu with no chance to bring up her real intentions.

When she mentioned wanting to go deeper into the mountain, Yan Meihua shook his head like a rattle-drum.

“No, no way! My mom said the mountains are too dangerous. We kids can’t go there. Zhuzhu’er, why do you want to go into the mountains?”

“My mom said there are tigers, wolves, and giant pythons in the mountains. Even Third Aunt came from there—she said our big Green Mountain has bears and wild boars! She can even hear wolves howling at night while she sleeps! If the three of us go in there, we’re definitely doomed.”

“No! Absolutely not! If my mom found out I brought you into the mountains, she’d skin me alive! No, no, no—definitely not.”

Gu Yuzhu: “…” Okay, I get it, you’re a principled and obedient child. But what’s with that starry-eyed look of yearning?

“But why do you want to go into the mountains, little girl? If you really want to, wait till Third Uncle comes back. Let him take us.”

Yan Meihua was a clever kid. As a boy, he was naturally mischievous—like most boys are. Though there were plenty of fruits near the hills and riverbanks close to the village, every child who played outside often already knew about them.

Whoever got there first got the fruit. If you arrived late, you got nothing.

So of course, he’d thought about finding a place no other kid knew about, claiming all the good fruit and snacks for himself.

However, no matter what he said or did, neither his third uncle nor his parents would agree.

Yan Meihua knew that his cousin Gu Yuzhu was the only girl in the family right now.

Her “status” in the household was special.

His parents had always told him since he was little: be good to Big Aunt, and be good to your younger siblings. Since cousin Zhuzhu was Big Aunt’s daughter, anything she requested—so long as it wasn’t outrageous—his dad, and even his eldest and third uncles, would surely agree.

In reality, bringing them into the mountains wasn’t that big of a deal—it would just take a bit more effort to look after them.

Yan Fengru had originally been opposed to Yan Xinghe becoming a hunter. Both Yan Xingye and Lin-shi didn’t want their sons becoming hunters either.

Being a hunter might look glamorous. They had more access to goods, and wild game in the mountains didn’t cost anything—if you could catch it, it was basically free. But in truth, being a hunter was extremely dangerous.

One careless move could cost your life.

Especially because the Yan family already had a younger uncle who had been a hunter—and who never came back from the mountains.

So neither Yan Xinghe nor Lin-shi wanted their sons to take an interest in hunting.

Hearing all this, Gu Yuzhu immediately understood what this boy was scheming.

“Cousin, do you also want to go into the mountains, but Second Aunt won’t let you?”

Six-year-old Yan Meihua didn’t feel any embarrassment. That concept was foreign to him. He admitted it outright.

“Exactly! Don’t be fooled by how nice my mom is to you—she’s fierce with us! One wrong move and she’ll smack our butts!”

“Man, it hurts! But Dad says it’s because the mountains are too dangerous, and she doesn’t want me going in there alone. So I don’t go in by myself.”

Gu Yuzhu: “……” Well, good for you. But if you could talk about it without your eyes sparkling, that would be a lot more convincing.

Gu Yuzhu mused to herself—this matter might really have to be brought up with her little uncle. She just didn’t know if he’d agree.

There were treasures all over the mountain! Just thinking about it made her itch with anticipation.