Chapter 14: Roe Deer, Carefree Grass

“Uncle, did you come over today for something?” Li Yujin asked as he placed the cup of water beside the village head.

The village head smiled and said to Li Yujin, “Actually, there’s nothing major. I just came to see that the rice seedlings in your field are growing better than anyone else’s. I thought I’d come and ask you for some tips.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yujin immediately understood. It wasn’t just about asking for farming advice—it was more likely that the village head was trying to gather information about Guo’er’s new planting method and its reasons.

When the village head learned that the new rice planting method had been proposed by Li Guo’er, he was quite surprised. He had often heard his wife speak of how diligent and sensible Li Yujin’s eldest daughter was, but he hadn’t expected her to be so clever.

“It’s a pity that my eldest grandson is still too young, otherwise, the two families might have become in-laws,” the village head mused.

From his conversation with Li Yujin, the village head also learned about the original intention behind Li Guo’er’s desire to change the farming method. After hearing this, he felt even more regretful. He thought that if Li Guo’er had been a man, she would have certainly accomplished something remarkable.

Once he understood everything, the village head left. Looking at the seedlings in Li’s field, he could see that they were indeed better than those in other people’s fields. However, the most important thing would be the yield, and it seemed that only after the autumn harvest would they know whether the new method would be suitable for the entire village.

After the village head left, Shen came out from the room where she had been sewing and said to Li Yujin, “It seems the village head wants to promote the new planting method.”

“I think it’s a good method,” she continued. “Did you notice that with this planting method, we never lacked seedlings, and they all grew really strong?”

“Remember the heavy rain before we planted the seedlings? Many families’ young seedlings were either flattened by the rain or washed away because their roots weren’t deep enough.”

“Our seedlings, though, survived because they were planted deeper and grew sturdier.”

“Now that everyone can see the benefits of this method, there will definitely be more people coming to ask, just like the village head,” Li Yujin said, picking up his chisel as he headed out of the living room.

Meanwhile, the three siblings weren’t disappointed. They not only caught two quails but also managed to trap a roe deer.

Li Guo’er thought, “Bringing these two things to my grandmother’s house shouldn’t be seen as too shabby, right?”

Seeing that the sun was setting, the children quickly increased their pace to head home.

“Is this a roe deer?” Shen asked, her hand gently stroking the deer’s cute, bewildered head. “You all are so capable, even catching a roe deer.”

“Mom, my big sister is amazing! Not only did she catch the roe deer, but she also caught two quails!” Li Wen said proudly, pulling out the two trembling quails from the basket behind him.

“Mom, I’m thinking of bringing these as a gift to my grandmother’s house. Do you think it’s too little?” Li Guo’er asked.

pick some wild herbs! I saw some over by the creek, and I need them for a new dish I’m trying to make.”

Li Wen, always eager for adventure, nodded enthusiastically. “Sure! Let’s go together.”

The group made their way through the village, passing rows of stone houses built against the mountainside. The air was fresher here, with the scent of pine and earth, a sharp contrast to the bustling life of the town.

As they neared the creek, the children ran ahead, eager to find the herbs. Li Guo’er, walking behind with her mother, couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as she looked at the familiar, yet different, landscape. Though it wasn’t her home village, Upstream Village felt like a place full of memories.

Once they reached the creek, the children started searching for the herbs. Li Wen and Shen Hao waded into the shallow water, their feet making soft splashing sounds as they searched the banks.

“They’ll make a delicious dish if we find them,” Shen Hao said with a bright smile, his excitement palpable. Li Wen grinned back, his competitive nature pushing him to find the herbs first.

Meanwhile, back at the village entrance, the elders were busy with preparations. Li Yujin had already greeted the family of his brother-in-law, who lived here in Upstream Village. They had been expecting the Li family’s visit, and as part of the tradition, the family brought gifts.

The roe deer, along with the wine and cakes, would be the main gifts for the family. Though the villagers couldn’t help but feel envious, they understood how rare it was to hunt such a creature. It was a sign of good fortune for the Li family.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the children gathered the wild herbs and returned to their parents. Together, the family continued their walk through the village, exchanging greetings with familiar faces along the way.

The visit to Upstream Village marked a significant moment in their lives. It was a reminder of how far they had come since those difficult years, a feeling of progress and hope as they walked into a future full of possibilities.

Hearing this, the elders felt a deep sense of gratitude. Despite their modest means, the thoughtful gesture from the children showed that the family had grown and flourished. The fact that the kids had gone to such lengths to catch the roe deer, purely out of kindness and respect, made the gesture even more touching.

“Such a thoughtful gift,” said Shen Laotai, the grandmother, as she carefully examined the roe deer. “The children have indeed grown up to be kind and considerate.”

Li Yujin, seeing the warmth in his parents’ eyes, smiled and added, “It’s the kids’ way of showing respect. They know how hard life used to be, and this is their way of giving back. We can’t let such hard-earned gifts go to waste.”

The whole family was gathered in the cozy living room, the walls lined with wooden furniture and the soft scent of incense filling the air. The large family, despite its occasional squabbles, had always shared a strong bond of affection. This was more than just a visit; it was a celebration of the progress they’d made as a family, from their humble beginnings to the present.

As everyone sat down for a meal, the table was filled with dishes prepared by Shen Laotai and her daughters. There was wild mushroom stew, roasted meat, and freshly made dumplings, all of it served with the freshly brewed wine Li Yujin had brought. The children eagerly dug in, enjoying the food and the warmth of being with their extended family.

Li Wen, having finished catching crickets with his cousin Shen Hao, returned to the table with a grin. “We didn’t catch any rare ones, but we had fun!”

Shen Hao added, “Next time, we’ll find even more! It’s always a good time when we’re together.”

As the evening continued, Li Yujin and Shen Laotai reminisced about old times, and the younger generation, despite the generation gap, felt the bonds of family growing stronger with each passing day. They had moved from the hardships of the past to a more hopeful future, and the visit to Upstream Village symbolized that progress 

a place where memories were made, and the future seemed brighter than ever.