Chapter 26: Glistening with Sweat

Chapter 26: Glistening with Sweat

"By the way, Sister, what's the difference between these taro leaves and the taro in the field? They look exactly the same to me!" Lin Xiaopu pinched a taro leaf, examining it repeatedly but still couldn't spot any differences.

"It's actually quite easy to tell them apart. Look, the surface of these taro leaves has a fuzzy, matte texture, while taro leaves are thicker and smoother to the touch. The leaf stalks of taro leaves are also coated with a layer of white powder, as if dusted with silvery frost, whereas taro stems don't have this coating. Also, the taro stem growing in soil is red, but if it grows in water, it turns green..."

Lin Shu held the taro leaf overhead for shade with one hand while holding Lin Xiaopu’s hand with the other, continuing up the mountain as she explained. Once they reached a more shaded area with trees, she tucked the unneeded taro leaf into her waistband.

"Sister, how do you know so much about everything?" Lin Xiaopu’s eyes shone with wonder.

Lin Shu laughed, "I just read all sorts of books on various plants and flowers in my free time. The more I read, the more I know."

During the recent pork distribution, Grandpa Gao’s family had exchanged a bamboo carrying basket for some pork. Lin Shu was now carrying this new basket. Noticing that Xiao Pu had empty hands, Lin Shu spotted a palm-like tree nearby. She pulled off a frond and began weaving it as they walked, quickly crafting a small basket.

The little green basket, complete with a handle, was absolutely charming.

Lin Xiaopu happily took the basket, exclaiming, "Sister, you even know how to weave baskets! Your hands are more skillful than our Third Aunt’s!"

"This one is easy to weave. Not just palm fronds—any flexible grass stems or twigs can be used. Even things that aren’t flexible but have a uniform shape, like pine needles, can be woven into items like coasters or small containers, though you’d need a needle and thread to help."

Lin Xiaopu was utterly fascinated.

Lin Shu noticed that she was a little girl who loved pretty things, so she picked some wildflowers and grasses along the way. This season was perfect for blooming flowers—red, yellow, purple, blue wildflowers could be found everywhere. With quick, deft movements, Lin Shu soon wove two beautiful flower crowns, one for herself and one for Lin Xiaopu. "Today, Xiao Pu has become a flower fairy! You look so lovely."

Lin Xiaopu blushed, gazing at Lin Shu. "Sister, you’re the real flower fairy. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than you!"

The sunlight fell on her sister’s face, highlighting the fine, soft fuzz on her skin. Her eyes, which seemed to smile even when she wasn’t speaking, curved slightly. Her nose was small and delicate, and her full, rosy lips resembled flower petals blooming at dawn. The crown of purple and red wildflowers on her head made her glow even more vibrantly. A stray strand of hair, caught by the flower crown, fluttered playfully against her smooth, egg-like cheek, occasionally brushing against her tender red lips as if trying to steal a taste of nectar.

Lin Xiaopu held the palm-leaf basket in one hand and touched the flower crown on her head with the other, thinking proudly: She might not be as beautiful as her sister, but with the flower crown, she definitely looked prettier than usual!

After walking for a while without seeing anyone, Lin Shu wondered, "There don't seem to be many people coming to the back mountain."

Lin Xiaopu explained, "The adults are all busy. Unless they need firewood, the uncles in the village only come to the mountain to chop wood. In spring and winter, when there are plenty of bamboo shoots and tender wild vegetables, the aunties come to gather them. Also, after it rains, mushrooms sprout, but that’s usually early in the morning. Look what time it is now—even Wang Yingen and his troublemaker friends aren’t here. They’ve probably gone to the river or streams to catch fish and shrimp."

Lin Shu smiled. "This mountain is full of good things. I’d be happy to come here every day."

Lin Xiaopu looked around, puzzled. The mountain was covered with wildflowers, grasses, and trees she’d seen since childhood—she couldn’t understand what made them so special. But then she remembered how her sister could turn a simple palm frond into a basket, transform foul-smelling weeds into tofu, and even turn the wild taro that villagers avoided into delicious dishes. So, it didn’t seem strange anymore.

Lin Shu gathered a half basket of Grass Jelly Plant, broke off a few branches of fragrant cypress, and picked a handful of mugwort.

If only lard weren’t so precious—barely enough for cooking—Lin Shu would have loved to make a few bars of soap for washing hair and bathing. It would be so convenient. Although Zhou Ye had hunted a large, fat wild boar, most of it was sold in town for money, leaving little for the family. So, she decided not to use the lard for soap.

By the time the sisters descended the mountain, their foreheads were dotted with light sweat. Lin Shu wanted to remove her flower crown, but the vain Lin Xiaopu insisted she keep it on, so they could show their Mom when they returned.

"Mom, we’re back—" Lin Shu called out from a distance, her voice slightly breathless but cheerful.

However, as soon as they stepped inside, instead of their Mom, they saw a sturdy man glistening with sweat.

Zhou Ye turned to look at them. Sweat streamed down his forehead and neck like a river, a large bead dripping from his temple. His clothes were soaked, clinging to his body and outlining the firm muscles of his chest and back.

The weather had been growing hotter, and he’d come straight home without rest, looking as if he’d just emerged from water. He had gone straight to the kitchen to drink a ladle of mountain spring water; his lips were still moist, with traces of water mingling with the sweat on his chin.

When his eyes fell on the girl carrying the basket, her cheeks glowing even fairer and smoother under the sunlight, he was momentarily dazzled.

Seeing him, Lin Shu expressed slight surprise, "You’re back so soon?"

Zhou Ye replied, "Yeah, I sold the wild boar, pheasant, and hare to the manager at the restaurant. He’s a regular customer and paid promptly, so I came back right after." He paused, then added, "I walk fast—the round trip only took an hour."

"Brother A Ye, you’ve worked hard. Rest for a while. Xiao Pu and I are about to make hair wash. Once it’s ready, you can wash your hair too!"

Zhou Ye mumbled an acknowledgment, then hurriedly said, "I’m going to the river to wash my face," and strode out quickly.

Just then, He Guixiang emerged from the kitchen, carrying a small jar of fermented water from rinsing rice. Her face was radiant, her eyes crinkled with joy. "You’re back? I knew your Brother A Ye would want to wash his hair when he returned. This rice water has been fermenting for four or five days—it’s perfect for today. A Shu, do you want to wash your hair too? I’ve already heated a large pot of water—enough for all of you."

Lin Shu smiled. "Yes, please. Thank you, Mom." She guessed her mother’s happiness meant Zhou Ye had sold the wild boar for a good price.

"Oh, who made these flower crowns? They’re so pretty! My daughters look even lovelier wearing them!" He Guixiang set down the rice water and chuckled teasingly at the flower crowns on their heads.

Lin Xiaopu puffed out her chest proudly. "Who else but my sister? Mom, do I look prettier?"

"Pretty, pretty—both of you are pretty!"

Lin Xiaopu beamed at that. Whether she looked prettier or not, she knew her sister definitely did. She had noticed how Brother A Ye, who usually never paid much attention to girls, had been stunned by her sister’s beauty.

The mountain spring was just behind the house—there was no need to go to the river to wash his face. He must have been too shy to look at her sister and deliberately made an excuse to leave.

She also noticed that the tips of Brother A Ye’s ears had turned reddish-black, even more noticeably than before. Hehe.