When Jiang Mianmian was little, the family was poor and often didn’t have enough to eat, so his heart ached for his wife and daughter. He would regularly venture alone into the mountains behind their home to see if there was anything edible.
One time, at the foot of a secluded slope, he discovered a wild plum tree. After tasting one and finding it quite palatable, he picked two pockets full to share with his wife and daughter.
Eventually, they had eaten so many that the mere sight of plums would make them feel queasy, but every year they couldn’t help wanting to eat some again.
Their family had recently moved into the town. Today, they hadn’t yet had any plums, so in the afternoon, with nothing much to do, Jiang Changhai dragged Su Wanyu to the mountains behind their home to pick plums.
After eating a big plum, Jiang Mianmian took out the candy Er Ya had just delivered to her. "Mom, Dad, have some candy. This is what Er Ya brought just now to thank us."
Jiang Changhai looked at the candies and recognized several; they were ones he had bought last month.
It seemed Er Ya had saved these candies for quite a while.
"Er Ya is indeed a sensible child, someone who knows gratitude," Jiang Changhai remarked as he peeled a slightly melted piece of candy and popped it into his mouth.
"Yes, that girl Er Ya is tough and capable. Once she starts school, she’s bound to do well," Su Wanyu praised as well.
"Mm, you two stay inside and eat plums. I need to go find Changhe, Changtao said he has something to discuss with me," said Jiang Changhai, his mind on the ginseng matter, as he informed the pair before leaving.
It was coincidental; as soon as he stepped outside, he saw Jiang Changhe standing by the well pouring water into the water tank.
He waved to Jiang Changhe, "Changhe, come here a moment."
Jiang Changhe dropped what he was doing and came over, asking with confusion, "What is it, big brother? Is there something you need?"
Jiang Changhai whispered, "The ginseng matter. Go, call Changtao out."
After Jiang Changhe fetched Jiang Changtao, the three brothers found a secluded spot to discuss the ginseng.
"Laosan, Laosan, I will be heading back to town soon. Keep an eye on the weather. If it doesn’t rain next Saturday, go ask the village chief to borrow the hunting rifles and hide them in the house. I’ll come straight there when my holiday starts on Sunday. You two meet me at the foot of the mountain behind our house at five thirty Sunday morning, and we’ll take action together."
"Okay, big brother, should we bring some food and drinks? If we can’t find the ginseng right away, it will save us a trip down the mountain," Jiang Changtao asked.
"I’ll take care of the food and drinks; you don’t need to worry about it," Jiang Changhai said.
"Okay," Jiang Changhe and Jiang Changtao both nodded in agreement.
After arranging the matter with the ginseng, Jiang Changhai went back to his own home.
"Daughter, wife, we should head back home," Jiang Changhai helped Jiang Mianmian down from the brick bed.
Jiang Mianmian divided the plums and candies between her father’s and mother’s pockets, saying excitedly, "Okay, good, let’s go home."
Jiang Changhai took Jiang Mianmian and Su Wanyu to the main house to say goodbye to the old couple, "Mom, Dad, there’s nothing else, so we’ll be heading back. We’ll come over again when we have time in a few days."
"Why don’t you stay here for the night before leaving?" Zhang Guihua held on, reluctant to see them go.
Jiang Changhai shook his head, "We can’t stay; I have to work tomorrow."
"Alright then, come over again when you have time next week," Zhang Guihua said as she saw them to the door, still giving instructions.
"I know, Mom, you should head back now."
The family of three returned to town, and Jiang Mianmian suddenly remembered that today was Sunday and she hadn’t called Yu Cheng yet.