Manbao glanced at her points and then once more at the potions in her cart, ultimately deciding to purchase them, biting her little finger hesitantly.
In the past half year, whenever Manbao had money, she would buy meat for her mother to nourish her health at intervals, and when money was tight, she insisted on sharing her eggs with Ms. Qian.
Most of the time Ms. Qian did not eat them, but occasionally, when she could not refuse, she did.
Then, not only did Ms. Qian realize her health was improving, but even Manbao noticed it too. She felt that her mother no longer got winded after talking for a long stretch and could even get angry now; her complexion was better than before.
Keke said that these were signs of improved vigor, so she knew that, although saving points to buy potions was important, earning daily money to buy meat for her mother was even more critical.
Manager Zheng had said that food could act as medicine and that medicine without good supporting nutrition was a waste of its effects.
Even the doctor who treated her elder sister said that, although her sister had taken medicine before, it was to no avail because she did not get enough rest, was malnourished, and suffered from hunger and cold.
Therefore, Manbao concluded that daily food and clothing were very important, even more so than medicine!
Influenced by Old Zhou, Manbao also felt that farming was one of the most important ways to sustain life and earn money. With so many mouths to feed in their family, everything came from the ground, which made farming crucial.
Of course, that meant farm manure was also very important.
Manbao bought some books, and Keke thoughtfully converted them into the language and reading style of their era, changing even the covers to blue.
Only the content remained unchanged.
Manbao, curious, flipped through the book in her hands, "The cover was clearly vegetable-colored just a moment ago!"
Keke chuckled, "The host might like to learn about our future technology’s rapid printing. It can switch instantly, print quickly, bind, all automated."
Manbao then took out that storybook of the no-good father and asked, "Why isn’t this book converted like that?"
"Because it is cheap, so we don’t provide that service," Keke replied. "Moreover, many stories in this storybook are not from this era. It is advised that the host should not take it outside, but the other two books are different; it’s okay to take them out for study."
Manbao peeked outside to see if she was noticed, and seeing that she was not, secretly took the book, so she didn’t have to pretend to sleep and then read in the system.
She didn’t like to read with her consciousness while lying down; she thought it could be very tiring. Reading with her eyes was different; she could enjoy it at length.
Manbao hesitated between the two books and finally chose to start with the one about developmental history. She wanted to see how farm manure was made historically.
Right on the first page were simple words, "As the saying goes, ’A single flower makes no garland, but manure makes all crops thrive.’" It was far easier to understand than the stack of books in her teacher’s study or those at Bai Shanbao’s home. To her surprise, she understood it immediately.
She sat by the window, engrossed in the book.
Outside, selecting rice seeds, Junior Ms. Qian noticed that Manbao had been inside for a long time without making a sound. Unable to resist, she stood up to check and upon seeing Manbao absorbed in her book, her steps involuntarily paused as she tiptoed back out.
Ms. Qian gave her a glance and asked, "What is she doing in there?"
Junior Ms. Qian replied softly with satisfaction, "Reading a book. Our Manbao is so conscientious. I’ve heard that other students from the school, when they go home on holidays or after school, act as if asking them to take out a book is like asking for their life."
Ms. Qian also took pride in her daughter’s diligence, "The child likes reading books, and that naturally makes her more self-disciplined than others."
Zhou Xi also glanced towards the window, her heart feeling a bittersweet tenderness, and her hands slowed down their work.
Manbao, having acquired a new book, was engrossed in it for several days, even taking it to school to read during free periods.
Bai Shanbao, curious, came over to have a look but couldn’t help covering his nose and asking, "Does it smell?"
Manbao pressed the book to his nose and asked, "Is it the scent of ink?"
Bai Shanbao pushed the book away and said, "No, it’s the smell of flower manure."
Manbao laughed so hard that her small body trembled, teasing him, "Is it like the flower manure you collected?"
Bai Shanbao, annoyed, reached out to hit her. Manbao immediately ran off holding the book, sticking out her tongue at him as she left the classroom, "Daji told me already, you applied the ginger’s manure with your hands and even cried about it, how embarrassing."
Bai Shanbao, furious, chased after her, yelling he would hit her. Manbao turned and ran, then threw herself into Mr. Zhuang’s arms.
Bai Shanbao, red with rage, came charging out and was also caught by Mr. Zhuang, who then turned to Manbao, "You’ve been bullying Shanbao again."
Manbao denied it, "I didn’t!"
Mr. Zhuang tapped her on the nose saying, "You mustn’t bully your classmates."
Bai Shanbao felt even more wronged, turned his little head up to the teacher, sniffled, and uttered with grievance, "Teacher..."
Mr. Zhuang felt amused yet helpless, patting his little head with a smile, "You’re a boy; you can’t cry. If Manbao bullies you again, you must counter her with reason. Fighting isn’t what gentlemen do. Shall we aim to be gentlemen?"
Bai Shanbao replied, "But I’m still young. I don’t want to be a gentleman."
Manbao also nodded, agreeing, "Teacher, let’s be little villains first, and then gentlemen when we grow up, is that okay?"
Mr. Zhuang sighed, "...Being a gentleman isn’t about age."
But clearly, the two children didn’t think so, and to avoid being gentlemen, they even set aside their differences, ceased their conflict, unanimously persuading Mr. Zhuang that they wanted to wait until they were older to be gentlemen.
After school, the two little "villains" walked out hand in hand; Manbao invited him to see the farm manure she was fermenting at home. She said, "I’ve read the book and learned a lot. I know how to ferment the manure now. Once it’s ready, I’ll give you some."
Bai Shanbao snorted in disdain, "I don’t want it. My ginger is enough."
Nevertheless, he followed Manbao to the field to see the manure. Zhou Erlang had dumped the leaves in the previous day, added a little water, and then left it be.
Because they didn’t believe it would amount to any good manure, it was merely to satisfy their younger sister’s request – a trivial task, seeing as everyone had plenty of free time during the first month of the year.
Zhou Silang was tending to his beloved field when he saw Manbao coming and greeted her.
Manbao solemnly took out her book and told Zhou Silang, "Silang, I’ve found the way to ferment manure. Let’s do it together. Growing ginger needs lots and lots of it."
Zhou Silang, curious, leaned in to look at the book and asked, "Are you not fooling me? There’s really a book on fermenting manure?"
Who in the world, full to the brim with leisure, writes about such things?
And to think someone would buy such a book?
His thoughts as clear as day on his face, Manbao scorned him, "That’s why you can’t even farm properly. Others not only farm but also write books about it; aren’t they amazing?"
Zhou Silang scratched his head, looking at Bai Shanbao, "Is it really a book about fermenting manure?"
Bai Shanbao nodded. He could recognize the characters and had read a bit; indeed, it was about fermenting manure but not just that.
Zhou Silang was amazed and, out of respect for the book, said, "Alright, you tell me what to do, and I’ll follow your lead."