32: Chapter 32 A Single Tree Does Not Make a Forest_1 32: Chapter 32 A Single Tree Does Not Make a Forest_1 Human settlements are inseparable from water sources, and Zhou’s village was no different.
The source of water in Zhou’s village was abundant, with plenty of small fish and shrimps.
Zhulan, standing by the stream, could stir the water grass and find a nest of small river shrimps.
Zhou Shuren set up his fishing basket, “Small river shrimps have high requirements for water quality, it’s rare to see them nowadays.”
Zhulan lamented, “It’s caused by environmental pollution.”
Zhou Shuren felt a craving, “There are plenty of small river shrimps here, let’s have Big Brother come over to catch some later, chives stir-fried with river shrimps are a perfect match.”
Upon hearing this, Zhulan said, “From what you say, you must be good at cooking!”
“Yeah, I’ve been cooking for myself since I left the orphanage.
At first, it wasn’t tasty, but gradually, as I got the hang of the word ‘moderation,’ the food I made became edible.”
Zhulan’s mouth twitched slightly; moderation had also tormented her, “Then you’re quite impressive.
I can’t cook and haven’t had your perseverance; I never got better at it.”
“I had no choice; cooking for myself saved money.
Later, when I had money, it became a habit, and I even found cooking quite interesting.”
Zhulan reflected on herself; this was the difference between having an alternative and not.
If Zhou Shuren didn’t learn to cook, he would either starve or eat unpalatable food, whereas she always had a backup plan, there would be restaurants, and she had money anyway.
Zhou Shuren tilted his head, “What are you thinking about?”
Zhulan smiled, “Just realized some truths.
Adversity leads to growth, comfort without movement leads to decline.”
Zhou Shuren’s eyes gleamed with a smile; his anticipation for his teammate had grown, “It’s quite chilly today; let’s go back!”
On the way home passing by Wang’s house, from afar, they could hear the scolding of Wang Zhang’s wife and, intermittently, cries for mercy.
There was already a crowd gathered at the doorstep of Wang’s house for the spectacle.
Zhulan was surprised; this scene wasn’t in the plot, but then she laughed softly, “Wang Zhang’s wife can’t feast on the troubles of Zhou’s family, so she uses her energy to torment her own family instead.”
Zhou Shuren understood, “Since Wu Chun’s fate has changed, everything that follows can no longer be deduced from the plot; it can only serve as a reference.”
“I understand, let’s go around.”
Zhou Shuren turned his head, “You’re not going to watch the drama?”
Zhulan rolled her eyes, “The main character’s drama is not interesting; I’ve even stopped my girl from getting involved to avoid garnering hatred.
Why would I join in?”
Zhulan’s lips curled up, finding Zhou Shuren’s company quite interesting, “Let’s hurry, we’ll be able to eat small river shrimps at noon.”
When Zhulan got home, she didn’t see Lady Li; knowing her love for gossip, Lady Li must be at Wang’s house, “I’m going to cut the chives.”
Zhou Shuren pulled Zhulan aside, lowering his voice, “Do we have much flour at home?”
Zhou Shuren whispered, “It’s not good for the third and fourth to be hungry all the time.
The original host didn’t think this through; one can’t concentrate when hungry.
If there isn’t much flour, we should buy some.
If there’s enough, we could mix some wheat flour with cornmeal in the morning and steam some buns to take with them, simple vegetable fillings would do.”
Zhulan knew, this was Zhou Shuren’s experiential advice.
But she wondered, “Do you have high hopes for these two kids?”
Zhou Shuren nodded, “The third has many ideas, which could lead to success if applied correctly.
The fourth is truly good material for studying, intelligent indeed.”
Zhulan understood that these were Zhou Shuren’s opinions, not memories left by the original host, “Alright, I got it; we have enough flour at home.”
The smile in Zhou Shuren’s eyes deepened; this was tacit understanding, no need for explicit words to convey meaning.
He knew all too well the importance of support, and if it weren’t for the inefficacy of the eldest and the second, who couldn’t be guided, he would have liked to make use of all the males in the family.
Zhulan went to the backyard to cut chives and also pondered about the fillings for tomorrow’s buns; the third and fourth could eat spicy food, so chili with cabbage would be good.
She then thought of kimchi but dared not suggest it, it would have to wait for Wang Ru.
“What are you yelling for?
Calling a lost soul?”