014 The First Pot of Gold, Part One

Page (1/3)

Early morning.
The sky was just beginning to lighten.
A cold wind slipped in through the window cracks.
Qu Zhan Yi shook off her drowsiness and roused Xu Xinqi from his sleep.
“Stop sleeping, get up quickly.”
Hearing his sister’s voice, Xu Xinqi rubbed his eyes sleepily and sat up, his throat hoarse from just waking. “What’s up, sister?”
Qu Zhan Yi saw his adorable sleepy expression and mischievously kneaded his cheeks like dough.
“Sis is taking you to pick up something good!”
After being rousted around by her, Xu Xinqi’s mind was a bit foggy as he asked, “Pick up what?”
Qu Zhan Yi told him the prearranged story.
“Yesterday, I saw a flock of wild ducks in Aopingzi Ditch, but only caught one. Before leaving, I set a trap, so today we should catch more.”
Xu Xinqi’s eyes lit up instantly, his mind clearing at once.
He sprang out of bed and put on his clothes, excitement written all over his face. “Sister, I’m ready. Let’s go!”
Qu Zhan Yi noticed he was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt and reminded him, “Put on your jacket too.”
“No need, I’m not cold.” Xu Xinqi straightened his small frame, trying to prove how ‘strong’ he was.
“Suit yourself.” Qu Zhan Yi glanced at his skinny little body resembling a chick, her voice emotionless.
Seeing the disdain in his sister’s eyes, Xu Xinqi felt slightly embarrassed but still obediently grabbed his jacket—used as a pillow—and put it on.

The early winter meadow was covered with a thick layer of frost.
Footsteps left crooked mud prints as they passed.
Xu Xinqi walked ahead, his pant legs dampened by the cold frost.
Qu Zhan Yi followed behind, stepping carefully in his footsteps.
Soon they reached Aopingzi Ditch.
Xu Xinqi stopped and turned around, asking, “Sister, where’s the trap you set?”
Qu Zhan Yi pointed to a patch of firethorn bushes at the bottom of the ravine.
“See that red-berried one on the far right? That’s where I dug the pit. Go check inside if there’s any wild game.”
Xu Xinqi nodded, a mixture of nervousness and anticipation swelling inside him, along with rising enthusiasm.
He soon arrived at the pit his sister had mentioned. A bamboo basket covered its opening. He stepped closer and peered beneath it.
The next moment, he gasped sharply, careful not to startle the wild ducks inside. He slowed his breathing, gently exhaling the air he’d held in his chest.
Xu Xinqi was stunned by the huge surprise, but luckily hadn’t lost his senses. Within seconds, he calmed himself down.

Page (2/3)

After confirming that the wild ducks couldn’t escape the pit, he shouted up the slope to the girl.
“Sister, come quick! There are at least fifteen wild ducks here!”
“Fifteen?”
Qu Zhan Yi was startled, a big question mark above her head.
‘Last night she only threw nine ducks into that pit, didn’t she? And that pit wasn’t even dug by her—she just happened to find and use it.’
She took down the burlap sack and rope.
Qu Zhan Yi confidently tied up the other six ducks along with the rest.
Xu Xinqi took eight, she took seven.
Both were satisfied.
Back at home.
The sun was just peeking over the horizon.
Qu Zhan Yi had no leisure to raise ducks; this long detour was only to make the ducks appear legitimate so she could sell them for money.
Xu Xinqi felt reluctant and wanted to keep two ducks to raise so they could lay eggs.
Then the eggs would hatch ducks, which lay more eggs... generation after generation, endlessly…
“That’s just childish thinking,” Qu Zhan Yi ruthlessly shattered his beautiful fantasy with three pointed questions.
“First, do you have the time?”
Xu Xinqi shook his head.
He just started middle school and had evening study sessions.
“Second, is there any extra food at home?”
Xu Xinqi shook his head again.
When their father passed away, both he and his sister were very young. The family’s five acres of dry land were only rented out. Rent was a fifth of the harvest per acre each year, but that meager grain barely kept them from starving.
“Third, do you know how to raise wild ducks?”
Xu Xinqi lowered his head, his enthusiasm dampened, reason gradually returning.
“Wild ducks can fly away. I can’t keep them. Better to sell them. Money in your pocket feels safe.”
“As long as you understand,” Qu Zhan Yi picked up the burlap sack, a headache forming as she saw the boy’s low spirits, “Do you want to come with me to town?”
Seeing her furrowed brows and worried expression,
Xu Xinqi felt a twinge of guilt. He was no longer a child and should think more comprehensively.
Especially as the only man in the family, he had to take responsibility.
“Of course.”

Page (3/3)

Children’s moods come and go quickly.
Unaware of Xu Xinqi’s thoughts, Qu Zhan Yi only felt that raising a kid was truly troublesome.
...
They arrived at Que Luo Town near noon.
Each carrying a burlap sack, they found a spot in the vegetable market and opened the sacks, waiting for buyers.
Both were first-timers at selling and had no idea how to proceed.
Two hours passed, but not a single duck was sold.
Meanwhile, an older woman selling vegetables nearby had arrived an hour later, but most of her small cart’s produce was sold quickly.
Qu Zhan Yi noticed that the woman greeted every passerby at the market entrance.
“Handsome young man, buying vegetables? These are homegrown, no pesticides—pure natural and fresh.”
“Sir, want some vegetables? Look at mine—cheaper than those renting stalls.”
“Pretty lady, want some vegetables? What would you like? Lettuce? Garlic, chili, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber... Take a look and see what you need.”
A woman in her twenties stopped, scanned the cart, and said, “I’ll take a few cucumbers.”
The older woman quickly grabbed a plastic bag and handed it over, praising, “Good eye, miss! Our cucumbers are the best. Someone’s bought from me several times, saying they’re crisp and sweet. And these vegetables are all homegrown—guaranteed natural with no pesticides or harmful chemicals...”
The young woman picked through the cucumbers, giving an honest appraisal, “Indeed, the size is just right; they should be very good.”
Encouraged, the older woman eagerly pushed other vegetables.
“Want some scallions? This coriander was just pulled from the ground, still with soil—very fresh. Miss, cold cucumber salad is delicious.”
The woman shook her head, “No thanks, just the cucumbers.”
The older woman smiled warmly, weighed the cucumbers, and watched the woman pay and leave.
She grabbed a plastic bottle and sprayed water heavily over the vegetables. “Handsome guys and pretty ladies, buy fresh vegetables just picked...”
Qu Zhan Yi closed her slightly parted mouth: “...”
In her past life, she fought battles; in this life, she studied and raised a child. Her first real taste of everyday life was this hard lesson from the vegetable vendor.
Xu Xinqi: “!”
I’ve learned!