After the Scholar Rejected Me, I Married the Rogue and Got Rich - Chapter 8

Today, Mrs. Wang picked a lot of vegetables from the garden, so dinner was more plentiful than usual: a bowl of stir-fried green beans, a dish of cucumber salad, a plate of scrambled eggs with chives, and mixed grain rice as the staple food.

Lin Song ran back, covered in sweat. He saw the wooden sword beside his pillow and jumped for joy, clutching it tightly and repeatedly exclaiming, “Thank you, Big Sister! Big Sister is the best!”

As Lin Sang set out the bowls and chopsticks, she smiled and said, “It’s not for nothing. From now on, you’ll be in charge of feeding the pigs for the next few days.”

“No problem! I’ve got it covered!” Lin Song patted his chest and assured him, then immediately took the wooden sword and went to the courtyard to practice.

The family sat around the table for a meal, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Lin Sang took a bite of rice and said, “Dad, Mom, I went to town today and the market for medicinal herbs is pretty good. I’m thinking of taking advantage of the good weather to go into the mountains a few more times, collect more herbs, and exchange them for more money.”

Upon hearing this, Wang’s heart clenched. She knew her daughter was capable and devoted to the family, but how could a young woman frequent those deep mountains and forests? What if she encountered wild boars, poisonous snakes, or fell and hurt herself…? She simply couldn’t bear to think about it.

“Sangsang, the mountains are too dangerous. I’m always worried about you,” Wang said, her brows furrowed. “How about… we let Baige go with you?” She looked at her eldest son.

Lin Bo is fourteen years old this year. He has grown tall quickly and looks like his father. He is honest, upright, and has a calm temperament.

Hearing this, he immediately nodded: “Yes, sister, we are worried about you going into the mountains alone. The work in the fields is not too busy right now, so I can spare some time.”

Lin Sang felt a warmth in her heart, but still shook her head, her tone gentle yet firm: “Mother, little brother, don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. I won’t go deep into the mountains, I’ll just wander around the outer area. I know it very well, nothing will happen. There’s a lot of work to do at home right now, so Bai-ge’er should help Dad with some chores. When you’re free, take a good rest. He’s at the age where he’s growing, so don’t overwork yourself.”

She was determined, and her words were reasonable and justified. Knowing she couldn’t persuade her otherwise, Wang could only sigh heavily and repeatedly urge her, “Then you must be very careful, stay on the outer perimeter! If you see anything wrong, come back immediately! Do you hear me?”

“Yes, Mother,” Lin Sang replied obediently.

The next day, as expected, was a sunny and fine day. After breakfast, the family members got busy with their own tasks. Lin Sang prepared a hemp rope, a small hoe, a water bag, and some dry food. She then picked up her large backpack, which she used for going into the mountains, and walked along the familiar path into the mountains.

It had rained a few days ago, and the air in the mountains and forests was exceptionally fresh, carrying the unique scent of soil, grass, and decaying leaves. Taking a deep breath was invigorating. The leaves were washed green and shiny by the rain, and sunlight filtered through the layers of branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns of light.

Lin Sang walked along, searching carefully. With sharp eyes and quick hands, her basket soon held a considerable amount of items.

A handful of fresh wild vegetables, a few clusters of decent-looking mushrooms, a small bundle of commonly used hemostatic herbs, and even five wild eggs found under a clump of bushes—all carefully placed in her basket, lined with soft grass. Passing a wild fruit tree, she saw ripe fruit scattered on the ground; she picked up some of the best-looking ones, intending to take them back to her younger siblings to enjoy.

As her basket gradually filled up, she walked a little further than usual. The sun rose higher and higher. Lin Sang wiped the fine sweat from her forehead and prepared to find an open space to sit down and rest.

Suddenly, her gaze was drawn to a shady rock wall not far away. In the crevices of the rock wall, several plants with unique leaves grew, with pale green flowers blooming at their tips.

It’s Polygonatum! And it looks like it’s quite old!

Lin Sang was overjoyed. Polygonatum was much more valuable than the ordinary herbs she usually picked. If these few plants were dug up intact and in good condition, they could sell for at least a hundred coins! This was a considerable income for a farmer.

However, the crevice was narrow and the terrain was steep, with thorny vines entwined around it, making it difficult to reach.

Lin Sang observed his surroundings, thought for a moment, then took out the prepared strips of cloth from his basket, tied his cuffs and trouser legs tightly, put on a pair of coarse cloth gloves, took out a small hoe, and prepared to carefully clear the vines before digging.

She was so engrossed in her work that she didn’t notice a tall figure quietly standing behind a large tree not far away.

Zhou Han went into the mountains today to hunt some wild game to improve his meals, but he didn’t expect to see that familiar yet unexpected figure as soon as he chased a wild rabbit nearby.

He watched as Lin Sang deftly dodged the thorny branches, observed the terrain of the rock face, and took out his tools, his movements showing no sign of panic, only a calm, focused, and capable demeanor.

A hint of surprise and admiration flashed in his eyes. This girl was indeed different from those in the village who screamed at the sight of insects.

Just then, as Lin Sang was trying to reach the best-growing Solomon’s seal plant at the very back, the stone he was standing on suddenly loosened!

“Ah!” she gasped, her body instantly losing its balance.

In that split second, a figure darted in from the side and behind like a leopard, a large hand firmly supporting her arm, the powerful force instantly stopping her fall.

Lin Sang was still in shock when she turned around and met a pair of deep and sharp eyes—it was Zhou Han!

He was holding a hunting bow in his other hand, clearly hunting.

“…Be careful.” He released his grip, his voice low and tinged with a barely perceptible tension.

Lin Sang steadied herself, her heart still pounding, but her face had regained its composure. She patted her chest and said sincerely, “Thank you, Brother Zhou. If it weren’t for you, I’m afraid I would have fallen.”

Zhou Han didn’t respond, his gaze falling on the few Solomon’s seal plants, his brows furrowing slightly: “It’s steep here.”

“Yes, I know. It’s just that these few yellow specimens are rare,” Lin Sang explained, then looked at him with bright eyes, “Brother Zhou, could you do me another favor? You’re strong, could you help me move this loose rock next to me a little? Then I can stand up straight.”

Looking into her calm and trusting eyes, Zhou Han nodded silently. He stepped forward, used his arms to move the rock that was so hard for Lin Sang to budge by half a foot.

With a stable foothold, Lin Sang picked up the small hoe again and began digging carefully and skillfully, trying not to damage the roots. Zhou Han stood not far behind her, watching silently to make sure she wouldn’t have any more accidents.

Before long, several robust and intact Solomon’s seal plants were dug up. Lin Sang carefully placed them into her basket, finally letting out a sigh of relief, a genuine joy spreading across her face.

She turned around and thanked Zhou Han again: “I really owe you a lot today, Brother Zhou.”

Zhou Han looked at her face, which glowed in the sunlight because of the harvest, and his heart skipped a beat. He looked away uncomfortably and replied stiffly, “…It was nothing.” He paused, then, as if remembering something, added, “…further in, there are wild boar dens. Don’t go there.”

This was the first time he had spoken so many words to her on his own initiative, and it carried a warning tone.

Lin Sang was slightly taken aback, then nodded seriously: “I’ve got it. Thank you for reminding me, Brother Zhou. I’ll be heading down the mountain now.”

Zhou Han hummed in agreement, watching her hoist the heavy basket onto her back and walk steadily down the mountain. Her back was still straight, but she seemed a bit more relaxed than when she came.

He didn’t leave immediately, but stood there until the figure disappeared into the lush forest before turning his gaze away. He looked down at the hand that had just supported her arm, and his palm seemed to still retain a trace of warmth. He clenched his fist, turned around, and walked in the opposite direction from Lin Sang.