in2ebook Chapter 93 Going Mushroom Picking
Chapter 93 Going Mushroom Picking
The transition from spring to summer is a beautiful time when nature comes alive and all things flourish. The climate is pleasant, the sun is bright but not too hot, and a gentle breeze brings a refreshing scent, making it especially suitable for people to venture into the mountains and forests to explore the hidden treasures within.
Just a few days ago, a timely rain fell, a generous gift from nature that nourished the earth, causing bamboo shoots and mushrooms in the mountains to sprout and thrive like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. The tender, juicy bamboo shoots poked their pointed heads out of the soil, as if waving to people; the colorful mushrooms, like little elves, dotted the grass and trees.
Faced with such an enticing sight, Su Yuning naturally couldn't contain her joy and excitement. She enthusiastically prepared her basket and straw hat, planning to venture deep into the mountains to gather as many fruits as she pleased. Not only that, she also warmly invited her friends Ye Beichen and Gu Wanfeng to join her.
However, when she heard the suggestion, Gu Wanfeng looked helpless and hesitated before replying, "I...I don't really want to go. Why don't you two go instead?"
Upon hearing this, Su Yuning was quite confused and quickly asked, "What's wrong? Don't you like outdoor activities that allow you to get close to nature? Or is there some other reason? Like... you dislike me?"
Gu Wanfeng quickly shook her head and explained, "Of course not! Please don't overthink it. Actually, I just don't want to go out with Ye Beichen. Ever since we broke off our engagement, this guy has been so smug and arrogant. Every time I see his face, I get so angry."
Hearing this, Ye Beichen was not happy. He curled his lips and retorted without any politeness: "Hmph, go or don't go, life will go on without you. Anyway, I don't like you either, so let's not bother each other."
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Su Yuning quickly stepped in to act as a peacemaker. She said softly, "Oh, alright, alright, you two stop being stubborn! Let's set off early and try to come back sooner so we can gather more fresh ingredients to bring home. It'll be a way of helping our families too."
With Su Yuning's patient persuasion, Ye Beichen and Gu Wanfeng finally put aside their prejudices and obediently agreed to go to the mountain to gather resources. So, the three of them, carrying baskets and wearing straw hats, set off on their journey into the mountains, chatting and laughing. Along the way, birds sang merrily, and wildflowers bloomed freely by the roadside, as if welcoming their arrival.
The winding mountain path was extremely slippery due to the recent rain, making it very difficult to walk. Su Yuning took careful steps, but still slipped and fell to the ground. The other two people behind her quickly reached out and helped her up.
After being pulled up, Su Yuning patted the mud off her clothes, a bright smile spreading across her face, as if the accident hadn't affected her mood at all. Then, she reached out and shook hands firmly with the two men, and the three of them walked forward hand in hand, steadily step by step.
Perhaps it was because she was in an exceptionally cheerful mood, or perhaps it was because she wanted to add some fun to this somewhat arduous journey, Su Yuning couldn't help but hum: "The little girl picking mushrooms, carrying a big bamboo basket, barefoot in the early morning, walks all over the woods and hills..." Her clear and melodious singing voice echoed in the mountains, as beautiful as a nightingale singing in a valley.
Upon hearing Su Yuning's singing, Gu Wanfeng couldn't help but laugh and say, "Oh my, I never expected Miss Su to have such outstanding singing talent! Your singing is so beautiful, it's like heavenly music." As he spoke, he cast an admiring glance at Su Yuning.
Faced with Gu Wanfeng's praise, Su Yuning smiled sweetly, a little embarrassed, and replied softly, "Oh, you flatter me! I was just humming something casually; it's just a simple children's song." Although she said that, she was secretly delighted. After all, who doesn't like to receive praise? So, she hummed even more cheerfully, and her melodious song accompanied the three of them, drifting through the mountains and forests for a long time.
In the bustling city, Chestnut Girl and her kind grandmother rented a brand-new house. Although located in a rather secluded corner, the house boasted a spacious courtyard, a major highlight. In the courtyard sat a stone table and matching stone benches for leisurely tea drinking, and even more surprisingly, an old and practical millstone stood quietly among the trees. This millstone not only easily ground beans, grains, and other ingredients to make delicious tofu or other pasta dishes, but also added a rustic charm to the entire courtyard. Therefore, both Chestnut Girl and her grandmother were quite satisfied with their new home.
“Grandma, if you ever feel bored, you can always plant some vegetables or flowers in our yard! Besides, you like making tofu, right? That millstone will come in very handy! Just do whatever makes you happy!” Chestnut Girl said with a bright smile and a clear, melodious voice. Hearing her granddaughter's thoughtful words, Grandma's face immediately lit up with a pleased smile, and she nodded repeatedly, saying, “Yes, yes, my dear granddaughter, you're so thoughtful!”
Just as the grandmother and granddaughter were filled with joy, the landlord suddenly turned stern, his expression becoming extremely serious. He solemnly reminded them, "I must make this clear from the start! Because this house is located outside the city, the rent will be relatively cheaper. However, I have a clear requirement—you absolutely cannot damage anything in the house, not even something as seemingly insignificant as a door or a window. If any damage is found, you will have to compensate me at the original price!" Hearing the landlord's words, the girl and her grandmother quickly nodded repeatedly, indicating that they would abide by the rules, and replied in unison, "Okay, don't worry!"
Afterwards, Chestnut Girl and the landlord went out to sign the rental contract and pay the rent, while Grandma quietly sunbathed in the yard.
After a while, the village chief's chubby nephew and his plump daughter came over, carrying large and small bags, chatting and laughing. Their faces beamed with joy as they presented fresh vegetables, white rice, and flour to Grandma. However, in stark contrast, Grandma's face was gloomy, showing no sign of happiness.
Seeing her grandmother's expression, the chubby girl still asked with a smile, "Grandma, we came all this way to bring you and Chestnut Girl these ingredients, but why do you look so unhappy?"
Hearing this, the old lady's face grew even uglier. She said irritably, "Hmph! This brat abandoned my precious granddaughter back then, was it just to be with you?"
For a moment, the chubby girl was speechless, unsure how to answer. She could only turn to the village chief's nephew with pleading eyes. The nephew, also looking embarrassed, quickly explained, "Grandmother, please don't misunderstand! Chestnut and I really didn't have anything in common, we just couldn't talk to each other, so we had to break up. It really has nothing to do with the chubby girl!"
Upon hearing this, the old woman frowned and muttered to herself, "That's not right. I clearly remember that you dumped my granddaughter because you fell in love with another woman. Could it be... could it be that I'm getting senile and remembering wrong?"
Faced with the old lady's questioning, the village chief's nephew felt increasingly embarrassed and could only nod awkwardly, replying softly, "Um...maybe...probably."
"Grandma, how do you feel about the new house? Are you satisfied?" The chubby girl smiled brightly and cleverly changed the subject. "I think although this place isn't as bustling and lively as the city, the lighting in this house is absolutely fantastic. The sunlight shines straight into the house, and it's so pleasant to bask in the sun comfortably in the yard every day!"
Hearing this, the old lady beamed and nodded eagerly, "That's right! Yes, yes, yes! I also think it's nice to sunbathe here. Fatty, if you have time, you should come over more often, keep your grandma company while we bask in the sun and chat." The chubby girl nodded vigorously without hesitation and replied cheerfully, "Okay, Grandma, I'll definitely come to find you as soon as I have a spare moment!"
At this moment, the village chief's nephew, who was standing to the side, felt a pang of jealousy when he saw the grandmother and granddaughter chatting so happily. He couldn't help but ask, "Grandma, why are you only asking her and not me? Then... can I come here to sunbathe too?" He looked at the old lady with anticipation.
Upon hearing this, the old lady frowned slightly and asked irritably, "Hmph, how dare you say that! You've already broken up with my precious granddaughter, do you think I would still invite you to my house to sunbathe?" After being asked this by the old lady, the village chief's nephew immediately deflated like a punctured balloon, lowered his head dejectedly, and dared not utter another word knowing that he was in the wrong.
Many people were gathering things on the hill behind Xinghua Village. Sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, casting dappled shadows, and the air was filled with a fresh scent. Everyone was busy with their own tasks: some were bending over, carefully digging for bamboo shoots; others were squatting down, cautiously picking shepherd's purse; and still others were focused on finding mushrooms hidden deep in the grass.
Among the three mushroom-picking group, Gu Wanfeng had initially been enthusiastically following Su Yuning and Ye Beichen in their search, but gradually, his stomach began to rumble, and hunger overwhelmed him. While Su Yuning and Ye Beichen were engrossed in their search, Gu Wanfeng's eyes darted around, and he quietly slipped aside to pick a handful of colorful mushrooms.
These mushrooms looked incredibly tempting; some were as vibrant and dazzling as jewels, while others were ordinary and unremarkable. However, Gu Wanfeng didn't know that one couldn't judge a mushroom's edibility solely by its appearance. Just as he was happily popping those seemingly delicious mushrooms into his mouth as snacks, misfortune struck.
Not long after, Gu Wanfeng suddenly felt something was wrong. His head began to spin, and his vision gradually blurred. It turned out he had picked a highly poisonous mushroom and unknowingly eaten it. The poison took effect rapidly; Gu Wanfeng's consciousness gradually faded, and his body began to move uncontrollably, as if dancing with a group of unseen mushroom sprites.
"Young Master Gu, what are you doing? Why aren't you picking mushrooms anymore?" Su Yuning walked over with a puzzled look and asked Gu Wanfeng, who was gesturing wildly.
At this moment, Gu Wanfeng had a silly smile on her face. Pointing ahead, she said excitedly, "Look, look! These are mushroom fairies with green wings. They look so beautiful when they dance! I absolutely love them!"
Su Yuning looked in the direction he pointed, but there was nothing there; she couldn't see any of the so-called mushroom sprites at all. She frowned and said worriedly, "Are you hallucinating? There are no sprites here! There's nothing at all!" As she spoke, she reached out to help Gu Wanfeng, but he nimbly dodged her.
Gu Wanfeng continued to immerse himself in his fantasy world, playing happily with the ethereal mushroom sprites, while Su Yuning and Ye Beichen could only stand anxiously by, thinking about how to help him escape this dangerous situation.
"Oh dear, in my opinion, this young master Gu must have accidentally eaten a poisonous mushroom, otherwise how could he have seen the elves that none of us can see?" Su Yuning said with a worried expression, her delicate eyebrows furrowed tightly.
Standing to the side, Ye Beichen crossed his arms and nodded seriously, indicating his complete agreement with her opinion. He added, "Yes, yes, I think so too. Why don't you dig up some herbs for Young Master Gu to help him detoxify?"
Hearing this, Su Yuning couldn't help but give an awkward smile, gently shook her head, and said with a wry smile, "Hehe, don't tease me. I've never encountered such a situation before, how would I know what kind of herbs he should take?"