Tao Wenwen was not the kind of person who cared about these things. Hearing this, he looked up and said, "It's okay."

Zhang Kongming was startled when he saw the dark circles under her eyes. He asked, "What's wrong with you? Why are you so dark? Were you too tired yesterday and didn't get enough rest? How about you rest today and we can collect herbs tomorrow?"

Tao Wenwen had been worried about Wang Xiaomin's absence, so since Zhang Kongming had mentioned it, she spoke up too, saying, "I don't think I can pick any herbs today. My mother hasn't come home yet. If she doesn't get home before noon, I'll have to find a way to get into town. By the time I wash and sort these herbs, it will probably be noon."

"Hasn't he come back yet?" Zhang Kongming also showed a worried expression.

He said, "It's dark after a couple of trips to the city, and few people come in before noon. Unless you have relatives in the city who can stay overnight, you'll have no choice but to sleep on the streets. Otherwise, you'll set out early before dawn and rush home at night, so you'll always get home very late. If something else delays you, you might even get home in the middle of the night."

Thinking that Tao Wenwen was alone at home and must have been frightened, Zhang Kongming didn't dare to say too much. He only chose nice things to say and continued, "If you ask me, maybe something delayed him. Uncle Shi is not a city dweller, so maybe he saw that it was late so he stayed at home for one night. He might be back soon."

Tao Wenwen said, "I know. That's why I said to wait until noon. If no one shows up by noon, I'll find a way to get into the city. I'll find a bullock cart that's going into the city that afternoon so I can leave with them tomorrow morning without wasting time."

Seeing that she had made up her mind and was very determined, Zhang Kongming did not try to persuade her any further. However, he was still a little worried about her going into the city alone, so he said, "How about I go with you?"

"Need not."

Tao Wenwen thought that since he usually herded cattle everywhere, he should know where to find a carriage to go into the city, so he asked, "Do you know where to find a carriage to go into the city? Any ox cart or horse cart will do, as long as it can get into the city."

"Okay, I'll ask for you later." Zhang Kongming said, squatting down and helping Tao Wenwen wash and select the herbs and then dry them.

By the time all this was done, it was almost noon, and Wang Xiaomin and Shi Qingyuan still hadn't returned.

Zhang Kongming was also aware of how worried Wang Xiaomin was about Tao Wenwen. She would never stay outside unless it was something urgent. It seemed that something really had happened. Tao Wenwen must be extremely worried at this moment...

He didn't delay and started running, hoping to find a car to go into the city for Tao Wenwen as soon as possible.

After walking two steps, he suddenly stopped, looked at the bright red sun, and thought about what Zhang Wenkang said yesterday.

Zhang Wenkang was still thinking about sending Zhang Ertian back to the city to have another checkup by the city doctor. He said that in the next two days, there would be an ox cart to deliver the potatoes from the field to the supply and marketing cooperative in the city, and then they could ride on the ox cart together.

Zhang Kongming was suddenly delighted when he thought of this. He slapped his forehead and said, "I'm so stupid that I only remembered such an important thing now. I know where the ox carts are coming into the city. The potatoes have been harvested in the fields these days, and the team leader asked the members to deliver those potatoes to the supply and marketing cooperative in the city as soon as possible. There should be ox carts coming into the city during this period."

"I'll go and show you now!" Zhang Kongming said and left in a hurry.