As the saying goes, "A year's plan starts in spring, and a day's plan starts in the morning." Tian Yu gets up early every day, washes her hands and face with rice water. She doesn't have any cosmetics here, so this is just a simple way to take care of herself. She plans to research skincare products more thoroughly later. After a short yoga session to exercise, she made breakfast. Seeing that Tangyuan was still asleep, she planted the sprouted garlic bulbs in the soil she had turned over last time. These garlic bulbs had grown quite a bit in the past few days; she wasn't sure if they would survive, but Tian Yu wanted to try. If even one survived, that would be good; if many survived, she could achieve "garlic freedom" next year. Just thinking about it made her happy. Tangyuan woke up before the garlic was planted. After washing him up, they ate breakfast together, and she recited some ancient poems and reviewed counting with him. Only then did she continue planting the remaining garlic bulbs. Tangyuan fed the chickens, spent some time with Tian Yu, and then said he wanted to find Chen Chong to learn hunting from him. Tian Yu gave a few instructions and then made a heart shape with her hands. Tangyuan copied her and returned the gesture before running out of the house. This child is used to being wild and is rarely seen, but she will definitely come home when it's almost mealtime.

After planting the garlic, Tian Yu noticed the fine weather and high temperature, wondering if there was anything she wanted in the river in front of the village. Thinking this, she picked up the clothes she had changed out of yesterday, grabbed a basket, and went for a stroll by the river.

When she arrived at the river, there was no one there; perhaps she had arrived late. The river was much fuller than before, probably due to the recent rains. Tian Yu washed her clothes first, then began searching along the rocks by the river. Sure enough, she wasn't disappointed; there were snails, though they were of varying sizes, probably because it was still early and she would need to wait a while. She filled a small basket. Only then did Tian Yu take her clothes and head home.

Chen Chong stood outside the door and, seeing that Tian Yu wasn't home, delivered Tangyuan to the door without going in. He looked around anxiously, just in time to see Tian Yu struggling to carry clothes and a basket towards him. Seeing no one around, Chen Chong stepped forward and took the things from Tian Yu's hands. Tian Yu was both surprised and delighted, and was about to call out "Brother Chen" when a look from Chen Chong made her stop. She could only call out his name and ask what he was doing there, still looking around nervously, afraid of being discovered. Chen Chong said he had already checked and no one was home; he had just brought Tangyuan back. Hearing Chen Chong's explanation, and realizing she hadn't seen anyone, Tian Yu was relieved and quickly pulled Chen Chong inside.

Upon entering the courtyard, Tian Yu hesitated, unsure how to begin. After yesterday's events, she seemed unsure how to speak to Chen Chong. After much hesitation, Tang Yuan even thought his mother was ill. Finally, Chen Chong spoke first, saying he was going hunting in the forest the next day, which might take several days. Before Tian Yu could even ask, Tang Yuan inquired, "Will it take a long time? Can I come with you?" Chen Chong told him the destination was quite far and he couldn't take him, but asked Tang Yuan to take good care of Tian Yu and prevent her from wandering off while he was away. Tang Yuan agreed.

Tangyuan kept pestering Chen Chong to tell him about hunting. Tian Yu finished hanging up the laundry, took out the sprouted potatoes, cut off the sprouted parts, mixed them with grass ash, and laid them out to dry in the yard, thinking she could plant them in the afternoon. She hadn't originally intended to have Chen Chong stay for lunch, but knowing he wouldn't be back for several days and didn't seem to be leaving, and seeing it was almost noon, Tian Yu casually asked if he wanted to stay for lunch. Surprisingly, he didn't hesitate and actually stayed. Tangyuan asked Tian Yu why she had collected so many snails, saying they weren't tasty and hard to chew. Tian Yu said she would make him something delicious this time, guaranteeing he would like it. Since Chen Chong was naturally handling the snails, she left it to him, instructing him to pick out the appropriately sized ones, knock off part of their tails, wash them thoroughly with clean water, and keep the smaller ones to crush and feed the chickens. Tian Yu steamed rice, cooked some braised pork that hadn't been made yesterday, and finally stir-fried the snails Chen Chong had washed. Luckily, I bought extra seasonings on my last trip to the county town, otherwise I wouldn't have had the chance to eat these snails. Worried that Tangyuan couldn't handle spicy food, I ordered a sweet and spicy flavor. Tangyuan thought it was still a bit spicy, but she really enjoyed it. The three of us had another hearty meal.

In the afternoon, Tian Yu planted potatoes on ridges in the wasteland she had cleared to the west of the house. She wasn't sure how it would work, but how would she know if she didn't try? With Chen Chong and Tang Yuan's help, she finished planting them quickly. Tian Yu repeatedly urged Chen Chong to go back and rest, mainly because she was afraid of being seen and gossiped about. But Chen Chong refused to stay and spend more time with them. Luckily, they lived far away and usually no one came. Tian Yu was still worried, so she asked Tang Yuan to play with Chen Chong inside, and she would take care of the rest herself. Tang Yuan readily agreed and pulled the reluctant Chen Chong back into the house, saying that Chen Chong should teach him archery. Tian Yu looked at the planted potatoes and felt something was missing. She wondered what would happen if animals came and damaged them. It seemed she would have to find something to fence them off. Fortunately, there was a bamboo forest nearby. She went back into the house and found a machete. Chen Chong asked her where she was going, and she said she was going to cut a couple of bamboo stalks and would be back soon so he could keep Tang Yuan company while he practiced archery. One of them went to the bamboo forest and walked around it. She noticed that the bamboo had already started to sprout, and in a few days, another delicacy would be ready to enjoy. She couldn't cut down the thick ones, so she had to start with the smaller ones, but she was still exhausted. Finally, she cut down another bamboo, and Tian Yu, panting heavily, plopped down on the ground, her hair disheveled.

Chen Chong suddenly appeared in front of Tian Yu, reaching out to smooth her hair and brush away the stray hairs clinging to her cheek. Tian Yu, not hearing a sound, was startled by the sudden touch, but when she met Chen Chong's eyes, she was confused. Realizing they were so close, Tian Yu turned her head away and asked, "Why are you here? Where's Tangyuan?"

"Tangyuan is practicing archery at home, and I was worried about you, so I came out to check on you." Chen Chong was still carefully tidying up Tian Yu's messy hair, unwilling to stop.

"You should go back now, I'll just cut a few more," Tian Yu said awkwardly as she stood up.

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