She wasn't petty or heartless; she simply knew the complexities of human nature and that taking the lead at this sensitive juncture could easily bring trouble upon herself and backfire.
The main problem is that their family doesn't have that much money!
Xie Yan looked at her and couldn't help but smile. He reached out and gently pinched her nose. "What are you thinking, wife? I'm not stupid."
"Besides, my family isn't exactly wealthy."
"What I mean is, since we have a way to get through this current difficulty, let's not go up the mountain to dig for wild vegetables. Let's leave the wild vegetables for those who need them more."
Yu Yuehui was slightly taken aback, subconsciously tightened her cuffs, and looked somewhat remorseful. She said in a low voice, "I, I, am I being very selfish!"
"I was thinking of going up the mountain to dig up some more wild vegetables..." she said, slowly lowering her head, not daring to look Xie Yan in the eye.
Seeing this, Xie Yan gently patted her head with concern, asking tenderly, "What are you thinking about?"
“It’s normal for you to think that way! After all, our family isn’t well-off either. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to dig up more wild vegetables from the mountain. Besides, we have a whole family to support, including our parents.”
"It's only natural for you to want to dig up more wild vegetables."
Upon hearing Xie Yan's words, Yu Yuehui felt much less guilty, and a smile returned to her face, her eyes brightening once more.
Seeing the bright smile on her face, Xie Yan's lips also curled up involuntarily, and he continued, "However, our family should also go and dig up some wild vegetables."
Yu Yuehui was somewhat taken aback, staring blankly at Xie Yan with a face full of confusion, "Why?"
"Didn't you just say you wanted to save the wild vegetables for those who need them more?"
Xie Yan smiled and gently pinched her delicate nose, explaining, "First, we need to put on an act and let others know that our family is also struggling, so we can avoid some unnecessary trouble."
"Secondly, we can use the wild vegetables we dig up to make hot pot. It will not only change our taste, but also save some food to send to our parents."
"The most important thing is that I have to dig up the wild vegetables for our family!"
Yu Yuehui was about to object, but before she could even open her mouth, Xie Yan gently stopped her with a raised hand, saying, "Listen to me."
"Given my hand speed, and the fact that everyone in the village knows I'm incredibly lazy, no one will think there's a problem if I dig up less wild vegetables."
"I just took it for granted."
"But if you go and only dig a little, what will people think?"
"It will inevitably lead to some unnecessary speculation."
Yu Yuehui suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly, "That's true! But what if you go to dig for wild vegetables and don't have time to learn from Master Zheng?"
Xie Yan couldn't help but chuckle, looking at her with doting eyes, "Wife, what are you thinking?"
"I don't spend all day digging for wild vegetables."
"When you're digging for medicinal herbs, just pretend you're digging for wild vegetables at the same time."
"Moreover, when it comes to studying, it's important to balance work and rest. You can't just keep reading all the time, as it can damage your eyes."
"Going out for a walk in the mountains can not only exercise your body, but also prevent nearsightedness."
Xie Yan finally persuaded Yu Yue to return, and after harvesting the wheat, he carried a basket on his back and went up the mountain.
However, as soon as he stepped out of his house, he began to regret it.
He really shouldn't have come out at this time. Along the way, he encountered countless aunties and older women.
Some of them carried baskets in their hands, while others had baskets slung over their shoulders. Without exception, as soon as they saw Xie Yan, they immediately greeted him warmly, "Oh! Isn't this Xie Yan?"
This was immediately followed by the question: "What are you doing?"
Xie Yan forced a slightly stiff, fake smile. "Aunt Dai, I'm going up the mountain to dig some wild vegetables."
"Oh! Why are you the one who went?" Aunt Dai asked, her face full of doubt. Then, in a loud voice, she asked again, "Where's Yuehui? Why didn't she come with us?"
Xie Yan could only force a smile again and patiently explain, "Aunt Dai, Yue Hui's belly is too big, she can't bend over, so I did it for her."
Aunt Dai then seemed to have just remembered Yu Yuehui's pregnancy, and exclaimed in sudden realization, "That's right!"
"It's too far along in my pregnancy, it's really not suitable to go up the mountain, it's too dangerous!"
Xie Yan nodded hastily, still wearing that fake smile on his face.
Not far after passing Aunt Dai, there was another old lady or aunt.
Whether he walks fast or slow, he always encounters all sorts of older women, and of course, the children who accompany them.
Such scenes repeated themselves along the way, and Xie Yan was starting to feel quite uneasy.
I almost cried, he's so pitiful!
Having finally made it up the mountain, Xie Yan quickly avoided the large, crowded group and headed alone towards the place where he usually gathered herbs.
At this point, Xie Yan wasn't afraid of encountering wild animals like wolves in the mountains.
After all, so many people going up the mountain together would make quite a commotion, and the wild animals in the mountains, being afraid of death, would have long since fled into the deep mountains.
Moreover, Gu Che had gone up the mountain to inspect and clean it up a couple of days ago, so as long as you don't go deep into the mountains, it's quite safe to stay on the outskirts.
Xie Yan had been busy harvesting wheat and hadn't been up the mountain until now, only to discover that many medicinal herbs had sprouted there again.
As soon as he arrived at the location, he squatted down and began digging intently.
He originally thought that he would put medicinal herbs at the bottom of the basket and some wild vegetables on top to fool others.
But as he dug, Xie Yan accidentally dug too far ahead. When he turned around, his basket was already full.
Fortunately, the medicinal herb he dug up could also be eaten as a vegetable. Although the taste was really not good, at least it was non-toxic after being blanched, so he didn't have to worry about others seeing him dig it up and getting sick from eating it.
When Xie Yan was carrying a full basket of things down the mountain, he encountered many more people.
When they saw the "achievements" on Xie Yan's back, they all shook their heads.
"Just like men, all they care about is speed. Look what they're digging up!"
"Even pigs would refuse to eat this," an auntie couldn't help but complain.
Another woman next to her quickly slapped her and whispered, "Keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear you."
The woman who spoke didn't care at all. She tilted her head back and said loudly, "So what if I heard it? I wasn't lying!"
"Men are just not suited for this kind of thing. They don't know how to do something as simple as digging for wild vegetables."
Xie Yan: "..."
He really couldn't understand how these women had developed such loud voices; each one was louder than the last, making it hard to pretend he hadn't heard them.
He sighed helplessly and quickened his pace silently.
Xie Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief when he could no longer hear the group of aunties' disapproving words.
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