Shen Liwu and Zhang Damei carried bamboo baskets and set foot on the mountain path.
The mountain breeze blows by, bringing the fragrance of grass and trees, and the smell of soil mixed with moist air blows in your face. The path under my feet meanders upwards, and occasionally a few pieces of gravel roll down, making slight noises.
Zhang Damei is a big mouth and can't keep secrets. "Big sister, let me tell you, at noon I saw Aunt Gao go home and beat Xu Dong. That abusive old woman is really not a good person. She feeds her own grandson like a pig and takes out her anger on other people's children every day. She is really not a human being."
Shen Liwu paused, "You mean Xu Dong? Aunt Gao beat him?"
"That's right!" Zhang Damei curled her lips and poked the ground hard twice with the wooden stick in her hand, as if she wanted to vent her anger on the ground.
"I just came back from the vegetable garden and passed by her door. I heard some crackling noises inside. Then Aunt Gao, the abusive old woman, started scolding her and beating her. That child is so pitiful. His father died and his mother ran away. They are not around. He lives under someone else's roof and still gets beaten."
Shen Liwu's heart suddenly tightened, and his fingers unconsciously clenched the wooden handle of the hoe. She remembered the way Xu Dong bumped into her that day, his tearful eyes, stubborn and helpless.
"Doesn't Captain Gao care about it? Where is his wife?"
Zhang Damei sighed and shook her head. "Captain Gao does care, but he is so busy all day long that he doesn't have time to care about these things. Besides, his wife is also a soft-hearted person and dares not talk back to Aunt Gao. Captain Gao's wife has gone back to her parents' home these days. Xu Dong, that kid, has a really hard life."
Shen Liwu was silent, the mountain wind ruffled her hair, and her heart became confused as well. She knew she shouldn't meddle in other people's business, but when she thought of that thin figure, she felt like a stone was pressing on her heart, making her feel heavy and uncomfortable.
“Sister-in-law, you said… can we help him?” Shen Liwu’s voice was a little hesitant, but his eyes showed a hint of determination.
Zhang Damei was stunned, then patted her on the shoulder, "Oh, you are really kind-hearted! But it's really hard to intervene in this kind of thing. Aunt Gao, that abusive old woman, is not easy to mess with. Whoever gets involved with her will be in trouble. People in the compound just turn a blind eye. These days, no family is rich, and no one wants to raise an extra child and feed another mouth."
Chen Liwu didn't say anything, and the topic ended there. Seeing the precious herbs, Chen Liwu squatted down, gently parted the grass with his fingers, revealing a emerald green plant with slender leaves, slightly curled edges, and exuding a faint fragrance.
"This is Scutellaria baicalensis," she murmured, a glimmer of joy in her eyes, "It clears away heat and detoxifies, and is just right for use right now."
Zhang Damei came over and squinted her eyes to examine it. "What's so special about this grass? I see it everywhere on the mountain."
She waved the stick in her hand and swept away the weeds around her. "If you like, dig a few more and take them back."
Shen Liwu carefully dug up the soil with a hoe, fearing that the roots would be damaged. "Although it is common, it has high medicinal value."
As she dug, she explained, "Especially the roots. After drying them, boil them in water and drink them. The effect will be better."
Zhang Damei shrugged. "I don't understand these things. I just think that nothing in this mountain is valuable except wild vegetables."
Shen Liwu smiled, dug a few plants and continued to walk inside. The mountain road was rugged and overgrown with weeds, but Shen Liwu's steps were unusually steady. Her eyes wandered through the mountains and forests, looking for precious medicinal herbs hidden in the bushes. Zhang Damei followed behind, occasionally using the wooden stick in her hand to push away the branches that blocked the way, and chattering about the gossip in the compound.
“Big sister, let’s not go in. There are wild boars in the deep mountains, and maybe wolves. It’s not safe for us two women.” Zhang Damei tugged at Shen Liwu’s sleeve, with a hint of worry in her eyes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
