Meng Tao found her mother-in-law and son in a field near the village. Xu Zhen was squatting by the ditch, holding little Yunhai and looking into the water. Jiang Limei got a broken bamboo winnowing basket from somewhere and was fishing something out of the ditch.

Xiao Wangcai stood nearby watching the fun. He clearly saw Meng Tao coming, but he said nothing. He was very smart and knew not to scare away the "prey" he was fishing for.

The bamboo dustpan was lifted from the ditch, and water was flowing down. Five or six black tadpoles were jumping around. Jiang Limei smiled and said to Xiao Yunhai, "Look, these are tadpoles. Aren't they cute? When the tadpoles grow up, they will become little frogs, the croaking little frogs you saw just now. Aren't they fun?"

Without saying a word, little Yunhai stretched out his hand to catch the tadpoles in the bamboo dustpan. Meng Tao coughed deliberately to stop him. Little Yunhai looked up and shouted happily: "Mom, mom... Look, Doudou!"

"It's not beans, it's tadpoles."

Meng Tao corrected him, hugged her son and kissed his chubby cheek: "Just look at them, don't catch them, let the tadpoles return to the water, they will become little frogs in the future."

Little Yunhai nodded as if he understood, and with the help of his grandmother, he pushed the bamboo winnowing basket into the water. Seeing the tadpoles swimming away, the little guy clapped his hands and croaked, probably meaning that he wanted the tadpoles to turn into frogs immediately.

This is a bit difficult for the tadpoles.

Jiang Limei asked with a smile: "Taotao, how did you know we were here?"

"Dongmei told me. She said you might be full and wanted to go for a walk. I followed the village road out and looked into the fields and found you."

"Hahaha! The mugwort rice cakes made by Aunt Yu and the others are so tempting. Grandma Xiao Yunhai and I were full, but we couldn't resist and ate two each. We were so full that we had to come out for a walk to digest the food."

"How are you now? Are you feeling better?"

"I have already digested it. If there is any left, I can eat more when I get back."

The two of them burst into laughter.

Meng Tao pointed to the green and vibrant fields and said to Xu Zhen, "Little Mom, look at how beautiful our hometown is in spring, isn't it? The scenery by the river is also very beautiful, with clear water, and the scenery in the mountains is even more beautiful. Just ask Teacher Jiang and you will know."

Jiang Limei nodded: "Yes, the scenery in the mountains is really beautiful. Now there is a hydroelectric power station there and the roads have been repaired. If you stay a few more days, you can go in and play and take a look."

Xu Zhen smiled and gestured with her hand to make a picture frame, meaning that it was a pity that she didn't bring an easel, otherwise she could paint a few pictures of the beautiful scenery of the mountain village.

Meng Tao said, "We have a camera with us. Did you forget? Why don't we go back and get the camera now and take some pictures of the beautiful scenery around us while it's still early?"

Xu Zhen nodded in agreement.

Jiang Limei also said happily: "Taotao, did you bring your camera back? Can you take two pictures for me too?"

"No problem. Whoever wants to take a photo can take one. I'll develop the photos and send them back to you when I get home."

"Great! Let's go back and get our camera, or it will be dark and we won't be able to take photos of the beautiful scenery in the distance!"

So they called Xiao Wangcai and they walked back home together.

When Aunt Yu heard that there was a camera, she wanted to take a family portrait and also take a separate picture of Bao Dongmei's grandmother. The old lady was over 80 years old, with kind eyes and still quite strong. Meng Tao acted as the photographer and went to their house with the camera to take pictures for them.

Aunt Yang also wanted to take the photo while her daughter, son-in-law and grandson were all there. Unfortunately, Zhou Cuiling's father was working in the commune and had not returned yet. Meng Tao said that they could take the photo tomorrow morning.

Young people like natural scenery and run outside the village to take pictures. Qian Xiaoyun smiled and said it was a pity that they missed the flower season, otherwise the peach blossom forest at the entrance of the village would have been so beautiful in the photos.

Meng Tao nodded in agreement.

Dongmei heard everyone talking about peach blossoms and then she remembered and told Meng Tao: "You wanted flower petals, didn't you? We collected some for you, pear blossoms and peach blossoms, and dried them. The pear blossoms weighed two kilograms, and the peach blossoms weighed three kilograms."

Meng Tao said happily: "That's amazing! Collecting this is time-consuming and difficult. How did you do it?"

"When the peach blossoms are in bloom, Jinniu will weave some bamboo mats in the morning and evening. They don't have to be very fine or good, just enough to hold the flowers and leaves. Hang them under the peach branches, and when the wind blows the peach blossoms down, they will all be inside. The pear blossoms on the mountain are also simple. Use long grass to make thin mats and spread them out. Collect them every other day. Check them carefully and only collect the clean and neat ones. Don't collect the ones bitten by insects or pecked by birds."

"That's great. But this is troublesome and time-consuming, so don't do it in the future. I'll take these dried flowers to the winery's master to make flower wine. I'll bring you two kilograms of peach blossom wine and pear blossom wine. They are very fragrant and have health and beauty benefits. They're very expensive when sold outside."

Bao Dongmei: "Why not do it if it's so expensive? What can be done without effort? Just do it, and when it blooms, as long as we remember to collect it, it will be good to have two bottles of wine."

"Yes, yes! As long as I am still in the village, I will collect them. Flower wine has the effect of beautifying and nourishing the skin. Can you give me some peach blossoms too?" Qian Xiaoyun hugged Meng Tao's arm and shook it.

Meng Tao: "Just for you? If they find out, they will come after me. I can't get so much."

"It's okay, it's okay. I'll hide it from them."

"Impossible!" Xu Guoliang and Sun Yutang jumped in from outside, and Sun Yutang shouted: "We all heard it. Taohua, Jinniu and Dongmei are collecting pear and peach blossoms, we have help, and we also want wine!"

"Yes, you can pay for it!" Xu Guoliang added.

Qian Xiaoyun pushed Xu Guoliang away: "I already said this is flower wine, do you know what flower wine is? Women drink it for beauty and skin care, it's useless for you to come!"

"Who said that? Men are shameless? I also need beauty care. I haven't even found a wife yet!"

“…”

Meng Tao was so annoyed by their nagging that she finally agreed to give each educated youth two kilograms of flower wine. Anyway, they would not be in Linshui Village next year and would not have the chance to collect flower petals.

The group of people took photos everywhere throughout the afternoon. Shen Yu and Meng Zhehan were interested in the Daqingshan Hydropower Station, so they drove along the newly built simple road to visit the hydropower station.

Half a day passed like this.

At night, the courtyard was bustling with people again. Knowing that Meng Tao and her family were going back tomorrow, the villagers came over one after another, some trying to keep them and some saying goodbye. They also brought large and small bags, all of which were carefully selected local specialties, for Meng Tao to take back.

Meng Tao had no choice but to thank the villagers and accept their kindness.

After a night's rest, they got up early the next morning. The Bao family, the Zhou family and the educated youth made breakfast together and ate it. Then Meng Tao, Shen Yu's family, Meng Zhehan and Zhang Guoqing said goodbye to their relatives and friends, left Linshui Village by car and returned to the provincial capital.

(End of this chapter)