Back in the house, Wang Lun, though idle, was thinking about what he might need in the future and what he could prepare in advance. He had things he didn't yet have the full potential to use. Suddenly, he remembered the curtains he'd found last time. Having been outside for so long, they should be usable by now. He prepared to take Liu Ruoling to get the curtain fabric. But just as he stood up, Li Ling called him back, saying it was almost time to eat and they shouldn't wander off. The two of them then sat back down.
Soon, Li Ling and Liu Ruoxi had cooked lunch. The pot was almost entirely filled with fish, with only a few small seafood items; there was nothing else besides that.
Looking at the pot full of fish, Wang Lun was somewhat surprised and asked, "Don't we have any wild vegetables left?" Li Ling replied, "There's some left, just enough for two or three meals." Hearing this, Wang Lun was speechless. He had been busy with other things lately and hadn't paid much attention to wild vegetables. This made Wang Lun feel somewhat embarrassed.
Liu Ruoling said, "It's alright, we can eat the wild vegetables we planted ourselves in a while, and then we'll have more than enough to eat." After Liu Ruoling finished speaking, she saw Wang Lun and the other two looking at each other in bewilderment. Plant wild vegetables? It seems they forgot to plant the houttuynia cordata. Wang Lun, Li Ling, and Liu Ruoxi exchanged glances, all of them seeing in each other's eyes that the other hadn't planted it and was asking them about it.
Wang Lun was the first to react and quickly went to check the old roots of the houttuynia cordata on the shelf. Liu Ruoxi and Li Ling followed suit. Liu Ruoling, not understanding why, also came along.
Wang Lun turned the houttuynia cordata over from top to bottom. Fortunately, it was only slightly wilted and not dead, so it could probably still survive. Wang Lun quickly went to get a pot, filled it halfway with water, and sprinkled some water on the houttuynia cordata.
The group returned to the table and continued eating. Wang Lun reminded the three of them to remember to plant the houttuynia cordata that afternoon. Fortunately, the temperature inside the earthen house wasn't high, so the houttuynia cordata had only wilted slightly. If they had been outside, they would probably be almost dry by now. But even if they were left for a few more days, they should be ready. They still needed to plant them all today.
Liu Ruoling then realized what was happening and said, "Why hasn't the houttuynia cordata been planted yet? Wasn't it planted before?" Liu Ruoxi glared at Liu Ruoling and said, "Hurry up and eat." Only then did Liu Ruoling realize that none of the four of them had noticed that the houttuynia cordata hadn't been planted, including herself, so she quickly lowered her head and ate.
After the meal, Li Ling and Liu Ruoxi took the pots and pans to wash them. Wang Lun, on the other hand, took Liu Ruoling to water the ground in front of the door with a pot and a float, so they could plant houttuynia cordata in the afternoon. After washing the pots and pans, Li Ling and Liu Ruoxi also took the pot to water the ground.
The four of them worked together, and although they only had some small tools, many hands make light work, and they quickly watered the entire patch of land in front of the door. If they planted houttuynia cordata on such a large patch of land, it would be enough to eat for ten to fifteen days, and if they were careful with what they ate, it could last even longer.
Liu Ruoxi took her tools back to the house to continue weaving, while Wang Lun and Li Ling laid stones under the shed. The shed was now sheltered from direct sunlight, so although the temperature was high, it was still bearable. Moreover, Liu Ruoxi had boiled water inside, let it cool, and added some salt, which was good for replenishing their energy.
The three of them worked all afternoon. Before sunset, Li Ling and Liu Ruoling reminded Wang Lun to go back and plant houttuynia cordata, and Liu Ruoxi also came out to call him back. This time, all four of them remembered to plant houttuynia cordata. So Wang Lun took Li Ling and the other woman to finish their work. They went back to get their entrenching tools and houttuynia cordata and started planting.
The four of them were: Wang Lun carrying an entrenching tool, Li Ling carrying a basket filled with the old roots of houttuynia cordata, and Liu Ruoxi carrying an entrenching tool like Wang Lun. The planting work within the camp was basically left to Liu Ruoxi, so Wang Lun needed to teach her how to manage the houttuynia cordata field to ensure a good harvest. As for Liu Ruoling, she carried an iron pot filled with wood ash.
When Wang Lun arrived at the field, he first demonstrated how to dig a trench, then place some houttuynia cordata in it, and finally cover it with soil. Only then did he let them continue. Li Ling and Liu Ruoling took turns digging the trench, while Liu Ruoxi followed behind carrying a basket and placing it in the trench. One of Li Ling or Liu Ruoling would cover it with soil, while Wang Lun would spread the manure from before on top. After all the houttuynia cordata were planted, Wang Lun had Li Ling sprinkle the wood ash on top before returning to the camp.
Back at camp, it was already quite dark. Wang Lun and the other three washed their hands and faces. Li Ling and Liu Ruoxi continued cooking, while Liu Ruoling fed the pheasants and rabbits. Wang Lun took out his knife and sharpened it. He planned to wander around the area alone the next day, trying to find some wild vegetables. Enough to last for a few days would be good.
Wang Lun sharpened his knife and returned to the house. Li Ling and the others all knew that Wang Lun planned to go searching for wild vegetables alone the next day. Liu Ruoling said, "I'll go with you tomorrow. I have a bow and arrows, otherwise, we'll be vulnerable to hyenas." Wang Lun smiled and patted Liu Ruoling's head, saying, "I know, that's why I wanted you to stay at the camp to protect your sister and the others." Li Ling said, "We can stay at the camp by ourselves and won't go out. You should take Liu Ruoling with you." Liu Ruoxi also looked at Wang Lun, wanting him to take Liu Ruoling with him.
Wang Lun looked around, and the three women were all looking at him. Then he said, "Alright, I'll go alone tomorrow. You all stay at the camp. It's decided." After saying that, Wang Lun turned around and picked up the pottery from yesterday, and continued firing pottery.
Li Ling and the other two exchanged glances, all understanding that Wang Lun's decision was final and couldn't be changed. Moreover, Liu Ruoxi and Liu Ruoling had just finished their periods, and Li Ling was still menstruating. They had previously thought the island wasn't very dangerous, at most containing snakes, insects, rodents, and poisonous plants. But after encountering the hyenas, all three realized that this deserted island truly was a place where people could eat.
Wang Lun placed the earthenware pot into the hearth and began firing it. Li Ling then retrieved the fine clay that had been drying that morning and started shaping the clay. Liu Ruoxi and Liu Ruoling went to cook dinner, adding some of the remaining wild vegetables.
Wang Lun just needed to watch the fire; at most, he would go and fetch a couple of bundles of firewood.
Dinner was ready soon. Wang Lun and the other three sat at the table and began to eat. But tonight, no one spoke, and the atmosphere was quite somber.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com