The early morning fog came from the mountains, and the Dongwan Village, which is surrounded by mountains and rivers, was filled with smoke.
In the fenced courtyard at the end of the village, a beautiful girl of seventeen or eighteen years old was squatting under the eaves collecting medicinal materials.
Oval face, fair skin.
Her eyes are clear and bright, and she has a long braid.
Wearing a purple floral jacket and old black cloth cotton shoes with thousand-layer soles.
The extremely rustic dress could not conceal the agility and intelligence between her brows.
While she was putting the dried herbs into a dustpan, she stood up in a panic and spread the fresh herbs over the bamboo sieve.
In the yard, more than a dozen wooden frames half a person's height are placed randomly.
The girl carefully put the bamboo sieve on the table, looked at the rising red sun on the horizon, and pursed her lips with a smile.
"Sister, sister, we agreed to accompany me to the mountains to dig winter bamboo shoots today. When will we leave?"
In the main room, a chubby little boy ran out.
Judging from his age, he is about six or seven years old. He has thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a tiger-like head.
The girl stretched out her hand, pinched the boy's nose with a loving look on her face, and said softly: "It seems like it's going to rain today, so I'll take advantage of the sun in the morning to dry some medicinal herbs. Well, you go with our dad, we'll leave soon."
The boy said coquettishly: "No, I want to go with you."
"My dad only knows how to collect herbs. It would be boring if he doesn't play with me."
The girl pointed to the far left of the three blue brick houses and deliberately lowered her voice: "There is another patient here. I will make medicine for him later and cook for lunch."
"He needs someone to take care of him, otherwise something will happen."
"Be good, Huzi, and be obedient. Next time, I will take you to dig a lot of winter bamboo shoots and fry bacon for you when you come back."
The boy rubbed his eyes and said aggrievedly: "You lied to me again, for the eighth time."
"Humph, Grandpa Sun said that his disease cannot be cured at all, but you don't believe it."
"Sick man, tuberculosis ghost, he..."
Before the boy could finish his words, he was instantly hit with a brain-collapse.
He covered his forehead tightly and said with tears in his eyes: "No, it wasn't me who said it, it was Grandpa Sun who said it."
The girl glared and scolded: "No matter who said it, you are not allowed to say it."
The boy named Huzi lowered his head and sobbed: "If I had known this, I should have pretended not to see him when we were playing by the river that day."
"You still said." The girl pretended to hit him.
Huzi ran away with his head in his hands and went to complain to his father.
Not long after, a middle-aged man walked out of the kitchen.
He is less than 1.7 meters tall, with a square face and full beard.
He has a tall build and dark complexion.
He was carrying a bamboo basket on his back and a sharp woodcutter on his waist.
He looked slightly tired, as if he didn't sleep well last night.
"Dad." The girl stepped forward, looked through the bamboo basket thoughtfully and said, "Where are the chicken legs I left for you last night? Why didn't you bring them?"
The man picked up the hoe in the corner, put it on his shoulder and said, "I don't like meat, so you and Huzi are separated."
The girl muttered: "How can you be like you? You always make this excuse."
The man grinned stupidly and said honestly: "I really don't like eating. You know, my stomach is not very good. I'm not suitable for eating meat. It's difficult to digest."
With that, he waved goodbye and said, "I'll be back in the evening. You two, brother and sister, will be fine."
"Especially Huzi, don't be naughty and listen to your sister."
"Um, don't break the medicine on that piece of wood."
The girl nodded and said: "Dad, you know, don't worry and go up the mountain. As long as I keep an eye on Huzi, he won't dare to run around."
The man opened the wooden door and left in a hurry.
It's winter, and heavy snow may block the mountains at any time.
He wants to collect more herbs before it snows, dry them and sell them in the town.