C12 A Poor Person!

He was genuinely concerned for his stepmother, knowing that Grandma was quite harsh. Anyone in the family who didn't perform their chores well would be subjected to a severe scolding. Although Grandma seemed to favor his stepmother over the other aunts, she had made it clear that failure to complete even a simple task like gathering wild vegetables would not be tolerated, and both he and his sister would be reprimanded as well.

Upon hearing Han Rui's words, Ann Yan plopped down on the ground without any concern for appearances. "I'm exhausted. I can't take another step. You and Liuya go ahead and dig for wild vegetables. I'll rest here for a bit and catch up with you later."

She felt a twinge of shame voicing such words, knowing she would be exploiting the two young children. If it weren't for her reluctance to return empty-handed, she wouldn't have been able to face making such a request. However, she couldn't proceed otherwise, as the two little ones had been shadowing her all along, preventing her from getting anything done.

Han Rui gave Ann Yan a skeptical look, questioning the motive behind her actions.

This kid is too clever for his own good, Ann Yan thought, her face hardening. "What's the matter? You won't listen to me? Remember, I'm a very strict stepmother. If you don't obey, I won't hesitate to punish you!"

Han Rui's puzzled expression made Ann Yan feel a pang of guilt. She doubled down on her stern facade, "Hurry up, will you? Do you want to disobey?"

After issuing the threat, Ann Yan's conscience pricked her. "Little Rui, Liuya, please help your mother by picking some wild vegetables. It doesn't matter how much you gather. Just be good, and I promise to buy you both some candy later!"

"Mom, don't be upset. Liuya will be good and help you with the wild vegetables," the little one said obediently.

Ann Yan's heart swelled with remorse as she gently stroked Liuya's head. "Liuya, my dear, Mom isn't angry. I'm just a bit tired and need to rest. You go ahead and start on the wild vegetables, and I'll come to find you in a bit, okay?"

Liuya, having no complaints and relieved to hear that Ann Yan wasn't upset, eagerly nodded in agreement.

Ultimately, Ann Yan had the upper hand, leveraging her status as a stepmother to oppress the two youngsters. Han Rui sensed something amiss, but as the less-favored son, he knew he was no match for her authority. Reluctantly, he complied with Ann Yan's demands, taking his sister Liuya to forage for wild vegetables.

Though Han Rui was sharp, he hadn't yet grasped the true nature of Ann Yan. When she asserted herself, he dared not disobey. Still, he couldn't leave without expressing his concern, "Mother, the woods are treacherous. Please, don't wander off. Once you're rested, come find me and Liuya."

Before parting, Han Rui carefully explained to Ann Yan where they would be foraging, worried she might not find them and end up aimlessly searching the village.

With a guilty nod, Ann Yan watched the siblings disappear into the distance before she finally exhaled in relief and ventured into the forest along the path she had eyed earlier.

Ann Yan cautiously avoided the deeper woods. If not for the village's thorough scavenging of the outskirts, she wouldn't have risked it. Yet, the thought of returning empty-handed was unbearable. She had to try her luck; she couldn't endure another day in poverty.

Recalling tales of heroines who ventured deep into the forest unscathed, Ann Yan convinced herself that her modest foray, especially in broad daylight, would be safe. After all, she had often explored the woods back home and even foraged for mushrooms without incident. Surely, her luck wouldn't fail her now.

Indeed, her adventure was uneventful; she didn't encounter any wild animals. The area, seldom visited, was serene, filled with the chorus of insects and birds, and dotted with wild edibles.

Delighted by any harvest after her recent ordeal, Ann Yan eagerly gathered the wild vegetables and fruits, stowing them in her basket.

Fortune smiled on Ann Yan as she stumbled upon a cluster of wood ear mushrooms on an ancient tree. The fungi covered a sizable area.

After testing the wood ear with a stick to ensure it was free of pests, Ann Yan mustered the strength to climb the tree. She harvested most of the mushrooms, leaving only a small portion, and exchanged the rest in the system for ten gold coins—a substantial gain.

Content with her successful outing, Ann Yan made her way out of the forest from a different route, where she chanced upon a nest brimming with wild chicken eggs—over twenty in total.

Ann Yan couldn't help but smile, now she had something to trade tomorrow. She carefully placed the wild eggs into her basket, concealing them with wild greens before heading out of the mountains to find Han Rui and his sister.

Following the path Han Rui had shown her earlier, Ann Yan soon spotted the siblings diligently foraging for wild vegetables. Their faces lit up with happiness at her approach.

"Mom, did you get some rest?" Liuya abandoned her digging and ran over, her concern evident. She might not be as chatty as Han Rui, but she was clearly a little girl who cared deeply.

"I rested well, and I've found some great things to bring back for a delicious treat," Ann Yan said, her eyes twinkling. Good behavior deserves a reward, after all.

The area was bustling with the remnants of picked-over wild greens. Despite the siblings' efforts, their baskets were far from full. Ann Yan, however, had gathered plenty in the mountains, enough for their evening meal. She told them to stop digging and led them back home.

The Han Family home was empty when they arrived; the adults were likely out working the fields, and the children were probably playing in the village.

Ann Yan went to her room first, stashing the wild eggs from the basket, leaving only five visible. She then moved the rest of her finds to the kitchen.

Fresh fungus, especially the wild kind from the forest, wasn't good to eat right away. Ann Yan washed it and set it out in the courtyard to dry. She also collected the laundry she had washed that morning, now dry, and brought it back to her room.

The two youngsters bustled around Ann Yan, overjoyed as she laid out clean sheets and secured the covers.

Liuya sprawled on the bedding, inhaling the fresh scent of soapberries. "Mom, it smells wonderful. I bet it'll be so comfy to sleep on tonight," she said, her face the picture of contentment.

Han Rui might have scoffed at his sister's simplicity, but the upturned corners of his mouth betrayed his own good spirits.

With the children's room put in order, Ann Yan noted it was time to start dinner. With limited food supplies, she knew she had to be creative to make the meals more enjoyable.

As Ann Yan was preparing the porridge, she took three wild chicken eggs and carefully wrapped them in leaves before nestling them in the fire to simmer. By the time the outer leaves had nearly charred, the eggs were perfectly stewed.

She retrieved the cooked eggs and waved over to Han Rui and Liuya, who were busy gathering wild greens. Handing them each a wild chicken egg, Ann Yan urged, "Eat up quickly—these wild eggs are incredibly aromatic."