The little dumpling is five and a half years old, which made his father so angry that his head split

Li Tian also knew that being able to make money was a good thing.

"When people are picking up money, they're all scrambling to grab it; who cares about leaving any for future growth?"

Wang Shi thought for a while before nodding.

If that day ever comes.

People really don't hold back.

Li Tian continued.

"Grandpa Wang knows about medicine. He can keep an eye out for how to cultivate it artificially. If it can be cultivated artificially, that would be an inexhaustible source of wealth."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

Wild resources are limited; only artificial cultivation can ensure an inexhaustible supply.

Wang Shi nodded approvingly.

This child talked for so long about things that were obviously worrying, but he still offered a solution, so it wasn't just empty talk.

"My sister has good insight."

Li Tian smiled.

"Sometimes my mind wanders, but it's not just wild imagination. Of course, cultivating medicinal herbs isn't Grandpa Wang's responsibility; the government has to take the lead and guide everyone in many things."

Wang Shi nodded and made a mental note of it.

If the demand is high, artificial cultivation can indeed be tried.

We can't rely on the weather for our livelihood for generations.

Having explained the matter clearly, Li Tian remained silent.

If we keep talking, we'll go too far.

Going too far will only make you annoying.

It will diminish the impact of any important statements made earlier.

Sipping tea, eating snacks brought by Grandma Wang, and listening to the two elderly people reminisce—it was quite pleasant.

At noon, the Wang family set out a sumptuous feast of farm-style dishes.

Cured fish, cured pork, sour soup hot pot...

The Wang family was very hospitable and brought out almost all of their family's treasures.

The men also drank some alcohol, but not excessively.

In the afternoon, Wang Shi asked his wife and daughter-in-law to prepare the food they would take into the mountains.

Hunting depends on luck; you can't always have a good catch.

Villages that can provide food are usually several days apart.

Without enough water and food, and without supplies, you won't be able to get out of the mountains.

As a veteran herb gatherer, Wang Shi certainly has the right to speak.

The women were busy, while the two elderly people were still reminiscing.

Besides talking about the past, the most frequent topic of conversation was medicinal herbs.

They have the most to talk about in this area, and they could talk about it for days and nights without running out of things to say.

I was kept behind again that night.

Although it's simpler than lunch, it's still a very good meal for entertaining guests.

After dinner, Mr. Shen did not sit down again.

They need rest, and so does their whole family.

I've already bothered you for a whole day, I really feel bad about it.

Wang Shi did not forcefully try to persuade him to stay.

"This bag contains baked corn tortillas, which keep longer than steamed buns. This bag contains homemade dried meat, and there's also a small bag of rice that can be used to make porridge."

"The gift itself isn't expensive; it's the thought that counts."

Old Shen took it and handed it to Liu Wei, then grasped Wang Shi's arm with both hands.

"How could they not be valuable? They're all essential for survival."

"Old friend, while you're still in good health, go to the capital and let me show you some hospitality."

Wang Shi had a broad smile on his face.

I long for it, but I don't have any plans to do so.

"Great, who wouldn't want to see where the leaders stay?"

Old Shen put the prepared food coupons into Wang Shi's pocket.

"You're taking food and money, so I won't be polite with you, and don't try to push me away."

Wang Shi didn't want to accept it, but after listening to what Elder Shen said, he didn't push it away.

They all meant it sincerely; let's just hope they can all have peace of mind.

Old Shen told Wang Shi not to go and deliver it, but Wang Shi refused no matter what.

He took a torch and went out the door.

Fortunately, Wang Shi took him to the guesthouse.

The waiter was unhappy because they had returned their food and was planning not to provide them with hot water that evening.

But he lost his temper when he saw Wang Shi.

Who would dare offend a doctor?

Wang Shi knew they were tired, so he didn't plan to go in and sit down.

"Brother, I'll come to see you off tomorrow morning. I was supposed to have my son take you with me, but he said he doesn't know when he'll be back."

Mr. Shen politely declined.

"Little Stone, we left early this morning. Let's keep in touch by letter from now on."

Since they had their own plans, Wang Shi didn't press them further.

After shaking hands again, the two elders parted reluctantly.

Humans are social animals and need to stick together for warmth. Whether or not they have connections, they all yearn for pure friendship.

Family ties, friendships, and romantic love—any relationship that wants to last requires mutual effort and cherishing of each other.

Li Tian and the others were deeply moved.

It's quite rare that after decades of no contact, we can still act as if nothing happened when we meet again.

Tired from the journey, they quickly washed up and went back to their rooms to sleep.

The next day, while it was still barely dawn, the group got up.

I packed my backpack, ate breakfast, and set off.

Their chosen route was to hike across the Red River from north to south.

Once you leave the town, the first thing you see is a typical karst landscape.

It can also be described as a bare, rocky mountain.

At first glance, all you see are exposed gray-white rocks, the mountain peaks are as if they were carved by a knife and axe, and the path under your feet is a broken gravel road.

Without man-made flat roads and stone steps, traveling was very strenuous.

They set off early and it was a bit cold, but they could wear more layers.

When the sun is high in the sky, it gets so hot that you can't walk anymore.

First, take off a layer of cotton clothing.

However, the hat and hood cannot be removed.

The UV rays here are too strong. Getting a tan is a minor issue; the main problem is that it's very easy to get sunburned.

The barren mountain offers a wide view, with a few pine trees occasionally growing tenaciously from the cracks in the rocks, interspersed with low-lying mulberry and amla trees.

When they stopped to rest, they would seek out the shade of these bushes.

Even if there are plants, it's hard to see water.

Even a little rainwater can't be retained; it leaks away.

Before they set off, each of them filled two military water bottles.

Even with all that, it would be difficult to sustain a journey of three or four days.

When you expend a lot of physical energy, you need to replenish more energy and water.

After walking for so long, Li Tian's throat was parched.

I took a sip of water, held it in my mouth for a while, and then slowly swallowed it.

This is the experience shared by Mr. Shen.

Every part of the body needs water to stay moist.

Especially the exposed oral cavity and nasal cavity.

If you pour it directly into your stomach, it's like flooding crops; it takes a lot of water to thoroughly irrigate them.

But what they lack right now is water.

Looking at the endless rocky mountains, Li Tian seriously doubted whether he had been out of his mind back then.

Wilderness survival is no joke.

Isn't it nice to stay in a warm, cozy home during the dead of winter?

But once you've come, you can't say you regret it, even if you already regret it in your heart.

Even the strong will have moments of despair, but when they do, they will find a way to overcome themselves.

Only those who can endure it can be called strong.

Li Muchen was just as miserable.

Shen Yi was inwardly groaning.

Seeing that Li Tian didn't complain, the two boys could only endure it.

To conserve their energy, the three of them even skipped eye contact.

Liu Wei found some dry branches and boiled some water in the small pot he had brought with him.

Drinking cold water all the time can upset your stomach.

Old Shen has bad teeth, so he has to soak the flatbread in hot water before he can bite into it.

If you ask why I deliberately chose this path, it's because I chose to put myself through this ordeal.

Even in such a harsh environment, ginseng and aconite can still be found.

They came with a purpose.