Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 122.1

Song Hongmei rushed home with two baskets full of bamboo shoots, eager to tell Wu Lan about the plan. But as soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw her sister-in-law, Mao Li, sitting there peeling lettuce leaves.

She immediately shut her mouth and gave Song Tan a look. She was still savoring the feeling of favoritism—she had a big bag of Pagoda Tree flowers and these two full baskets of bamboo shoots. Without hesitation, she said, “Well, Sister-in-law, shall we head back? I still need to prepare things for my stall tomorrow morning!”

Seeing the pile of discarded lettuce leaves Mao Li had gathered, Song Hongmei pulled out a plastic bag from her pocket. “Sister-in-law, you don’t know what you’re missing! These lettuce leaves, if stir-fried with garlic, are delicious!”

She began gathering the discarded leaves, not at all ashamed.

Sun Yanyan, who stood nearby, instinctively curled her lips.

Song Hongmei quickly packed everything up and then began emptying her bamboo shoots into her own bag.

Before Mao Li could say anything about the bamboo shoots, Song Hongmei began her usual chatter, complaining about how tough it was to run a stall, getting up early, and working late.

Her constant chatter left Mao Li feeling delighted, convinced that running a business was far more comfortable than selling breakfast.

However, when she glanced at the two baskets of bamboo shoots, she felt a bit annoyed.

Everyone knew bamboo shoots were much more expensive than lettuce. But then again, she reasoned, bamboo shoots were something anyone could dig up in the bamboo forest since childhood. On the other hand, the lettuce had been carefully tended in the field and might even sell for twenty yuan a pound, just like the Chinese Milk Vetch!

So, she suppressed her discomfort and shifted to a slightly smug tone, speaking earnestly:

“Hongmei, you work so hard every day, but you’re still willing to buy something good for your family. Bamboo shoots aren’t all that great—just something you can dig up easily in the bamboo forest. What are you going to do with so many?”

Song Hongmei thought, “If it’s so easy to dig up, then why haven’t you dug any?” And for that matter, bamboo shoots with their shells still on cost several yuan per pound at the market. Lettuce leaves are even more common, yet you’ve filled your basket with them!

But she only smiled. “Sister-in-law, you know my family eats simply. We can blanch and dry these bamboo shoots to eat through the winter. Come celebrate the New Year at my house, and I’ll stir-fry them with pickled peppers for you!”

Mao Li had never thought much of Song Hongmei’s thriftiness, and now she just faked a laugh, closing her eyes and resting alongside her daughter-in-law.

As soon as they left, Wu Lan quickly grabbed a basket and tied it around her waist while giving orders:

“Qiao Qiao, clean up the courtyard while I’m out picking tea.”

Grandmother Wang Lifen hurried to follow. “Oh dear, every minute they are here, I lose money!”

Song Tan: …

She hadn’t even had a chance to bring up the idea of hiring a chef. Well, she’d have to save it for the evening.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

Her phone buzzed. When she checked, it was a message from the people transporting the saplings, saying they had passed through the city center.

Judging by their location, they would arrive in about two hours. She wondered if the tree pits on the mountain had been dug. Any rough edges could be dealt with later, once the trees were planted.

Swiping her phone, she noticed a message from her rescuer, which she hadn’t replied to earlier in the fields.

She thought for a moment, then replied to the message a day late:

“I’m glad you like it. I’ve sent you two bottles of our homemade honey. Please try it.”

After replying, she felt relieved as if she had completed a task and smiled.

Then she realized: This person had a really good personality—straightforward, no unnecessary pleasantries.

He accepted gifts graciously and gave direct feedback—a truly refreshing person!

Remembering how the live stream had abruptly ended that day, she opened the live-streaming app. As soon as she entered her personal center, she saw a series of “99+” notifications.

Song Tan: !!!

Have I gone viral?