Chen Lan walked back with Xiang Dong and Er Hu, almost not needing to lift a finger during the hunt. The two of them handled it all at the front, while Chen Lan simply placed the hunted game into the system's storage and followed behind with an empty basket, picking mushrooms. It was the season for picking *zhen mo* (hazel mushrooms), which were best gathered on clear days; they would rot if picked during rain. The autumn air was crisp and clear, perfect for foraging. *Zhen mo* typically grew at the base of tree trunks, on deadwood, or on branches buried in the soil.
September in Changbai Mountain truly offered an abundance of treasures. Amidst the vibrant, colorful autumn forest, the land was laden with bountiful fruits. Besides *zhen mo*, there were also *hui mo* (grey mushrooms), *dong mo* (winter mushrooms), also known as *yuan mo* (medicinal mushroom), *fu zhu mo* (dried bean curd mushroom), *sao zhou mo* (broom mushroom), and *song shu mo* (pine mushroom).
Wild fruits were plentiful: blueberries, wild persimmons, wild grapes, Acanthopanax, hawthorns, wild dates, wild pears, wild plums, wild chestnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and many other wild fruits, all ripe and ready. A mountain breeze carried a pervasive fruity aroma, awaiting those who loved them to be gathered.
Chen Lan gazed at the strings of plump, translucent purple grapes, their deep blackish-purple hue tinged with a bluish-white bloom.
She carefully selected a few bunches of grapes that were relatively large and deeply colored, picking them and placing them in her basket. She planned to take them back for her two younger brothers and the dragon-phoenix twins to enjoy as a treat, and for Ming Zhe and Tian Tian. She mentally noted the locations where the wild grapes grew, deciding to bring Ming Wei and Cui Qiao to pick more wild grapes later, after the autumn harvest, to make wild grape wine for her mother and mother-in-law.
It was said that many animals in the mountains were fond of wild grapes. Those who frequently gathered mountain products often saw red deer, sika deer, roe deer, foxes, black bears, and wild boars feasting on them.
Wild grapes from Changbai Mountain were rich in protein, minerals, and various vitamins. Eaten raw, they were sweet and sour, juicy, and a very delicious wild mountain fruit.
When brewed into wine, it boasted a beautiful deep ruby color, a refreshingly sweet and sour taste, and a mellow, aromatic fragrance.
Standing on a high peak, she gazed at the distant Changbai Mountain range. The dazzling birch forests and fiery red maple leaves intertwined, a symphony of red leaves, green trees, white birches, and a blue sky, creating a scene like a meticulously painted oil masterpiece.
At that moment, an autumn wind swept by, causing her to shiver involuntarily and feel a distinct chill. It truly embodied the saying, "One mountain has four seasons, ten miles different skies."
Soon, her basket was filled with mushrooms. Unconsciously, they had walked to a spot not far from the valley, the same mountain where Cui Qiao and the others often dug for wild vegetables. Looking at the two men walking ahead, their own baskets were also full. Chen Lan estimated the time it would take to reach the valley. At Xiang Dong and Er Hu's walking pace, it would likely take about twenty minutes to reach the drying ground near the valley.
Thus, Chen Lan stopped walking. She put down her basket, found a relatively clean large stone, and sat down. She took out all the game she had stored in the system's warehouse that day, along with the three wild goats from the previous hunt. Then, she called out to the two men who were striding forward.
Chen Lan said, "Brother Xiang Dong, Brother Er Hu, you two take a basket of game back each. Ask the people in the valley to come here to help carry the game. I'll wait here for you."
The two men turned around, and their eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the game spread all over the ground. They hadn't expected to hunt so much this time.
Xiang Dong said, "Alright! You be careful. My basket isn't too heavy, and I'll carry a wild goat back too."
Watching Xiang Dong and Er Hu, both laden with full baskets of game and carrying a fat wild goat, gradually walk away, Chen Lan withdrew her gaze and looked at the pile of game on the ground. A twitch at the corner of her mouth. Her mother-in-law's words had been right; hunting with two companions not only yielded more game but also provided help in carrying it. It was truly great, unlike when she hunted with Ming Wei and the others, when they would return exhausted.
Before long, the sound of many footsteps could be heard from a distance. As the footsteps grew closer, she saw Uncle De leading the way, followed by Uncle You Fu, Teacher Zhou and his four students Zhao Qimin, Chen Liangcai, Wang Weiguo, and Zhang Yujie. Behind them were Xiang Dong and Er Hu, who had returned after dropping off their game. Further behind were the female contingent, carrying their baskets. Sudanshu.com.
Chen Lan thought to herself, this was clearly a full mobilization.
Everyone pitched in, some carrying, some lifting, some shouldering, and some bearing, finally getting the pile of game from the ground and back.
Chen Lan didn't concern herself with the rest of the tasks. Taking the wild grapes she had picked in the mountains, she went to the other side of the drying ground to find her mother and the dragon-phoenix twins. The twins had just woken up from their nap and were drowsily nestled in their mother's and Little Mountain Mother's arms. Seeing her return, her mother asked in a hushed voice, "Lan'er, your mother-in-law said you went hunting on the mountain with Xiang Xi and Er Hu. You haven't had lunch yet, have you? Go eat quickly. Mai Zi saved some warm food for the three of you in the large cooking pot." Chen Lan quickly rinsed her hands with water from the twins' kettle, washed a few grapes, peeled them, cut them in half, removed the seeds, and placed half in each child's mouth. Jia Yao's little brow furrowed, and he let out a little shiver. Jia Hui, with grapes in her mouth, ate them with gusto, showing no other reaction. Chen Lan peeled a grape and popped it into her mouth. It was sweet and sour, quite appetizing, and she suddenly felt hungry.
It seemed that young master Jia Yao couldn't handle sourness, while Jia Hui's reaction was quite normal.
Seeing Jia Yao's expression, her mother immediately told him to spit it out and urged Chen Lan to go eat.
Chen Lan left the few bunches of grapes for her mother to taste and then went to eat.
At this time, everyone was busily engaged at the cooking area, boiling water to scald chicken feathers, skinning rabbits, and skinning wild goats. Almost everyone was involved in preparing the game. Her mother-in-law was loudly directing the operations. Seeing Chen Lan approach, she quickly brought out the food she had saved for her. She said, "Xiao Lan, eat quickly. You must be starving!"
Chen Lan said, "Thank you!" She was indeed hungry. She had walked a long way and it was well past mealtime, so she didn't stand on ceremony and began to eat ravenously.