TSWPF – Chapter 29 Shocked

Seeing the villagers so animatedly discussing going to Song Mountain, the village chief’s worries flared up again. He pressed his hands down, waiting for everyone to quiet down before speaking, “What Xiaoling just said, I hope you all take it to heart. Do not be greedy, do not venture deep into the mountains. Just gather some food around the outskirts—that’s enough. Understood?” He was really afraid that if the villagers acted on greed and luck and went deep into the mountains, something terrible might happen.

The villagers all shouted that they understood, but whether they truly internalized it was only known to themselves.

The village chief sighed, waved his hand, and told everyone to disperse.

Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou returned to the Liu family house in silence. As soon as they stepped inside, Liu Zhimou asked, “So… are we still going hunting?” In his mind, they wouldn’t go, but he wanted to hear Li Qingling’s thoughts.

“No.” Li Qingling shook her head decisively. “After the villagers hear this news, they’ll rush to Song Mountain in droves. We won’t join that crowd. Let’s stay home and tend to the fields.” She didn’t want to go to Song Mountain with so many people. If something happened and it was said that she led them there, it would be unfair to her.

She had no interest in doing thankless, exhausting tasks.

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, “I think the same. Let’s stay home and take care of the fields.” Now that she wasn’t going, he felt at ease.

Li Qingling glanced at him and smiled, then told him to fetch a basin from the kitchen while she went to milk the goat.

They hadn’t milked the goat last night, only letting the little sister drink a bit of rice water. She had cried loudly from hunger in the middle of the night, which made Li Qingling feel heartbroken.

Liu Zhimou hummed and went to the kitchen to get a basin, then walked to the backyard.

Li Qingfeng and Liu Zhiyan, who were writing, exchanged glances, set down their brushes, and excitedly ran to the backyard as well.

Seeing them arrive, Liu Zhimou cast a glance at them, “Finished your big character practice?” They had a habit of getting involved in anything lively. No, they still needed some discipline.

The two little ones had no idea that their future would be full of struggles. At this moment, they were smiling and slacking off, “We haven’t seen the goat being milked yet. We want to watch first, then go back to writing.” Such a novel thing—how could they miss it?

“Okay, add five more sheets!” Liu Zhimou said casually, making the two kids immediately wail.

Liu Zhiyan knew his older brother’s terrifying nature and didn’t dare beg. He quietly nudged Li Qingfeng, asking him to plead.

They had already suffered completing ten sheets; five more would be unbearable.

Li Qingfeng swallowed nervously. He too was afraid of Brother Zhimou. Despite Liu Zhimou’s gentle appearance, anyone who spent time with him knew how scary he could be. He was even a little worried about how tough life would be for his sister.

“Um…Brother Zhimou, our sister said we should balance work and rest. A little break is good for us too.” Li Qingfeng tried to plead with Liu Zhimou, then glanced at Li Qingling, who was squatting nearby ready to milk the goat, hoping she would intervene.

Sister was always nice, so surely she would help, right? But he was wrong this time. His sister didn’t help him.

“I don’t know about that. Let’s just follow Brother Zhimou’s lead,” Li Qingling said lightly. She had noticed the children’s little scheme but respected Liu Zhimou’s authority.

If she interfered while he was teaching the kids, how could they learn?

“Sister?” Li Qingfeng wailed. This time she was too cruel—not helping at all.

“Yes, I can hear you. No need to shout so loudly; my hearing is fine!” Li Qingling smiled at him, then calmly said, “Stop making noise. I’m going to start milking. If you want goat milk, behave.”

What else could he say? Li Qingfeng pouted, tugged at Liu Zhiyan’s sleeve behind him, signaling he was powerless.

Liu Zhiyan shrugged—he was even more powerless. If he spoke up, their elder brother would be stricter. For their own safety, it was better to stay silent.

Liu Zhimou was in a good mood, a slight smile on his face as he looked at the two children, then his gentle eyes shifted to Li Qingling. “Do you need help?”

Li Qingling shook her head. She could do it herself. Milking wasn’t easy—it required technique. Anyone inexperienced would hurt the goat and risk being kicked. She knew this from past experience.

“There! It’s coming! There’s really milk!” Li Qingfeng shouted excitedly as he saw Li Qingling milking the goat. All his previous disappointment vanished. “But it smells weird… can we drink it?”

“It’s the goat smell,” Liu Zhiyan said excitedly, squatting down. It was his first time seeing someone milk a goat, and he felt a little thrill. “I won’t drink it—it smells too bad.” He felt sorry for Ningning, having to drink such a smelly milk.

Li Qingling continued milking while replying, “Once I boil it, you’ll see how it tastes. I promise, after trying it once, you’ll want a second cup.” Goat milk was very beneficial, especially for the children, who were all small and thin. Daily milk would help them grow taller.

“I believe you, sister.” Li Qingfeng trusted his sister blindly. If she could cook so well, she could certainly make this milk tasty too.

Li Qingling smiled, saying nothing, continuing to milk. Liu Zhimou saw sweat on her forehead and said, “Teach me how to milk too. If you’re not home, I can do it.”

Li Qingling looked at him and nodded after thinking for a moment. She gave up her spot, letting him squat in her place while she guided him.

He tried several times before mastering the technique and successfully milking the goat.

Only by trying did one realize how physically demanding milking could be.

“I want to try too…” Liu Zhiyan said after watching for a while.

Li Qingfeng didn’t want to be left out either and said he wanted to try.

At that moment, Liu Zhirou, with her messy hair and short legs, waddled to the backyard, whining, “Si…sister…cry, cry…”

Hearing their sister cry, Li Qingfeng immediately ran inside.

Liu Zhiyan hurriedly picked up the barefoot Liu Zhirou, “Second brother will carry you back to put on your shoes!”

“Baa…” Liu Zhirou clung to Liu Zhiyan’s neck, pointing at the goat, refusing to leave.

“Wait, we’ll see Baa-Baa later, okay?” Liu Zhiyan coaxed her back.

Li Qingling also worried that her sister might starve. Once she had a full basin, she stopped Liu Zhimou from milking and carried the basin inside.

In the kitchen, she washed her hands, ignoring the goat smell, cleaned the pot, and poured in the milk.

Liu Zhimou sat on a stool and lit the fire.

“Brother Zhimou, do you have tea leaves?” Tea could remove the goat smell.

“Yes…” Their parents had loved tea and left some at home. Since their passing, the tea remained untouched.

Li Qingling covered the pot and said, “Bring me some tea leaves.” She had some at home but didn’t want to run back for them.

Liu Zhimou agreed and went to the room their parents had used, bringing all the tea they had. “Not much left… hope this is enough.”

“It’s enough.” Li Qingling rinsed a handful of tea leaves in water, wrapped them in a clean cloth, and placed it in the pot over the milk.

Liu Zhimou, puzzled, asked why she put the tea in.

“To remove the goat smell.” Li Qingling sniffed her own hands and frowned—they smelled bad. She took more tea leaves, added hot water to the basin, then some cold water, adjusted the temperature, and placed her hands in it. “BrotherZhimou, doesn’t the smell bother you? Try soaking your hands too!”

Liu Zhimou added a few larger pieces of firewood, ensuring the flame wouldn’t die, then joined her, seeing her slightly rough hands.

He pursed his lips, rolled up his sleeves, and placed his hands in the water.

Two pairs of hands, one fair, one dark, in the basin. Li Qingling felt speechless—Liu Zhimou’s skin was flawless.

“Your hands are so nice,” she said. Smooth and slender.

“…Are you teasing me?” Liu Zhimou looked at her head for a moment. “My mother left some snow cream, unused. I’ll give it to you later.” It would make her hands beautiful.

Li Qingling burst out laughing. She raised her hands and waved in front of him. “You think my hands are ugly? Dark and rough.” She teasingly wiggled her fingers.

She felt her hands were slightly better after using the spiritual water, though still rougher than his.

He shook his head, explaining, “No, your hands have old scars. Using the snow cream helps.” He had seen his mother use it often.

Li Qingling returned her hands to the basin, refusing his offer. “That’s your mother’s, keep it as a memento. If I want some, I’ll buy it in town next time.”

He glanced at her and hummed.

“Sister, done yet? Little sister’s starving.” Li Qingfeng, carrying the now calm sister, ran over. Seeing the two adults standing together with their hands in the water, he froze, then grinned. “I… I didn’t see anything! Nothing at all!”

With that, he ran off with the little sister, leaving the two staring at each other in silence.