A ginseng root of such age would easily fetch ten thousand yuan. Zhu Yanyi’s price of eight hundred was a genuine discount.
The Zhu family was not in need of money. Zhu Yanyi had observed the couple’s humble surroundings and estimated their financial situation. They might have some savings, but Old She and her wife had treated them with genuine warmth. For this kindness alone, Zhu Yanyi was willing to plant a seed of good karma.
Most importantly, Zhu Yanyi saw a faint, golden glow of karmic merit surrounding Old She and her wife. Though thin, it proved they were not wicked people. Zhu Yanyi naturally wished them a happy life.
"I won't stand on ceremony then," Old He said. He understood their gesture was a repayment for sheltering them in the snow. Being too polite would be fake. After living here for generations, their character had changed; they were no longer overly formal.
Old He asked his wife to hand over eight hundred yuan to Ouyang Tianyun, who accepted it without refusal.
"I wonder how long this snow will last," Zhu Yanyi sighed, watching the snow fall heavier outside.
"Yes, we haven't seen snow this heavy in years," the old woman said. She took out cured meat made from their own pigs and held it over the charcoal fire to roast it, planning to make noodles with minced cured meat topping.
The meat came from pigs they raised themselves. The noodles were hand-pulled, made from flour ground from wheat they grew.
The old woman’s noodle-making skills were top-notch. While the dough rested, she began preparing the cured meat.
"Has it never snowed this heavily before?" Zhu Yanyi asked, coming over to help.
"No. It always snows here every year, but never this much. Not since I was a child," the old woman explained. "The New Year is approaching. I worry about the children trying to come home. How will they get back in this weather?"
Zhu Yanyi looked out at the snow. "The snow itself isn't the problem. I’m worried about the lack of wind. That is the real danger."
With wind, snow doesn’t accumulate heavily on roofs or trees, so structures don’t collapse. But without wind, snow piles up easily, leading to snow disasters.
"Are the houses in this village sturdy?" Zhu Yanyi asked worriedly. "If the snow collapses the roofs, it will be bad."
"Don't worry about that," the old woman said. "Our houses are built with solid wood. Tomorrow morning, we will clear the excess snow from the roofs. That should be fine. But the village across the river, Heshan Mountain, is in trouble. Most of their houses are made of wheat straw. This much snow could crush many of them."
Zhu Yanyi felt concerned. A snow disaster could be dangerous.
"Maybe we should go check on them later," Zhu Yanyi said to Yan Aohan.
"Child, you must not go," the old woman urged quickly. "It’s too dangerous. Even aside from the weight, crossing the river requires a single-log bridge. With this much snow, the bridge is too slippery to walk on."
"I’m worried about the people in the opposite village," Zhu Yanyi said. "We are doctors. If anyone is in danger due to the snow, we can help."
"Good girl, you have a kind heart, but you really cannot go," the old woman insisted. "It rained last night, then sleeted in the early morning, and now it’s a blizzard. The single-log bridge is impassable."
Yan Aohan thought for a moment. "How about this? You stay here. Sikong and I will go check. If there’s no problem, good. If there is, we’ll figure out how to help."
Zhu Yanyi considered this. It seemed the best option. She hoped nothing bad had happened. "Let’s do as you say."
"You are good children. Since that’s the case, I, an old man, will guide you," Old He said seriously.
"No need. If the bridge is truly impassable, you won’t be able to cross either, Uncle He. We just want to scout the path. If we can’t cross, we hope nothing bad happens. If it does, we’ll find another way," Yan Aohan said firmly.
Old He thought about it. "Since that’s the case, I must guide you. I know people on the other side. I can shout to them and get an answer. You don’t know anyone. It’s settled. Let’s eat the noodles first, get warm, and then go look."
Seeing Old She’s enthusiasm, it was hard to refuse. Zhu Yanyi looked at Yan Aohan. Yan Aohan smiled helplessly. Fine, if Old She wants to come, he can come. Protecting one old man is something I can do.
Seeing Yan Aohan’s expression, Zhu Yanyi knew she had made up her mind. She never doubted Yan Aohan’s ability. Old She was just a mortal. Protecting one person was manageable. Even she could do it, let alone Yan Aohan. So, Zhu Yanyi was not anxious at all.
The old woman’s cured meat noodles were rich in broth. It contained chili, dried tofu cubes, radish cubes, spicy meat cubes, garlic, green onions, and homemade pickled long beans. It tasted spicy and sour, yet delicious.
Zhu Yanyi took a bite and gave the old woman a thumbs-up. "Auntie, your noodles are delicious. The noodles are chewy, and the topping is generous. Eating this in such weather is a real treat."
"If you like it, eat more. Auntie doesn’t have much else, but we have plenty of these noodles," the old woman said with a smile.
Old she slurped a mouthful and said, "Your auntie has been with me for over forty years. She is famous in our village for making these noodles. When she was young, she was the most beautiful girl in the village. I had to fight hard to win her."
"That was so long ago, and you still say that," the old woman laughed. "Even the noodles can’t stop your mouth."
"I’ve eaten these noodles for over forty years. If they could stop my mouth, that would be strange," Old He said with a smile.
"Eating the same noodles for forty years, and you’re not tired of it? What kind of stomach do you have?" the old woman complained, but her eyes were full of joy. She clearly enjoyed her words.
Old He laughed loudly. "Of course I’m happy. Don’t you know what kind of stomach I have? I like everything you make."