gnovel Chapter 12 was tested 4 times.
Chapter 12 was tested 4 times.
"Hmm." Wang Zhihuan squatted down and laid out the straw around the pit. "This pit looks simple, right? But it's actually quite complicated to make. In fact, I've tried it four times already."
The first hole was dug too deep, and when it rained, water accumulated and all the earthworms drowned.
The second pit was too shallow, and the soil hardened like stone under the sun, making it impossible for earthworms to burrow.
The third time they didn't lay straw, they all froze to death in the winter.
The three pits you see now were discovered after three batches of earthworms died.
He spoke in a very flat tone, as if he were talking about something that wasn't even worth mentioning.
Chang Le listened, but her mind wandered—someone was willing to try raising earthworms four times, and didn't mind three batches dying.
This patience isn't something I'm putting on for anyone else.
It's something he would do even if he were squatting in the yard, with no one watching or praising him.
She could picture the scene: him squatting there alone, once, twice, three times, until the fourth time, when the earthworm came to life and dug tiny tunnels in the soil.
There was no applause, no reward. He simply dusted himself off and went on to do something else.
"I admire your patience, Mr. Wang."
"It's not about patience." He stood up and dusted off his knees. "I just couldn't accept it. The first time I died, I thought something must have gone wrong."
I died the second time. I knew I was on the right track, but I hadn't adjusted the details.
After dying the third time, I knew I had to lay straw on top.
On the fourth try, it survived. Now these earthworms can turn over half a pit of soil a day.
"Pretty little guy!" Sizi called from the other side of the fence, "This chicken is stealing other people's worms again! It already stole three out of seven! It's so greedy! It's not a good little guy."
"That's not greed." Wang Zhi walked over and squatted down next to her, pointing to the yellow-feathered chicken that was snatching earthworms. "When it first came, it was the thinnest one in the flock."
It couldn't compete with the chickens for food and was always pushed to the side. Now it's the biggest one in the flock.
Si Zi stared at the chicken with its mouth agape, then at Wang Zhihuan: "So it was bullied before?"
"right."
"So now it's bullying others?"
"It's not exactly bullying. It's just that it was terrified of hunger in the past. Now it tries to snatch anything it sees, regardless of whether it can eat it or not."
Sizi tilted its head and thought for a long time, then turned to the yellow-feathered chicken and shouted, "Don't be afraid! From now on, Sizi will ask the handsome patron to save you the biggest one!"
The chicken was startled and flapped its wings, taking two steps back. The earthworm fell to the ground and was picked up by another chicken.
The rhinoceros got anxious: "Hey, why did you let go!" The chicken didn't understand and ran away.
Chang Le stood under the jujube tree watching this scene, a smile slowly spreading across her lips.
When Si Zi played with the palace maids and eunuchs in the palace, they always let her have her way.
This was the first time someone had told her that the chicken had been bullied in the past.
I wasn't just trying to appease her; I was genuinely explaining to her why a chicken is greedy.
"Young Master Wang," she spoke again.
"Um?"
"There is something I don't understand, and I would like to ask you for your guidance."
The things on your farm, whether it's the method of raising earthworms or the ketchup-making technique you used last time—
"If others learn from you, aren't you afraid you'll lose your unique skills?"
"What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that others will do the same?" Wang Zhi chuckled, his laughter carrying an ambiguous meaning. "Young lady, let me tell you the truth, and you won't need to doubt it."
I invented this myself. Others can learn it, and I'd be happy if more people could learn it too.
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the chattering chickens before returning to her face: "Think about it, if someone is envious of your skill and you keep it to yourself, they'll only end up wanting more of you."
If you teach openly and honestly, this thing will become your trademark, and everyone will know that you were the one who created it first.
Besides, it's not some amazing secret recipe; it just requires a little more effort.
Chang Le listened, nodded, and didn't ask any further questions.
But Wang Zhi's next words stirred her heart:
"Just like that poem—I read it to you, you remembered it, and you might even read it to others when you get back."
Do you think I'd be afraid you'd steal my poem to become famous? No. Because it wasn't said for fame in the first place.
Chang Le raised her eyes and met his calm gaze.
He knew—he knew how much the poem had shaken her, and he knew she would ponder it repeatedly after returning home.
"What you say is very true, Mr. Wang," she replied softly.
When we got back into the main room, the sun was already quite high in the sky.
Wang Zhi also took the steamed buns out of the pot and served them a dish of pickled vegetables. The steamed buns were still steaming hot and soft.
Si Zi tiptoed to look at the table, sniffing the air.
"Pretty buddy, why are today's steamed buns so soft? The ones you ate last time were hard."
"The last one was made with unleavened dough. This one is made with leavened dough."
"What does 'leavened dough' mean?"
"A starter is added to the dough, and it rises before steaming. One pound of dough, once risen, produces about 50% more steamed buns than dough made without starter."
Wang Zhi broke off a piece and handed it to her, saying, "Try it."
Sizi stuffed the steamed bun into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out roundly, and after chewing a couple of times, her eyes lit up: "So soft! Just like a cloud!"
Have you ever eaten clouds?
"No. But I think that's what clouds are like."
Wang Zhi chuckled and pushed the pickles in front of Chang Le.
"Last time we ate, I noticed that my wife took a couple more bites of this. So I made sure to take a little more today."
This is homemade pickled; I added an extra ingredient, Sichuan peppercorns, compared to what you buy outside.
Chang Le's chopsticks stopped in mid-air.
Last time, they had only eaten together a few times—the first time was scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and the second time was steamed buns with pickles.
She didn't even notice which dish she had taken extra food from, but he remembered.
"Thank you, Mr. Wang." She picked up a piece of pickled vegetable, put it in her mouth, and chewed slowly. The numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns exploded on her tongue, followed by a little saltiness and a little sourness.
"Mrs. Li, you're too kind. It was just a small matter."
Chang Le didn't say anything more. After swallowing the piece of pickled vegetable, she picked up another piece.
Sizi, who had already finished most of her steamed bun, suddenly looked up as if she remembered something.
"Pretty buddy! Today, that chicken ran out, and Si Zi chased after it, but couldn't catch it. Pretty buddy, you said to let it run for a while."
It really did run around for a while and then went back on its own! Pretty guy, how did you know the penis would go back?
"Because chickens are like people."
"Chickens are just like people!"
"Think about it. If you were being chased, wouldn't you run even faster?"
Yes.
"If you weren't being chased by anyone, and you were just wandering around outside for a couple of minutes, wouldn't you find it boring?"
"...It seems so."
"So let it run. When it gets tired, it will go back on its own."