“Is that true, Grandma Mao? All the plants are new varieties after the mudslides? Are you sure?” Mrs. Yi stared at Grandma Mao.

“Believe me, dear. I know because at that time, I picked wild vegetables on the mountain every day.”

They smiled at each other, and warmth welled up in their hearts.

“Grandma Mao, are you confident about my work?”

“Not only am I confident about your work, it’s mainly because of you that I’ve stayed alive. Just think, I need herbs for my legs, you go to the mountains to find herbs, and the mountains grow those herbs for you to pick. What a great game it is! Life can be such fun—who can bear to give up life? I often think that from the very beginning, it must have been arranged that Yun Village would have you!”

“You are really wonderful. I didn’t know I was so lucky. Today, your words inspire me. As I sit here with you, I see many things on the mountain that I’ve never seen before.”

Carrying her medicine kit on her back, Mrs. Yi left. Grandma Mao held the door and waved to her.

As she walked along the country road, Mrs. Yi kept marveling at the curative effect of herbs. For patients with chronic diseases, herbal medicine generally didn’t take effect for at least a day. Perhaps it was because Grandma Mao was very familiar with Niulan Mountain that her body reacted unusually well to herbal medicine. It was remarkable. Caught up in this vision, Mrs. Yi giggled. For the time being, she forgot the unpleasant things that had happened in her garden in the morning. Perhaps, she thought, the truth would come out in the end.

5
Aunt Yossi and Her Eccentric Daughter-in-Law

She met Gray on the road. His girlfriend was with him, and they were in high spirits as they walked to town. He looked happy and healthy, wearing a white shirt and carrying a load of chestnuts on a shoulder pole.

“Mrs. Yi, this is my girlfriend Spoon. I’ll call on you in a couple of days,” Gray said.

“Oh, she’s very pretty!” Mrs. Yi said heartily, “Gray, you look good, too. Are you going to get married?”

“Not so soon. I won’t think of getting married before I’ve accomplished something.”

Gray’s bold words stunned Mrs. Yi because he used to be very shy. Apparently love could really change a person.

“We shouldn’t waste Mrs. Yi’s precious time. She’s busy. Good-bye, Mrs. Yi,” said Spoon, urging Gray to walk faster. They were soon far away.

“They’re a perfect match!” Uncle Ma’s wife had approached and was speaking to Mrs. Yi.

“The boy is very lucky. He wanted to learn medicine from me, but I’m glad he’s striking out on his own now,” Mrs. Yi said.

“Is that so?” Aunt Ma looked inquiringly at Mrs. Yi. “It’s hard to understand a Yun villager’s mind.” She sighed softly, and said again, “He is so young, he has a long way ahead.”