It was whispered that Old Captain had saved over five hundred yuan, and no one in the village hadn't sought a loan from the Old Captain's house. It was rumored the Old Captain kept a hard-bound ledger specifically for recording debts. Think about five hundred yuan—lending out such a sum meant something significant in this village. When Cheng Ying heard about this, she instantly understood her current standing: she was the village's wealthiest person. Though the thought felt somewhat shameless, it was an undeniable fact.

To digress slightly, Cheng Ying started school. Carrying her bag, she pedaled her own bike to the township, as she felt she absolutely had to be there on the first day of school. Cheng Ying specifically sought out the principal to explain her situation: her stepfather had tutored her for a month, and furthermore, her age was older than the other children in her grade because the school was far away back then, causing her to start late. Therefore, Cheng Ying requested to take the exam for promotion from the fifth grade to junior high that year. This utterly stunned the principal. Testing across grades, or chi wu kua ji kao shi, usually meant jumping one grade level. Now, Cheng Ying was asking to skip two grades! Even if Chi Yong was capable, to bring a child up to that level in one winter break—it sounded like magic. “Student Cheng Ying, we understand your urgency, but bread must be eaten one bite at a time.” Cheng Ying felt a toothache listening to the principal speak; she couldn't adjust to it. Most villagers ate steamed buns; in their village, and even in the township, she hadn't seen bread. Why was this principal putting on airs? Weren't steamed buns perfectly adequate? Cheng Ying said, “Principal, my father agrees to this.” The Principal sighed, “Fine, if you insist on trying, then try. But if you don't score well, you’ll have to repeat the third grade.” This was meant to curb Cheng Ying’s sharp spirit, lest the little girl become too proud. Cheng Ying replied, “Thank you, Principal. I will certainly work hard.” The principal thought that the little girl’s attitude was quite good, and her manners were impeccable; no wonder her studies were so strong. “Alright, go back to class.” Cheng Ying rubbed her hands together. “Principal, I have poor health. I am not suited for sitting for long periods or strenuous exercise, and I must not catch a chill. The doctor issued a medical certificate for this.” The principal’s expression darkened completely. So, this student aiming for junior high would be absent for only ten-odd days out of the semester, just like last year? Had the Cheng family’s grave overgrown with weeds? How could the child ever amount to anything? “Student Cheng Ying, some difficulties must be overcome.” Cheng Ying’s face immediately drooped. “Principal, I also envy my classmates running freely on the campus. I also wish to sweat alongside children my age, but my health restricts me to staying alone in my room, silently reading, reading only my study books.” This speech significantly softened the principal’s expression. At least the composition score for the junior high entrance exam would be fine; the phrasing was excellent. And how difficult things were for the child—so pitiful. “Alright, health is the capital for everything. You should rest well, but don't let your studies slip. You absolutely must not let down the expectations of your teachers and parents.” Cheng Ying nodded, bowed deeply to the principal with gratitude, and then looked wistfully at the campus before walking out with a sense of regret. Her expression, her movements—every detail was pitch-perfect. Behind her, the principal let out a long sigh. Why did this child have to suffer from poor health? It was fate, it was destiny.

Cheng Ying’s mood brightened considerably after leaving the school grounds. Having an uncle who worked at the hospital was certainly convenient. Cheng Ying chatted with her maternal grandfather for most of the day before cycling home. Regarding Cheng Ying’s independent ways, generally, no one interfered. Even if she was called an unlucky child, she wouldn’t listen.

With a television now at home, her grandmother constantly entertained crowds, while Cheng Ying focused solely on the mountain. Now, Er Ya had truly stepped onto the main stage of Cheng Ying’s life. Since Cheng Ying went to the mountain, Er Ya had always been by her side. Cheng Ying sometimes thought that Er Ya had completely replaced Chi Wu.

In early spring, Cheng Ying planted all the ginseng sprouts she had accumulated over time, just to harvest a batch of newly sprouted ginseng seedlings. Cheng Ying’s "space" was now managed with considerable flair—the benefit of only needing to think, not physically labor! She could achieve exactly what she wanted. However, to avoid suspicion, Cheng Ying prepared a few cracked pots and placed them in the west room of her house, locking the door upon entering and leaving. Because there were many idle people around, even though Second Aunt was now sticking close to Cheng Ying’s family, she still managed to stir up trouble. “Yingzi, we’re family, we share everything. Why the locking and unlocking?” This remark was truly provoking, directed at Cheng Ying in front of a room full of people watching television. It was clearly meant to incite resentment against her. The old lady was so furious she wanted to throw her second daughter-in-law out; her eyes were blazing. Cheng Ying offered a shy smile. “Second Aunt, my father’s room is full of books. Grandma and I carefully store them, afraid they might get damaged.” Third Madam interjected, “Scholars value their books highly. With so many children, don't tear or discard them. It’s fortunate Yingzi takes such good care.” Cheng Ying added, “Third Madam praises me, but I just watch how carefully my stepfather handles his books, afraid of damaging them, so I dare not be careless.” After speaking, she smiled at Second Aunt, who, oblivious and carefree, went back to watching television, leaving Cheng Ying genuinely unsure if it was intentional or not. Fortunately, rural people revered scholars; as long as it concerned books, any level of caution was understood. It was worth noting that at that time, elementary schools often had two or three students sharing one set of textbooks—such were the conditions.

Cheng Ying painstakingly moved the pots containing ginseng seedlings, which had sprouted just a single tiny leaf, out to two pots in the open air. Finding a quiet moment, she brought her grandmother into the west room. “Look, Grandma, my ginseng babies.” The old lady looked at her granddaughter, finally understanding why there was so much secrecy about locking doors. The girl was up to something big. “You’re so full of ideas, why didn't you even hint at what you were doing?” Cheng Ying scratched her head. “I prepared several pots, but for some reason, only these one or two pots have shown any movement; the rest haven’t made a sound. I don't know why.” She delivered this statement with great irresponsibility. However, her grandmother knew how to explain things. “Do you think this stuff just grows anywhere? It’s precious, not like cabbage. This is a gift fallen from heaven; it’s good fortune. Don't speak carelessly.” It was akin to seizing heavenly luck. But the old lady’s wording was crude.

Cheng Ying said, “Grandma, I can't manage it all myself. I was thinking we could ask Second Grand-Uncle to help us out this year. What do you think?” Old Mrs. Cheng stared at her granddaughter. What a spendthrift! Who did she take after? She wanted to hire a long-term worker! How much would that cost? But if the work wasn't outsourced, her granddaughter would surely suffer. Oh well, money comes and goes; let the child indulge her ambition. “What are your plans?” Cheng Ying proposed, “I was thinking we could offer Second Grand-Uncle fifty yuan a month, like last December, to work for us for a year on trial. The food arrangement is a bit tricky, though. Grandma, what if Second Grand-Uncle eats at our house?” The old lady stared at her granddaughter for a long time, speechless. She was still a child. “A whole year is fine, but eating here is not acceptable. If I cook, and he comes over every few days to eat, people will talk, and it won't sound good.” Cheng Ying looked at her grandmother. She wasn't stingy; cooking for one extra person was truly not a big deal. The old lady looked at Cheng Ying’s bewildered expression and smacked her lightly. “I’ve lived a clean and upright life; I cannot be slandered in my old age. Your Second Grand-Uncle is a bachelor; him eating at our house daily will give people cause to gossip.” Cheng Ying burst out laughing. It seemed her grandmother was fiercely protecting her reputation. Cheng Ying looked at the nearly seventy-year-old woman and truly couldn't associate gossip or scandal with her. Oh, her grandmother was something else. “It was my oversight. Then we can have Second Grand-Uncle eat up on the mountain. We can build a small shed up there later.” The old lady’s lungs ached with frustration. Now they needed to spend money again! Why didn't the girl calculate expenses at all? At this rate, the two thousand yuan wouldn't last two years. But the old lady managed not to utter a single complaint. It was better than the child having money and not knowing how to spend it.

It must be said that the old lady spoiled her grandson this way, and that’s how he grew up. People say a dog only grows for a year, but now Er Ya was a majestic, imposing dog. When villagers saw him, they said they had never seen a dog grow to such an imposing size. As long as Er Ya was near, most people dared not approach Cheng Ying. Cheng Ying hadn't forced Er Ya to train last year, but for the past six months, she had been strict. She educated Er Ya regarding the small ginseng seedlings: if he dared to tamper with them, she would strike his little paws. Now, the ginseng seedlings in the mountain plot were no longer threatened by Er Ya, though the survival rate was still low, only about three or four out of ten. This was even with Cheng Ying cheating by using water from her "space." Fortunately, Cheng Ying had plenty of ginseng seedlings; they could win by sheer quantity, not worrying about the survival rate. As long as they lived, she would plant them back onto the mountain, doubling the amount.

When spring arrived, Cheng Ying gave two pots of small ginseng seedlings to Second Grand-Uncle Cheng. When Second Grand-Uncle took them, his hands trembled. This bounty was hard-won. He never expected Yingzi, though young, to have such bold ambitions. From then on, they were planted on the mountain. When Second Grand-Uncle planted the seedlings, his attitude was completely different from Cheng Ying’s. Cheng Ying watched how meticulously Second Grand-Uncle planted them—if he could divine the future, he would surely cast a divination for each seedling to determine the best direction for planting. Cheng Ying spent her days roaming the mountain with Second Grand-Uncle. Second Grand-Uncle checked on these seedlings every single day. This caused Cheng Ying some distress; if Second Grand-Uncle counted every single seedling, how could she possibly find opportunities to transplant them casually whenever she pleased?

Luckily, Cheng Ying brought back a cartload of saplings every time she went out, using various excuses: some she bought herself, some she dug up, some others discarded that she rescued, and some gifted by her maternal grandfather and uncle. The excuses for bringing back saplings were always different, leaving no room for investigation. Cheng Family’s Second Grand-Uncle was skilled at managing the mountain plot; his organizational logic was much better than Cheng Ying’s. The two of them, conferring and cooperating, made the mountain plot look increasingly impressive. Second Grand-Uncle built a wooden shed on the mountain himself. Sometimes, Second Grand-Uncle essentially lived on the mountain; now, the mountain site was fully equipped with pots, bowls, and pans. As for water, wasn't there a ready mountain spring that never froze even in winter? Second Grand-Uncle declared that once the ginseng seedlings matured, they would need someone watching them even in winter.

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