Chapter 37: The morning of new beginnings.

The Morning of New Beginnings

Jian Yiling woke up pumped.

There was something about having a plan—a clear direction—that made her feel like she had control over her life. Today was going to be productive.

She sat up, stretched her arms, and took a deep breath. The scent of last night's pork broth still lingered in the air. Her stomach rumbled in approval.

"Alright," she muttered. "Let's get to work."

The moment Yiling stepped into the kitchen, she rolled up her sleeves. Breakfast had to be worthy of her new momentum.

She sliced up some leftover pork belly into thin, crispy strips, cracked open a few pickled radishes, and reheated the broth. As an extra treat, she took some of the dough she had kneaded last night and made fluffy, golden scallion pancakes.

The smell had barely filled the kitchen before two small shadows appeared at the doorway.

Zhi and Yun'er stood there like tiny beggars, rubbing their sleepy eyes but fully alert at the scent of fried goodness.

Yun'er blinked blearily. "Mama… Are we rich now?"

Yiling snorted. "No, but we're eating well today. Now, wash your hands."

The three of them devoured the meal, with Yun'er stuffing her cheeks like a chipmunk, and Zhi dramatically sighing like an old man at a teahouse.

"Mama, you're wasted in this village. You should open a restaurant," Zhi said between bites.

Yiling smirked. "And you should learn to chew before talking."

The morning was off to a great start.

With full stomachs, Yiling gathered her basket of seeds—cabbage, radish, mustard greens, and pumpkins. The fields behind their house had been tilled the day before, and today, she would plant the first batch.

The sun was warm but not overbearing, and the soil was moist from the last rain. Perfect conditions.

As Yiling worked, Zhi and Yun'er scampered off to the village to play. Normally, she might worry about them, but the village was small and tight-knit. Besides, they needed to socialize with other kids—they had spent too many days clinging to her side, afraid of the unknown.

As she pressed the last seed into the soil, she leaned back and wiped the sweat from her brow.

"Alright, little ones, grow well," she murmured to the seeds. "I'm counting on you."

Just as Yiling was finishing up, two little figures ran toward her from the village path, shouting excitedly.

"Mama! Mama! Look!"

Zhi and Yun'er held out their hands—two freshly laid eggs.

"Our neighbor, Granny Wang, gave them to us!" Yun'er beamed. "She said we've been looking healthier these days, so she gave us a gift!"

Yiling took the eggs carefully. Eggs were a rare luxury.

Her fingers tightened around them thoughtfully.

Maybe… it was time to raise chickens?

Fresh eggs. Extra income. More variety in their meals. And chicken manure would be great for her crops.

The idea took root immediately.

"Granny Wang is very kind," Yiling said, tucking the eggs into her basket. "Next time, we'll bring her something in return."

Zhi nodded eagerly. "Can we give her some pork?"

Yun'er, ever the food lover, looked instantly heartbroken. "But the pork is so good…"

Yiling chuckled. "Then we'll give her something else. Maybe some pickled vegetables."

Yun'er immediately perked up.

Crisis averted.

Back at the house, Yiling started preparing lunch.

She decided on egg drop soup, using the fresh eggs, along with stir-fried greens and some leftover pork from breakfast. Simple but delicious.

She was just about to start cooking when she heard a knock at the door.

That was unusual. Most villagers simply called out from outside.

Frowning, Yiling wiped her hands on her apron and went to answer it.

She opened the door to find—

A goose.

A very angry-looking, puffed-up goose.

And behind it, a sweating, nervous man holding a wooden staff like it was his only defense.

"Uh… Widow Jian," the man_a village youth named Ah Sheng—gulped. "I… I came to trade… but your—uh—goose won't let me pass."

Yiling blinked. "My what?"

She stepped out, looked around—and nearly burst into laughter.

A massive, snow-white goose was standing guard in front of her house like a personal bodyguard.

Beady eyes locked onto Ah Sheng like he was a sworn enemy.

Its wings were slightly raised, ready for battle.

Where had it even come from?!

The goose honked aggressively. Ah Sheng yelped and took a step back.

Yiling, arms crossed, barely contained her amusement. "So let me get this straight… you were scared off by a goose?"

Ah Sheng looked deeply betrayed. "This isn't just any goose! Look at its eyes! It has the soul of a warrior!"

The goose honked again, stepping forward menacingly.

Ah Sheng fled.

Yiling stared as the goose strutted confidently toward her, then plopped down by her doorstep like it owned the place.

Yun'er peeked out from behind the door. "Mama… did we get a pet?"