A lush forest

The dim moonlight was the only light to guide her. She walked along a winding path through the forest and fields. The surroundings were so quiet that she could hear the chirping of insects.

The memories from her previous body gave her confidence in the path. Although there were some parts that were messy and scary, she did not feel afraid.

" I must reach the district in time for the morning market," she thought to herself, quickening her pace with resolute determination.

As the sky began to brighten, the first rays of the day gradually revealed Haitong County in front of her. Zhu Qing'an walked into the morning market, which was starting to get lively. Vendors were preparing their goods and loudly calling out to customers.

Zhu Qing'an chose a quiet spot in a corner of the market. She arranged the wild products she had brought for sale in an orderly manner. With a gentle expression and skillful arrangement, she attracted the attention of passersby.

" The mushrooms are so fresh ! These herbs are also rare in this area," a vendor greeted as he picked up the herbs to examine them.

Many customers stopped by to buy from her. With her knowledge of the medicinal properties of herbs and mushrooms from her previous life, she was able to explain them fluently, which made her products sell out quickly.

When she had enough money, she quickly went to buy the necessities for her family: meat, fresh vegetables, rice, and some condiments.

After buying all her things, Zhu Qing'an left the county without hesitation. She didn't want anyone to notice that she was just a young girl traveling alone.

Her basket was full of necessities, and although it was heavy, she gritted her teeth and walked home without stopping.

Along the way, she thought about her family who were still recuperating at home. The fatigue from the journey disappeared when she imagined the smiles on everyone's faces when they saw these things.

When they arrived home late in the morning, Zhu Qing'an found Lin Ai and her two younger brothers preparing to go out to find food again. They stopped when they saw her walking in with a basket full of goods that was almost overflowing.

" An'er ! Where have you been ?" Lin Ai asked in shock.

" I went to sell wild products in Haidong County," Zhu Qing'an replied with a smile.

" I bought meat, vegetables and rice for us so that everyone can eat well and recuperate."

Lin Ai looked at her daughter with mixed feelings, both worried and proud, and tears welled up in her eyes.

" You just recovered, why are you forcing yourself like this ?"

" Because I know that if we don't do it now, we won't have the strength to continue fighting," Zhu Qing'an replied in a resolute tone.

Zhu Qingcheng and Zhu Qingyang rushed over to help carry the things. Everyone in the family began to feel the change that had occurred. Zhu Qingan was no longer just a weak girl. She had become a light that began to guide the family out of the darkness.

That evening, everyone sat around the table and ate warmly. Lin Ai cooked the fragrant beef soup, while Zhu Qingcheng diligently helped grill the fish.

" I promise … I will make our lives better," Zhu Qing'an thought to himself as he watched everyone eat with a smile.

The light from the lantern in the dilapidated house illuminated the warmth that was beginning to form. Even though it was just a small step, it was a step filled with hope and encouragement.

As Zhu Qing'an walked deeper into the forest, the silence of the morning was replaced by the whispers of nature. Leaves rustled gently in the gentle wind, and the sound of a nearby stream echoed clearly in the silence. Tall trees stood tall and lined up in a long line, their fresh green leaves soaked in dew reflecting the faint light of the sun that had just risen above the horizon.

The ground beneath her feet was soft because it was covered with a layer of soil and fallen leaves over the years. At some points, large tree roots protruded from the ground like natural tunnels. The moist scent of soil and forest woods permeated the air, filling her with a sense of freshness.

The sound of birdsong echoed everywhere. Sometimes the chirping of birdsong alternated with the chirping of low and high pitched birdsongs like a never-ending song of nature. Many kinds of birds flew about, some with colorful feathers, reflecting the sunlight like living gems.

As she walked through the big trees, she saw small squirrels climbing the branches, quick and agile. The occasional crack of dry branches was heard as small animals like hares and young deer hid in the thick bushes.

Overhead, vines hung like natural curtains, some of which were lined with brightly colored wildflowers. The purple flowers, their faint fragrance, filled the air.

Following the sound of flowing water, she found a clear stream that meandered through large and small rocks. The soft sound of water hitting the rocks was calming. Small fish swam around in the glassy water, so clear that they could almost be reached out and touched.

The streamside is full of lush ferns and moss. In some places, there are small trees that bend over the stream as if embracing it.

In this forest, there are many valuable things. The colorful wild mushrooms growing under the big trees look fresh and have a unique smell. In some places, there are bushes of wild fruits, such as small red fruits that grow hidden under the bushes of dark green leaves.

Zhu Qing'an found a medicinal herb growing on the side of the road. Its stem was about knee-high with small white flowers. She immediately recognized that this medicinal herb was very valuable, both for relieving illnesses and for selling at a good price.

She skillfully stopped to pick these herbs, noting where they grew so she could return again someday.

" This forest … is like an endless treasure," she thought to herself as she looked around. Every time she found a new piece of forest loot, her heart would beat with excitement.

"In my previous life, there was nothing like this…" She muttered to herself. The image of a big city filled with tall buildings and toxic smoke was completely different from the beauty she saw before her.

Being surrounded by nature makes her feel alive and inspired to turn what she finds in the forest into opportunities for her family.

Before leaving the forest, she stopped under a large tree and looked around with admiration. The leaves were falling slowly from the gentle wind, like nature's farewell.

"I will definitely come back," she said to herself with a smile, before walking away with a basket full of wild produce and a heart full of hope.

When Zhu Qing'an returned home, Lin Ai, who was organizing things in front of the house, looked up and saw her daughter walking in with a basket full of wild produce.

" An'er, you've collected a lot of wild game today !" Lin Ai said excitedly. She quickly walked over to help her daughter carry the basket down.

Zhu Qingcheng and Zhu Qingyang, who were chopping firewood, rushed over with interest. They couldn't help but smile when they saw what Zhu Qingan had brought back.

" I found a very rich forest. I will sell these things at the market again tomorrow. Then we will have enough money to buy more necessities," Zhu Qing'an said with determination.

Lin Ai looked at her daughter with pride as Zhu Qingcheng and Zhu Qingyang helped arrange the wild things in the house.

At night, Zhu Qing'an watched her family gain strength from the small successes she had helped create. Everyone began to believe that they could overcome this hardship.

She thought about the future when she could take her father up the mountain with her. The family's cooperation would make them even stronger.

" This is just the beginning. I will get our family out of this hell," Zhu Qing'an vowed to himself as he looked at the twinkling stars in the sky.