Too high to reach

Chapter 1 Flowers Bloom, Guests Arrive
This winter is exceptionally cold.

The snow that fell seven or eight days ago is still on the roof.

The weather has only just started to warm up these past couple of days.

Although it didn't warm up immediately, the sun was shining brightly!
The sun melted the snow, and icicles dripped down from the eaves.

Mo Yi, the fifth daughter of the Mo family, asked her maid Xiangye to take the daffodils she was growing to a sheltered, sunny spot outside to dry.

Her house didn't face the sun and didn't have a proper yard.

Narcissus prefers sunshine.

After drying in the sun for a while, the bay leaves are being carried back. They're afraid they'll freeze to death if left too long.

"Girl, a small flower has bloomed today!" Xiangye said happily after moving the last pot.

Mo Yi sniffed. "I know! I can smell the fragrance now."

A small charcoal stove was lit in front of the kang (a heated brick bed), and a small copper kettle sat on an iron rack, steaming.

She sat cross-legged on the heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed-stove).

On the kang table in front of him were paper, pens, and some other miscellaneous items, and in his hand he held a piece of agate the size of a walnut.

Although it is claimed to be agate, its color is extremely poor and its shape is irregular.

There's nothing I can do; I can't afford the good materials.

The only thing we can do is make the most of them, using novel designs to cover up the cotton, spots, cracks, and so on, maximizing their advantages, and sometimes, even defying fate...

Sigh, if this country bumpkin girl wants to act like a rich lady, she'll have to put some thought into it!
Her slender fingers gently explored, touching it from afar and then closer, her eyes squinting as she examined it.

The material is yellow, but it has a dark brown spot and isn't shiny enough.

How to do it?

"...I'll think about it some more." She enjoyed doing these things, her expression cheerful as she worked, and she would even hum a little tune.

Mo Yi is already fifteen years old. She has thick black hair, two bright black eyes, and a rosy, round face with chubby cheeks.

She was wearing a casual padded jacket and wide-legged cotton trousers. Her hair was simply braided and held up with two ebony hairpins.

He wore no jewelry whatsoever.

After dawdling for a while, he finally picked up his pen and started drawing on the paper.

Because I had already thought it through, I wrote very quickly, sketching it out in just a few strokes.

Holding paper in one hand and material in the other, he compared them and said, "...this is the only way." He tied the stone and the drawing together with thread, then opened the small box next to him and put them inside.

He picked up another piece of material, ready to examine it closely...

Suddenly, I heard footsteps outside the door.

A moment of focused concentration...

"Someone's here," she whispered to her head maid, Xiangzhi. She then quickly opened the box and put the materials back.

He then picked up a needle and thread from the basket next to him.

"Second Sister!" someone called from outside.

"..." Ink pattern?
Why is she here?

Mo Yi quickly got off the bed and slipped on her cotton-padded coat: "Big sister?"

Xiangzhi quickly went to open the door and lifted the cotton curtain. Xiangye also stood obediently to the side.

As the air conditioning blew in, a tall woman entered, wearing a thin cotton cloak draped in brocade.

After entering the house, she put down her hat, revealing a beautiful little face.

As expected, she's my older sister, Mowen.

"It's so cold outside, why did you come, sister... Is something the matter?" Mo Yi was genuinely surprised.

"It's nothing. I was feeling a bit stuffy inside, so I came to see you..." Mo Wenxian looked Mo Yi up and down.

She slightly furrowed her beautiful eyebrows and said, "What are you wearing?!"

Mo Yi smiled shyly, "I'm working inside. Please sit down, sister."

He glanced at her with disdain, took off his cloak, threw it on the kang (a heated brick bed), and sat down by the side.

She wore a green floral print short-sleeved blouse over a dark green cotton undershirt. The clothes fit her perfectly, accentuating her slender waist.

Below, she wore a green pleated skirt, revealing the toes of thick-soled embroidered cotton boots.

Mo Wen's skin was extremely pale, almost bloodless, making this color particularly suitable for her. Like a beautiful young woman in a green dress and a jade-like face, she brought a vibrant touch of spring to the dreary winter.

"I just boiled the water, shall I make a bowl of almond soup for my sister?" Mo Yi pushed a small dish with melon seeds and peanuts next to Mo Wen.

"Hmm," Mo Wen replied casually. On the tall table next to her was a jar with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Mo Yi opened it, scooped out two spoonfuls of almond powder, and then scooped out a few grains of osmanthus sugar, first mixing it with the cool water in the small jar.

Then he picked up the copper kettle, poured in hot water, and stirred it constantly with practiced ease.

"Are you working?" Mo Wen asked, looking at the basket on the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Yes, they're making buttons." The almond soup was prepared and placed in front of Mo Wen.

She picked up her work again: "These are the phoenix tail buttons from Mrs. Hu's dress the other day. I thought about them for a long time before I could barely make them. But I still can't quite get this part right. Sister, take a look..."

Mo Wen took it, and although her eyes were on it, Mo Yi sensed that she was somewhat absent-minded.

"Hmm, not bad!" Mo Wen glanced at it and put it down.

"Once I'm skilled at it, I'll use better materials and make more, then sew them directly onto clothes."

"Hmm." Mo Wen looked around the room, then frowned slightly, pointing out various things: "Look how dirty and messy this place is..."

Small paintings and calligraphy by my father hung on the wall. The shelves were filled with books and various odds and ends. A dozen flowerpots sat on the floor, making the small room feel completely cluttered.

It's a bit messy. But it's not dirty, I clean it every day... Mo Yi just smiled and didn't refute it.

"Huh? What's that smell?" Mo Wen sniffed.

"It's a daffodil; one just bloomed today."

“Oh? Let me see…” Mo Wen stood up.

There were more than twenty pots of daffodils of various sizes on the windowsill and the floor. The leaves weren't tall, but there were quite a few flower buds! They were all in different shapes and sizes, and very beautiful.

After examining it carefully, Mo Wen pointed to the flowering pot and said, "This one is not bad. I'll take it!"

“Sister…” Mo Yi hesitated.

"What? You can't bear to part with it?" Mo Wen's face darkened slightly, and he glanced sideways.

“It’s like this…” Mo Yi quickly explained, “My uncle asked me to plant these. The flower heads and the purple clay pot are his. Once they’re full of buds, he’ll give them away. This year it’s cold and the flower heads are expensive, so he didn’t buy many. I’m worried that my uncle is trying to save money!”

"Oh!" Mo Wen lowered his eyelids. "So it's a rare item? Look at me, I have no sense of propriety, asking for treasures right off the bat!"

Having said that, he turned around, grabbed his cloak, and prepared to leave.

Mo Yi quickly grabbed her... This eldest daughter of the parents was beautiful and dignified.

Everyone says she is both steady and generous in her dealings with others.

But actually... she's very concerned about her image and loves to fuss!
Others retaliate every time someone retaliates, but she retaliates twice over!

If you refuse like this, it will definitely cause more trouble, and it will never end!
This is her mother's most beloved eldest daughter!

"Sister!" Mo Yi pleaded, "...How about this, I'll rearrange it later and move out the things you like. Then I'll have Xiang Ye deliver them to you tonight, okay?"

This attitude is acceptable...

Mowen sat down again, still unhappy.

She could only continue explaining, "Sister... Uncle originally asked me to plant these. Taking a couple isn't a big deal. I'm just worried... if others see them and want some, I won't be able to stop them. Then we won't have enough... It's almost Chinese New Year, so don't upset Uncle."

My eldest uncle, Mo Rushan, is the pillar of this family.

Their family depends on others for their livelihood, so they have to treat them with respect!

Just as Mo Wen was about to say something, the sound of running footsteps came from outside the door. Du Juan called out softly but anxiously, "Miss, Madam is back!"

"You're back?!" Mo Wen immediately stood up, both excited and nervous.

Perhaps he was too excited; without even saying hello, he grabbed his cloak, opened the door himself, and hurried away.

It looks like he just threw those damn daffodils aside!

Mo Yi followed him to the door, the wind blowing into her neck.

I shivered; it's so cold!
I didn't even have time to put on the ink-patterned cloak.

So anxious...

Hey everyone, I'm back again!

First of all, thank you to all the lovely readers who enjoyed this book and were looking forward to it. And thank you to the editor, Zisu, for your encouragement and support!
In a time when lighthearted, pampered novels dominate the market, I'm still writing this kind of slow-paced, slice-of-life story. I'm truly amazed at myself.

Although I'm still holding on... I still earnestly request, my dear friends:

Those with money, please support us financially (you know what I mean).

Those who don't have money, please show your support (throw votes at me!).

No money, no one to watch the show (collect, comment)
I hope you all like it. I'll try my best.

(End of this chapter)