The little one's purse connects the two worlds, turning a desolate village into a paradise.

Ji Chuntao slowly opened the small cloth bag in her hand. She was a little uneasy, not knowing if these pants would be suitable.

Because the fabric that Nannan brought back was not in whole pieces. The largest piece of fabric, according to their local terminology, was no more than 200 centimeters. The piece of black fabric with small flowers was only about 150 centimeters long and 80 centimeters wide.

It's clearly not enough to make trousers.

The only option is to use other patterns to piece together the fabric, but these patterns and colors are all too vibrant. I heard that the older sister likes dark colors, so the fabrics that Nannan brought back have very few dark colors.

Ji Chuntao felt that it would be too abrupt if the fabric were sewn on the bottom of the trouser legs, but it would be even more awkward if the left and right trouser legs were sewn with different patterns. After thinking it over, she simply picked a piece of fabric that was the same color as the small yellow flowers on the fabric and sewn it on the waistband.

The pants were a combination of the styles of the pants that Nannan brought back and the designs of the pants they usually wore.

The waist is tied tightly with a cloth rope, which can be freely adjusted to looseness and width. The trouser legs are cut loosely and generously, making them quite elegant to wear. Of course, the waistband should be ignored.

The main problem is that there simply isn't enough fabric.

Ji Chuntao thought that if she lowered her clothes, it would cover this part, so there shouldn't be any problem.

Ya Ya took out the pants and held them high.

"Wow--"

"Wow, it's so beautiful! Even more beautiful than I imagined! Auntie, you're so clever! You used two colors of fabric, one black and one yellow, both with floral patterns. My sister will definitely love it!"

Ji Chuntao was unaware that the design of her pants had a specific style over there called – West Coast.

Seeing Ya Ya's reaction, Ji Chuntao's anxiety subsided.

Nannan has been there so many times, she would definitely say something if the pants weren't made right or looked bad, but it seems there's nothing wrong with this style.

"Aunt Chuntao, is this fabric enough to make another set of clothes for Sister He Miao?" Ya Ya held the pants in her arms, looking at them from left to right, extremely satisfied.

"It's enough, but we'll have to piece it together. How about we buy some larger pieces of fabric later and you can make it?" Ji Chuntao imagined the clothes made from these small scraps of fabric and couldn't help but get goosebumps.

It has a bit of a patchwork feel to it.

That's not a good idea.

"Yes, Auntie is right. I'll go look for it again next time." Ya Ya nodded in agreement. She hadn't explored that mountain properly yet. There were still many large pieces of cloth hanging in the shop, but she hadn't gone in to look at them.

I'll go over tomorrow and pick one out properly.

"Nannan, these pants haven't been washed yet. Auntie will take them to wash. If the sun is strong enough this afternoon, they should be dry in a couple of days. You can put them away then." Ji Chuntao held out her hand to Yaya.

"Okay."

Ya Ya reluctantly handed the pants to Ji Chun Tao; she really liked these pretty pants too.

Ji Chuntao saw through the little guy's thoughts at a glance, and smiled as she gently tapped Ya Ya's little nose: "Auntie doesn't have any other urgent work to do these days. Pick out two pieces of fabric, and Auntie will make you an outfit like this. You can wear it when the weather gets warmer."

"That's great!" Ya Ya grinned, her eyes shining. "Thank you, Aunt Chun Tao! Aunt Chun Tao is the best!"

Before we knew it, it was noon. The sun gradually climbed over the mountains and onto the roof, hiding behind the clouds and letting out a thin layer of warmth.

The ground, which had been soaked by the rain, was much drier and no longer so slippery to walk on.

After a quick lunch, everyone changed into rain boots, carried small bamboo baskets, and each had a small entrenching tool at their waist, ready to go into the mountains together to find some mountain produce.

I don't want to think about snails for now.

After two days of rain, the water levels in the mountain streams and rivers have risen, and the water has become murky. The snails have all sunk to the bottom, so it's not advisable to collect them now. We'll have to wait a couple of days.

Grandma Li looked up at the rolling green hills behind her, her eyes filled with anticipation.

I wonder if I'll find anything good on this trip.

Dr. Chen joined in, carrying a basket on his back, still wearing Old Fang's rain boots.

I haven't been into the mountains since I got back, but after the rain, all sorts of wild medicinal herbs are sprouting up, so I thought I'd go into the mountains with everyone to dig some up.

Even if you can't find rare medicinal herbs, it's good to collect some common herbs, such as *Euphorbia humifusa* and *Dandelion*.

The medicinal properties of the Blood-Seeing Sorrow Plant are excellent, and everyone in the village recognizes it. Spread out on the grass, and if you pluck a piece, it will ooze a milky white sap.

It can quickly stop bleeding, reduce inflammation, and treat sores and dysentery.

Viola yedoensis is not only a delicious wild vegetable but also a good medicinal herb. After rain, its leaves are lush and juicy, and it grows vigorously.

Regular consumption can clear heat and detoxify, and relieve internal heat. It is perfect for treating sore throats, sores, and internal heat.

Now that all the large orders have been completed ahead of schedule, there is no more handicraft work to rush. The villagers have gone into the mountains in a large group, leaving only two old men, Fang Tiesheng and Wang Dazhu, to look after the three little children in the huge courtyard.

Grandpa Wang sat in a corner of the courtyard, with a small pile of different colored cattails on either side of him, weaving a flat, round basket. It's said that this shallow basket style was specially made as a nest for their cats by the people there.

Ya Ya and Xiao Douzi each held their own books and read aloud at the top of their lungs. Their voices were uneven, as if they were having some kind of strange competition to see who could read the loudest.

Fang Tiesheng let them make a fuss. He squatted down beside them and stared at Xiao Shuanzi, who had a worried look on his face.

Xiao Shuanzi sat listlessly on a small stool, learning numbers from Fang Tiesheng's child. The complicated strokes gave him a headache.

Clutching a small shovel, while Fang Tiesheng was answering Ya Ya and the others' questions, his eyes darted around, and he secretly used the shovel to scrape off the numbers written on the mud one by one, throwing the clods of dirt far away.

Who exactly made the rule that everyone must be literate?

He's still a baby.

Shovel it up! Shovel it all up!

……

Before the group had gone far up the mountain, layers of dark, oily lichen appeared on the grass and damp stone slabs on both sides of the road.

Although this stuff is extremely difficult to clean, the high price makes it irresistible. The group picked it along the way, and their baskets at the foot of the mountain were filled with a layer of ground lichen.

Dr. Chen focused intently on searching for various medicinal herbs in the mountains. Viola yedoensis, which grew luxuriantly along the way, was everywhere, making it the perfect time for medicinal use.

Holding a mini entrenching tool, he walked around, stopping frequently, digging up any healthy-growing herbs by the roots. And you know what? This little shovel was surprisingly useful for digging up herbs.

As the trees on both sides gradually became more lush, the humidity in the air also increased.

Grandma Li quickened her pace.

She still remembered the place where she had previously dug up morel mushrooms. More than ten days later, after another rain, there was a high chance that new ones would sprout there.

Morel mushrooms can cost several hundred yuan per pound!

As she walked into the familiar woods, the fallen leaves under her feet gradually thickened. Granny Li squinted and looked toward the spot she remembered. Suddenly, her face lit up with joy. Sure enough, clusters of fresh and plump morel mushrooms had sprouted from that old nest, their honeycomb patterns clearly visible.

The dark mushrooms looked like shiny silver in Grandma Li's eyes.

She immediately called out to the group of people some distance behind her, "Everyone, come quick! Morel mushrooms are growing in our hideout again!"