Chapter 710 - 483: Xiaocao’s Gift
The person who came was none other than Zhang Xiaocao, Fu Tao’s wife, and it was indeed Fu Tao driving the carriage.
Xiaomi had just visited her a few days ago and mentioned that she would be leaving today, but she didn’t expect Xiaocao to come looking for her.
"Why did you come? Didn’t you just raise so many rabbits? You’re so busy, why did you come to my place?"
Zhang Xiaocao still occasionally goes hunting, but mostly she’s focused on home now. Thinking about how hard it is for Fu Tao to provide for the family alone, she bought a courtyard in their town to raise rabbits.
She didn’t raise many, just over a hundred, but it’s still busy since it’s just beginning.
Zhang Xiaocao stuffed something directly into Xiaomi’s arms: "I know, you’re leaving this time and might never come back; this is what I’ve saved over the years, for you."
"Ah?"
Seeing Xiaomi not responding, Zhang Xiaocao chuckled: "Don’t worry, it’s not money; you don’t lack money, so why would I give you money?"
Xiaomi chuckled twice and hugged the things in her arms; Xiao Mi was still in her arms, and now the package Xiaocao gave her was on Xiao Mi’s back.
"When I get to the Capital City, I’ll write you a letter, and who says I won’t come back in the future? This is my hometown, and I’ll definitely come back to see you."
Originally feeling nothing, Xiaocao’s words made Xiaomi a bit sentimental.
Fu Tao parked the carriage on the side but didn’t come forward; he just got off and waited for his wife.
Xiaocao suddenly reached out and hugged Xiaomi, whispering in her ear: "If you get married to your brother, remember to write me a letter."
This time, Xiaomi didn’t directly deny it, but hesitated for a moment and then nodded: "Don’t worry; at that time, I’ll send you wedding candy."
Xiaocao released Xiaomi with a smile: "Okay, I see everyone is waiting for you, so I won’t delay your time. Hurry up and go."
Xiaomi’s eyes curved: "Take care at home, I will definitely return in the future."
The bonds of youth are not easily worn away.
"Hmm, hurry along; I’ve always lived there, no matter when you come back, you can find me."
Xiaomi bid farewell to Xiaocao with repeated glances over her shoulder, and when the big ship finally set sail, she couldn’t help but wipe her eyes.
Previously, she could always leave on a whim without experiencing such moments of separation.
This time Xiaocao suddenly came to see her off, bringing both surprise and joy, but also her first experience of the sorrow of parting.
"Give me Xiao Mi; it’s already far away, and can’t see us anymore."
Wei Ziang, at some point, came over and took Xiao Mi from Xiaomi’s arms, but left the bundle Xiaocao had given her in them.
Xiaomi’s eyes were slightly red, but she adjusted her mood: "It’s a bit uncomfortable, but it’ll be okay soon."
Wei Ziang smiled and shook his head: "Just a moment ago, anyone who didn’t know would think you were a pair of lovers being separated."
Fortunately, they are two girls, and one of them has been married for several years; if it were a man and a woman, there would be misunderstandings.
Xiaomi was successfully amused: "Stop talking nonsense."
Wei Ziang smiled: "Aren’t you going to see the gift she gave you? It must be an important thing if she brought it from so far away."
The town where Fu Tao and they lived was more than an hour carriage ride away from Cheng County. Seeing the panting horse, it was obvious it ran all the way here.
Reminded by Wei Ziang, Xiaomi was curious, but with so many people on the deck, the two went upstairs.
Passing by Jiang Yu and Wei Ziang’s room door, they saw Zhou Ying inside, sitting at the table talking with Jiang Yu.
Next door was Xiaomi and Zhou Ying’s room, which had several big cages inside, used earlier for Xiao Hei and Xiao Bai.
Those two were clearly on a ship for the first time, energetically running around. Both were clever, understanding words, and if they went somewhere they shouldn’t, they’d retreat when told off.
Xiao Bai and Xiao Hei were big and bold, unlike Xiao Mi, who was small, easily startled, and disliked crowds; Xiaomi was afraid it would be so excited it fell into the river, which is why she kept holding it.
But now, Wei Ziang held it.
Once inside the room, they didn’t put Xiao Mi down; the little one was aging and getting lazier.
A big bird flew over to perch on the mast, and everyone just glanced up, no longer surprised.
Xiao Ba and Ling’er were getting better at teamwork; one an Artifact Spirit, the other a bird, they loved flying around.
Especially since Cheng County is surrounded by tall, steep mountains, more comfortable than those around Lishi City, with plenty of small animals in the mountains.
So whether it’s Xiao Ba or Ling’er, they love running everywhere, though Ling’er remembered today was the day to leave and returned on time.
Xiaomi sat at the table, taking out the small bundle Xiaocao had given her, which held a wooden box she had touched earlier.
A very ordinary wooden box, not big.
But it showed some age, having grown a bit old.
"Xiaocao gave me this... Oh my, why is it this!"
Before finishing the words, she was amazed by what was inside the opened wooden box, and Wei Ziang also leaned over to look, equally surprised.
"Lingzhi? Why are there so many?"
Large and small, Lingzhi filled an entire box, at least a dozen or so!
Xiaomi laid them out, two of which were the freshest, roots still covered with moist soil, evident they were picked within the last couple of days.
The smallest were slightly larger than a finger, while the largest nearly half as big as a palm.
Thirteen, all Lingzhi.
Wei Ziang was somewhat incredulous: "How did she give you so many Lingzhi?"
Staring at the Lingzhi before her, Xiaomi was temporarily speechless, finally sighing after a long pause.
"If not for seeing these Lingzhi, I would have forgotten; way back when, I just taught Xiaocao to hunt, she asked me what I wanted most."
"At that time in Fu’an Village’s mountains, I happened to discover a Lingzhi, but it was on a very steep mid-mountain slope, and before I figured out how to pick it, I had already gone to Xiangmu Village."
Wei Ziang thought about it and understood: "Did you tell her about this back then?"
Xiaomi nodded.
Wei Ziang was silent for a while too.
Back then, Xiaomi didn’t realize Xiaocao was asking what she wanted, intending to give her a gift; Xiaomi happened to be thinking of Lingzhi and casually mentioned it.
Unexpectedly, a childhood’s casual conversation stayed with the other party for so long.
And judging by the dryness of these Lingzhi, the oldest probably dated back several years.
Those frequently hunting in the mountains often came across Lingzhi or ginseng, but Xiaocao had kept them all and given them to Xiaomi.
This is probably her most precious box of treasures.
