Jing Huiyuan approached her parents with a request, her voice chiming like wind chimes. "Father, Mother, can I take Jing Yufei with me to explore the land around the outskirts? We might find some additional wild vegetables for our meals."
A flicker of concern crossed Jing Cheng's eyes. He scanned the horizon, where the sun was already dipping towards the distant mountains, painting the sky in fiery hues. "Be careful, Huiyuan," he rasped, his voice rough with affection. "The fields beyond can be treacherous, especially with the shadows lengthening. Don't stray too far, and promise to be back before the first star winks."
A broad smile, bright as the fading sunlight, split Jing Huiyuan's face. "We will, Father," she chirped, her hand shooting out to grab her brother's. "Come on, Yufei, let's gather enough wild bounty today!"
Yufei, barely containing his excitement, bounced on his toes. His eyes, reflecting the same adventurous spirit as his sister's, gleamed with anticipation. He snatched a basket from the corner and clutched it like a prized trophy.
The tall grass, an emerald sea swaying in the wind, parted before Jing Huiyuan like a welcoming curtain. Each blade brushed against her skin beneath her long skirt, whispering secrets in a language only the summer breeze understood.
The sun, a fiery ember sinking towards the distant mountains, cast long, playful shadows that danced across the rolling expanse. The scent of wildflowers and damp earth hung heavy in the air, sweet and earthy, filling Jing Huiyuan's lungs with a sense of unbridled freedom.
Above, a lone hawk circled, its cry a shrill echo against the vast blue canvas. It felt like stepping into a forgotten painting, an idyllic scene untouched by the worries of the world.
Jing Yufei, with his innocent eyes filled with wonder, couldn't resist picking some wild veggies they found. He joyfully plucked the colorful greens, his face lighting up with the happiness of discovering something new. However, their calm and happy moment was interrupted by Liu Tao, a kid from the neighborhood who rushed in like a ball of energy.
"Hey, those are my veggies! You can't take them!" Liu Tao complained, pointing at the wild vegetables Jing Yufei was holding.
Jing Yufei, not wanting to give in, bravely said, "No way, these are ours. We saw them first!"
Yufei's fingers tightened around the leafy greens, their stems biting into his palms. His heart pounded like a hummingbird's wings, each beat echoing the word "mine" within his chest. Across the invisible battlefield, Liu Tao stood mirror-like, his grip on the contested vegetables equally fierce. His chin jutted out, a silent declaration of defiance.
Jing Huiyuan sighed. She stepped between the two boys, her shadow casting a momentary truce over the conflict. Her gaze swept over the scene, taking in the stubborn set of their jaws, the unshed tears glimmering in Yufei's eyes, and the nervous energy thrumming through Liu Tao's small frame.
"Alright, alright, let's not fight," she said, trying to calm things down. "How about this? We'll share the veggies between both of you."
Both Liu Tao and Jing Yufei shook their heads strongly, showing they didn't want to give up their precious veggies.
Understanding they needed a different plan, Jing Huiyuan suggested a compromise with a friendly smile, "Since there are two of us and only one of Liu Tao, Yufei, why don't you give him the veggies? We can always find more, and it's good to be kind."
After a short pause, Jing Yufei, still holding his greens, thought about his sister's words. Realizing that being kind was a good thing, he gave the wild vegetables to Liu Tao, who couldn't help but smile with happiness. Jing Huiyuan's smile got even bigger as she saw the problem getting solved.
"See, everyone is happy now," she said, adding a gentle lesson about working together. "Let's not fight over such small things."
A hesitant smile softened Liu Tao's face as he extended a handful of his greens toward Jing Yufei. The latter looked at the offering, his cheeks still puffed in a remnant of a pout. Then, as if surprised by his own impulse, he reached out and received the greens from Liu Tao's hand.
However, their newfound friendship didn't last long as they started arguing again, this time about who could collect more veggies.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
With the heated argument between Jing Yufei and Liu Tao providing the perfect diversion, Jing Huiyuan seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed. The task at hand was crucial, and she needed to find an ideal hiding spot for the precious tomato plants she had brought from her space.
As she ventured deeper into the outskirts, the scent of wildflowers wafted through the air, adding a delicate perfume to the atmosphere. The soft rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds provided a comforting symphony, a soundtrack to the clandestine operation she was about to undertake.
Using the original owner's seemingly perfect memories, Jing Huiyuan tried to recall something. Of the different crops the Jing family had grown and encountered in their business as a family of farmers, Jing Huiyuan noticed that some plants from the world she came from could not be found in her current world. Tomatoes are among those plants.
When she was sure that no one was around, she entered into her space. As her feet felt the warm ground in her space, the sunlight suddenly shone on her face, making her eyes squint.
Shafts of golden light played hide-and-seek among the leaves of her plants, casting an ethereal glow over the surroundings. Jing Huiyuan's senses absorbed every nuance of this enchanting scene, the play of light and shadow becoming an integral part of her memory.
Jing Huiyuan approached a small, unassuming machine tucked away in a corner. The screen blinked to life, displaying a simple yet crucial question, "What seeds do you want?"
Although intrigued to know what other kinds of seeds this machine has, she knew she did not have any time as she would cause her little brother to worry about her sudden absence. Of course, she knew what she was going to pick—tomato seeds!
As her fingers deftly navigated the touch screen, selecting the desired option, a surprising prompt appeared. "Do you want to pay 1 point for 10 tomato seeds? This is a discount for your first purchase. Normally, you can only get 5 tomato seeds per point."
Jing Huiyuan's brow furrowed as she stared at the text on the screen. "I have 1 point?" she wondered aloud.
Almost as if in response to her unspoken query, the system's screen flickered. The stark black backdrop softened into a gentle blue, and a new message scrolled into existence, its letters dancing like fireflies: "Host, it was when you resolved the dispute between your brother and another child, which resulted in a friendship between the two."
Jing Huiyuan's eyes widened in realization, a subtle smile playing on her lips. "Ah, the argument over the wild vegetables," she recalled, the memory of her intervention now rewarded in the form of a point. This was the good deed she made. It seemed such a trivial thing, a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of life, but the system had deemed it worthy of reward. A warmth spread through her chest, a blend of surprise and satisfaction.
Grateful for the reward, Jing Huiyuan confirmed her purchase with a decisive click. With a soft hum, the small machine processed Jing Huiyuan's selection, confirming her purchase of 10 tomato seeds with a subtle glow from its screen.
Then, with a delicate whir, the machine dispensed the tomato seeds into a small compartment at its base. The tiny, nondescript seeds tumbled into view, each carrying the latent power to sprout into vibrant plants bearing succulent fruits. Gently, she retrieved the seeds, cradling them in her palm.
Before stepping out of her farming space, her gaze darted around the surroundings. A subtle rustle of leaves accompanied her careful steps as she approached the tomato plants she had nurtured. With a practiced hand, she knelt down and gently uprooted three plants, their roots clinging to the earth as if reluctant to leave their sanctuary.
Of course, she uprooted the fruit-bearing (or at least close to bearing fruits) ones. Otherwise, how else could she explain the three tomatoes she brought?
The plants, with their intricate network of roots exposed, were cradled in her arms alongside the harvested tomatoes.
Exiting her farming space felt like stepping from one world into another. The transition from the sun-dappled sanctuary to the untamed outskirts was subtle, but the air outside carried a different energy—a blend of harshness and hope.
Choosing a concealed location behind the tall grass, closer to the mountain where few ventured, Jing Huiyuan began the delicate process of planting the tomato seeds. She carefully arranged three small tomato plants, making sure to position them in a way that seemed natural among the surrounding vegetation.
To further disguise the new additions, Jing Huiyuan strategically placed pebbles and rocks around the base of the plants, creating the appearance that they had been in the area for some time. The meticulous effort was not just about planting; it was about seamlessly integrating the foreign crops into the natural environment.
As she marveled at the beauty of the three tomato plants, Jing Huiyuan noticed that two of them had around six unripe fruits, promising a bountiful harvest in about two days. The third plant, however, just had flowers for the time being.
With a practiced grace, she dispersed the seeds, releasing them like whispers into the air. Each seed found its place in the soil, nestling among the blades of grass and the cradle of rocks. Her movements, akin to an intricate dance, were deliberate yet seemingly random as if the seeds were merely caught in a gentle breeze, choosing their own destiny.
According to her calculations, the seedlings would most likely sprout in the following week.
As Jing Huiyuan continued her work, the peacefulness of the surroundings was shattered by rustling sounds emanating from nearby bushes.
A shape, fleeting and menacing, danced at the edge of her vision. Was it the glint of fur, the flash of scaled hide? Or just the cruel play of sunlight on dead branches? Her heart hammered against her ribs, a trapped bird desperate for escape.
The rustling came again, closer, bolder, like the hiss of a serpent testing its strike. Another wave of fear swept over her—was it a threat? A dangerous beast? However, as she cautiously approached the source of the noise, relief washed over her.