Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 848: Sudden Incident in the Competition (1)

Chapter 848: Chapter 848: Sudden Incident in the Competition (1)

After eating and drinking for two hours, they had exhausted all of their provisions. Satisfied, everyone leaned back in their wicker chairs, savoring the delicious taste of the grilled meat and roasted vegetables.

Mo Yan finished tidying up the grilling tools and pointed at a nearby mountain peak, suggesting, "Let’s go climb the mountain to aid our digestion, and see if we can find some spring bamboo shoots on the way."

This proposal immediately won everyone’s approval, "Indeed, we should climb the mountain; otherwise, we can skip dinner."

As they spoke, everyone stood up and packed all cookware, tables, and chairs into the bamboo baskets. This time, not wanting to burden Xiao Ruiyuan alone with the task, Han Zhiyun, who had practiced martial arts and was physically strong, also helped carry two baskets down the mountain.

Lixiu retrieved several small hoes from the storeroom, suitable for digging bamboo shoots. Except for a few little tykes unable to wield a hoe, nearly everyone had one in hand.

Chatting and laughing, the group took their hoes and water sacks and headed towards the mountain.

The mountain was not far and located on the periphery of Yuhua Mountain, covered with bamboo. With its gentle terrain and devoid of large ferocious beasts – only snakes, insects, mice, and ants – and because it was easily climbable and safe, villagers often entered to dig for bamboo shoots or chop bamboo for fence walls.

Walking for about thirty minutes, they arrived at the foot of the mountain. Beholding the lush bamboo forest, the air was filled with a refreshing bamboo fragrance, invigorating everyone’s spirit.

A regularly used path leading up the mountain had been formed thanks to frequent visits. Along the way, they saw many bamboo shoots poking out of the ground. These shoots were often too mature for consumption and were not given much attention.

Upon reaching an area not facing the sun, where the bamboo grew slower, they saw tender bamboo shoots, only their tips exposed. These shoots could be stir-fried, mixed in a cold dish, stewed clear, or braised with meat to create truly delicious dishes.

"Wow, there’s a whole patch of shoot tips here; there must be lots of shoots to dig, come over quick!" Zhenzhen stood not far away, pointing at the ground and exclaiming before bending down and swinging the smallest hoe to start digging at a poking bamboo shoot below.

Seeing that the patch indeed contained many shoot tips, everyone walked over. Just as they were about to start digging, Han Zhiyun suddenly said, "Let’s each find a shoot tip and have a competition to see who can dig up the biggest shoot, shall we?"

Mr. Liu stroked his beard and chuckled, "That’s an interesting idea! But competing all at once is less exciting. How about pairing up and comparing in rounds, the winner of each proceeding to the next until we have a final victor?"

"Great!" Everyone’s eyes lit up, and they cried out in unison.

Zhenzhen put down her hoe and scurried over with excitement, "There has to be a prize. The loser should give something to the winner, not gold and silver or any cunning items; that would make the competition fun."

"You little rascal, you never miss out on anything!" Mo Qingze laughed and scolded, yet he did not object to his son’s suggestion.

Han Zhiyun ruffled Zhenzhen’s hair while laughing, "We’ll do it your way then. But remember, no crying if you lose!"

Zhenzhen held her head up proudly, "A true man admits defeat; only useless people cry when they lose."

"Good, that’s the spirit!" Overjoyed, Han Zhiyun momentarily forgot that the child before him was just nine years old and gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder, causing Zhenzhen to grimace in pain but he did not cry out.

Realizing his oversight, Han Zhiyun quickly rubbed Zhenzhen’s shoulder, pleased with the child’s display of toughness, and half-jokingly said to Mo Qingze, "Zhenzhen and Li Er are about the same age; let’s arrange a child betrothal and double our kinship, how about that?"