Chapter 9: Is it delicious? Is it edible?

Of course she knew everyone was laughing at her, but she didn't mind.

She walked out of the house with her short little legs, looking as if she were afraid Old Master Tong might change his mind. The few little ones hurried to follow, terrified that they might lose Tong Annian.

At the foot of the mountain, there were many people digging for wild vegetables, but no one dared to enter the deep mountains.

However, there was really nothing left to dig at the foot of the mountain, and everyone’s harvest was meager; some couldn't even cover the bottom of their baskets.

When they saw the Tong Anqi brothers, apart from a few individuals who greeted them, most people quickened their pace, fearing that Tong Anqi and his brothers would snatch their findings.

"Big Brother, there’s nothing left around here. What should we do?"

Tong Anxin frowned as he looked at his eldest brother. They had come here a few times already and rarely visited anymore; not only were there too many people, but there was nothing to be found.

Tong Annian raised an eyebrow slightly. The ground was already bare; what else could there be? They couldn't just eat dirt, could they?

"Zero, is there any place nearby suitable for planting sweet potatoes?"

"Reporting to Master, there is too much foot traffic nearby and the soil is hard. There is no place to plant. Master could try walking further into the deep mountains."

"Big Brother... hold." Tong Annian raised her arms toward Tong Anqi, and he bent down to scoop her into his arms.

She pointed toward the direction of the deep mountains without saying a word. Tong Anqi understood what Tong Annian wanted, but he hesitated.

The deep mountains were too dangerous; he couldn't take Tong Annian to risk it.

"Big Brother... go." Tong Annian patted Tong Anqi’s shoulder, giving the order with a serious expression.

Tong Anqi sighed and led his younger brothers in the direction Tong Annian pointed. There was no helping it; he could only spoil his own little sister.

Some children watched them head toward the deep mountains and wanted to follow, but they were stopped by those around them.

"Are they tired of living? Do you want to die too? If there’s danger, do you think they’ll care about you?"

A dark, thin girl of seven or eight years old glared fiercely at Tong Annian’s retreating figure.

As they walked deeper, wild vegetables and the like became more abundant. Tong Anxin and the others dug as they walked, and they actually managed to harvest quite a bit.

Tong Anqi held Tong Annian, watching their surroundings vigilantly so they could leave quickly if there was any danger.

"Master, in the mountain hollow ahead, the soil is loose and sweet potatoes have already been planted." After they had carefully walked for two or three miles, Zero reminded Tong Annian.

Tong Annian struggled to get down from Tong Anqi’s arms. She first looked at the wild vegetables Tong Anxin and the others had dug up; she didn't recognize most of them, and the only one she knew was the dandelion.

Tong Annian waddled in front with Tong Anqi following behind to protect her. Suddenly, Tong Annian stopped in her tracks and stared at the patch of plants before her.

Good heavens, isn't this a bit too much?

"What is it, Little Sister?"

"Big Brother... yummy stuff." Tong Annian pointed at the sweet potatoes and smiled happily.

"Yummy stuff? Little Sister? What is this? Isn't it just grass? Can it be tasty?" Tong Anxiang walked over and looked at the plant he had never seen before, puzzled.

Tong Annian didn't speak; she squatted down and began to dig with her small hands. Tong Anqi hurriedly pulled her up.

"Does Little Sister want to dig it out? Go sit to the side, I’ll dig."

"Okay." Tong Annian sat there, watching Tong Anqi squat on the ground and dig through the soil.

In just a short while, Tong Anqi unearthed a few sweet potatoes. The little ones looked at the sweet potatoes with confusion. What were these? Could they be eaten?

"Little Sister, can this really be eaten?"

Tong Anhe scratched his head, feeling worried. They had never eaten these things before; if they couldn't be eaten, why were they digging them up?

"Mm, yummy." Tong Annian nodded firmly. She picked up a small sickle from a basket, wiped it on her sleeve, and prepared to peel the sweet potato.