Chapter 41: Can Favorability Be Boosted Remotely?

Ding

Ding

Ding…

Wen Nuan Nuan, who was far up in the mountains gathering food, heard a series of notification sounds.

They startled her into a daze.

This should be the time when Eldest Brother was delivering the things she had prepared to Leng Xiao. Did boosting favorability succeed?

Wow, so many notification sounds—that meant her storage room could expand quite a bit again.

But the first time Eldest Brother delivered food, there were no notification sounds, right? They only appeared after meeting face-to-face.

She had always thought that boosting favorability required face-to-face interaction to be effective.

It seems it can be done remotely too, but the prerequisite is to gain Leng Xiao’s approval!

Does this mean that during their first meeting, even though her performance was terribly off the mark, Leng Xiao isn’t someone who judges solely by appearances? Instead, he saw through the surface and recognized her as a reliable person?!

Thinking of this, Wen Nuan Nuan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

Leng Xiao really does have good judgment.

But she won’t let him down.

She said that after he achieves success, gains power, and becomes influential, she would only seek his protection, like siblings would.

Absolutely no nonsense!

And she would never use the title of his “ex-wife” to demand responsibility from him.

As a single woman who hadn’t even dated in over twenty years, she deeply understood that love isn’t everything in life—eating well is!

How can love compare to the joy of a good meal?

Especially in ancient times, where mindsets were completely different and dangers lurked everywhere, simply surviving comfortably was already quite difficult. Wouldn’t it be better to put that energy and effort into making money?

Her life plan for herself was simple: sincerely care for the four of them during their current impoverished state, ensuring they have enough to eat and wear.

Once the four of them gain power and wealth, they would surely look out for her, considering they’ve shared hardships together.

By then, she would have a refrigerator, a storage room, and silver. On sunny days, she could travel and enjoy the scenery; on rainy or snowy days, she could stay indoors, warming herself and drinking tea.

Could anything be better than this?

No.

“Sister-in-law, come quickly! The persimmons here are red and big. I’ll pick them, and you hold the basket to catch them!” Leng Yun climbed up the branches of the persimmon tree in a few moves, watching his sister-in-law standing there alone, smiling with her eyes curved.

He was a bit puzzled. Did something happy happen?

The three of them had been together the whole time, and nothing had happened.

Could it be that Sister-in-law was missing Eldest Brother?

That made sense. Eldest Brother might be returning in a few days, and naturally, seeing him would be a happy occasion.

Sister-in-law really values Eldest Brother.

Hearing Leng Yun’s call, Wen Nuan Nuan quickly gave up gathering hazelnut mushrooms, picked up the bamboo basket, and stood up, asking, “Where? I’m coming!”

She dashed forward.

It was too easy to let loose in the mountains.

And with the two little ones around, no matter how outrageous or unladylike she acted, they never criticized her. Instead, they thought she was free-spirited.

Wen Nuan Nuan absolutely loved this carefree atmosphere and the unwavering approval she received no matter what!

“Little Brother, someone’s coming. Get down quickly!” Leng Chen whispered urgently as he ran up, lowering his voice.

Leng Yun quickly slid down from the tree branch, picked up the firewood knife from the ground, and both of them stood alertly in front of Wen Nuan Nuan.

Wen Nuan Nuan, taller than the two little ones, quietly crouched down behind them.

If Second Brother said someone was coming, it definitely meant outsiders—probably quite a few. If they were villagers, Second Brother and the others wouldn’t be so vigilant.

After all, in the wild mountains, as a woman without martial arts skills or formidable abilities, Wen Nuan Nuan tried to avoid unnecessary risks.

She couldn’t cause trouble for her two younger brothers.

Five or six men in short work clothes walked from the foot of the mountain upward, glancing briefly in their direction as they passed by from a distance.

Two boys dressed in tattered clothes—likely here to gather firewood or pick wild fruits.

After a quick look, the group of five or six shifted their gaze back to the mountain path and continued onward.

Only after the party had moved farther away did Leng Chen speak up: “They’re professional ginseng diggers.”

Wen Nuan Nuan peered through the gap between the two boys at the group of five or six. Dressed in coarse linen short garments, each carried tools like sticks, forks, and axes.

How could anyone tell they were ginseng diggers from that?

They looked more like lumberjacks.

“Second Brother, how could you tell?” If it had been Little Brother who said it, Nuan Nuan might have doubted whether he’d seen correctly. But Second Brother was clever and meticulous—when he spoke, he was rarely wrong.

Hearing his sister-in-law’s curiosity, Leng Chen explained carefully: “That fork-shaped tool is a deer-bone probe, specially used for digging up ginseng.

That stick is a guiding rod, with copper coins tied to the front—ginseng diggers use it to lead the way and clear paths.

The axe is for marking. Their packs probably also contain red ropes, copper coins, knives, and the like.”

“So they really are professional ginseng diggers,” Nuan Nuan marveled. Their equipment is so complete.

Every trade has its own established customs and practices, and they take them seriously.

These practices accumulate from experience—ignoring them isn’t an option.

Fortunately, this year Leng Xiao didn’t need to venture deep into the mountains. The three younger ones didn’t have to worry about whether their eldest brother would encounter danger or get injured.

Even if money came slowly, in this perilous ancient world, it was quite good for a family to stay united and live a stable, peaceful life together.

“What about your eldest brother? Did he also go into the mountains with a group before?”

“No, since he turned fifteen, Eldest Brother has only gone alone.”

Nuan Nuan clicked her tongue in amazement. Indeed, the male protagonist was truly different from others.

“Then he naturally doesn’t need to bring those kinds of things either?”

“He does bring them, but some are different.” Leng Chen lowered his gaze, sharing everything he had observed with Nuan Nuan without holding back.

Ever since the family’s farmland was sold to pay for Mother’s medical treatment, he had been desperate to earn money. Weaving bamboo baskets for a few copper coins was too slow and too little. For families living off the mountains, who wouldn’t want to venture deep into the wilderness to hunt or dig ginseng for silver!

Nuan Nuan was curious—what differences could there be?

At the Academy, Leng Tian asked with disbelief: “Eldest Brother, you’re going to the city too?”

He was only going to the city to pick up iron mesh and sheets and inquire about horse prices. Why would Eldest Brother skip his studies, ask for leave, and go to the city with him!

Leng Xiao’s expression remained calm as he stepped toward the Academy gate. “Mm, I’ve already asked the teacher for leave. I’m going to get you some proper tools for ginseng digging.”

Hearing that tools for mountain entry would be bought for him, Leng Tian grew excited. “I know what to buy—I asked around before.”

He had always wanted to go deep into the mountains, but Eldest Brother never allowed it and wouldn’t explain why.

So he went himself to ask families in the village who ventured into the deep mountains.

Hah, he had long memorized the items to bring and the rules to follow!

Without turning his head, Leng Xiao tossed back a remark: “What I use is somewhat different from what others use.”

Different?

Leng Tian scratched his head, wanting to ask but swallowing the question.

Eldest Brother had always been a man of few words and didn’t like them asking too many questions. Better not to pry.

Anyway, he’d find out what was different once they reached the city.

Leng Tian quietly followed his eldest brother along the rugged, potholed dirt road.

Strange—last time he pulled the flatbed cart over such a long distance, he hadn’t felt this tired.

Oh, he realized he wasn’t tired now—he was just feeling stifled.

Last time, with Sister-in-law skipping and chattering along the way, it felt lighthearted and joyful, like a leisurely outing, with her occasionally handing out candies, snacks, and water.

But Eldest Brother, with a cold expression, walked swiftly.

Forget about eating—he didn’t even utter half a word.

Aloof and distant, he truly resembled the bright moon hanging in the distant sky.

Last time, he surprisingly responded to Sister-in-law quite a bit. Though rare, in the eyes of the three of them, it was far from enough for the enthusiastic Sister-in-law!

Fortunately, Sister-in-law didn’t mind at all and remained as caring as ever toward Eldest Brother and the three of them.

Sister-in-law truly has a broad heart.