Chapter 32 - She has a maiden’s heart, too

This grape grove was neither large nor small.

A village of idle men, women and children, seventy or eighty in number, scoured the entire grape grove in one afternoon.

And when they walked out of the Liu courtyard with empty baskets, their faces were all smiles.

Those who picked more earned 40 or 50 wen in one afternoon.

Those who picked less, about more than 20 catties, also earned more than a dozen wen within half a day's work and saved money.

The children got an extra five or six wen for pocket money each.

The Liu courtyard was completely packed with piles so high, there was almost no space left. Even the empty rooms that were cleaned out were filled with grapes.

Grandpa Liu began to worry again, "It's too much, they must add up to a total of over 2000 catties! With the weather so hot, everything will rot if left for long. We have to brew all of these fast. Would time be enough?"

This was the first time the family engaged themselves into this business, so they stared at each other all at sea.

If they rot, the money they paid for them would be worthless.

"Grandpa, don't worry, they can be brewed! We just have to work hard." Liu Yusheng consoled. Two thousand catties of grapes is quite a large amount, but the full brewing process is still not a problem for her.

Washing and drying them however would be troublesome and a lot of work for the whole family.

"We're not afraid of hard work, as long as we don't lose money, we'll be at ease!"

"It's definitely not a loss! Grandparents, mother, father, we have to wash the grapes first and dry them, then we can make wine. But the big jars at home are not enough." Having all the harvests in the entire grape grove, five huge jars were simply not enough.

"It's not easy to make a jar, I'll just go around the village and borrow back a few vats!" Liu Dalin took the initiative to take on this task.

"We need bamboo sieves to dry them, right? I'll go and borrow some of these!" Du Juan also took a task.

"Okay, let's eat dinner first, and wash these grapes afterwards. Whatever is needed to brew later, it's up to Nannan!" Grandpa Liu has a great deal of trust in his granddaughter.

And Liu Yusheng's concerns about washing and drying were perfectly resolved after dinner.

The family was about to carry the grapes to the river when the villagers came, all the neighbors and friends in the village.

"Elder brother Liu, Liu Da, looking at this pile of grapes all over your yard, there aren't enough people for winemaking, right? We'll give you a hand!"

"Say what's to be done, we farmers have nothing else but strength from tilling the land!"

Li Da also drove the family wagon over, laughing, "I guessed that these grapes for winemaking have to be washed, I'll help carry them to save you the effort."

Even Wanrong and Axiu came, "I know nothing about farming, but I can still help with washing and drying. It's time for me to return the favor too. The courtyard wall in our hut is all thanks to you, but I didn't invite you in for a meal."

Liu Yusheng stood beside her grandparents, looking at these simple and honest faces with a warm smile on her face.

Thus, in the evening, the Liu family's small courtyard was lit up with several lamps, and the yellowish light reflected the warm harmony in the courtyard.

With more hands, it didn't take much effort to wash more than 2000 catties of grapes. The next step was to set up a wooden rack, lay the bamboo sieves and spread the grapes out in bunches to dry.

Liu Yusheng spent the whole night like a buzzing little bee, weaving through the adults and bringing them cups of water with Lingquan.

For his part, Axiu followed her, carrying the kettle and a basket with the cups.

"Nannan, give Uncle another glass of water! The water in your house is amazing, it tastes different and sweet!"

"Hey! I couldn't agree more, a cup of it soothes me all over!"

"Elder brother Liu, when I come back from work in the future, I'll stop by your house specifically and have a drink of water before I head home!"

"Let's do that, Liu Da will be worn out fetching water everyday, ha-ha-ha!"

Grandpa Liu laughed and scolded, "Our water is also from the village well, but you still find it weird? Fine, you can have a drink if you want! It's no big deal to have the two men here fetch a few more barrels every day!"

"You promised, we'll help ourselves then!"

"Bring it on!"

Through night, the fits of laughter in the courtyard echoed far and wide.

Liu Yusheng pursed her little mouth and smiled sweetly, dragging Axiu back to the kitchen. She poured water into a clean bamboo cup and handed it to him, "Brother Axiu, have a drink too, you've been on your feet with me all night, are you tired?"

"Not tired." Axiu shook his head and took a small sip of the water in the cup.

Then his eyes lit up.

The water is cool and sweet. After drinking it, there's a light feeling of warmth from the abdomen to the chest, just as the adults have said. The whole body was refreshed and the fatigue accumulated from the previous work was all but gone.

After looking at Liu Yusheng, and then at the bamboo cup in his hand, Axiu tilted his head and gulped the water in one go, his dark eyes flickering with dark light.

The warmth in his body intensified. He practices martial arts so his senses are sharper than ordinary people. His meridians, muscles and bones are being nourished by that warm current at the moment!

"Shengsheng…" He called her.

"What's the matter, Brother Axiu? Isn't the water delicious? If you want more, I'll pour you another!" The little baby looked up at him, smiling sweetly with eyes pure and clear, a penetrating innocence that's transparent at this age.

The question at the tip of his tongue was suddenly blocked.

"It's delicious, I'll have another one."

"Okay." Liu Yusheng didn't doubt him, "Brother Axiu, the day after tomorrow, my brothers are on break. If tomorrow's work is done, let's go up to the mountain the afternoon after tomorrow and hunt for some bird's nests, shall we? It's fun, and the roasted eggs are delicious! You certainly haven't had it before!"

"Okay."Axiu smiled, "Climb up the tree and pull out the bird's nest, I can."

He had specifically learned how to do it.

The courtyard was blazing hot until midnight.

As the villagers walked away, not a single person showed discontent or shouted tired.

After sending the people out of the door one by one, it was too for the mother and son to go back especially since they live outside the village. Fortunately, there are still vacant rooms in the house and clean bedding as well as quilts.

Even though Liu Yusheng only helped in delivering water, rushing off her feet all night still drained her little body. She'd been yawning endlessly and while the adults were arranging the vacant rooms, she plunged into her room and conked out instantly.

Axiu walked to the door of her room and leaned against the doorframe, looking fixedly at the sleeping little one on the bed with an obscure smile creeping into the corners of his mouth.

It wasn't until he heard the footsteps coming that he dodged away.

He's not used to unfamiliar surroundings, but with his little girl here, that sense of strangeness is insignificant.

The next morning, Liu Yusheng was awakened by a commotion in the courtyard. She got out of her room with dishevelled hair and saw a figure guarding the door at a glance.

He scared her.

"Brother Axiu?"

"Shengsheng." Axiu stepped forward and took Liu Yusheng's hand naturally. "I will take you to wash."

"Brother Axiu, I haven't combed my hair yet!" She may be young, but she wants to look her best!

She has got a maiden's heart, too! The taste of letting others see this scruffy look is simply hard to explain in a few words!