Picking Sour Apricots

Going beyond the limit is as bad as falling short. If the seedlings were given too much water, they would drown.

“Got it!” Zhuang Zhuang nodded and eagerly scooped water over the plants. He carried a small bucket and walked around like a busy bee.

Xiaoguo had already washed her hands and was about to return to the house. To her surprise, Zhuang Zhuang was still working hard.

“Let’s go into the house after you’re done watering the plants.” Xiaoguo called out to him. Although the temperature was not too high now, the sun was still not to be underestimated. After staying outdoors for a short period of time, one’s exposed skin under the sun would feel like it was burning. At this moment, Zhuang Zhuang’s little face was flushed and sweat was dripping from the tip of his nose.

“Right away!”

After saying that, Zhuang Zhuang continued with his work.

Seeing this, Xiaoguo didn’t say anything. She turned around and returned to the house. She was feeling too hot anyway. If she stayed outside for a while longer, she would spontaneously combust.

Xiaoguo did not stay idle when she returned to the house. She gathered all the winter clothes and beddings from the house and replaced them with lighter and thinner ones.

It was the same every year. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter. There were four seasons, and they could basically be planned into two seasons—summer and winter. Spring and autumn seemed to be just passers-by.

All the clothings and beddings were placed in a corner. It was too late to wash them today. She could only wash them tomorrow.

Not long after, Zhuang Zhuang finally entered the house. His face was flushed from the sun. Xiaoguo was shocked when she saw him. His face was red and sunburnt.

But this kid didn’t care. He gulped down a mouthful of water before collapsing on the bed.

Xiaoguo found it strange. He was just doing some watering. Why was he so tired?

Out of curiosity, she went outside and looked at the vegetable plot. Taking a good look at the plot, she was almost scared out of her wits.

The plot of green vegetables was completely flooded. The water level of the entire vegetable field was the same as that of the seedling pit.

Xiaoguo went to the water buckets and took a look. She realized that the two water buckets she prepared for him were now empty. This meant that Zhuang Zhuang had watered the plants four times more than what was required.

Her seedlings had almost drowned. If she had come half a day later, they would have been soaked to death.

Xiaoguo returned to the house and took a look at Zhuang Zhuang. She wanted to ask him to help save the situation, but the little boy had already fallen asleep and was snoring in his sleep. She had no choice but to get back to the plot with her old and achy back.

The next day.

Xiaoguo had just finished washing her clothes when Mrs. Yang called her out for a walk. She claimed that they were going to exercise but in actual fact, she just wanted Xiaoguo to go pick some sour apricots with her.

“Sister-in-law, where can we find apricots at this time?”

It wasn’t the right season for apricots. Even if they could find any, the apricots shouldn’t be ripe yet.

“Yes, yes, yes.” Mrs. Yang nodded and said mysteriously, “I heard from Old Yang that there’s a wild apricot tree at the back of the mountain. The fruits are all unripe and sour now.”

Mrs. Yang drooled as she spoke. Just thinking about it made her crave for more.

Speechless, Xiaoguo followed behind her. “Why didn’t Brother Yang come to pick them with you?”

Brother Yang doted on her so much. If she wanted to eat it, he would have picked them for her long ago.

“I’m not allowed to eat anymore.” Mrs. Yang spoke faster than she thought. As soon as she finished speaking, she covered her mouth. “No, no. I just wanted to take a walk. I’ve been too lazy recently. My legs are getting flabby.”

How could Xiaoguo believe her? She immediately refused to go.

“Xiaoguo, Xiaoguo, don’t go. We’re almost there.”

Mrs. Yang anxiously grabbed Xiaoguo, who was about to leave, and shook her arm trying to stop her.

“Sister-in-law, if Brother Yang says no, then you shouldn’t eat anymore. It’s not good to eat too much.”

Xiaoguo stopped helplessly and turned around.

The sour apricots were sour to begin with. Eating too many apricots would affect her appetite. It made sense that Brother Yang did not allow her to eat them. Mrs. Yang’s appetite for the apricots was alarming. She had no problems finishing one basket a day. Moreover, that was still not enough for her.

“I’ll eat less from today onwards. Really!”

Mrs. Yang was afraid that she wouldn’t believe her, so she quickly made a promise.

Although Xiaoguo didn’t believe it, the other party was a pregnant woman after all. She was worried about Mrs. Yang getting hurt while walking on the uneven slopes, so she nodded reluctantly and agreed to go with her.

Mrs. Yang was overjoyed. Afraid that Xiaoguo would go back on her words again, she led the way and pulled her towards the spot where the tree was.

Xiaoguo looked at the silly figure in front of her and felt a little hesitant. No, she had to follow her closely and make sure she didn’t pick too many.

When they arrived at the place Mrs. Yang had mentioned, there was indeed an apricot tree. There were other trees around, but there was only one fruit tree.

It was filled with green apricots. It would take another month or so before the fruits would ripen. At this time, the apricots were in a half-ripe state. The sour taste was overwhelming. Normal people would find it hard to ingest. Only those who had pregnancy cravings or those who enjoy sourish food would be able to eat them now.

Mrs. Yang’s eyes lit up when she saw the apricots. She let go of Xiaoguo and jogged over with her arms wrapped around her stomach. She was fine, but Xiaoguo was terrified.

“Sister-in-law, slow down…”

“× & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &

“…Huh?” Xiaoguo stopped in her tracks and felt confused. Was there something wrong with her ears, or was there something wrong with Mrs. Yang’s mouth?

Mrs. Yang chewed on the sour apricot fruit in her mouth and spat out the core. With her mouth full, she said, “It’s fine. Xiaoguo, come and pick them. It’s especially delicious…”

Xiaoguo walked over with the basket and said worriedly, “Don’t eat randomly. I don’t know if they are clean.”

“They are not dirty. You won’t get sick after eating them.”

Mrs. Yang said nonchalantly, not forgetting to urge Xiaoguo to pick the fruits quickly.

Xiaoguo wanted to say something, but she swallowed her words. Forget it. This place was natural and pollution-free. No one would spray fertilizers here. There was nothing else on the fruits except soil.

With that thought in mind, she put down the basket and rolled up her sleeves to pick them one by one.

“They are not so sour this time.” Mrs. Yang threw away the apricot core and said regretfully, “They are a little sweet.”

When Xiaoguo heard this, she was delighted. She wiped the apricot on her body and took a bite.

“…”

“What’s wrong with you?”

Mrs. Yang plucked another apricot and was about to take a bite when she saw that Xiaoguo was rolling her eyes. She was so shocked that she almost dropped the apricot in her hand.

Xiaoguo took a long time to recover. She waved her hand gently and said softly, “It’s nothing.”

Mrs. Yang stroked her back worriedly and calmed her down. After confirming that she was fine, she continued picking the apricots.

Seeing that her attention was focused on the apricots, Xiaoguo secretly threw away the remaining half of the apricot in her hand. She didn’t mean to waste it, but she really couldn’t eat it.

At this point, she had every reason to suspect that Mrs. Yang’s taste buds were malfunctioning. How could she claim that such a sour apricot was a little sweet? Fortunately, she spat it out fast enough. Otherwise, her teeth would be ruined.

Xiaoguo didn’t even have the courage to look at the apricot now. Even sugar couldn’t neutralize the acidity in these fruits.

The two of them spoke as they picked the apricots. They didn’t pick too many. After Mrs. Yang filled half a basket, she stopped. Xiaoguo only picked a few.

“Why do you only have so few apricots?” Mrs. Yang looked at her basket. It was looking quite empty.

Xiaoguo swallowed a mouthful of sour water and said, “Not true. I’ll give everything to you.”

As she spoke, she poured the few apricots into her basket.

“That’s great. Hehe.” Mrs. Yang was drooling just by looking at them.

The two of them started walking home. When they were about to reach the door, Mrs. Yang’s sharp eyes caught sight of Yang Feng, who was guarding the door.

Without another word, she immediately pulled Xiaoguo to the side and hid.

“What’s wrong?”

Xiaoguo didn’t understand what was going on. She had almost thrown the basket out in fright when Mrs. Yang pulled her away so suddenly.

“Shh!” Mrs. Yang put her hand to her mouth, signaling her not to speak. Then, she poked her head out and looked outside. After confirming that Yang Feng had not noticed anything, she said, “Your Brother Yang is waiting at the door. You take this first. I’ll eat at your house when the time comes.”

Xiaoguo’s basket was immediately switched. She was now carrying a full basket of sour apricots while Mrs. Yang walked with the empty basket.