Transmigrating with a Five Million Dollar Retirement Life

Chapter 34 Discovering Persimmons

Aunt Li and the others finally got to eat the braised meat that had been tantalizing her all morning. It was truly delicious, fatty but not greasy, tender and flavorful, a food suitable for all ages.

I never expected that such smelly, impossible-to-clean drains would taste so good after Song Jiaojiao made them like this. Thinking about what Song Jiaojiao used to clean the drains yesterday, I instantly felt it was all worth it, because it was just so delicious.

After finishing their meal, everyone went about their own business. The aunties who had finished cleaning up each took a bowl of the leftover braising liquid. Although there was no meat left, the braising liquid, infused with the aroma of meat, would make everything taste delicious. Everyone left with smiles, agreeing to come back early the next day so as not to let down Song Jiaojiao, who had been so kind to them.

Thinking she had nothing else to do, Song Jiaojiao decided to take a stroll in the mountains. She picked up her basket and machete, told Mu Qing, and set off.

This time, Song Jiaojiao didn't choose to go very far; she just went to see the barren mountain she had bought to see how to design it.

This hill isn't high, but it faces southeast and isn't blocked by any other mountains, so the sun shines on it all day, making it perfect for growing fruit.

Song Jiaojiao spent half an hour climbing to the top of the mountain and watched the village chief leading everyone to work enthusiastically. In just two days, the basic shape of the house had already taken shape. Looking further into the distance, a wide river surrounded the entire Qingshui Village, and on the other side of the river were fertile fields, but there were no crops at this time of year.

There is a dirt road in the middle of the fertile fields, just wide enough for a car to pass, stretching into the distance.

Although it was autumn and there wasn't much greenery, this scenery was something Song Jiaojiao hadn't seen in many years in her previous life. Standing on the mountaintop, feeling the gentle breeze, Song Jiaojiao felt completely relaxed.

That's how it's decided. Song Jiaojiao thought that this spot was flat enough to be perfect for building a pavilion. Once the area below was planted with fruit trees, it would be quite an elegant place to enjoy the flowers in spring.

After looking at the front, Song Jiaojiao looked back. The continuous mountains stood in front of her. The position that she had thought was high just now suddenly seemed small. But that's good. At least after the pavilion is built, even if there is thunder, it won't hit the pavilion.

Suddenly, Song Jiaojiao's eyes lit up.

The not-too-tall tree was covered with orange-red fruits, which seemed to be waving to Song Jiaojiao from the mountainside.

Song Jiaojiao quickly went down and ran as fast as she could, as if she were on flat ground, completely forgetting that she was on a mountain.

In no time, Song Jiaojiao reached the tree, leaning against it and panting heavily, but her face was beaming with a smile.

I wasn't mistaken after all. It was a persimmon tree, and this not-so-big tree was covered with persimmons, with many more fallen to the ground. Most importantly, this tree was located within the barren mountain area that Song Jiaojiao had bought.

Song Jiaojiao picked a persimmon that looked ripe, peeled off the skin, and saw the orange-red flesh inside. She took a bite. It was seven parts sweet and three parts astringent. This wild persimmon couldn't compare to the ones in the supermarket in her previous life, but it was still pretty good. Persimmons could be made into persimmon cakes, or they could be soaked in warm water for a few days and they would be much better.

Without hesitation, Song Jiaojiao put down her basket and started picking persimmons. She only picked the lower ones, and the basket was already full. There was no other way but to go home and come back later.

Song Jiaojiao looked around and found two small persimmon trees. She pried them up with a machete and put them into her space to see if the ones that grew there would taste even better.

Carrying a basket on her back, she hurried home. When Wang Hefan saw Song Jiaojiao carrying a full basket of rotten fruit, he quickly went to help her.

Before he could speak, Song Jiaojiao's urgent voice came, "Quick, He Fan, go get those two baskets, let's go pick persimmons."

Persimmon? Are you referring to this numbing fruit?

Despite his doubts, Wang Hefan still obediently went and got two baskets. After all, his mother had taken out so many things that were supposed to be inedible, and they were all quite good. Maybe this time, the persimmons would be edible too.

Seeing Song Jiaojiao walking quickly ahead, Wang Hefan was afraid that if he was late, she would be gone, so he quickened his pace as well.

When they arrived at their destination, both of them were covered in sweat. Keep in mind that this was late autumn, and the weather was just waiting for a rain shower to bring cold weather.

Looking at the tree laden with delightful, bright red, heavy fruit, Wang Hefan knew he had arrived. He had seen many of these trees when he went hunting in the mountains.

Seeing that there were only fruits on the top, Wang Hefan didn't let Song Jiaojiao come up. Instead, he carried the basket up himself and let Song Jiaojiao catch them below.

During the climb, many ripe persimmons fell down, which broke Song Jiaojiao's heart.

Wang Hefan saw Song Jiaojiao standing motionless below, her face full of heartache, and said, "Mother, stand further away, so that you won't get hit by falling fruit. I've seen a lot of these trees when I was hunting, and I'll take you to pick them later."

Upon hearing Wang Hefan's words, Song Jiaojiao immediately walked away, asking as she went, "Are there really still many? A lot?"

"Yes, there are large patches of them, but these fruits make your mouth numb, so not many people pick them. Only the ripe ones are slightly better. Mother, what are you going to do with these?"

Wang Hefan secured himself to the tree, picking fruit as he asked a question with a puzzled expression. He had wanted to ask this at home, but seeing Song Jiaojiao's excited expression, he thought he might not be able to get any answers.

"Of course it's for eating. Persimmons can be eaten after processing. You can soak them in warm water for a few days, and they'll be much better."

You can also choose to peel off the skin and put it in the sun to dry. After a few days, when the flesh is very soft and the moisture has evaporated, you can eat it. At that time, the fruit will be as sweet as candy. Dried persimmons are called persimmon cakes.

"Since it hasn't rained these past few days and the weather is nice, perfect for drying them, let's go to the place you mentioned tomorrow and pick them all."

Song Jiaojiao thought of the sweet persimmon cakes and wished she could pick the persimmons right away. If she had a lot, she could sell them.

After Wang Hefan finished picking half of the basket, he handed it to Song Jiaojiao and asked her to empty it into another basket. Holding the empty basket, Wang Hefan climbed up again.

Song Jiaojiao wasn't idle either; she buried the ripe persimmons that had just fallen into the soil. Although she didn't know if they would grow into persimmon trees, she thought it might be useful.

By the time Song Jiaojiao and Wang Hefan finished picking the persimmons, it was getting dark. After picking one and a half baskets, Song Jiaojiao and Wang Hefan went home.

After arriving home, Song Jiaojiao spread out the persimmons she had picked. Suddenly, she realized that she didn't have any extra jars at home, so she had no choice but to use buckets. Thinking that she might not have enough buckets, she asked Wang Hefan to go to the village carpenter Wang's house to buy some.

Song Jiaojiao started picking persimmons, setting aside the slightly softer ones for later soaking, while planning to use the harder ones to make dried persimmons.