Qin Sang smiled and continued pushing the wheelchair:
"Don't worry about it. I've already made an agreement with your daughter; all the Medicinal Herbs she digs up will go to me. Please don't trouble yourself over this."
Granny Xia was still anxious:
"Da Zhuang's Mother, how much can those roots be worth?"
After testing the wheelchair's load-bearing capacity, Qin Sang felt it was fine.
Together with Carpenter Zhao, she helped Xia Tieniu up and seated him in the wheelchair. As soon as they pushed him out, Xia Tieniu, having stayed in dim light for too long and unaccustomed to the bright outside, raised his hand to shield his eyes.
Qin Sang waited for him to adjust before pushing him towards the Construction Site.
Since this area was the bottom of the former pond, the open ground was relatively flat, so pushing the wheelchair wasn't bumpy.
Xia Tieniu gripped the wheelchair's armrests tightly, his voice choked with emotion:
"Sister-in-law, thank you. I can also come out to enjoy the sun and feel the breeze now."
Qin Sang said with a smile:
"This is just the beginning. There are still the Crutches."
Carpenter Zhao handed over the Crutches. Qin Sang first Devilstrated them herself:
"When you lift your left foot, your hand needs to coordinate by moving the crutch on the left side forward. Slowly get used to bearing your own weight this way; it will help restore strength in your legs."
The men resting and drinking Herbal Tea at the Construction Site saw Xia Tieniu being pushed over in the chair and curiously gathered around.
Seeing Qin Sang's Devilstration with the Crutches, they all stepped forward to help:
"Come on, Brother Tieniu, let me help you up."
"Don't be afraid. I'm strong. Come on, try taking a couple of steps."
Xia Tieniu had long yearned for this day of standing up. Seeing everyone's earnest and kind expressions, he nodded firmly:
"I'll trouble everyone."
Saying this, he extended his hands, and two men supported him as he slowly stood up.
Carpenter Zhao waited behind Xia Tieniu with the wheelchair, while Qin Sang timely handed him the Crutches one by one, allowing him to support his body with his hands.
"Hmm..."
Xia Tieniu's body swayed. Everyone hurriedly steadied him, barely managing to keep him standing there.
Qin Sang didn't let him stand for long:
"Don't push yourself. Sit down for now. Your arm strength isn't sufficient yet; everything needs to recover slowly. Just remember this feeling."
Everyone helped Xia Tieniu sit down again, each one sweating nervously, deeply afraid of making him fall and adding to the hardships of his fragile family.
Xia Tieniu happily said to Granny Xia beside him:
"Mother, I just stood up. I really stood up."
Granny Xia happily wiped away tears:
"Yes, Mother believes you. Da Zhuang's Mother, thank you so much."
Qin Sang held her arm and said:
"Oh, Auntie, I've heard you say 'thank you' so much these past two days my ears are about to grow calluses. For the sake of my ears, please don't say those two words anymore. Tieniu still has a long road ahead to stand on his own, and he needs your continued support."
"Okay, okay."
By evening, the group that went up the mountain to dig Medicinal Herbs returned. Qin Sang spotted them early, first seeing Da Huang leaping down at the mountain's base, then waiting a while longer before seeing the group.
"Grandma, we're back."
Eldest Girl didn't seem tired at all. She ran towards Qin Sang on her short legs, and Qin Sang picked her up steadily:
"How was the harvest from the mountain today? Did you find any tasty fruit for Grandma?"
Eldest Girl nodded, then shook her head. Qin Sang asked knowingly:
"Why are you nodding and then shaking your head? Is there fruit or not?"
Eldest Girl finally spoke:
"Yes, but not as much as yesterday."
Eldest Brother's Wife walked over carrying a basket on her back, slightly out of breath:
"Mother, we didn't find much fruit today, only about two or three catties."
Er Fu also arrived:
"Probably the fruit on this side of the mountain isn't as plentiful as on the other side."
Si Jin also nodded:
"But it's good that we found any at all. It wasn't a wasted trip. Mother, did you know? Brother Huzi caught a lot of game."
Qin Sang was somewhat surprised:
"Really?"
When the womenfolk had all come down the mountain, the Hunting Team was finally visible.
There really was quite a bit of game: rabbits, pheasants, and even a Small Deer.
Qin Sang wondered if it was because of the food she had placed that attracted so many small animals.
After all, the animals in the mountains also need to eat and drink; they might have come smelling the fruit.
Da Zhuang had also gone up the mountain today. He carried a bow and arrows on his back, had three pheasants hanging from his waist, and held another in his hand:
"Mother, look, I shot all of these."
Qin Sang gave a thumbs-up:
"Da Zhuang is really amazing. Even though we didn't find much fruit today, with all these pheasants and rabbits, the harvest isn't small either. This is all meat."
Tian Dazhuang, praised by Mother, beamed with joy:
"They're just a bit scrawny."
Si Jin, beside him, said:
"Big Brother, your archery still needs practice. When Brother Huzi shot that deer, he was dozens of paces away. He hit its heart with one arrow. It was really impressive."
Huzi happened to walk over just then, hearing it clearly. His face flushed slightly:
"Auntie, I'll take this game to the Village Chief first."
"Mm, go ahead. By the way, everyone should go home and rest first. Bring the roots over after dinner."
Parting ways with the group, Qin Sang carried Eldest Girl home. The evening meal was already prepared: large meat buns, Pumpkin porridge, two full large basins.
Additionally, a cured sausage was steamed, a plate of shredded potatoes was stir-fried as a side dish, and washed fruit was also ready.
In the evening, the villagers came one after another, bringing the roots.
Qin Sang sorted them, while Si Jin and Er Fu helped weigh out flour and rice beside her.
Some said they didn't want grain. Qin Sang immediately tried to pack the roots back for them. Seeing Qin Sang's determination to make the exchange, everyone couldn't say much.
Tonight, quite a few families moved into the Wooden Houses. Although very simple, they were much more comfortable than the Shacks.
For a time, the Camp was filled with much more laughter and cheerful talk.
However, such days didn't last even two days before the Hunting Team brought back news.
Qin Sang was summoned by Tian Yougen. Arriving at the open ground, she realized that except for Heizi's family and Carpenter Zhao's family, the heads of every other household in the village were gathered here.
The Village Chief's face was heavy and serious, causing the others, though unclear about the reason, to remain quiet and wait without chatting or laughing.
The Village Chief sat on a large rock. His Long-stemmed Pipe held no tobacco, yet he still put it to his mouth, taking occasional puffs.
Qin Sang's heart sank. She asked:
"Village Chief, has something bad happened?"
The Village Chief nodded, tapping his pipe on the ground:
"Hunter Xu, you should explain."
"Today, we ran into people from the Neighboring Village on the mountain ahead. As soon as they saw us, they told us that Butcher Hu has stationed quite a few people in Tianjia Village and had them deliver a message to us..."
Hunter Xu said in a grave voice. Before finishing, his eyes glanced towards Qin Sang. Qin Sang, thoughtful, said:
"Related to me?"
Hunter Xu nodded:
"Butcher Hu had them deliver a message, saying we should hand over your family.
If we don't, in ten days, he will burn the entire Tianjia Village to the ground."