During times of famine: I have a spiritual spring space

Chapter 26 Delicious Pumpkin

Unexpectedly, Zhuang Lihui had such good luck. Not daring to delay, he quickly grabbed a sack and followed Chen Jian'an.

The group set off in a grand procession. In order not to attract the attention of others, they walked quietly, did not talk, and avoided other people, trying to choose places with fewer people.

Zhuang Lihui quickly emerged from the space. He didn't know when Chen Jianan had arrived. If he came out of the space and bumped into him, it would be hard to explain, and everyone would think he had seen a ghost!

Without keeping him waiting long, Chen Jian'an and his group entered the mountains, quickening their pace. They reasoned that if they didn't bring the pumpkins home, they wouldn't consider them theirs.

Looking at the panting crowd, he said, "No need to rush!"

Chen Jian'an said seriously, "Brother Hui, it's not safe for you to be here alone. What if the timber thieves come back, or you encounter a ghost?"

These words shocked everyone else present.

"What? A ghost?"

Huang Lan was a little flustered and began to look around, afraid that something might suddenly jump out.

Zhuang Zhenmin noticed Huang Lan's fear and couldn't help but laugh and cry: "What ghosts are there? Don't scare yourself. There are many of us. Even if there really are ghosts, they'll be afraid of us."

"Uncle Zhenmin, you can't say that. You don't know..." Chen Jianan explained the situation regarding the stolen trees.

Zhuang Zhenmin was also surprised.

"Is that so?"

"Let's move our things back quickly, lest things get complicated."

Those present finally got back to the main topic: the purpose of their visit.

There were many people here, and they even had sacks, so we packed up the remaining 16 pumpkins and took them with us.

Because they didn't bring enough sacks, some people could only carry two, but this weight was nothing to these people who worked year-round. Without even taking a break, they carried all the pumpkins back to Zhuang Lihui's house in one go.

Chen Jian'an's eldest and second eldest brothers stared at a pile of pumpkins on the ground.

Zhuang Lihui realized that they had only helped a small part with the pumpkin-related matters, and the specific allocation of the profits would be up to him. They knew Zhuang Lihui was generous and wouldn't be afraid of working for nothing.

Seeing the expectant looks in everyone's eyes, Zhuang Lihui quickly offered a distribution plan: "Jian'an, you guys take five back!"

Three people came to help carry the pumpkins, and Chen Jian'an made two more trips, so five is reasonable.

Chen Jian'an waved his hand: "Brother Hui, five is a bit too many, three is enough!"

After all, it was Zhuang Lihui who discovered it; otherwise, there would have been no chance to share it, and he could have kept it all for himself. But he didn't. One should be content with what one has.

Zhuang Lihui didn't care about these pumpkins. Even if he distributed them all, he could grow as many as he wanted in the space. This was definitely not going to work.

"Jian'an, no need to say more, just do as I say."

Chen Jianan did not refuse further and nodded in agreement.

The three brothers took the five pumpkins home, and they'll have a big meal tonight.

After they left, Zhuang Lihui said, "Second Uncle, you and Second Aunt should take five back with you!"

Zhuang Zhenmin shook his head and refused: "Lihui, no, five is too many. If we take two, we'll already be benefiting from the situation."

Although Huang Lan wanted five, she couldn't say anything more once Zhuang Zhenmin had spoken.

Zhuang Lihui explained, "Second Uncle, even if we give you five, there will still be seven left, enough for Liming and me to eat for a long time. Alright, we're family, no need for formalities. If Liming and I have no food in the future, are you going to withhold food from us brothers?"

Having said all that, Zhuang Zhenmin couldn't find a reason to refuse and had no choice but to accept it.

Zhuang Liming nodded in agreement. So many pumpkins, how long would that last? Chen Jian'an or Second Uncle helped them a lot during their most difficult time. If it were anyone else, they definitely wouldn't be willing to part with them.

Zhuang Lihui said, "Liming, hide the pumpkin."

If outsiders see it, it will be hard to explain, and there will be trouble. They might even come to you to borrow it. Anything that can fill your stomach is very precious. A starving person might take a risk.

Zhuang Lihui wasn't afraid; with his body strengthened by the spiritual spring, his fighting skills were practically nonexistent. He could overcome any technique with sheer force. However, this didn't mean Zhuang Liming wasn't afraid. He didn't have a strong body, and if something unexpected happened, it would be too late for regrets.

Zhuang Liming also understood that wealth should not be flaunted, especially at this time.

.......

In the evening, Zhuang Liming steamed some pumpkin. Since there was no oil at home, he couldn't stir-fry it even if he wanted to. He also cooked some corn porridge for dinner.

For a moment, Zhuang Liming felt that this was too extravagant and too corrupt.

While the pumpkin was steaming, the aroma made Zhuang Liming swallow hard; it was the first time he had ever known that pumpkin could smell so good.

In the afternoon, Zhuang Lihui said something, found a secluded corner, entered his space, planted the pumpkin seeds, and watered them with spiritual spring water. In less than a minute, the pumpkin seeds turned into pumpkin seedlings, and a little over an hour later, pumpkins had grown out of them.

He picked the pumpkins after they ripened.

Looking at the pumpkins all over the ground, they could be exchanged for quite a few things.

I was planning to build the house urgently, but there's not enough time. I can only wait until tomorrow, and it won't make a difference if I don't have more time.

After emerging from the space, he looked around and, finding no one, put it down.

When he got home, he found that the meal was ready and saw Zhang Liming swallowing his saliva repeatedly.

"Liming, I didn't mean you don't need to wait for me. You can eat first if you're hungry."

Zhuang Liming shook his head: "Our mother always says that we should wait for everyone to be present before we eat."

Zhuang Lihui had no way to refute it, so he sat down at the table and said, "Alright! Let's eat."

Zhuang Liming couldn't wait to pick up a piece of pumpkin and put it in his mouth. He found that the golden pumpkin was soft, glutinous, and sweet without being greasy.

It has a natural fruity aroma, a delicate and smooth texture that won't make you feel choked, and a perfectly balanced sweetness. After steaming, it becomes rich and sweet, melts in your mouth, and fills your mouth with a mellow, natural sweetness, soft, chewy, and fragrant.

"Brother, this is the first time I've ever eaten such delicious pumpkin!"

Zhuang Lihui never expected that pumpkins could taste so good. Even in later generations, pumpkins of this quality would be considered top-notch.

"If it's delicious, eat more."

Suddenly, it occurred to me that pumpkins grown in this space might taste better than those grown outside. Although both are irrigated with spiritual spring water, the difference in location is significant.

Zhuang Liming finished off most of the pumpkin by himself, leaving the plate empty.

"Brother, I couldn't help it for a moment."

Zhuang Lihui laughed and said, "It's alright, eat as much as you like. There's still plenty of pumpkin left, so why worry about running out?"

This scene also played out at Zhuang Zhenmin and Chen Jianan's home. This pumpkin was the best they had ever eaten, and they felt they hadn't cooked enough. However, they didn't steam any more; good things should be saved for later, otherwise, if they ate it all at once, there wouldn't be any left to eat later.

This is the first time I've ever eaten such a delicious pumpkin. Is it true that wild pumpkins are tastier than cultivated ones?

At this rate, the pumpkin probably won't last many days.

Needless to say, those pumpkin seeds will definitely be saved for future growth.