Chapter 104

Ethan Miller stared at the crumpled papers in his hand, the leaf shapes drawn on them looking oddly familiar. Wasn't this just the common wild vine growing in the back hills?

"Got a knife?" he asked, scratching his head.

"Brought one when I moved out." Ethan patted the hatchet tucked at his waist.

Emily Johnson handed him the sketches. "Be careful in the mountains. If you run into a wild boar, climb a tree."

"Got it." Ethan grinned sheepishly, carefully folding the papers and tucking them into his shirt.

As soon as he got home, he grabbed a bamboo basket and hurried to the back hills. The kudzu vines grew thick and tangled, and it took him a while to find the main root. Digging deeper, he uncovered a thick, gnarled tuber. His eyes lit up, and he worked faster.

By sunset, he descended the hill with a basket full of kudzu roots. Picking the thickest one, he headed straight to Michael Stone's house.

"Emily, you home?" Ethan called from outside the gate.

The clatter of dishes sounded from inside, followed by Emily's voice: "Door's open. Come in."

Ethan pushed the gate open to find the family of four at dinner. He hesitated awkwardly at the doorstep.

"Michael... Emily..." He rubbed his hands nervously.

Emily spotted the kudzu root in his hand immediately and set down her chopsticks. "Perfect timing. Eat first, then we'll talk."

Little Tommy had already dashed to the kitchen to fetch an extra bowl.

"About this kudzu root..." Emily explained between bites. "Peel it, slice it, mash it, then strain it through cheesecloth. Let it settle overnight..."

Michael looked baffled. "You can actually eat this root?"

"Not just eat it—it can be a staple food." Emily smiled. "Once Ethan processes it, we can trade for some."

Ethan waved his hands hastily. "No need to trade. I'll bring you some."

"There are medicinal herbs in the mountains too," Emily suddenly remembered. "Too bad I don't know them all. You go up there often—could be a good side income."

Ethan froze. He'd grown up roaming these hills, but to him, plants were just plants. How could he tell which were herbs and which were weeds?

"Just having food is enough," he said with a simple smile.

Just then, a voice called from outside: "Emily, time to go!"

Emily quickly finished her last few bites and turned to the children. "If you're hungry, there's powdered milk and biscuits in the cupboard."

Slinging her bamboo basket over her shoulder, she headed out, mentally listing winter clothes for the kids—thermal underwear, sweaters, padded jackets... She needed to get everything.