8: Gathering Herbs and Survival Supplies
Thanking Auntie Wang, Li Mei decides to explore the nearby forest for herbs. She remembers a few basic herbal remedies from her past life and hopes they'll be useful here. Gathering herbs could allow her to make medicines to trade or sell, especially given her lack of resources.
As she wanders through the forest, she discovers several plants she recognizes and carefully picks a few, taking note of their properties and potential uses. She gathers common herbs like wild ginger, mint, and an unfamiliar red-leaved plant that her instincts tell her might be useful.
After a few hours, Li Mei finds herself near the river where other villagers are washing clothes and collecting water. The villagers give her wary looks, but she ignores them, focusing on her task.