20: Care and Observation
Every day, Li Mei returns to the garden, inspecting her growing herbs with a keen eye. She ensures they receive just the right amount of sunlight, adjusting their positions slightly to prevent the herbs from being crowded. The growth is rapid, but she carefully monitors the garden, ensuring that no plant outgrows the other or consumes too much of the mystical water. The Moonlight Blossoms, in particular, require special care as they flourish best when bathed in the moon's light, so she places them at the edge of the garden, where they'll catch the soft glow from the mystical pond during the night.
The garden flourishes over the next few days, with each herb thriving under the nurturing care of the mystical space's energies. It is clear to Li Mei that her little herb garden has the potential to not only feed her body but heal it as well. She finds comfort in this self-sustaining garden, where nature's bounty is at her fingertips, ready to be used in her medicinal practices.
A few weeks later, the herbs reach maturity. Li Mei carefully begins the harvesting process, using her hands to gently pluck the leaves and roots without disturbing the rest of the plant. She collects the Mountain Ginseng and Red Sage first, followed by the Moonlight Blossom, and finally, the Jade Leaf, which seems to shimmer as she touches it.
She dries the leaves and roots under the sunlight that filters through the canopy above, carefully storing them in small bundles. The herbs are now ready to be made into healing salves, teas, and tonics. With the mystical water, Li Mei blends them into potent remedies that are even more effective than what she could have made with the herbs alone.
As Li Mei looks over her flourishing herb garden, she feels a deep sense of accomplishment. She's not just surviving in this new world; she's beginning to shape her future. And with each plant she nurtures, she's one step closer to building a life that's truly her own.
As the days pass, Li Mei's herb garden flourishes. The once small and fragile seedlings have grown into vibrant plants, each one brimming with life and potential. The Mountain Ginseng, Red Sage, and Moonlight Blossom now stand tall, their leaves unfurling in the sunlight, their roots deep in the fertile soil. Li Mei takes pride in the success of her garden, knowing that these plants are not only sustaining her but also providing her with the knowledge and resources to survive in this strange, new world.
One afternoon, as she carefully harvests the last of the Moonlight Blossoms, she realizes that the time has come to take the next step. The mystical water has not only given her strength and healing but has also awakened a deeper sense of purpose within her. She no longer wants to merely survive—she wants to thrive. And for that, she needs to turn her skills and knowledge into something more.