The next morning, after the chaotic episode with the system, Zhang Wei felt surprisingly steady. His head no longer throbbed like it was being crushed, and the ocean of herbal knowledge sat calmly inside him—vast, organized, and ready to be used. He stepped out of the small room and found Uncle Li and Mei already sitting at the low table with breakfast.
"I'm going into the forest today to gather herbs," Zhang Wei announced calmly while picking up his bowl.
Uncle Li looked up sharply, worry creasing his forehead. "Are you sure you're fully recovered, lad? Yesterday you were convulsing on the floor. I thought we were going to lose you."
Zhang Wei gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm fine now, Uncle. Really. Better than fine, actually. I just need to move around and breathe some fresh air."
Before they could argue further, he added with a small grin, "Besides… I have a plan to make us rich. Just wait and see."
Both Uncle Li and Mei stared at him, mouths slightly open, but Zhang Wei only winked and finished his porridge quickly. He grabbed a woven basket, a small knife, and headed out before they could ask too many questions.
The forest welcomed him like an old friend.
As soon as he stepped under the canopy, the world changed. Everywhere he looked, Zhang Wei saw value. Ordinary grass wasn't ordinary anymore. That common green weed by the path? Its roots could be dried and ground into a powder that helped with stomach cramps. The small white flowers on that bush? When combined with certain tree bark, they formed the base for a fever-reducing pill. Even the moss on the rocks carried subtle medicinal properties if prepared correctly.
One pill born from many small things. That's the nature of this world, he thought, a quiet excitement building in his chest. Everything has its use. I just need to see it.
He moved deeper into the woods, his steps sure. Using the massive Herbal Knowledge now flooding his mind, combined with half-remembered survival videos and nature documentaries from his first life on Earth, he began collecting.
He found clusters of silverleaf fern, carefully cutting only the mature fronds so the plant could regrow. He dug up wild ginseng roots—small but potent. He spotted several types of mushrooms that could be dried for long-term storage and used in tonics. Along the way, he also set a few simple snares using techniques he remembered from old YouTube videos: a basic loop snare for rabbits and a figure-four deadfall for birds.
By midday he had caught a decent-sized forest snake—non-venomous, thick-bodied—and a plump wild chicken that had wandered too close to one of his traps. He killed both quickly and humanely, then continued gathering herbs that could be preserved for weeks or even months if dried properly.
When the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Zhang Wei headed back home, basket full and carrying the snake and chicken over his shoulder. The load was heavy, but his steps felt light.
As he approached the house, he saw Uncle Li pacing back and forth in front of the door, hands clasped behind his back, clearly worried. Mei was sitting on the bench, biting her nails.
The moment Uncle Li spotted him, relief washed over the older man's face.
"Zhang Wei! You're back safe. I was about to go look for you."
Zhang Wei walked up with a bright smile, setting the basket down. "I'm back, Uncle. And I brought dinner… and ingredients for the future."
Uncle Li eyed the snake and chicken. "You… caught those yourself?"
"Yep. Today I'll cook dinner myself."
Uncle Li's eyes widened. "You're going to make us eat snake?"
Zhang Wei nodded, still smiling. "It's delicious if prepared right. Trust me."
Uncle Li's face turned a little pale, but he didn't argue. Mei, on the other hand, looked curious and excited.
"Can I help?" she asked eagerly.
"Of course," Zhang Wei said. "Come on, let's get to work."
He led Mei to the small outdoor cooking area while Uncle Li hovered nearby, occasionally peeking over like a nervous parent. Zhang Wei worked with calm confidence. First, he carefully skinned the snake, removing the head and the small sac of venom glands near the jaw—making sure every trace of poison was gone. He washed the meat thoroughly in clean water.
Using his new knowledge, he selected several herbs he had gathered: ginger-like wild root for removing any gamey smell, a handful of mild detoxifying leaves, and aromatic mountain herbs that would add fragrance. He chopped the snake meat into bite-sized pieces, then started a fire and set up a pot of water.
He explained each step to Mei as he went, voice steady and teaching.
"First we boil the snake meat with these herbs for a while to draw out any remaining impurities and make it tender. The key is to simmer it slowly, not let it boil too hard."
The pot began to bubble gently. A rich, savory aroma slowly filled the air—earthy, slightly sweet, with hints of ginger and wild herbs. Next, Zhang Wei prepared a simple yam (spicy salad) with the snake meat: he mixed the cooked pieces with crushed wild chili, sliced shallots, fresh herbs, and a touch of vinegar from fermented fruits he had found earlier. The combination created a bright, tangy, and fragrant dish.
For the chicken, he made a clear soup. He simmered the bird with more herbs, a few pieces of dried mushroom, and just enough salt. The broth turned beautifully clear and golden, releasing a clean, comforting aroma that made mouths water.
Uncle Li kept sneaking closer, nose twitching at the smells despite his earlier hesitation. "It… actually smells pretty good."
When everything was ready, Zhang Wei carefully ladled the food into wooden bowls and plates.
"Go sit at the table, both of you," he said with a grin. "I'll bring it out."
Mei and Uncle Li went inside. Zhang Wei followed shortly after, carrying the dishes. The table looked simple but inviting—steaming snake soup, the spicy yam salad, and the clear chicken broth with tender pieces of meat.
That night, the three of them sat together under the warm candlelight.
Zhang Wei watched them with quiet happiness, a soft smile on his face. This was what he wanted—to take care of them, even in small ways.
Uncle Li stared at the snake dish, face comically hesitant. "This… snake thing. It's really edible?"
Zhang Wei laughed lightly. He picked up his chopsticks, took a big piece of snake meat from the yam, and ate it with obvious enjoyment.
"Mmm… it's really delicious. Tender, a little chewy but not tough, and the herbs bring out a nice flavor. Not fishy at all. Come on, Uncle, try it. If I can eat it, you can too."
Mei watched Zhang Wei eat, then bravely scooped some into her bowl. The moment she took a bite, her eyes lit up.
"Wow… it's actually really good!" she exclaimed, cheeks puffing out as she chewed. "It tastes a bit like chicken but richer. And the spicy part is perfect!"
Uncle Li still looked doubtful for a few more seconds, but when he saw both kids eating happily, he finally gave in. He took a cautious bite of the snake yam… then another… then a spoonful of the clear chicken soup.
His eyes widened.
"Well… I'll be damned," he muttered, quickly taking more. "This is actually tasty. Better than most meat we get in the village."
The three of them ate with real appetite, the wooden bowls clinking softly. Laughter and light conversation filled the small house—Mei asking Zhang Wei where he learned to cook like this, Uncle Li joking about never trusting snake again but still reaching for seconds.
Zhang Wei sat back a little, watching them enjoy the meal he had made. The warm light of the candle danced across their faces. Outside, the night insects chirped peacefully.
In that moment, with the smell of herbs and good food still lingering in the air, Zhang Wei felt a deep, quiet contentment.
This was more than just survival.
This was building something real.
And tomorrow… he would start turning those herbs into something that could actually change their lives.
For now, though, he simply enjoyed the simple joy of a shared meal with the only family he had in this world.