043 Passion

Lin Yan shared the method of steaming eggs with Hongying, asking her to give it a try.

Hongying happily went off to make the steamed egg.

Hongling asked curiously, "Is steamed egg really that delicious?"

"It's extremely delicious. You'll find out once you taste it later."

The two resumed their discussion on improving the spinning wheel, and not long after, Shizhi arrived.

Seeing him, Lin Yan asked in surprise, "How did you know I was here?"

"Everyone in this area knows you've arrived. Hongling's mother has been going door to door bragging that you taught her a new kind of food called steamed egg."

After saying this, Shizhi looked at Lin Yan, "Why is your hemp tunic so torn?"

Lin Yan sighed helplessly, "I went to the pheasant woods to forage for eggs, and the brush tore my clothes. I have no choice but to wear it like this."

"Ask Hongling to mend it for you." Shizhi pointed at Hongling. "She's very skilled with her hands. Once she mends it, you won't even be able to tell; it'll look just like new."

Lin Yan smiled and said, "Alright. Later, I'll bring the torn clothes from home and ask Hongling to help mend them. Once the jute at my home matures, I'll be able to make new clothes."

"Okay, I'll stop by your house to pick them up later and mend them for you when I get back," Hongling said while spinning yarn. "Shizhi, come quick! Lin Yan just pointed out several places on this that can still be improved."

The three of them huddled around the spinning wheel to discuss for over an hour, and Shizhi's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"Lin Yan, why do you have so many new ideas in that head of yours? If you hadn't mentioned it, I would never have thought it could be modified this way."

Hongling said, "She is Lin Yan, after all—she knows everything. You still have a lot to learn."

Lin Yan smiled and said, "You are both very smart. I only know the concepts; making them a reality depends on you two. Later on, when we have paper and pens, I will write down everything I know in books, and it will be much easier for you to learn."

Given their intelligence, once they read the principles and basic knowledge frameworks in books, understanding them shouldn't be difficult, and they would surely be able to create even better things.

Suddenly, Lin Yan thought that they should select a group of children to start foundational education. Taking advantage of their young age, teaching them more now would help change all of this sooner.

These children already knew basic characters, could read, write, and calculate; it was time to learn new things.

"Hongling, Shizhi, I want to select some smart children to study some new things together. Are you interested?"

"Yes! What are we going to study?" Shizhi asked immediately.

Hongling also looked at Lin Yan, "What are you going to teach us?"

Lin Yan thought for a moment, "You already know most of the characters and can write them. I want to teach you the basics of mathematics, physics, and chemistry."

Both of them wore identical question-mark expressions. "We know what mathematics is, but what are physics and chemistry?"

"Physics and chemistry are the study of natural sciences, looking into fundamental laws and the structure of matter. For example, why fire burns, why the sun is so hot, and so on. Mathematics is the foundation; all kinds of calculations used within them are based on mathematics."

The two still didn't quite understand. Picking up a nearby spindle, Lin Yan asked, "Do you know why the spindle can turn hemp fibers into hemp thread?"

Both shook their heads. They only knew that this method produced hemp thread.

"Look, this uses the weight of the spindle and the torque generated by the twist stick to force the hemp fibers into a single strand. This is the effect of force."

...

Lin Yan explained for a long time, and the two finally began to grasp it somewhat.

Shizhi felt that this was a completely new world and was very interested. "When do we start learning?"

Hongling was also interested. She had never known that a spindle was made this way; only by mastering more principles could one build a better spinning wheel.

Lin Yan pondered, "I need to sort out where to start teaching you first. I'll let you know in a few days. Who else do you think should come and study with us?"

Hongling thought of Huahua first. "Let Huahua come too; her name is Huamin now. And let's call Yeya; he is very smart."

Shizhi thought for a moment and said, "Shuisheng is smart too, though his mother might not let him come. We should also call Blue Moon and White Star; they are both very bright and learn quickly."

Blue Moon was the child from A Lan's family, and White Star was the child from Baiyun's family, the leader of the second group. Both were little girls of four or five years old.

Lin Yan thought about it and nodded, "Let's also include Oriole; she's very smart too."

"Is that the Oriole from Huangye's family?" Hongling asked.

There were too many children, and many shared the same names.

Lin Yan nodded, "I'll go back and prepare the teaching materials. You two go notify them and tell them to bring their slate boards and charcoal pencils. We'll start once the time is set."

Just as they finished discussing and prepared to leave, Hongying walked in carrying three small bowls and said warmly, "The steamed eggs are ready! Come and eat, there's a portion for everyone."

Looking at the golden-yellow steamed eggs, how could Hongling and Shizhi possibly resist?

When they tasted it, they devoured it ravenously, leaving their bowls as clean as if they had been licked.

"It's so delicious! I want more. How is this made? Make my mother do this for me when I get home." Shizhi savored the lingering taste of the steamed egg, feeling like he could eat another huge bowl.

Hongying said happily, "There's still one more bowl in the kitchen. I'll bring it right over for you."

"No need, I'm going home to eat," Lin Yan hurriedly stopped her. "Shizhi, the method for making steamed eggs is very simple. I'll tell you as we walk home; we can talk on the way."

Shizhi quickly agreed, "Let's go, let's go. Come to my house and teach me how to make steamed eggs."

Disregarding Hongying's warm pleas to stay, the two quickly slipped away.

There were many people in Hongling's family, and consequently much drama. This was especially true when food was involved.

Lin Yan did not want to cause disputes over a bite of food. Perhaps this situation would change later when everyone's households had surpluses and they no longer had to worry about food.

Shizhi didn't think that deeply; he just wanted to get home quickly and make steamed eggs.

His family had a relatively smaller household—eight people. It was just time for dinner, and the family gave a very warm welcome to Lin Yan's arrival.

Shizhi dragged Lin Yan straight to the kitchen, immediately starting to beat eggs, finding a pottery jar, and pouring in water, all in one smooth motion.

Shizhi's mother, Shilan, grabbed Lin Yan's hands and refused to let go, wishing she were her own biological daughter.

"Lin Yan, since Shizhi hangs out with you, keep a close eye on him. If he misbehaves, just tell me and I'll beat him."

Faced with Shilan's eager anticipation, Lin Yan smiled somewhat stiffly; she was too enthusiastic, and Lin Yan found it a bit overwhelming.

"Mother, Lin Yan is still young; you'll scare her like this," Shizhi quickly stepped in to rescue her. "Mother, this is a steamed egg. Once it's done, you should eat it first—it's so delicious."

"A steamed egg? A new way of eating!" Shilan's eyes lit up. "Tell Mother quickly how it's made, and I'll go find whatever is needed."

"It's already steaming in the jar and will be done soon. Mother, go eat with Grandmother and the others first. Lin Yan and I will wait here for the steamed egg."

Shilan reluctantly let go of Lin Yan, instructing, "Come play at our house often, and treat this place just like your own home. If Shizhi bullies you, just tell me..."

After Shilan went off to eat, Lin Yan looked at Shizhi. "Your mother is really enthusiastic. The steamed egg is almost done, so I'll head home first."

"Eat the steamed egg before you go; I'll walk you back." Shizhi grabbed Lin Yan and wouldn't let her leave.

She was still too young to travel alone.

In the end, Lin Yan stayed and witnessed how much Shizhi's family loved the steamed eggs.