Ling Chengyan requested a separate plot of land when the Wang Family divided property. Her eldest cousin and his wife arranged it for her—a sandy plot unsuitable for wheat but suitable for sweet potatoes, green beans, and cowpeas.
The aunt also prepared a variety of seeds for her, over ten types in total.
Ling Chengyan divided the land into small beds and planted assorted grains and vegetables.
That day, Ling Chengyan was planting chive roots as instructed by her aunt when her eldest cousin and his wife came over together.
Her cousin's wife held a tea bowl, covered with a damp cloth, and smiled, "I got some zucchini seeds, let your brother help plant them."
Ling Chengyan lifted the cloth to find the elongated seeds had sprouted, hence the need for the damp cover.
Wang Lianqi, holding a short-handled hoe, said, "This is a melon hoe, used for planting melons. I'll help you get one from the commune's agricultural station another day."
