Chapter 62:
“Dad, this termite mushroom oil, each jar is about ten pounds, requiring about twenty-three pounds of mushrooms, and the excess we can collect and dry for future needs.”
“Mm, this method is good.”
This kind of mushroom has limited growing conditions on the mountain, so there aren’t many.
But if collected too much and it rains, they will rot and get worms, and if not collected on the mountain, it’s a pity…
Drying them won’t waste them.
Luo Zhi’er didn’t think of this at the restaurant, and besides, you can’t guarantee how much dried goods you can collect to provide to Yumian Tower as backup.
Also, she mainly wanted to sell and promote other new products, namely the famous scallion oil.
Having made up her mind, next time after delivery, she would buy more scallion seedlings to plant in the garden plot.
“When is the next delivery?”
“In two days.”
“Oh, in that case, we need to hurry and collect this termite mushroom. Daqiang, how is your wife feeling?”
Old Li Tou asked.
“Dad, Muqing’s mom’s women’s ailments, she probably needs to lie down for a few days… you see…”
He looked at Zhou Shi and said a bit embarrassedly.
“Pah! That little hoof has lazy bones disease, what women’s ailments! Don’t I know her?”
“Mom, she really feels unwell. Yesterday she was beaten, and Doctor Li prescribed medicine for her. She needs to lie down for at least three days. You saw me decocting medicine this morning, and she just drank the medicine tonight before sleeping…”
“Hmph! Just to say it first, the silver you owe at Doctor Li’s, I won’t handle it!”
Li Daqiang’s face turned red, his mom was still angry about yesterday. Thinking that earlier Luo Zhi’er asked her to apologize to Miaomiao and she didn’t take it seriously, but now she’s picking on his wife?
It’s still because he himself is useless and hasn’t earned silver!
Old Li Tou’s face also showed a trace of displeasure. Rest for three days?
During the busy farming season, everyone at home is busy running around, she already slept a whole day today, and tomorrow she still wants to continue lying down?
Old Li Tou’s face had just been hit by the bamboo strip, from the bridge of his nose to his forehead it looked like an earthworm crawling…
He let out a long sigh, that earthworm moved with it, a bit scary and comical.
“Tomorrow Daqiang and I will still go harrow that field. Third Child, you go down the mountain to set traps and come back, also help in the field. Third Wife, trouble you to go to the mountain to collect mushrooms by yourself.”
Luo Zhi’er was speechless, after all that, it was still her going by herself.
“His mom, you go if you have time.”
“…You all go busy in the field, who will cook at home? That little hoof is lying in the room lazing like a dead pig and not coming out…”
“Gui’er has to leave tomorrow, I need to prepare luggage and see him off!”
It’s too hot, she would get heatstroke going uphill, staying home is good, they won’t be around to make something nice for Gui’er, and some dry rations to take…
“That’s true.”
Old Li Tou almost forgot about this, tomorrow before going to the field to work in the morning, he still had to give the silver to Fifth Brother.
Luo Zhi’er didn’t want to go with her at all, she would rather go alone.
Zhou Shi’s appearance reminded her of when she first transmigrated here.
Now the target had changed to her formerly favorite daughter-in-law Xiao Zhou Shi.
Luo Zhi’er directly said to Old Li Tou: “Dad, you all are busy in the field, delivery is still two days away, I should have no problem collecting by myself. Since Fifth Brother is going to town to study, Mom can stay home to see him off!”
“Alright then, sorry to trouble Third Wife.” Old Li Tou nodded, Third Wife was still sensible.
Li Sanmao just sat silently on the side listening to their conversation, not mentioning a word about Luo Zhi’er buying the land.
After discussing, they went back to their rooms to sleep. Zhou Shi saw her leaving and quickly called out to Luo Zhi’er, asking her to wash the bowls before sleeping. Luo Zhi’er said, “Mom, I ran around all day today and my waist is about to break. Tomorrow early morning I still have to go collect mushrooms!”
“Dad, if this delays the delivery to Yumian Tower it won’t be good, so trouble Mom to wash them.”
After saying that, she stood up and rubbed her waist: “Ouch, ouch! This waist is going to be ruined, it really hurts me to death!” And then she left.
Old Li Tou deeply felt it, his old waist was also about to break!
Zhou Shi was so angry her face turned ashen, “This fat hoof is getting more and more sly now. Before she didn’t dare talk back half a sentence. Isn’t it just earning two silvers?”
Look at her acting so arrogant, daring not to listen to her commands!
“Enough, his mom, didn’t you just say you would wash the bowls? Why are you starting trouble again now? Third Wife is right, delaying delivery requires three times compensation in silver!”
Old Li Tou impatiently glanced at her. In his lifetime, marrying such an unreasonable woman had made their home restless.
“Do you have silver to compensate?”
“You… even if I have, I won’t compensate!”
“Ignorant woman can’t be taught!” The old man couldn’t bear it anymore, stood up and went to his room to sleep, too lazy to pay her any more attention…
“Tch!” Zhou Shi was so angry her nostrils flared upward. Seeing everyone finish and pat their butts to leave, leaving her alone to work in the middle of the night, she angrily smashed the pots and bowls making clanging noises.
In the kitchen she cursed and grumbled for a while, then had to roll up her sleeves to wash the bowls…
Li Gui covered his ears with the quilt in the room. He had peeked through the window earlier, and it seemed there was silver now.
And all at once fifteen taels. Looking at this, tomorrow when he leaves, he shouldn’t lack tuition. Otherwise, he would have to ask the teacher to guarantee and pay later, just like before.
He would pretend to be pitiful, Mom should give him more travel expenses…
Thinking about it made him very happy. Finally leaving this noisy home, and able to see her… That night he had several beautiful dreams in a row.
After leaving the main hall door, Luo Zhi’er called out to Li Daqiang, “Right, Big Brother, wait a moment, I have something for you.”
Li Daqiang stopped, puzzledly looked at Li Sanmao, and Li Sanmao nodded kindly to him.
He stopped.
Watching Third Brother’s wife’s plump back as she trotted into their room, and soon came out.
“Big Brother, this is the ink and paper I bought today in town for Muqing and Yunliang, and the hair clip for Liuliu.”
“Third Sister-in-law… this…”
Li Daqiang’s eyes showed disbelief, he hesitated.
The honest man stood opposite, no matter how he thought, he didn’t expect Third Sister-in-law to buy things for his kids.
And for Liuliu too?
“Third Sister-in-law, why did you buy these things… spending this silver…”
Where did Third Sister-in-law get silver from? Would Dad and Mom say something about her?
Luo Zhi’er naturally saw what he was thinking at a glance: “Big Brother, just take it. This was bought with the reward money Shopkeeper Zhu gave me, so take it with peace of mind.”
Luo Zhi’er handed it to him.
“So that’s how it is.”
He looked at Li Sanmao. Getting reward money was probably just dozens of coppers, but he still indulged her in spending money. Though it was still buying things for his kids, a wave of guilt rose in his heart.
“Then Big Brother thanks Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law for your kindness.”
He touched the paper, it was rice paper, and the brush was also a good one.
This morning his wife was still saying in front of him that she was selfish, yesterday not saying a word to help them.
He also felt Third was too indifferent. Yesterday morning when the home was in chaos, he ran to the mountain to avoid it.
In the evening coming back not breaking up the fight, watching Mom beat his wife and him…
Who knew she quietly earned silver, and today bought ink and paper for Muqing and Yunliang to use for school.
As parents, they hadn’t thought of this. Even if they did, no silver, had to ask parents, which would definitely come with blame and complaints…
“Big Brother, this is Zhi’er’s idea. If you want to thank someone, thank her, no need to thank me.”
“Hey! Third Sister-in-law, thank you for your kindness.”
“No need, Big Brother, it’s nothing. I’m happy that Muqing and Yunliang can study as their Third Aunt.”
Li Daqiang watched Luo Zhi’er and her husband go side by side back to the third house’s room, chatting and laughing, envy in his eyes.
