Chapter 174:
In the early morning, Luo Zhi’er woke up in Li Sanmao’s arm as usual.
Lifting her gaze, she saw the handsome face above her head, with features so sharp they were unreal.
The usually burly and rough man now looked as pure as a sleeping infant.
Thinking of how he kissed her last night and murmured softly by her ear, Luo Zhi’er blushed at her ears.
She squirmed uncomfortably, and Li Sanmao was woken by her.
“Wife, you’re awake?”
“Mm.”
“It’s still early, sleep a bit more.” His warm hand gently touched her forehead, leaving a trace of coolness.
Luo Zhi’er’s heart gradually melted; lately, he always held her like this without any oversteps.
Last night, she had a very beautiful dream where their family of three lived happily together.
She became the first Empress Merchant of the Dongli Kingdom, involved in all sorts of industries.
This man remained steadfast, firmly standing behind her, supporting her and giving her reliance.
In the dream, she couldn’t tell if it was dream or reality, but at this moment, his broad arms gave her a great sense of security.
It allowed her heart, which had always been drifting about, to finally find a place to rest and be soothed.
She seemed to have finally found the meaning of existence; in the modern era, she only wanted to let Grandmother live well, but was this really her home?
Opening her eyes, everything seemed to return to the starting point.
Luo Zhi’er sat up and put on her clothes. “I can’t sleep, I’m going out for a walk!”
Li Sanmao frowned. “Alright, I’ll go with you!”
“No need. Miaomiao will wake up soon and get anxious if she can’t find us.”
Luo Zhi’er put on her clothing, opened the door, and the air in the rural area was fresh.
In the morning, besides the chirping of various birds, there was the babbling of the stream flowing slowly in front of the door; opening the door led right to a natural oxygen bar.
Dewdrops on the scallions in the garden plot sparkled like pearls, and the ewe bleated twice.
She spread her arms wide and took a deep breath of oxygen.
“Thud! Thud!!!”
At that moment, Zhao Maogen drove the ox cart swiftly past the door.
Luo Zhi’er rubbed her eyes.
Why did she feel that everyone on that cart had strange expressions?
She thought her eyes were playing tricks; why were Aunt Li, Liu Suozi, Ma Shenzi, and the others wearing face masks?
Weren’t these people either wearing face masks, pinching their noses, or plugging their ears—what for?
Could it be the stench from the manure she used to fertilize the scallions yesterday?
She scratched her ear, oh well, it would dissipate in a few days and not stink anymore.
Too lazy to investigate the reason, she stretched lazily and pulled at her leg muscles instead.
Zhao Maogen’s ox cart had already sped far away; everyone on the cart except Zhao Maogen was nearly suffocating, covering their noses, leaving a trail of stench along the way.
They had all heard that yesterday Li Sanmao punched and exploded Li Daniu’s chicken cart to stand up for his wife!
It was so manly, so thrilling! They hadn’t seen it; this was what Li Shi was spreading everywhere.
Li Daniu was too scared to go out, and Li Shi had wailed all night at home.
The chicken cart was smashed; early in the dark morning, they had Li Daniu carry it onto Zhao Maogen’s ox cart and haul it to town.
Zhao Maogen originally wanted to refuse, but seeing how miserably she was crying, he took her along.
Just now passing by Luo Zhi’er’s door, they were afraid of being seen by Li Sanmao and kept urging Zhao Maogen to go faster, faster!
Li Daniu was already dull-witted and automatically blocked out the disdainful looks and reactions of disgust from the people on the cart.
“Mom, how are you?”
“I’m dying, I’m dying!”
Li Daniu was frantic with anxiety, bulging his ox-like eyes. “Uncle Maogen, is this old ox of yours too old?”
He wished he could drive the cart himself and whip the ox to make it fly.
Li Shi had long noticed the disdain and impatience from everyone on the cart and secretly cursed them for being pretentious!
Her legs and bedsores hurt so much she couldn’t care less, as long as she could quickly get to town to see the doctor and get medicine!
“Ouch, ouch, Zhao Maogen, go faster! I’m dying here!”
Ma Shenzi saw the yellow pus flowing to her feet and disgustedly shifted her foot, also nudging the hen to the side.
This would make the hen stink; who would dare buy it now?
Fine, if anyone asked why it stank so much, she’d say the hen was frightened and shat chicken droppings!
Liu Suozi said worriedly,
“Li Daniu, what illness is this on your mom? Why is so much yellow fluid flowing from her body?”
“Exactly, you brought this onto the cart—we all usually sit on this cart; what about the filth left behind?”
Liu Suozi was quite depressed; his position was low, nestled in the cart pocket like Li Shi, and the fluid flowed onto him—what if Yu Lan smelled it later?
The others had side positions to hold onto.
Li Daniu was too busy listening to everyone taunt him and hung his head in embarrassment.
“What’s with the fuss? We’re all peasants; just have Zhao Maogen wash it.”
Li Shi squinted her inverted triangle eyes and spoke up for the dull-witted Li Daniu.
“Ouch!”
Groaning a few times, she felt something off—why was the ox cart slowing down more and more?
“Ouch! I misspoke—have Da Niu come back to help his Uncle Maogen clean it up!!!”
Ma Shenzi said, “That’s secondary; the key is, can this be contagious?”
“Ah?”
Everyone on the cart was frightened; this illness looked so agonizing, their eyes bulging wide!
“Will it be incurable?”
Li Shi trembled in fear.
Liu Suozi held his breath and nearly choked, unable to catch a breath.
Early autumn morning was perfect for gazing into the distance; mist rose from the distant mountain, and after light exercise, a breeze brought wisps of coolness.
Luo Zhi’er sat under the persimmon tree, lost in thought, wrapping her outer garment tighter; with a creak, Li Sanmao came out.
“Wife.”
Li Sanmao draped a jacket over her and stood behind her. “Thank you!”
“Silly, you’re my wife; taking care of you is what I should do—what’s there to thank? If you catch a cold, your husband will be heartbroken.”
Luo Zhi’er felt the warmth from his body pass to her.
For some reason, her nose tingled, and she turned to hug him tightly.
Li Sanmao was stunned and worried. “Wife, what’s wrong?”
Suddenly, excitement flashed in his eyes. “Wife!”
Zhi’er was finally willing to hug him actively? Did this mean she was starting to accept him?
His big hand stroked her forehead hair, quietly letting her rely on him.
He patted her back.
After breakfast, Luo Zhi’er fed Bill some beef and saw the ewe in the pen—her udder was bulging, still full even after the two lambs nursed.
Her heart stirred; she turned back to the kitchen, grabbed a wooden basin, ran to the pen, and milked the sheep milk.
Miaomiao and Li Sanmao were still working on the sunshade in the yard.
“Ewe, doesn’t that feel much better?”
She touched its udder.
Li Sanmao stood on the wooden board and, looking up, saw his wife’s childlike antics; he couldn’t help chuckling softly, his eyes full of indulgence.
After milking the sheep milk, she began her invention!
Making bread would take two more days, by which time it would spoil.
Midday was actually quite hot; she could use the sheep milk to make some food to freshen the palate—yes, she’d make a small snack for Miaomiao.
Maybe she could even sell it in town later.
She carried the sheep milk to the wooden table, filtered it clean, poured it into the pot, lit the fire, and watched the heat.
When the sheep milk heated to about 45 degrees Celsius, she scooped some out into the yeast powder for her homemade fermented bread and stirred.
Then poured it back into the pot to mix with the rest of the milk, continuing to heat to around 95°C; without a thermometer, this temperature had to be controlled purely by experience.
Off the heat.
She got some bowls, scooped two spoonfuls into each, let it cool; in about 6 or 7 hours, results would show.
“Mother, what is this?”
“This is called yogurt.”
“Yogurt?”
Hearing it for the first time, Miaomiao was puzzled.
“Mm, sheep milk yogurt.”
“Wow, it must be delicious! Mother, Miaomiao wants to eat it now!”
Anything Mother made was delicious.
Luo Zhi’er blinked playfully. “Hehe, you little glutton; haste makes waste with hot tofu—wait a bit!”
Miaomiao ran out pattering, even losing a shoe. “Father, we’re going to have yogurt!”
Luo Zhi’er hurried after her. “Slow down, careful not to step on something sharp—there’s lots of debris on the ground by Father!”
As soon as Luo Zhi’er went out, she spotted a graceful, slender young woman standing next to Li Sanmao.
It was clear she had dressed up carefully.
“Brother Sanmao, what are you doing?” Her voice was like a gentle breeze, soft and pleasant!
Li Sanmao explained, “Making a sunshade thing for Miaomiao’s mother.”
“What? For her?” Zhao Fengjiao was filled with jealousy, nearly tearing her handkerchief to shreds—that fat Luo Zhi’er had no beauty, no figure.
Just look at how badly Li Shenzi was beaten; she was like a fierce, barren tigress—why treat her so well?
“Brother Sanmao, I want one too; can you make one for me?” As she spoke, her figure didn’t idle, inching closer to him!
Li Sanmao frowned; he was shirtless for work!
He shifted a bit. “Depends on the situation; I’ve been busy lately, still have to work the fields!”
Zhao Fengjiao seized the opportunity. “Is your sister-in-law that lazy? Makes sense, being so fat—she must eat a lot usually, right?”
“Come to think of it, I’ve never seen her work in the fields; you just got back, shouldn’t you rest well? Why make you do everything?”
She was just a lazy, gluttonous fat woman; look how he didn’t despise her.
Watching Li Sanmao’s expression, sure enough, no gloom: “Hehe, Brother Sanmao, this sunshade you’re making is great; a capable man like you should find an especially good wife.”
The man opposite was bent over hammering the frame hard, sweating all over. “My wife is great, and I enjoy doing it—none of her business!”
Zhao Fengjiao’s eyes flashed, anger surging inside; she stepped forward. “Brother Sanmao, stop protecting her; we all know what kind of person she is!”
Li Sanmao’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot—what were they saying about his wife?
“Look at you, all sweaty from exhaustion; let Fengjiao wipe it for you!” A fragrant scent wafted over.
“Your sister-in-law really, on such a hot day, not preparing tea for you! What’s she doing at home? Still sleeping in?”
She took out her handkerchief and wiped his big arm, then moved to his forehead!
“Hehe, Brother Sanmao, you’re so sturdy; Fengjiao just likes this type.”
Her words hinted overtly and covertly that as long as he was smart, he could find a way to have her.
