Chapter 122: Everyone Joins In the Fun

When Li Xiulan heard these words, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy. It had been over twenty days since the incident. If it weren’t for the villagers pressuring her that day, she wouldn’t have brought gifts over.

The few women who had come as witnesses also felt a bit embarrassed. They had been brought along by Li Xiulan, fearing that the villagers wouldn’t know she had come to deliver a thank-you gift.

Just then, Wang Chunni, the daughter-in-law of the village secretary, arrived with her younger brother-in-law and his wife. They were slightly out of breath, having hurried over upon hearing that Li Xiulan had brought people to Luo Qiao’s house. Wang Chunni quickly brought some things over.

Luo Qiao was a bit stunned seeing the people coming in through the courtyard gate. Since moving in, apart from Lu Yichen, only Zhao’s family had visited a few times at the beginning. Today, why was everyone suddenly flocking to her place?

Luo Qiao said, “Auntie, how did you all find time to come over? Please come in quickly.”

Wang Chunni looked at the neatly arranged courtyard and smiled, “You’re capable indeed. We’ve been meaning to come to say thank you. Thanks to you acting promptly in Shunyi and Congshan, my younger brother-in-law’s family was spared a major crisis.”

Luo Qiao replied, “Please don’t say that. I just happen to know a bit and I’m glad to be able to help everyone. There’s no need to worry about it.”

Wang Chunni’s sister-in-law, Zhou Xiaomei, stepped forward and grabbed Luo Qiao’s hand, saying, “Luo Qiao, don’t say that. We haven’t had a chance to thank you properly because of the earlier situation.

Please don’t blame Auntie for being impolite. If it weren’t for you, our family might have faced ruin. Thank you.”

The village secretary’s younger brother, Zhang Degang, placed the things he was carrying on the stone platform in the courtyard and said, “Luo Qiao, I’m not good with words. Anyway, I’ll remember this favor. If there’s anything big or small in the future, just let us know.

Today, this thank-you gift is honestly not very valuable. You must know about our situation at Uncle’s home. It’s really due to limited capabilities. However, regardless, it’s a token of our appreciation. Please don’t disdain it.”

Luo Qiao was feeling a bit overwhelmed now. “Listen to me, everyone. I appreciate your intentions, but I’m currently working and earning a modest income. Occasionally, I can go up the mountain to gather some medicinal herbs to sell at the purchasing station for some extra money. I can feed myself and my family.

But it’s different for you all. Uncle Degang, your family just spent a lot of money, and Auntie Xiulan, Uncle Shunyi lost a lot of blood and needs to recuperate. That’s why I really can’t accept these things.”

Just then, it’s not known who spread the news that both Zhang Degang’s family and Gao Shunyi’s family were here to give Luo Qiao thank-you gifts. Therefore, they came together to watch the excitement. As a result, they heard Luo Qiao’s silly rejection at the gate.

Then, the village gossip queen Kong Baoru, who is as talkative as Li Xiulan, laughed and entered Luo Qiao’s courtyard. She walked up to Li Xiulan and directly uncovered the cloth that covered the basket Li Xiulan had placed on the ground.

The basket was quite large, containing two chayote squash, a bunch of garlic chives, and three eggs. Kong Baoru burst into laughter immediately, “Sister Xiulan, you’re too practical. Carrying such a big basket, I didn’t expect Brother Shunyi’s life is only worth two chayote squash, a bunch of garlic chives, and three eggs.”

Li Xiulan was embarrassed by Kong Baoru’s teasing, her expression sour. She glared at Kong Baoru and said, “This is all we can manage at home. What can I do?”

Zhou Xiaomei, Zhang Degang’s wife, added, “We’re also going through tough times now, Luo Qiao. Please don’t think poorly of us.”

As she spoke, Zhou Xiaomei opened the basket they brought, revealing nearly twenty or thirty eggs and two bottles of canned oranges. She looked challengingly at Li Xiulan.