Shen Zhihuan handed the money to Li Qiuhua and lay back down. After this incident, she didn’t dare push herself anymore.

The next day, news of Shen Family’s third daughter falling severely ill and bedridden spread like wildfire.

“Widow Li has such bad luck. First, her parents and husband passed away, and now her third daughter…”

“I heard she was getting better recently. How did things suddenly take such a bad turn?”

“Ever heard of the phrase ‘a burst of energy before death’?”

“I say, it’s Widow Li’s cursed fate. First, she cursed her parents and Shen Jianguo to death, and now it’s her own daughter’s turn.”

“Widow Chen, who cursed your husband to death then?” someone in the crowd jeered.

“Li Jiabao, you little rascal! Are you eyeing widow Li? Why are you defending her so much?” Widow Chen threw down her sickle, planting her hands on her hips, and started yelling.

“Widow Chen, what a foul mouth you have! Do you think the rest of the village doesn’t know your petty little schemes?” Li Jiabao retorted smugly.

Seeing Widow Chen’s expression change, he became even more emboldened.

“You’ve been holding a grudge ever since Uncle Jianguo chose Aunt Li over you, haven’t you?”

Widow Chen trembled with rage. “You…”

“What, me? Go take a good look in the mirror! With your bird-like appearance, do you think Uncle Jianguo would have ever looked your way? Even your dead husband had to lower his standards to settle for you!” Li Jiabao spat on the ground.

“Li Jiabao, I’ll tear your filthy mouth apart!” widow Chen rolled up her sleeves and lunged at him.

Li Jiabao quickly tossed aside his hoe and bolted.

Their chase around the field left the onlookers roaring with laughter.

“Enough!”

Wang Tiezhu, who had been watching the chaos from afar, erupted with anger.

The advanced production team evaluation was around the corner, and this bunch of idiots had no sense of urgency!

The Village Chief of Panshi Village production team was set to retire in two years. If he doesn’t work harder…

“Either work or leave. Stop wasting time!” Wang Tiezhu shouted furiously.

The crowd immediately stopped laughing and resumed pretending to work diligently.

The two troublemakers hurriedly picked up their tools, not daring to mess around any longer.

Gritting his teeth and scanning the group, Wang Tiezhu stormed off in anger.

“Brigade leader, my brother-in-law told me that Shuangsha Town is going to send down several hundred educated youths. How many do you think our production team will get?” Xu Youcai, jogged over, his fleshy body wobbling with every step.

Annoyed by Xu Youcai’s eagerness, Wang Tiezhu stepped aside to put some distance between them.

“What’s the use of those pampered young masters and ladies who can’t lift or carry anything? Even if we get many, they’re more of a burden than help.”

Just thinking about the shabby roofs of the educated youth dormitory made Wang Tiezhu’s head ache.

It was currently the rainy season, and without repairs, those places would be unlivable.

“Tomorrow, gather a few capable people to fix up the educated youth dormitory. Clear out the weeds too.”

“Also, the wall between the male and female dormitories needs to be raised higher,” Wang Tiezhu added.

Years ago, a female educated youth in the neighboring village had been assaulted, leading to… the production team leader being dismissed.

The memory intensified Wang Tiezhu’s headache.

“Install broken glass on top of the walls for safety.”

“But leader, wouldn’t that be a bit…” Xu Youcai hesitated.

“Just do as I say! Why so much nonsense?” Wang Tiezhu snapped, his face darkening.

Xu Youcai immediately nodded, smiling apologetically. “Alright, alright, I’ll take care of it.”

Wang Tiezhu glared at him coldly before striding away, hands clasped behind his back.

Xu Youcai watched him disappear into the distance before spitting on the ground.

Thinks he’s someone important, huh? Just wait until that sickly girl kicks the bucket. My Jiaojiao will marry Su Zijie, and once she’s in the Su family, even Secretary Su will have to call me ‘in-law.’ Let’s see if he dares act high and mighty then!

Meanwhile, Shen Zhihuan was sound asleep, blissfully unaware that someone was eagerly awaiting her demise.

If she knew, she’d definitely do another lap around the village just to annoy them.

While she wasn’t thrilled with her current frail body, the care from her loving mother and little brother more than made up for it.

Her top priority now was to recover.

After all, health was the foundation of future happiness.

If she lost her life, what good would money be?

Over the next few days, Shen Zhihuan stayed home to rest. She had accumulated nearly 2,000 yuan, plus various ration coupons from Qin Bin, so she decided to focus on recuperating.

Within days, her complexion improved significantly. Her once sunken cheeks looked fuller, and her pale, lifeless lips began to show a hint of pink.

These subtle changes were a huge relief to Li Qiuhua.

“Mom, I want to go to town tomorrow,” Shen Zhihuan said, scooping at her egg custard absentmindedly.

After nearly two weeks without meat, her taste buds felt dull and unexcited.

While the village supply store sold basic necessities like salt, vinegar, eggs, and even meat, it wasn’t something people like them could afford to buy often.

Even attempting to buy an egg would lead to gossip, especially from someone like Xu Jiaojiao.

Plus, how would she explain the source of meat or the milk powder she had Qin Bin purchase? She couldn’t exactly claim it fell from the sky.

The production team was about three or four kilometers from town. A round trip on foot would take nearly two hours.

But she needed to find a legitimate excuse for the meat and milk powder.

“It’s getting hotter every day. Tell me what you need, and I’ll buy it for you when I get a break,” Li Qiuhua suggested, concerned.

“Mom, I’ll take Uncle Wang’s ox cart. I’ll be back by noon, so I won’t be out in the heat or overexert myself. Please, let me go,” Shen Zhihuan pleaded, clinging to Li Qiuhua’s arm coquettishly.

Li Qiuhua hesitated, frowning. “How about I take half a day off to go with you?”