With braised fish as motivation, the Jiang brothers worked even harder. In just one day, they had built most of the wall using stones and bricks.  

The section of the wall bordering the Lin family’s property was built higher at Jiang Qiuyue’s request—she didn’t want the Lins peeking into her business.  

That evening, she served pickled cucumbers—crispy and spicy—along with rice drizzled with leftover bone broth from lunch. Lin Beibei’s mouth was shiny with grease, though the pickled cucumbers were a bit too spicy for him.  

“So spicy! So spicy!” Lin Beibei gulped down more soup, his little lips red as an apple. After days of eating well, his face had grown noticeably smoother.  

Jiang Qiuyue loved spicy food, and as for the kids—they’d get used to it eventually. She hadn’t been sunbathing lately, and her skin had visibly improved, no longer peeling.  

She wondered when Lin Dazhu would send that snowflake cream. She was growing impatient.  

The next morning, just as Jiang Qiuyue got up, Niu Jianshe and his two cousins were already hard at work. Jiang Youcai was the first to greet her with a cheerful, “Good morning, sister-in-law!”  

Jiang Qiuyue smiled at the young men and took the two kids to brush their teeth.  

“Brother Jianshe, Elder Brother Lin is really lucky,” Jiang Youcai suddenly sighed. “Sister Qiuyue is beautiful and capable. It’s just a shame they live apart—Elder Brother Lin can’t enjoy her cooking.”  

When it came to Lin Dazhu, Niu Jianshe remembered him well. After all, he was the only one from their village who had joined the army. “It’s good that Qiuyue married Dazhu. He sends a decent living allowance every month. Now that she’s moved out, life won’t be hard for her. Enough chatter—get back to work! You eat the most, yet you’re the laziest?”  

Jiang Youcai snapped out of his thoughts and cheerfully went back to hauling bricks, thinking to himself that he should also find a wife who could cook.  

After breakfast, Lin Beibei and Lin Nannan helped carry bricks, while Jiang Qiuyue sat under the eaves, lazily fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan.  

She had paid for this labor precisely so she could take it easy.  

It was still early before lunch, and just as Jiang Qiuyue was wondering how to pass the time, she spotted a group of people storming toward their house.  

“Who’s that?” Jiang Youcai asked.  

Niu Dali squinted. “They’re from Xinghua Village next door. What are they here for?”  

Jiang Qiuyue straightened slightly, watching as the group charged into the Lin family’s yard. Quietly, she slipped over to the Lin family’s front gate.  

Boredom solved—this was the perfect entertainment.  

“Where’s Lin Sanzhu? Get him out here!” A burly man, over six feet tall, bellowed into the house.  

“Who the hell is shouting like a ghost at this hour?” Wang Chunhua cursed as she came out. “What do you want with Sanzhu?”  

“He messed with my sister! Shouldn’t your Lin family give us an explanation?” The man, Zhang Peng, spotted Lin Sanzhu approaching with a grin and immediately grabbed him by the collar, lifting him like a ragdoll. “You promised to marry her by the end of the year! But I heard your family split everything and gave it all to your sister-in-law. Did you plan this?”  

Lin Sanzhu cried innocence. “Brother, the family split was an accident! My sister-in-law’s a shrew—even my parents couldn’t handle her. But I really do want to marry Xiaomin! I swear on the heavens!”  

“Marry my ass! Where are you gonna get 200 yuan in half a year?” Zhang Peng slammed Lin Sanzhu onto the ground. Someone had tipped him off that Lin Sanzhu had bullied his sister-in-law, leading to the family split.  

He knew Lin Sanzhu was dating his sister because Lin Sanzhu had confidently promised a 200-yuan betrothal gift, which was why their family had allowed the relationship.  

To the Zhang family, it was too much of a coincidence—why did Lin Sanzhu cause trouble right then? And why was it exactly 200 yuan?  

The Zhangs believed the Lin family was trying to cheat them, taking advantage of their sister while refusing to pay the high betrothal gift. That’s why they had come to make a scene.  

Lin Sanzhu truly didn’t have 200 yuan. Seeing his father come out, he scrambled over and whispered that Zhang Peng was Xiaomin’s older brother. “Dad, what do we do now?”  

Back when he had helped Xiaomin chop firewood, he had promised her the 200-yuan betrothal gift and even kissed her. If he backed out now, wouldn’t Zhang Peng beat him to death?  

Lin Fugui glared at his youngest son before turning to the Zhang family. “Listen here, Zhang Peng, young people dating is a mutual thing—no one forced anyone. Sanzhu hasn’t even slept with your sister, so how is that ‘messing with her’?”  

“You old bastard!” Zhang Peng clenched his fists. “Your family promised the betrothal gift, and now you’re backing out? Isn’t that cheating us?”

Lin Fugui: “Who said that? Me? Or Sanzhu’s mother? Did we ever go to your house to propose and settle the betrothal gift?”  

No, it had only been Lin Sanzhu’s own promise to Zhang Xiaomin.  

Zhang Peng: “You—stop twisting things! Doesn’t Lin Sanzhu’s word represent your family’s?”  

Zhang Peng was desperate for money. Seeing Lin Fugui trying to weasel out of it, he picked up a wooden bucket and smashed it on the ground. “You think you can just cheat us? Brothers, wreck this place! Let’s see if the Lin family can take it!”  

Lin Erzhu and Qian Li hid in the kitchen, too scared to step out. Watching Zhang Peng smash several things, Qian Li fretted in distress.  

Qian Li whispered anxiously, “We can’t just let them destroy everything!”

Lin Erzhu grabbed her arm. “Stay quiet! Zhang Peng’s huge—if I go out, I’ll just get beaten up.” He was upset too, but fear outweighed his anger.

Wang Chunhua rushed into the crowd, shrieking at the top of her lungs, “Murder! Murder!” It wasn’t until Niu Zhuangzhuang brought Hu Haizhi that Zhang Peng and his men finally stopped.

Wailing, Wang Chunhua threw herself toward the newcomers. “Brigade leader Hu, thank heavens you’re here! Any later and we’d all be dead!”

Only then did Lin Erzhu cautiously open the door and step out.  

Jiang Qiuyue, watching the whole scene from her vantage point, shook her head in disdain. Lin Erzhu is spineless, Lin Sanzhu is reckless and impatient—no wonder they’re Wang Chunhua and Lin Fugui’s sons. Absolutely no redeeming qualities.

Hu Haizhi surveyed the wrecked Lin family yard, his face dark. “Zhang Peng, do you think Taohua Village has no men left? How dare you come here and bully people like this?”  

Zhang Peng was panting heavily, his voice thick with anger. “Who’s bullying who? Lin Sanzhu promised to marry my sister but now can’t pay the betrothal gift. What’s my sister supposed to do?”

Before Brigade leader Hu could respond, Lin Fugui quickly cut in. “Brigade leader Hu, don’t misunderstand! The kids were just dating. I’ve never even met Zhang Xiaomin—neither family agreed to anything, let alone settled on a betrothal gift. You have to stand up for us! Look at our home—how are we supposed to live like this?”

Hu Haizhi had already been running back and forth over the Lin family’s drama lately, and his patience was thin. He turned to Lin Sanzhu. **”What exactly did you do with that girl?”**  

Lin Sanzhu stammered, eyes darting nervously. “N-nothing much! I just… gathered firewood with Xiaomin, helped her fetch water, did some chores…”

Hu Haizhi’s voice cut in, stern and sharp. “Did you touch her?”

“I—” Lin Sanzhu faltered.

“Tell the truth!” Hu Haizhi shouted, his voice echoing over the tense crowd.

Tears welled up in Lin Sanzhu’s eyes as he finally broke down. “I just kissed her! Once! That’s all! Brigade leader, I really do want to marry Xiaomin—I didn’t do anything else!”

Hearing this, Hu Haizhi pieced things together. “If both kids are willing, Zhang Peng, can’t you sit down and talk this out? If the Lin family can’t afford 200 yuan, can’t you lower the amount? Normal families pay around 100 yuan. You’re marrying off your sister, not selling her!”  

Just then, Granny Xu—who had come to watch the commotion—recognized Zhang Peng. “Captain Hu, his wife and his own father were caught in an affair! They were just sent to labor reform a few days ago. Zhang Peng’s only doing this because he wants money to remarry! No one else would demand 200 yuan—he’s just extorting the Lin family!”

Zhang Peng’s face twisted with rage. “You old hag, what nonsense are you spouting?” Humiliation burned through him—being called a cuckold in front of everyone was too much. With a furious roar, he lunged at Granny Xu.

Unfazed, Granny Xu thrust her chest forward. “Go ahead, hit me if you dare! Your family’s reputation is ruined, and now you’re desperate to marry off your sister by scamming others. Disgusting!” 

Jiang Qiuyue had heard this gossip from Granny Xu a few days prior. Lin Sanzhu really has an eye for trouble—picking a family like this.

As the crowd grew, Jiang Qiuyue dragged over a wooden stool to stand on for a better view.  

Upon learning about the Zhang family’s scandal, Wang Chunhua immediately declared, “So your family’s the one with the adulterers! Your sister must be no good either. I wouldn’t let my son marry her even if you paid me! How dare you come here and make trouble? You owe us compensation! Don’t think you’re leaving without paying!” 

Lin Sanzhu pleaded, “Mom!” He still liked Zhang Xiaomin, but Wang Chunhua shoved him away.

Shouting for all to hear, Wang Chunhua declared, “Everyone, look! The Zhang family of Xinghua Village has no shame! A father-in-law sleeping with his daughter-in-law, and now Zhang Peng’s remarrying before his divorce is even ten days old! Zhang Peng, you’re so eager—bet you’ve already been fooling around with someone else!”

The crowd erupted in murmurs. It *was* suspicious—Zhang Peng’s wife had only just been sent to labor reform.  

Under the barrage of accusations from Wang Chunhua and others, even the thick-skinned Zhang family members couldn’t take it anymore. They left in disgrace, the spectacle ending in humiliating retreat.

With Zhang Peng’s helper gone, he instantly lost his momentum. But he couldn’t leave—Wang Chunhua sat on the ground, clutching his leg. “You can’t go! You have to pay me back!”  

Hu Haizhi agreed with Wang Chunhua. Zhang Peng had smashed so many things—of course he had to compensate.  

Watching the Lin family make such a scene, Hu Haizhi suddenly thought of Jiang Qiuyue. He couldn’t even imagine how difficult her life must have been before.  

Meanwhile, seeing Zhang Peng being forced to cough up money, Jiang Qiuyue knew today’s drama had come to an end. She took out the fish she had marinated the day before and started cooking.  

Once the oil in the pan was hot, she sprinkled in some salt and fried the fish until both sides turned golden. Then she added a fist-sized amount of ginger and cooking wine, letting the aroma bloom before stirring in some soy sauce for a rich, savory fragrance. Finally, she added a bit of vinegar and sugar to enhance the flavor, poured in some hot water, covered the pan, and let it simmer.  

Soon, the rich scent filled the small courtyard.  

Next door, Zhang Peng was still being held at the Lin family’s place. He had come to demand money but didn’t have a single cent in his pocket.  

Lin Erzhu ran to Xinghua Village to get the money—cash in exchange for Zhang Peng’s release.  

Some idle onlookers lingered at the Lin residence, enjoying the spectacle, when suddenly the mouthwatering aroma reached them.  

“Is that braised fish? It smells amazing.”  

“Yeah, braised fish! Who’s cooking something so delicious?”  

“I think it’s from the right—no, the left!”  

Before anyone could guess it was Jiang Qiuyue, her cornbread was ready—golden and crisp on one side, fragrant and tender on the other.  

After taking out the cornbread, she tossed a handful of homemade sweet potato noodles, soaked beforehand, into the pot. Watching them bubble for two minutes, she finally added some scallion greens for extra fragrance. A quick taste confirmed the seasoning was just right.  

“It’s time to eat!” As soon as Jiang Qiuyue called out, Jiang Youcai was the first to drop his hoe and rush to wash his hands. Little Lin Beibei dutifully helped set the table.  

Only then did the people in the Lin family’s yard realize it was Jiang Qiuyue who had been cooking.  

“Since when did Qiuyue become such a good cook?” someone wondered aloud.  

“You’ve never eaten her food before—how would you know?”  

“It smells incredible! I’m going over to see if it’s really braised fish!”  

Hearing a knock at the door, Jiang Qiuyue went to answer it, bowl in hand. Seeing it was Zhou Cuicui, she blocked the doorway, not letting her in.  

The other day, when she had beaten Lin Sanzhu, Zhou Cuicui had taken his side. Jiang Qiuyue was petty—she wasn’t about to let Zhou Cuicui step into her yard.  

“Qiuyue, where’d you get the fish? It smells so good,” Zhou Cuicui said, eyeing the fish and noodles in Jiang Qiuyue’s bowl, the aroma making her stomach growl.  

She craned her neck to peek inside but was firmly blocked.  

“Bought it, of course. Did you need something, Sister Zhou?” Jiang Qiuyue replied with a fake smile, deliberately slurping a noodle right in front of her.  

The noodles, soaked in fish broth, were springy, smooth, and rich with flavor. She took a big bite of cornbread—pure satisfaction!  

Zhou Cuicui thought her intentions were obvious. Why wasn’t Jiang Qiuyue inviting her in? So stingy! It was just braised fish—with so much to go around, what was the harm in giving her a taste?  

But before she could say anything, Jiang Qiuyue spoke first. “It’s getting late, Sister Zhou. You should head home. I’m about to eat.” With that, she unceremoniously shut the door.  

Hah! As if she hadn’t noticed Zhou Cuicui drooling. Her cooking wasn’t for just anyone!  

Zhou Cuicui left, cursing under her breath. By the time Jiang Qiuyue and the others finished their meal, Lin Erzhu returned with Zhang Xiaomin in tow.  

Without a word, Wang Chunhua chased Zhang Xiaomin away, giving her no chance to play the victim.  

On the way back to Xinghua Village, Zhang Xiaomin gritted her teeth and whispered, “Big brother, after your scene today, there’s no way Lin Sanzhu and I can be together. But he’s dumb—next time, I’ll sweet-talk him into secretly giving me some money.”  

“What’s the use of one or two yuan?” Zhang Peng snapped, quickening his pace.  

Zhang Xiaomin wiped her eyes, thinking about how Lin Sanzhu had described Jiang Qiuyue as weak and useless. Since Jiang Qiuyue was the one holding the money, she’d just have to think of another plan.  

Meanwhile, unaware that Zhang Xiaomin had set her sights on her, Jiang Qiuyue was about to rest after lunch when the postman delivered a package for her.  

Hearing it was from the military, she eagerly took it to her room to open.