Chapter 28: This Is a Great Job

The whole family laughed and shook their heads at Huo Xinyuan’s dramatic reaction.

“Alright, let’s eat first,” Su Miaomiao called out.

Everyone washed their hands and returned to the house to eat.

As soon as they saw the perfectly cooked eel and loach dishes, they all sat down on the floor without hesitation.

“These were given to Miaomiao by the village children. You should all try some,” Tang Chunlan said, though even she couldn’t help picking up her chopsticks.

Once Old Master Huo took the first bite, the others followed quickly.

“Wow, loach is actually this good? I remember eating it at home before—it had a strong muddy taste, and I really didn’t like it,” Huo Xinyuan exclaimed after trying a piece of the crispy fried loach. The crispy texture was addictive.

“These aquatic things will taste muddy if not handled properly. But if you prepare them well, they become a rare delicacy,” Su Miaomiao said as she tasted one herself—indeed, it was delicious.

These were all wild, and the flavor was far superior to the farm-raised ones from her past life.

“So good—really, so good!” Huo Xinyuan couldn’t stop praising it.

“Miaomiao’s cooking skills really are excellent,” Old Master Huo said as he sipped the eel soup, savoring the rich, savory flavor. One sip warmed his whole stomach.

Unsurprisingly, the Huo family finished yet another meal feeling full and content.

Rubbing his belly, Huo Xinyuan looked at Su Miaomiao with satisfaction.
“I was prepared to eat dry, coarse food after coming to the countryside, but I never expected we’d have meat every meal. Little sis, you’re definitely our family’s lucky star!”

“Did you really need to say that?” Huo Minxue gave him a look.

“Well, I didn’t hear any of you saying it!” Huo Xinyuan raised an eyebrow.

“Enough, you two stop bickering. Go wash the dishes and rest for a bit. We still have to go to the fields this afternoon,” Huo Zhenbo said, asserting his role as the eldest brother.

Huo Minxue and Huo Xinyuan immediately quieted down, obediently cleaning up and heading outside to do the dishes.

Su Miaomiao wasn’t used to taking naps, so after informing Huo Jianguo and the others, she went over to the herbal medicine clinic.

By the time she arrived, Huzi had already brought the group of village kids and was waiting at the entrance.

“You all came so early?” Su Miaomiao thought she was early herself, but these little ones had arrived even earlier.

“We came right after lunch,” Huzi said a bit shyly.

Since the autumn harvest wasn’t over yet, most households didn’t have food stored. Every day, they ate hard, cold cornbread, which only took a few bites to finish—so meals didn’t delay them much.

More importantly, they were all craving the White Rabbit milk candy that Su Miaomiao had given them.

They just wanted to finish their tasks quickly and get the candy.

“Alright, come in with me.” Su Miaomiao led them all into the clinic.

The clinic wasn’t very big, so with all the kids inside, it quickly felt crowded.

Old Zhao was still off to the side drying herbs. When he saw them, he didn’t say anything.

The little ones stood straight and still—they were a bit scared of Old Zhao.

Because the medicine he gave was bitter and hard to drink.

Su Miaomiao stood in front of the group.

“Do you all want to have White Rabbit candy every day?”

As soon as she said this, every pair of eyes focused on her.

“Did you say every day?” Huzi could hardly believe his ears.

“As long as you complete the tasks I give you, you can have candy every day,” Su Miaomiao said with certainty.

“What do you want us to do? We’ll do our best!” Huzi replied loudly.

The group of kids behind him echoed excitedly.

“Alright, then let’s start by learning to recognize medicinal herbs,” Su Miaomiao said.

“Recognize herbs?” Huzi looked puzzled.

Su Miaomiao picked up an herb from the bamboo sieve beside her — it was one she had just dug up from the mountain earlier that morning.

“This one is Banlangen (Isatis root). It’s very effective for treating colds. I want you all to remember what it looks like. Later, I’m taking you up the mountain — if you see something that looks the same, dig it up. As long as you can find the medicinal herbs I need, you’ll all get candy.”

This group of little kids, like Huzi, had no idea what Banlangen was. They just knew that bringing back this type of plant meant they could trade it for candy. Their eyes lit up instantly.

“Can I take a closer look?” Huzi was the first to speak.

“Of course you can.” Su Miaomiao handed the Banlangen root to him.

Huzi carefully memorized the shape of the herb and then passed it around to the older kids.

Once everyone had seen it, they carefully returned it to Su Miaomiao.

“We’re ready to go dig!” Huzi said, preparing to lead his little crew out.

They had thought it would be a difficult task — but turns out, it was just digging up some grass. That sounded way too easy.

“Wait a minute.” Just then, Su Miaomiao stopped them.

Huzi turned back, a bit worried. “Is there something else?”

Was she having second thoughts?

After all, how could a few blades of grass be worth precious candy?

“I don’t just need this one herb. There are other kinds too. If you recognize them, you can dig those up as well.” Su Miaomiao hadn’t expected the little kids to be this enthusiastic.

“Oh, that’s what you meant!” Huzi let out a long sigh of relief.

He’d thought they were going to lose such a good gig.

Su Miaomiao then pulled out several more types of herbs from her basket and explained each one clearly to Huzi and the others.

Since it was the first day and she was worried the kids couldn’t remember too many, she only introduced five or six types.

“We’ll just learn this many for today. In a bit, you’ll come up the mountain with me. If you’re unsure about anything you dig up, come ask me — understood?” Su Miaomiao looked at the bright-eyed little ones and couldn’t help but smile.

“Got it!” they all replied in unison.

“Good. Let’s head out. Once we’re on the mountain, you must follow my instructions. No wandering off alone. Anyone who breaks the rules will lose their candy privileges.” Su Miaomiao spoke very seriously.

“Don’t worry, Sister Su. They all listen to me. I’ll keep a close eye on them,” Huzi promised, patting his chest.

“Alright then.” Su Miaomiao slung the basket onto her back, informed Old Zhao, and led the group of little ones out in a lively march.

Old Zhao watched them leave, still in a bit of a daze.

He had originally thought those rascals were too mischievous to follow instructions and had planned to step in and discipline them himself — that’s why he hadn’t been too friendly when they came in.

Who would have thought Su Miaomiao would handle it so easily?

And those little kids — when she explained the herbs — they practically turned their ears into antennas, listening so intently.

Old Zhao chuckled softly. Looks like he really was getting old.

But… did Miaomiao really have that much candy?

Oh well. If she ran out, he’d just make up the rest.

Meanwhile, Su Miaomiao had just stepped out of the medicine hall when she saw Cheng Haoqiang rushing over.