Lu Qingqing deliberately dawdled for a while, giving Ning Xiuwen time to catch up.

That guy was really good at holding his nerve—or maybe he was just too unwilling to give up, not realizing the truth until the last second.

Just as Lu Qingqing raised the drumstick to strike the Injustice Drum, a loud shout rang out:
“Lu Qingqing, stop!”

Ning Xiuwen and Lin Zhuang emerged from a corner.

Shortly after, several people proceeded to the yamen to process the land deed transfer—three mu of land were transferred to Lu Yun’s name.

They even made up for the five taels still owed.

Ning Xiuwen’s eye bags were dark, his expression haggard. As he left, he gritted his teeth and glared at Lu Qingqing: “Lu Qingqing, fine! You win! You’re the strong one!”

He had lost both the woman and the money, ended up with a mess on his hands, and not a single benefit.

Even if Lu Qingqing came kneeling before him in the future with piles of gold and silver, he’d never forgive her!

Lu Qingqing held the silver, smiling. “I know I’m great. I am the best. I’m the most beautiful girl in the whole village, totally out of your league. Thanks for the compliments.”

Ning Xiuwen’s face twisted in fury.

“I will definitely pass the imperial exams! I’ll become a scholar, then a government official, and you’ll live to regret it!”

It was practically a vow.

His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, the corners drooping with exhaustion.

Lu Qingqing kindly reminded him, “The God of Literature doesn’t help bitter men. Look at that face—you’re cursed. Try smiling more.”

Ning Xiuwen trembled all over from rage, flung his sleeve, and stormed off.

Lu Qingqing snorted: “Think it’s over? You still owe me 20 taels of interest, years of stolen goods, and—most of all—you deliberately tried to get me imprisoned…”

You want to be an official? Be a proper human first!

“What a piece of work!” Lu Yun cursed. “Scheming for someone else’s property and still acting like the victim! Calls himself a scholar? Should be stewed like a rotten turtle—just full of foul water!”

He took the opportunity to keep trash-talking Ning Xiuwen.

“That kid’s full of resentment, and honestly looks cursed. I bet he’ll try something bad again.”

Lu Qingqing casually replied, “No biggie.”

“Huh?”

“Oh—I meant, we just need to be on our guard.”

The young man nodded, a strange gleam flashing in his eyes.

Who’s guarding who is still up in the air!

As long as Lu Qingqing wasn’t protecting that pale-faced jerk, he’d have plenty of chances to land a few surprise attacks!

But from the look of it, had the two really fallen out?

Ning Xiuwen had been so mad he could barely stay upright.

At that moment, two men hurried by.

One was tall and upright in dark clothes, the other an elderly physician with graying hair carrying a medicine box.

Lu Qingqing gave them a glance and suddenly crouched down.

“…The young master finally went out to relax, and some ugly girl popped out of nowhere and snatched our purple locust herb. The young master must’ve been so angered he vomited blood that night…”

They entered through a side gate of the yamen.

The speaker was one of the three men Lu Qingqing had met at the foot of the mountain—the one who’d threatened the original host with a knife.

So, they were from the yamen.

And the “young master” they mentioned must be the one wearing the half-face mask.

And her—she was the “ugly girl.”

And she made him so mad he puked blood?

Your whole family’s full of ugly girls!

“Lu Qingqing, what are you doing?” Lu Yun asked in confusion.

“Oh, your shoe’s dirty. Just wiping it off.”

She casually swiped at his cloth shoe.

Lu Yun: “!!!”

…

The donkey cart reached halfway when they spotted two familiar figures up ahead.

They seemed to be arguing and tugging at something.

“Looks like Dad and Big Brother?” Lu Yun muttered.

Sure enough, it was the two of them.

“Dad! Big Brother! We’re back!”

The two who had been wrestling immediately separated and ran toward the cart.

Lu Father’s back looked even more hunched than yesterday, a bundle slung over his shoulder.

Lu Feng’s eyes were bloodshot too.

“Qingqing, are you alright?”

“Little Sister, are you okay?”

Both spoke at once, their eyes filled with worry.

“I’m fine!” Lu Qingqing snapped a little, anxious. “Big Brother, why aren’t you at home taking care of Sister-in-law? She can’t be left alone!”

“Go back quickly!” Lu Father immediately shoved Lu Feng.

“I’m not going back. You go back. From now on, Xiaowan and the baby are your and Second Brother’s responsibility!” Lu Feng declared as he tried to snatch the bundle from their father.

“Let go, Oldest!”

“Dad, your body can’t take it. I have to go—I’m strong. I’ll definitely come back in five years!” Lu Feng refused to give in.

“Dad, Big Brother—what are you two talking about? Where are you going?” Lu Yun asked, bewildered.

“Second Brother, the family’s in your hands now. I’m going to the stone quarry 200 li away for five years. Take care of Dad, Sister-in-law, and Little Sister. Qingqing…”

Lu Feng looked at her again, eyes full of pleading. “No more reckless behavior, alright? If anything else happens, I won’t be able to help you anymore.”

Only then did Lu Yun and Lu Qingqing realize—

Someone had come from town to recruit laborers for a stone quarry 200 li away.

Five-year contract, with a 30-tael advance!

Turns out, this was the “solution” their dad had mentioned!

But everyone knew… only the desperate went to the stone quarries.

Once you signed the contract, you could forget about coming back.

They worked you like livestock, fed you like dogs, squeezed out every drop of energy!

If anyone came back at all, it was crippled and near death.

Lu Qingqing felt her heart clench again.

She ached for these men—for this family.

Like she was aching for her own blood relatives.

“Dad… it’s taken care of.”

“Dad, Big Brother—everything’s fine now. The money’s been repaid!” Lu Yun’s eyes were already red as he blurted everything out.

Of course, Lu Father and Lu Feng were thrilled.

Smiling through their tears, they still couldn’t believe it—especially that Lu Qingqing had actually severed ties with Ning Xiuwen.

“Let’s go home,” Lu Qingqing said firmly. “Sister-in-law and the baby can’t be left alone.”

“Right, right, home.” Lu Father turned his back to wipe away tears.

As soon as they got back, Lu Qingqing rushed to check on the baby.

Thankfully, Lu Feng had followed her instructions well.

The swaddling band was still in place, the posture unchanged.

He’d only given the baby a bit of water, but she still had signs of fever.

“Li—Little Sister… don’t touch the baby,” Feng Xiaowan had woken up.

Seeing Lu Qingqing fussing over the child, she panicked and tried to sit up.

“Is it time to cook? I… I’ll do it…”

“Heavens! Sister-in-law, don’t move!” Lu Qingqing held her down.

But the woman let out a cry of pain.

“What’s wrong?”

“It… hurts…”

Crap—it was blocked milk!

Lu Qingqing hadn’t worked in obstetrics and forgot this part entirely.

Because the baby hadn’t suckled early on, her breasts had become painfully engorged over the last day and night.

“Sister-in-law, just bear with it. I’ll help unblock it, otherwise the milk won’t come down.”

Feng Xiaowan didn’t dare refuse—afraid Lu Qingqing might hurt the baby if she got angry.

Aside from the embarrassment, the pain was intense—she soon began to cry out in agony.

“Little Sister, stop torturing her!” Lu Feng burst in holding a bowl of something, yelling in panic.

“Don’t interrupt! I’m clearing her milk ducts. If we don’t, it could be fatal!”

Feng Xiaowan was already drenched in sweat, her face twisted in pain—like giving birth all over again. It was utter misery.

But this was pain every mother had to endure. No one could take it for her.

Lu Feng was heartbroken. But seeing that Lu Qingqing really was helping, not bullying, he ran off again to fetch hot water.

Lu Qingqing massaged and warmed the area with a hot cloth, finally managing to get a few drops to trickle out.

But that wasn’t enough.

“Big Brother, you suck.”

“…What???”