“I finally understand why Uncle Youcheng dotes on Aunt Guiping so much. A woman as beautiful and eloquent as Aunt Guiping is hard to come by. How could Uncle Youcheng not cherish her?” Shen Zhihuan teased with a smile.

“You cheeky girl, even making fun of me!” Liu Guiping laughed heartily.

After all, who doesn’t enjoy a little flattery? And Shen Zhihuan’s words weren’t entirely empty praise. Liu Guiping was indeed considered a beauty in her youth, and her husband, Li Youcheng, was famous in Panshi Village for doting on his wife.

While the women exchanged playful banter, the men on the other side were cracking crude jokes.

Young men from the village occasionally sneaked glances toward the women, their heated gazes igniting Widow Chen’s anger.

Sick and almost dying, yet still so shameless.

She glared at Shen Zhihuan, seething internally.

That foxy face of hers is still out here seducing people.

Just like her mother—flirty, scheming, utterly shameless! If this were ancient times, she’d have been drowned in a pig cage!

Widow Chen fumed silently, but with Li Qiuhua present, she didn’t dare cause a scene. Frustrated, she turned to vent her anger on her daughters—Li Daniu, Li Erniu, and Li Sanniu—shooting them an icy glare.

The three girls shrank under their mother’s gaze, lowering their heads to avoid provoking her.

The work points had already been tallied. All that remained was for villagers to double-check and confirm the amounts before the grain was weighed.

Grain distribution followed a set formula: one-quarter fine grain and three-quarters coarse grain. However, villagers could exchange one for the other as needed.

Families with strong laborers often traded excess coarse grain for fine grain.

Families lacking laborers usually exchanged fine grain for more coarse grain, as it filled the stomach better, even if it was harder to digest.

While coarse grain scratched the throat and was hard to digest, it was still better than going hungry.

One by one, families happily carried their shares of grain home.

When it was finally Li Qiuhua’s family’s turn, the villagers craned their necks, eager for drama.

Widow Chen’s family had no strong laborers, but with three robust daughters, they still managed to receive a decent share.

In contrast, Li Qiuhua’s earned seven work points a day, while Weidong, still a child, barely managed two.

“Li Qiuhua, your family still owes the commune 62 jin of coarse grain. Will you repay it now or later in the year?” Xu Youcai, the accountant, smirked as he asked, his tone dripping with mockery.

His expression clearly conveyed that he didn’t believe Li Qiuhua could repay now and was certain she’d have to borrow more later.

Shen Zhihuan noticed the disdain in Xu Youcai’s eyes as he sat behind the desk. She smirked coldly.

Does he think this commune is his kingdom?

“Now!” Li Qiuhua said calmly, her tone unwavering.

“Li Qiuhua, your family only gets a little more than 100 jin of grain. If you repay now, how will you survive winter with just a hundred or so jin left?” chimed in Cao Erxiang, standing behind Xu Youcai with a self-important air.

Her loud voice was sharp, almost as piercing as the commune’s high-pitched loudspeaker.

For a moment, Shen Zhihuan nearly believed she was genuinely concerned.

“How to survive?” Shen Zhihuan chuckled. “The mountains are full of wild vegetables. Who has ever died of hunger here?”

She turned to Xu Youcai. “Hurry up and calculate. We’re in a rush to gather more wild veggies!”

In the past, Li Qiuhua might have addressed them as “uncle” or “aunt.” Now, she felt no obligation to maintain those pleasantries with such shameless people.

Xu Youcai’s smug smile faltered, and he glanced at the trio of mother and children in mild surprise before erasing the 62 jin debt from his ledger.

“Your family gets 45 jin of fine grain and 135 jin of coarse grain. After deducting the 62 jin owed, you’re left with 45 jin of fine grain and 73 jin of coarse grain. Check it and leave your fingerprint if it’s correct,” Xu Youcai said, sliding the ledger over.

“Li Qiuhua, are you sure you don’t want to exchange fine grain for more coarse grain?” Cao Erxiang mocked.

Combining both grains, they barely had enough for four months—let alone the entire winter.

“No need. Zhihuan’s health is weak, and too much coarse grain is hard for her to digest,” Li Qiuhua replied coolly.

Xu Youcai, who had been waiting for a chance to gloat, scowled and directed the workers to weigh the grain.

“Zhihuan, why does your family get so little grain?” came an astonished voice—it was Xu Jiaojiao.

“Why don’t you ask your father?” Shen Zhihuan smirked coldly.

“Zhihuan, I don’t like what you said. If you think the calculation’s wrong, we can verify it line by line,” Xu Youcai snapped, slamming the ledger down.

“What should I say then, Accountant Xu? Teach me, so I’ll know how to flatter you next time we meet,” Shen Zhihuan retorted, smiling sweetly.

Xu Youcai was rendered speechless.

“Zhihuan, my father is your elder. How can you speak to him like that?” Xu Jiaojiao whined, her tone sugary sweet.

“You asked why our grain share is so small, didn’t you? Isn’t your father the one calculating work points and grain shares? I just suggested you ask him. How does that make me the villain?” Shen Zhihuan asked, her eyes glinting with mockery.

“I… I was just worried your family wouldn’t make it through winter…” Xu Jiaojiao’s eyes brimmed with tears, her voice pitiful.

“If you’re so worried, why not lend me the money and grain tickets you earned at the supply store? I’ll buy some coarse grain to tide us over until spring and repay you then,” Shen Zhihuan said with a roguish grin.

Her radiant smile made the young men nearby blush, their hearts racing.

In a secluded corner, one particular man’s face darkened. Li Jiabao noticed this and felt a chill.

That girl—what had gotten into her?

She used to keep her head down, rarely stepping outside. Now, not only was she showing up everywhere, but she was also smiling…

And it was a smile that drew attention.

Even if his brother Yu isn’t good at that…

That girl can’t cheat on Brother Yu!