Oh my goodness!

My mother-in-law is really incredible.

Zhou Wanwan had never known that her mother-in-law was so strong, and worked so efficiently and swiftly.

Not only did she bring back such a large bundle of firewood, but she also went on to carry back several stones of various sizes.

Among them, one stone was even as big as more than half a desk, and her mother-in-law managed to carry it back all by herself.

This big stone was placed inside the house, and then she arranged some other stones, chosen to be used as stools, beside it, surprisingly setting up a whole set of stone table and chairs.

“Xiao Wan, today for lunch we’ll eat simple food. Cook a pot of rice, steam some egg custard, slice some cured meat and steam it on the rice, then make a pot of cabbage soup.”

The cabbage and cured meat were given by Uncle Jiu yesterday; ten jin of rice and flour and a hundred jin of sweet potatoes were provided by Bai Jianshan, enough for them to eat for several days.

“Mom, let’s just eat vegetable porridge and sweet potatoes for lunch, the egg custard should just be for Dabao and Xiaobao.”

Zhou Wanwan knew exactly how much grain they had at home and how long it would last.

Hearing her mother-in-law say she wanted to use so much grain at once, she felt heartbroken and couldn’t help but try to persuade her.

But Qiao Jiuru immediately understood her daughter-in-law’s meaning!

“Xiao Wan, don’t be so thrifty. Our supplies and grain should arrive and be transported here in a few days. Your dad and Xiao Ze are working hard on their first day, they’ll definitely be exhausted. How can they have the strength if they don’t eat enough? How can they keep going?!”

Qiao Jiuru quickly reassured her daughter-in-law.

She and her husband indeed sent some supplies in advance, and later they arranged Zhang Hong to help send another batch.

After that, Zhang Hong would send a third batch as agreed.

The things she took out from the space must have a legitimate origin and source, so they could be used openly without suspicion.

Suddenly, Zhou Wanwan felt relieved hearing her mother-in-law say the supplies and grain they had prepared would arrive in a few days.

She relaxed and immediately started cooking according to her mother-in-law’s instructions.

Bai Jianshan and Uncle Jiu had prepared a half-new iron pot, two wooden basins, two wooden buckets, and an old water jar for Qiao Jiuru and them when setting up their lodging.

Also, Zhou Wanwan didn’t know how her mother-in-law hid it, but she had a small pot about two palms in size, perfect for boiling water and cooking simple things.

Now Zhou Wanwan used it to cook rice, which required cooking twice.

The iron pot was used to steam the eggs, and lastly to cook a pot of cabbage soup.

Qiao Jiuru was busy most of the morning.

While her daughter-in-law cooked, she rested a bit and played with the two grandchildren.

In just over half an hour, the first pot of rice and dishes were ready.

They fed Dabao and Xiaobao first, then cooked the second pot of rice, after which Qiao Jiuru and Zhou Wanwan ate.

“Mom, why haven’t Dad and Su Ze come back yet?!”

The work bell had rung for almost half an hour. Qiao Jiuru and Zhou Wanwan had finished their meals, but still no sign of the two of them.

Zhou Wanwan became worried and stood at the front of the house, repeatedly glancing toward the production team.

Qiao Jiuru also felt something was off.

How could the two of them not be back after so long?

Could it be… something happened?!

No, if something really happened, even if Bai Jianshan didn’t come to tell them, Uncle Jiu would definitely have notified her.

“Maybe they haven’t finished the work in the fields. I’ll go check. You stay at home, lock the door, and put Dabao and Xiaobao down for a nap. You still have to go back to work this afternoon.”

Qiao Jiuru immediately made the decision, reminding Zhou Wanwan while hurrying outside.

As it happened, halfway out, she met her eldest son carrying a hoe, looking dejected and upset.

“Xiao Ze, where’s Dad?!”

“Mom, why are you here?! Dad is still working in the field. He told me to come eat first; I’ll go help him later.”

Su Ze looked utterly exhausted and weak in his tone.

He was really tired and hungry, and his hands hurt badly—the field they were digging had only just been partially loosened.

Only the first day of work and so many tasks assigned?!

But the eldest son’s expression didn’t show anything else wrong.

Qiao Jiuru couldn’t help but feel puzzled but remained calm.

“You go eat first and rest. I’ll go help your dad. Let him eat and rest before continuing.”

Following her eldest son’s description of the route, Qiao Jiuru soon found Su Huaiyuan.

Actually, finding him wasn’t too difficult since he was the only one still working in the field.

However, when Qiao Jiuru saw his awkward work movements from afar, she found it very strange.

Su Huaiyuan’s movements could be described in three words: light and feeble.

Yes, it seemed like he was powerless, like his hands couldn’t grip the hoe properly.

“Huaiyuan, the work is over. Why haven’t you gone to eat? What tasks did the team assign today?!”

Qiao Jiuru looked him over from head to toe but saw no sign of mistreatment toward him or his son.

“Aru, you’re here! We forgot to wear our labor protection gloves, and the ground was too hard. Xiao Ze and I both have hand pain. We worked the entire morning and only finished this much.”

Su Huaiyuan was delighted to see his wife, quickly explaining the mishap of the day.

His hands really hurt.

The worst was not only the pain but the fact that they hadn’t even loosened a third of the field. They were both tired and hungry and worried they wouldn’t finish the task today, so they decided to take turns going to eat, then keep working.

Slap.

Qiao Jiuru suddenly realized and slapped her own forehead—how had she forgotten to bring gloves for the two of them?

“You eat first and rest a bit. I’ll work for a while.”

She looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then squatted down and beckoned Su Huaiyuan over.

From the space, she took out an egg and a steamed bun while instructing him:

“Eat these first, then go eat your meal. I’ll work for a bit, then you both can continue.”

Su Huaiyuan, exhausted, hungry, and with hurting hands, nodded quickly, stuffing the bun into his mouth and finishing the egg, then feeling somewhat stronger.

Next, Qiao Jiuru took out a set of labor protection gloves from the space, grabbed the hoe, and began working.

“I’ll put some ointment on your hands later and give you both a health-strengthening pill. The gloves we bought are too good; I’ll sew them up a bit and send them to you later.”

While she worked, digging up the earth in chunks, she chatted with her husband.

“Okay.”

Su Huaiyuan was stunned by his wife’s skillful actions, then thought of her past life’s experiences she had shared, feeling a mix of sadness, heartache, and deep sympathy.

His Aru had suffered so much following him in this life too.