Chapter 123: Grateful for Everyone’s Acceptance

Luo Qiao said, “Dear aunties, since I came to Qingshan Village, I’ve been grateful that everyone didn’t reject me and gave me a place to settle down. I really appreciate it.

I’ve been trying to integrate into our community, so I’m really happy to contribute to the village. There’s no need to feel distant.”

Luo Qiao didn’t want to dwell on this matter any longer. She walked to Li Xiulan’s basket, picked up an egg, then walked to Zhou Xiaomei’s side and took another egg from her basket.

She continued, “Times are tough for everyone. I’ll accept these two eggs as a gesture. That’ll be enough.

It’s getting late now. I need to have breakfast and head to work soon, so I won’t keep you all. Feel free to visit whenever you have time in the future.”

Kong Baoru said, “Well said! Luo Qiao is quite something, capable and efficient. Let’s disperse now; it’s time for everyone to go home and have dinner.”

Luo Qiao escorted everyone out through the main gate, then headed to the kitchen to check on her porridge. Thankfully, she had put in a stick of firewood earlier; otherwise, the porridge might have overflowed.

With plenty of leftover stuffing from yesterday, she decided to make dumplings directly for today, saving on vegetables.

It didn’t take long for a small basin of dumplings to be ready, thanks to the advantage of cooking in a large pot.

Lu Yichen came over and looked at Luo Qiao. “You weren’t too startled this morning?”

Luo Qiao replied, “Not exactly startled, but these people are quite amusing. It’s like a show they put on, all because of the pressure Li Xiulan faced. Otherwise, today wouldn’t have been so eventful.”

Lu Yichen smiled and said, “You did really well today.”

Luo Qiao served the food while saying, “It’s been quite a while now. If they really wanted to thank me, they would have come earlier. But I really can’t accept their things. Just a few vegetables—I have more than enough in my backyard that I can’t finish.”

Lu Yichen chuckled, “Indeed, the vegetables you grow taste much better than theirs.”

Luo Qiao playfully turned her head and smiled, “Of course, no matter who grows them.”

Lu Yichen smiled back, amused by her confident and proud expression.

“Eat up quickly. The porridge took quite a while to cook today, and it’s a bit too sticky and soft. I prefer my porridge with a bit more texture,” Luo Yichen said.

Lu Yichen didn’t comment but noted that the little girl didn’t like her porridge too soft.

After dinner, Lu Yichen asked, “Do you have anything to tell Shitou?”

Luo Qiao thought for a moment, “No, let’s stick to what we discussed yesterday. Just from this morning’s situation, if I really took the lead, I don’t think I could handle it. It’s better if you handle it.”

The curve of Lu Yichen’s mouth indicated his good mood, “So, does that mean you agree to have meals with me and join us?”

Luo Qiao countered, “Is it okay not to agree?”

Lu Yichen shook his head.

Luo Qiao rolled her eyes.

After seeing off Lu Yichen, Luo Qiao cleaned up the kitchen. Looking at the bowl she had just used, she thought she needed to find time in the coming days to buy some new bowls. The one she was using now was an antique.

If she accidentally broke it, she would be heartbroken. Besides, during dinner today, Lu Yichen kept staring at the bowl. Could he have noticed something special about it?

It was fine for her to use it alone, but if both Shitou and Lu Yichen were to eat here in the future, she couldn’t keep using this bowl. It would be better to get some new ones early on to avoid trouble.

She locked the door and went to the riverside to wait for her work assignment. She was holding the pair of gloves that Aunt Qiao had given her, and Lu Yichen had given her several pairs last night, saying the agricultural machinery station issued them every quarter.