Chapter 23 Imaginary Enemies

Luo Qiao also arranged to buy twenty chicks, agreeing to meet at the commune’s roadside grove the day after tomorrow for the transaction, also at eight cents each. As for the piglets, the seller said he would inquire as they were not easy to find. After agreeing, they parted ways.

Leaving the commune, she stored the ten ducklings into her space in the nearby grove, then briskly walked towards the village.

As she neared the village, she encountered the village’s donkey cart parked by the roadside, surrounded by several men and women. Luo Qiao walked over and saw Aunt Sun Haitang standing there.

She approached and asked, “Auntie Haitang, why are you standing here?”

Sun Haitang replied, “I’m not working today. I went to the county and on my way back, the cart broke down here. Where did you go?”

Luo Qiao replied openly, “I went to the commune to buy some daily necessities.”

While talking to Aunt Haitang, she nodded to the others as a greeting.

One of the women beside Aunt Haitang asked, “Luo Qiao, what did you buy?”

Luo Qiao confidently put down her basket for them to see: an enamel basin, a pair of Liberation shoes, a pair of black cloth shoes, a bar of soap, over twenty kilograms of cornmeal, a kilogram of millet, and half a kilogram of salt.

Seeing these items, someone showed envy and remarked, “That must have cost quite a bit of money and coupons.”

Luo Qiao smiled and said, “I gathered some medicinal herbs on the mountain and exchanged them for some money and coupons, which are useful and can be eaten.”

The woman asked eagerly, “Medicinal herbs? What kind of medicinal herbs can exchange for so much money and coupons?”

Luo Qiao didn’t hide anything and replied, “Bupleurum and Scutellaria.”

Before the woman could ask more, she was pulled back by the man behind her.

Aunt Haitang sighed, “Now you can earn seven work points. It’s not a problem to support yourself. Things will get better. If you need any help, just tell me. Don’t be polite.”

After thanking her, Luo Qiao said, “Auntie, I’ll be going now. I’ll go back and tidy up the plot.” She waved to the others as well.

After Luo Qiao left, a girl standing next to Sun Haitang asked, “Auntie, who is she? Why haven’t I seen her before?”

The girl was the daughter of the village branch secretary, two years older than Luo Qiao, named Zhang Qiaoyan, currently a freshman at the county high school.

Zhang Qiaoyan looked thoughtfully at Luo Qiao’s departing figure, her eyes showing some displeasure. Apart from other reasons, Luo Qiao was taller and prettier than her.

Recently, Luo Qiao had become fairer than before, her hair quality had improved significantly, although she remained somewhat thin, her appearance was indeed impressive.

However, in Luo Qiao’s heart, none of this mattered much. This body was only fifteen years old. She believed it wouldn’t be long before she grew into a graceful and beautiful young lady.

Aunt Haitang sighed, watching Luo Qiao’s figure as she walked away. “During the time you were keeping your eldest sister company in the city and didn’t return to the village, this Luo Qiao…”

After finishing her sentence, Aunt Haitang added, “Luo Qiao is capable. She can now earn seven work points and works efficiently. It’s just that this child is quite pitiful.”

Hearing this, Zhang Qiaoyan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Hmph, so what if she looks good? She’s still a pitiful creature. She herself was a high school student and couldn’t help feeling superior in her heart.

Luo Qiao was unaware that in just this short moment, someone had already regarded her as a rival.

As she entered the village, she saw the figure of Zhao’s sixth sister running away, while she coldly snorted and went home.

Gao Suhua was tidying up in the yard when she heard her little daughter running in. “She’s back, she’s back! That Luo Qiao is back, and she’s carrying a basket on her back.”

Upon hearing this, Gao Suhua immediately began speculating various thoughts in her mind, feeling restless and itching to find a reason to go to Luo Qiao’s place and inquire.

Just then, seeing her eldest daughter entering the house, she said, “Xiaotao, go to the youth courtyard and see what Luo Qiao bought today.”

Zhao Xiaotao ignored her mother and went straight into the main room.

Seeing her eldest daughter ignore her, Gao Suhua wasn’t angry. She turned to her second daughter, Zhao Xiaomei, who had followed behind. “Xiaomei, since your sister won’t go, you go instead. If she brings back something good, I’ll count it as part of your dowry.”

Zhao Xiaomei perked up at her mother’s words and laughed, “Mom, you said it yourself!”