Chapter 24: Pleasant Thoughts

Gao Suhua picked up the dustpan in the yard and looked at her second daughter. “As I said, if she asks what you’re doing, just say you’re helping her by cleaning up her private land.”

Zhao Xiaomei picked up a ladle and scooped half a ladle of water from the water jar, drank it, and then put down the ladle with a smile before running off.

In the main room, Zhao Xiaotao felt a bit regretful. She was afraid that if Luo Qiao really bought something valuable, it would become Zhao Xiaomei’s dowry. She got up and walked outside.

Back at home, Luo Qiao brought in the dried herbs, placed the washbasin, soap, and towel inside, and set the two pairs of new shoes by the kang head.

Today, she deliberately let the villagers see these things and intentionally mentioned that she had collected medicinal herbs to sell at the traditional Chinese medicine store. Otherwise, having food and drink all day without a visible source of income would raise suspicions.

During this period, she focused on improving her health and leaving a good impression on the villagers. She had been diligently earning work points.

Now that her physical conditioning was almost complete, although there had been no progress with her abilities, she had no problems managing the crops in her backyard and private land.

In the future, when she had free time, she could also wander into the mountains. Deep in the mountains might still be a challenge, but within the periphery, she should be fine relying on her skills.

Finally, all the time she spent wasn’t wasted. Self-defense wouldn’t be a problem in the future.

She washed the ^[1]“Shepherd’s purse” is a plant with triangular seed pods resembling a shepherd’s purse. It grows in disturbed areas and is used in salads or herbal medicine.shepherd’s purse she dug up in the morning, cracked all the wild chicken eggs into a basin, then went into her space to fry the eggs and mix them for the filling before coming out.

Now, whether she was an orphan or just cautious, it was better to be careful. If she fried eggs outside and someone caused trouble, it would be troublesome.

She used a mix of white flour and cornmeal. She was also afraid that Lu Yichen would ask where the white flour came from, so she used half and half. Besides, the cornmeal from the space was finely ground and had a better texture.

She prepared garlic sauce in advance to dip the dumplings in once they were ready.

With everything prepared and the dough almost risen, she was about to start wrapping dumplings when there was a knock on the door.

Luo Qiao packed everything away, washed her hands, and then asked, “Who is it?”

The voice of Zhao Xiaomei came from outside the door, “It’s me, your second sister.”

Luo Qiao rolled her eyes, thinking to herself that the Zhao family was shameless. They had just signed an agreement, and now they were coming to bother her endlessly.

It seemed that if she didn’t show them some attitude, they would continue to take advantage of her.

Luo Qiao opened the door but didn’t let her in, asking, “What’s the matter, Second Sister Zhao?”

Zhao Xiaomei peeked through the gap in the door but didn’t see anything inside. “I came to ask if you need help with your own land,” she said.

Luo Qiao replied, “Do you even know where my plot of land is?”

Zhao Xiaomei hesitated, “Yes, I do.”

Luo Qiao chuckled, “Then didn’t you see when you came over? It’s all taken care of already. Your reason for coming seems a bit far-fetched.”

Zhao Xiaomei was busy thinking of how to deceive Luo Qiao and hadn’t paid much attention to whether the land was cleaned up.

She hesitated for a moment, her expression changing slightly, then boldly said, “I was so focused on coming over to see you that I didn’t notice. Let’s talk inside. It’s tiring to stand here.”

Luo Qiao knew what she was up to now and saw a figure halfway up the hill, so she had an idea.

She stepped back and let Zhao Xiaomei into the courtyard. If the Zhao family came to find fault with her, they couldn’t blame her for causing them embarrassment.

After entering the courtyard, Zhao Xiaomei looked around but didn’t find what she was looking for, so she wanted to go into the house.

Luo Qiao spoke up, “If there’s anything, let’s talk here in the courtyard. I’ll have to go out later to dig wild vegetables.”

Zhao Xiaomei turned to Luo Qiao and said, “I heard you went to the commune today?”