Although they trusted Lin Shu, for safety’s sake, they decided to start with a small incense-making team, consisting of three or four members.

First, they would collect some raw materials to train the team in incense-making.

Once they mastered the process, they would produce a batch of samples and send someone persuasive to take the samples out and secure orders.

The hardest part is starting, but if they could get orders and deposits, it would indicate the side business had great potential, and they could then increase the workforce.

Since the team agreed, Brother Lu Dage told Lin Shu about it when he came home for lunch.

“Sister-in-law, they want you to set up an incense-making team. You can choose the members.”

Since Lin Shu was responsible for the recipe and teaching the incense-making method, it was only natural that she had the right to select the team.

Of course, Lin Shu chose her trusted people: Fang Dihua, Second Brother Lu Erge, and Xu Erzhu, the second son of the Xu family.

Xu Erzhu was similar to Second Brother Lu Erge—quiet and hardworking.

He didn’t talk much but was diligent and always found ways to bring useful things home, like unclaimed stones and sticks, or bundles of grass on his way back from work.

Everyone said he and Second Brother Lu Erge were like real brothers, though Xu Erzhu lacked Second Brother Lu Erge’s sharp mind and practical skills.

Second Brother Lu Erge learned quickly, whether it was weaving mats or baskets, and his products were durable, well-made, and attractive.

Lin Shu chose Xu Erzhu because he was honest, spoke little, wouldn’t gossip, and had the strength and willingness to work hard.

He would be responsible for grinding the incense powder.

Lin Shu hoped Fang Dihua and Second Brother Lu Erge would master the core technology and later develop new formulas.

Once the market opened up, this technology could provide a good livelihood for Second Brother Lu Erge.

For now, during the spring planting, they needed to prepare the materials.

The production team leader sent the kids to cut last year’s dried mugwort, as the fresh ones hadn’t grown yet.

They also needed to cut calamus and buy cedar and pinewood. Elm bark could be bought at a low price.

Those who had cut down elm trees only used the wood for burning, and the bark was otherwise discarded.

For pyrethrum, Lin Shu asked Old Lu to buy some from the pharmacy and, if possible, get some seeds to plant in their team.

Over the next few days, while the family was busy with spring planting, Lin Shu, along with Panpan and Tiantian, tidied up the vegetable garden.

This year, the garden looked even better than last year.

As you entered through the gate and passed the screen wall, the flowers were in full bloom.

The vegetable beds in the yard were neat and orderly.

The small greens were lush and ready for harvest.

Other vegetables, like eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes, had also grown well, and the early seedlings were already producing.

They were blooming.

Cucumbers, green beans, loofahs, and winter melons all needed trellises.

The ones from last year had long rotted away from the wind and rain and were burned as firewood.

This year, new ones had to be set up.

There was also her green compost pit, where she buried various leaves, grass, and vegetable scraps.

Once fully decomposed, it made excellent fertilizer.

Because of this, even if she couldn’t get farmyard manure, she still managed to keep the vegetable garden lush and thriving.

The small fish pond was expanded again this year.

Last winter, it had become silted up. Although no fish were raised last year, this year Fang Dihua and Brother Lu Erge expanded it again.

Fang Dihua was now very indulgent with her.

Even if she couldn’t raise fish to eat, having things like water chestnuts, smartweed, reed, calamus, and even lotus flowers was still pleasant to look at.

Having a daughter-in-law who was better than anything else.

One night, she accidentally overheard a private conversation between her son and daughter-in-law.

“Wife, do you want to live in the city?”

“There’s nothing special about the city. Those small houses aren’t enough for us. Parents need their own room, right? Our daughter will need her own room too. We won’t go unless there’s a three-bedroom place.”

As for going with the troops?

Forget it.

The daughter-in-law had no interest at all.

Unless Lu Shaotang’s position was high enough to bring them to the city, with a separate house for them, otherwise, if it was to live in the military dependents’ quarters?

That would be the worst.

The military posts were often in remote areas, and there wasn’t much to do besides seeing the soldiers.

It was better to stay in the countryside!

In Lu Jia Village, there were neighbors and friends, and her parents were comfortable. Her child had many little friends, and she also had her own social circle.

Overhearing her son and daughter-in-law’s private conversation made Fang Dihua feel content.

It seemed her daughter-in-law wanted to keep her and her husband with them wherever they went.

Of course, it was still better at home.

No matter how good it was outside, it wasn’t as good as their own cozy nest.

This year, there were a few red koi fish in the pond, which Fang Dihua had asked Old Man Lu to bring back from the county.

As for fish to eat, it was fine.

They didn’t rely on the pond for that; the river fish were big and delicious.

Lin Shu was busy with her child when she heard the sound of a jeep outside.

The two children ran out barefoot, “Dad’s back!”

They ran down the clean path, splashing a few small mud footprints, “Dad, Dad!”

They reached the gate and saw a yellow-green jeep parked outside.

Their tall and handsome father was helping someone with a crutch and a bandaged arm.

The military-clad uncle was coming down…

Just as they were about to run into Lu Shaotang’s arms, the two little ones braked and stared at Chen Yanming.

“Uncle, are you hurt? Let me help you,” Panpan and Tiantian ran over, ready to replace their father in supporting the injured man.

Lu Shaotang looked down at their muddy little feet, “You two won’t be able to support him, don’t trip him up.”

Chen Yanming: “……”

Listen to these heartless words.

He smiled broadly at the two children, showing his white teeth, “You must be Tiantian and Panpan, right? Hello, I’m Chen Yanming, your Chen uncle. I’m older than your father.”

The two kids greeted Chen Uncle happily.

Tiantian wiped her hands on Panpan’s clothes and shook hands with Chen Yanming.

Panpan also wiped his little hands on himself and shook hands with Chen Yanming.

Lu Shaotang: “……”

Seeing that Chen Yanming could support himself, he let go and went to the car to get something.

Tiantian and Panpan kindly helped Chen Yanming towards the house.

Tiantian: “Mom, can you guess who Daddy brought with him?”

Panpan: “It’s the person you’ve always missed, Chen Yanming.”

Feeling the cold stare on his back, Chen Yanming’s uninjured leg ached.

Oh no, was it his too-handsome appearance and overwhelming charm that made his sister-in-law think about him so much just from a fleeting glimpse at the restaurant door?

Brother Lu, I’m sorry, but I’m just this charming.

Lin Shu heard the commotion and quickly washed her hands and feet.

She put on her woven slippers and came out, smiling, “Chen Da-ge, you’re here? Lu Panpan, I’ve told you before, if you keep misusing words, I’ll send you to school.”

It was true that she often mentioned missing Chen Yanming, but when had she ever gone on and on about him?

Chen Yanming looked at the pretty and clever little wife with a slightly flushed face.

He gave his son a reproachful glance and then looked back at Lu Shaotang, who was standing behind him.

Oh my, look at how clingy Brother Lu and his wife are.

No wonder I felt that ever since Brother Lu reunited with his wife, he’s become more ostentatious.

He’s paying so much attention to his appearance and even sometimes smiling for no reason.

Oh my!

Lin Shi

u greeted Chen Yanming with a smile, “My husband often talks about you. You haven’t come to our home for a visit yet.”

She then asked about Chen Yanming’s injury with concern, “Is it serious? Come in and sit down.”

She scolded Lu Shaotang, “Why are you in such a hurry to get something? First, help Chen Da-ge into the house.”

Lu Shaotang freed a hand and patted her waist, “Isn’t there someone helping him?”

Seeing the caring looks from the two children, Chen Yanming felt it was worth coming.

The two kids helped Chen Yanming to the front of the hall.

The seats were still set up even though the stove hadn’t been moved out for cooking yet.

However, the shelter was always maintained, and everyone was used to sitting there, chatting and drinking water.

Tiantian went to make honey water for Chen Yanming, generously adding a spoonful of brown sugar.

After thinking for a moment, she also threw in a handful of goji berries and chrysanthemums for her mother.

That was quite generous.

Chen Yanming’s eyes were moist when he received the overly sweetened drink.

What a wonderful child.

Panpan offered Chen Yanming some steamed egg cake.

This was an egg cake made by Lin Shu without an oven or mixer.

She had Fang Dihua and Brother Lu Dage help whip the eggs by hand and then steamed the egg cake in an aluminum food container.

Golden yellow, sweet and soft, it melted in the mouth.