Chapter 107: Sneaky Zhang Da Shan

The shop assistant quickly caught the ointment, terrified it might fall to the ground.

This jar was worth 100 taels of silver. If it broke, even selling his body wouldn’t be enough to repay it.

While Shun Yi Hall quietly began researching the “Xue Yan Ointment”, Yong Le Hall remained focused on selling more of it, completely unaware that their product had already caught someone else’s attention.

Meanwhile, Ye Xin Ran didn’t travel to town today because Niu Er’s ox cart was requisitioned for temple repairs in the village.

“Should we buy our own cart?”

In the morning, as Ye Xin Ran helped Xiao Huai’an with his exercises, she brought up the idea.

Having their own cart would be more convenient, especially since they were now running a business and might need to travel more frequently in the future.

Sweat glistened on Xiao Huai’an’s forehead as he raised a hand to wipe it away. “Then let’s get a horse-drawn cart. Horses are more expensive, but they’re faster.”

Ye Xin Ran nodded in agreement.

“A horse-drawn cart it is! Once your leg is fully healed, we’ll pick out a horse together.”

“Alright,” Xiao Huai’an replied, nodding as he resumed walking.

Ye Xin Ran continued to support him, acting as his human crutch.

Under the eaves, the three children sat in a row, watching the two adults interact closely, their faces full of approval.

“Ever since they started taking naps during the day, Second Uncle and Auntie’s relationship has become even better,” Chang Ping remarked.

Chang An corrected her, “Second Uncle and Auntie have always gotten along well. Even before the naps, they were fine, it’s just that you didn’t notice.”

“Who says I didn’t notice? I’m not blind!” Chang Ping retorted.

“Can you two stop arguing?”

Chang Sheng spoke up sternly.

“Take a closer look at Second Uncle’s leg. Doesn’t it seem like something’s off?”

“What do you mean by ‘off’?” Chang An and Chang Ping immediately looked over in concern.

Chang Sheng continued seriously, “Yesterday, Second Uncle’s leg wasn’t this bad. I saw him throw away his crutch and walk steadily on his own.”

“Yeah, now that Big Brother mentions it, I remember. His leg does seem worse than yesterday!”

“Second Uncle’s leg better not have any problems!”

The three children stared intently at Xiao Huai’an’s leg, growing increasingly anxious.

Whether it was because he was tired or tripped over something, Xiao Huai’an suddenly leaned toward Ye Xin Ran for support.

“Careful!”

Before Ye Xin Ran could finish her sentence, the three children had already rushed over to support Xiao Huai’an.

“Second Uncle, are you okay?”
“Second Uncle, has your leg injury relapsed?”
“Why are you walking less steadily today than yesterday?”
“Yesterday, you even threw away your crutch and could walk on your own!”

The children chimed in one after another, spilling all of Xiao Huai’an’s secrets.

Xiao Huai’an’s ears turned red as he worried Ye Xin Ran might pick up on something unusual.

But Ye Xin Ran had already sensed something was off when the children mentioned how steady he had been walking yesterday.

After all, during her check-up that morning, his condition had clearly improved compared to the day before. How could he be worse today?

“Do you three have nothing better to do? Have you cut the chicken grass? Practiced your horse stance? Finished reading your books?”

Xiao Huai’an questioned them sternly.

The three children, startled by his scolding, scattered immediately.

“We’ll get to it right away!”

Once the courtyard was empty except for the two of them, Ye Xin Ran pushed Xiao Huai’an away, crossed her arms, and gave him an amused look.

“What’s this? So eager to stick to me?”

Xiao Huai’an: …

“If you want to stick, that’s fine. Just heal your leg first.”

With that, Ye Xin Ran turned around, picked up her basket, and headed toward the mountain.

Xiao Huai’an stood there alone, eventually letting out a self-deprecating laugh and shaking his head in helplessness.

What was wrong with him lately? Why did he keep wanting to lean on her for no reason?

Feeling restless, he decided it was time for a cold bath to clear his mind.

---

Ye Xin Ran walked along the path toward East Mountain.

On her way past the ancestral hall, she saw many people busy working.

The roof tiles had mostly been replaced, and the new tables and chairs had already arrived, stacked outside.

When the villagers saw Ye Xin Ran, they stopped their work and greeted her warmly.

“Madam Ye, off to the mountain again?”
“Madam Ye, you’ve been so busy lately, we haven’t seen much of you!”
“Madam Ye, thanks to you, the children in our village finally have a school to attend!”

Ye Xin Ran paused and replied with a smile, “The school wasn’t just my effort, everyone deserves credit. You’re all working so hard in this heat!”

“What’s so tiring about this? We work like this every day, long since used to it! When it’s time for you to build your house, Madam Ye, we’ll come to help too!”

“Great! Once the ancestral hall is done, it’ll be about our turn. I’ll count on everyone’s help then!”

After exchanging greetings, Ye Xin Ran continued on her way into the mountains.

She had already discussed the timeline for building her house with the village head.

July and August were the hottest months and unsuitable for construction. It was best to start in September, finishing before the autumn harvest. This way, the village workforce would still be available, and hiring help would be easier.

In the meantime, she planned to prepare and purchase all the necessary materials for building the house, ensuring faster progress when construction began.

Lost in her thoughts, she soon found herself in the mountains.

Although the weather was hot, stepping into the forest brought an immediate sense of coolness.

A small path had been worn into the ground leading to the mountain valley.

Following the path, Ye Xin Ran found that the Ice Spirit Flowers she had planted were already spreading across nearly half the valley.

Even though she knew the cost of the flowers, seeing the thriving greenery with her own eyes brought her a pleasant surprise.

This was wealth, pure and simple.

If she were in her original world, with this many Ice Spirit Flowers, her lab would have become the wealthiest in the country, and she would have entered the ranks of the truly wealthy.

But even now, she wasn’t doing badly.

At 100 taels of silver per jar, as long as the Ice Spirit Flowers kept growing, her Snow Glow Cream could be produced continuously.

This alone was enough to secure her fortune.

She inspected all the Ice Spirit Flowers she had planted. The weaker ones she harvested and stored in her lab.

On her way back down the mountain, Ye Xin Ran spotted a figure in the distance.

Someone was sneaking after her, never daring to come too close.

The person thought they were hiding well, but their large build betrayed them right away.

In Cloud side Village, no one else had the combination of short stature and obesity like Zhang Da Shan.

Ye Xin Ran grew wary.

She quickened her pace and stopped at the first turn near the village, planning to confront Zhang Da Shan if he followed her.

However, after waiting for a while, there was no sign of him.

Stepping out from her hiding spot, Ye Xin Ran glanced back.

She saw Zhang Da Shan, not entering the village, but instead taking another path.

What was Zhang Da Shan up to, sneaking around like that?

Ye Xin Ran couldn’t help but wonder.