Chapter 7

“Okay. You take notes.” Zhou Pingguo was of course aware of Zhou Sen’s doubts, but she was too lazy to prove anything. It was an indisputable fact that the original owner had a low level of education. Using this fact, she could have a free labor force, so why not?

In the following days, I had to add honeycomb coal twice a day, water it every two days, and record it every three days. But because the area was not large, it was still easy.

The root rot that Zhou Pingguo was most worried about did not happen. She breathed a sigh of relief, but she did not completely relax.

Zhou Sen gave Zhou Pingguo the money for the thermometer. This kid was reasonable. He said to Zhou Pingguo, “If you can make money, you can keep half of it. After all, it was your idea and you worked hard for it. But the other half should be used to supplement the family expenses. You must agree to it!”

“Okay, I know.” Zhou Pingguo nodded with a smile, “I am also a member of this family, so it goes without saying that I will not embezzle the money. But it’s too early to talk about dividing the money now. It will only count after the money is sold, don’t you think?”

“Yes.” Zhou Sen nodded. “Grow up quickly, grow up quickly, grow up quickly——”

He was even more nervous than Zhou Pingguo, fearing that the initial investment would go to waste. He burned honeycomb coal every day, and that was all money.

Zhou Pingguo can knit a sweater every three days. She knits well and quickly. In addition, the factory is rushing the work recently, so she can earn an extra 20 cents for each sweater she knits. Zhou Pingguo even remembers to knit a sweater when she is boiling water.

Zhou Pingguo felt like her neck was no longer her own when she was knitting, so she stopped and stretched her muscles.

The money was still coming in too slowly. Zhou Pingguo looked eagerly at the firewood room, hoping that the leeks could be harvested soon.

On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhou Pingguo saw that the leeks were almost grown, so he quickly took out his sickle and cut a handful of them. That afternoon, he made fried eggs with leeks for everyone.

When it was served at noon, Zhou Sen recognized the dish immediately, “Is this Chinese chives? Is it really a success?!!”

“Yes, let’s try it.” Zhou Pingguo said.

Zhou Sen picked up a piece with chopsticks, put it into his mouth, and chewed it. “It’s no different from leeks.”

“You guys try it too.” Zhou Pingguo was on the same level as this rough guy who was chewing on a peony.

Zhou Lei couldn’t wait to pick up a large piece with chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and chewed it slowly. After a while, he gave a thumbs up to Zhou Pingguo, “Sister-in-law! It’s delicious, tender, and not as strong as leeks.”

Zhou Pingguo scratched his nose and said, “If you say it’s okay, then it will definitely work.”

Having been with these children for more than a month, Zhou Pingguo has a pretty good understanding of their characteristics. Zhou Sen is a protective Grandet. Apart from his intelligence and ability to study, he has no other qualities. He has a long way to go in his reform. With his current stinginess, it is doubtful whether he can find a wife.

The third child, Zhou Jing, was a twin boy and girl. She was malnourished in the womb, and her mother had a difficult labor, which made her weaker and more timid. But she was a very kind girl. When the original owner was still alive, he raised her as his own daughter and had the best relationship with her.

The little girl is very considerate. When Zhou Pingguo sews clothes, she helps thread the threads. When Zhou Pingguo knits a sweater, she helps sort the yarn. When Zhou Pingguo washes the dishes, she helps fetch water…

The soft and gentle voice will naturally arouse people’s desire to protect.

As for Zhou Lei, the eldest son, he is still very childish, and his mind is full of food. In the past, his relationship with Zhou Pingguo was just ordinary. He would play around after dinner every day and come back covered in dirt.

Ever since Zhou Ping was reborn and worked hard to improve the food, this kid has been like a puppy. Whenever he sees food, it’s his mother. Now he’s being so annoyed with Zhou Pingguo that he even asks her to teach him how to cook.

Children from poor families grow up early. When Zhou Ping was the same age as Zhou Jing and Zhou Lei, she had already climbed onto a stool to cook for the whole family. Since he was willing to learn, Zhou Ping would definitely teach him, without reservation!

Like this afternoon, Zhou Ping taught Zhou Lei how to make braised pork, using up all the rock sugar at home. When Zhou Ping picked up a small piece of meat with chopsticks and put it into Zhou Lei’s mouth, the boy’s eyes shone brightly, and then he looked at the pot reluctantly.

“Okay! We’ll eat later. There’s also fried eggs with leeks. Just serve it and we’ll be eating.” Zhou Pingguo said, and then sent the man away.

This kid really has the potential to be a gourmet.

Whether it tastes good or not, it’s not up to others to say. If Zhou Lei says it tastes good, then there is absolutely no problem with that.

Zhou Pingguo felt relieved. “Okay, I’ll harvest all the chives I can tomorrow and send them to the county town. Zhou Sen, I’ll use your wooden box. I’ll put a thick quilt inside and cover it to prevent the chives from freezing. If they’re frozen, they won’t be easy to sell.”

“Okay.” Zhou Sen nodded. His wooden box was used to store some books he read frequently. He could just take it up and put it somewhere else.

“Will you come with me tomorrow?” Zhou Pingguo asked. They had all finished their final exams and were at home.

“You go, I’ll look after the house.” Zhou Sen hesitated for a moment and gave his answer.

“Aren’t you afraid that I will run away with the money? Am I afraid that I will over-quote the price?” Zhou Pingguo teased him deliberately.

“Don’t employ someone if you doubt him, and don’t doubt someone if you employ him. I’ve remembered everything you said.” Zhou Sen curled his lips. His sister-in-law was becoming more and more malicious. She liked to use some words to block him. But she had no bad intentions and really wanted to live with them. He was not stupid and could feel it.

“Okay, I’ll go by myself.” Zhou Pingguo nodded. “You stay home and take care of my brothers and sisters. It’s almost the end of the year. Although we are in the village, there are many beggars and they are brave and can do anything. If our two babies are kidnapped, we won’t know where to cry.”

Zhou Sen was also worried about this matter. He had lost too many relatives, so he cared about his younger brothers and sisters even more. He would not allow any accidents to happen under his nose, so he asked Zhou Pingguo to lock the door from the outside when she went out the next day. Only then did he feel at ease.

The county town is not as close as the town. It takes more than two hours to ride a bicycle. The day before leaving, Zhou Pingguo took the bicycle to Zhou Xiaohu, a bicycle repairman, and asked him to check it carefully. He was afraid that the bicycle would have some problems on the road the next day. There were no people on that half of the road. It would be really difficult to deal with it at that time.

After the examination, Zhou Pingguo wanted to pay, but Zhou Xiaohu said, “Sister Pingguo, there’s no problem. We just replaced a valve. It’s free, no money.” After saying that, his neck turned red.

Zhou Pingguo knew everything. No wonder Zhou Sen reacted so strongly when she said she wanted Zhou Xiaohu to teach her how to ride a bike that day.

She put down the nickel and said, “Go ahead and do your thing. I’m leaving now.”

Then he left without looking back.