Chapter 657: Chapter 429: Making a Living
Just as they arrived at the doorstep, the second mother pushed the door open and said, "You’ve finally come back. We’ve been waiting for you to have dinner."
"So soon? Didn’t you just get back too, mom?"
Xiaomi quickly ran a few steps and hooked her arm around the second mother’s, laughing heartily, "Mom, it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Did you miss me?"
The second mother playfully swiped a finger across Xiaomi’s nose tip, "You always want to run off every other day. Tell me, how long are you planning to stay at home this time?"
Even though she said that, her eyes still lit up with joy. After all, it had been more than half a month without seeing Xiaomi. How could she not miss her?
Back when she was home, Xiaomi would only be gone for a day at most, playing in the mountains for a day and returning the next morning.
But ever since she came to Xiangmu Village, she and her little daughter had been apart more often than together, which the second mother was very unaccustomed to.
"This time, I’m not leaving. There’s nothing much fun in Lishi City. I’ll stay at home to help my parents with work."
The second mother’s smile became even brighter, but she still said, "We don’t need your help. Just stay at home and don’t run around."
Xiaomi chuckled sheepishly, not daring to respond, knowing that not running around wasn’t something she could easily adhere to despite agreeing.
Luckily, the second mother didn’t say much more and instead turned her attention to Wei Ziang beside her.
"Ziang, you should also rest well at home these days. Don’t go running around with Xiaomi. You’ve had it tough in the military camp. Now that you’re home, take a good rest."
She said, showing some concern.
Not long ago, Wei Ziang had just returned home once. He seemed fine then, but afterward, the eldest son mentioned Ziang being punished because of something involving Xiaomi.
Even though she asked carefully in the morning and knew Wei Ziang was fine, and the military law was lenient, General Song had let it go.
But after all, it was a beating with a plank, and repairing bones takes time. It was okay in the camp, but at home, he definitely needed proper rest.
The second mother knew nothing about spiritual power, let alone Wei Ziang soaking in Spiritual Spring water during that time.
Not only was his backside healed now, but even the accumulated injuries and ailments from the battlefield over the years had been thoroughly treated.
But Wei Ziang didn’t argue with the second mother, instead nodding obediently, "Okay, mom. We didn’t do much today, just cooled off by the river and set two fish traps."
As he spoke, they arrived in the courtyard, where the other brothers were helping serve dishes. After telling the second mother, Wei Ziang took the fish traps to the kitchen.
Both traps were filled with small fish, and Xiaomi sprinkled some Spiritual Spring water on them when catching them, allowing them to return quickly.
They’re now pouring them into a bucket, each one lively and bouncing around.
Once lunch is over, they’ll set two more traps, and by evening they can make fried small fish.
The family quickly settled around the dining table, chatting while eating.
Especially the beef Xiaomi brought back, which everyone praised endlessly.
The second mother also mentioned that the dozen pounds of beef from Commander Yang were distributed among a hundred villagers in the morning, allowing them to stew it together.
Xiaomi slapped her head, having forgotten about that.
The other villagers the second mother referred to were the hundred people Wei Ziang and his group rescued from the stone forest.
Perhaps due to the traumatic experiences, they lacked a sense of security and harbored a fear of men.
Thus, after discussions, they built a large patch of houses in one place, similar to the rows of houses used by tenant farmers in Xiangmu Village.
Although it appeared a bit crowded, they lived there comfortably and at peace.
Besides work, they were mostly silent, keeping a distance from the imperial guards as well.
Everyone was conscious to keep their distance, not out of disdain, but because they were genuinely afraid of tall, adult males.
Even the farm manager, Jiang Hu, was no exception.
So usually, any matters were communicated by the second mother and others to prevent startling them, allowing them to work in peace.
Xiaomi could understand; psychological trauma, after all, the situations these people faced were ones many wouldn’t endure. Surviving was already a great act of courage.
As time passes, they hopefully will gradually forget those fears and heal naturally.
Moreover, Xiaomi wasn’t planning to run around anymore. She wanted to stay home to prepare for potatoes she would soon bring back.
This way, she could begin using Spiritual Spring water to benefit Anning Village.
Although Spiritual Spring water doesn’t have immediate miraculous effects, its subtle benefits are numerous.
Watering vegetables and grains with Spiritual Spring water could indirectly enhance one’s physical and mental well-being, benefiting everyone.
Chatting and dining together, they finished the meal, hearing Wei Ziang mention continuing with the fish traps, yet Jiang Hu stopped him, taking Jiang Wei instead, letting Wei Ziang rest well at home.
Wei Ziang smiled wryly. His body really was fine, but it seemed nobody believed him.
However, Wei Ziang was soon called away by Jiang Yu; the two brothers didn’t know what they talked about, but they chatted for half the day.
Liu Ze went to the kitchen to help Xiaoxue with the dishes, unconcerned about what his brother-in-law and Wei Ziang were discussing.
Over the years, Liu Ze has significantly changed from a graceful youth to a gentle-mannered young man.
Perhaps due to years of teaching the role, his demeanor became even smoother, exuding a calm elegance.
After two years of consideration, Liu Ze completely gave up on pursuing further exams, simply waiting for next year when the county would be established so he could marry Xiaoxue.
By then, a wife and children around the warm kang would be enough.
Knowing his health issues, he’s already informed the family that wherever his in-laws move, he’d follow them.
Not just for himself, but also for Xiaoxue, unwilling to leave her and the children should anything happen to him at a young age.
As for being dubbed a live-in son-in-law, Liu Ze isn’t bothered, knowing that such concerns shouldn’t cloud daily life management.
Moreover, Liu Ze now only discusses academic matters with his brother-in-law, rarely speaking on anything else.
For instance, what Wei Ziang did or why Xiaomi left for half a month.
His brother-in-law would manage those affairs, while Liu Ze only needed to focus on supporting the family financially.
After all, being married means not relying solely on the in-laws, knowing they wouldn’t mind much, but unwilling to be useless himself.
Now residing in Anning Village, without students to teach, he couldn’t possibly leave his fiancée to teach in Lishi City alone.
Hence, Liu Ze contemplating what he could do besides teaching students, ensuring he could earn money regardless of where the Jiang family moved.