They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 166 Xu
Xu glanced at the departing figure, which had disappeared into the distance, and smiled at her mother-in-law: "Chunfen is really lucky. Zhichun is rich and has a particularly good diet, so she benefits from it and eats meat every meal. I'm afraid that if she comes back in the future, she won't be used to the food at home."

Chunfen's mother paused for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, "Our family is better off now. Tomorrow I'll go up the mountain to pick lantern fruit and earn a little more money. I'll ask Zhichun to cut some meat for me tomorrow morning. You should eat more; you're newly pregnant, so your health is important."

Xu Zhichun and her friends started buying lantern fruits again today. Some people got the news early, or they had to finish their chores at home in the next couple of days, so not many people went up the mountain to look for and pick them today.

Four coins a pound. The harvest has just begun, so it should be easy to find and I can make a good profit.

Madam Xu lowered her eyes and touched her still-flat stomach, a mocking smile playing on her lips: "So what if we buy meat tomorrow? I know our family's situation; we can't afford to eat meat all the time. Not everyone is as good at making money as Xu Zhichun. Maybe we should just forget about it and not buy any tomorrow. After all, we have a long life ahead of us, and there will be many more times when we need to spend money."

Chunfen's mother was heartbroken and hurriedly said, "Buy it, buy it. Buy it often in the future. We can just buy a little less. We won't eat it ourselves, we'll just use it to nourish your body."

"Mother! What are you saying!" Xu suddenly became angry, glaring at her mother-in-law and accusing her, "If the villagers find out about this, they'll all gossip about me and break my back."

Is she the only one in the family who eats meat? Her in-laws don't eat it, only she does?
Chunfen's mother hurriedly added, "This—it's none of our business. Just don't tell anyone. Besides, you're pregnant, so it's only natural for you to take some supplements."

Madam Xu sneered: "How much can this really make up for?"

Chunfen's mother sensed something else in her words, paused, and looked at her: "Xu Shi, there's something hidden in your words. I don't understand. What exactly are you trying to say?"

Madam Xu cursed the fool inwardly, shook her head and sighed, "I have nothing to say, it's no use saying anything. I just want the family to have a better life. Doesn't everyone say that Xu Zhichun likes and is good to Chunfen? If she's so good to her, why doesn't she take Chunfen with her when they're making money in business? Chunfen is so strong, what kind of work can't she do? I think that's good, but it's very limited."

Spring Equinox moved her lips, but suddenly didn't know what to say.

As Xu Shi spoke, she grew increasingly indignant: "Chunfen is so naive and foolish. Xu Zhichun gives her a bite to eat, and she's completely bewitched. Just listen to what she says! She listens to Sister-in-law Zhichun in everything! Who knows what they do to Chunfen behind her back. In the end, she only gets such a small amount of money each month. I wouldn't have said anything before, but they clearly earn so much, two or three hundred coins a day, which is about one hundred coins each, right? And who knows how much of the work Chunfen does. I've already let it go..."

She gently stroked her lower abdomen. "The thought of my child suffering after birth makes my heart ache like it's being pricked by needles. Besides, we're not greedy for what we shouldn't have. Chunfen can do the work of three people, doesn't she deserve a little more pay?"

"This"

Chunfen's mother didn't know what to say. Her daughter-in-law's words seemed to make sense, but two hundred coins was already a lot. Now that the family had saved up eggs, they could ask Xu Zhichun to help them sell them. At one coin each, they could save up quite a bit.

You know, back in the day, when peddlers came to the village to buy eggs, they would charge three for two coins.

Xu glanced at her sadly, then lowered her head, turned around, and walked away silently.

Spring Equinox sighed, feeling a tightness in her chest.

In the evening, one after another, those who had picked lantern fruits that day came to sell lantern seeds.

The family that made the most money earned over fifty coins and was overjoyed.

Even those who searched less received seven or eight coins.

Those who were observant knew about their acquisition and secretly remembered where they saw lantern fruit growing. That's how they found it.

Some people casually asked with a smile what they were buying this for, like, "Is it for making tofu strips?"

Xu Zhichun and the others all declined to comment.

If someone insists on asking something they shouldn't, then you have no choice but to tell them the truth.

Zeng Xiaojuan also took Qiao'er up the mountain to pick lantern fruit today. They picked more than five catties in total and were very happy with the twenty-two coins in their hands.

The lantern fruit can be harvested for a while longer, earning them twenty coins a day. The money they save will be enough for the mother and daughter to live on for a long time.

Once the acquisition was complete, everyone closed the door and cooked dinner together in a lively atmosphere.

Xu Zhichun picked a bright red tomato, cut it in half, and gave it to Chunfen and Qiao'er. "Just eat half of it, save room for something better to eat for dinner."

Qiao'er took a bite, her eyes shining: "So delicious, fragrant and sweet."

She ran up to her mother, stood on tiptoe, and held up the tomato to feed her: "Mom, have some too." Zeng Xiaojuan's heart melted. She smiled and said "Okay," then took a bite: "Mmm, it's really sweet and delicious. Qiao'er, sit there and eat obediently."

"Ah."

Dinner included roast chicken and meatballs from Manager Tang, braised pork knuckle and ribs from Zeng Xiaoyan, fatty duck from Aunt Zhu'er, and a piece of pork belly from Xu Zhichun's house—it was quite a feast.

Besides these, there was also a plate of tomato and egg.

Everyone sat around the table, where a large spread of dishes was laid out, including roast chicken, braised duck pieces with dried bamboo shoots, braised pork knuckle, sweet and sour pork ribs, stir-fried pork with green peppers, tomato and egg, and tomato meatball soup.

Uncle Qi Tian also came, making a total of eight people, including Zeng Xiaojuan and her daughter.

The other dishes were also delicious, but everyone had eaten them before. The tomato and egg soup and the tomato meatball soup were new additions, especially the tomato and egg soup, which everyone loved.

Mixing the broth with rice makes it even more delicious.

Qiao'er ate by herself with a small spoon, and her appetite was excellent.

"This tomato is really good, it tastes so good with eggs."

"This dish is absolutely amazing."

"We have some at home too, let's try it when we get back."

"Sister-in-law Zhichun, if I want to eat this, can you make it at your house?"

Xu Zhichun chuckled: "Of course it's good. In a few days, take a few back to eat and let the village head and Aunt Liang have a taste too."

"That's true," Zeng Xiaoyan said with a smile.

Zeng Xiaojuan hesitated for a moment but didn't speak. She wanted to ask if she could plant some next year. This stuff is really great; it can be used in cooking and soups, and it can also be eaten raw, and it's delicious in all of them.

But then I thought, how could I possibly accept something so good?

Now that the question has been asked in public, Zhichun will find it difficult to refuse and will feel awkward instead.

To everyone's surprise, Xu Zhichun laughed and said, "Next year we'll grow more, and we'll take the surplus to the city to sell. Even if we don't get a high price, it'll still be more expensive than ordinary vegetables."

Zeng Xiaojuan was overjoyed: "Can I grow it too?"

"Of course you can."

Chunfen Hanhan then asked, "Sister-in-law Zhichun, can my mother plant it if she wants to?"

"Row!"

"Hmm, hehe."

"But don't tell your mother or anyone else yet."

"it is good."

Everyone enjoyed the meal very much, especially the thought that tomatoes are not only delicious but can also make money, which made them even happier.

When Aunt Zhu came back, she couldn't help but tell her husband how much the tomatoes could sell for right now. Qi Tian was so excited that he immediately wanted to go to the vegetable garden to reinforce the fence and even wanted to buy a lock to lock it up.

Please give me a monthly pass, my darlings!
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(End of this chapter)