After becoming a widow, I became the apple of a rough man's eye.

Lin Qingqing turned around somewhat embarrassed to wash up. After she finished getting ready, breakfast was already prepared.

She looked at the rice porridge on the table, hesitant to speak.

When she first came to the Qin family, she cooked the meals. But after just over a month, she no longer needs to cook. Lin Qingqing was at a loss as to what she should do.

Xiao Yong, who is usually the loudest eater, was silent today, burying his head in his rice and not daring to pick up any vegetables.

Li Dongye wasn't home; he went to the county town to buy goods early this morning.

Only Jiang He would occasionally serve food to Lin Qingqing.

"Sister, eat more to nourish your body."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yong choked on a mouthful of porridge, coughing violently.

Qin Lie put down his chopsticks and glanced around.

"After dinner, the second son will come into the mountains with me."

Xiao Yong was overjoyed, exclaiming, "Okay! Alright!"

"Fifth brother, chop up the firewood in the yard."

Jiang He pouted: "Big brother, my hand hurts, I can't chop it up."

"If you can't chop, then go weed the fields." Qin Lie wasn't buying it at all.

After making the arrangements, Qin Lie looked at Lin Qingqing.

His gaze was no different from usual, but Lin Qingqing still felt her face burning.

"You can stay home and rest." Qin Lie took a key out of his pocket and placed it on the table. "There's malted milk powder in the cabinet, make yourself some."

Xiao Yong's eyes widened in disbelief. It was the key to the cabinet containing the family's money and valuables. This meant he was handing over the family's financial control to her.

Jiang He also stared at the key, lost in thought.

After finishing their meal, Qin Lie left with Xiao Yong.

Lin Qingqing had just finished cleaning up the dishes and was about to go back to her room to lie down for a while when someone knocked on the courtyard gate.

"Is Qingqing home?"

That loud voice, you can tell it's Wang Dazui from next door.

Lin Qingqing's heart skipped a beat.

Wang Dazui is a gossip who loves to talk behind people's backs. Although she's not a bad person, wherever she goes, there's gossip. Coming here at this time is never a good thing.

Before she could respond, Wang Dazui had already pushed open the half-closed courtyard gate and entered, carrying a basket in his hand, his eyes darting around the yard.

"Oh my, the Qin brothers have all gone out?"

Wang Dazui grinned, his face crinkling with wrinkles, and leaned close to Lin Qingqing, lowering his voice mysteriously, "Girl, last night... it was quite a commotion, wasn't it?"

Lin Qingqing's face turned pale.

"What is Auntie saying? I don't understand."

"Why are you pretending with your aunt?" Wang Dazui had a knowing look on his face, his eyes glancing at Lin Qingqing. "I heard it all, the bed was shaking so much, tsk tsk tsk... It has to be Qin Lie's physique, most people couldn't handle it."

Lin Qingqing was filled with shame and indignation, and turned to go inside.

"Hey, hey, don't go!" Wang Dazui grabbed her arm. "Auntie's here today to give you a heads-up."

"What?"

Wang Dazui looked around to make sure no one was watching before leaning close to her ear and saying, "Lai Laoyao from the east end of the village has been asking about you lately. I heard... he wants to buy you."

Lin Qingqing felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

Lai the Cripple was a notorious bachelor in the village. He was old, ugly, and mentally disturbed. It was said that he had once bought a wife, but she was tortured to death.

"He...he dares!" Lin Qingqing's voice trembled.

"He wouldn't dare touch the Qin family," Wang Dazui said with a meaningful smile. "But what if the Qin brothers aren't around? Girl, you'd better be careful."

After saying that, Wang Dazui patted her hand, swayed his waist and walked away, leaving Lin Qingqing standing alone in the yard, her clothes soaked with cold sweat.

Just then, a soft laugh came from behind me.

"What are you afraid of, sister?"

Jiang He appeared at the entrance of the main room without anyone noticing. "With me here, who dares to lay a finger on my sister..."

He looked up, his doe-like eyes filled with madness. "I'll chop him up and feed him to the dogs."