Farm Girl's Small Blessings

Chapter 6: The Plan

The companions worked together until the sun rose high in the sky, feeling too famished to move. They estimated it was time for breakfast, so they gathered their belongings to head back home.

Zhou Wu Lang still squatted down to carry the full load.

However, Man Bao felt sorry for her brother, especially since he was now dirty, sweaty, and smelly. So Man Bao insisted on walking back on her own.

Zhou Wu Lang thought for a moment and realized that the journey back home was mostly flat, so Man Bao should be able to walk. He believed that their mother wouldn't scold him when she saw them, so he confidently held Man Bao's hand and walked back home.

Along the way, they encountered many villagers returning home from the fields to have breakfast. The Zhou family was currently a hot topic in the village, especially Zhou Lilang.

When they saw them, the villagers first looked concernedly at Zhou Lilang's backside, then imparted their advice with earnest words: "Lilang, gambling is not a good habit; it can lead to the ruin of a family."

"Lilang, you are still young. Don't make the same mistake again in the future."

...

After receiving a few admonishments, Zhou Lilang's face turned green. He didn't respond, and Wu Lang and Liu Lang felt embarrassed. Only Man Bao, being young and not feeling ashamed yet, sincerely believed that the uncles' advice was right.

So she agreed throughout, "Uncle Liu is right. If you see my eldest brother heading to the gambling den again, you can beat him on my behalf. When he returns, my father will surely treat you to a feast."

"Exactly, Dahuzi, next time when you go to the county town, keep an eye on my eldest brother. If he misbehaves, you tie him up and bring him back. My mother will definitely thank you."

Seeing Zhou Lilang silent and sullen, Man Bao even patted him on the back, "How impolite! Can't you see the uncles and brothers talking to you? Are you not truly repentant and still want to gamble?"

Zhou Lilang could only thank them with a mournful face. Whoever scolded him, he had to thank them.

The villagers privately commented that Lilang might have turned over a new leaf. He was still young and could be led astray momentarily.

Therefore, those who had considered marrying him but had second thoughts now felt a glimmer of hope.

If Lilang could mend his ways, he would be a fine young man - strong, hardworking, and with many capable siblings.

Indeed, the villagers unanimously thought highly of the three married sons of the Zhou family. They worked hard in the fields, were diligent, and whenever they had free time, they would work as laborers for the wealthy landlords. Similarly, Zhou Lilang should not be any less.

Their gazes towards Zhou Lilang held a bit more tolerance.

Zhou Lilang didn't realize this, as he was immediately tasked by his mother to chop firewood as soon as he returned home.

Now that the autumn harvest was over, the family needed to prepare firewood for the winter. Previously, this task was assigned by the three elder brothers, with chopping firewood being the responsibility of the third brother due to his strength.

However, because Zhou Lilang had lost money gambling, his parents discussed and assigned him the task of chopping firewood as a punishment and a lesson for the other sons and daughters-in-law in the family.

With many children in the family and differences in abilities, Mrs. Zhou could not treat them all equally. But overall, the situation had to be manageable; otherwise, if one caused trouble, the whole family would be in chaos.

Mr. Zhou sat on the doorstep with a worried expression, watching his fourth son pick up the axe. He then hummed and averted his gaze.

Seeing his youngest daughter, a smile appeared on his face, "Man Bao, have you had a good time playing?"

Man Bao nodded happily, "Yes, Father. It's so fun on the mountain. There are many flowers and lots of grass. I want to go back in the afternoon!"

"The sun is too strong in the afternoon. You should rest at home and let your elder brothers go," Mr. Zhou said. "If you like flowers, ask your nieces to pick some for you. You mustn't stay in the sun too long; if you get sunburned, you'll need medicine."

Thinking about the black liquid her mother had to consume, Man Bao wrinkled her nose and her whole face contorted as if she was suffering.

Mr. Zhou chuckled at the sight, feeling a bit better. He asked his daughter to go inside and sit down, as breakfast would be served soon.

Farmers usually ate breakfast after completing a round of farm work, having two meals a day.

One was in the late morning, and the other in the afternoon, followed by dinner. After tidying up, they could rest once it was dark.

This routine applied to adults, while children were an exception. During the long days of summer and autumn, since the nights were long, the family would usually make some porridge for the children to eat in the evening to prevent them from feeling too hungry.

Man Bao entered the main room, where Mrs. Zhou, who was not feeling well due to being shocked and angry the day before, was still lying in bed.

Seeing her daughter covered in grass, Mrs. Zhou couldn't help but smile, "Had a good time, didn't you?"

Man Bao nodded and sat on the edge of the bed, looking very well-behaved, "Mother, next time when we go to the market, I want to go with my second brother."

"What will you do there?"

"I want to learn how to do business."

Mrs. Zhou couldn't help but laugh, "You just want to play, don't you?"

After some consideration, Mrs. Zhou agreed, "I'll let your second sister-in-law take you. The elders will all go too. They were all scared yesterday, so going out to have some fun will calm their nerves."

As for talk of doing business, Mrs. Zhou never took it seriously. To her, it was just child's play.

But Man Bao didn't see it that way; she was serious.

So, instead of going to school after breakfast, she gathered her fifth and sixth brothers and her nieces and nephews to brainstorm ideas.

Wu Lang reached out to touch his sister's forehead, "You don't have a fever, so why are you talking nonsense?"

Liu Lang chuckled, "What do we have to sell?"

Man Bao shook her head, "Nothing, but there are things outside."

She pointed outside, "There are so many pretty flowers and grass out there that we can sell."

Everyone was taken aback.

Even the third brother chimed in, "That won't sell!"

"Why wouldn't it sell?" Since scholars like the teacher appreciated these wildflowers and grass, people outside should like them too.

Man Bao was particularly determined, waving her hand decisively, "It's decided. We will go pick flowers and pull weeds to sell."

Wu Lang wanted to advise her, but Liu Lang held him back, "Let's listen to Man Bao."

"Is our youngest sister silly? Are you silly too?"

Liu Lang replied, "I'm not silly, but if we don't listen to her, can we still go to the market?"

Wu Lang thought about it and found it quite reasonable.

The market was quite far from their village; it would take almost half an hour to get there. The last time they went was during the spring temple fair.

The two immediately signaled to the eldest sister and eldest brother; everyone understood and happily agreed with Man Bao's proposal. They would bring many beautiful wildflowers and grass to the market that day.

Regardless, they would go to the market first.