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Chapter 263: Chapter 265: Failed Attempt at Stealing Chickens_1
Qiao Duo’er purchased an extra portion of poria and Hundred Fragrant Cream, which were meant for Hu’s Clan and Chao Lian.
A woman’s hands are her second face; they need to be well cared for. Hu’s Clan and Chao Lian immediately tried to refuse, as they could tell these items were expensive just by looking at them.
"Sister-in-law, you should keep these for your own use," Chao Lian said.
Hu’s Clan also added, "We don’t need them, you keep them."
Qiao Duo’er said with a smile, "Autumn is dry; women need to take good care of themselves. I’ve kept my share, so you both should use them together."
Unable to refuse any further, Chao Lian and Hu’s Clan accepted the gifts, feeling immensely grateful to Qiao Duo’er in their hearts.
Thanks to Qiao Duo’er, they now owned their very first beauty products in their lives.
Actually, every woman wants to adorn herself beautifully; it’s just that funds are limited.
Tan Zhenghong’s hand had fully recovered, and he went back to work reinforcing the cellar with a special clay mixture. He had to finish the cellar before the autumn harvest so that there would be a place to store the crops.
Additionally, he had hired someone to dig two wells, one deep and one shallow, one out in the open and one hidden—spending a total of Twelve Taels of Silver.
In times of drought, the hidden deep well would prove to be very useful, even becoming the life-saving source for the entire family.
Tan Zhenghong did this because of a drought he experienced in his childhood.
That year, the weather was extremely dry, and not a single drop of rain fell the entire summer. Countless families fought over a mouthful of water.
To this day, the thought of it still sends shivers down his spine.
Meanwhile, Qiao Duo’er was busy sewing and patching things up at home. The newly bought quilt needed a cover, and she and Tan Zhenghong’s clothes also needed to be made quickly.
Once Tan Zhenghong finished with the cellar and the well, he could rest for a day before the harvest began.
Barely having a day to rest, Jiang’s Clan came over early in the morning.
"Fourth Boss’ wife, I have something to discuss with you," Jiang’s Clan knocked on the door.
Qiao Duo’er responded lazily, "Just come in and talk."
Although there were still ten days left until the end of the month, Qiao Duo’er felt that Jiang’s Clan’s visit boded no good news.
Jiang’s Clan stepped in and said with a smile, "I’d like to ask for a few days off for Chao Lian. The farming season is about to start and there’s too much work at home."
"How many days do you need?" Qiao Duo’er agreed readily.
The autumn harvest is more significant than New Year’s to farmers; even the private schools would take a break. It would be unreasonable for her to keep someone from helping at home during this time.
Jiang’s Clan was taken aback before replying, "About ten days, I suppose."
Qiao Duo’er squinted her eyes; it appeared that Jiang’s Clan’s true motive for asking for leave was to negotiate higher pay for the work.
Hmph, what a shrewd calculation!
"Then, considering how busy your household is, it’s fine. After all, my family’s land is limited; I can manage the work," Qiao Duo’er said indifferently.
Jiang’s Clan felt dissatisfied, as the workers in the town’s restaurant received double pay during the busy farming season, but she was also afraid that asking for more might cost Chao Lian her job.
She could only feign a smile and say, "Well... I’ll try to get Chao Lian to come and help."
Qiao Duo’er didn’t expose the charade, letting Jiang’s Clan talk herself into circles. Jiang’s Clan had already taken advantage of Chao Lian and now wanted to gain an extra benefit from her, Qiao Duo’er could only think: sorry, you’ve got the wrong person.
Jiang’s Clan laughed dryly twice before taking her leave, feeling that Fourth Boss’ wife was doing it on purpose.
After Jiang’s Clan left, she couldn’t help but scoff: "Such poor acting; nearly all her thoughts were written on her face."
"She just loves taking small advantages; don’t sink to her level," Tan Zhenghong consoled.
Qiao Duo’er wasn’t angry; she just felt that Chao Lian must not have an easy life with such a stepmother.
She guessed Chao Lian and Erhu would likely face many more hardships together in the future. Sigh, she hoped everything would work out for them.
