8. Let Zhao Feng lend a hand.

Ye Miao was not afraid of Zhang Xiaohua.

Now Zhang Xiaohua could no longer control his marriage prospects.

Recalling the incident when he was almost kidnapped by Zhao Dafu, he placed the small shovel into his basket, brushed the dirt off his hands, and then spoke calmly, "Zhang Xiaohua, if we're talking about scoundrels, it’s definitely your Zhao Yuanbao. Everyone knows he was caught red-handed stealing melons last summer."

"At twenty years old and still can't marry, serves him right."

Because of this, Zhao Dafu and Zhang Xiaohua had even tried to kidnap him to exchange for silver to arrange a match for Zhao Yuanbao.

But Zhao Yuanbao was truly a scoundrel, caught stealing multiple times by villagers. Even if he managed to get some silver, which respectable family would want to marry their daughter or son to him?

And now, he dares to insult Qin Jin as a scoundrel? Hmph, Zhao Yuanbao isn’t even worthy to carry Qin Jin’s shoes!

Hearing Ye Miao’s words, Zhang Xiaohua immediately grew furious.

Zhao Yuanbao’s failure to marry was indeed a thorn in her heart. But she refused to admit it was her Yuanbao’s fault; she only blamed the girls and boys of neighboring villages for being blind and gold-digging!

As for last year’s incident of Zhao Yuanbao stealing a watermelon from Zhang Doufu’s family, that certainly wasn’t her Yuanbao’s fault. In this village, even a single broken watermelon became a matter for the village head; they were just being stingy!

Just as Zhang Xiaohua threw her basket to the ground and was about to cross her arms and start cursing, Ye Miao quickly added, "Trying to use me to get silver so Zhao Yuanbao can marry? You black-hearted wolves! Now everyone in the surrounding villages will look down on your family even more."

"If you have time to curse me, why not kneel and apologize in front of the whole village? Then maybe the villagers would think better of you and perhaps even agree to arrange a match for Zhao Yuanbao!"

This only made Zhang Xiaohua angrier. She rolled up her sleeves and stomped toward Ye Miao. "You foul-mouthed little pimp, just wait and see if I don’t tear your mouth to shreds!"

Yet, deep inside, she began to wonder why this little scoundrel’s tongue had suddenly grown so sharp.

Back when he stayed at her house, not even three strikes could get a word out of him!

Ye Miao stood still on the riverbank, while Zhang Xiaohua originally stood by the water’s edge. To attack him, Zhang Xiaohua had to climb up onto the embankment.

Coldly watching Zhang Xiaohua storm up to him and reach out her chubby hand to grab him, Ye Miao suddenly pushed her away with both hands.

Caught off guard, Zhang Xiaohua let out an “aiyo” and rolled down the river slope.

The slope wasn’t steep, but Ye Miao’s push was forceful enough that Zhang Xiaohua rolled along the incline and only stopped when she hit the shallow water.

There was grass on the riverbank, so she wasn’t hurt. She immediately scrambled to her feet, cursing in an unbearable torrent of filthy language.

Ye Miao ignored her words and said, "Zhang Xiaohua, go ask that scoundrel Zhao Yuanbao if he envies Qin Jin, if he even wants to carry Qin Jin’s shoes. But even if he did, Qin Jin wouldn’t look at him!"

With that, he grabbed his basket and walked away.

Before cursing, you should first check what kind of person Zhao Yuanbao really is!

And to mock him for being poor—once they find out Qin Jin is running a small business, they’ll be so jealous they won’t be able to sleep!

From now on, his days will be good.

As for Zhao Yuanbao and Zhang Xiaohua, humph.

Ye Miao walked home with a light step. Zhang Xiaohua had originally wanted to chase and beat him, but recalling Ye Miao’s words, she grew suspicious. Why would that scoundrel suddenly say such things for no reason?

The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. She grabbed her basket and went home.

Zhao Yuanbao was nowhere to be seen, and Zhao Dafu was sound asleep. She shook Zhao Dafu awake and repeated Ye Miao’s words.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Dafu was so angry he wanted to pound on the bed. What kind of words were those? Which nephew would dare to insult his own uncle like that?!

But it was true that Qin Jin had started a small business, and everyone in the village knew it.

He impatiently recounted the matter of the pea cakes, and Zhang Xiaohua stepped back in shock. "The Qin family isn’t poor anymore?!"

"Go ask for yourself!" Zhao Dafu snapped.

Zhang Xiaohua: "..."

She didn’t dare to go.

Zhao Dafu had only one younger brother, Zhao Feng, and Zhao Yuanbao was the only male heir of this generation. Both his daughters were already married off, while Qin Jin had three brothers, all tall and strong!

Moreover, Qin Jin had two cousins—not very close, but they all bore the Qin surname.

Six able-bodied men—who would dare to provoke them? If she dared to stir up trouble with the Qin family, would she just sulk for days and then return to her maternal home?

But thinking that Ye Miao wasn’t digging wild vegetables out of poverty, and that his life would grow better and better, she felt as though thousands of ants were biting her heart.

Why should that scoundrel live such a good life?

It infuriated her!

After returning home, Ye Miao immediately forgot about Zhang Xiaohua’s foul mouth; she no longer affected him.

He sat on a small stool, processing the wild vegetables he had just gathered.

Today he had dug up some malabar spinach and amaranth—both delicious when wrapped in buns.

Only, the household’s wheat was running low.

Most of last month’s freshly harvested wheat had been used up for the wedding; now only two sacks remained, less than three hundred jin in total.

However, the corn harvested last year was still not finished, with seven or eight sacks left.

There was also over one sack of millet.

This grain would last until winter, by which time the new corn and millet harvest would come in.

Coincidentally, only five or six jin of flour remained from the wedding batch; he needed to find time to grind more flour.

He also had to grind millet and corn flour; from now on, the family would eat a mixed flour blend.

As he pondered this, Qin Jin came out of the main house.

"Why aren’t you sleeping longer?" he asked immediately.

"Not sleepy today," Ye Miao replied, moving to the courtyard. He casually grabbed a small stool, sat beside Qin Jin, and began cleaning the wild vegetables.

"Even if you’re not sleepy, rest a little more," Qin Jin said.

Selling pea cakes was tiring, standing under the scorching sun for hours.

Though Qin Jin had started using an umbrella these days, it was for the pea cakes; he himself wore a straw hat, which didn’t help much.

"You should rest more too. There’s no rush to finish the wild vegetables," Qin Jin suggested.

He had noticed that Ye Miao was truly hardworking; Wang Xiuqin had not lied to him.

Every night at 1 a.m., Ye Miao would wake up to make pea cakes.

After finishing, he made breakfast. Once Qin Jin ate and left with the pea cakes, Ye Miao would go back to sleep.

When Qin Jin returned at noon, lunch was ready.

The vegetable garden had been watered.

Clothes were washed.

The house was spotless.

After lunch, there was no rest—either digging wild vegetables or gathering firewood; busier than a little bee.

Ye Miao shook his head at Qin Jin’s words. "I’m not tired."

His small face brightened with hope. "When will we buy chicks?"

On their wedding day, they had cleaned the backyard, planted vegetables, but had no news of the chicken coop.

Without raising chickens, they would have to buy eggs themselves.

As rural folk, that was a luxury they couldn’t afford. If others saw it, they would surely gossip.

Besides, even if they had money, Qin Jin wouldn’t want to spend it frivolously.

Moreover, the family still owed debts. Until those were paid off, they would have to tighten their belts.

But Qin Jin’s work was heavy. Selling pea cakes in the morning and farming in the afternoon with no eggs or meat, he could only add extra oil when cooking.

Their lard from the wedding was nearly finished.

Once eaten, they had to buy more.

Hence, Qin Jin wanted to raise chickens.

They could eat eggs daily and have meat on special occasions, providing nourishment for Qin Jin and saving money.

Qin Jin had already told Wang Xiuqin and his three brothers about buying chicks first. Chicks were cheap and wouldn’t delay repaying debts much.

Since the arrangements were made, it was time to buy the chicks.

Qin Jin thought for a moment and said, "We’ll buy them after saving five hundred wen."

There were already over three hundred copper coins in the money box. With many expenses, they needed to keep some emergency funds.

"I still have five hundred wen," Ye Miao couldn’t help but remind him, looking at him expectantly. "I want to raise chickens, lots of them."

"That’s your dowry; it can’t be spent," Qin Jin shook his head.

Hearing this, Ye Miao scooted his stool closer and grabbed Qin Jin’s big hand, shaking it. "Just agree, and if you want, I’ll pay you back after the debts are cleared."

"Okay?"

Qin Jin: "..."

Since when did he learn to act coquettishly?

He lightly cleared his throat to suppress the urge to pinch Ye Miao’s cheeks. "How about this: if we sell ten jin of pea cakes every day these days, I’ll make more and keep selling until the big market closes."

"One person doing all this is exhausting. Let’s hire a helper."

"A helper?" Ye Miao was surprised, mouth slightly open. They only earned a few coins a day and already wanted to hire someone?

Qin Jin shook his head like a rattle. "No need. Even if it’s five jin more, I can handle it. Besides, what if the recipe gets out?"

"If we don’t pay wages, just meals," Qin Jin explained.

"That’s not okay either," Ye Miao shook his head.

But as soon as he said that, his heart sank. He didn’t dare meet Qin Jin’s eyes and immediately lowered his gaze.

His refusal was too resolute.

After all, Qin Jin was the head of the household; he made the big decisions.

These days, Qin Jin had treated him so well that he dared to stand tall. But if he dared to oppose Qin Jin…

Qin Jin might get angry.

Just as he worried, Qin Jin’s voice sounded again: "Why don’t you ask our father?"

"...Huh?"

Ye Miao was very surprised and immediately looked up.

The person Qin Jin had in mind as a helper was his father? He had planned to cook more dishes these days…

"Our father has only you as a child. We must take care of him in old age. You doing the pea cakes alone is a bit much, so let’s have father come help."

Without Ye Miao’s embroidery, Zhao Feng’s income from selling firewood was too meager; combined with wild vegetables, they could barely fill their bellies.

Ye Miao had a good relationship with Zhao Feng. Rather than him worrying, better for Ye Miao to make the suggestion first.

"This... won’t that look bad if word gets out?" Ye Miao was at a loss. Anyone could see it was really about helping his father.

But he was deeply touched. Qin Jin wasn’t angry at all and even came up with a decent excuse to support his father in old age.

He almost wanted to cry.

He was planning how to bring his father a bowl of food when Qin Jin openly declared they would care for his father in his old age!

Care for him.

Care for him!

With such joyful news, how could he hold back the moisture in his eyes?

"What’s so bad about it? Our father is not lazy. It’s settled then. You go and talk to him later."

"Then you’ll be using my five hundred wen," Ye Miao’s eyes reddened. Not to mention the five hundred, he would even be willing to give Qin Jin his very heart if asked.

He squeezed Qin Jin’s hand. "If you won’t use that money, then you don’t treat me as your husband. Please don’t be distant with me, okay?"

Qin Jin: "..."

His little husband was pleading him.

So pitiful, yet so sincere. He nodded instinctively. "Okay."

Ye Miao’s face immediately lit up. "Then tomorrow we’ll buy the chicks?"

"…Okay."

Qin Jin came back to his senses and silently regretted his earlier impulse to agree.

Using the hard-earned dowry money that Ye Miao had painstakingly embroidered was a sign of his incompetence.

"Once the debts are paid, I’ll pay you back, tenfold," he promised quickly.

Ye Miao nodded happily, his smile radiant. He didn’t want that; they were family now—why keep it so clear? He didn’t want to keep things so separate from Qin Jin.

He cheerfully said, "Then don’t go to the fields later; let’s go up the mountain to find some branches and build a chicken coop."

He was finally going to raise chicks.

Ye Miao was so happy that Qin Jin naturally went along.

That afternoon, they gathered some branches and built a large chicken coop in the backyard against the courtyard wall.

The chicks cost five wen each, and they planned to buy fifty.

Fifty seemed like a lot, but not every chick would survive to adulthood; there would be losses.

With Zhao Feng’s help, there was no worry about care.

That evening, Ye Miao told Zhao Feng about the helper plan.

Zhao Feng held his hand and patted it, sighing, "I really don’t know how to repay him."

"Let’s just work harder," Ye Miao said with a smile.

Zhao Feng smiled too and patted his head. "Good."

Ye Miao told him to sleep early, then went home.

At midnight, Zhao Feng came knocking on time, and father and son worked together making pea cakes.

The most strenuous part was mashing the cooked peas, but it wasn’t too hard.

Once Zhao Feng learned the method, his gratitude toward Qin Jin grew even deeper. Fate was kind to have given him such a good son-in-law.

He couldn’t accept Qin Jin’s kindness easily. When Qin Jin went to the fields in the afternoon, he insisted on going along.

Qin Jin couldn’t refuse and let him come.

With an extra person, the weeding went much faster.

What should have taken two more days was finished today.

They cleared the grass from five acres of cornfields, though the sweet potato and millet fields remained.

Summer was the peak season for vigorous grass growth, so the main farming tasks were irrigation and weeding.

Returning home with Zhao Feng, they found Ye Miao squatting in the yard, holding a fluffy little chick and examining it.

Seeing them, he immediately put the chick down and smiled, "Wash your hands quickly. Dinner’s ready."

"Sister-in-law just brought some sweet potato leaves. I steamed them into cornbread with garlic sauce. It’ll be delicious."

"Why did sister-in-law come?" Qin Jin was curious.

Qin Wen’s home was a bit far.

Ye Miao’s eyes flickered. "She had a lot of sweet potato leaves, so she sent some over."

Qin Wen’s wife, Li Mei, was straightforward. Their two acres of sweet potatoes bordered Zhao Dafu’s cornfield.

Today, Zhang Xiaohua was cursing and swearing while working, dragging the entire Qin family into it. Li Mei overheard the filthy curses.

She immediately started cursing back with equal force. Afterwards, she used the excuse of delivering sweet potato leaves to come and find out what was happening.

A minor matter—Qin Jin didn’t need to know.

He certainly didn’t want Qin Jin to know how sharp-tongued he had been when cursing Zhang Xiaohua.

He always behaved well in front of Qin Jin.