Dressed as a farmer's widow, she brought her daughter to stock up on food and reached the top

Tian Guilan also urged, "Little Bear, you have to hurry up. Don't make us wait too long. We are hungry, but your Uncle Ma and Aunt Fuping can't afford to be hungry."

Although Tian Guilan's face was not as ferocious as Zhao Cunliang's, her tone was not very friendly either.

Zhou Xiaoxiong didn't dare to look up at them. He just nodded continuously, speeding up the kneading of the dough in his hands, and secretly groaning in his heart.

Why did Dad entrust him to the Zhao family? It would have been great if it was Aunt Xiuying.

"Hmph, hurry up! Stop dawdling!" Zhao Cunliang roared impatiently, frowning and staring at Zhou Xiaoxiong fiercely.

Tian Guilan forced a fake smile, glanced at Zhao Cunliang, then turned to Zhou Xiaoxiong and said, "Xiaoxiong, you see, it's not easy for us to take you in. Look, you're old enough to eat now. One meal can eat as much as the two of us combined. Who else in this village would be as kind as our family and willing to take you in?"

Tian Guilan's eyes narrowed into slits as she looked back and forth at Zhou Xiaoxiong. The look in her eyes made people feel creepy.

"Now, there's a great opportunity for you to repay our family. You must seize it and don't miss this chance to show your worth."

As Tian Guilan spoke, she approached Zhou Xiaoxiong and gently patted his shoulder. Her tone seemed gentle, but it concealed a sense of oppression that could not be refused.

Zhao Cunliang echoed from the side, "That's right, Little Bear, you have to be grateful. We haven't treated you unfairly. If you can get this done right, you'll have a good life in the future."

Zhao Cunliang put his hands on his hips and looked at Zhou Xiaoxiong with squinted eyes, his eyes full of threats.

Zhou Xiaoxiong stopped what he was doing, raised his head timidly, looked at the couple, and whispered, "Uncle, aunt, I...I will definitely repay you well."

Zhou Xiaoxiong's voice trembled slightly, and his eyes were full of helplessness.

……

Elsewhere, Xiuying and the villagers held a meeting in the old house in the village. They discussed from the bright sunshine until dusk, but still couldn't find anyone who would repair the wall. The dim oil lamp in the house flickered, illuminating the tired and anxious faces of the people.

Xiuying returned home with heavy steps. Without even bothering to eat, she sat down on a chair, as if all her strength had been drained from her.

Seeing this, Taohua quickly brought a bowl of steaming porridge and said with concern, "Mother, please eat something."

Xiuying waved her hand, took the porridge, took a small sip, and placed it on the table. Her brow was furrowed with worry.

There is no cement in this era, not even in the system. Even if there is, I can't take it out rashly. If I only use yellow mud to reinforce the city wall, I'm afraid it won't be able to withstand wind and sun. Xiuying's voice was filled with deep worry.

If there is a heavy rain or strong wind, it is still a question whether the wall can hold up. But there is no better way at the moment, what should we do?

Xiuying stood up and paced back and forth in the room, rubbing her hands constantly, her face full of worry.

On a quiet night, Grandma Zhang walked slowly to the gate of Xiuying's house with her stumbling steps. She raised her cane with her dry hands and gently knocked on the gate.

"Knock, knock, knock." The knocking sound was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Taohua in the yard heard the knock on the door, quickly put down the broom in her hand, and walked quickly towards the gate.

"Coming, coming." Taohua responded while opening the door.

Seeing that it was Grandma Zhang, Taohua's face immediately filled with smiles, and she said respectfully, "Grandma, please come in." As she spoke, Taohua stepped aside and invited Grandma Zhang into the main room.

"Mom, Grandma Zhang is here." Taohua raised her voice and shouted towards the inner room.

After a while, Xiuying came out from the inner room and saw Grandma Zhang. She hurried forward and helped the old woman sit down.

Xiuying asked her grandmother with concern, "Grandma, why are you here so late? Is there something wrong?" She sighed silently on her wrinkled face, with a hint of worry in her eyes.

Xiuying quickly held her grandmother's hand and gently told her, "Grandma, if you have any difficulties, please tell me. I will definitely help if I can."

Grandma Zhang is an elderly woman living alone in the village. She adopted a son. The boy is hardworking and honest, and is praised by everyone in the village.

At this moment, Grandma Zhang shook her head, as if she was making a big decision in her heart. After a moment of silence, she slowly said, "Xiuying, I have a way to make the wall stronger."

Although Grandma Zhang's voice was a little trembling, her tone was very firm.

"Grandma, please tell me quickly, what's the solution?" Xiuying asked anxiously, her eyes fixed on Grandma Zhang. Xiuying leaned forward slightly, her expression full of anticipation.

Grandma Zhang said to Xiuying with a firm look, "My child, if you want to build this wall strong and sturdy, you need lime, water chestnuts, copper oil, and glutinous rice juice. Mix these together and paste them on the stones. Then the wall will be able to withstand wind and rain."

As Grandma Zhang spoke, she gestured gently with her dry fingers.

"Lime strengthens the bond, Polygonum multiflorum increases toughness, copper oil prevents rot and insects, and glutinous rice juice increases viscosity. Only by combining all of these ingredients, mixed in the right proportions, can this wall truly become a solid barrier for our village."

Grandma Zhang explained in detail, her tone slow and steady. This was a secret recipe that she had treasured for many years.

"Xiuying, this is a method passed down by the older generation. Rich families used to build houses this way. If our village can also use this, the wall will definitely be very good."

Grandma Zhang patted Xiuying's hand and looked at her expectantly.

Xiuying silently opened the system space. If there was lime, she could buy some and say it was leftover from house repairs. There was Polygonum on the mountain, so she could ask the villagers to pick it. There was copper oil in the system, and there was glutinous rice in the system, so she could buy some and boil them into juice.

Xiuying said gratefully, "Grandma, you've been so helpful! Thank you so much! Tomorrow I'll find some women in the village, and we'll prepare the recipe together."

"Once the formula is ready, we'll organize everyone to start construction immediately. Grandma, don't worry, our village will definitely be able to build this wall solidly. Then we won't have to worry about those bandits invading us anymore."

Taohua walked into the house briskly, holding a box of cakes in her hands. With a sweet smile on her face, she said, "Mother, here are the things you asked me to prepare."

Xiuying quickly stood up, took the box of cakes with both hands, and respectfully handed it to Grandma Zhang, saying, "Grandma, this is a little gift for you. Please take it back and try it."

"Afan, come here quickly and take Grandma Zhang back home. Be careful on the way and don't let her get bumped into anything." Xiuying turned her head and shouted outside the house.

After a while, Afan ran in, nodded to Xiuying and Grandma Zhang, and said, "Auntie, Grandma, I will take good care of you."