Is the beginning of a catastrophe? The little farm cook is raising a family with a full warehouse.

Before she could be happy for long, the bandit leader suddenly turned his head as if he had thought of something. His eyes were like a falcon and he looked straight at Cheng Yuntao. His eyes were full of suspicion and his tone was filled with strong vigilance.

"Why would you accept us? We've been through so much in this world, and we've suffered so much. What if we're kicked out once the road is built? Where will we go then?"

Seeing this, the people nearby stood up one after another.

Granny Wang spoke first. She was hunched over, and the years had carved deep and shallow wrinkles into her face, but her eyes were still kind. "The goddess is kind-hearted. Since she promised you, she will definitely not break her promise. During this period, we have been following the goddess's instructions, and only then have we gradually recovered."

"Now, all the people in the city believe in the goddess. Without her, we wouldn't even have enough to eat, let alone live a peaceful life like we do now."

Some of the young men were straightforward and spoke bluntly. They curled their lips and snorted coldly, saying, "If the goddess hadn't said she was willing to accept you, you wouldn't even have this opportunity. Don't be ungrateful!"

"That's right! That's right!" From time to time, echoes came from the crowd, one after another.

The bandits' faces were filled with surprise. They carefully observed the expressions of the people. Their sincere eyes and warm tone showed that these words were from the heart and were not forced by force.

After realizing this, the bandits' originally somewhat sloppy posture instantly straightened up, and the expressions on their faces changed from suspicion to respect, and they no longer dared to show any offense.

The bandit leader took a step forward, bowed slightly, and spoke humbly, "Um... God... Goddess, we apologize for any offense we've caused you before. We hope you'll forgive us. Now we understand that you're truly a kind person. From now on, we brothers will obey your orders and will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Cheng Yuntao showed a trace of helplessness on her face. She looked around at the people around her and said in a slightly louder voice, "You don't have to call me goddess. I'm just an ordinary person like everyone else, working hard to live a good life. From now on, just call me Miss Cheng."

Seeing her serious expression, the people nodded in agreement not wanting to displease her.

"Everyone is tired, let's take a break first, and then the food will be ready. Only after a full meal can we have the strength to do the work well."

Cheng Yuntao wore a warm smile as she methodically directed several young men to arrange the makeshift tables and chairs. Soon, the dishes were served one after another.

Today's big pot meal was made by her and the people who were on leave today.

The first dish was a large, steaming pot of temptingly colorful beef stewed with potatoes. The beef had been meticulously cut into even cubes and, after a long stew, had become tender and flavorful. Its brownish-red color shone with a mouth-watering sheen in the bright sunlight, and each piece was saturated with the rich, mellow broth.

With just one bite, the aroma of the meat, wrapped in the broth, instantly explodes in your mouth, and the rich aroma penetrates your nose. The potatoes on the side are equally impressive, stewed to a soft and glutinous texture that melts in your mouth, the soft and chewy texture blending perfectly with the tender beef.

The tender green spinach leaves are stretched out, the stems are crisp and refreshing, and they make a crunching sound when you put them in your mouth; the bright yellow pumpkin is cut into thin slices, and the sweet taste spreads on the tip of the tongue, and it is just the right softness; the light purple eggplant absorbs the fragrance of oil, but cleverly retains its own freshness. Chew it gently, and you will find the interweaving of density and freshness, with a long aftertaste.

In addition to these, there are emerald green peppers and plump beans colliding in the pot. The simple cooking method retains the original flavor of the vegetables to the greatest extent, exuding a natural and pure fragrance. Just looking at it will increase people's appetite.

Golden corn segments and tender pork ribs float in the pot, the ribs stewed to a tender, almost boneless state, the meat almost falling apart with a simple sip. The sweetness of the corn permeates the broth, enriching its aroma. A spoonful of the hot broth flows gently down the tongue, warming the stomach, leaving a sense of well-being and instantly relieving any fatigue.

There's also a large plate of braised pork, its bright red color alluring, its square pieces perfectly cooked. The lean meat is neither tough nor greasy, and perfectly flavorful. The fatty meat melts in your mouth, its aroma instantly filling your mouth. The sweet and savory flavors paired with the chewy rice are truly appetizing.

The aroma of the food spread like invisible silk threads, and the tired looks on everyone's faces due to work were swept away by the tempting fragrance.

The bandit leader sat down first, looking at the food on the table, his eyes slightly red, his hands shaking uncontrollably, his eyes full of excitement and disbelief.

He had thought that in these troubled times, just having a bowl of porridge and a few pickled mustard greens to fill his stomach would be a blessing. But the sight before him far exceeded his imagination. Not only was there fragrant white rice, but also plump braised pork, tender beef, and a variety of refreshing and delicious seasonal vegetables. It was even better than what they had enjoyed in their previous feasts in the mountains!

Turning to look at his brothers, he saw that they were also shocked and delighted. The bandit leader's throat tightened and he said with a slightly choked voice: "Brothers, we have met a noble man. We must work hard in the future!" After that, he gobbled the food in big mouthfuls, but tears unconsciously welled up in his eyes.

After the meal, everyone took a short rest, picked up their tools, and continued to work on the road construction with full enthusiasm.

In order to prove their determination, the bandits worked extra hard. The people were also infected by their enthusiasm and the scene was in full swing.

……

Time flies, and half a month passes in a flash. The cracks carved by the winter frost blade are finally smoothed out by countless pairs of hands covered with frostbite.

As the last basket of gravel filled the pothole, the winding mountain road shone with a golden glow. Cheng Yuntao watched the mules and horses carrying goods steadily treading across the newly rammed earth, and her eyes couldn't help but moisten. These days, the people toiled from sunrise to sunset, their hands blisters bursting and regenerating, their shoulders bruised from the weight of the carrying poles, but not a single one ever gave up.

Now, this road that carries everyone's hopes has finally been repaired.

"The road is open!" A shout instantly broke the silence.

The people cheered and some hugged the people around them excitedly and cried with joy; some threw the tools in their hands high into the air and caught them steadily; and a few children were running and laughing on the newly built road, and their clear laughter echoed in the mountains.