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

Cheng Yuntao got up and hid behind the house, carefully observing under the cover of miscellaneous items. She didn't relax a little until she saw the other person's appearance clearly.

The visitor was an elderly woman named Zhou Liqin. Cheng Yuntao had always called her Aunt Qin. She was an old friend of Grandma Zhou Xiufang. She was dressed in simple, neat clothes, with a bamboo basket slung over her elbow. As soon as she entered, she greeted Zhou Xiufang with a smile.

"Old sister, I'm eating. I made some red cakes at home and wanted to send some to you."

After saying that, Zhou Liqin lifted the cloth covering the bamboo basket, took out a few red fruits supported by green leaves, and handed them to Zhou Xiufang.

"Oh, thank you so much for always thinking about us. It's a pity that our family doesn't have anything to offer..." Zhou Xiufang took the red cake handed to her, bowed several times in gratitude, and felt helpless because of her poverty.

Although her granddaughter Yuntao has now got the opportunity, Zhou Xiufang still knows that wealth should not be revealed to others, so she will not mention it to outsiders easily.

"Hey, what are you talking about, elder sister? We have known each other for so many years. When I first got married, you helped me a lot."

"Besides, we are from the same hometown. This is just a small token of my appreciation. Just accept it and don't think about anything else."

After saying that, Zhou Liqin seemed to have thought of something. She took two steps forward, held Zhou Xiufang's hand, and comforted her.

"Old sister, don't be too sad about Yuntao. She was a good child. I think she has been reborn into a wealthy family and is enjoying a happy life now."

"Those of us who are still alive still have to go on with our lives. You still have Jingzhu by your side. He is also a sensible and capable person. Things will definitely get better in the future."

As an outsider, Zhou Liqin couldn't say much and could only offer some words of comfort. Zhou Xiufang naturally understood the other party's good intentions and nodded in agreement.

"I still have a lot of work to do at home, so I'll be leaving now. Remember to eat the red rake fruit while it's hot."

Seeing the people gradually walking away, Cheng Yuntao walked out from behind the house.

"Come quickly, Yuntao. Your Aunt Qin gave us some red rake fruits. One is perfect for each of us."

Cheng Yuntao took the red rake fruit handed to her by her grandmother, held it in her palm and observed it carefully.

This red rake fruit is a local specialty. Made with beetroot as a dye, it's a bright fruit with a slightly sweet, chewy texture, loved by people of all ages. During this month, according to custom, every household steams some as a snack.

Cheng Yuntao took a bite of the red rake fruit. The sweet taste spread in her mouth, coupled with the soft and chewy texture, it was really good. Suddenly, an idea came to her mind.

"The customs and eating habits of the neighboring village are similar to ours. I think it's the season for cooking red rake fruit. We can take advantage of this and rescue Xiaoli."

After hearing this, Zhou Xiufang felt that it was as tangled as a ball of hemp rope, making it impossible to tell the beginning and the end.

"Yuntao, what do you mean by that? What does making red rake fruit have to do with rescuing Xiaoli?"

Cheng Yuntao ate up all the red pear in her hand in a few bites, rubbed the remaining red marks on her fingertips, and explained seriously.

"Today, as I was walking down the mountain, I found quite a few lush plants of Phytolacca serrata beside the path. The ripe fruits of this plant are purple-red, hanging in bunches on the branches, very much like grapes."

"But it cannot be eaten because the entire plant is poisonous, especially the roots and fruits, which are the most toxic. If accidentally ingested, it will cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches."

"It just so happens that the juice from the crushed fruit is dark red. If I add this juice to the cooking red rake fruit and then let the bully family eat it, I can control them with minimal effort and take the opportunity to rescue Little Pear."

Zhou Xiufang didn't know what the name "Smilax china" was, but she felt that it sounded complicated.

"This... since this thing is poisonous, will it cause death?"

Zhou Xiufang has been a well-behaved person all her life and has never thought of harming anyone, let alone causing such a big thing as a loss of life.

"Don't worry, Grandma. Although this Chinese pokeweed is poisonous, it needs to be in a certain dosage. If I add too much at once, the texture and flavor of the red rake fruit will definitely become strange, and they will be able to detect it. Plus, the high temperature during steaming will also break down the toxin to a certain extent. At most, it will make them drowsy."

"What we should be more worried about now is how to hide our tracks after rescuing Xiaoli. Once that bully and his family come to their senses, they will definitely come and cause trouble. Then we won't be able to stay here any longer."

Looking at the dilapidated house in front of him, Cheng Yuntao became more determined to move.

"But this is the only house we have. Even though it's a little run-down, at least we still have a place to live. If we move out now, where can we move to?" Zhou Xiufang touched the cracked wooden door reluctantly. This was where she had lived for most of her life. Now that she was suddenly asked to leave, she felt a little reluctant.

Some fragmented memories flashed through Cheng Yuntao's mind. She remembered that when she was collecting herbs in the mountains, she once discovered a hidden cave. At that time, she was timid and afraid that there were man-eating beasts in it, so she did not go in to take a closer look.

Since we can’t find a better place right now, we might as well go back and explore. Maybe it can be a temporary shelter for them.

"Grandma, I found a hidden cave in the mountains. I'll go explore the mountain tomorrow. If there's no problem, we'll move to the cave first."

As the backbone of the family, she cannot hesitate or look back, but should find the most advantageous path in the shortest time.

There is no construction without destruction. If something hinders your progress, just throw it away.

"Okay, since you've already made up your mind, then grandma won't say much. Remember to bring Jingzhu with you when you go up the mountain tomorrow. More people means more care. Don't worry if you can't find it. Go home when the sun sets and don't make grandma worry."

Cheng Yuntao scooped a bowl of wild vegetable porridge and handed it to her grandmother, promising repeatedly: "I know, grandma, don't worry. Drink some porridge to fill your stomach first, and your granddaughter will go kill some fish for you."

"Okay, grandma, sit here and wait." Zhou Xiufang held the hot porcelain bowl, carefully avoiding the broken edge, and drank the porridge slowly.

Cheng Jingzhu also picked up his wild vegetable porridge and sat obediently beside his grandmother, but his eyes were fixed on Cheng Yuntao who was killing fish not far away, full of anticipation.

Cheng Yuntao held the fish head tightly in his left hand, and stabbed the short knife in his right hand as fast as lightning, accurately piercing it under the fish gills, cutting along the fish bones to the tail, splitting the fish in two, turning over the fish belly, and removing the internal organs.

Then, starting from the tail of the fish, gently scrape the blade along the fish body, and the scales will fall like drizzle. The fish body will gradually become smooth and delicate, shining with a healthy silver-white color.

With a wipe of cloth, the blood stains and mucus are all removed, and after rinsing with spring water, it is clean inside and out.

The emotion in Cheng Jingzhu's eyes also changed from excitement and curiosity at the beginning to deep amazement and admiration.