Ugly girl only wants to farm

Zhang Yueniang turned around and poured a cup of tea for the person before heading to the kitchen. She also had Xu Chaoyan greet the person, saying that since they had met, it must be fate, and they might even be from the same hometown.

After Zhang Yueniang left, the woman didn't say anything to her, but just sat there quietly sipping her tea.

Xu Chaoyan sat on a low stool picking scallions, feeling a faint, persistent gaze fixed on her. When she looked up, she saw nothing.

"Young lady, our soup is especially delicious today. Would you like to try a small casserole? It's a balanced meal with meat and vegetables, and the tofu pudding is also good for your skin and complexion, making it perfect for women."

Zhang Yueniang had a smile on her face. It was rare for her to talk so much today, but she was actually very nervous, her hands clutching the hem of her clothes and rubbing them together.

Xu Chaoyan usually did the work of attracting customers, but today, having finally met a fellow villager, she became a little bolder. Of course, Xu Chaoyan still saw her tugging at her clothes.

Although she felt a bit strange when she saw the girl, and that she was scrutinized so openly, which made her very uncomfortable, her sister was unusually hospitable to someone, so she didn't let that dampen her enthusiasm.

Zhang Qiao'er still smiled kindly, and was even more affectionate towards Zhang Yueniang, taking her hand and sitting down.

"Sister, my name is Qiao'er. Judging from your accent, you must be from not far from my home. Where is your ancestral home? My family used to be from He Village, Liukou Town."

"What a coincidence, we also came from Liukou Town."

Zhang Yueniang covered her mouth and looked at her with surprise, which made her even more enthusiastic towards Zhang Qiao'er.

“We came here last year to make a living. I never expected to meet fellow villagers here. Where does Qiao’er live? You can come and chat with me when you have time.”

“That’s wonderful! We couldn’t be happier. Qingming Festival is just around the corner. In our Liukou Town, we have a custom of digging wild vegetables to make Qingming dumplings during the Qingming Festival. I’ve been away from home for two years and I suddenly miss the taste of Qingming dumplings. Sister, when are you free? Let’s go to the mountains to dig wild vegetables to make Qingming dumplings. There are plenty of wild vegetables and ferns on the mountains.”

Zhang Yueniang's eyes lit up when she heard this: "Really? Sister, do you know where there are wild vegetables in the mountains? We haven't been here long and aren't very familiar with this place. This is indeed the best time to pick bracken. Don't even mention how delicious bracken is when stir-fried with cured meat. Just talking about it makes my mouth water."

The two of them talked about various wild vegetables and how to make Qingming dumplings, completely forgetting the time.

Shen Siheng entered the shop, complaining that he was starving. Quickly bring him all the edible things; he could eat a whole cow.

Zhang Yueniang then realized what was happening and slapped her forehead: "Oh dear, I've been chatting with you so much that I've lost track of time! I'll go make you a casserole and bring it over so you can taste our home cooking. My family used to make tofu in Liukou Town, so it'll help ease your homesickness."

Xu Chaoyan picked up all the scallions and then took out a bunch of garlic scapes. She tore them into sections. Fresh garlic scapes stir-fried with cured pork are a delicious dish at this time of year. When garlic scapes first came out, they were expensive, and her family couldn't afford to eat them. Now that the weather has warmed up, there are more garlic scapes available.

She planned to pickle some garlic shoots in soy sauce and make some kimchi. Just then, when she went to the butcher's house to get some meat, the butcher's wife stuffed two large bunches of meat into her hands, saying that they were homegrown and not to be picky. Xu Chaoyan couldn't refuse, so she put them away.

Seeing that Shen Siheng had come over alone and was covered in sweat, she quickly put down the garlic shoots she was holding, wiped the garlic smell off her hands, poured him a glass of water, and let him cool off there.

"What are you doing? You're sweating buckets, why are you all alone?"

Shen Siheng picked up the glass of water and gulped it down. He then spat it out with a loud "pfft."

"Sister-in-law, this is scalding hot! Why didn't you tell me it was hot tea?"

Xu Chaoyan covered her mouth and chuckled, "You didn't even ask me. Can't you slow down a bit with your impatient nature?"

Shen Siheng covered his mouth, looking aggrieved, as he was burned.

"Brother Meng, they'll be here a while. I'm just too hot. I just played a game of Cuju with those kids. Hmm, those kids are so mean. They tricked me behind my back and made me so hot. By the way, sister-in-law, when those kids come over, just tell them that all the food is sold out and there's nothing for them to eat. Let them be so arrogant and smug, always bullying me."

Xu Chaoyan poured him another cup of water and reminded him again, "This time it's hot water, so be careful and let it cool down a bit before drinking. It's normal for you to get a little bumped and bruised when playing football with others, don't be such a sore loser."

Shen Siheng pointed his finger at his own nose: "Sister-in-law, why are you siding with outsiders? What do you mean I can't take a joke? It was clearly those bastards who schemed against me. They kicked me several times behind my back because they were unhappy that I hadn't gone out with them for a while or treated them to a meal. Now I understand Father's original intention in having me befriend those outstanding talents. Indeed, one is influenced by one's company. I'm afraid I'll become more and more corrupted by these bastards."

"Oh, by the way, the other day the teacher praised me, saying that my calligraphy has improved. Anyway, I've improved in every aspect, all thanks to Brother Meng and Zhang Xuyang. If my father knew, he would be overjoyed. He would give me a little more money then." He grinned broadly as he said this.

Although Zhang Qiao'er was talking to Zhang Yueniang, she seemed somewhat distracted. She was leaning to the side, listening to what Xu Chaoyan and the others were discussing.

Suddenly, a woman, covered in sweat, rushed over.

"Qiao'er, Qiao'er, so you're here. Someone from your family has come to deliver a message."

Zhang Qiao'er gave the woman a look, and the woman stood there nervously, quickly covering her mouth with her hand and changing the subject.

"Qiao'er, hurry back home with your aunt and send a message to you, saying that we're going back to sweep the tombs for Qingming Festival."

Qiao'er's expression changed when she heard her mention that someone from her family had sent a message. The woman then realized she had said something wrong and quickly corrected herself.

"Sister Zhang, I'm so sorry, I have to go home. I'll try this casserole again next time. My parents are getting old, and I need to accompany them back to our hometown to sweep the tombs and pay respects to our ancestors during the Qingming Festival. By the way, since you're going back, why don't you come along so we can look after each other on the way?"

Zhang Yueniang: "It's alright. Since you know the way, you can come and try it next time. You should go home and settle your affairs first. We'll have plenty of time later. Don't forget our agreement to dig for wild vegetables. Our family hasn't finalized our plans to return to our hometown for Qingming Festival yet, so I'm afraid we can't agree to it right now."

Zhang Qiao'er was somewhat reluctant to say goodbye. After her figure disappeared from the shop, Meng Jiuhe and Zhang Xuyang entered the shop one after the other.

"Sis, are you guys even able to manage? As soon as school was over, we were the first ones to rush over. How come you came over like a dog, just by smelling the scent? You're pretty fast."

Shen Siheng glared at him defiantly: "Hey Zhang Xuyang, the bookstore owner's daughter asked me to pass on a message to you last time. She said the shop received some new books, why didn't you go take a look? Their bookstore sells books for 25 coins a book. If you want to take on this job, she can deliver them to you personally."

Startled, Zhang Xuyang waved his hands repeatedly in refusal: "Shen Siheng, don't meddle in other people's business. I don't even have time to study, let alone copy books. Stop doing such immoral things. I think you should find someone to keep an eye on you. Didn't your sister-in-law come over last time and say that your mother has been worried about your marriage? I think the butcher's daughter on East Street is quite nice. Her older brother knows us. Do you want to play matchmaker for you?"

"No, I'm afraid I'll get beaten to death," Shen Siheng refused with a long face.