A farmer has a shrewish wife; he's busy making money every day.

After distributing the money, Ye Qingxue said loudly, "I might not be able to fit all the goods I brought back from the county on my donkey. Could you please help me make a wooden cart?"

The extra twenty coins Ye Qingxue had just given them had made them extremely excited, so when they heard Ye Qingxue make a request, they certainly wouldn't disagree.

Many men volunteered.

"I'll take it; I have some extra wood at home!"

"I can go up the mountain and cut some!"

"I have tools at home!"

The men all ran away.

The women beside them, though somewhat annoyed, didn't say anything, since it was all for the sake of earning food for their family.

Seeing that the Liu brothers were about to run away, Ye Hua'er reached out and pulled them back.

"Brother Liu, where are you going?" Ye Qingxue's voice was so sweet and gentle that it made one's bones feel numb.

When Ye Hua'er touched their arms, the Liu brothers felt as if they had been electrocuted, and their bodies went limp.

"No... I didn't go anywhere, Flower..."

Ye Hua'er thought to herself with pride: My charm is still greater than that of Ye Qingxue!

The next second, the Liu brothers were woken up by their mother, Zhang.

"What are you standing there for! Go help! Make a good impression on the Lu family's daughter-in-law. She likes us, and maybe she can help us negotiate a better price. Don't just stand there like an idiot, hurry up and go!"

"Oh, oh!"

"Mother, I'm going right now!"

The two Liu brothers ran away together.

Zhang turned to look at Ye Hua'er, forcing a smile, and said ingratiatingly, "Second girl, don't be offended. We just want to save more grain, so we can't chat with you."

Ye Hua'er was the daughter-in-law that Zhang had chosen, so she would have her two sons chat with her more often every day to foster their relationship.

After all, Ye Hua'er has some education, so her son will surely be intelligent. With the whole family's resources, they can send him to school, and he might even achieve academic success.

Ye Hua'er smiled and lowered her head: "It's alright, I understand."

Seeing how sensible Ye Hua'er was, Zhang's eyes showed even greater satisfaction.

He pulled her aside and whispered, "Second Girl, have you taken a fancy to any young man?"

She needed to sound out their intentions; she couldn't let her son fall behind.

Ye Hua'er sneered inwardly, but on the surface she lowered her head shyly: "Oh, Aunt Zhang, feelings can't be forced. We still need to spend more time together."

Upon hearing this, Zhang was overjoyed.

Spend more time together?

Is there anyone in this village who spends more time with her than her two sons?

This meant there was hope, and Zhang immediately beamed with joy: "Good, good, you're right. Come to my house for dinner tonight, Aunt Zhang will cook you something nice, and we happen to have some pork left over."

Ye Hua'er quickly pretended to refuse, saying, "That's not a good idea. I always come to your house for meals."

Zhang disagreed, saying, "How can this be called freeloading? We're all family, what's wrong with visiting each other? It's agreed, come to my house tonight."

Unable to refuse such a kind offer, Ye Hua'er nodded and finally agreed.

Deep down, I was thinking: Who's family with you? If it weren't for the fact that I could have a good meal at your house, I wouldn't have wasted so much time talking to your two brothers.

Just then, a villager passed by and laughed heartily, "Hey Aunt Zhang, aren't you being too hasty? Don't scare the young girl."

Zhang glared at him: "You're the only one with a mouth."

Seeing Ye Hua'er blush again, he felt even more that she was a lovely and endearing person.

"Second girl, go home first. Your parents are still waiting for you there. Remember to come early tonight, okay? Auntie wants to chat with you a bit more."

Ye Hua lowered her eyes, smiled gently, said goodbye, and turned to leave.

However, as soon as she turned around, her expression changed drastically.

Liu Baode was not far away, chatting with her parents while keeping a close eye on her.

Did he see her shy and bashful expression just now?

Having nowhere else to go, Ye Hua'er reluctantly approached them.

"Then, Brother Ye, I'll be going now."

As soon as she got closer, Ye Hua'er heard Liu Baode say that he was leaving, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

But as Liu Baode brushed past her, he grabbed her palm twice.

Ye Hua'er's expression changed slightly.

That means: See you by the lake tonight.

Whenever Liu Baode wanted to get closer to her, he would ask her to meet him at the lake.

Because that lake is located in a remote area, you won't encounter anyone.

But being far away means having to set off well in advance.

She's going to the Liu family's house for dinner tonight!

Don't be fooled by how kind Zhang Shi is to her; it's only because Zhang Shi likes her now.

It was common knowledge that Zhang was known for her fiery temper; if anyone displeased her, who knew what she might say?

People in deserted villages love to gossip. No matter how outrageous the rumors are, as long as they seem plausible, they will believe them without question.

Isn't this how Ye Qingxue's reputation was ruined by them?

Ye Hua'er didn't want to face the rumors that would tarnish her reputation.

But Liu Baode was a local bully, and offending him would not end well.

She was still hoping that Liu Baode would occasionally send her some food.

Ye Hua'er frowned, looking somewhat troubled.

Seeing her daughter's worried expression, Wu Shuang asked, "What's wrong, Hua'er? What happened?"

Ye Hua'er never hid anything from her parents and directly told them about her current predicament.

Ye Yu frowned and muttered, "It is a bit tricky, but we absolutely cannot afford to offend Liu Baode. Hua'er must go to the appointment."

Ye Hua'er nodded: "What about the Liu family..."

Wu Shuang had many ideas: "Just pretend to be sick and don't go, but that Zhang woman has a sharp tongue, so she might actually be sick."

"What exactly is the true method?"

Wu Shuang turned her head and whispered something to Ye Hua'er.

Ye Qingxue, from a distance, took in all the actions of the second branch of the Ye family.

Although she was too far away to hear clearly.

Unfortunately, she can read lips.

Therefore, she clearly knew what problem Ye Hua'er was facing at that moment.

Tsk tsk, two fish collided, the backyard is on fire, and the time management master is finally at a loss?

However, it seems that Wu Shuang has some kind of plan.

But she said it with her mouth covered, so Ye Qingxue couldn't see it.

Ye Qingxue raised an eyebrow.

What kind of trouble is the second branch of the Ye family up to now?

Regardless of their plans for the time being, Ye Qingxue noticed something.

The place where Liu Baode arranged to meet Ye Hua'er was by a lake, far from the deserted village.

Could it be the lake where she took a bath?

With a sense of doubt, Ye Qingxue turned and went into the house.

While eating, Liu Zhangshi heard from other families that Ye Hua'er had fallen into the water and was bedridden. She rushed over to visit her.

So this was their plan. It was quite ruthless of them to let their daughter fall into the water. Winter is coming in a couple of days, and now she's probably really going to get sick.

Ye Qingxue shook her head as she ate.

After dinner, Ye Qingxue went back to her room to get clean clothes, mounted Debao, and headed towards the lake.

Ye Qingxue, who was sitting in the front row watching the show, couldn't miss this good opportunity.

"Honey, where are you going again?"

Before she even left the deserted village, Ye Qingxue heard a woman's cries.

It is the Chen family of the Liu family.

She stood in front of her house, tugging at Liu Baode's sleeve, her eyes red, trying to stop him from leaving.

Liu Baode, his face full of anger, turned around and flung Chen's hand away.

"Get lost! It's none of your business where I go."

"Are you going to see another woman again?!"

Liu Baode laughed angrily: "What nonsense are you spouting, you woman! The neighbors are all watching, and you're shouting and slandering your own husband like this, have you no shame!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and swung it at Chen.

"Smack!" A crisp sound struck Chen's arm.

"If you keep yelling like that, I'll beat you to death!"

"You dare to hit me and see what happens!"