Refusing to marry a widower, I went on a crazy spree of sending my children to the army.

The system chuckled awkwardly: "Okay, host!"

It thought to itself that it needed a carrot to dangle in order for its host to work harder. Hmm, it needed to be more considerate and make its host happy to do tasks.

Qiao Manman's gaze lingered on the dazzling array of goods. She didn't place an order immediately, but instead began planning what to do next.

After the initial surprise came a deep exhaustion. Qiao Manman withdrew her mental energy from the system space and fell asleep instantly.

I slept until the next morning.

He Nian got up and made breakfast for everyone. Having endured hardship for over a decade, she was clearly a little reserved. Despite the abundance of ingredients, she only boiled two eggs.

One for Qiao Runming, and one for Qiao Manman. She herself didn't need to eat; she'd lived like this for the past ten years or so, so it wouldn't matter if she didn't.

Qiao Manman sighed, "Mom, I can earn money. Look at me, I can earn eight yuan for writing an article. Isn't that better than going to work? Don't be so stingy!"

He put the eggs in He Nian's bowl and took out a few pieces of beef jerky from the oil paper package and put them in He Nian and Qiao Runming's bowls: "Eat more, get more nutrition, and you'll be healthier!"

Qiao Runming and He Nian were deeply moved and nodded as they finished their porridge.

Qiao Runming also instructed He Nian: "From now on, boil three eggs, cook three bowls of porridge, and make three portions of meat. Otherwise, Manman won't eat!"

Qiao Manman nodded with a smile: "Dad is right!"

After finishing breakfast, Qiao Manman, dressed in her drab, patched-up clothes, headed to the quarry.

The quarry was some distance from the production team, and there weren't many people on the road. Qiao Manman took out a braised chicken leg from her pocket and started eating it in big bites.

After eating, put the bones into the spatial trash can and bury them when you go to the deep mountains someday.

By the time she approached the quarry, her stomach was already full. She could hear the sounds of men working hard in the distance. Qiao Manman composed herself and strode over.

"Uncle, is Director Sun here?"

The man being questioned glanced at Qiao Manman in surprise, then pointed to the shed in the distance and said, "Over there!"

After thanking him, Qiao Manman was about to leave when the man stopped her: "Miss, if you don't have anything important to do, you should go back."

Qiao Manman recalled what the brigade leader had said about Director Sun's bad reputation, and gave a miserable smile: "My father broke his leg here and is now heavily in debt. I want to ask Director Sun, why isn't the quarry responsible!"

"You're Qiao Laosan's daughter, aren't you?" the man sighed. "Your father isn't the only one who's had an accident at this quarry, and no one has really gotten justice. Go back, don't let one person's accident turn into two!"

The man's reminder was quite obvious, but Qiao Manman seemed not to understand and stepped forward with her head down.

Many people sighed after she left, "What a tragedy!"

Qiao Manman clenched her fist and reminded the system: "System, prepare a kitchen knife and a stone for me."

"Don't worry, host. If all else fails, just kill them and store them in your space. Without victims, they can't do anything to you!"

Qiao Manman wanted to laugh, but she had to try hard to hold it in: "Tongtong, you're being a bit unprincipled!"

The system arrogantly declared: "My principle is to be the host!"

Qiao Manman was very satisfied, and soon they arrived at the shed.

Qi Yuanfang was talking to Director Sun when he saw Qiao Manman and was terrified. He grabbed her arm and tried to pull her outside.

Sun Jianhong stopped him: "Wait, this girl must have something to say to the quarry. Yuan Fang, you go out, I'll ask her what it is."

Qi Yuanfang didn't dare to confront Sun Jianhong head-on, so he desperately tried to wink at Qiao Manman.

Qiao Manman's eyes flickered slightly, indicating that Qi Yuanfang was alright. But the old man didn't understand at all, and he was so anxious in the shed that he broke out in a cold sweat.

Sun Jianhong looked Qiao Manman up and down. Hmm, willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, 165 cm tall, snow-white skin, slightly protruding breasts, and a slender waist.

Sun Jianhong licked his lips, quite satisfied with Qiao Manman's looks.

Qiao Manman felt nauseous from his sticky gaze, but she still stammered, "Director Sun, my father is Qiao Runming. He... he injured his leg. It was a work-related injury, and the quarry should bear the cost of the surgery."

Sun Jianhong shook his head with a lewd smile: "You can't say that. Our place is so big, we have production standards. Your father clearly hurt his leg because he was careless. How can you say it's the place's responsibility?"

"With so many people around, why was everyone else unharmed, but he got his leg smashed? Comrade Qiao really needs to reflect on his actions!"

Qiao Manman really couldn't refute this. After all, there were no surveillance cameras in this era, so how Qiao Runming got injured was up to them to decide.

But in later generations, regardless of whether it was caused by oneself or not, it was considered a work injury!

Moreover, she had asked Qiao Runming and confirmed that her biological father hadn't been negligent. At the time, someone had clearly pushed him...

"Director Sun, that's not how it works. My father is a very diligent and meticulous worker; how could it be his fault? Even if it really is his problem, shouldn't the farm show some compassion?"

This is how accidents have been handled in later generations, at least.

Sun Jianhong chuckled: "Who told you that? Let me tell you, there's no such rule in the quarry!"

After saying that, he glanced at Qi Yuanfang and said, "Old Qi, you go out first. I'll have a word with this Comrade Qiao!"

Qi Yuanfang didn't want to make a move, but he was wary of Sun Jianhong's background. Left with no other option, he could only leave with his eyes closed.

She prayed in her heart that Qiao Manman would be smart enough not to be fooled by Sun Jianhong's sweet talk.

After Qi Yuanfang had walked away, Sun Jianhong asked with a lewd grin, "Little Qiao, what's wrong? Are you broke?"

Qiao Manman nervously clutched the hem of her clothes: "The surgery and hospitalization fees will be over a hundred. The Qiao family kicked us out because they think my dad can't work. Director Sun, could you please take pity on me and approve my dad's compensation?"

Sun Jianhong leaned back in his chair, adopting a languid posture: "Compensation is out of the question. The quarry did nothing wrong, so why should they give you money? However, there's still room for maneuver..."

Qiao Manman looked up, her face full of excitement: "Director Sun, how can I get the money?"

Sun Jianhong stood up and walked towards Qiao Manman, getting closer and closer.

He stretched out his greasy hand to lift her chin: "The little girl is quite pretty!"

Qiao Manman took a step back as if she was frightened. Sun Jianhong knew that people outside were watching, so he didn't make too much of a fuss.

He withdrew his hand, rubbing his fingers together with lingering satisfaction: "Ten o'clock tonight, here we are, see you there!"

Qiao Manman's eyes darkened, and she stood frozen in place for a long time, seemingly struggling.

Two minutes later, he nodded hesitantly and said in a voice barely above a whisper, "Okay!"

Sun Jianhong was satisfied and sat back down some distance away with a smile. Qiao Manman bit her lip, looked up at him timidly, and then stumbled away.

"Hahahahaha..."

Inside the shed, Sun Jianhong grinned arrogantly. Outside, Qiao Manman's eyes were fierce.

Qi Yuanfang reached out and grabbed her: "Man'er, did Director Sun give you a hard time?"