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

Qiao Manman shook her head: "No, it's just that we probably won't get the compensation!"

"It's good that everyone's alright!" Qi Yuanfang breathed a sigh of relief. "If you need money, I have some. Wait here, I'll go home and get it for you right away!"

Qiao Manman stopped him: "Uncle Yuan, I don't lack money. I just want to get an explanation for my father."

After he finished speaking, both of them fell silent. After a long while, Qi Yuan finally said, "It's because Uncle is useless."

This was the second time Qiao Manman had heard these words. She understood the helplessness of this era, so she didn't take her anger out on others.

I leisurely left the quarry and strolled along the country lanes. Occasionally, I would run into acquaintances and greet them with a smile.

It wasn't until I reached Qingshan Brigade that I calmed down. I took two towels out of my pocket, tucked them under my arms, and started walking back.

When He Nian saw that Qiao Manman had brought back something, she was surprised: "Where did you buy this? The quality is really good!"

Qiao Manman said with a smile, "Absolutely, it cost a lot of money!"

He Nian had no say in matters of money. Although she felt heartbroken, she was also delighted.

"Manman, your mother is useless; I can't even take care of myself. Your father... In the end, it's up to you to shoulder the burden of this family!"

Qiao Manman didn't care; with the system's help, she hadn't exerted much effort in the past two weeks. However, if she had transmigrated naked, she probably would have collapsed long ago after all these events.

In the end, it's all because she's lucky.

Qiao Manman washed her hands and sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Not long after, He Nian brought back an enamel mug of tomatoes with sugar and another enamel mug of stir-fried bok choy.

The staple food was still porridge, multigrain porridge. There was no other way; Qiao Manman hadn't had time to buy flour or a steamer yet.

Even the cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar were sample sizes I took from the earthenware jar last night while cooking. Just a little bit, with no labels.

"Dinner's ready!" He Nian handed the porridge to Qiao Manman and also scooped some vegetables for her.

Then he helped Qiao Runming up, holding a bowl of porridge in one hand and a jar of vegetables in the other, urging him to eat quickly.

Qiao Manman sighed. There were too many things that needed to be added to this house.

She's from another time, so she doesn't know much about rural life and might easily overlook something.

While eating, he asked He Nian what she needed to add to the family, and then wrote it all down in his mind.

Qiao Manman asked, "Mom, how much money do you have left?"

He Nian reached into his pocket: "I still have thirteen yuan left. Is Manman out of money? Here, take it and use it first!"

Qiao Manman shook her head: "No need, I still have money."

He pulled out twenty from his pocket and said, "I'll go buy a table, a cabinet, and a kangqin (a type of traditional Chinese stringed instrument) and bring them all over with me."

"Mom, see if you need anything at home. Ask the neighbor to bring it over. A little candy or two cents should be enough; many people will be happy to help."

He Nian nodded: "I know, but there's no rush. Once your father is better, I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative myself to buy the supplies."

After saying that, he added, "You should also be careful with your money. Those few gold and silver peanuts won't be worth much. You have a long life ahead of you!"

Qiao Manman hummed in agreement, sipping her multigrain porridge, her mind wandering.

She has plenty of supplies, and they're increasing every day. But she doesn't have much money, and if she doesn't find a new source of income, she'll run out soon.

Haha, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but we really do need to find a way to make money.

Qiao Manman's eyes darted around: "Mom, do you want to have a son? Or rather, do you still want to have children?"

After a moment of stunned silence, He Nian blushed and said, "What are you talking about? How old am I?!"

Qiao Manman grasped He Nian's hand, her eyes full of seriousness: "Mom, I'm serious, you're still young, you can definitely have a few more children!"

One day, she will leave this home. How heartbroken the couple will be then!

A hint of regret flashed in He Nian's eyes: "I damaged my body when I gave birth to you, and I can't get pregnant again."

Qiao Runming grasped He Nian's other hand: "Nian Nian, don't think about it anymore. We have Manman, that's enough!"

Qiao Manman said, "Mom, as long as you want to have a child, I have a way. I can even find a way to cure Dad's leg, so your little ailment will be a piece of cake!"

After saying that, he asked the system in his mind, "Right, System!"

The system nodded hurriedly: "Don't worry, host. No matter if your mother is congenitally infertile or injured later, as long as the parts are still there, the Fertility Pill can repair it and help the patient conceive healthy twins."

Qiao Manman asked in confusion, "Can't you have a single child? Twins have a lot of risks!"

The system chuckled: "No, host. After taking the Fertility Pill, childbirth will be smoother for the mother. It can effectively reduce childbirth pain and lower the risk of dystocia."

Qiao Manman breathed a sigh of relief: "Mom, I understand. You and Dad love me very much, but our family is small, and we always struggle to make ends meet."

He Nian was somewhat tempted, but still didn't give in: "Manman, let your mother think about it!"

Qiao Runming also said, "Having a child is not like raising a dog. Going to school, seeing a doctor, getting married—which of these doesn't require money? Dad knows you've become smarter and more capable, but we as parents can't just keep feeding you and your son-in-law."

"I'll think about having children once my leg is healed and I have a stable income!"

Qiao Manman nodded, feeling both gratified and somewhat regretful.

Sigh, if He Nian agrees to take the fertility pills, with a bit of luck, she might be able to take two more doses of the Black Jade Bone-Mending Ointment before it runs out.

But now, all we can do is pray to God that she can find a way to increase her merits before the ointment runs out.

After lunch, He Nian went outside to clean up the dishes, while Qiao Manman went out to buy tables and cabinets.

There are carpenters in the village, and most of the furniture that everyone buys is from them.

Some of the older women were skilled with their hands and would secretly make mats to exchange with the educated youth. Qiao Manman had seen this in a book and still remembered it.

With that in mind, they went to the homes of carpenter Tan and Aunt Li and bought a cabinet, a dining table, a kangqin (a type of heated brick bed), a chopping board, four stools, and two mats.

With her savings dwindling, Qiao Manman sighed, "Now, I have no choice but to make money."

The system offered her a suggestion: "How about we go and make some windfall? They say a horse won't get fat without night grass!"

Qiao Manman paused for two seconds, then gritted her teeth and said, "You really are the one who pleases me!"

When Qiao Manman returned home, she found that many people had come over to help repair the house during their lunch break.

Touched, I rushed to prepare sweet soup for everyone.

By the end of May, the temperature had already risen, the sun was blazing, and many people were sweating profusely.

When he was parched, Qiao Manman handed him a cup of sugar water. After taking a sip, he felt a sweet sensation in his heart and realized that his help had not been in vain.

He Nian stood in the courtyard chatting with everyone, thanking them for coming to help.

Such a harmonious scene, yet there are always those who want to disrupt it.

Qiao Zhenzhen stayed in the city for two days before wandering back to the production brigade.

Hearing that the third wife had been kicked out of the house with nothing, he got so agitated that he came over to cause trouble, and even dragged Li Chuncao, who had just married Zhao Dahu and hadn't even finished her "honeymoon," into it.