After several autumn rains, the chill in the air gradually deepened.

The busy autumn harvest has long since ended, and the wheat seeds have been safely planted in the soil.

The family finally had some rare moments of peace, but a strange atmosphere lingered, clinging to the rafters.

The two brothers, Uncle Su and Uncle Su Er, are busy drying and turning the rice every day. After a while, they have become quite skilled at these tasks.

Grandpa Su sat in front of the main room all day, puffing on his pipe, his gaze deep, seemingly lost in thought, yet he never uttered a word.

Only Old Mrs. Su remained calm and shrewish, showing no kindness to her three daughters-in-law and nagging incessantly at the slightest provocation.

However, amidst this delicate family atmosphere, Su Li was preoccupied with new plans. She took the blueprints to Su Xiangyang and shared her thoughts without reservation.

“Brother, we have nothing to do today. Why don’t you and your wife come with me to the mountains to cut some wood? I want to make a small cart and set up a stall at the dock to do some small business and earn some money to supplement our family’s income. We can’t just stay at home idle all the time.”

Su Xiangyang was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but look up at his younger sister.

She smiled with narrowed eyes, looking very confident, clearly having already made up her mind.

Go to the docks to set up a stall and do business?

He did plan to take advantage of the off-season to go to the dock and ask if they needed any helpers, but he didn't expect that his younger sister would have the same idea.

After a moment's thought, Su Xiangyang nodded and replied, "Okay, I'll go get the wood-chopping knife. You wait here for a while."

However, Mrs. He, standing to the side, looked worried and felt uneasy.

Watching her man's departing figure, she frowned, took a few steps forward, took Su Li's hand, and softly advised:

"Little sister, the docks in town are bustling with all sorts of people, it's a complicated place. What if something happens to a young woman like you? If you ask me, it's better to be safe than sorry. Why don't you think about this again?"

Just as Su Li was about to speak, Su Xiangyang walked up from behind, put his arm around He Shi's shoulder, and said with a smile:

"Yan Hong, don't worry. With me by your side, I'll make sure she doesn't suffer any injustice. I was just about to discuss this with you. I'm planning to work at the docks these next few days. It's finally the off-season for farming, and there are plenty of people and opportunities at the docks. Earning more money will help us have a good New Year."

Su Li bowed slightly, took He Shi's hand, and looked serene:

"Yes, sister-in-law, there are supervisors at the dock who patrol all day long, so nothing will happen. Besides, although I am a young woman, I know how to be cautious and would never cause trouble, so please don't worry."

"Alright, I got it. You two siblings are both so opinionated, no one can argue with you..."

Ms. He's cheeks flushed slightly. She subtly twisted her body away from the arm draped over her shoulder, took a deep breath, as if she had made a decision:

“In that case, I’ll go too. I can help my little sister out and give her some peace of mind.”

"Let's go, didn't we say we were going into the mountains to cut down trees?"

Su Li and her elder brother exchanged a glance, their smiles deepening.

"Sister-in-law, I knew you were the best!"

The three of them decided not to tell their families yet, so as not to cause any unforeseen complications.

But when the group reached the foot of the mountain and were about to head towards the path leading into the mountain, they found that a large crowd had gathered at the once quiet entrance to the forest, and there were even officials standing to the side with stern expressions.

Su Li paused, observing carefully that the people in front of her seemed to be holding some kind of document.

Her hands unconsciously clenched into fists. If she remembered correctly, the coal she needed was hidden in these mountains.

Could this be another act of "Heaven's Way," attempting to block all my paths to survival?

Just then, a villager nearby suddenly muttered to himself:

"The Pei family at the village entrance bought this mountain. We can't just go in there anymore. Wow, they're really rich and powerful! They're usually so low-key, but they suddenly make such a big move..."

It was bought by the Pei family?

Su Li was startled and looked up, her eyes meeting Pei Xiao's. He was dressed in a plain robe, with a tall and straight posture, and his handsome face showed a hint of immaturity.

Su Li clicked her tongue in amazement. Last time, she was going to remind Pei Xiao that if he had the ability, he should buy this mountain as soon as possible to prevent others from discovering the coal and rocks.

Before she could even speak, Pei Xiao had already taken care of everything, even issuing official documents, demonstrating his swift and decisive actions!

Pei Xiao glanced at Su Li indifferently, then his gaze slid over her brother and sister-in-law behind her. His expression was calm, and he seemed not to be surprised at all by Su Li's appearance.

After a brief pause, he extended his right hand, slightly bent his index finger, and lightly tapped the forest beside him, then cleared his throat and said:

"From now on, you can go into the mountains to chop firewood or do anything else... It's all up to you. I've already spoken to Uncle Fu."

After saying that, he turned around and whispered something to the people behind him, ignoring Su Li and the other two.

Su Xiangyang and He Shi looked at each other, full of doubt. When did their little sister get involved with the Pei family at the village entrance?

Besides, that Pei family brat even said they could freely go into the mountains to chop firewood from now on. But his family has already bought the entire mountain, so why is the Su family being given special treatment...?

"Let's go, brother, let's go into the mountains to collect wood."

Su Xiangyang's doubts were interrupted by Su Li's voice. He glanced at his younger sister's face and saw that she was calm. He stopped thinking about it and followed her into the mountains.

After circling around a couple of times, they quickly found suitable timber.

Su Xiangyang swiftly felled the tree, and He Shi gathered the pruned branches together and dragged them back to the Su family courtyard.

Freshly felled timber needs to be dried in the sun for several days before it can be used to make various tools.

At night, Su Xiangyang carefully studied the drawings Su Li had made by candlelight, while Madam He sat beside him mending clothes, still feeling lingering fear as she recalled the scene from earlier that day.

She leaned close to her husband and whispered, "The Pei family doesn't usually interact much with the villagers. Why is this Pei boy being so polite to our little sister? Could he have ulterior motives? I feel like something's fishy..."

Su Xiangyang put down the blueprints in his hand, his eyes gentle: "Don't overthink it. Since we're here, let's make the best of it. Let's chop some wood and go back first. Besides, my little sister hasn't said anything, so there shouldn't be any problems. Don't you trust her to do things?"

After several days of fine weather, the Su family saw Su Li and her brother intently chiseling wood in the yard, seemingly making a cart. Naturally, they discussed it amongst themselves and reacted in various ways.

Su Zhen leaned against the door frame, a disdainful sneer on her lips.

She and Ma had just returned from town. They had already found a house they liked and paid a deposit. They would be able to move in soon.

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