Chapter 142 - 142 Disappointed in Elder Brother
142 Disappointed in Elder Brother
“I was just scaring her. Poison is very expensive. I don’t want to waste my money on that,” said Zhao Chuchu. She then went to Old Mrs. Chen’s ear and whispered, “Shh, this is a secret. Don’t tell anyone.”
Old Mrs. Chen also subconsciously lowered her voice and asked, “Why did I hear that the medicine you gave Madam Zhu would make her feel like ants bit her at midnight?”
Zhao Chuchu blinked and answered, “When the time comes, I will tell you.”
Madam Zhu had done something to feel guilty. Her guilt weighed on her conscience. When Zhao Chuchu gave her a scare like this, it would undoubtedly cause psychological effects.
After being fed something unfamiliar, Madam Zhu subconsciously assumed what Zhao Chuchu said to be true and felt as though she was being bitten all over her body by ants.
Using poison on Madam Zhu?
It would cost money to concoct poison.
Was Madam Zhu worthy of such wastage?
Zhao Chuchu harvested a bunch of Chinese chives from Old Mrs. Chen’s place. The latter helped her choose and clean the Chinese chives.
“Chuchu, if you ever need vegetables in the future, just come and take whatever you need from the garden. After all, we can’t finish eating so many varieties on our own. The three of you won’t eat that much anyways.”
“Then, don’t mind if I do, Grandma Chen.”
“There is no need to be polite. You have given us plenty of good stuff. By the way, did you teach the Guitang family to make this tofu?”
“Yes. We will see how well this tofu will sell. Then, I will teach you another good thing that can be made from soybeans.”
Tofu skins were a traditional soybean product in her past life. It could be eaten in many ways and was a popular ingredient in steamboats and hotpots.
Compared to making tofu, it was easier to make tofu skins.
“Teach us?”
“Yes.”
“Chuchu, why are you teaching all these methods to outsiders? Other people would kill to keep these methods secret.”
“I can’t do all of these things alone. All of you took care of me before. Now that I have come up with these ideas, I need to repay the favor.”
After all, these things did not require much technical skill. It could be considered a good thing if they could rely on these businesses to earn some money.
“Seriously, child. You are…”
“I draw a clear line between love and hate. Whoever treats me well, I will treat them well. Someone who has bullied me before will never gain benefits from me.”
Old Mrs. Chen paused for a moment and whispered, “Is the Zhao clan pressuring you?”
Zhao Chuchu raised her eyebrows and replied, “Grandma Chen, haven’t you seen my conviction? Do you think that the Zhao clan can pressure me?”
Old Mrs. Chen could not help but laugh. She then said, “That is true. Now, whenever they see you, they will run and hide. Alright, you had better get back home. I will be in the garden clearing the weeds.”
“Okay, don’t work too late. Go back early,” said Zhao Chuchu. She then took the Chinese chives and returned home.
When it was time to cook, Xie Heng emerged from his room.
He first deep-fried the glutinous rice and stir-fried the Chinese chives. He then poured them into the tofu puffs and placed them into a pot to steam. He then made a plate of sauce. When the stuffed tofu was ready, they could have their meal.
The one who felt the most blessed was Xie Jun.
After Sis knew how to speak and Bro’s eyes recovered, their life at home got better and better. He had the opportunity to eat good food every day.
More than anyone else, he wished that Xie Heng and Zhao Chuchu would live together to a ripe old age.
Hence, the fact that the two slept separately worried him greatly.
This would not do. After he finished eating, Xie Jun began to scheme.
He carried a bowl of medicine and entered Zhao Chuchu’s room. He then “accidentally” tripped and spilled the entire bowl onto her bed.
Xie Jun came before Zhao Chuchu and Xie Heng with his head lowered. With a guilty look, he confessed, “Sis, I accidentally spilled my medicine on your bed. I am sorry. I didn’t mean to do so.”
Zhao Chuchu saw through Xie Jun’s crude scheme immediately. She did not know how to respond.
Xie Heng was speechless too.
He cast a sideways glance at Zhao Chuchu silently.
Zhao Chuchu held back her laughter and said, “No worries. I still have a quilt. I can wash the medicine out of the sheets tomorrow.”
Xie Jun was stunned.
Since when did their house have extra quilts?
Didn’t each room only have one bed?
Had he wasted a bowl of medicine?
Xie Jun was not willing to give up. He looked at Zhao Chuchu and stuttered, “Sis, why don’t you sleep in Bro’s room?”
The tips of Xie Heng’s ears instantly turned red. He silently clenched his fists in his sleeves. He then said, “Junjun, do not interfere with adult matters.”
Xie Jun pouted and said, “Bro, you are only five years older than I am.”
Zhao Chuchu was calm and collected. She instantly activated her bluff technique and said, “Your Bro’s eyes have just recovered. He still needs rest. I should not disturb him. Otherwise, I will hinder his eyes from recovering.”
“You can’t disturb his eyes from being in the same room,” retorted Xie Jun softly.
“Eyes are linked to the brain. If one’s brain is not well, how can their eyes be well? I am a doctor. I know better than you.”
“Is that so?”
Xie Jun looked at his brother in disappointment.
Xie Heng pretended that he had not noticed.
Zhao Chuchu took down the wet bedding and laid out new ones.
Xie Jun was even more disappointed.
He looked at his brother again.
Xie Heng silently took the soiled quilt out of Zhao Chuchu’s room.
Xie Jun felt that his goal of becoming an uncle seemed to be getting further and further away from him.
…
The next day, Zhao Chuchu got up before the sun had even risen.
To her surprise, Xie Heng was up even earlier than her!
“Why don’t you sleep in a little longer?” asked Zhao Chuchu in a whisper. “Yesterday, the tofu that Meilan and the others made, later on, was acceptable. You do not need to go over to take a look. Your studies are more important.”
“It won’t be a problem. An hour or two won’t make a difference.”
He knew his books like the back of his hand. He had just been pretending to study in his room for others to see.
Zhao Meilan told Zhao Chuchu to have breakfast at her place today. So, after Zhao Chuchu got ready, she went to their place with Xie Heng.
Zhao Guitang’s family of three was already up and had even finished preparing two trays of tofu!
“Don’t all of you need to sleep?” asked Zhao Chuchu when she entered the house. “It is still so early, and all of you are already up?”
Zhao Guitang, who was taking care of the fire, scratched his head and said, “Since I was thinking and could not sleep, I got up and started preparing.”
Zhao Chuchu said, “We won’t need that much today. This amount will suffice.”
“Huh. Are we not setting up shop in the village?”
“Didn’t Meilan inform you? We are heading into town today first.”
“She mentioned. She and her mother thought that since today was also market day, they wanted to make some tofu to bring to the market to sell.”
When Zhao Chuchu heard this, she did not say anymore.
Having motivation was a good thing. She could not bring herself to dampen their enthusiasm.
Their breakfast was bean dregs porridge and stir-fried sour cowpeas. After eating, Xie Heng saw that the ready-made tofu was very tender, so he helped to fry it.
By the time they finished doing all this, it was already morning.
Madam He brought the tofu personally to Niu Tongsheng’s house. They were borrowing his cart to get their produce into town.
Xie Heng did not accompany Zhao Chuchu into town.
This was Zhao Meilan’s first time going into town. She was very nervous.
Niu An was the driver again. Niu An and Zhao Chuchu were now familiar with each other and spent the journey chatting.
When they reached the town, it was almost noon.
Zhao Chuchu immediately went to Visitor’s Aroma.
The bartender had a good eye. Once he saw Zhao Chuchu arrive, he immediately called Manager Lin over.
“Mrs. Xie, have you brought us something good again today?” Before Manager Lin had even appeared, his voice could already be heard. “Have you hunted another tiger?”
“I have been busy with spring planting recently. Where can I find the time to hunt tigers in the mountains? However, I have even indeed brought something good for Manager Lin today. Are you interested?” As Zhao Chuchu said this, she removed the cloth that covered the basket. A fragrance swept over them.