Under the moonlight, Ye Zhinan peeked through the crack and saw that there were some dark spots on Qin Yihuai's handsome profile. Presumably, he had been smoked during the experiment.
She handed out a handkerchief embroidered with a wintersweet flower.
"Your needlework has improved."
Hearing his words, Ye Zhinan blushed. Fortunately, she was in the shadow. Otherwise, she really would have wanted to find a hole to hide in.
Qin Yihuai went to persuade the neighboring villages and achieved some results. Although the number of people was not large, they could barely start mining.
When Ye Zhinan was busy in the fields, she would look up at the mountain from time to time. There was not only the hot pot she was longing for but also mushrooms all over the mountain.
The mushrooms they had brought down from the mountain last time were almost eaten up.
Han Xiangmei spoke highly of those mushrooms. If she hadn't been busy repairing the damage caused by the earthquake to their home, she would probably have run up the mountain to pick them herself.
"Mother is getting more and more used to life here," Ye Yingfeng said with a touch of bitterness.
When would this kind of life end? When would their father's unjust case be cleared?
The only way he could relieve his stress now was to go drinking with Li Feilong. Those bitter and hard - to - swallow wines were his greatest consolation.
Seeing her brother drunk and dejected, Ye Zhinan couldn't help asking her father,
"What on earth happened? Father has always been cautious in words and deeds and strict with himself."
Ye Shenyan's face was solemn.
Men always hide their worries deep in their hearts and silently bear everything, thinking that was how they should shoulder their responsibilities.
Han Xiangmei, who had been silent by the side, broke the deadlock.
"Some things will clear themselves up. You'll know sooner or later. There's no need to rush."
"But..."
Just as Ye Zhinan was about to speak, there was a commotion outside the door. It turned out that Sister Zhang and several other village women were standing outside.
They hesitated at the door, and Ye Zhinan took the initiative to go up to them.
"Sister Zhang, do you have something to tell me?"
"Last time you gave me some seeds. My hens just laid some eggs. I thought I'd bring them to you," she said, handing over a bamboo basket full of eggs.
It was obvious that she had saved these eggs for quite some time. There must be more to it than meets the eye.
Ye Zhinan noticed the women standing behind Sister Zhang. They all looked unconfident and were hovering around.
Taking a closer look, she recognized some of them as the women who had ridiculed their family with Wei Shishi before. No wonder they were so embarrassed!
"Sister Zhang, just say what you want to say," Ye Zhinan said.
Sister Zhang hesitated for a long time. Then, gritting her teeth and stamping her foot, she began to speak.
"The strong wind a while ago destroyed their fields, so they've come with their tails between their legs to ask you for some seeds. They wouldn't have bothered you if they weren't really at the end of their ropes!"
It was indeed a hassle.
Ye Zhinan turned around and went back into the house.
Everyone thought she was still angry about what had happened before and didn't want to help them. Just when they were at a loss, Ye Zhinan came out carrying a basket.
"There are some seeds here. They're easy to grow and grow fast."
After everyone's surprise, she continued,
"I also have a fertilizer recipe. I'll only say it once, so listen carefully."
Hearing this, everyone immediately fell silent and listened attentively.
"You should ferment your leftover food at home to make fertilizer and put it into the fields. I guarantee your crops will grow fast and well."
After saying that, she turned around and went back into the house.
The group of people left behind whispered to each other. They didn't seem to believe this method.
But believe it or not!
Anyway, she had a clear conscience!
"I heard you've been a good Samaritan again?" Sister Hong handed a handkerchief to Ye Zhinan, who was busy in the fields.
Although the weather was cold, her head was covered in sweat.
"It's not really being a good Samaritan. I just did what I should do."
"But people's hearts are unpredictable. I heard the Wei family has also planted the new seeds," Sister Hong said.
Ye Zhinan was not surprised when she heard this. It seemed to be well within her expectations.
Money makes the mare go. Without money, you're at the mercy of fate. Such was human nature. One should just get used to it.
Sister Hong felt indignant for her. "What's the background of the Wei family? How much wealth do they really have? Even in this situation, they're still living quite comfortably."
"The Wei family is a big family. You can tell from the number of concubines. So you don't need to feel sorry for them about their money," Ye Zhinan said.
Sister Hong understood the hidden meaning and just smiled and didn't say any more.
Ye Zhinan handed her a bag of something. Sister Hong frowned when she took it.
"What's this? It smells so bad!"
"It's a good thing, fertilizer! I saved it for you on purpose."
"No, no. I grow ginseng at home. I appreciate your kindness, but I have to decline. Goodbye!"
Sister Hong turned around and fled frantically, leaving Chen Zhenhai, who was walking over, utterly confused.
"What's wrong with her? Is she not feeling well?"
"Since she doesn't want it, it's yours then," Ye Zhinan said, stuffing the fertilizer into his hands.
Chen Zhenhai thought it was some delicious food made by Aunt Han. He brought it to his nose to smell it. Unexpectedly, a foul smell wafted over, and he vomited everything in his stomach.
"You're so useless! You obviously don't work in the fields," Ye Zhinan said with a look of disdain.
"Who says I don't work in the fields? Ugh, I just got too close! Ugh!" Chen Zhenhai held the fertilizer high.
"I was told by the boss to come here. I didn't expect it was to pick up such a thing."
Qin Yihuai thought that if they wanted to increase the yield, they needed to improve the villagers' farming methods.
The effectiveness of Ye Zhinan's fertilizer was obvious to all, so he sent someone to test its effect.
"How much should I pay this time?" Ye Zhinan looked past Chen Zhenhai to the person behind him.
"Seven pig's trotters," Qin Yihuai said, handing over a package.
You've caused so much trouble for the pigs in these villages!
"If there were pigs at my home, I wouldn't have given it to you... the government... so cheaply," Ye Zhinan said, though she was reluctant, she still took it all.
"How's the canal - digging and mining going?"
Actually, she wanted to ask when they could start making the hot pot.
"Everything is going smoothly."
Qin Yihuai was methodical in his work. It seemed that it was time to start raising chickens.
"By the way, why does the fertilizer you gave off a bad smell?"
Thinking of Chen Zhenhai's reaction, Qin Yihuai was puzzled. He remembered that Ye Zhinan had said there was a secret recipe to get rid of the smell.
"I forgot all about it in the rush!" Ye Zhinan slapped her forehead. She had promised the secret recipe for the fertilizer to him before. She just wanted to play a joke. So she quickly wrote down a recipe and handed it over.
"It'll come in handy just in time for the spring."
Qin Yihuai took the recipe. A gust of wind blew, and a foul smell wafted from the Wei family's vegetable field.
The two of them quickly covered their noses and then bent over laughing.
Those who do evil will surely bring disaster upon themselves!
When there was no wind, it was okay. But as soon as the wind blew, a stench came from the Wei family's place. Even Wei Shishi, who cared most about his appearance, didn't go out of his house.
This made everyone much more peaceful.
Ye Zhinan was in a great mood. What made her even happier was that she soon received the mined copper ore and a piece of refined copper.
She held it in her hand and looked at it from all angles, as if what she was holding was not a stone but a hot pot.
So she closed the door of her room. Taking advantage of her family's inattention, she sneaked into the space and began to study how to make a hot pot.
She stayed in there for a whole night. Han Xiangmei called her for meals, but she refused.
The charm of the hot pot was truly irresistible!
After a day and a night of research, Ye Zhinan finally opened the door, holding a round pot with a chimney - like thing in the middle.
"The hot pot is done!"