Chapter 278: Industry

“That’s right!” Lian Fang Zhou was very calm and said naturally: “We have separated, wouldn’t we be ashamed not to prepare some too?”

“That is so troublesome! Fang Zhou had always done everything very well, why do you talk so much!” Lian Li scolded Madam Qiao: I really can’t let this go! Just shut up if you can’t speak but you’re always looking to talk! Do you really still think these siblings will let you beat and scold them like before?

Lian Fang Zhou smiled and said no more.

When they returned to the fork in the village, Lian Fang Zhou smiled and said: “Uncle, Aunt, please come over for dinner tonight!”

This was also a local custom. When people went to perform the tomb-sweeping together, they would always have a meal afterwards.

“No need!” Madam Qiao snorted coldly. She couldn’t help but get angry when she saw these children who had no elders in their eyes. Could they eat at a table with them? She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to digest anything after eating!

“That’s okay!” Lian Fang Zhou smiled: “Then we will make dinner and bring you some!”

Madam Qiao snorted again.

Lian Li smiled and said, “Alright, that is good. Fang Zhou is very thoughtful!”

Lian Fang Zhou smiled at him and both sides went separately.

Madam Qiao said angrily: “Are you letting those unruly brats get to your head? Hmmph, it’s a good idea! Bringing up food, I don’t know what mess they’ll bring! Something is up, she had such a good reputation!”

“Can you stop?” Lian Li glanced at her and walked away.

She followed him, cursing behind his back.

~

In a blink of an eye, the Tomb-sweeping festival passed and it was  time to plant seedlings and farm. Now that the family was well staffed, it was easy to plant the 60 or so acres of paddy fields and Lian Fang Zhou did not need to worry about it at all.

The cotton seedlings in the nursery field were now two or three inches tall. They had grown extremely well under the care of Lian Fang Zhou and seemed to be very healthy and green. In another two weeks, they could start transplanting.

Lian Fang Zhou thought that the land would need cleaning up before transplanting but there was no need to worry much. As they transplanted, it was easy to tidy up as they went, easily removing the weeds that had just emerged.

The newly reclaimed wastelands, especially the areas burnt by fire, were relatively fertile and it was easy for weeds to grow. It would be another three or four years before the land became mature, there was no way around this.

Xiaohuaguo mountain was full of greenery and the fruit trees were growing exceptionally well. The large area near the top of the mountain where the grafted trees were was also growing quickly. The branches were covered with fruit, little bean-like dates, a little bigger than a thumb. The persimmons, peaches, and pomegranates were now the size of eggs and the plums, apricots, and bayberries were almost ripe. It was very pleasant to see them.

The first batch of seven hundred chicks had grown a lot and were now almost as big as a small fist. They had already left the chick room and were running around the orchard. Only Lian Fang Qing, Madam Li, and her daughter came now. When they fed them, they would knock a piece of iron hanging on the corner of the coop porch. As soon as they heard the sound, the chicks would come running, flapping their wings and chirping excitedly as they ran from all directions. Luckily there was barbed wire fence on all four sides and was very safe.

Under Lian Fang Zhou’s guidance, their bodies were very solid and there were already differences between the roosters and hens. The crowns of the young roosters were high and red while the wings of the hens had already sprouted adult feathers.

After looking around at everything, Lian Fang Zhou was quite satisfied. When Su Zi Ji wrote to say that everything was going well, her heart became even more at ease.

It was finally time to plan a visit to the Su house in Shuangliu county.

Since that matter was her idea, naturally she wanted to participate.

Before going to the Su house, the siblings and Ah Jian went to Xianteng mountain again.

Lian Fang Qing called the little wolf like a big dog to follow and they also brought Zhang Xiu’er and Zhang Liang to come. Even Sun Zhang Xing wanted to join in the fun.

Lian Fang Zhou thought for a while and invited the Sun family.

She didn’t call for Aunt Zhang’s family, as this was a busy farming period, but she did invite Madam Zhao and Li Juan.

The large group of people set up just as the first lights of dawn revealed the white belly of the east.

Lian Fang Zhou’s idea was very simple. At this time, the mushrooms must have grown a lot. She wanted to pick some to bring to the Su family tomorrow. If they could hunt a few good things, they could also bring those along. With two jars of honey from their bees, it was enough.

Though the group talked and laughed as they walked, they moved without delay. On the contrary, they seemed to move even faster than usual.

The scenery of Xianteng Mountain in mid spring was different than other seasons. The green hills were majestic and the trees were a luxuriant green that could be seen at a glance. Many unknown birds flew by happily and in the trees were clusters of bright birds and various flowers in full bloom.

Such a mountain cleared the eyes and was refreshing just looking at it.

“It turns out that this is Xianteng mountain! So high and wide!” Madam Sun couldn’t help but sigh while raising her eyes.

Speaking of it, Madam Sun relied on her husband to hunt in Xianteng mountain. She had long become tired of hearing the name but this was the first time she had come to see it.

Because of her family’s relationship with the mountain, she looked at it with a different mood than the others.

Ah Jian walked towards Lian Fang Zhou and said: “Let’s do this. Big brother Sun and I will walk to the mountains to see what we can hunt. Let Ah Ze follow you. If anything happens, I can take care of it.”

As he said this, he lowered his voice and said: “In this season, all kinds of vines and weeds make it difficult to travel and can ensnare you. There are also many insects and snakes. Don’t go into the dark forest, pick familiar areas that are sunny. Just go to a few places and be careful! Don’t panic if you encounter anything, Ah Ze’s martial skills are very good and he will definitely be able to protect you. Madam Sun and Madam Li are also people who are clever when there is trouble. As long as you give instructions, they won’t hesitate to listen to you, they will take care of everyone without worry!”

Lian Fang Zhou’s heart was warm. She nodded and chuckled: “Don’t worry, I understand! You guys don’t go too far, let’s meet her again at noon!”

Ah Jian nodded: “I understand!”

Lian Fang Zhou laughed. His skill was so great, why did she need to remind him?

The more they got along, the more Lian Fang Zhou felt that he had too many things that she didn’t know and the more that she felt he was bottomless. It seemed that he could do any difficult thing with ease.

The sun was shining and the mountain breeze blew by, white petals blowing from somewhere gently stuck to Ah Jian’s hair. Seeing this, Lian Fang Zhou said in a low voice: “Don’t move.” She slightly raised her head to look at him and gently brushed them down.

“Sister! Sister! Let’s go quickly, Xiao Hui is so excited I can hardly watch him!” Lian Fang Qing shouted, suddenly running over.

Taken aback, Lian Fang Zhou hurriedly withdrew her hand as if she had been stung and took a step back. Ah Jian was also startled but stood still.