Chapter 128 - 128: Who Took My Sheep Milk
As a village girl accustomed to tough manual labor, Qiao Xiaomai had inherited Zhuang Luhe’s good looks and fair complexion. But when it came to the delicacy of her skin, it was far from the smoothness of a peeled egg.
Even her palms were covered with light calluses.
Plus, due to chronic malnutrition, despite being nearly fifteen, she was short and her development lagged behind. Without any feminine curves, she was flat as a board, and even her female cycle had yet to commence.
So, when she now suddenly saw this small pot of sheep’s milk, her innate love for beauty was instantly stirred.
With no worries about food and clothing, she could now consider other things!
Thinking this, Qiao Xiaomai put the pot of sheep’s milk on the stove, planning to drink it later tonight.
The rice in the pot was already steamed and ready to eat.
The fragrant, fluffy white rice, full and tender, tempted Qiao Changshun and Qiao Dami—who had just had lunch—to eat another half bowl each. They devoured the plain white rice without any side dishes, simply relishing it.
After tasting a bite, Qiao Xiaomai planned to make fried rice.
Unable to help but burp, Qiao Changshun said, “Make it in the evening; I really can’t eat any more now.”
At his side, Qiao Dami nodded enthusiastically.
Although he really wanted to eat the fried rice, there was simply no room in his little stomach at this point.
Qiao Xiaomai thought for a moment, then nodded, “Alright.”
Thus, the three family members left the kitchen, each busy with their own tasks. Qiao Changshun continued making the tools needed for growing raw bean sprouts, while Qiao Dami and Qiao Xiaomai headed out to collect firewood and cut green grass.
Farmers, they were always busy with chores.
Tong’s House.
At dusk, the few who had gone to work in the fields returned home.
Having toiled in the fields all day, Zhu Hongyun and Tong Erhu were smudged with dirt, both looking rather ill.
Ever since their previous argument, except for the three rainy days, Tong Tiehu had indeed forced them to work in the fields every day.
Since marrying into the Tong family, Zhu Hongyun had never tilled the fields. And, this was the first time Tong Erhu was working so diligently. After a few days, the couple was so exhausted they could barely straighten their backs.
With a quick rinse of her hands, Zhu Hongyun stepped into the kitchen.
Her throat was a bit parched. There was leftover sheep’s milk from lunch, and she wanted a sip to moisten her throat.
However, the pot of sheep’s milk that had been left on the stove was gone. Standing at the kitchen entrance, she asked Tong Sanlang, who was coming out of the room, “Sanlang, did you drink the leftover sheep’s milk from lunch?” “Dami came by to deliver the bean sprouts, so I gave her the pot of sheep’s milk as a token of appreciation. I also gave her some pork,” replied Tong Sanlang.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Hongyun’s already gloomy face turned even darker.
Influenced by Zhu Cuiying, she had always disliked Qiao Xiaomai’s family.
The root of their last argument had been Qiao Xiaomai, and they were being punished with fieldwork because of her as well.
Now, Qiao Xiaomai had taken her sheep’s milk!
A fury ignited within her, bursting forth, Zhu Hongyun couldn’t help but blurt out, “You know how precious this sheep’s milk is. She casually brings something over and you give her both pork and sheep’s milk in return. Are you really interested in her?”
“We can milk the sheep every day. Dami taking the trouble to bring the bean sprouts, our family should give something in return. For Grandfather’s sixtieth birthday, we’ll be inviting her to prepare the banquet, giving a bit of sheep’s milk and pork doesn’t count for much to us.”
Tong Sanlang’s handsome face didn’t show any anger; he calmly explained.
While he was not angry, Tong Tiehu was, his originally mild expression instantly turning severe. He reprimanded, “Are you that desperate for your sheep’s milk? If you’re thirsty, tell Erhu to go milk it.”
“Stop spewing nonsense.. One month from now, you will also participate in the wheat harvest, and I don’t want to see you slacking off for even a single day!”