Chapter 45. Outbreak

Chapter 45: 45. OutbreakBut no one was worried, the little fourth brother is no match for the big sister in cunning, that girl is also very shrewd. There wasn’t much happening next, Brother Hua and Second Brother Hua returned to their rooms to continue their unfinished homework, and took with them the little fourth brother who was trying to curry favor with the big sister, to continue yesterday’s unfinished punishment, and then the courtyard was filled with little fourth’s cries of despair. Hua Jin also went back to her room, and the first thing she did was to put the ten copper coins back into the space; nothing was more reassuring than keeping them in the space. Mrs. Qi and her mother-in-law were busy rendering lard from the fat, which yielded half a jar of oil and a big bowl of pork scraps, seasoned with some salt and stored in the cupboard for future consumption. Then they packed the remaining meat and bones and hung them in the well in the backyard. Since the well’s temperature was already low, and with the weather turning colder by the day, even if not cured, they wouldn’t spoil in the well for seven or eight days. As for the fish, they were placed into the water tank in the courtyard as soon as they came back; if they revived, they’d be better off alive, otherwise, they’d be cured. Hua Jin wasn’t in the space for long before coming out. She was about to help her mom and grandmother in the kitchen when she was given a few pieces of the freshly rendered pork scraps and promptly shooed out of the kitchen. Looking at the coarse salt her mother sprinkled on the pork scraps, Hua Jin’s eyes deepened somewhat. Long term consumption of this unrefined salt would definitely have adverse effects on the body. No wonder people’s lifespans weren’t generally long in ancient times; perhaps the salt was one of the reasons. How could she persuade her mother and grandmother to address the salt issue, or should she just act first and report later. Even though the pork scraps in her mouth were delicious, the preoccupied Hua Jin couldn’t taste the flavor. Chewing, she went back to her room, her mind filled with thoughts of filtering the salt. She really knew a bit about filtering from books and videos, although she’d never actually tried it herself, which made her hesitant, fearing she’d waste the household salt. Perhaps next time she sold flowers, she’d secretly use her share of the money to buy a few more pounds and try filtering them successfully at home before telling her parents. The more she thought about it, the more the latter idea seemed feasible, so she decided not to fret over the newly purchased pound of salt in the kitchen and spared her mother and grandmother the distress. Before sleeping, she drank a bowl of red sugar mother love jujube water egg tea that her mom brought over for blood nourishment. Since the last injury had scared the family badly with such blood loss, according to her grandmother, she had to drink enough of this tea for three months. Red sugar was expensive, but for her health, the family was willing to spend on anything. These bowls of red sugar jujube tea were filled with the family’s love for her, so even though her nose and eyes were runny, she obediently drank every time. "Thank you, Mom," she hugged her mom’s waist and nestled right into Mrs. Qi’s arms. "Okay, how old are you to still act spoiled, aren’t you ashamed?" Mrs. Qi hugged her daughter, pinching her on the cheek lightly, her smile gentle and doting, clearly enjoying her daughter’s dependence on her. "No way, I’ll always be your child," Hua Jin pouted childishly, and her chubby face looked even more adorable. "You," Mrs. Qi lightly tapped her daughter, unable to resist her spoiled child. "Stop being spoiled, go wash up, and hurry to sleep." "Mm, mm." "Mom, you should also go rest, you’ve been tired all day," the considerate little cotton-padded jacket urged, making Mrs. Qi realize she was holding the bowl and laughing wryly, she quickly returned to the kitchen. The day passed just like that. Early the next morning, upon waking up, Hua Jin heard her grandmother conversing with the neighbors outside the front gate. "Mrs. Cheng Tian, you bought quite a bit of meat yesterday, the aroma even made my little grandson cry with craving." Her tone was full of envy. "Not really, just bought some fat to render oil from, who dares to buy meat!" Hua Jin could imagine the expression of pain on her grandma’s face as she said the words. "True enough..." "Mrs. Sun, I heard your eldest granddaughter is promised to a good family..." Noticing her grandmother’s obvious change of topic, Hua Jin went to the backyard to wash up and exercise a bit, since she had regained her ability, her previously learned Sandboxing Combat Skills needed to be picked up again. In this ancient age where women’s status was generally low, everything was illusory except strength, which was her own. Being able to protect herself was the most important thing. After breakfast, Hua Jin stayed in her elder brother’s room to start drawing design patterns, spending half a day finishing dozens of design sketches along with a dozen clothing patterns. The only downside was that the colors remained monotonous, looked like she needed a trip to the bookshop next. To see if there were any painting pigments. After the afternoon nap, Hua Jin helped with chores with her grandmother and mother as usual. Life was monotonous, but with the addition of so many family members, it was also pleasant. Except for the occasional annoying troublemaker. Who knows what Hua Xiaocao was thinking, after disappearing for a few days, she actually dared to show up before her again. Honestly, Hua Jin was taken aback when she saw Hua Xiaocao again. She was already very thin before, but this time she was so emaciated she was out of shape, with obvious scars on her face, what was truly old wounds falling upon fresh wounds, her days hadn’t been good. It’d be strange if they were good, even though Hua Jin didn’t linger in the village much, she had a younger brother who was always out and about. The little fellow might be young, but he definitely didn’t miss any stirrings in the village, and would babble incessantly upon his return. The incident on the mountain that day, coupled with grandmother and mother’s follow-up at Hua Xiaocao’s house, led to the whole of Hua Village knowing about it before the next day. Having offended the village chief’s family, Hua Xiaocao’s household must have directed their anger towards the real culprit. Looking at the person in front of her, Hua Jin’s expression was somewhat unpleasant. What bad luck, she had finally gotten her grandmother and mother to agree to let her go out by herself, only to be blocked by the sullen-faced Hua Xiaocao in the woods behind their house, having barely walked a few steps. Upset by the ruined mood, Hua Jin’s face also darkened, she coldly stared at Hua Xiaocao, wanting to see what exactly she wants? Instead of hiding from her, she’s still eager to come forward, does she really think her nature is so good that she won’t do anything to her? S~eaʀᴄh the nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What’s the matter?" Hua Jin coldly looked at Hua Xiaocao. After a while, Hua Xiaocao just faced her with her slightly raised gloomy face and venomous eyes, remaining silent. "Hmph," Hua Jin sneered, her cold gaze turned into one of contempt as she looked at Hua Xiaocao, "Haven’t you heard, a good dog doesn’t block the way? While I’m not in a completely foul mood, move away, or else... hmph hmph..." Hua Jin sneered again. Perhaps the sneer angered her, as Hua Xiaocao clenched her fists, her body trembling with either excitement or another unknown reason, her eyes full of venom fixed on Hua Jin. "Or else... what?" Her voice was hoarse and parched, as if she hadn’t drunk water in a long time, her always lowered head lifted, even her spine straightened, her face twisted as her eyes filled with more venom, Hua Jin saw something akin to madness brewing, making her more alert, stepping back to watch Hua Xiaocao. Hua Xiaocao was acting strangely, could she have gone mad! Her face twisted through various expressions, finally erupting. Hua Xiaocao shouted to Hua Jin, "Hua Jin, or else... what? You... have everything, you have those who love you... grandparents, parents, and... your brothers who protect you, and me... what do I have? I just made a small mistake in a moment of folly... why don’t you let me go, why?"