Don’t underestimate Xiao Tanzhi, just a little monk, yet he does farm work properly and is particularly honest.

"Already pulling firewood home now?" Lian Manman asked Xiao Tanzhi.

"Yes," Xiao Tanzhi replied, "With the August Festival approaching, temple matters will surely increase, and I won’t have much time then. So I’m taking advantage of the free time now to help Third Uncle Lian haul a few carts of firewood home, so they can save some effort later."

"Did you finish the green silk roses we sent you last time?" Lian Manman asked with a smile.

Xiao Tanzhi scratched his bald head again. Over the past two years, Xiao Tanzhi had grown taller and stronger. Unlike others whose youthful frames were slim, you could already discern his future build—short in stature but broad-shouldered and strong, capable of hard work.

"We nearly finished them, they were pickled so deliciously." Xiao Tanzhi replied with a silly grin.

"No problem, I’ll have Xiao Qi send some more to you in a couple of days. With the August Festival, you can make some mooncakes yourself." Lian Manman said.

"That sounds great. My master will be delighted." Xiao Tanzhi accepted without hesitation, grinning again.

His genuine heart, free from worldly cunning, is one reason everybody likes Xiao Tanzhi.

"Alright, go ahead with your work." Lian Manman said. As Xiao Tanzhi pushed the cart a few steps away, Lian Manman suddenly remembered something and called him back, "By the way, is Yeye home or in the fields?"

"Still in the fields, along with Third Aunt. They’re digging peanuts and should return shortly." Xiao Tanzhi replied.

Indeed, before long, Lian Manman saw Lady Zhao and Lian Yeye walking back from the road, carrying baskets, and holding little hoes.

"Sister Manman, want some peanuts?" They greeted each other, and Lian Yeye offered the peanuts to Lian Manman.

"No, thanks," said Lian Manman, noticing the baskets were more than half-filled with peanuts, she asked, "Where did you gather so many?"

Most of the six acres Lian Shouli rented were planted with corn, with only the field’s edges planted with mixed crops, including soybeans, peanuts, sweet potatoes, etc., all at Lian Yeye’s request. Otherwise, Lian Shouli would have planted entirely corn.

The mixed crops were intended not for sale but for family consumption.

Lian Manman felt genuinely happy for Lian Yeye. In farming families, land is the most important asset, and its yield is crucial. What crops to plant are decided by the family head, and children have no say. Only in families where children are deeply cherished would they plant some snacks to satisfy the children’s cravings.

Lian Shouli’s approach signifies a kind of affection for Lian Yeye, highlighting her growing importance in his heart as he learns to dot on his daughter.

"From the Zhao Family Village fields..." Lian Yeye told Lian Manman while selecting large, plump peanuts for her.

Freshly dug, mature peanuts are especially fragrant.

Lian Manman found the generosity irresistible and ate a few.

"This year’s peanuts grew particularly well." Lady Zhao remarked with a smile nearby.

"They are delicious." Lian Manman said.

"Sister Manman, I’ll help you trim the Rhododendron later when I’m free," Lian Yeye offered.

"Okay." Lian Manman nodded with a smile.

Perhaps it’s because life has become better over the past two years; Lian Yeye’s personality has grown more lively. Even Lady Zhao appears more prosperous.

...

When the sun finally started becoming scorching, Lian Manman had picked several baskets full of Rhododendron flowers, taking Lian Yeye, Ji Xiang, Ru Yi, Shan Xi, and Lianghuan back home.

In the front yard, Xiao Qing was drying clothes belonging to Xiao Qi, Xiao Long, and Xiao Hu, as well as books from the study with two young girls assisting. Seeing Lian Manman approaching, Xiao Qing quickly stood up to greet her.

Seeing Xiao Qing’s orderly work and the young girls complying with her management, Lian Manman felt reassured and nodded before heading to the backyard.

Entering the backyard, she saw Lady Zhang with the girls Duofu and Duoshou also drying clothes outside.

"You’re back, I was just about to send someone to call you," Lady Zhang said to Lian Manman, fearing she might get sunburned if outside too long. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Fourth Aunt, my mother and I harvested peanuts today, these are for you and Fourth Uncle, have a taste," Lian Yeye hurried forward, offering a small basket of washed, fresh peanuts.

"Oh dear, you harvested those peanuts with great effort, keep them for yourselves. Why bother bringing us some?" Lady Zhang replied with a smile.

"Fourth Aunt, I know you’re not short on this, but yours are yours, this is a token of our thoughtfulness." Lian Yeye replied.

Lady Zhang smiled a couple of sentences and accepted the peanuts without excessive refusal.

Now, the Lian Yeye family’s status at Thirty Mile Camp is already at the forefront. However, compared to Lian Manman’s family, there’s an obvious disparity. Lian Manman’s family regularly looked after Lian Shouli’s business and sent many things to Lian Yeye’s family. When Lian Yeye’s family has something fresh, they would send some to Lian Manman’s family. Even though Lian Manman’s family does not lack these, as Lian Yeye said, it represents their heartfelt intention.

If Lian Manman’s family did not accept, next time when sending things to Lian Yeye’s family, they couldn’t comfortably accept them either.

Mutual exchange of gifts is a form of respect between both families.

Because of closeness, Lian Yeye is willing to accept help from Lian Manman’s family. Because of self-respect, she also wants to give back.

Mutual exchange and reciprocation ensure enduring relationships.

...

If you have any pink shoes, you can support now or wait until the end of the month when pink doubles and support then O(∩_∩)O (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)