Chapter 142: Massive Purchasing of Soybeans

Seeing that Gu Xiaoyao had agreed, Lady Li and Gu Xiaoshu could only close their mouths and say no more.

However, before going to bed, Lady Li pulled Gu Xiaoyao into her own room and whispered about Chu Chengjin.

"Xiaoyao, Chengjin seems like a very good boy. He is handsome and well-read. You must seize this opportunity and hold on tight!"

Hearing Lady Li's words, Gu Xiaoyao's mind drifted to all sorts of chaotic thoughts. How was she supposed to seize it? Did her mother expect her to force him into submission?

"I know, Mother. I have everything regarding him under control in my heart, so you don't need to worry so much. We have to wake up early tomorrow, let's sleep!"

After seeing Lady Li fall asleep, Gu Xiaoyao returned to her own room. She fetched some hot water to wash up, then took off her shoes and got onto the kang.

Chu Chengjin, who was already lying down, watched as she came over and turned to gaze at her profile.

"Wife, the night is long..."

Before Chu Chengjin could finish his sentence, Gu Xiaoyao reached out and pulled him straight into her embrace.

"I know you can't sleep, but we need to wake up early tomorrow, so let's get some rest early! If I keep you tossing and turning until you can't sleep, your face will be pale tomorrow."

Chu Chengjin, held tightly in her arms, froze for a moment. Catching the faint scent of grass and trees radiating from her, he chuckled softly and gently patted her shoulder.

Early the next morning, Lady Liu dressed and got up quite early. Having promised yesterday that there would be wages for making money, she had pondered it all night and decided this was a venture worth pursuing.

Lady Liu had long since given up on the idea of making this new daughter-in-law obey her, knowing she simply lacked the capability. Besides, her eldest son had never been close to her; when he returned home, he would barely offer a nod and exchange a few brief words, so she harbored no expectations that he would ever take her side.

"Get up! Why are the two of you still lingering in the bedding? Hurry up and get out here, there is work to be done!"

Lady Liu abruptly yanked the quilts off the two Chu brothers, leaving them shivering from the cold and wishing they could burrow into the farthest corners of the kang.

"Mother, what madness are you up to? It's the crack of dawn, nobody else is even awake yet!"

The two brothers rolled their fish-like dead eyes at Lady Liu, wondering if she had lost her mind to be acting so enthusiastic today.

When Gu Xiaoyao got up, she neatly arranged all the scattered water troughs in the courtyard.

After breakfast, Gu Xiaoyao instructed Chu Qingbai and his brother to continue clearing the very edges and corners of the wasteland, while she and Lady Li headed down the mountain to purchase soybeans.

"Mother-in-law, you can buy soybeans right here in Lotus Flower Village. I'm heading down the mountain to purchase them elsewhere. Here is the money for buying the beans, keep it safe."

Before descending the mountain, Gu Xiaoyao handed Lady Liu a money pouch, telling her to buy up all the soybeans available in the village.

Accepting the money pouch, a flash of delight crossed Lady Liu's eyes as she quickly tucked it away into her pocket.

"Understood, you two go ahead. I'll make sure the job gets done right."

Gu Xiaoyao shouldered a large wicker basket, bid farewell to the family, and soon led Lady Li down the mountain.

Since Chu Chengjin had mentioned a village at the foot of the mountain renowned for growing exceptional soybeans, she wanted to check that village out this time.

Leaving the mountain behind, Gu Xiaoyao asked passersby for directions and led Lady Li straight toward the soybean-producing village.

"Is this it? Ox Ridge Village? There's a stone tablet right here with the name on it!"

Tiny beads of sweat had broken out on Lady Li's back from the walk, but her spirits were much higher now. She pointed to a large boulder across the road and asked.

"Yes, this is the place. Let's go in and make some inquiries! Once we confirm this is it, we can officially start working."

The characters for Ox Ridge Village were unmistakably correct. Gu Xiaoyao led Lady Li into the village and quickly crossed paths with someone.

"Auntie, sorry to bother you for a moment. Is this Ox Ridge Village? May I ask if every household here grows soybeans?"