The cotton quilts were delivered in a grand procession to the village entrance, leaving everyone speechless and gathering around to watch the spectacle.

"Oh dear, I wonder what new tricks Brother Hua has come up with this time. He doesn't know anything about making money. He should help the people in the village instead."

"That's not entirely true. The cotton was also sent to the Fan family. That's really unethical. We're all from the same village. How can we show favoritism? It's really not right."

"Exactly, exactly. Don't they remember how we helped them argue when they were arguing with the eldest son's family? Now that the eldest son's family has run away, they don't appreciate our kindness at all."

"..."

These gossipy people each have their own opinion; if they could determine victory or defeat on the battlefield solely through their words, they would surely be top-notch generals.

If Yun Ruoxia hadn't been so focused on counting and arranging, she would have definitely started a fight with them long ago. What kind of people are they? When they need people, they all cower like turtles, unwilling to cause trouble. Now that things are better, they have to be criticized by these people for no reason. It's really unlucky.

When Yunling returned, she saw this large group of people and the village chief leaning against their door with a resentful look on his face. Well, now she would have to open her wallet to solve this thorny problem again.

Yunling glanced at the group of chattering women standing behind them. These were the newlyweds who had married into the family in the last two years; they seemed quiet and reserved, not very talkative, but they might turn out to be a good group of helpers.

Moreover, this cotton needed washing urgently, and Zhang Shi and Yun Ruoxia couldn't be expected to work themselves to the bone, so she had already been thinking about hiring someone.

"Ladies, would you be willing to help wash cotton? It's twenty-five coins a day, plus meals. Would you like to?"

“We are willing, of course we are willing. I have already said that Brother Hua and the others will not forget us.”

Yunling clicked her tongue. "Grandma Lin, I was referring to the women standing behind you."

The newlyweds whose names were mentioned immediately brightened up. Finding a job in the village that paid 25 coins a day and included meals was an incredible opportunity, and they all readily agreed.

Old Lady Lin was not about to be humiliated like this. She put her hands on her hips and accused, "We watched you grow up, and now that something like this has happened, you don't even care about us. You're a complete ingrate."

Yunling pretended not to hear. Her time was precious and there was no need to waste it on arguing with others. "Sisters, if you're willing, you can come to our house tomorrow morning. We'll pay you daily."

"good."

Old Mrs. Lin was so embarrassed she didn't know where to put her face. She was both angry and anxious. How could she see others making money and getting rich while her family was still stuck in the same place?

She was about to confront the village chief, but Yunling had already found him first, and was even giving him a sheepish smile.

"Uncle, our family was planning to come and discuss the renovation of the private school with you after we finished this busy period, but we didn't expect you to come first."

The village chief's face brightened instantly. Although he was always urged to come whenever the third branch of the Yun family made any moves, the third branch of the Yun family was the most successful in the village. If it weren't for their family improving the village's situation, Dongtou Village might have become the poorest and most inconspicuous village in the surrounding area.

"It's kind of you to still have this thought. Repairing is a good thing, and doing good deeds is also accumulating blessings for your family."

Yunling smiled and said, "Let's not talk about accumulating good fortune or not. This place is our root after all. No matter how far we go in the future, we will never forget it."

Yunling was speaking from the heart. The image of the whole family eating pheasant in the kitchen seemed like it was just yesterday. She was very grateful to have such a good family and such understanding parents. She should remember and be grateful for them.

The village chief was very pleased. He patted Yunling on the shoulder and then raised his voice.

"Hua Ge'er's family is doing well now and is willing to help the village, which is a great thing. If anyone wants to cause trouble and interfere, they should think twice."

With the village chief's words, Old Lady Lin and Old Lady Wu were like deflated quails, unable to utter a single word, let alone do anything.

Yunling was relieved. The next day, amidst the sounds of her father pounding the cow's back, Yunling had the newlyweds bring all the usable wooden basins in the house. She then had two of them take turns soaking the cotton in water, and Zhang and Granny Fan each had one person take to start a fire and steam the cotton.

Yun Ruoxia and two others washed the cotton they had taken from the stove, while Yun's mother and two acquaintances soaked the washed cotton in wood ash water. The subsequent steps were also put on hold due to a lack of manpower.

After sunset, once the brides had left, Yunling and Yun Ruoxia used wooden sticks to scoop up the cotton and rinse it again by candlelight.

"Ling'er, it seems you'll have to go up the mountain to gather herbs tomorrow."

Looking at the sacks piled up in the yard, Yunling realized that it was impossible to even walk without having to turn sideways, let alone dry cotton.

"That's what they say, but Auntie, right now we don't even know how to dry our cotton."

Yun Ruoxia was also in a dilemma. She had originally thought that she would just wash so much cotton at the river. The only troublesome step would be setting up a stove to steam the cotton. After washing it, she could just leave it there to dry.

She was afraid that old women like Granny Lin and Granny Wu, who were prone to causing trouble, would secretly sabotage her, and she was also afraid that the village children would tamper with it, so she set it up in front of her house.

Are we supposed to hang the cotton out to dry on the street now? That won't do. Not only will it be vulnerable to sabotage by malicious people, but such a large amount of cotton could also block the road.

Yun Ruoxia sighed deeply, her gaze then falling on the house next door. "Hey, Ling'er, why don't we put the cotton inside to dry? Everyone knows this house was bought by city people, so I doubt those villagers would dare to go in and cause trouble."

This is good, but the main house owes wages, and the walls on all four sides have been hammered to a pulp, making it look like an empty space. It's really not something that people dare not go in and cause trouble.

There's no other way right now, so all I can do is put the cotton in to dry and watch over it myself.

Yunling nodded, simply saying "Okay," before going inside to call for help.

After dinner, Yunling grabbed two thick blankets and a recliner and went to the next room, with Xiaobai and Dahei following her.

Zhang felt a pang of heartache, but she was also worried about leaving the cotton to dry like that. "Ling'er, I'll go and watch over it. You go back inside and sleep."

“Mother, there’s no need for that. When I went to Qingcheng, I also rested in the carriage. I’m used to it. I wouldn’t feel comfortable sleeping in a bed all of a sudden.”

That's what she said, but Zhang wouldn't stop there. She took another thick quilt, went over to make up the recliner, and then returned home.