Xiao Taohua looked at Shen Dasong, Shen Qingyu, and even at the village head.

No one spoke; they just stared at her.

Standing on Xiao Taohua's side would offend Shen Dalan.

Nobody wants to mess with this kind of scoundrel, for fear of him causing trouble.

But no one would side with Shen Dalan.

The situation thus reached a stalemate for a time.

Xiao Taohua was sweating profusely, and everyone was staring at her.

Shen Dalan said smugly, "What? Why are you dragging this out? Have you forgotten the kindness of my mother lending you grain back then?"

Everyone instantly realized: it was Shen Dalan's mother who lent grain to Xiao Taohua back then!

Xiao Taohua took a deep breath and replied weakly, "I've already paid it back."

"Does repaying it mean I've repaid all the kindness?" Shen Dalan retorted without backing down.

Xiao Taohua took a few deep breaths before raising her head to look at Shen Dalan: "Brother Danan, I am grateful to Fifth Aunt for her kindness, but if I accept your sweet potatoes today, my two sons and I will have nowhere to stay! I won't be able to continue my work!"

"For my son, for the sake of survival, I... I'm so sorry to you today!"

As soon as she said this, Xiao Taohua felt much more confident. She met Shen Dalan's eyes and said, "Brother Da Nan, I can't accept these sweet potatoes!"

After saying this, Xiao Taohua looked at Shen Qingyu: "Qingyu, I don't want this month's and next month's... no, this year's wages. I'll use them all to compensate everyone for the noodles with sand in them that we ate today."

"This was made from sweet potatoes that I picked up yesterday with mud and sand in them. It was my fault, and I admit it."

"I only beg you not to kick me out. I have no house, nowhere else to work, and two children..."

Xiao Taohua started crying as she spoke.

Shen Qingyu looked at Xiao Taohua crying with a cold expression, and then looked at Shen Dalan.

Shen Dalan never expected that Xiao Taohua would cry, especially in front of everyone.

He panicked, looked around, and met the silent, accusing gazes of the crowd.

"What did I say! If you don't want it, you don't have to... Why are you crying? It's just a little bit of mud and sand..."

The more he spoke, the softer his voice became. Shen Dalan had just eaten hot and sour sweet potato noodles, so he naturally knew what the mud and sand were.

In the end, Shen Dalan picked up the sweet potatoes and went to the door to wash them.

The line of people delivering sweet potatoes stretched for 200 meters after this delay!

Shen Qingyu glanced at the long line of people delivering sweet potatoes and said calmly, "You pay half of the losses for these fans, and I'll cover the other half. Compose on your emotions and get back to work."

Perhaps it was Shen Qingyu's indifference that brought her back to her senses. Xiao Taohua wiped her face, took a couple of deep breaths, and finally stood up again to get back to work.

Shen Dasong gave Xiao Taohua a deep look, and for some reason, he felt that she seemed to be standing a little straighter.

With the close cooperation of Shen Dasong and Xiao Taohua, the line quickly shortened. The qualified ones were packaged and sent to the grinding group, while the ones that were not clean were sent to the spring stream at the entrance to wash the sweet potatoes.

The first step is the most important; once you get it right, the rest shouldn't be a problem.

Shen Qingyu turned to leave, but the village head caught up with her, looking somewhat nervous and guilty: "Qingyu, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things from here on out. I'll let you know first if there are any problems."

Shen Qingyu smiled and said, "Uncle Village Head, I trust you the most, and I know you must want this sweet potato starch workshop to thrive and last a long time."

"I'll leave this place to you. I have other things to take care of when I get back."

After leaving the sweet potato workshop, Shen Qingyu went home and lay down.

When Zhao Yuzhu saw her return, she handed her a bowl of sliced ​​watermelon.

Shen Qingyu poked one out and popped it into her mouth, her eyes squinting with happiness!

Zhao Yuzhu asked, "Dabao and Xiaobao, are you planning to keep them working in the workshop indefinitely?"

While eating her melon, Shen Qingyu turned to look at her mother: "Are you worried that I'll interfere with the children's studies?"

Zhao Yuzhu nodded: "Even if such a young child stands out in this remote mountain village, compared to the prefectural city or the capital, he's nothing. What are your plans for the future?"

Shen Qingyu smiled and said, "They grew up in the countryside, so they must understand the lives of ordinary people there. Asking them to do the accounting is also to give them a clear concept of money."

My two children are alright; they've done farm work before.

Wen Jin had never experienced this before, so it was a good thing to let him personally see the lives of ordinary people and participate in them.

Since coming to the countryside, Wenjin has grown up quite quickly and has become much more composed lately.

I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

Looking towards the study, he said, "What do you think about me asking Mr. Xue to open a private school?"

Zhao Yuzhu's eyes lit up: "You really think so?"

"Yes, he's in great shape. It's such a waste of his talent to only teach a few kids. He should be doing more things."

Zhao Yuzhu laughed: She had also considered that idea.

However, judging from the way Grandpa Xue spends his days either teaching a few children or wandering around, he clearly enjoys the rural life here.

That makes sense when you think about it.

Shen Qingyu's house is newly built, incorporating many of Shen Qingyu's modern design concepts.

For example, cabinets, tables, and beds should not be carved; they should be straight and simple, with a practical design.

Shen Qingyu also asked Liu Cuixi to change their bed sheets and blankets every month, keep the house clean and tidy, and cook dishes according to the old man's tastes, making the old man more comfortable.

"Leave this to me, I'll handle it." Qi Yunxiao walked in.

Clearly, he had overheard Shen Qingyu and Zhao Yuzhu's conversation.

Shen Qingyu didn't refuse: "Then I'll trouble you."

"We're family, what's with all this talk about trouble?!" Qi Yunxiao waved his hand dismissively and put down the pastries in his hand.

Shen Qingyu paused for a moment, then looked at the pastries: "I don't eat pastries lately."

This stuff is easy to make you gain weight from.

Qi Yunxiao smiled and said, "I asked them to make these with less oil and no sugar. They're salty, so it's fine for you to eat a few at a time."

Hey!

That's quite thoughtful!

Shen Qingyu looked at the pastries again and saw that they were indeed made with care: the pastries were made very small, they were preserved vegetable and meat patties, one bite at a time, and there were only six in a plate.

This portion is just right.

Shen Qingyu felt relieved and thanked him rather insincerely: "Thank you so much."

Qi Yunxiao smiled, turned around and went to the study.

In the study, several seats at the desk, which was usually occupied, were empty, with only Wen Che and Xue Juzheng inside.

Wen Che sat upright as always, holding a Buddhist scripture in his hand. His appearance even had a hint of otherworldly grace.

Old Mr. Xue, however, sat crookedly in his armchair, leaning against the window reading a storybook...