Chen Xiaoru sat at home, holding her chin with a frown, as if she was thinking about some national affairs.

Selling land? She almost couldn't help laughing. What else could Chen Laizi do with his hands besides playing mahjong? Expecting him to farm was worse than expecting a sow to climb a tree!

Selling recipes at a restaurant? Chen Xiaoru was a "celebrity" in town, and everyone knew her culinary skills. Forget selling recipes; the moment she entered the restaurant, she'd probably be chased out with a broom by the owner!

Digging ginseng? Come on, last time I didn’t even see a single hair, and you still call it ginseng.

Chen Xiaoru sighed, feeling like a bird trapped in a cage, wanting to fly but unable to do so.

Mother Chen was making new clothes while watching Chen Xiaoru, who looked sad and nodding her head like a little old lady. She couldn't help laughing.

"My girl, what's wrong with you? You look like you've lost your soul. What are you thinking about that makes you so obsessed?" Mother Chen put down the needle and thread in her hand and asked with a smile.

"Mom, I'm just thinking about our family's future!" Chen Xiaoru pouted, looking worried about the country and the people. "Look, our family is doing better now, but we can't just sit there and eat up all the money! We have to find a way to make our lives better and better, right?"

Mother Chen nodded, agreeing deeply: "Yes, in these days, we have to be frugal and take things slow. But my daughter, don't be too anxious, take your time, and you will always find a way."

Chen Xiaoru said with a bitter face: "Mom, that's what I said, but I'm really unsure! What can I do?"

"If you ask me, you might as well..." Mother Chen was about to say something.

Suddenly, Chen Xiaoru had an idea and slapped her thigh, startling her mother. "Mom! How could I forget this!"

Mother Chen was puzzled: "What?"

Chen Xiaoru smiled mysteriously: "Mom, you will know when the time comes." Chen Xiaoru stood up and walked out of the front hall. She came to the yard and shouted, "Zhou Si, where did Zhou Si go? Come out quickly!"

"Zhou Si! Zhou Si! Come out here! Where have you been?" Chen Xiaoru's voice exploded in the yard, scaring the sparrows on the trees so much that they flew away.

Zhou Si was sitting by the window, holding a yellowed book in his hands. He was reading with great interest the densely packed small characters on the pages. He didn't know that Chen Xiaoru had always thought he was an illiterate and unsophisticated person.

In reality, Zhou Si's background wasn't bad. He was the son of a scholar, a family of scholars. While not wealthy, he could still be considered a scholar. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. That year, his mother fell seriously ill, and his father, trying to raise money for medicine, was killed by a reckless carriage on the road. Upon hearing the tragic news, his mother was devastated and passed away soon after.

Zhou Si became an orphan and was nearly sold to Nanfeng Pavilion by his relatives, but was fortunately saved by Chen Laizi. He never mentioned these past events to anyone, but buried them silently in his heart.

Chen Xiaoru's shout interrupted Zhou Si's thoughts. He closed the book and frowned slightly. What's going on with this woman?

He walked out of the room slowly and stood in the yard. He looked at Chen Xiaoru, who was standing with her hands on her hips and looking very angry, and asked calmly, "What's the matter?"

"Zhou Si, it's still early. Please accompany me to the town." Chen Xiaoru spoke bluntly, but her eyes were rolling around, and I don't know what she was up to.

Zhou Si said nothing, silently following behind her like a dutiful bodyguard. But he was a little curious about what this woman was up to.

The two entered the town one after the other. Chen Xiaoru went straight to the medicine shop and grabbed a few bags of herbs with familiarity. Zhou Si watched her swift movements and muttered to himself: Is this woman up to something again?

The shop assistant looked at Chen Xiaoru with a hint of fear in his eyes. The last "chili pepper incident" was still fresh in his mind. He carefully wrapped the herbs and handed them to Chen Xiaoru, fearing that something might go wrong.

"Sir, please take it." The waiter's voice was trembling.

Chen Xiaoru took the medicine bag, nodded with satisfaction, turned around and left, completely unaware of the waiter's strange behavior.

When they returned home, Chen's mother was sitting in the yard making clothes. Seeing Zhou Si carrying a large bag of things, she came over curiously and asked, "My daughter, what rare things have you bought?"

Chen Xiaoru smiled mysteriously: "Mom, you'll know when I make it!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she slapped her forehead and muttered in frustration: "Oh no! I was so busy buying the marinade that I forgot to buy the meat! What should I do? My gluttony is already aroused..."

Her eyes rolled around as she paced back and forth in the yard like an ant on a hot pot. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, as if she had thought of a clever idea, and a sly smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

"Mom! Go to the village and buy two lively chickens! They will be very useful to me!" Chen Xiaoru shouted to her mother, her voice full of excitement.

Chen's mother was confused, but she still did as she was told. Chen Xiaoru took out two taels of silver from her pocket, which was heavy, and handed it to Chen's mother: "Mom, buy more and pick the best ones! Let's treat ourselves well today!"

Mother Chen took the silver, weighed it, and couldn't help but sigh: This girl is really getting more and more generous! It seems that there really is a way to make money. Without asking any more questions, she happily went out to buy chickens.

Chen Xiaoru stayed home, carefully spreading out the herbs she had just bought, sorting them one by one. Star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin... the various spices exuded a rich aroma, blending together to form a unique fragrance that made your mouth water.

Zhou Si stood aside, quietly watching Chen Xiaoru's busy figure. He found that Chen Xiaoru seemed to have changed. She was no longer the lazy woman who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. Instead, she had become smart, capable, and full of energy.

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