"I went up the mountain to collect herbs. I found Ganoderma lucidum and Dendrobium on the cliff, so I went down to pick them. This can sell for a lot of money!" Ye Qingqing smiled and showed the Ganoderma lucidum to Lu Mo, with a look that said, 'I'm amazing, you should praise me.'

Lu Mo was taken aback. He hadn't expected the girl to have picked such a treasure. It was indeed of very good quality and was wild. He estimated it could fetch a lot of money, but he was still angry.

"Risking your life for a little money? What are you thinking?" Lu Mo's tone was very stern.

Even if there were gold nuggets growing on the cliff, it wouldn't be worth risking your life for.

Ye Qingqing felt a warmth in her heart, squatted down, rested her chin on her hands, and looked at Lu Mo expectantly, "Are you very worried about me?"

Lu Mo felt flustered by the girl's gaze, his face growing hotter and hotter. He turned his head away, coughed a few times, and said coldly, "It's just out of concern for an ordinary friend. You're overthinking it."

Ye Qingqing pouted, annoyed that he admitted he was worried she would die!

From her angle, she could see Lu Mo's sharply defined profile, as if it were carved from ice. He was so handsome. She must have been blind before; how could she not have seen Lu Mo's beauty?

After calming himself down for a while, Lu Mo asked again, "Why did you go up the mountain to gather herbs?"

"I want to gather herbs to sell for money. I'm so poor right now, I don't even have enough money to buy clothes for Xiaotong." Ye Qingqing frowned in distress.

"It's his duty to have your father buy you clothes."

Lu Mo was extremely dissatisfied with Ye Zhiguo. Ye Tong's clothes were clearly ill-fitting; no wonder this girl would risk her life to gather herbs.

"My dad doesn't like Xiaotong, and I'm too lazy to beg his wife," Ye Qingqing complained in a low voice. She'd rather climb a cliff than ask Shen Yanhong for help.

Lu Mo sighed inwardly. What a stubborn girl! In this life, there's always a time when you don't need to ask for help!

"I'll give you money, don't go up the mountain."

Lu Mo's words startled Ye Qingqing, but also made her feel even sweeter. She knew that this ice block definitely liked her, but he just didn't say it.

Hmph, a repressed pervert!

"No need, give your money to Aunt Fang, I can earn it myself."

Ye Qingqing refused. The military allowance wasn't high, and even though Lu Mo was a battalion commander, it wouldn't be much. Lin Shufang was a retired teacher, and her salary wouldn't be high either. She couldn't accept Lu Mo's money.

Lu Mo saw through Ye Qingqing's thoughts at a glance, and the corners of his lips turned up slightly, "It's for your experiment funding."

He added insult to injury, "I'm richer than you!"

Ye Qingqing glared at him resentfully, "Can you please stop reminding me that I'm poor right now? And with your meager fixed salary, how much money could you possibly have?"

"It's more than you think. You're not allowed to go up the mountain again. I'll give you money if you want to buy anything." Lu Mo's voice was still cold, but Ye Qingqing felt a warmth like a spring breeze.

A thought struck her, and she moved closer, asking with a smile, "Lu Mo, is this your adopted wife?"

"Cough cough cough..."

Lu Mo almost choked on his own saliva and didn't recover for a long time. Ye Qingqing patted his back hard, making a thud, and poured him a glass of water.

After gulping down a large glass of water, he finally felt better, but his face was flushed red. Lu Mo glared at the culprit with embarrassment and annoyance.

"Qingqing, come and eat!"

Lin Shufang came out carrying steaming hot food, breaking Lu Mo's awkward silence. Ye Qingqing sighed regretfully; she hadn't even had her fill of teasing him yet!

Ye Qingqing was truly hungry. The aroma of the food made her even more ravenous, and she wolfed down her food.

"Eat slowly, don't choke." Lin Shufang smiled kindly and poured her another glass of water.