After several days of rain, the sun finally came out today.

After studying stir-frying and marinating for several days, Tian has fully mastered the techniques and can now work independently.

Tian Sangui tried to hand over the reins to Tian Da and Tian Er, while he stayed home to take care of growing cucumbers.

She took all one hundred cucumber seedlings out of the space and put them into the cellar early in the morning.

After breakfast this morning, Zhang borrowed Aunt Wang's oxcart, and the three of them transferred the cucumber seedlings from the cellar onto the cart and took them to the field.

Today's task is to plant all the seedlings.

Zhang took off her shoes and used her heels to stomp out two symmetrical deep indentations on the ground.

Tian Sangui was responsible for passing the seedlings along the field ridge, while Xiao Si and Xiao Wu were responsible for running errands to deliver them to Tian Laosi.

Place the seedlings in the corresponding deep holes, and then fill them with loose soil.

A short while later, Aunt Wang came to the field carrying a hoe, her eyes fixed on Zhang Shi. After greeting them, she put down her hoe and ran to chat with Zhang Shi.

Following Zhang's example, he took charge of trodden one side of the field.

With Aunt Wang's involvement, things became much easier.

"Oh, you haven't figured out how to manage the wasteland, so you're starting to work on fertile land now? Did you know that nothing can grow on wasteland, so you gave up in advance?"

The speaker was none other than Guo, Tian Sheng's wife, who had made a bet with Tian Sangui that day!

Tian Sangui, standing on the edge of the field, felt displeased upon hearing her sarcastic tone.

"Aunt Guo, those two dark bumps under your eyebrows, can't you breathe or even look at them? Two acres of barren land with lush green shoots, and you just can't even see them."

"Tsk tsk tsk, what a waste of those two quail eggs of yours!"

"you......"

"What do you mean, 'you'? Just because I call you 'Auntie' you, you've forgotten my temper, haven't you?"

"The bet hasn't been placed yet, so you'd better stay away from me and not force me, Tian Sangui, to scold you. Go back to your fields and get to work."

After being yelled at by Tian Sangui, Guo Shi remembered that Tian Sangui was one of the most notorious bullies in the village, and even Wang Erwazi had to give way to her. She felt a sense of fear towards Tian Sangui.

Although she was still angry, when she met Tian Sangui's fierce eyes glaring at her, she could only swallow her anger and run to her own field with her hoe.

Hmph, Tian Sangui, just you wait. Your land will be mine sooner or later. Let's see how amazing she is.

Only after Guo left could Tian Laosi feel at ease and continue planting vegetable seedlings.

As a grown man, he couldn't very well talk back to the woman, but he kept an eye on her to prevent her from hurting his daughter.

When Xiao Si and Xiao Wu heard that their third sister's achievements were no less than those of the past, they secretly gave her a thumbs up from behind, which made Tian Sangui secretly smile.

Zhang was far away, and seeing that Guo had run away after saying only a few words, she stopped halfway and turned back to continue working.

Aunt Wang saw and heard about Tian Sangui's shrewishness.

He nudged Zhang's arm and said, "Your family is so lucky to have a kid like San Gui. Otherwise, you don't know how badly you would be bullied in this village."

Zhang smiled sheepishly: "Auntie, it's not as mysterious as you make it out to be. But this girl has a natural fiery temper that her father and I can't control. We're just afraid that it will ruin her reputation."

Aunt Wang disagreed with Zhang: "What's the point of ruining her reputation? Who cares about a rural child's reputation? As long as she can give birth, she won't have to worry about finding a husband."

Besides, which kid in the village isn't feisty? You're the only one who's so quiet and reserved, keeping everything bottled up inside. Luckily, God has blessed you with a little bully to back you up, hahaha!

Zhang was too embarrassed to respond to what Aunt Wang said, so she could only laugh awkwardly and keep her head down as she worked.

She still hoped that her daughter could marry into a good family, so that she wouldn't have to worry about daily necessities.

People from the countryside were definitely not within her range of choices.

Aunt Wang, unaware of Zhang's thoughts, felt a surge of joy as she watched Tian Sangui's diligent figure.

"Hey, if you're really worried, why don't you consider my two boys in the future?"

“She’s tall, strong, and kind. If this works out, and your San Gui comes over, I’ll treat her like my own daughter.”

At such a young age, she can earn money and do chores. Look at her small figure, she'll definitely be a good mother in the future.

The more Aunt Wang looked at him, the more she liked him, and she automatically included Tian Sangui in her shortlist of potential daughters-in-law.

Zhang was startled by her words: "Auntie, San Gui is still young, let's not talk about this. What did you just say about your Xiu Yu's in-laws?"

"Oh? Oh, let me tell you, her mother-in-law is a complete shrew..."

Finally, the topic was changed, and Zhang breathed a sigh of relief. Her three sons would surely find a good home.

At noon, Tian Sangui went home early to cook. Considering how hard farming is, he specially prepared some dishes to go with rice so that his family would have enough energy to work without feeling tired.

First, marinate a plate of smashed cucumber with garlic, braised grass carp chunks, blanch pork belly and slice it, prepare chili peppers, minced garlic, minced ginger and Sichuan peppercorns, slice an onion, and cut two green peppers into chunks.

Heat a wok and add the pork belly slices. Stir-fry until the fat is rendered. Move the pork to one side of the wok, add Sichuan peppercorns, minced garlic, and chili peppers, and stir-fry until fragrant.

Add soy sauce and stir-fry, then add onions and stir-fry until softened. Finally, add green bell pepper pieces and salt. This way, the green bell peppers will not be bland.

Heat oil in a wok, stir-fry red bell peppers and bamboo shoots for a couple of seconds, then add salt and roasted Sichuan peppercorn powder. Stir-fry over high heat until evenly mixed, then remove from heat and serve.

Add a ladle of water to clean the bottom of the pot, then pour in cooking oil and fry the red peppers until fragrant. Add the potato slices and stir-fry until the potatoes soften. Add the prepared sauce and cumin, then reduce the sauce over high heat before serving.

For lunch, I made something simple: seaweed, scallion, and egg soup. Drinking some soup after lunch makes my stomach feel better.

Once she had finished making the soup, Zhang and Tian Lao Si, along with Xiao Si and Xiao Wu, pushed open the courtyard gate.

"It smells so good!" Xiao Si exclaimed, licking his lips.

Zhang put down her hoe with a smile: "Our San Gui's cooking is so delicious, she really did inherit her master's skills!"

"I wonder if we'll ever get to see her master again, so we can thank him in person for teaching our daughter so much."

Tian Laosi replied, feeling guilty for not having shown proper respect to Tian Sangui's master.

"Yes, I think we'll meet sometime, after all, our daughter is his apprentice."

Hearing the noise, Tian Sangui came to the kitchen door with a spoon in his hand: "Dinner's ready!"

The couple then put down their conversation and went inside to move a table.

Tian Da and Tian Er will finish eating at the restaurant and won't be back until the afternoon.

There were only five of them at noon. Faced with a table full of delicious food, how could Tian Laosi miss the opportunity to drink?

Staring at Zhang's displeased gaze, he gritted his teeth and poured himself a small cup, looking as happy as a child.