Back home, Gu Nanjiao stared blankly, her thoughts still preoccupied with finding the embroiderer.

Lu Xiaomei ran over from outside, holding Zhang Xiaohu's hand. Seeing Gu Nanjiao lost in thought, she waved her hand in front of her and asked, "Sister-in-law, what are you thinking about?"

Zhang Xiaohu, who was behind him, echoed, "Sister-in-law, what are you thinking about?"

Gu Nanjiao was amused by Zhang Xiaohu and gently flicked his nose with her jade finger: "You can't call me sister-in-law. According to seniority, you have to call me aunt."

Zhang Xiaohu blinked his big eyes, seemingly understanding but not quite: "Auntie, what are you doing?"

"Hehe, this kid." Gu Nanjiao thought he was too cute and couldn't help but pat Zhang Xiaohu's head.

Gu Nanjiao's eyes lit up when she saw the lifelike little tiger on Zhang Xiaohu's hat.

"Xiao Hu, who embroidered the little tiger on your hat for you? It's so beautiful." Gu Nanjiao touched the little tiger on Zhang Xiaohu's hat and couldn't help but ask.

"My mom embroidered it for me, isn't that amazing!" Zhang Xiaohu felt proud when he heard Gu Nanjiao praise the little tiger on his hat.

Liu has this skill? She's usually so quiet and reserved, it's hard to believe. Gu Nanjiao always thought this remote village was full of people who toiled in the fields; she never imagined it was full of hidden talents.

Gu Nanjiao couldn't suppress her excitement. She wanted to talk to Liu Meihua now to see if she would be willing to take on the embroidery work for Jiaoniang Pavilion.

Gu Nanjiao beckoned to Lu Xiaomei to come over: "Xiaomei, you play with Xiaohu for a while. I have something to do with Xiaohu's mother. I'll make you fried chicken when I get back."

"Yay!" The two children jumped up excitedly when they heard there was something delicious to eat.

When we arrived at the Liu family's house, Liu Meihua was sitting under the eaves doing needlework. There was a small shoe next to her sewing basket, with a butterfly embroidered on it, so lifelike and realistic.

Gu Nanjiao exclaimed in surprise, "Sister-in-law Meihua, your embroidery is so beautiful!"

Liu touched the butterfly on the shoe and smiled, "It's very simple and doesn't take much effort. Thanks to you all for taking care of Xiaohu recently, I had some free time and decided to embroider a pair of shoes for my little sister."

Gu Nanjiao said, "Sister-in-law Meihua, you're too kind. You've helped us a lot too."

"Sister-in-law Plum Blossom, who did you learn your embroidery from?" Gu Nanjiao was genuinely curious about how Liu, a mere village woman, could possess such excellent embroidery skills.

Upon hearing this, Liu lowered her eyelids, her expression filled with an indescribable sadness: "I learned it from my mother. My mother was very good at embroidery. However, my father loved to drink and often beat and scolded my mother. Later, my mother died, and my father sold me to this small village."

Liu forced a smile and looked up at Gu Nanjiao: "The reason why Granny Zhang and the others dared to bully me so recklessly is because I have no family to protect me and I was bought by them. At first, they were afraid that I would run away, so they beat and scolded me. I was afraid of being beaten by them."

Upon hearing this, Gu Nanjiao stepped forward and grasped Liu's hand: "Sister-in-law Meihua, I'm sorry, I reminded you of sad things."

"It's alright, it's all in the past. Fortunately, Zhang San was a decent person, but he just didn't live long. From now on, I won't let them bully me again."

Gu Nanjiao was happy to see that Liu was still in good spirits. She looked at the little butterfly in the sewing basket and asked, "Sister-in-law Meihua, I have a friend in town whose clothing shop is short of skilled embroiderers. I wonder if you would be willing to go there?"

Liu was taken aback, then her eyes lit up, and she asked excitedly, "This...can I do this?"

Gu Nanjiao did not expect Liu's strong reaction. Thinking about it, it makes sense. When Zhang San was alive, he was capable and Liu did not have to worry about making money for the family. In addition, her husband's family was wary of her and did not allow her to have too much contact with outsiders. Now that she has lost her support, she was naturally agitated to hear this.

Gu Nanjiao nodded: "Of course you can. Your embroidery is so good, I was amazed when I saw it. My friend will definitely be satisfied."

Upon hearing this, Liu became even more excited: "That's great! Xiao Hu and I have something to look forward to in the future."

Seeing Liu's excited expression, Gu Nanjiao was very happy. It was like a pillow being delivered when she was sleepy; not only had she solved her own problem, but she had also helped Liu out of her current predicament.

Gu Nanjiao brought Liu to Jiaoniang Pavilion. Lü Siniang looked at her embroidery and was very satisfied. She immediately decided to hire Liu.

Because the wedding dress was in a very short period of time to be made and the family was urging her to finish it, Liu had no choice but to stay at Jiaoniang Pavilion, but she was very worried about Xiaohu.

Upon hearing this, Lü Siniang slapped her thigh and said, "That's easy! Bring your son over here to keep my son company. They're about the same age, so they'll definitely get along well. It won't interfere with our work either. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

Liu was very satisfied. On the way back, she couldn't stop being excited. Leaving this village would not only allow her to take on embroidery work to earn money to support herself and her son, but also keep her away from that shrew, Granny Zhang.

Just thinking about it makes me feel hopeful for the future.

For dinner, Gu Nanjiao stir-fried bean sprouts. The bean sprouts were sprouted from beans she had bought earlier. She also planned to soak some beans, grind them, make some tofu skin, and then use the tofu skin to make spicy strips. She really, really missed spicy strips.

Grind the soaked beans with a small stone mill to separate the bean pulp from the soy milk, and then start stirring the soy milk.

Lu Xiaomei came over with a curious look: "Sister-in-law, what delicious food are you making again?"

She thought her sister-in-law was amazing; she could do everything and everything she cooked tasted delicious. She just hoped her silly brother would cherish her, otherwise, such a good sister-in-law would definitely run away.

"I'll make spicy strips, and you can be the first to try them once they're done." Gu Nanjiao answered Lu Xiaomei while her hands continued to work, boiling the filtered soy milk in a pot.

After repeating this several times, a thin film floated on top of the soy milk. She picked it off with chopsticks. After repeating this several times, Gu Nanjiao was exhausted and hot.

Upon seeing this, Lu Xiaomei said, "Sister-in-law, let me help you."

Gu Nanjiao was indeed a little tired. She handed the chopsticks to Lu Xiaomei and said with concern, "Be careful not to burn yourself."

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I'll be careful."

Lu Xiaomei watched for a while and then knew what to do. She imitated Gu Nanjiao and used chopsticks to lift the thin membrane and hang it on the bamboo pole.

When Lu's mother arrived, she couldn't help but laugh when she saw her sister-in-law covered in sweat.

What are you doing?

"Mom, my sister-in-law said she wants to make spicy strips."

Lu's mother was very curious. What were spicy strips? What delicious food had her daughter-in-law thought of this time?

After the bean curd sheets dried, Gu Nanjiao began making spicy strips. She cut the bean curd sheets into long strips. She fried chili oil in a wok, then added some of the essential seasonings for making spicy strips. Soon, the aroma was irresistible, making one's mouth water.

Lu Xiaomei had been waiting eagerly on the sidelines. Her sister-in-law had said that once it was cooked, she would be the first to try it.

The spicy strips are finally ready! They're bright red, and just one look makes my mouth water.

Gu Nanjiao picked up a piece with her chopsticks and handed it to Lu Xiaomei, who reached out to take it.

"So spicy, so spicy!" Lu Xiaomei hissed from the spiciness, but exclaimed how satisfying it was.

Gu Nanjiao couldn't resist taking a bite. The long-lost taste was filled with childhood memories and struck right to her soul.