Seeing Qiao Qiqi's curiosity, Liu Jiao'e smiled and said, "Every spring I hatch 30 chicks, sell 25 of them, and keep the 5 fattest ones to raise myself. Because the breeding chickens I keep are good, and I am willing to feed them, I go up the mountain to cut grass every two days, and in the autumn I also go up the mountain to collect grass seeds, dry them and feed them to the chickens. They love to eat that the most, so naturally they love to lay eggs."

Qiao Qiqi's eyes lit up: "So that's how it is! No wonder you can raise chickens so well."

Liu Jiao'e paused for a moment, then said, "I also have a secret trick that I don't share with others. I throw the empty eggshells into the stove pit and roast them, then crack them and add them to the chicken feed. That can supplement calcium and also help the chickens lay eggs."

Qiao Qiqi found it amusing to see her second aunt hesitate for a moment before revealing her brilliant idea.

Although it was their first meeting, she felt that her second aunt seemed like a good person.

And there's the little dog Egg next to it, with two big, round eyes that look like black grapes; it's so cute!

Since everyone had shared their secrets with her, Qiao Qiqi was naturally generous and immediately grabbed a handful of wedding candies from the ground and stuffed them into Xiao Gou Dan's hand: "These are my wedding candies, try them, they're so sweet."

Liu Jiao'e was startled and quickly stood up to stop him, "Don't give him so much, keep it for yourself..."

"You've brought me gifts to congratulate me on my wedding, and you even shared your chicken-raising tips with me. Can't I have a few pieces of wedding candy?" Qiao Qiqi immediately dodged Liu Jiao'e's hand.

In her dealings with others, she believes in putting herself in their shoes.

If others treat her well, she will definitely treat them well in return. But if others treat her badly, it's a pipe dream to try and take advantage of her even a penny!

Seeing that Qiao Qiqi had already said so, Liu Jiao'e couldn't refuse anymore, but she immediately said to Gou Dan, "Quickly thank your sister."

"Thank you, sister." Gou Dan had been drooling with anticipation for the wedding candy and immediately stuffed it into his little pocket.

Qiao Qiqi turned around and packed four apples, stuffing them into his little hand, "Take them back with your sister, and give one to each of you, Dad and Mom."

"This is really too much!" Liu Jiao'e was already embarrassed enough from receiving the candy, and when she saw that Qiao Qiqi had also given her four big apples, she was immediately flattered.

But Qiao Qiqi stopped her, "I won't give this apple away for nothing. I have a favor to ask of Second Aunt, and you have to agree to it!"

Liu Jiao'e was taken aback. Seeing Qiao Qiqi's serious expression, she immediately became nervous as well: "What's wrong?"

"When you hatch chicks again next spring, please save 15 good ones for my mother, my mother-in-law, and my family."

Qiao Qiqi originally wanted to ask Lin Chunying to take care of this matter, but now that her second aunt is such a capable person, she naturally won't let it go.

When Liu Jiao'e heard that this was what she was talking about, she immediately laughed, "What's so difficult about that? I'll definitely pick out 15 good ones for you to keep next year."

"Then I'll thank Second Aunt in advance." Qiao Qiqi was overjoyed that the chick matter was settled.

Seeing that the little dog Egg was clutching his pocket, his eyes shining as he looked at the food but couldn't bear to eat a single piece, she realized that this was because his second aunt had taught him well. She quickly took another piece out of the bag and stuffed it into the little dog Egg's mouth. "Is it sweet?"

Dog Egg glanced at her shyly and said bashfully, "Sweet!"

Qiao Qiqi looked at the puppy's big eyes, which were so adorable, and couldn't help but pinch his rosy little face.

"From now on, whenever Dog Egg wants candy, he can come to his sister's. She always has delicious candy!"

Dog Egg's eyes lit up. He clearly wanted it, but he looked up timidly at Liu Jiao'e and asked, "Mother, is it okay?"

Looking at the longing in her son's eyes, Liu Jiao'e hesitated for a moment before turning to Qiao Qiqi and saying, "Actually, your second uncle didn't want me to come today. I only agreed after I told him you were staying outside. But don't be unreasonable with us. You know our relationship with your grandmother; your second uncle is truly heartbroken..."

"I understand."

Having an elderly person like Lu Xiufen in the family means there's bound to be no peace.

Thinking about the afternoon's plans, Qiao Qiqi held back for the time being and didn't tell Liu Jiao'e, but instead chatted with her about her second uncle's health.

Liu Jiao'e also inquired about her mother's health. Upon hearing that Lin Chunying had a bad back, she said that her family had a family recipe for a medicinal plaster, which she would send over another day so that Qiao Qiqi could take it back for Lin Chunying to try...

Qiao Qiqi was naturally grateful, as current medical technology is not advanced enough, and it's uncertain whether CT scanners are even available.

Of course, she knew even better that Lin Chunying's back problems were mostly caused by overworking in her earlier years, and could only be resolved through rest.

Once she earns money, she will definitely take Lin Chunying to a big city for a proper check-up, but for now, she can only bear with it.

Seeing that she had been sitting for quite a while, Liu Jiao'e stood up and said, "Knowing that your parents are both well, I am relieved. Gou Dan and I will go back first and come to see you again when we have time."

"good."

Qiao Qiqi saw the two off at the courtyard gate.

Looking up, she saw that the sun was almost at its zenith; no wonder she felt sticky all over.

Because it was inconvenient to take a bath, she locked the courtyard gate, boiled some warm water in a large pot, brought it into the house, and wiped herself with a wet towel.

Once the moisture evaporates, the sticky feeling disappears immediately.

I must say, wiping it is definitely better than not wiping it.

Qiao Qiqi sat on the kang and ate another apple, finally feeling comfortable.

Then she suddenly remembered that her husband was still working in the fields under the scorching sun, without even a water bottle by his side. He was thirsty but couldn't even get a drink of water and could only endure it.

Thinking of the kettle, Qiao Qiqi had asked at the supply and marketing cooperative yesterday that you needed a coupon to buy one, but Qin Huai hadn't given her one.

Thinking about it, Qiao Qiqi decided to inquire about water bottle tickets when she went to the black market to sell fruit the day after tomorrow.

Right now, she went to the kitchen, scooped two large ladles of cold water from the jar into a basin, and then took out sugar, vinegar, and baking soda.

She remembered that when she was a child, her grandmother used these three ingredients to make a sweet and sour drink for her when she went to the countryside.

Although Qiao Qiqi didn't know the proportions, it was nothing more than these three things.

She tried adjusting it, and finally succeeded after three attempts!

She placed the basin of water in the shade against the wall, then went to the vegetable garden and picked three cucumbers, washed them, and threw them into the water tank to chill.

Then she quickly went back inside to change her clothes, put the small drink into a thermos, took out the cooled cucumber, locked the door, and hurried towards the field.

The sun was high in the sky, scorching and scorching.

As soon as Qiao Qiqi stepped out of the village, her face was already bright red from the sun.

When a villager saw her coming, he asked with a smile, "Qin Huai's wife, what are you doing in the fields at this hour? You're not here to see Qin Huai, are you?"

Qiao Qiqi looked in the direction of the voice and saw three unfamiliar faces. Ignoring the mockery in their eyes, she asked directly, "I'm here to deliver water to Qin Huai. Do you know where he is?"