"Grandpa, Grandma, don't be afraid. I ate those mushrooms two or three years ago and I've been fine ever since."
Qiao Lian'er sighed inwardly. Since coming into this world, she didn't know how many lies she had told.
"What? You're saying you ate this two or three years ago?" Upon hearing this, Old Lady Qiao quickly looked Qiao Lian'er over carefully.
There's really nothing wrong with her. She's grown up well and is only small because the Song family mistreated their daughter.
"Yes, I was so hungry at the time that I found some mushrooms that didn't look poisonous and roasted them over a fire on the mountain. They tasted really good, even better than meat. I didn't tell anyone at the time because I was afraid my grandparents wouldn't believe me and would blame me for eating random things."
“But we really had no oil at home and no money to spend, so I thought of taking those chicken-of-the-woods mushrooms to exchange for oil and money.”
The two elders, upon hearing this, were no longer as terrified as before.
Old Man Qiao was still a little uneasy and asked, "Are you sure that the mushrooms you found for that family are all the same kind you eat? Many mushrooms on the mountain look similar, and you can easily pick poisonous ones if you're not careful."
Grandma Qiao also stared at Qiao Lian'er, waiting for her answer.
"Yes, I can guarantee that. It wasn't just that one time. I secretly went up the mountain and ate a lot more afterwards. Those mushrooms are a delicacy. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been willing to give me so much oil. They only gave me two taels of silver for less than a pound."
The two elders breathed a long sigh of relief.
Old Man Qiao closed his eyes: "That's good, that's good."
Qiao Lian'er wanted to tell the two elders that there were still many mushrooms to eat on the mountain, but after thinking about it, she decided against it. It was already difficult enough for them to accept what was happening. The mushrooms could still grow for two more months, so they could take it slow and there was no rush.
She said, "Now that wealthy family is waiting for more termite mushrooms. While many people in the village don't know, we'll try to find as many termite mushrooms as possible, then squeeze them dry and sell them to the wealthy family in town."
She chose to squeeze the mushrooms dry to avoid suspicion, and even wealthy families were not entirely comfortable with the mushrooms growing on the mountain.
Grandma Qiao agreed: "Great, now that so many people have gone home, it's a good time to go up the mountain to pick them. By the way, this kind of thing can only be eaten after it's been squeezed dry."
Qiao Lian'er smiled and said, "It can be used to make soup, it's so delicious, just like chicken soup. It can also be stir-fried, it's a different flavor, it's crispy, fragrant and smooth."
"Good heavens, even this makes my mouth water," said Old Man Qiao. "Let's go, what are we waiting for? Let's go up the mountain now."
Grandma Qiao pulled Grandpa Qiao back: "Old man, don't be in such a hurry. We need to explain this to everyone."
"Alright, I'll call everyone in. This has to be done secretly, without letting anyone else know." Old Qiao's wrinkled face beamed with joy, his heart filled with anticipation.
"Lian'er, you are the little darling of the family." Old Mrs. Qiao held Qiao Lian'er's hand tightly.
"You have brought good news to the Qiao family, and the entire Qiao family will be grateful to you."
The two elders both admired and were grateful to Qiao Lian'er.
Good girl, resolutely follow your down-on-your-luck mother.
Now they are helping the Qiao family through their current difficulties.
Qiao Lian'er shook her head: "I am a member of the Qiao family, this is my responsibility. I don't want everyone's gratitude, I just want everyone to be able to live a good life."
Grandma Qiao couldn't help but hug her little granddaughter.
Old Man Qiao opened the door to the main room and said to everyone who was eagerly waiting in the courtyard, "Come in, everyone."
When everyone entered the main room, they were stunned to see all the wonderful things on the floor.
Seeing the two elders looking so solemn, he obediently moved a stool and sat down.
"Wait until I finish speaking before you speak. While I'm speaking, no one should interrupt," Old Man Qiao said.
Unsure whether they should speak, everyone nodded, like obedient children.
Old Man Qiao smiled slightly.
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