Tian Xiaoqin was young and good-looking, so she was the first to be targeted.
Li Daniu knew about this, but he just sighed.
"When something like this happens, everyone suffers. Oh well..."
Even though he felt helpless and hated Tian Xiaoqin, he couldn't bring himself to kick her when she was down.
Aunt Zhao, however, was furious and gritted her teeth, cursing, "Serves you right!"
Even Tian Xiaoqin herself probably didn't expect that karma would come so quickly.
The village of Shanglin suffered a man-made disaster, and the village chiefs of several nearby villages led people to help. Some villagers whose maternal families were in Shanglin Village also went back with them.
Only Song Ning remained silent all day.
This incident also served as a reminder to her that the village was no longer safe.
However, those people just robbed a village, so they probably won't come back for the time being.
In at most two weeks, they will have to move.
When Song Ning went to town that day, she paid the deposit, signed the contract, and agreed to move in about half a month later.
However, the kitchen in the house she booked was small, only big enough for two people at most, so she had to find another place.
So she set her sights on Qi Liangyuan's restaurant.
The restaurant's kitchen is enormous; it can easily fit not just three people, but seven or eight.
Having made up his mind, Song Ning discussed it with Qi Liangyuan when he delivered the goods today.
"Mr. Qi, we'll use your kitchen when your restaurant isn't busy, so it won't interfere with your normal business operations. Of course, I won't take advantage of you for nothing. In return, I'll leave you a recipe for one dish."
Upon hearing this, Qi Liangyuan became interested: "What prescription?"
Without saying a word, Song Ning borrowed the kitchen, and soon the sounds of cooking could be heard coming from inside.
Not long after, Song Ning came out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of dishes they had never seen before.
The red and white colors complement each other perfectly. The pieces are mixed in a red broth and topped with chopped green onions.
Qi Liangyuan could smell the aroma even before the dishes were served.
After staring at it for a long time, Qi Liangyuan asked, "What is this?"
"Tofu."
"Tofu? Tofu is soft, isn't it mostly used in soups?"
Song Ning smiled and said, "My method is different. Would you like to try it, Mr. Qi?"
There was no fermented bean paste in this era, but fortunately there were chili peppers in the kitchen, and other seasonings were also available, so we used those as substitutes.
Qi Liangyuan picked up a spoon and scooped up a piece of tofu. As soon as it entered his mouth, the spicy and numbing flavor filled his mouth. It was fresh, fragrant, and tender. After the first bite, he wanted to have a second bite.
This is the best tofu he has ever eaten.
Qi Liangyuan put down his spoon and immediately said, "Deal."
In this era, tofu was mostly used for making soup or stewing, and it was generally considered to be a light dish. Her Mapo Tofu was a perfect example of this.
After the deal was settled, Song Ning went straight home.
On the way, Song Ning couldn't help but say, "Uncle Da Niu, things might be a bit turbulent lately, so you should prepare in advance."
"Is something about to happen?"
Song Ning hesitated for a moment before saying, "I don't know either, I just have a feeling that Shanglin Village has already suffered, and our village... is probably not safe either."
There are already bandits in Shanhe Town. They won't just rob us this once. Once they've eaten what they've stolen this time, they'll definitely come back.
There are six villages under Shanhe Town. I probably won't be going to Shanglin Village. It will be a lucky five-way selection.
No one can guarantee that the next one won't be Nanshan Village.
The two returned to Nanshan Village. As soon as Song Ning got home, she told Song Dahai and Liu Yuelan what had happened. Although they were surprised, they believed what their daughter said.
"Then... what about the rest of the villagers?"
"I will tell the village chief about this. As for what to do next, that's not something we can decide."
She could only take care of her own family; there was nothing she could do for others.
The Song family continued making cold noodles as usual, and Song Ning continued delivering goods to town as usual. However, since they were moving, they had to pack their belongings.
Since my family started a business, we've accumulated more and more stuff, making it a real hassle to tidy up.
However, Song Ning believes that some things should be left behind if possible, such as those broken pots and pans at home that are no longer usable for storing anything.
Song Ning had also informed the village chief in advance that things might not be peaceful going to be. If the villagers didn't leave, they would have to be extra careful.
The village chief understood Song Ning's meaning and simply said that he would handle the matter as it came.
She had also informed Aunt Zhao and Mrs. Sun in advance that they would be moving after she had worked there for a month.
Song Ning paid the money in advance, and now he just takes a little bit with him every time he goes to town to deliver goods, so no one can tell anything is wrong.
Today, Liu Yuelan also went along. As soon as she entered the gate and saw the courtyard, she couldn't stop smiling.
Although it was rented, they never imagined that one day their family would be able to live in a house in town.
The house has three earthen walls, and the side with the door is made of wood. There are four main rooms in a row, with a kitchen on the east side and a storage area on the west side connected to the outhouse.
Although the house wasn't the best, it was far better than their two thatched huts.
It's a detached house with a courtyard, so it offers a lot of privacy.
Liu Yuelan was very satisfied, but she was worried about the money.
"A courtyard like this must take a lot of money a month, right?"
"Don't worry, Mother, we're just staying here temporarily."
"Temporarily? Where will we go next?"
Song Ning smiled but didn't say anything. The current situation wasn't good, and they might have to move again soon. But the next move wouldn't be so peaceful.
Chu Ning and Liu Yuelan returned to the village, and just as they reached the village entrance, the village chief requisitioned Li Daniu's oxcart.
Song Ning and her daughter had no choice but to walk back from the village entrance.
They had only walked a few steps into the village when they spotted something lying on the ground ahead.
Liu Yuelan walked over and picked it up. It was a piece of clothing, and it looked like it belonged to a woman.
Liu Yuelan looked around but didn't see anyone nearby.
Whose clothes fell down?
The clothes have no patches and look like new, not like they were deliberately lost.
Liu Yuelan felt sorry to see the new clothes lying on the ground, so she picked them up and said, "Let's take them back first and ask who dropped them later."
Making a new piece of clothing is not easy these days.
The two continued walking home, and just as they reached the gate of the courtyard, a scream like a pig being slaughtered came from behind them.
Before the two could react, Liu Yuelan was pushed to the ground.
Song Ning quickly helped the woman up, frowning as she asked, "Auntie, what are you doing?"
Zhao Yongfu's wife snatched the clothes from Liu Yuelan's hand, her anger flaring up instantly.
"So it was you! You always look so weak and easy to bully, what a good actor! Have you no shame? You've learned to seduce other men! I'll tear your face to shreds!"
Li rushed over aggressively.
Seeing this, Song Ning quickly found a stick and held it horizontally in front of them.
"Just because I call you 'Auntie' doesn't mean I won't dare to lay a hand on you!" Song Ning said coldly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
