Once they learned that they could bring back grain and avoid starvation in the winter, they naturally didn't want to miss this opportunity.
They even became quite perceptive, consciously protecting Lin Qixia and helping her deal with Zhao Dazhuang.
"Fine, fine, fine." Zhao Dazhuang laughed in anger: "You people—just you wait!"
Although he was stubborn, he was still forced to retreat step by step by these people.
He staggered and almost fell, then looked at Lin Qixia with hatred in his eyes before turning around and fleeing in a sorry state, clutching his still-bleeding head.
"Miss Lin, don't worry, we will never listen to Zhao Dazhuang's nonsense again!" The group then turned to Lin Qixia.
One of them spoke with an expression of utmost loyalty.
The others, besides him, echoed this sentiment, also feeling fortunate that Miss Lin was willing to show them mercy and give them the opportunity to bring back the grain, even if it meant working for her.
Seeing this, Lin Qixia nodded slightly: "Very good, then you can go back first. Tomorrow, bring the handicrafts I just mentioned to exchange for food."
"yes!"
"Understood, young lady."
Upon hearing this, these people all left on their own.
Chen Jin then put down the knife in his hand, and his tense demeanor eased.
Lin Qixia patted his shoulder: "You've worked hard. Let the others take their own grain back, then go back and rest."
"Okay," Chen Jin replied, feeling that things should be pretty much over by now.
Lin Qixia handled it very well. Those guys who didn't put in any effort but still had the nerve to cause trouble should have learned their lesson!
A bunch of cowards who change sides at the slightest provocation deserve it!
"Everyone, line up to receive your food," Chen Jin said to the remaining villagers.
These people all went up the mountain with them.
Chen Weizhong had already recorded the weight of grain stolen from each household, so Chen Jin was handing out the notebooks to each family without making any mistakes.
As Zhang Dazhuang and Li Shufen, carrying their own grain, approached Lin Qixia on their way back, they were filled with gratitude: "Lin girl, we really owe you a lot this time."
“Yes, this grain—it saved our family’s lives,” Li Shufen said, her eyes reddening.
If it weren't for Xia'er, their family really wouldn't have made it through this winter.
Lin Qixia smiled at them and said, "Alright, don't be so polite with me, go home now."
"Alright, Xia'er, you should go back early too, otherwise your sister-in-law will be getting impatient."
After saying this, Li Shufen went back with Zhang Dazhuang.
Lin Qixia stood there watching them leave, and yawned.
"Why don't you go back and rest first?" Huo Yanqing frowned, looking at her with a worried expression.
Lin Qixia shook her head, "It won't make a difference if it's just a little while longer. I'll wait until they're done."
After all, Chen Jin and the others were busy, and it wouldn't be right for him to go back early.
Huo Yanqing pursed his lips and said nothing more.
Fortunately, Chen Jin and his team acted quickly, distributing the grain door-to-door.
"Thank you, Miss Lin."
"Miss Lin, thank you so much this time."
Almost every family that came to collect the food thanked Lin Qixia gratefully before leaving.
The importance of this winter food to them is reflected in the significance of Lin Qixia's actions in helping them retrieve it.
Gu Ciyu and Li Pei, who were not far away, both had complicated expressions when they saw this scene.
"It seems that after this incident, Lin Qixia's image in the villagers' hearts will be completely improved, except for that Zhao family."
Upon hearing this, Li Pei spoke, but it was unclear whether he felt fortunate for Lin Qixia or regretful.
Gu Ciyu glanced at him with complicated emotions in her clear, cold eyes, then murmured, "I don't think so."
After saying that, she turned and left.
Li Pei quickly followed and asked, "Why do you think that, A-Yu?"
"When you and I came back before, we met her, but we didn't come back with the villagers. Can you guess why?"
Li Pei shook his head.
Gu Ciyu chuckled and said, "Since they were able to bring the grain back, it means that those bandits have been subdued by them."
"After that, Lin Qixia must have sent them away in advance to do something behind the villagers' backs."
Li Pei asked, "What do you think she did?"
This time it was Gu Ciyu's turn to shake her head. She looked confused and said, "I don't know. But no matter what Lin Qixia did, whether those bandits are dead or alive, it will be a big problem."
"This matter—won't end so easily." Gu Ciyu concluded with a slight smile.
Li Pei pondered her words and said, "According to you, those bandits are indeed a hidden danger."
After distributing most of the grain, they moved the remaining grain to the Lin family's courtyard. Chen Jin and the others then bid farewell to Lin Qixia and left.
Lin Qixia stretched and said, "Alright, I can finally rest."
"You've finally finished your work." He Zhilan had fallen asleep while waiting for them inside, and she breathed a sigh of relief when she came out and saw them.
She slapped her forehead and said, "I cooked you a midnight snack and it's warming up in the kitchen. Eat it first and then go to sleep."
"Thank you, sister-in-law," Lin Qixia replied with a smile.
The late-night snack consisted of rice porridge with sweet potatoes cooked by He Zhilan, along with steaming hot buns. The porridge was warm and very fragrant, and the buns were soft and fluffy.
Lin Qixia sat at the table in the main room, picked up her bowl, took a sip, and exhaled with satisfaction, "Delicious!"
She then took another bite of the bun and felt even more at ease.
A few bites of hot food dispelled the chill from my body.
During the meal, Lin Qixia calmly told He Zhilan and the others about what had happened on the mountain and how she had taken the bandits under her command.
The previous events were manageable, but when He Zhilan heard that Lin Qixia had such a connection with those bandits, she became somewhat nervous. "But Xia'er, wouldn't this make it easy for the authorities to target you? You won't be able to clear your name even if you jump into the Yellow River."
After all, they were bandits.
Lin Qixia chuckled, "So what if they're watching? If they had the ability to suppress bandits, they would have already sent troops."
It is an indisputable fact that the imperial court is now in a weakened state.
However, the world is ignorant, and only a few people realize this, which in turn gives her an opportunity.
Make good use of this opportunity to strengthen yourself in order to prepare for what may be an even worse situation later.
"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I'm confident in handling this," Lin Qixia reassured He Zhilan.
He Zhilan forced a smile. "Xia'er, it's good that you know what you're doing."
After finishing their meal, the family members all went to rest.
When Lin Qixia returned to her room at night, He Zhilan had prepared hot water for her in advance. She washed herself and then lay down to sleep.
The next morning, those who hadn't received their food the night before brought their handicrafts to exchange for food.
Lin Qixia yawned as she calculated the wages for each of them.
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