Chapter 22: Chapter 22: A Toothless Smile

“Let’s give it a try!”

Chen Qiaoqin had already discussed with Yu Hai about whether they could start a small business or something like that. Originally, they’d planned to talk about it after the summer harvest, but things kept coming up, and now Yu Nuannuan had managed to grow so many strawberries. So they decided to bring it up ahead of schedule.

Xu Shuhua wasn’t your average village old lady—she had some experience and insight. Since Chen Qiaoqin had spoken up, Xu Shuhua thought it over and finally gritted her teeth and agreed.

Seeing that Xu Shuhua had agreed, Chen Qiaoqin quickly said, “Mom, these strawberries won’t be as fresh if we leave them overnight. It’s still early—why don’t we just go to the county town now?”

Xu Shuhua was a straightforward and energetic person. As soon as she heard this, she agreed, but said, “I’ll go by myself. You stay home and look after Nuanbao.”

The sun outside was scorching. Even though it was only three li from Sanliqiao to the county town, it would still take over half an hour to walk there. Letting Yu Nuannuan walk in the sun for over half an hour—wouldn’t she get heatstroke?

Chen Qiaoqin quickly realized this too, so she didn’t argue with Xu Shuhua. She just reminded her, “Then, Mom, be careful on the way.”

Xu Shuhua’s eyebrows shot up. “What’s there to worry about with me? Just stay home and take care of Nuanbao. Oh, did you save a few strawberries for Nuanbao? And for Daibao too—after all, it was Daibao who brought the seeds.”

Chen Qiaoqin pointed to the big bowl on the table. “I’ve saved plenty for them. They can’t eat that many anyway.”

Besides, as long as they had seeds, they could grow as many strawberries as they wanted—wasn’t that just a matter of time?

“Oh, right, Mom, should we give a few to Wei and the others to try?”

Chen Qiaoqin had been thinking about this. They had six nephews in the family. No matter how they acted outside, at home they were all well-behaved and sensible. They doted on Yu Nuannuan, their youngest sister, and whenever they had something tasty, they never forgot her. Now that they had these delicious strawberries, she wanted her nephews to have a taste too.

But strawberries were so rare, and kids couldn’t keep secrets. If they ate them and talked about it, who knew how much suspicion it might attract from others?

There was nothing for it—Chen Qiaoqin could only ask Xu Shuhua for her opinion.

Xu Shuhua thought for a moment. “Let’s not give them any for now. Put that bowl away so they don’t see it. When I get back, we’ll let them have some, and just say I bought them.”

“Okay, I’ll listen to you, Mom.”

Xu Shuhua found two pieces of floral cloth and carefully covered the strawberries. Only then did she pick up her basket and leave.

Chen Qiaoqin watched her go, and when she came back inside, she looked anxious and distracted.

Yu Nuannuan could understand how Chen Qiaoqin felt—after all, it was her first time doing business, so it was normal to feel nervous.

Just as Yu Nuannuan looked away from Chen Qiaoqin, she happened to meet Gu Mo’s gaze.

After all, it was Gu Mo who had brought the strawberry seeds. At this moment, Yu Nuannuan found Gu Mo even more pleasing to the eye, and gave him a sweet, toothless smile.

Gu Mo looked at Yu Nuannuan with a blank expression, but his mind was elsewhere.

He’d lived in Sanliqiao all his life and knew little about the outside world. He hadn’t even realized that you could do business here.

Even this little fairy Yu Nuannuan, who didn’t have memories of a past life, was helping the Yu family earn money. Shouldn’t he be doing something too?

(Fourth update finished! Good night, everyone! Please vote, support, and leave comments! Love you all!)"

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