Chapter 14

A Troublesome Man

Lu Jiao only told Xie Yunjin this so he knew to watch over the little beans. She did not intend to discuss her plans with him.

She then turned to leave. Behind her, Xie Yunjin’s eyes narrowed. This woman was still overweight. But her steps were steady, calm, and unrushed. The way she moved now exuded confidence – this was so unlike her.

Xie Yunjin continued to feel like this woman was now a brand new person. This likely was thanks to his mother-in-law. However, if his mother-in-law was this capable, why didn’t she succeed before? There were so many suspicious matters but that woman’s face was exactly the same as before.

Xie Yunjin was confused.

Lu Jiao didn’t care for Xie Yunjin. After she left the room, she searched around the home but failed to find the ax used to chop wood. However, she did find a rather old and broken basket she could wear as a backpack.

But without an ax, how could she go up the mountain to chop wood? Lu Jiao put on the basket and went to borrow an ax.

Her reputation was rather damaged here and it was likely that nobody would lend it to her. Lu Jiao stood by the gate, troubled.

Not far from here was another courtyard. A skinny old lady saw the troubled way Lu Jiao looked and so she walked over. As she approached, she asked, “Yunjin’s wife. What’s wrong?”

Lu Jiao stared and searched her brain to figure out who this old lady was. She was her father-in-law, Xie Laogen’s second sister-in-law, Lady Xia. Everyone here called her “Second Grandma”.

Second Grandpa died young and left Second Grandma behind as a widow. The two of them bore two sons and two daughters. She was a very kind woman. When Xie Yunjin was exiled here, Second Grandma even brought them some boiled eggs.

Lu Jiao smiled and asked, “Second grandma, do you have an ax at home? We are out of firewood and I want to go up the mountain to get some.”

Second Grandma felt bad when she heard her words, “Why would a young woman go chop wood by herself up in the mountain? Bring my Huzi up there to help you.”

Huzi was Second Grandma’s biological grandson. He’d been married for two years but the couple hasn’t had any children.

Naturally, Lu Jiao wasn’t going to summon Huzi to get her firewood. That wasn’t a sustainable solution.

“Second Grandma, there’s no need. I will walk around the mountain and gather some usable wood. I won’t go up deep into the mountain.”

Second Grandma didn’t insist then. She led Lu Jiao home to find her the ax.

The Second Grandma’s family now lived separately and she lived with her oldest son. When her oldest daughter-in-law saw Lu Jiao, she expressed an obvious displacement and barely acknowledged Lu Jiao. Lu Jiao, however, didn’t say much and left after she got her ax.

Second Grandma was worried and continued to tell Lu Jiao to be careful. Lady Zhao saw this and couldn’t help but mutter, “Mother, why would you lend her our own ax? She can chop wood? That must be a joke.”

Second Grandma turned to look at her daughter-in-law, “Enough now. She’s one woman taking care of an injured man and four babies. It’s hard for her. We should help out when we can. You shouldn’t be so harsh and act like your Fourth Grandma and Grandpa.”

Lu Jiao ignored those two. After she obtained her ax, she headed straight up the mountain. The Xie family was established right next to the mountain and since Lu Jiao’s place was the most west of the village, they lived closest to the mountain.

But her physical body was truly useless. The climb up the mountain made her sweat bean-sized sweat that soaked up her entire outfit. Luckily it was summer now and she drew no attention.

After Lu Jiao climbed up the mountain, she first observed her surrounding. There truly were a lot of resources here, with medicinal herbs being the most abundant. Other than that, there were many wild fruits and fungi.

She originally thought that there wouldn’t be much up here in the mountains. After all, many villages had settled around here. However, after she looked around, she realized that there was so much stuff around.

Lu Jiao was first confused but then she later understood. The villagers weren’t educated and didn’t have much experience. There were things on the mountain that should not be eaten. This is why they didn’t dare to randomly collect anything – in case they encounter something poisonous.

Normally, the villagers would only harvest the wild vegetables and mushrooms that they recognize. Those they didn’t recognize, they didn’t dare to even touch them.

Lu Jiao smiled at that thought. She made a simple trap and tossed in the stream-washed bamboo rat that she caught.

Once that was done, she took her ax to chop up some wood.

Lu Jiao was very strong so chopping wood wasn’t much work for her. She compiled a lot very quickly.

But as she chopped, she thought of the paralyzed Xie Yunjin. Due to the concussion and internal spleen bleeding, he couldn’t do large movements. Therefore, he couldn’t get out of bed. That meant it was easy to take care of going to the washroom for number one. They simply needed a bucket. But what about going number two?

Lu Jiao pondered and decided to make a simple toilet using bamboo. She chopped up some bamboo and then attached them together using natural rubber she found on trees.

Once she was done, it had gotten late. Lu Jiao went to check her trap and saw that two wild chickens and one wild rabbit fell for it. They were all still alive.

Lu Jiao laughed out of joy. These were all proteins!

She took the chickens and the rabbit and along with her firewood, she descended the mountain.

The night had fallen so she didn’t run into anyone here. By the time she got home, she saw four little heads pop through the window in the main living room. When those four saw her come, they disappeared quickly with a “whoosh”.

Lu Jiao shook her head and laughed as she found this funny. She put down the firewood, which was taller than her. Since the wood she chopped was wet, she could only burn them after they have dried for a few days.

It was late and time to prepare dinner. Before she started, she visited the east bedroom.

On the bed, Xie Yunjin was awake. The sight of her darkened his eyes. Lu Jiao raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you thirsty? How about I get you a cup of water for your throat.”

Xie Yunjin coldly declined, “No need. You should go cook. The children are hungry.”

Since he didn’t want to drink, Lu Jiao left to go outside.

Behind her, Xie Yunjin subconsciously licked his lips. His entire being was unspeakably sullen and there was much coldness in his eyes.

He never expected to find himself in such a difficult situation. To need care from a woman who disgusted him, made him hate himself inside out.

Outside the door, Lu Jiao suddenly stopped and peered backward. She saw Xie Yunjin lick his lips and it was obvious that he was thirsty.

Lu Jiao was speechless. This man surely was troublesome.

So the future First Assistant was a troublesome man.

Lu Jiao did not say anything and went to fetch a bowl of sugar water. While she did that, she also self-reflected. Xie Yunjin was very injured and needed much hydration. She was at fault for not supplying him with it.

Lu Jiao went into the room with sugar water, “Drink this first.”

Xie Yunjin instantly declined, “I said I don’t need it.”

Lu Jiao ignored him and went up to him with the water. She helped him sit up and ordered with a stern attitude, “Enough, drink this.”

Xie Yunjin glared at her coldly but in the end, lowered his head to drink the water. The sweet water washed down his throat and brought him instant comfort.

As he drank, Lu Jiao said slowly, “Today, I went up the mountain to chop some firewood. I caught two wild chickens and a wild rabbit. Tomorrow, I will make you some soup. I also found two ganoderma up there today. Tomorrow, I will sell one to Baohe Tang. As for the money…”