When The Eighth Old Zhou had arranged to look for people back then, that was still understandable since it involved the big picture.
But now that the young couple had narrowly escaped death and returned safe and sound, this tactless guy was still lingering around in front of them...
While Mo Jiuye was talking to his family, he also saw The Eighth Old Zhou's actions.
He somehow just felt annoyed in his heart.
He reassured his family for a few sentences and walked towards He Zhiran's direction.
As if to declare his sovereignty, he took over the donkey cart reins in He Zhiran's hands, and at the same time pulled her to his other side, drawing a clear line with The Eighth Old Zhou.
The Eighth Old Zhou was not a tactless person either.
He simply couldn't control himself just now, which led him to talk to He Zhiran.
Mo Jiuye's current actions couldn't be more obvious, clearly hinting for him to keep his distance from He Zhiran.
He Zhiran was his lifesaver, he would never take the initiative to undermine their marital relationship.
So The Eighth Old Zhou deliberately coughed twice, "I still have things to do over there, let's talk another day."
Mo Jiuye indifferently replied: "Master Zhou, please go ahead with your business."
Peng Wang saw The Eighth Old Zhou walk away and chased after him, pounding him in the chest with his fist.
"Old Eight, I don't want to say any more words. Watch yourself."
The Eighth Old Zhou also knew that his approaching of He Zhiran just now was indeed somewhat inappropriate.
"Boss, don't worry! You know me, The Eighth Old Zhou, the best. I would never do anything that would cause criticism."
"Humph! In short, I have said my piece, whatever happens from now on is up to you!" After saying that, Peng Wang was too lazy to continue blathering and left with his hands behind his back.
Peng Wang had already tacitly acknowledged the existence of the donkey cart and did not ask about it further.
Half an hour later, the troop stopped by a not very big lake.
There was a water source here, convenient for everyone to make dinner.
The sisters-in-law were happy to see the Ninth Younger Brother and Ninth Younger Sister-in-Law come back, and they started cooking more enthusiastically.
Mother Mo always held onto her son, ceaselessly fussing over him.
The Fang and Xie families also came over now and told He Zhiran about what had happened after they went missing.
At the same time, they also told her a big news.
That was that when the He family was carrying He Ming down the mountain, they slipped and accidentally dropped the person.
He Ming rolled down the slope and by the time the He family members caught up, he had already stopped breathing.
The He family was heartbroken over this for several days.
Regarding He Ming's death, He Zhiran only listened casually without making any judgement.
...
After the family ate a reunion dinner in the wild, He Zhiran took the sisters-in-law to the donkey cart to move fruit.
She had prepared relatively few types of fruit, only apples and peaches commonly seen in this era.
But they were plentiful in quantity and could definitely allow everyone to have their fill.
Eldest Sister-in-Law carried down a basket of apples first and when she opened the grass mat on top, everyone was instantly stunned by what was inside.
Second Sister-in-Law excitedly exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! This is the first time I've seen such huge apples from young to now."
Fourth Sister-in-Law chimed in, "That's right, not only are these apples huge, the color is much redder than any we've eaten before."
The gluttonous Eighth Sister-in-Law had already impatiently taken out two apples from the basket.
"Such nice apples, Mother and Hanying must like eating them. I'll go bring some to them now."
When buying fruit for her family members, He Zhiran did not skimp at all.
She had specifically chosen the best quality Red Delicious apples on Taobao, guaranteed sweetness and thirst-quenching with every bite.
Seeing Eighth Sister-in-Law's greedy look, He Zhiran laughed, "Sisters, there are plenty of apples, everyone feel free to eat."
The sisters-in-law stared at the big apples without moving.
They really couldn't bear to eat such good-looking apples.
Seeing the sisters-in-law not making a move, He Zhiran simply stopped urging them and urged them to keep moving the fruit instead.
She had prepared two big baskets of Fuji apples in total. Counting the government clerks and the other two families, everyone could at least get two each.
The peaches she loaded in the cart were also carefully chosen by He Zhiran, similarly large in size and beautiful in color.
When the sisters-in-law saw the honey peaches bigger than their fists, drool nearly flowed out.
The peaches they had eaten before were not only tiny in size, but the flesh was also extremely firm, crunchy with every bite, with nothing attractive about them other than being a little sweet.
However, the peaches Ninth Younger Brother and Ninth Younger Sister-in-Law brought back today were completely different.
Without even taking a bite, just feeling them in their hands, they could see the peaches were big, thick-fleshed, and juicy.
The sisters-in-law simply loved the fruit He Zhiran brought back and couldn't keep their hands off them.
Fourth Sister-in-Law unconsciously touched the purse given by her natal family members when they left.
She hadn't spent her silver at all and everyone had been using Ninth Younger Sister-in-Law's money so far.
If possible, she also wanted to buy some tasty treats for her family like Ninth Younger Sister-in-Law.
"Ninth Younger Sister-in-Law, where did you and Ninth Younger Brother buy such nice fruit?"
The other sisters-in-law were also very curious about this and looked toward He Zhiran when Fourth Sister-in-Law asked.
He Zhiran had already thought up an excuse for the fruit's appearance long ago.
"Sisters-in-Law, my husband and I happened to see the fruit while traveling, the seller was pushing a wooden cart through streets and alleys. I also don't know where such fruit will be sold down the line."
With this, she directly dashed Fourth Sister-in-Law's thoughts of continuing to buy fruit.
Fourth Sister-in-Law was clearly very regretful.
"What a pity, who knows when we'll encounter such nice fruit again."
Seeing this, Third Sister-in-Law chimed in, "If we come across fruit like this again, it'll be my treat for everyone."
Seeing the two of them talking to each other, the other sisters-in-law were envious inside at their having silver.
Eldest Sister-in-Law sighed, "Once we settle down in the Northwest, I'll go out to find a job to do, then I can also help the family somewhat."
Second Sister-in-Law echoed, "Eldest Sister-in-Law, I'll go with you when the time comes."
Seeing the sisters-in-laws' thoughts going astray, He Zhiran hastily reminded, "Sisters, let's first carry the fruit over and distribute it to everyone."
The sisters-in-laws' attention immediately fell back onto the two types of fruit, with some even unconsciously swallowing their saliva.
Four baskets of fruit. Two people carried one basket, and returned to where the families had concentrated to set up tents.
Seeing the Mo family women carrying several large baskets, the government clerks spontaneously crowded around without needing to be called.
Now the entire Mo family's women listened to He Zhiran's arrangements.
Eldest Sister-in-Law asked, "Ninth Younger Sister-in-Law, how should the fruit be distributed?"
"Two of each fruit per person first, then we'll see about the rest," He Zhiran said. She had already taken the lead to grab two peaches and two apples to deliver to Mother Mo.
Seeing this, Mo Hanying also came over to help distribute the fruit.
Everyone became all smiles when they saw the Mo family's women take out such nice fruit from the baskets. Even those government clerks no longer put on any airs and lined up orderly to receive theirs.
After Zhang Qing got the apples, he couldn't wait to take a big bite in front of the crowd, instantly giving He Zhiran a big thumbs up.
"Lady He, you've really got it, to actually manage buying such delicious fruit!"
