Chapter 18

Chapter 18

So soon?

Bai Xiuxiu thought it would be at least tomorrow! She calmly picked up the honeysuckle and put it back in the box, planning to dry it when she returned in the evening. Only after tidying up did she get off the bed and open the door.

At the door, Zhao Guifen and Old Fifth's wife, Zhou Jiaojiao, were blocking her way.

Zhou Jiaojiao kept looking into the house, trying to see what Bai Xiuxiu was doing inside.

However, to her disappointment, there was nothing in the room.

Zhao Guifen had a cold expression. "Don't just stand there. Let's go to the mountains. You're the eldest sister-in-law, so you need to be diligent and do more work!"

Hearing this, Bai Xiuxiu smiled. "Mom, I'm still sick. It's only because Uncle Zhang prescribed medicine that I feel better. That's why I planned to go to the mountains. If I overwork myself and get sick again, and word gets around the village, I won't be responsible for any criticism."

Thinking about this, Zhao Guifen felt a surge of anger.

If Bai Xiuxiu got sick from overworking, she wouldn't be able to show her face in the village!

Although there were other families in the village who didn't treat their daughters-in-law well, she was the only one warned by the team leader!

She couldn't understand why a daughter-in-law should be treated so preciously. If she died, they could just marry another one. Why was she so valuable?

When she was a daughter-in-law, she wasn't treated as precious at all!

Feeling aggrieved, Zhao Guifen looked at Bai Xiuxiu with murderous eyes.

Still, she managed to say, "Then do less work."

On the side, Zhou Jiaojiao watched, feeling uncomfortable. What did it mean for Bai Xiuxiu to do less work? Did that mean she should do more? Wasn't she just a sick person? Why was she so precious?

But thinking about Bai Xiuxiu's potential misfortune in the mountains, her mood improved. "Mom, don't worry. When we go up the mountain, I'll have the eldest sister-in-law follow me, and I'll take good care of her."

Zhao Guifen nodded. "Alright, keep an eye on her."

She didn't believe that with Old Fifth's wife watching, Bai Xiuxiu could slack off much!

Looking at the two of them, Bai Xiuxiu sneered inwardly.

Jokingly, how could she possibly walk with Bai Xiuxiu!

She immediately said, "That won't be necessary. Old Fifth's wife looks frail, and she can't take care of me. I'll walk with Third Sister-in-law."

After saying that, Bai Xiuxiu locked the door and went out.

Zhou Jiaojiao was anxious. As for her luck, she wasn't sure of the specifics.

She only knew that whoever went to the mountains with her would have bad luck, but she wasn't sure who it would be.

Usually, those closest to her suffered the most.

Since Bai Xiuxiu insisted on not walking with her, then...

Forget it, Second Sister-in-law would do too.

She didn't like any of these sisters-in-law.

Eventually, she would step over all of them to achieve her own success.

Going up the mountain wasn't just today.

Once Bai Xiuxiu saw her harvest in the mountains, she would naturally want to walk with her!

Thinking this, Zhou Jiaojiao felt reassured.

Outside, Bai Xiuxiu immediately found Zhao Cuihua. "Third Sister-in-law, let's walk together when we enter the mountains? I'm still sick, and we can watch out for each other."

Zhao Cuihua was taken aback but knew that it was easy to get lost in the mountains alone. Moreover, this eldest sister-in-law seemed more understanding than the other sisters-in-law!

Just take the money-sharing matter; if not for the eldest sister-in-law's reminder, she wouldn't have thought of it!

With that, Zhao Cuihua didn't hesitate. "Sure, I'll walk with Eldest Sister-in-law."

The five of them left the house.

Soon, they discovered that many families in the village also sent their people to the mountains. However, most were grandmothers taking a group of children.

Children weren't very useful for work, and grandmothers worked slowly, so they earned few work points, bringing little benefit to the family. It was better to go to the mountains! In the mountains, they could dig for wild vegetables, pick mushrooms, and if they found medicinal herbs, they'd make a profit.

It was always better than working at home.

Except for the male labor force in the village, who had to work, everyone else had flexible time.

In the mountains, there were more people than wild vegetables!

As soon as they entered the mountains, Zhou Jiaojiao, who hadn't spoken much on the road, suggested, "Eldest Sister-in-law, why don't we all walk together? We can watch out for each other."

She still wanted to increase the chances of Bai Xiuxiu having bad luck!

After saying this, Zhou Jiaojiao looked eagerly at Bai Xiuxiu.

Seeing her expression, Bai Xiuxiu sneered inwardly. Her fifth sister-in-law really didn't like her!

Bai Xiuxiu feigned exhaustion and refused. "Let's forget it. With so many people walking together, what can we find? I'm already so weak from coming up the mountain. Fifth Sister-in-law, you take the others. Third Sister-in-law can stay here and accompany me. We'll walk slowly."

Zhao Cuihua really wanted to refuse! How could Eldest Sister-in-law become so weak so quickly?

But she couldn't directly refuse; the past two days made Big Sister Zhou seem particularly unapproachable!

Seeing Zhou Jiaojiao's persistence, it was clear persuasion wouldn't work. Though regretful, there was no other choice: "Alright then, let's go first."

No sooner had they left than Bai Xiuxiu started climbing up the mountain.

"Big Sister, what are we doing?" Zhao Cuihua was baffled.

Weren't they tired?

"Finding a good vantage point to see where they're headed. If you, Third Sister-in-law, don't want to follow me, feel free to go your own way." Bai Xiuxiu continued climbing.

Zhao Cuihua was speechless. She wanted to leave, but she had promised Big Sister!

Besides, she sensed Big Sister had some scheme in mind, and following might bring some benefit.

Zhao Cuihua followed Bai Xiuxiu up the mountain.

From their position, they could still see Zhou Jiaojiao and her group.

Bai Xiuxiu confirmed their location, planning to keep a discreet distance throughout the journey.

She wanted to see just how unlucky those following Zhou Jiaojiao would be!

The two groups moved one after the other.

Soon, Second Sister-in-law Liu Xiaoe, walking with Zhou Jiaojiao, slipped on flat ground and landed in a mud puddle.

Zhao Cuihua barely held back her laughter!

She never got along well with Second Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law! Seeing Second Sister-in-law's misfortune brought her joy.

Before she could compose herself, Liu Xiaoe, who had just climbed out of the mud, slipped again and grabbed onto the clothes of the people beside her in panic.

Pulling down Fourth Sister-in-law Chen Fang and Zhou Jiaojiao with her.

In this mishap, Liu Xiaoe's head struck a rock in the mud puddle.

Immediately, screams filled the air.

This stunned not only Zhao Cuihua but also Bai Xiuxiu.

This... was quite the misfortune!

And it happened right at the start of their trip?

How many lives were enough for Zhou Jiaojiao to ruin?

"How can they be so unlucky?" Zhao Cuihua looked at the three covered in mud, feeling relieved! Good thing she followed Big Sister, or her clothes would be dirty, leaving her nothing to wear tomorrow.

"Second Sister-in-law? Are you alright, Second Sister-in-law!"

On the other side, Zhou Jiaojiao cried out in alarm.