Transmigrated into a fat wife, farming, raising children, and picking up husbands

Looking at the glistening, fatty pork belly and the plump pork bones, Wang felt grateful, but said aloud, "How can that be? It should be the right amount. I can't let you make a wasted trip and bring things for nothing."

Hu Yidao was a talkative man who couldn't keep things to himself. He saw that Wang Shi had a kind face and was Lin Xiuer's mother.

Now that he finally had someone he could trust to confide in, he couldn't hold back and wanted to pour out everything he had to say.

"Auntie, you don't know," he leaned closer, glancing warily at the fence around him before lowering his voice and speaking with a mysterious air.

"Xiuer is really something now! Her egg pancakes are so fragrant that people all over the street line up to buy them! Business is booming!"

Upon hearing this, Wang's face had just shown a hint of relief when Hu Yidao abruptly changed the subject.

"My younger sister has a really sharp tongue. She just opened her business yesterday, and with just a few words, she scared away two thugs who were trying to extort protection money."

"And then there's Wu Liangcai, that scoundrel son of the town's village head, who came to forcibly take away Cui'er, the girl who sells vegetables, but Xiu'er managed to fool him away with a mix of coaxing and intimidation!"

Wang's smile froze instantly, and her hand trembled slightly.

Hu Yidao, oblivious, continued, "This morning was even worse! All seven ruthless members of the Black Fish Gang showed up! They blocked the stall demanding money and even made Xiu'er kowtow and apologize! The way they acted was terrifying!"

"What?!" Wang exclaimed in surprise, her face turning pale.

"It's alright, don't rush, let me tell you first!" Hu Yidao seemed unhappy that Wang Shi interrupted him, and wanted the old lady to hear the most exciting part of his story first.

"And guess what? Xiu'er's husband, my goodness, his skills were like a god descending to earth! He took down all seven bullies all by himself, with just a jujube wood stick!"

"They were beaten so badly they were crying for their parents, their teeth were falling to the ground! You didn't see it, it was so satisfying!"

He spoke with great enthusiasm, his words flowing like a torrent, spittle flying everywhere.

He embellished the story of Jia Heiyu's head full of bumps, Gou Wu's flat nose, and Ma Liu's crotch being pierced with a harpoon, laughing uncontrollably while slapping his thighs.

Finally, he didn't forget to comfort the old lady, saying, "That's so satisfying! It's truly gratifying. With Brother Ping An around, Xiu'er won't suffer any losses! Don't worry, Auntie!"

He spoke his mind freely, but little did he know that his words were like thunderclaps, exploding in Wang's heart and nearly knocking the old lady off her feet.

Her darling, her precious treasure.

She only knew that her daughter had gone to town to sell pancakes, thinking it would be hard work, but she had no idea that in just two or three days, she had experienced so many dangers!

The tyrant who forcibly abducted a young woman, the thugs who roamed the streets... each of these things was enough to make her already fragile heart pound with fear!

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Lin Xiuer, carrying a basket full of spices on her back, walked in one after the other with Ping An.

Ping An carried two bundles of firewood, with Xiao Bao following behind them like a little tail, his face still covered in mud.

"Grandma! We're back! We picked lots of fragrant grass!" Xiao Bao shouted as soon as he entered the door, as if showing off a treasure.

Wang didn't even have time to look at her grandson. As soon as she saw her daughter, she rushed over without caring that Hu Yidao was still there. She grabbed Lin Xiuer's hand, and her eyes instantly turned red.

Her voice choked with sobs and lingering fear: "Xiuer! My son! So many terrible things happened in town, why didn't you tell your mother a single word!"

"It's because your mother is useless; she couldn't protect you..."

Lin Xiuer was taken aback by her mother's sudden agitation, thinking something had happened: "Mother? What's wrong?"

"You've been hiding this from me!" Wang's tears fell again as she tightly gripped her hand.

"Manager Hu told me everything! It's the Black Fish Gang collecting protection money again, and that little tyrant from the village head's family trying to snatch a girl..."

"You almost got into a fight! We're not selling those pancakes! We're not selling them! Mom will go do laundry and needlework; that'll be enough to support you and Xiaobao!"

"You can't go to town anymore! What if those bastards come looking for trouble again!"

The more she spoke, the more frightened she became, her voice choked with emotion. These past few days, seeing her daughter working long hours and her business thriving, bringing in income, had made her happy. But she never imagined that earning this money would be so dangerous!

The thought of her daughter possibly being bullied outside, or even almost coming to blows like this morning, made Wang's heart ache as if it were being torn apart.

Lin Xiuer then realized that Hu Yidao had told her mother about what happened that morning. Her heart warmed, knowing that her mother was worried about her, but she felt more helpless than anything else.

He glanced at Hu Yidao standing next to him, who was scratching his head with a look that said, "I think I said something wrong," and sighed.

Lin Xiuer quickly took off her basket, grasped Wang Shi's hand, and helped her sit down on a small stool under the eaves: "Mother, don't be afraid, and don't rush."

"Things aren't as serious as you think. Wu Liangcai is a complete fool; he ran away after I scared him a couple of times. As for the Black Fish Gang, there's even less to worry about. They suffered a great loss today and won't dare to come back anytime soon."

"Brother Hu also said that Ping An is very capable; he drove those bad guys away. They won't dare to come back again."

"What if?" Wang shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

"What if they use dirty tricks? What if there are too many of them? You're my only daughter, and Xiao Bao is still so young... I can't let you take that risk!"

"Don't worry, Mother, I'm here." Ping An, who had been silent all along, stood behind Lin Xiuer.

Wang looked up at Ping An through her tearful eyes, recalling that the butcher had said he had single-handedly driven away seven or eight bullies.

Although it was hard to believe, seeing his calm and composed demeanor at that moment, Wang's overwhelming fear seemed to be soothed somewhat.

But how could Wang Shi really be at ease? Having lived to such an old age, she knew all too well how troublesome and vengeful those local bullies were.

"Xiuer, listen to your mother, that place is too chaotic. Let's not go, okay? I'd rather suffer a little..."

"daughter."

Lin Xiuer grasped her hand. "Hiding isn't a solution. We can't just give up business because we're afraid. We're in debt, but we still have to make a living. This business is our only hope right now."

"They broke the rules first. If we give in and give them thirty coins today, they'll dare to ask for fifty or even a hundred coins tomorrow when they see our business is doing well. We can't let that door open."

Looking at Wang's still worried face, she said, "How about this? Those people have no bottom line and are capable of anything, so we should be more careful and vigilant."

"From now on, when Ping'an and I go to town, you should take Xiaobao and stay at your eldest or second eldest brother's house. Don't leave him alone at home. With someone looking after you, I can feel at ease while I'm away."

Hearing this, Hu Yidao quickly joined in the comforting words.

"Yes, yes, yes! Auntie, Xiuer is right! Hiding isn't a problem! With Brother Ping An here, most people wouldn't dare to cause trouble! I'll also help keep an eye on things! You can rest assured!"