Forced to marry a disabled man in the countryside? I'll repay you tenfold!

I'm very satisfied!

Su Wanqing nodded: "Let's do it your way. Xiuer, after we go back this time, why don't we bring Aunt Wang over and have her help you manage the mushrooms? I don't trust anyone else, but I trust Aunt Wang. We'll give her a five-cent subsidy every day, but she might not get any work points." — The subsidy was paid privately by her, but the work points had to be allocated through the collective, which she didn't have.

Chen Xiuer was taken aback, not expecting this other way. If her mother were over there, she would either be helping her two brothers take care of their children or going to work. Who knows what might have happened during her hospitalization? Rather than suffering there, it was better to come here...

Thinking of this, her eyes lit up instantly: "Dr. Su, you've thought of everything! But... what about my mother's organizational affiliation, her original job, and what if my brother and his family don't want to come?"

If my parents' jobs really are going to be given to my brothers, they probably won't make things difficult for their own mother anymore, right? I wonder if they'd even be willing to let her go...

Su Wanqing: "Things will work themselves out. There's always a way. Just tell me, would you be willing to bring Aunt Wang over?"

"Yes! A hundred times willing!"

"Let's take it one step at a time." Su Wanqing had her own reasons for wanting to bring Aunt Wang over: the mushroom business really needed another reliable hand, and Aunt Wang was perfect for it. Moreover, she was excellent at pickling vegetables and salted duck eggs, which would allow her to develop a side business. Most importantly—Aunt Wang was truly ready to fight anyone who dared to bully them.

After this was discussed, Chen Xiuer's mood brightened considerably, and she even began to consider: as long as her mother's health was not seriously compromised, it would be good to bring her to live with them. However, for now, everything was just speculation, and she would have to go back and see for herself to know the truth.

Even if her mother was really seriously ill... no, she believed that Dr. Su could definitely cure her mother!

At that moment, Chen Xiuer and Su Wanqing went their separate ways.

Su Wanqing went home first and took out a large bag of pork meatballs and salt-baked eggs from her space. These salt-baked eggs were made by her through rough processing of more than a hundred eggs. The outer layer of the egg white formed a beautiful tiger-skin pattern, and the yolk inside was soft, flavorful, and very fragrant. She could eat several of them every day.

She carried her things and knocked on Old Shen's door. Old Shen was packing his luggage; the alfalfa planting was nearing completion, and he had planned to return to the provincial capital in a few days.

"Xiao Su, is there anything else you want to give me?" Old Shen was a little surprised. Hadn't he just given me canned fruit? Why was he bringing so many things again?

Su Wanqing smiled sheepishly and explained the situation in general. Chen Xiuer's father had passed away, and she needed to return to Bincheng to handle family matters. She also happened to be going to Bincheng for some business and wanted to ask Old Shen to help look after the planting site for a few days. Finally, she handed over the heavy bag of meatballs and salt-baked eggs: "These are some dishes I made. Please try them."

After listening, Old Shen shook his head and chuckled, "So, you were just laying the groundwork by sending me canned goods earlier so I wouldn't feel comfortable refusing now?" He joked, but still accepted the goods. "Alright, you two go and get on with your business. Anyway, this retired old man of mine has plenty of free time, so staying here a few more days won't hurt. Little Su, when you go south, remember to keep an eye out for any new technologies and good seeds you can bring back. I'll keep watch over the base camp for you here."

He didn't have many other hobbies in his life; he just liked to tinker in the fields.

Su Wanqing solemnly agreed: "I heard that they have developed a new variety of short-stalked, disease-resistant wheat over there, with a very good yield per mu. I will definitely find a way to bring some back for you."

"Good, good, by the way, Xiao Su, there's another good news. Congratulations! The mushroom competition is almost over, and your scores are far ahead. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be the champion. By the time you come back, the prizes will probably be ready. I'm just waiting for you to come back and claim your prize. I heard it's a tractor." Old Shen was in a very good mood.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen. I'll be waiting to earn enough for our regiment to buy a tractor!"

Tractors are great! They're valuable and in high demand. If she gets a reward, she'll store it in her spatial storage, do some rough processing, and then do another tenfold increase...

After settling things off with Elder Shen, Chen Xiuer went to discuss the follow-up shipping arrangements with Guo Mingyuan. Su Wanqing couldn't help but sigh again: Chen Xiuer is truly a capable assistant, intelligent and thoughtful; she hardly needs to worry about anything at the planting site.

But she herself will be away for ten days to half a month, and she also needs to take care of a lot of things at home.

She then went to find Ga Laosan to arrange the care of the lavender field; and took meatballs and salt-baked eggs to Tian Dahua and Erzhuzi's house.

Tian Dahua's family also built a fence around their yard, but it was just a wooden fence and didn't cost much. They kept six chickens in the backyard, and somehow they also got a piglet. Erzhuzi's main task now every day is to cut pig feed and cook pig feed.

Su Wanqing asked Erzhuzi to help look after her livestock.

Erzhuzi thumped his chest loudly: "Dr. Su, you're too kind! Leave this to me, there's no need to send anything!"

Su Wanqing insisted on stuffing a large bag of meatballs and eggs into her hands: "Captain Tian is pregnant and needs nutrition. Besides, feeding the pigs and cutting grass is no easy task; it takes one or two hours every day. How can we let you work so hard for nothing?"

Upon hearing that it was to supplement Tian Dahua's nutrition, the couple happily accepted the gift. Even if Dr. Su didn't give them anything, they would still do their best; if she did, they would only be more attentive.

With the livestock finally settled, Su Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief—she dared not rely on Zhou's mother for these tasks, fearing chaos would ensue within days.

She packed some more meatballs and went to find Professor Wu Jingwen, asking her to look after the beehives while she was at it, and to water the vegetable garden and pull weeds when she had time—things that would be easy for her.

It's often said that "farmers can't live without someone," and that's true. When someone goes on a long trip, all the animals in the yard have to be taken care of.

Once everything was arranged, Su Wanqing finally felt at ease enough to prepare for her long journey.

However, considering that they would be taking a three-day train journey, they would have to prepare more food for the train. Both she and Zhou Yanshen had big appetites, and if they prepared too little, she would secretly eat some, while Zhou Yanshen would not eat any. He would wait until she had almost finished eating before he would pick up his chopsticks.

This time is different from when she first came. Back then, she had nothing and was always strapped for cash, while also having to manage a huge amount of luggage. Now that she has plenty of money and room to spare, she naturally has to prepare everything she needs.

This time, Su Wanqing simply brought salted duck eggs, salt-baked eggs, and pickled vegetables, as well as some boiled eggs. She also brought some sweet potatoes and raisins that she had dried a few days ago.

The meat she had cut today came in handy—she chopped ten pounds of minced meat, seasoned it into both sweet and savory flavors, rolled it into thin sheets, and baked it into pork jerky. The freshly baked jerky smelled wonderful, and on a whim, she sent it all to "Craftsmanship" for further processing.