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

"There's a tractor from the troupe going to the county town this afternoon. I'll give you a ride and pick up the others who are going too." Zhou Yanshen was worried about her going alone and insisted on coming along. He was also worried about his apprentice's driving skills, as he had heard that the tractor had stalled several times in the past two weeks while he was away.

Besides, there's no such thing as "don't drink and drive" these days. Su Wanqing thought that the tractor only travels at 20 or 30 kilometers per hour, and Zhou Yanshen hadn't drunk much, so she nodded in agreement.

Su Wanqing took a few empty baskets, Zhou Yanshen drank a bowl of honey water to sober up, and then took the thick, soft cushion that Su Wanqing used to ride on the tractor, as well as a large bag of snacks that she always carried when she went out—braised eggs, dried meat, and dried apricots filled the bag—before they walked together toward the regimental headquarters parking spot.

Zhou Yanshen greeted his apprentice, took the steering wheel, and then checked the tractor inside and out to ensure it was safe and could run normally. This was a habit he had developed every time he drove a truck on a mission.

After checking, Zhou Yanshen patted his apprentice Li Jianshe on the shoulder and said, "There's a problem with the brakes, but it's not serious. I've corrected it again. You can apply to replace the brake pads later."

Li Jianshe chuckled, "Understood, Master."

Over here, the villagers who went with her all looked at her and Zhou Yanshen with smiles.

"Dr. Su, are you going to the county too?" an old lady greeted him with a smile.

"Oh my, Comrade Zhou is also sending gifts? He really dotes on his wife."

"Dr. Su, your belly has grown quite a bit, it looks like you're four or five months pregnant."

Su Wanqing greeted the villagers with a smile, and soon five or six people were sitting on the tractor—some were going to the county town to buy meat (there was no meat sold in the production and construction corps except on market days), and some were educated youth going to the post office to send local specialties back home. They all had important business to attend to; otherwise, who would spend 2 cents to ride a tractor?

Zhou Yanshen glanced at the sky: "Is nobody here? Have they set off?"

Aunt Zhang wrapped her coat and headscarf tighter: "That's all, that's all. It's too cold, let's hurry up and get going."

Li Laowu's wife nodded: "Who says otherwise? Why is it so cold today? The weather is probably going to change. Let's hurry up and go."

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure jumped onto the car. It was Zhao Shupi. He glanced at Su Wanqing, said nothing, and silently sat down in the corner.

Zhou Yanshen frowned slightly and started the tractor.

……

Upon arriving in the county town, Zhou Yanshen parked the car in the open space in front of the supply and marketing cooperative and said to everyone, "We'll head back in an hour. Keep track of the time."

"Okay!"

The crowd dispersed. Zhou Yanshen covered the tractor, helped Su Wanqing down, and the two went to buy things first.

"Do you want to buy some more cotton? I can make you a new cotton-padded coat." Zhou Yanshen looked down at her. "Your belly is so big, the one we made before might not fit you anymore."

Su Wanqing shook her head: "I don't need a cotton-padded coat, but I need to buy several sets of larger sizes of sweaters and trousers from the department store. My belly is growing too fast, and they won't dry easily in winter, so I need to prepare several sets for changing." She counted on her fingers, "And thermal underwear, fleece trousers, and cotton undershirts, I need to buy large sizes of all of them."

She initially thought she could buy them in five months, but now... her pants are already a bit tight. Good heavens, she's gained six or seven pounds in just two or three months of pregnancy! Even with the magic spring, getting too fat isn't good...

The two headed straight to the department store. Su Wanqing bought four sets of large-sized sweaters and trousers, four sets of cotton undershirts, five pairs of thick cotton socks, and two sets of scarves and hats. She also bought a set for Zhou Yanshen.

Since it was difficult to pack everything in the basket, Su Wanqing simply bought a burlap sack.

As I left the department store, I passed by the market. Compared to the bustling scene of fragrant fruits and melons two weeks ago, now at this time of year—there's practically nothing left. Watermelons are gone, cantaloupes are gone, grapes are gone.

However, there is still plenty of meat and other non-staple foods available.

Su Wanqing bought whatever she saw: pork belly, ribs, pork bones, and two large grass carp caught from the reservoir, perfect for making smoked fish. She also bought plenty of snacks, including walnuts and red dates from the neighboring county, as well as several local dried fruits such as almonds, figs, and tricolor raisins.

She stuffed everything into her baskets, filling the three large baskets to the brim.

Zhou Yanshen had one bag hanging on his chest, one on his back, a net bag in one hand, and Su Wanqing by the other, making him look like a human-shaped delivery truck.

……

Unbeknownst to Su Wanqing, a pair of eyes had been fixed on her as she walked around the troupe that morning.

Zhao Shupi originally wanted to use the brick house issue to drive Chen Xiuer out, but Su Wanqing had too much influence, and Secretary Liu directly resolved the brick house issue. Not only did he fail, but he was also severely reprimanded.

Since this path was blocked, he devised another wicked plan.

Su Wanqing is so protective of Chen Xiuer. If she dies, Chen Xiuer will lose her backing and will have to come back to beg her.

"I don't believe you, Su Wanqing, never go out or ride a tractor!" After all, Su Wanqing used to ride a tractor every few days.

Today, his chance had finally arrived. He didn't dare follow her, fearing discovery, so he simply waited by the tractor. Unexpectedly, Su Wanqing actually came. Without a word, he jumped on the tractor and followed her to the county town.

After everyone dispersed, he found an iron rod and tucked it into his waistband, then sneaked back to the tractor. The place was secluded, with hardly anyone around. He crouched under the tractor, recalling something he'd heard from Zhou Yanshen's apprentice a while back—the tractor's brakes had a problem; sometimes they would suddenly jam, and the apprentice had to tap them a couple of times to get them working.

Zhao Shupi smiled sinisterly.

He found the brake linkage, twisted it hard with an iron rod a few times, and loosened the screws in the key parts a few turns. It would drive fine like this, but in the event of sudden braking or going downhill, the entire braking system would completely fail. If the tractor overturned, Su Wanqing's pregnant belly…

After he finished fiddling with it, he crawled out from under the vehicle, grinning maliciously as he walked back to the regiment. He dared not ride in that tractor anymore.

……

Su Wanqing was completely unaware of this.

The two arrived at the entrance of the supply bureau. Zhou Yanshen put down the bags and packages: "Wanqing, you go in. I'll wait for you outside. It's not good to go in with so much stuff."

Su Wanqing nodded. Indeed, when he went in carrying a lot of things, Director Li thought they were gifts for him, but then he took them back when he left, which made him feel awkward for no reason.

Upon seeing her, Director Li greeted her with a smile that narrowed his eyes to slits, as if she were his own father: "Oh, Xiao Su! We've been waiting for you to come back! Come in, come in, have some water!"

He personally served tea and water, being extremely attentive: "Did the survey go smoothly this time?"

Su Wanqing took the teacup: "Everything went smoothly."

"That's good, that's good!" Director Li rubbed his hands together. "Come, come, sit down and rest. There are still a few hundred units of outstanding payments for the last batch of drilling rigs. Don't worry, they're all safely stored in my warehouse, I'm keeping an eye on them for you. Your friend is really carefree, leaving so many valuables here with me for so many days without a word..."

Su Wanqing smiled and took a sip of tea: "My friend trusts me, and I trust you. I feel very at ease leaving my business with you."

—Don't worry, it's all her money! She's more anxious than anyone else, that's why she came running here as soon as she got back.