Water Ghost, God Hunter, Immortal Healer, and the Great Xia's Number One Martial Saint!

Therefore, it is precisely because he understands that he is now completely dependent on the Li Lai family's resources, making both his survival and career advancement extremely unstable, that he is so eager to improve his strength.

On the other hand, by improving one's strength before harvesting grain, one can have more energy to finish harvesting the crops in the field before planting, thus avoiding exhaustion.

His growing strength is the foundation for his ability to withstand risks.

It's frustrating. The brilliant plan I came up with today to quickly increase proficiency was rejected because of resource constraints.

Even so, he still found the morning very rewarding.

Even so, there is another opportunity...

Li Xingdao thought of Li Xiaohua's mother, who had pricked her foot and was unable to move at home or go up the mountain to chop firewood, while the family must need firewood. His heart stirred slightly.

However, he didn't show it on his face, but looked at Zhang Cui, who was struggling, and his expression changed.

"Auntie, let me help you."

Li Xingdao immediately spoke up, then shifted the position of his left hand on the basket, lifting it together with Zhang Cui. He then reached out with his right hand to lift the basket of fish that Zhang Cui was carrying, making it easier for her.

"Good sir, you're so kind to your aunt."

Zhang Cui felt much lighter immediately. As she hurried back, she looked at Li Xingdao and spoke with emotion.

"Hehe, Auntie, listen to me, and I'll be good to you."

Li Xingdao chuckled and spoke in a very honest manner, but what he said made Zhang Cui roll her eyes. She turned her head away from him and followed Li Xingdao's lead back home.

"How did you catch so many fish?"

As Li Lai opened the gate and entered the house, he sat in the shade of the locust tree in the yard and looked at the three baskets of fish they were carrying back with surprise.

"When the third brother's wife went to the mountain to chop firewood, she got her foot stuck and couldn't move. The third brother asked Xiaohua to get some fish and meat to help her recover, so he wanted to ask Xingdao for help, but she didn't know how to cook."

"But I was afraid of being bullied while I was out, so I told them that all the fish I caught in the morning would go to my family, and the fish I caught in the afternoon would be shared with them. The two kids agreed, and as a result, they caught so many fish at once."

As Zhang Cui and Li Xingdao carried the things to the door, she began to speak.

When we got to the door, I put the fish basket down, stretched my shoulders, and explained to him:

"I thought this wouldn't work. So many fish would need so much salt to dry into dried fish. And dried fish doesn't taste as good as fresh fish. So I had Xiaohua and Agou divide the fish among themselves, and our family got these three baskets."

"Now that Xiaohua has three baskets, how is she going to get back by herself? She'll have to ask Xingdao to make the trip."

As Zhang Cui was speaking, she saw Li Xingdao go inside to drink a large ladle of boiled and cooled tea, and she herself couldn't help but take a wet towel to wipe the sweat off her neck and face.

"So that's why there are so many fish! Oh, I see. This silly kid is actually quite good at fishing."

Li Lai spoke with surprise, a hint of malice hidden in his eyes. As he watched Li Xingdao finish his water and take a towel to wipe his sweat, a smile appeared on his face.

"That's perfect, since you're cooking a few extra fish today, let him go and help Xiaohua carry the fish back."

Just as Li Lai finished speaking, Li Xingdao, who had finished drinking water and wiping away his sweat, walked to Zhang Cui's side, took her hand, and led her into the kitchen next door.

Li Lai withdrew his gaze and continued to enjoy the shade under the tree.

In a family, who has the final say is very important, as it concerns dignity and survival.

Now that Li Xingdao is better and can do more work, he naturally has to give way to Li Xingdao.

There are some things that he should naturally do.

"..."

"Alright, Xingdao, Xiaohua is still waiting for you by the pond to help her carry the fish back. Hurry up and go. Auntie will cook fish for you at home and wait for you to come back to eat."

A moment later, Zhang Cui's voice came from the kitchen.

"Okay, Auntie, I'll go help Xiaohua carry the fish."

Li Xingdao seemed to have calmed down, and upon hearing Zhang Cui's words, he immediately nodded happily and spoke up.

After saying that, he got up and went to the toilet behind the house to urinate. Then he strode out of the courtyard gate excitedly and headed straight for Dongtang to bring fish to Li Xiaohua.

Zhang Cui watched Li Xingdao leave, a smile appearing on her fair face.

Then, feeling weak all over, she straightened her clothes and lightly began to kill the fish to prepare meat for Li Xingdao and Li Lai.

"Make six fish for this kid later, and two for me. Cook as much as you want to eat."

Li Lai also came out of the main room and gave her a word of advice.

………………

It was summer, and the midday sun was extremely hot.

When Li Xingdao reached the edge of Dongtang, he had just dried himself off when he broke out in a sweat again.

But he didn't care at all. When he got to the East Pond, he saw Li Xiaohua guarding the fish basket, with Li Gou beside her holding a pitchfork. He immediately walked over with a big smile and shouted:

"Xiaohua, Aunt Cui asked me to help you carry the fish home."

"I'm here, thank you, Brother Xingdao."

When Li Xiaohua saw Li Xingdao, she thought of how he hugged Zhang Cui and kissed and rubbed her in front of her. Just thinking about it made her chest and bottom feel numb, and her cheeks turned a little red, but she still spoke in a clear voice.

To avoid alerting Li Gou to anything amiss, he spoke much louder than before.

"Alright, Little Flower Sister is really energetic."

Li Xingdao chuckled and walked forward with an honest expression, not even glancing at Li Gou, who was watching him with a cold face.

He picked up a basket of fish, then helped carry another basket onto Li Xiaohua's back, whose cheeks were slightly flushed. Finally, he carried a basket of fish with her, smiling broadly as he spoke:

"Little Flower Sister, please lead the way."

"Okay, Brother Xingdao."

Li Xiaohua nodded repeatedly, then waved to Li Gou: "Brother Gou, I'm leaving."

After saying that, Li Xiaohua, under Li Gou's gaze, took light steps and walked home with Li Xingdao.

Li Xiaohua's home is not far from Dongtang, but she is still a little girl, and carrying a basket of fish is still a bit heavy.

Li Xingdao helped her carry the fish. Halfway there, seeing that she was a little out of breath, he took the initiative to help her lift the fish basket with his left hand and use his other hand to lift the basket on her back to lighten her load.

"Thank you, Brother Xingdao. You're such a kind person."

Li Xiaohua kissed his thin body and then spoke gratefully to Li Xingdao. As she spoke, a few glistening tips of her white teeth were revealed in her delicate lips.

"Hehe, it's okay. Your brother Xingdao may not have much else, but he's strong and willing to work."

Li Xingdao chuckled, and as his mind raced, he took the initiative to speak with a simple and honest smile.

"Really?"

Hearing what Li Xingdao said, Li Xiaohua's eyes lit up, and she looked at him excitedly: "Brother Xingdao, could you come to my family's mountain and help us cut down a few trees?"

"My family's firewood will run out in a few days. We still owe my fourth sister's family firewood. Even if we have food, we won't be able to cook. I also have to take care of my mother and can't cut down trees. Please help me."

Li Xiaohua looked at Li Xingdao and spoke eagerly:

"My family needs to cut down at least ten trees for backup. I have no choice but to ask you for help."