Traveling Through Those Years Of Farming (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 11

“Sweetheart, you finally wake up. Are you feeling uncomfortable? Do you have a headache?” When Xu Jiaoniang sees her daughter open her eyes, she hurries over and asks a series of questions anxiously. “You really make me worry. You don’t say a word despite all the injuries on your body. Where has your former cleverness gone?”

Xu Jiaoniang feels a mix of anger and anxiety. She is not a very wise person, and when it comes to her daughter, she often loses her composure. Now, she obsesses over why her daughter, who has always been spoiled, doesn’t complain to her or her father as soon as she gets home. Is someone threatening her?

Xu Jiaoniang and Lu Jiafu know that the first and third branches have never liked their second branch. The children from those two branches also don’t like playing with their daughter. This time, the eldest girl takes her sweetheart and the third girl to cut grass for pigs. Who knows if the two of them team up to bully her daughter? Xu Jiaoniang feels her guess is reasonable.

At this moment, Xu Jiaoniang is like a mother bear protecting her cub. She is ready to rush out and confront Jiang Bai’e and Liu Lanhua if her child confirms her fears.

“Mom, I forgot! The pig offal made by my eldest cousin is so delicious that I forget all the pain,” Lu Baobao pouts, sounding aggrieved.

Xu Jiaoniang’s expression shifts. She doesn’t expect her daughter to respond this way. The expressions of Lu Miao and Lu Jiafu beside her also stiffen, surprised that the reason Lu Baobao doesn’t complain is simply because her mind is occupied with delicious pig offal, completely forgetting to voice her grievances to the adults.

Why does that sound a bit silly?

“Mom, the bamboo basket is so heavy. It’s so big!” Lu Baobao opens her arms wide in a dramatic gesture. In truth, all three adults in front of her already know how large the bamboo basket at home is; her description feels exaggerated.

“I feel pain in my shoulders after carrying it for a short while, but my eldest and third cousins are still able to jump and hop with such a big basket on their backs. I feel embarrassed to say I can’t carry it. My third cousin is half a year younger than me, and I, as an elder sister, can’t be less capable than her.” Lu Baobao pouts, looking a bit unconvinced. “But after walking for a while, I really can’t carry it anymore, and my walking speed slows down. My eldest cousin is the best. She says I’m small and that it’s really hard to carry the bamboo basket, so she helps me carry it for a long distance. Later, when we pass the riverbank, she returns the basket to me.”

As she speaks, Lu Baobao looks a bit puzzled. “Mom, why does my eldest cousin ask me to carry the bamboo basket for a while when we pass the riverbank?”

Lu Baobao understands her eldest cousin’s intentions but can’t say it directly. This is something her parents and grandma need to grasp.

“In fact, cutting pig grass isn’t difficult at all. My eldest cousin teaches me very well. She also praises me for being smart and for cutting good pig grass. Before coming back, she even digs up some reed roots for us. They are really crisp. I can’t bear to eat them all by myself, so I eat half and save the rest for Grandma and my parents. I put them in the basket…” 

Lu Baobao’s voice becomes softer, as if she feels a little guilty. “Well, not half. I can’t help but secretly eat a little on the way. It’s really just a little.” 

Her voice grows louder again as she uses her little fingers to gesture, proving that she only eats a tiny bit more. 

This guilty look makes the three laugh.

“The basket is heavier after filling it with pig grass, and basically, it’s my cousin who carries it back for me. She only gives it back when we are almost home. Grandma, I’m sorry, I lied. I didn’t carry that basket of pig grass back. Baobao is useless. My third cousin is better than me. Baobao’s body hurts, but I’m still very happy today. My big cousin is so nice. Grandma, I like my big cousin so much.”

What’s there to misunderstand? Lu Xiuyu doesn’t bully Lu Baobao at all. On the contrary, as the eldest, she is very considerate of her younger cousins.

What is the riverbank? It’s where the women in the village wash clothes. When they pass by the riverbank, the eldest girl returns the bamboo basket to Lu Baobao because she is afraid that outsiders will see and think Lu Baobao is lazy like their parents.

“See? See? That eldest girl is even better than you two parents!” Lu Miao twists her second son’s ear in anger, raging at the two of them.

Lu Jiafu and Xu Jiaoniang also feel a twinge of guilt at this moment, but their guilt stems only from having misunderstood the eldest girl. They are still fed up with the villagers making up stories about their family affairs. What’s wrong with them being lazy or greedy? They don’t eat the rice that isn’t theirs. Who told them to be born into a well-off family? It wasn’t their fault they were born into a capable family.

Now the Lu family hasn’t split up. The main income comes from their father. If he can charm their parents into favoring him, that’s also a skill. Eating off the fruits of his family’s labor is an ability in its own right.

“Grandma, the doctor is here.”

After hearing the conversation in the room, Lu Xiuyu interrupted whatever Lu Miao was about to say and brought the doctor in.

After cutting pig grass and returning home during the day, her third cousin asked her why she is so good to the second cousin. At that time, Lu Xiuyu simply answered that Lu Baobao is also their cousin, which is why she treats her well.

In truth, Lu Xiuyu knows she loves Lu Baobao not just because of their blood relationship but also because Lu Baobao is young and in need of care. Moreover, she likes Lu Baobao’s appearance and sees no harm in giving her extra attention

But after hearing Lu Baobao’s words just now, Lu Xiuyu feels she has even more reasons to cherish Lu Baobao. It is so wonderful to be remembered for her efforts.

In modern times, Lu Xiuyu also sacrifices much for her so-called family, yet they think it is simply her duty and that she never gives enough. 

Lu Baobao’s loud declarations to Grandma and her second uncle and aunt that the big cousin did this… did that… strike a chord deep within Lu Xiuyu’s heart.

Even though those things seem trivial to her, like helping carry the bamboo basket or digging up reed roots, Lu Baobao remembers them. Even when her parents express doubts, she insists loudly that her big cousin is very kind and that she likes her a lot.

“Little fool,” Lu Xiuyu mutters as she follows the doctor into the room.

Where does this little fool come from? She likes her cousin simply for a bit of kindness. This delicate little thing is so easily swayed. It seems she is destined to work hard in this life. Along with improving her living conditions, she must also keep a watchful eye on this fragile girl to ensure she isn’t easily deceived. Since Lu Baobao says she likes her big cousin, she must continue to do so.

“Doctor Wang, come and see my granddaughter.”

The attention of the three people in the room shifts to the doctor. Although Lu Baobao has woken up, her fever does not subside, and she has some external injuries that require ointment.

Lu Baobao is startled by the sudden appearance of her cousin. This is not just a cousin; she is a golden thigh, shining with golden light. She frantically recalls what she has just said—she hasn’t accidentally crossed any lines, has she?

Seeing Lu Baobao staring at her since she entered the room, Lu Xiuyu feels a bit pleased. It is clear Lu Baobao really likes her big cousin (not that it is surprising), and this thought brings her some happiness.

Seeing that her cousin’s expression shows no displeasure, Lu Baobao immediately relaxes and smiles back at her.

Ah, this spoiled girl just loves to cling to people. Is she so happy to see the big cousin she adores? Lu Xiuyu feels her mood lift, reminiscent of when she opened her first shop.

“It’s nothing serious. I’ll get two packets of medicine later. You’ll be fine after taking those two doses.”

Doctor Wang feels Lu Baobao’s pulse and breathes a sigh of relief. Just moments ago, the eldest daughter of the Lu family is so anxious to find him that he worries Lu Baobao might be as ill as Tang Xiucai.

“You need to apply wound ointment. Her sudden high fever is caused by the injuries on her body. If the external wounds aren’t treated, she may run a fever again.” Doctor Wang withdraws his hand after checking her pulse and gives serious instructions. “I can tell that this child is very delicate. If possible, don’t let her do heavy work in the future. If she gets sick a few more times, the medical expenses will add up.”

Doctor Wang feels a pang of sympathy for Lu Baobao. While she looks well, her health is fragile. It’s not a short-lived fate, but she is destined not to be able to do heavy work for the rest of her life. In the countryside, families often seek strong daughters-in-law who can work. Regardless of how beautiful the granddaughter of the Lu family is, if she can’t handle labor, she may not be favored by her husband’s family in the future.

Doctor Wang shakes his head internally. Butchers carry a certain stigma, and people are wary of these things. That’s why there’s a butcher every ten miles. Wealthy families pay even more attention to such matters; they would be reluctant to marry off their daughters to someone from a butcher’s family. While they might overlook these concerns for concubines, would the Lu family willingly accept a girl in such a role? He glances at Lu Miao’s nervous demeanor and sees how much she cares for her granddaughter.

“Doctor Wang, as long as she doesn’t do heavy work, my cousin’s health will be fine, right?” Lu Xiuyu focuses on the key point.

“That’s correct. Let me put it this way: she’s not ill, but she does need care. If you want to label it a disease, it’s a ‘rich person’s disease.'”

Isn’t it just right to call it a rich person’s disease? Not able to work, not able to exert herself, not able to get angry—if she were in a wealthy family, it really wouldn’t be a big deal. But unfortunately, she was born in a peasant family.

Lu Miao frowns at this. While she loves Lu Baobao, she can’t guarantee that Lu Baobao will receive the same treatment after marriage. Moreover, if she doesn’t allow Lu Baobao to work, will the people in the first and third branches agree?

Lu Jiafu and Xu Jiaoniang exchange glances, both seeing envy in each other’s eyes. Such a “good illness,” why didn’t the whole family get it? Then their parents wouldn’t be able to force them to work anymore. 

Their daughter is so lucky that she can be openly lazy

As for Lu Xiuyu, she feels even more relaxed. It is just a rich person’s disease—this cutie will be under her care from now on.

Author’s note: 

Doctor Wang: Please call me God’s assistant.

Lu Jiafu and Xu Jiaoniang: Such a wonderful “disease” exists in the world!