"Brother Lu, where did you get these sweet potatoes? They've really come in handy for me!"
First the potatoes, and now the sweet potatoes. It was truly the will of heaven helping her!
Li Ying could hardly conceal her inner ecstasy. She carefully picked out a few sweet potatoes as if they were treasures. After a simple rinse, she directly tossed them into the stove.
Seeing Lu Xunguang looking puzzled, she casually explained, "When I was a kid, I used to go to my grandma's in the countryside. She always roasted the newly harvested sweet potatoes over charcoal. After peeling off the charred outer skin, the roasted sweet potatoes were soft, sweet, and more delicious than honey."
It was really strange. Since she came to this fishing village, she had tasted all kinds of delicacies and never treated her taste buds badly. But now, she missed simple foods like roasted sweet potatoes and spring noodles more and more.
Lu Xunguang saw the look of infinite nostalgia in Li Ying's eyes, and his heart skipped a beat.
She rarely talked about her past with others. Now that she was voluntarily sharing the interesting things she had with her grandmother in her childhood, did it mean that she had finally let down her guard against him a little?
Li Ying happily washed the remaining sweet potatoes. She also made some sweet potato starch in the same way and hung it in a ventilated place to dry for making hot pot later. She didn't notice that the meaning in Lu Xunguang's expression was becoming more and more intense.
She was thinking about the big boss, who was her number - one "benefactor". Since she had this new delicacy, she naturally wanted to send some to him to try.
Lian Ji ordered her servant to stop the food box Li Ying had sent. She glanced at the charred roasted sweet potatoes disdainfully and said in a sarcastic tone, "My husband always prefers refined food. How could he eat such vulgar things?"
She took a disdainful and shallow bite, but then her eyes widened in surprise.
The potato starch was smooth, like a slippery fish. It slid down her throat without even needing to be chewed.
As for the sweet potato, it was soft, sweet, and quite filling. It was much more delicious than steamed buns and cakes!
If Li Ying really promoted these two things among the common people, the situation in the world might change!
It took Lian Ji a while to calm down her anger. With an unhappy look on her face, she questioned the servant beside her.
"I sent you to find Old Zheng in the donkey shed the other day. Why haven't you brought him to me yet?"
The servant looked embarrassed and carefully probed, "Madam, you may not know. That old Zheng is very arrogant. He insists that you visit him in person..."
Lian Ji was furious. "How ungrateful!"
But the potatoes were quite heavy. If she wanted to transport a large quantity back to the fishing village, she would have to borrow livestock from Old Zheng.
She didn't want to watch Li Ying's business thrive alone. Although she was so angry that she almost gritted her silver teeth, she still had to put on her cloak and go to the donkey shed at night.
Old Zheng was leaning against a bluestone, holding a tobacco pipe. He heard Lian Ji's soft voice from afar but didn't even turn his head.
"Brother Zheng, long time no see!"
Lian Ji took off her hood, suppressing her anger with difficulty and greeting him with a forced smile.
"After all these years, Brother Zheng looks a lot older. It's really heart - wrenching. Who would have thought that the once - powerful head of the horse caravan would end up in such a desolate situation?"
Old Zheng could hear the mockery in her words but still remained silent.
Since Lian Ji got married to the big boss as his second wife through proper match - making procedures, she had rarely been treated so lightly. She rushed up to Old Zheng in a few steps and said angrily, "Zheng Ji, have you been idle for too long and forgotten your own identity?"
"If it weren't for my secret help back then, you would probably be a frozen corpse on the official road by now! Look at what good deeds you've done behind my back!"
Only then did Zheng Ji put down his tobacco pipe. He sized Lian Ji up calmly and coldly said, "I left in anger that day. Although I received some small favors from you, I never promised to be your lackey. Lian Ji, don't try to bring your overbearing attitude to me."
Lian Ji knew he was stubborn. She sneered, "You've been looking for a suitable black donkey to make that so - called Nine - Dynasty Tribute Gel and raising sheep in the North Mountain. You're really concerned about my husband's business!"
Zheng Ji's face changed.
"Lian Ji, I know why you're here today. That girl, A Ying, is superior to you in terms of vision and courage. Now that she has won my husband's favor, you're afraid that she'll steal your limelight and replace you as my husband's right - hand woman, aren't you?"
His words hit the nail on the head. Lian Ji's face turned a bit ugly when her thoughts were exposed.
Moreover, the other day when she was dressing in front of the mirror, she suddenly noticed a few gray hairs on her temples and realized that her youth was fading.
But Li Ying was just in the prime of her youth.
When her husband looked at Li Ying, the fleeting look of admiration in his eyes was exactly the same as when he first saw her a few years ago.
The big boss was not a loyal man. Otherwise, he wouldn't have abandoned his first wife and been with her, a young and beautiful woman.
Now, the situation had changed. She had become yesterday's flower.
The moment she saw Li Ying, Lian Ji felt an alarm go off in her heart. A voice kept shouting uncontrollably - Karma is real!
All that you've worked so hard for will be taken away from you in the same way!
She couldn't tolerate Li Ying.
Lian Ji secretly clenched her fists, but a calm smile appeared on her face.
"Brother Zheng is right. I really can't bear to lose my vast wealth, the power to manage the family, and my husband's true heart. But this is not just my business."
"Brother Zheng, have you forgotten the look on your beloved when she died of heartbreak? That little girl named Li does look a bit like your sister, but she's not her after all."
Lian Ji was satisfied to see Zheng Ji's expression change greatly. She continued, "Brother Zheng has been longing for so many years. It's understandable that you were tempted by her appearance and couldn't help but help her. But you have to think clearly. If you continue to indulge Li Ying's demands, the one who will finally gain great power is my husband."
"He's the person you hate the most in your life. Think it over carefully. Don't be such a fool."
Sure enough, after hearing this, Zheng Ji's face turned a bit colder.
"I know what I'm doing. Don't interfere."
Lian Ji breathed a sigh of relief. The smell in the donkey shed was really unpleasant. She was dizzy from the stench and didn't want to stay any longer. She reminded Zheng Ji to always remember his identity and position and not to aid the enemy.
She put on her cloak and hurriedly turned around to leave. After walking a few steps, as if remembering something, she turned back and asked, "Do you have any news about that bastard? We must uproot the weeds completely."
Zheng Ji hid his emotions in the darkness and said calmly, "Don't worry. I won't show any mercy."
Only then was Lian Ji satisfied and left.
He looked at Lian Ji's back and knocked his tobacco pipe hard.