Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 44: Mr. Qi’s Gratitude

When the two arrived at the cowshed, Anmin was helping Mr. Qi drink water.

"Anmin."

"Sister-in-law, second brother, you’re here." Anmin smiled, and Yi Roujing immediately understood the situation.

"Thank you both, I feel much better." Mr. Qi’s weathered face showed a gentle smile, "The medicine is very effective."

Although the fever hadn’t completely subsided, it was certainly lower than before. He could feel it himself, and his coughing wasn’t as intense as if trying to cough out his lungs; his breathing was easier. This was an improvement, and he had initially thought he wouldn’t make it.

Anmin glanced at Yi Roujing, saw the items in her hands, obediently stepped forward to take them, and saw they were white rice and eels. She understood, "I’ll make porridge."

"Oh."

Anguo was observant too, but Anmin had already come in the afternoon and done all she could. Anguo noticed the hole in the roof with a slight frown, "I’ll come fix it tomorrow."

The water in the vat was almost gone, so Anguo took a bucket to fetch water and then chopped wood; he just didn’t stop.

Yi Roujing seemed a little aimless on the side.

"Mr. Yi."

"Mr. Qi, just call me Roujing."

"Ahem, Roujing, this is for you." Mr. Qi waved at Yi Roujing, then handed her a small piece of black cloth.

"What is it?" Yi Roujing opened it and was stunned momentarily. It was a fully green jade thumb ring, a top-quality item that would be priceless in the future.

"This is all I have. I know it can’t be taken out now, but maybe it will be usable in the future." Mr. Qi said somewhat embarrassedly.

"You certainly trust us." Yi Roujing teased with a raised eyebrow.

Mr. Qi’s pupils quivered, a smile appeared on his face more heart-wrenching than tears, "If you reveal it, it’s fine. I’ve been through it all; I just don’t want to owe anyone."

Mr. Qi’s tunic suit was tattered, and his hair and beard were whiter, while his exposed face and hands were pitch black. If it weren’t for his inherent demeanor, he would truly look like an authentic farmer.

Yi Roujing sighed, returning the item to Mr. Qi, "We didn’t help you expecting something in return. I assume this item is important to you, so keep it with you. If anything happens in the future, you can ask us for help."

The sincerity on Yi Roujing’s face left Mr. Qi in a daze for a long time. He then smiled wryly, "Actually, it’s more dangerous with me. Just take it, it’s just a dead object, of what use is it?"

Seeing this, Yi Roujing retracted her hand, "Then I’ll temporarily keep it for Mr. Qi. When you can leave in the future, I’ll return it to you."

Mr. Qi trembled all over, incredulously looking at Yi Roujing, "How could you think like this?"

"I think Mr. Qi should also harbor such a thought." Yi Roujing smiled, getting up to speak with Anmin.

"It smells nice."

"My cooking skills are not so good. If mom made it, it would be tastier." Anmin said with a smile, "You caught eels again."

Anmin had witnessed it a few times, so her tone was a matter of fact.

"Yes, there are also two at home. I wonder what they’ll become." Yi Roujing said, looking at the layer of grease floating on the eel porridge, her mouth watering slightly.

"Can you catch more tomorrow?" Anmin turned her head, looking steadily at Yi Roujing, meaning clearly that tonight, no matter what it became, tomorrow she wanted eel porridge.

Yi Roujing was amused, "Why do you have so much faith in me?"

"I used to not recognize Mount Tai below my eyes." Anmin introspected.

"Would you run away with someone if they gave you a piece of candy?" Yi Roujing teased.

"Not quite."

...

The sister-in-law duo bantered with one-liner repartees, Mr. Qi Tiande sat on the bed with a subtle smile on his face.

After Mr. Qi had porridge and took medicine, only then did Yi Roujing and the rest head home. By then, it was already dark.

"Second brother, do you know how to fix a roof?" Anmin had overheard Anguo’s words earlier.

"I’ll take dad along." Anguo confidently replied.

Hearing this, Anmin was relieved and walked ahead with Yi Roujing, chatting.

Anguo looked at the harmonious interaction between the two in front and shook his head with a laugh. He hadn’t expected the two who always quarreled to be able to communicate so kindly now. Thinking about the household’s atmosphere lately, a smile appeared in Anguo’s eyes. The sister-in-law was quite good; tomorrow’s Friday, and he wondered if the elder brother would come back this time.

At the Ding house’s dining table, the two eels were stir-fried with chives. Li Hongying’s skillful cooking didn’t disappoint, and Yi Roujing enjoyed her meal thoroughly with just the chives.

The next day, Ding Weihuo and Ding Anguo left for the cowshed before dawn. The cowshed was never short of straw, and father and son took half an hour to mend the roof.

Mr. Qi expressed his gratitude extensively, then he made some plain porridge himself. Although it wasn’t as good as last night’s eel porridge, it was the tastiest and warmest breakfast he had had since coming to Dingping Production Team for years.

After finishing the porridge, he brewed another batch of medicine from yesterday’s dregs and carefully wrapped it and buried it under the reeds where nobody went.

During the workday, Mr. Qi learned that his future task was to gather pig grass, while the job of herding cattle went to Yi Roujing. He didn’t complain and agreed with a smile. When he reached the familiar small slope and saw the same few people from yesterday, a smile appeared on his face.

"Mr. Qi, the job of herding the cattle still falls to you." Yi Roujing pointed to the big cow already led and placed in front of them.

Mr. Qi smiled, nodded, and didn’t refuse, "Alright."

"Extend your arm so I can check your pulse." Yi Roujing said.

Mr. Qi complied, raising it, and Yi Roujing carefully took his pulse. Just touching it, it felt cooler than yesterday, "Drink today’s tea again, and the fever should subside. How’s the cough?"

"I coughed a bit last night, but after drinking warm water, I felt better and slept well." Mr. Qi smiled, his face full of wrinkles deepening. He hadn’t slept so well in a long time; previously, he could hardly sleep, coughing throughout the night.

"Currently, medicinal herbs are limited. After drinking all three packs, Mr. Qi should feel even better. Afterward, medicinal meals are better for recuperation." Yi Roujing suggested, as they were gentler especially for older individuals.

"Thank you." Mr. Qi expressed gratitude, "If there’s anything you need help with, possibly I can’t be much help, but I will always remember this kindness. If there ever comes a day I can repay you, I will do so."

"It’s alright, just lending a helping hand." Yi Roujing wasn’t expecting anything from this; she just didn’t want to see someone, especially someone capable, die like that.

After a day of work, before heading home, Yi Roujing managed to catch a few more eels from the pond, giving two each to Mr. Qi and Jie, and keeping four for herself.

However, today Anmin was the only one accompanying her to catch eels. Witnessing Yi Roujing’s eel-catching skills, Anmin was thankful to have stayed; additionally, standing guard and keeping watch made her wonder how others would react seeing her sister-in-law catch eels with ease as though gathering pig grass.