"You want to help?" Song Nianchu paused mid-step.
"If there's anything I can do," Mu Yongnian replied firmly.
"Well, now that you mention it, there is actually a task you could handle," Song Nianchu mused.
"Really?" Mu Yongnian brightened instantly.
"I want to help too!" Mu Haoxuan raised his hand eagerly.
"Alright, then you can work together with your brother," Song Nianchu agreed with a smile.
"Sister-in-law, what do you want us to do?" Mu Yongnian was already brimming with anticipation.
"Wait here for a moment," Song Nianchu said before heading inside. When she returned, she was carrying several engraved plates in her arms.
"You're going to assign this task to them?" Mu Shi'an understood immediately.
"Yes!" Song Nianchu needed to keep an eye on the kitchen, and printing labels was something she could only squeeze in when she had time.
If she could teach Mu Yongnian and Mu Haoxuan, it would save her a lot of trouble.
Mu Shi'an glanced at his two younger brothers. "Then try teaching them."
In his opinion, neither of them was particularly bright, and their academic performance was mediocre at best.
What Mu Shi'an didn’t realize was that the "mediocrity" he saw was already far beyond what most ordinary people could ever hope to achieve.
"Big sister, what is this?" Mu Haoxuan stepped forward curiously.
"These are engraved plates," Song Nianchu explained, crouching down to demonstrate the materials to both Mu Yongnian and Mu Haoxuan.
She even walked them through the process several times.
"It’s not difficult. I’ll prepare the ink for you—you just need to stamp them in the right order," Song Nianchu said.
"Sister-in-law, could you show us one more time?" Mu Yongnian felt there were still some details he didn’t quite grasp.
"Of course. Or I can guide you through it," Song Nianchu offered, nodding at him.
"R-really?" Mu Yongnian was surprised.
These materials must be expensive.
"Don’t worry. Learning something new always involves a bit of waste. If I guide you, you’ll pick it up faster," Song Nianchu reassured him.
"Okay!" Mu Yongnian nodded emphatically.
This time, Mu Yongnian took part in every step himself. When a perfectly printed label emerged, his face lit up with a radiant smile unlike any he’d worn before.
"Sister-in-law, I did it!"
"Yes, you did! Well done!" Song Nianchu grinned and gave him a thumbs-up.
Mu Yongnian ducked his head bashfully.
"Your task today might be a bit heavy. Can you help me print all these sheets? I’ll need them later—do you think you can manage?" Song Nianchu deliberately adopted a solemn tone with the two boys.
"Yes!" Mu Yongnian answered without hesitation.
"Me too!" Mu Haoxuan didn’t fully understand what was going on, but since his older brother had agreed, he followed suit.
"Good. Then this important mission is in your hands. If you run into trouble, ask your big brother—he’s the one who taught me, after all," Song Nianchu said, glancing at Mu Shi'an.
"Okay," the two boys chorused.
Without further delay, Song Nianchu turned and left, carrying a basket on her back.
As soon as she arrived at the village office, everyone got busy.
Yet today, Song Nianchu couldn’t shake the feeling of someone’s gaze lingering on her from time to time.
There was no malice in it—just quiet scrutiny.
Song Nianchu felt that gaze on her again and abruptly turned around, locking eyes with Meng Yingying.
For a moment, the two stared at each other. Meng Yingying hadn’t expected Song Nianchu to suddenly look back and, caught off guard, quickly lowered her head and busied herself with her work.
Watching Meng Yingying practically bury her face in her chest, Song Nianchu frowned.
What was wrong with her today?
Why had she been staring so intently?
Before, she’d always seemed desperate to hide in a corner, avoiding attention—so why was she bold enough to look at her like this now?
Did she have something to say?
Just as Song Nianchu was considering whether to approach and ask, Wu Zhenggui’s voice suddenly came from the doorway.
“A-Chu.”
Song Nianchu’s attention immediately shifted.
“Uncle Zhenggui.” She stood and walked toward him.
Behind Wu Zhenggui were two women in their forties, both familiar faces Song Nianchu usually greeted when she saw them.
But today, they seemed unusually nervous.
“N-Nianchu,” one stammered, her tone cautious.
Song Nianchu knew exactly why their demeanor had changed.
“Are they the ones who drew lots today?” she asked Wu Zhenggui.
“Yes,” he confirmed.
“Nianchu, we’ll be troubling you from now on,” the women said, bowing deeply.
“There’s no need for that.” Song Nianchu quickly raised a hand to stop them.
The two straightened but remained stiff and uneasy.
At home, they were usually overlooked, but the moment they’d drawn the lots, their families had swarmed around them, gazing at them as if they were rare treasures.
Yet they had no confidence in themselves and couldn’t believe they’d be able to earn full work points.
The whole time, they’d been terrified of making a mistake and being sent back—knowing they’d likely face scolding or even a beating.
“Aunt Wu, take them to get started,” Song Nianchu said, understanding their fears. She didn’t rush to correct their mindset.
They’d lived like this for over forty years—a few words wouldn’t change anything.
As always, real change would only come when they recognized their own worth and embraced it.
“Alright,” Aunt Wu replied, waving them over. “Come quickly. There’s a lot of work today, so your timing’s perfect.”
The two visibly relaxed at the sight of her. Aunt Wu was known in the village for her kindness, and while people were wary of Song Nianchu, their tension eased around her.
Since everyone was familiar with village life and kitchen work, Aunt Wu gave them a few instructions, and they got to work right away.
Meanwhile, Song Nianchu continued speaking with Wu Zhenggui.
“Have the lots been drawn for the net-weaving machines too?” she asked.
“Yes. Following your suggestion, we selected five households as units. I came not just to bring these two but also to ask—should I take people to collect the machines, or should they go home and wait for us to deliver them?”
Wu Zhenggui couldn't quite grasp Song Nianchu's intentions.
"You should have them come with us to my place. There’s something I need to show them," Song Nianchu said.
