Transmigration: Becoming the Wicked Stepmother of Four Children

Chapter 10 Borrowing Money

Looking at the children in front of her, Lu Qingqing felt a pang of tenderness in her heart.

She suddenly remembered that the children hadn't eaten breakfast yet.

Then a gentler expression appeared on his face.

She said softly, "Children, go wash your hands and faces first, then we'll get ready for breakfast."

The children's eyes still held the lingering sadness and joy from before.

They all nodded obediently upon hearing Lu Qingqing's words.

Lu Qingqing continued, "Today, Mother went up the mountain and found some wild eggs."

"I'll go steam some egg custard for you now."

When the children heard there would be steamed egg custard,

Her previously slightly gloomy face instantly blossomed into a bright smile.

My mood immediately improved.

Those expectant and joyful eyes softened Lu Qingqing's heart even more.

Lu Qingqing took the little rabbit from Shi Tou's hands again. The little rabbit shifted restlessly in her arms.

Lu Qingqing gently comforted the little rabbit.

Then it was put into a covered cage.

Lu Qingqing carefully took out four wild eggs from her basket.

After washing my hands, I prepared to start making steamed eggs.

In the kitchen, Lu Qingqing skillfully operated the equipment.

Once she had carefully placed the steamed egg custard into the pot,

Turning around, I saw that the children had already washed their hands and faces and were standing obediently at the door.

Lu Qingqing beckoned Shuang'er over, her eyes filled with affection.

He said softly, "Shuang'er, why don't you and your brothers eat a piece of pastry to fill your stomachs first?"

The steamed egg custard will be ready in a bit.

As she spoke, she magically produced several delicate pastries from her spatial storage and handed them to Shuang'er's small hands.

Shuang'er stared wide-eyed at the pastry in her hand.

She looked up at Lu Qingqing again, a happy smile spreading across her face.

She cheerfully replied, "Thank you, Mother!"

Then she skipped and hopped over to her brothers to eat pastries with them.

When Lu Qingqing brought the steaming hot egg custard into the room,

Several little ones were gathered around the rabbit cage.

I stared intently at the fluffy rabbit.

She smiled slightly and called out softly, "The steamed egg custard is ready, come and eat!"

As soon as the words left her lips, Shuang'er was the first to react.

Her little face instantly lit up with a radiant smile, and she excitedly cheered, "Wow!"

"Mommy has made something delicious for Shuang'er!" she said, then happily ran towards Lu Qingqing with her short little legs.

Er Mao and San Mao, hearing the shouts, immediately came to their senses.

With anticipation shining in his eyes, he followed closely behind Shuang'er.

Although Stone didn't seem as eager, he quickened his pace.

The corners of my mouth unconsciously turned up.

Lu Qingqing watched as the children sat obediently around the table.

She smiled and said, "Children, eat well and be careful not to burn yourselves."

After saying that, he turned and left, going straight to tend to the basket of herbs on his back.

She took out the herbs one by one and carefully sorted them.

While pondering how to sell these herbs, suddenly...

She gleaned a useful piece of information:

People in the village often take the eggs they've saved up to the town to sell.

A thought struck her: this might be a feasible method.

So he secretly decided that he would get up early the next day and go to town to take a look.

But the thought of the journey to town made her frown slightly.

It takes her an hour to walk from the village to the town.

Actually, there are oxcarts in the village that provide transportation; each person only needs two copper coins.

However, Lu Qingqing was penniless at the moment and had no way to produce those two copper coins.

Thinking of this, she sighed helplessly; it seemed she had no choice but to go on foot.

"What is this?" Stone's questioning voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Lu Qingqing's thoughts.

Lu Qingqing was startled by the sudden sound.

After regaining her composure, she said, "Ah, these are herbs."

Stone stepped forward, staring at the herbs.

Puzzled, he asked, "Herbal medicine? Why are you getting so many herbs?"

Lu Qingqing gently rubbed Shi Tou's head.

He patiently replied, "Of course we're preparing to sell it for money."

Given our family's current situation, how can we not try to make some money?

With money, I can buy you delicious food and make you new clothes!

"Your father's illness can be cured too!"

Stone blinked and nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"Oh, can it sell for a lot of money?"

Lu Qingqing smiled slightly: "I don't know either, let's go to town tomorrow and see..."

When Shi Tou heard Lu Qingqing say she was going to town, his heart skipped a beat.

A bad thought suddenly popped into my head: Could it be that what my aunt said was true?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask Lu Qingqing:

"Are you abandoning us and planning to run away?"

His eyes were filled with unease and fear, and his small body trembled slightly.

Lu Qingqing looked at Shi Tou's earnest yet pitiful expression.

A sharp pain shot through my heart.

She crouched down and placed her hands on the stone's shoulders.

With a gentle yet firm gaze, she said to him, "Stone, Mother will not abandon you."

"How about you come with me? Is that alright?"

Shi Tou looked at Lu Qingqing asking him gently, and for a moment he was in a daze.

The person in front of me had a kind smile on their face and eyes full of concern.

She was completely different from the vicious and menacing woman she used to be.

Stone stood there blankly, and unconsciously nodded in agreement.

After nodding, even Stone himself found it unbelievable.

It was as if an invisible force was compelling him to believe in this completely different Lu Qingqing.

Lu Qingqing originally planned to walk to town by herself tomorrow.

But now that there are stones with her, she is worried.

She was worried that the child wouldn't be able to handle such a long journey.

After thinking it over, she decided to go to her neighbor, Aunt Wang's house, to see if she could find a solution.

Lu Qingqing took the four wild eggs that were left in the house.

Arriving at Aunt Wang's house, I gently knocked on the door.

Aunt Wang opened the door, saw it was her, and asked with a smile, "Qingqing, what's up?"

Lu Qingqing said somewhat shyly, "Auntie, I want to go to town tomorrow."

I'm worried that carrying the stone will tire him out, so I'd like to borrow four coins from you to take an oxcart.

I'll pay you back as soon as I make some money these next couple of days.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Wang, without saying a word, immediately took out four coins from her pocket and handed them to Lu Qingqing.

He said, "Child, take it and use it. You can return it whenever you need it. There's no rush."

After saying that, he pushed the wild eggs back into Lu Qingqing's hand.

"Take these wild eggs back with you, they'll help nourish the children."

"You and your children, a widow and her children, have it tough. I'll help you out if I can."

Lu Qingqing's eyes reddened with emotion, and she thanked him repeatedly:

“Auntie, I will remember your kindness and repay you in the future.”

Aunt Wang waved her hand: "Don't talk about repaying or not. We're neighbors, it's only right to look after each other."

After leaving Aunt Wang's house, Lu Qingqing thanked her profusely.

Then he hurriedly went to the house of Grandpa Zhang, who pulled the oxcart.

Grandpa Zhang's yard wasn't big. Lu Qingqing had just stepped through the gate...

He called out loudly, "Uncle Zhang, are you home?"

Grandpa Zhang came out of the house and saw that it was Lu Qingqing.

He asked with a smile, "Qingqing, what brings you here?"

Lu Qingqing quickly stepped forward and said, "Sir, let me tell you..."

"Tomorrow, Stone and I are going to town. Here's four coins for you." Saying this,

He then handed the four coins, still warm from his body, to Grandpa Zhang.

Grandpa Zhang took the money and nodded: "Okay, I understand."

"The oxcarts should gather at the village entrance first thing tomorrow morning; don't be late."

Lu Qingqing nodded repeatedly and replied, "Okay, sir, thank you for your trouble."

After saying that, he turned and left Grandpa Zhang's house.