Chapter 22

Chu Qingzhi nodded and said, “We’ll pick 500 catties of oranges now. Get some people to help us. Oh right, we still need you to find someone to transport it for me.”

Zhang Lin agreed readily. “Sure.”

Zhang Lin went to call many people over and quickly picked 500 catties of oranges.

Chu Qingzhi was about to pay, but it was not convenient to pay with copper coins. “Can you send the oranges to my house and I’ll pay you with equivalent taels?”

As long as he was paid, everything would be fine. Zhang Lin said readily, “It’s fine, it’s fine. Chu Village is close.”

…

In Chu Village.

The villagers were all busy in the fields now. When Chu Qingzhi and the others returned, they immediately attracted everyone’s attention.

“They are carrying big boxes in and out. What is the Chu family doing?”

“Don’t tell me they’re really doing something illegal?”

“They seem to be transporting oranges.”

“Why did they bring so many oranges back?”

As the villagers discussed, Chu Qingzhi and the others carried the oranges into the house.

When Li Qingyu saw that Chu Qingzhi and the others had returned with so many oranges, she quickly ran home. “Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi explained the ins and outs of the matter to Li Qingyu and said, “Mother, go and get three taels of silver for Brother Zhang.”

“Okay.” Li Qingyu quickly ran into the house.

After receiving the payment, Zhang Lin brought his people back happily.

Seeing that Li Qingyu was still a little confused, Chu Qingzhi explained, “Mother, these are the oranges we’re selling tomorrow. Without the oranges, we won’t be able to sell the ice cream bar.”

Li Qingyu slapped her forehead. “Look at how slow my brain is. I even forgot this.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled. “Mother, go and do your thing. Leave the rest to us.”

Li Qingyu said, “Alright, the fields will be watered soon. I’ll come back to make dinner later.”

…

Zhao Xiuhua looked at the oranges beside Chu Qingzhi jealously. There were so many oranges. It must have cost a lot to buy them, right?

Jealousy coupled with the previous resentment caused Zhao Xiuhua to make a bold decision. Zhao Xiuhua took a deep breath and ran to look for the village chief.

The village chief was worried about the future of the village. At this moment, he was standing by the river with a frown.

There was no water in the river, only pitch-black mud. There were also some small fish struggling in the mud, the sight of which was desolate.

Zhao Xiuhua hurriedly ran to the village chief’s side and said mysteriously, “Village Chief, do you know why our village is going downhill?”

It was naturally because of natural disasters. What other reason was there?

Unexpectedly, Zhao Xiuhua said in a low voice, “Village Chief, don’t you think it’s strange? The drought in our village only worsened because of Chu Qingzhi’s return. Previously, there was still a lot of water in our river. This is too abnormal.”

The village chief frowned even more.

Seeing that the village chief was interested in what she had to say, Zhao Xiuhua immediately continued, “Village Chief, I went to the temple to offer incense this morning. That abbot said that there’s a jinx in our village. As long as we get rid of that jinx, our village will be fine. Village Chief, think about it, who is most likely to be the jinx?”

Fortunately, the village chief was not that stupid. “Zhao Xiuhua, stop talking. How can you blame a person for this natural disaster?”

Zhao Xiuhua threatened. “Village Chief, if you don’t listen to me, all the crops in our village will dry up sooner or later!”

These words frightened the village chief. If it was really as Zhao Xiuhua said, the consequences would be unimaginable. He needed to explain the situation to the villagers.

“Go, gather everyone in the village at the entrance of the ancestral hall!”

Zhao Xiuhua revealed a smug smile.

Soon, everyone in the village gathered at the entrance of the ancestral hall.

Every time they gathered at the entrance of the ancestral hall, it meant that something big was happening. No one dared to take it lightly. When they were informed, they all rushed over, including Chu Qingzhi.

The village chief glanced at them. “I called everyone over because I have something important to say.”

Everyone immediately tensed up. What was so important?

The village chief glanced at everyone and said slowly, “Someone said that the drought in our village is caused by a jinx.”

Everyone immediately started discussing.

“Who is the jinx?”

“Village Chief, are you exaggerating? It’s just a drought. It’s not like there haven’t been droughts before.”

“Jinx sounds scary.”

A villager asked, “Village Chief, you said that there’s a jinx. Who is it?”

Zhao Xiuhua shouted impatiently, “This jinx is Chu Qingzhi. Ever since she returned, our village has been suffering from a serious drought. Now, even the river has dried up.”

Everyone’s gaze instantly landed on Chu Qingzhi. Some were suspicious, some were unconvinced, and some were disdainful.

Chu Rong immediately protected Chu Qingzhi behind him. “My daughter is not a jinx. Don’t talk nonsense.”

Zhao Xiuhua glanced at Chu Rong disdainfully. “Everyone knows very well if I’m spouting nonsense or not.”