Chapter 481: Chapter 468: The Girl with Strange Strength

“As for the rest, continue as usual. There’s no need to report unless necessary. Both of you must be careful to not reveal your identities or whereabouts in front of Miss Zhuang. Above all, do not bother her.”

“Yes, we understand!” Su Mu and Su Ye both replied.

Whomever Chu Jinnian deemed important enough to produce Miss Qiao Er’s token from years past, must be incredibly, incredibly important.

It seems that from now on, the both of them will have to be on full alert, no, twelve times more alert to ensure Miss Zhuang’s wellbeing.

Su Mu and Su Ye looked at each other and quietly nodded.

—-

The next day, Zhuang Qingning woke up very early.

Not because something important needed to be done, but because a certain brain-rattling voice had started resonating in her head just before dawn.

[Ding, congratulations to the host. The second task of the promotional series for new agriculture, the planting of new wheat seeds, has been completed. Appropriate rewards have been granted to the host.]

[Due to the host exceeding the required support value during the completion process, rewards are doubled. Host has obtained Junior Secret Artisan Dried Noodles Recipe *1, Recipe: Braised Meatballs and Talent Points *2.]

[Reward items have been placed in the item bar; host can now choose talents to add.]

Talent points indeed.

Zhuang Qingning was excited.

It had been some time since she’d received such a reward, and truth be told, this was more useful than any materialistic reward she’d gotten before.

Now that she’d obtained the formula for Moon Incense, she would have to deal with fragrances if she wanted to open a workshop or pursue business in the future. Thus, she should work on enhancing her sense of smell.

Without hesitation, Zhuang Qingning used the first talent point to increase her sense of smell.

[Congratulations, host. Increase in olfaction sensitivity by 10]

With the remaining talent point, Zhuang Qingning excitedly enhanced her strength, something she had been looking forward to for some time and was unable to do so before because of the previous marriage stone mishap.

[Congratulations, host. Strength attribute +10.]

After receiving the notification, Zhuang Qingning was itching to clench her fist and find something to test her new strength.

After wandering around the courtyard, she set her sights on the stone table within.

She remembered that the stone table was extremely heavy. Two strong men had brought it in when they were setting up their new home, and it seemed like quite the task.

Now that she had added strength points, she wondered if she could lift the stone table.

Zhuang Qingning rolled up her sleeves, crouched down, and took a few deep breaths. She rubbed her hands on the edges of the table, locating a comfortable area to exert strength from, then prepared herself…

After a shout, she was suddenly taken aback, not because the stone table was too heavy and she lost her balance, but because it was unexpectedly light, so she almost tripped under the force of her strength.

After stumbling for a few steps, Zhuang Qingning finally regained her footing and even shook the stone table in her hands.

It wasn’t easy, per se, but it was definitely effortless.

The strength attribute was indeed handy. With her powerful fist, not only could she protect herself in case of emergencies, she might even force the opponent into begging for mercy.

Being a strong girl was definitely a plus!

Zhuang Qingning was very satisfied with her newfound strength. She placed the stone table back in its original place and went unnoticed into the kitchen to prepare some hot water for washing up later.

Su Mu and Su Ye were hiding in the shadows, both looking at each other in bewilderment.

Was this really the Miss Zhuang who needed their protection? Were they supposed to summon more secret guards for her?

Were they certain they weren’t there to keep her from injuring herself or others in a crisis?

“Maybe…”

Su Mu pondered for a while before reluctantly saying, “Maybe, possibly, perhaps, hmm…”

“Anyway, let’s just do as the Young Master instructed.”

“Yes.” Su Ye firmly nodded.

As the sun rose higher, its warm rays enveloped the earth. It was another sunny day.

After breakfast, Chu Jinnian and Chu Jinzhou arrived and, like the day before, started their lessons with Zhuang Qingsui and Zhuang Mingli.

They left in the mid-afternoon after having lunch.

On the third day, it was the same.

The fourth day, everything was as usual.

On the fifth day, Chu Jinnian and Chu Jinzhou still arrived punctually.

Zhuang Qingning couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

Fan Wenxuan mentioned that he would likely start attending classes after three or four days. She remembered that Chu Jinnian seemed to be quite busy in the capital city. Although he cared a lot about his younger brother Chu Jinzhou and often returned home, he typically only stayed for three or four days each visit.

This time, it seemed like he was staying slightly longer than usual.

Well, it was probably because Fan Wenxuan was indeed busy with something and couldn’t leave, so Chu Jinnian had to stay a few more days.

Thinking about this, Zhuang Qingning admired Chu Jinnian’s respect for Fan Wenxuan even more and fully approved of his sense of responsibility.

Zhuang Qingning prepared the tea and snacks for the newly arrived Mr. Chu and the three children’s class.

Then, taking advantage of the opportunity when they were studying, she visited the workshop and finally went to Mrs. He’s house.

Zhuang Mingli mentioned the day before that Mrs. He seemed to have caught a cold and was sneezing and running a nose. Zhuang Qingning thought she should go check on her.

She took some white sugar cake that she baked in the morning from home and went out the door.

Mrs. He, who was at home washing clothes, saw Zhuang Qingning coming and hurriedly wiped her hands, “Ning girl is here.”

“I heard from Mingli that auntie’s not feeling well, so I came to check on you.” Zhuang Qingning smiled, “I made white sugar cakes in the morning. Considering that auntie likes sweets, I brought a couple of pieces for auntie.”

Mrs. He looked at the full bamboo basket and couldn’t help but laugh.

This wasn’t just a couple of pieces of cake. It looked more like two whole steamers’ worth.

Their two families had a unique relationship; Mrs. He didn’t bother being polite with Zhuang Qingning. She smiled and said, “It’s true. The worse I feel, the more I want to eat these cakes.”

“These white sugar cakes you steamed look soft, and there’s plenty of them; should be enough to last several days.”

“If you finish them, I’ll make more. It’s not a problem.” Zhuang Qingning looked around the yard and laughed, “Is auntie home alone?”

“Yes, Mingliang is in the factory. Your uncle took the second and third brothers to my elder brother’s house today. My elder brother’s eldest son has just set a date for his marriage. They’re sending the betrothal gifts today.” Mrs. He laughed.

It’s customary here that betrothal gifts are sent by uncles, aunts, nephews, and other male relatives, along with a few aunts and godmothers.

The women go to perform routine social calls, deliver the things that should be delivered, and give the money that should be given. The men come to help with the heavy lifting and to make the groom’s family seem prosperous.