Two days later, Zhang Fuhai came to visit again.
Cheng You teased, "Uncle Hai, you've been visiting me quite frequently lately."
Zhang Fuhai said, "I have no choice. Do you still have ginseng pills here?"
"No, I can make them if you can get me ginseng."
Cheng You had scoured the entire mountainside but found no more ginseng.
Zhang Fuhai scratched his head and ears, feeling anxious.
"Did an old man come by to buy ginseng pills from time to time a few days ago?"
Cheng You nodded, "Are you talking about Uncle Li's father-in-law?"
"Did Uncle Li tell you?"
"Grandma told me."
Zhang Fuhai felt a bit regretful. He had intended to use this opportunity to mend his relationship with the old man.
He hadn't expected Old Man Lin to be so stubborn.
"Then forget it. I'll inquire around and see if I can find any ginseng."
As he was leaving, Cheng You reminded him, "It doesn't have to be ginseng pills. If you find ginseng, you can just slice it and make tea for the elder."
This was Uncle Li's instruction, fearing that Lin Changhe might refuse to take ginseng pills.
Zhang Fuhai waved his hand, indicating he understood.
He had barely stepped out when Cheng Tao caught up with him.
"Uncle Hai!"
Zhang Fuhai, hearing the call, initially thought Cheng You had come out.
Upon turning around, he saw it was Cheng Tao, and his expression immediately turned cold.
"Something wrong?"
Cheng Tao smiled, "Nothing much. I overheard you wanting ginseng. I have some here, would you like it?"
Zhang Fuhai frowned, "Were you eavesdropping on us?"
Cheng Tao's face showed embarrassment, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I just happened to hear. Besides, I'm not up to anything bad. I just want to help you."
Zhang Fuhai, remembering his urgent need for ginseng, couldn't refuse.
"Then take me to see it."
Cheng Tao smiled slightly, "Okay, I'll take you there now!"
This ginseng was discovered by Cheng You and San Leng last year.
At the time, Cheng You was injured and didn't have time to go up the mountain to gather ginseng, so she secretly dug it up herself.
She had kept it, hoping to use it when the time was right.
Now, being able to use it to curry favor with Zhang Fuhai was a good thing.
Zhang Fuhai looked at the ginseng she had packed in a box and asked, "How much?"
"Uncle Hai, it's free. Just take it and use it."
Since the goal was to gain favor, she naturally wanted him to owe her a favor.
However, Zhang Fuhai said, "Wait a moment, I'll have someone take a look. I'll bring you the money later."
He wasn't that foolish.
He preferred to pay with money rather than owing favors.
Zhang Fuhai, carrying the ginseng, walked out and soon arrived back at Cheng You's place.
"What do you think of this ginseng?"
Cheng You glanced at it and asked, "Where did you get it?"
"Your sister, Cheng Tao, gave it to me."
Cheng You raised an eyebrow, "For free?"
Zhang Fuhai chuckled, "She gave it for free, but I don't want it that way."
Cheng You picked it up and examined it. "I feel something is a bit strange. I'll take it to Uncle Li to have a look."
Uncle Li had mentioned that there was a plant called Radix Adenophorae, which looked very similar to ginseng.
Those unfamiliar with the trade could easily confuse them.
Consuming an excessive amount of Radix Adenophorae could even be life-threatening.
Zhang Fuhai followed her out, carrying the ginseng.
As it turned out, Uncle Li's face darkened upon seeing it.
"This is not ginseng, it's Radix Adenophorae. Who would be so unscrupulous as to sell you this?"
Zhang Fuhai felt deceived and was about to go find Cheng Tao.
Cheng You quickly stopped him, "Uncle Hai, are you sure Cheng Tao sold it to you?"
"Of course, I'm sure. She was secretly following me like a thief!"
Cheng You took out fifty yuan and handed it to him.
"Then take this money and buy the ginseng. And make sure to pay her in front of everyone. I'm asking you this as a favor, and I'll give you a bottle of ginseng wine later."
Zhang Fuhai took the money and thought for a moment.
"I'll buy the ginseng wine from you. It's a small matter."
After collaborating with Cheng You so many times, how could he always take advantage of her?
The medicines Cheng You sold him were actually not expensive.
Given their efficacy, people would pay much more for them.
In fact, he was the one who had gotten the better deal.
Zhang Fuhai walked out and soon arrived at Cheng Tao's house.
In front of everyone, he handed her fifty yuan.
"I'm taking this ginseng. Here's the money. It's a fair exchange."
Cheng Tao was a bit reluctant, but on second thought, having money was better than nothing.
"Thank you, Uncle Hai."
Zhang Fuhai waved his hand, "I should be thanking you."
After Cheng Tao accepted the fifty yuan, Wang Hongxia reached out her hand.
"All money must be handed in."
Cheng Tao sneered, "I won't hand it in. If it means divorce, then divorce. As long as Zhao Yunlin agrees, I'll leave with the child in my belly right away!"
With that, she walked into the house under Wang Hongxia's stunned gaze and slammed the door shut.
After a long while, Wang Hongxia finally found her voice, "Lifang, what did she just say?"
Zhao Lifang stammered, "It sounded like... like she said she was pregnant."
Wang Hongxia instinctively disbelieved her, "She's definitely lying! This jinx, I must teach her a good lesson!"
However, Zhao Lifang held her back, "Mom, have you forgotten the lesson from your elder daughter-in-law?"
If Cheng Tao was truly pregnant and she caused her any harm, the entire Zhao family would have no face left.
Hearing this, Wang Hongxia didn't dare to act.
She could only wait for Zhao Yunlin to return and ask him privately.
"Your wife is pregnant?"
Zhao Yunlin was stunned, "How did you know?"
"She's really pregnant!" Wang Hongxia couldn't hide her surprise.
"Yes, she and I went to the health clinic for a check-up. She's just over two months along. Because of her previous injury, her qi and blood were deficient, and the doctor said she needed rest, so we didn't say anything."
He felt a pang of resentment. Wang Hongxia had almost caused the loss of his first child.
But he didn't dare to show it. After all, he would still need the family's support to build a house with Cheng Tao in the commune later.
Wang Hongxia, furious, hit him, "Are you trying to die! Since she's pregnant, why didn't you tell me sooner!"
If anything happened to the child, she truly wouldn't forgive herself.
This was Zhao Yunlin's child, after all.
Zhao Yunlin smiled helplessly, "Your relationship with Tao'er has been unstable lately, and she didn't want to say anything, so I could only indulge her. Besides, your elder daughter-in-law's child is about to be born, and the family has to prioritize her."
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Wang Hongxia spat.
She had doted on Zhou Yunru before because Cheng Tao wasn't pregnant.
Now that Cheng Tao was pregnant, of course, she had to prioritize Cheng Tao!
In her heart, her grandson was important, but the grandson coming from Cheng Tao's womb was even more important.
Wang Hongxia took twenty yuan from her pocket and handed it to Zhao Yunlin.
"Take this and buy some nourishment for your wife!"
Zhao Yunlin smiled and accepted it, fawning, "For the sake of your grandson, Mom won't be angry with my wife anymore, right?"
Wang Hongxia eyed him, "We're all family, so let it go! I'll go find your elder sister-in-law and swap your rooms back. Her room faces the sun, which is good for the baby."