He-shi returned to her own room, and Da Jiang asked her how's wife was doing. He-shi replied through gritted teeth, "What is there to say? Isn't it just because dotes on her that she acts up like that." She deliberately spoke loudly, hoping both and Song Yuemei could hear.

After speaking, she sat down dejectedly by herself, thinking how much this person had changed. This son had been glued to her side just a few days ago, telling her everything, so dutiful to his mother. How could he have changed so much in just a few days?

For a few words from his wife, he gave her a cold shoulder. Today, just to get the two men out to earn some money, she had worked alone in the fields until her back ached from bending over, yet she didn't hear a single word of concern from her son upon returning; he only cared about the wife inside the house. It seemed the wife was the problem, having seduced her son into forgetting his mother now that he had a wife.

Da Jiang watched He-shi sit down in frustration, a look of exhaustion crossing her face. Feeling a pang of pity, he patted her shoulder and said, "The son has grown up; he has his own thoughts now that he's married. Try not to meddle in things that aren't your concern, and don't argue with him."

Although Da Jiang wasn't in that room, he knew what had transpired. He had been a son himself and a husband, having been through it. How could he not understand these things?

When he married He-shi, it was the same; the newlywed wife was the sweetest thing, and his mother's words were long forgotten. His focus had certainly shifted entirely to his wife. It was just that his family had several other sons back then, so if one was lacking, there were others. But in his household, was the only son. It was understandable that his wife couldn't let it go easily.

While He-shi sulked alone, was swiftly boiling several eggs, taking them into the room to feed Song Yuemei one by one, carefully saying, "Be careful, it's hot."

At that moment, his entire world was his wife, Song Yuemei; he completely forgot the attitude he had just shown his mother and how much she must have been hurt by their exchange.

On He-shi's side, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were bickering constantly, their faces sour, while over at Lin He's house, they were too busy to worry about anything else.

Hiring temporary laborers for just one morning had been enough to plant all the acres of corn and completely clear the weeds from the wheat fields. Lin He then asked Lin Erniu to hire a few people to start breaking ground on the riverside fields they had purchased.

Lin He considered hiring more temporary laborers, but Erniu disagreed, saying too many people wouldn't be ideal. He planned to visit Hongyun’s home to discuss hiring Hongyun and her husband to help. Meanwhile, they would ask Da Jiang to come over to advise on their plans to raise fish, and they would also ask Er Gouzi’s father, Uncle Li, to assist for a few days. Between those three, plus himself and Da Bao, that should be enough.

Lin He thought that was acceptable. She had heard about what happened between her uncle and in the fields the past couple of days. Her uncle, despite being a bit spineless, was honest and generally a decent person, and after all, he was her own uncle.

Seeing that Lin He agreed, Erniu immediately hitched the ox cart and headed to Hongyun’s house. By the time he arrived, it was almost noon. Only Hongyun’s mother-in-law and sister-in-law were home. They weren't overly welcoming when they saw Erniu. Erniu didn't linger with the mother-in-law, just stating he needed to speak with Da Sheng and Hongyun about something.

Hongyun's mother-in-law sent Da Sheng's sister to take Erniu to the edge of the field, and the sister-in-law returned once they arrived there. Erniu saw only Da Sheng and Hongyun working the vast field, while the mother-in-law and sister stayed at home, which displeased him. This strengthened his resolve to bring Hongyun over to work, even if Da Sheng refused to go; he was determined to bring Hongyun alone if necessary.

Hongyun and Da Sheng were surprised to see Erniu arrive and both quickly came up from the field. Hongyun smiled and said, "Second Brother, why are you here?"

Da Sheng also greeted Erniu. Erniu glanced at Da Sheng and said with a hint of displeasure, "With such a large field, how long will it take just the two of you to finish? It's midday and you two are still busy in the field."

Da Sheng looked at Erniu’s expression and understood Erniu’s intentions immediately. His face grew slightly awkward, and he remained silent.

Hongyun knew her Second Brother was standing up for her, but she didn't want him to constantly worry about these matters. She smiled and said, "It's nothing, we were actually planning to head back now, but you arrived. Second Brother, what brings you here all the way to the field?"

Second Brother then remembered his main purpose. He began, "It’s like this. I’ve dug a pond at home and plan to raise some fish, but I can’t manage it all by myself. So, I plan to hire someone to help. I want Da Sheng to come help me; we’ll pay him a monthly wage of six hundred big coins. He can still work his own family's land and take a few days off during busy seasons to handle his own work."

Hearing this, Hongyun immediately spoke up, "Second Brother, if your family needs help, you should have said so earlier! Let Da Sheng go help you. What monthly wage? We don't have much to do anyway when it’s not the busy season."

Da Sheng nodded in agreement, "That’s right, Second Brother. If your family needs something, just ask. We don't have much land here; it won't take more than a few days to finish."

Erniu replied, "It won't be just a day or two of help; it's a long-term commitment. If I hire someone, I have to pay wages. If you refuse wages, I’ll hire someone else. There are many things to do regularly, and it’s hard to explain everything now. Just tell me if you’re willing to go."

When Erniu put it that way, Da Sheng and Hongyun found it difficult to refuse further. Da Sheng spoke up, "I’ll go. We don't have much land, and times are tough. It would be even better if I could earn some money while helping Second Uncle."

Hongyun agreed; as long as Second Brother’s family needed help, they should certainly go. Erniu continued, "Also, He’er is tinkering with making some kind of salve and needs help. Right now, it’s perhaps once every few days, but once it scales up, it might need to be done daily. The pay offered is four hundred big coins a month. He’er specifically asked for Hongyun to come."

Hongyun hadn't expected she might also be needed and immediately agreed without asking for details, "Okay, I’m willing to go."

Seeing that both of them agreed, Erniu said, "Then you two tidy up at home and finish off your own fields. Come over together after three days. I’ll sort out the rest of the arrangements then. For now, settle things at home; if you come over, you might not be able to return daily."

Hongyun and Da Sheng nodded in agreement.