“That’s really great! When we get home later, we’ll tell Grandpa and Grandma about this. Oh right, Master, I have another idea—would you like to hear it?”
Shen Qingli immediately smiled when she heard this, then thought of another idea that she felt would make things even better.
“Oh? Go ahead, Pear girl, let’s hear it.”
Zheng Qiuwen was very fond of Shen Qingli—not just because she had saved him and cleared his name, but also because she was more quick-witted than Qingping.
Of course, Qingping had her own strengths as well—she was steady, diligent, patient, and meticulous.
People like her were especially suited to studying medicine.
After thinking for a moment, Shen Qingli said:
“Master, since we live in Li Family Village, we should make things more convenient for the villagers here.
How about this—from now on, people from Li Family Village don’t need to pay consultation fees, only the cost of the medicine.
But for outsiders, we charge the full price.
Also, we can make the pricing flexible. For poor families, we can accept just a token payment. But for wealthy landlords or rich people, we can charge more.”
“Hahaha, you silly girl—do you think your master is some legendary miracle doctor?
Usually, it’s only people from our village or nearby villages who come to see me. What wealthy landlords are you talking about?
But I think your idea is pretty good. Alright, we’ll do as you say from now on!”
Although her words were a bit exaggerated, he was still pleased and immediately agreed.
Shen Qingli simply smiled without saying more, but inwardly thought:
“Just wait, Master. Before long, you’ll become a famous miracle doctor known far and wide.”
When the Shen sisters told Grandpa and Grandma Li about this, the two elders were so happy they couldn’t stop smiling.
At lunch that very day, they immediately added an extra pair of chopsticks and a stool.
Just like that, Doctor Zheng officially became part of the family.
After lunch, Doctor Zheng told the sisters to take a short nap before going over to help later.
The two noticed their three cousins in the yard weaving nets and baskets with rattan vines. Curious, they went over:
“Cousin Mu, what are you doing?”
“Haha, the river ice has melted, and people in the village have gone to catch fish. We want to give it a try too.
If we catch any, we’ll cook fish soup for you. Grandma’s crucian carp tofu soup is delicious!”
“Go to the river to catch fish? Wow, that sounds fun! Can you take us with you?”
Hearing this, Shen Qingli became excited—she also loved eating fish and drinking fish soup!
“I want to go too! I’ve never caught fish before!”
Shen Qingping was just as excited. Back at the Shen family, they had to work every day and never had chances like this. So she was eager to go and see for herself.
“Of course! We’ll go together later.”
…
After lunch, while the adults were resting, the three boys informed the elders and then took their two cousins to the river at the foot of Qing Mountain.
This river was called Clear Water River, true to its name—it was quite clear.
When the five of them arrived, they saw many villagers already catching fish along the bank.
Some greeted Li Shitou, Li Tietou, and Li Mutou—it seemed they were all from the same village.
They found a quiet spot, placed their woven nets into the river, then took out coarse-grain buns, crumbled them, and scattered the crumbs onto the nets.
This was to lure the fish over.
Seeing this method, Shen Qingli couldn’t help but smile—it was indeed simple and direct.
But it didn’t seem very effective for catching fish…
Thinking this, she looked at the other villagers and noticed that their catches weren’t very plentiful either.
So she asked:
“Cousin, can you really catch fish this way?”
“Yes! We’ve done it before. Last year, we waited an entire afternoon and caught two fish!
Both were big ones—around three jin each! Very plump and delicious!
Don’t worry, cousin—you just wait to drink some tasty fish soup!”
Li Tietou spoke confidently, sitting there patiently as if prepared for a long wait.
Li Mutou also chimed in:
“That’s right. Don’t worry, cousins—we’ll definitely catch some fish.
We’ve always used this method successfully. And now that you two lucky stars are here, we’ll surely catch even more!”
“Exactly!”
Li Shitou agreed enthusiastically.
To them, their aunt’s family were all lucky stars.
Ever since the three of them came to the Li family, good things had been happening one after another—more than in an entire year before.
So now the whole family believed their aunt’s family brought good fortune.
Their mother even said it was because there had been too many men in the family before, upsetting the balance of yin and yang. Now that the aunt and her daughters had arrived, everything was balanced again, and their luck improved.
Even the chickens were laying more eggs!
Thanks to them, Grandma had become very generous—she now boiled eggs for everyone every morning.
This was because one day she discovered that if they didn’t eat the eggs the same day, the chickens would lay fewer the next day.
So, thinking “eating them means gaining,” she made sure all eggs were eaten daily—and sure enough, the chickens laid just as many again the next day.
Hearing this, Shen Qingli found it amusing. Well then—since they saw her as a lucky star, she might as well make that reputation even more convincing.
While everyone was focused on the river, she quietly opened her system panel.
After browsing the shop for a while, she found something useful—
Fishing bait, the kind anglers loved for attracting fish.
Although there were no plants in the interstellar era, there were plenty of animals—including fish—so fishing enthusiasts still existed.
The item was cheap—only two fish coins.
Without hesitation, Shen Qingli bought a bottle. It was a transparent liquid, perfect for secretly pouring into the water.
Taking advantage of playing by the river, she poured all the bait into the water unnoticed.
Then, the group witnessed a scene they would never forget.
Suddenly, fish began rushing toward the riverbank as if driven mad, as though something there had an irresistible pull on them.
Li Mutou was stunned, but reacted quickly. He immediately pulled up his rattan net—
And saw two large fish thrashing wildly inside.