Jiang Qiao was never stingy when it came to food, especially since Wang Datou was always doing chores for her. However, while she had the desire, the restaurant was uncooperative. There were only so many good dishes, and they would be gone if you arrived late. Jiang Qiao managed to get the last plate of braised pork, but luckily there was some mutton soup left, which she finished off.

"Eat up, we still have business to do in a bit. I've thought about this. We'll change it, but you'll need to get the neighbors to sign an agreement so it'll be easier for us to transfer the property later."

Wang Datou knew exactly what was going on; that's how it was done in the countryside. "Alright, I'll take care of it."

While drinking mutton soup, Jiang Qiao arranged the next steps, "I'll go over and check the house later, and then bring you some food. Also, you should change your clothes. I have some at home, I'll get them for you later."

"Big Head Brother, I'd like you to go work at the commune. What do you think?"

Wang Datou nearly choked on his mutton soup. "What? You want me to go to the commune? Do you think they'll accept me, someone like me?"

Jiang Qiao glared at him. "What's wrong with you? Did you steal, rob, or commit murder and arson? You were just a little rascal before, but you've changed."

"Let me ask you first, do you have any connections on your end?"

Wang Datou hesitated for a moment, "But, going through connections requires money and resources, and I don't have either of those."

Jiang Qiao waved her hand and said, "Don't worry about any of that. I'll figure something out. Just tell me, do you have a solution?"

Wang Datou nodded. "We have a distant relative who is the second-in-command in the commune. But you should think it over. Someone like me would only be a gofer for them if I went there. You can forget about becoming an official."

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "That's for the future. I didn't expect you to be a big official. Just be a small leader for me. After all, all the brigades under the jurisdiction of the commune are under the jurisdiction of the commune. Sometimes when there are inspections, the commune sends people down to do it."

All I need is for you to be a member of that inspection team. At least when something happens, you can control these people and prevent them from messing with the subordinates.

So, since I'm letting you in, you should strive in that direction. You can act like a scoundrel on the outside, but you need to understand in your heart that there are bottom lines to being a decent person. Even if you look ruthless, you must have a kind heart. Do you understand what I mean?

Wang Datou was a little puzzled. He could understand what Jiang Qiao was saying, but he felt that this girl was making a mountain out of a molehill. Why start preparing so early just to prevent something unpredictable?

Jiang Qiao could easily see through Wang Datou's thoughts. "Don't think I'm making a mountain out of a molehill. The person I need to protect is in Gujia Village. I can't predict what will happen in the future, so I need to prepare in advance. I won't harm anyone, but others shouldn't try to harm the person I want to protect either. It's that simple."

"I'll prepare the supplies. How you establish yourself there and have influence is up to you. I'll provide you with some things later. You'll understand how to do it; I don't need to teach you, right?"

Wang Datou shook his head with a wry smile. "If you continue to teach me, then all these years of my life have been for nothing. So, should I involve Yu Deshui in this matter?"

Jiang Qiao countered with a question to Wang Datou: "For so many years, you've called Yu Deshui your brother. What do you think of him? Think about it carefully before you answer my question."

Wang Datou was about to speak without hesitation; after all, he was a brother, and he knew him well. But Jiang Qiao's next sentence made him pause.

Does he understand? This question surprised even Wang Datou himself. To be honest, looking back on the years he spent with Yu Deshui, he realized that he really didn't understand this friend very well.

His family often nagged him, especially his younger sister. That girl said, "We're all in this together. Why can Yu Deshui's family afford bicycles and rebuild their houses? Why is his family still the same?"

He used to dismiss it, always thinking that his sister's words were meant to sow discord, since he had at least been freeloading off Yu Deshui.

But when Jiang Qiao asked this question, he realized that his sister seemed to be right. From beginning to end, it seemed that he had only gotten some food and drink, and hadn't gotten any other benefits. On the contrary, the people around him had a lot of opinions about him.

Thinking of this, he looked at Jiang Qiao and shook his head. "At this moment, I really can't say that I understand him. Really, I never thought about this question before, but after you reminded me of that, I realized that there are many things I don't understand."

Jiang Qiao sighed, "Luckily, you're not stupid. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to advise you. Yu Deshui is too cunning. You might end up being sold out by him and still be counting the money for him."

I don't like dealing with people like that. It's okay to use each other occasionally, but you need to figure out the limits. Whatever you do, think it over before you act.

Because you'll have to walk your own path from now on, and your parents and younger siblings will still need you as their older brother.

No one had ever said such things to him before. Wang Datou felt a little ashamed after hearing Jiang Qiao's words. Jiang Qiao was the first person to help his family and the first person to advise him to think about his future and his parents. It was someone even younger than him who made Wang Datou trust her.

"Jiang Qiao, thank you—"

Jiang Qiao smiled and shook her head. "I'm full. Let's set off and check out the place first. I'll deliver the things over later."

Just as Wang Datou said, the compound was quite large, with six rooms, a big courtyard, and two storage rooms built outside the courtyard wall.

Upon learning that Jiang Qiao was interested in their house, the elderly couple took Jiang Qiao to see it in person. To be honest, the two old people were quite kind-looking and spoke elegantly.

"Sigh, it's just that we've come to this point in time. There's really no other way. The house isn't going to fetch a good price, so it's better to just exchange it for grain. Anyway, my wife and I have retirement pensions, so we're planning to sell this house. Young lady, what do you think of this house?"

Jiang Qiao nodded. "Very good, well arranged. Grandpa and Grandma, after you move out, could you leave the furniture or something? I can pay more for that or give you some food."

The old lady readily agreed, "No problem, that's easy to arrange. My son lives all the way away, so it's not practical for us to transport all these things there. He might not even have the space to store them. It's better to give them to someone who is meant to have them. Young man, shall we talk about it?"

Jiang Qiao, Wang Datou, and the old couple sat down and discussed the house issue properly. Jiang Qiao gave them fifty catties of rice and fifty catties of flour for the house. As for the furniture, the old lady offered to pay for it. Although they had wages, their future expenses would be high, so it was better to keep more money on hand.

Jiang Qiao readily agreed, and the old man and his family didn't try to rip them off. Even Wang Datou thought the price of the furniture was reasonable. Everything was settled for twenty yuan.

"Hey, young comrade, don't underestimate these pieces of furniture. They're all made of good wood. See that? That's mahogany, and that's South China Sea rosewood. Although these things aren't worth much now, if you preserve them well, they might become valuable in the future."

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "Although I don't understand this, I will listen to you and keep it safe. You are welcome to come and see it when you have the chance."

"I'll bring the things over in a bit. My brother will sign the agreement with you tomorrow, and I'll come over again tonight so we can all have dinner together. After all, it's fate that we met."