Chapter 22 Recruiting Thieves

What a tragedy! I have no idea what the original owner was thinking.

However, now that she's here, she naturally won't be like the original owner. Her ideal is to make a lot of money in ancient times, so she naturally has to draw a clear line with the original owner's former cronies.

Chen Ziyi nodded, not dwelling on the topic any further. He pointed to the pot behind him: "The lime needs to be boiled in water before it can be used. We'll dig a pit in the ground first and put the boiled limestone in the pit to preserve it."

Following his gaze, Xiao Yu then noticed the large iron pot behind him, with two people standing next to it, presumably brought in by Chen Ziyi for help.

Xiao Yu nodded as if she understood, but it was the first time she had ever encountered anything like this before, as modern houses are built with reinforced concrete.

Fortunately, Chen Ziyi helped. The original owner was really out of his mind. He didn't know how to cherish such a good friend and insisted on hanging out with that Chen Ergou.

He ended up being kicked out of his own home by his own mother, harming himself and others, and in the end, he even had his own soul transmigrated.

Chen Ziyi waved to the two men, who each carried two shovels. They gave one to Chen Ziyi and one to Xiao Yu, and the four of them dug together until evening, finally creating a pit that was about six meters long and three meters wide, as deep as an adult.

After jumping out of the pit, Xiao Yu glanced at the sky, somewhat absent-minded. He wondered what the young lady was doing now, and he missed her a little.

Chen Ziyi patted the dirt off his clothes and said, "Let's call it a day. We'll come back tomorrow." Before Xiao Yu could speak, he gestured for the other two to leave.

Xiao Yu knew he was worried that she would invite them to stay for dinner, and her heart warmed.

After they left, Xiao Yu tidied up the remaining things before returning to her room.

Song Luoning was reading a book when she heard the noise. She looked up with a calm expression. Despite the loud commotion outside, she could still hear some of it through the wall and knew that this person was building a house.

But I didn't tell her, and I felt really down.

Adding to the memory of that person asking her for money last night, Song Luoning pursed her lips and tightened her palms, inwardly scoffing. What did her building a house have to do with her? In the end, their relationship was all about money.

It's normal not to tell yourself.

She couldn't be bothered to ask.

"What book are you reading?" Xiao Yu walked to the sink and washed his hands while talking to her. Seeing the young lady again still made his heart pound, and his cheeks were slightly hot.

Song Luoning glanced up coldly, then continued reading the book in her hands, as if she hadn't heard anything.

Xiao Yu: "..."

What happened?

She was fine at breakfast this morning. Could it be because I didn't cook lunch for her?

No way, I was busy at the time. Didn't I bring her back some steamed buns?

Xiao Yu frowned, glancing at the oil paper package on the table. It looked exactly the same as it did at noon.

Xiao Yu's heart tightened; the young lady hadn't eaten lunch!

At this moment, Song Luoning was leaning against the bed curtains, looking listless, like a sick cat with no energy. Xiao Yu's heart tightened. He walked over, stood by the bed, hesitated for a moment, and asked softly, "Are you feeling unwell? Why didn't you eat any steamed buns?"

"No." Song Luoning didn't even lift her eyelids, her voice cold.

Why aren't you eating?

Xiao Yu's heart skipped a beat again. She moved closer, squatted down, and looked up at her, trying to see her face clearly: "Are you not feeling well? Is it that the steamed buns don't suit your taste?"

"No." Song Luoning put down her book, pursed her lips, and looked at Xiao Yu's worried face, feeling inexplicably relieved.

Song Luoning turned her face away, worried that she would see through her thoughts, and said perfunctorily, "I don't do anything all day, and I don't have much of an appetite."

Is that so?

Xiao Yu stared at her suspiciously, his worries not lessening at all. Instead, his brows furrowed. Since arriving in Chenjia Village, the young lady had only been to the county town twice and seemed to have never left the village. No, wait, she did go to the fields with him once, and then fell ill the day after they returned.

She pondered whether she should take the young lady out for a walk every day. Appropriate exercise is beneficial for patients. Even normal people will get sick if they stay cooped up for too long, let alone the young lady who is already in poor health and needs more exercise.

So Xiao Yu patiently coaxed, "Just bear with it a little longer. Once this busy period is over, I'll take you out for walks every day. It's not good to always stay cooped up at home."

Song Luoning's hand tightened; she...

Turning my head to meet her gaze, I saw that her eyes were clear, and the worry in them was genuine. Instantly, I felt a mix of emotions.

She had only mentioned it casually, and she immediately said she would take her out for a walk. Her expression made it hard to tell if she was serious or not.

Song Luoning bit the soft flesh inside her lip, lowered her eyes, and concealed the emotion in them.

What exactly does this person mean?

One minute she wants to sell herself, the next she's getting medicine for herself, then she's asking for money, and then she's wanting to take her out for a walk.

And she doesn't want to tell herself anything.

For example, she didn't even mention such a big thing as building a house to me. I only found out by eavesdropping. She clearly didn't respect me. She only cared about my money, which is why she made such a decision on her own.

The more Song Luoning thought about it, the angrier and more aggrieved she felt, and she gritted her teeth inwardly.

That bastard, that lecher.

He simply turned his face away, not wanting to pay any more attention to her.

Why does it seem like you're angry again?

Xiao Yu frowned, wanting to coax her, but the young lady was ignoring him.

Seeing that it was getting dark, and remembering that the young lady hadn't eaten lunch and must be hungry by now, Xiao Yu stood up and said, "I'll go cook first. Reading in the dark isn't good for your eyes. Rest for a while, and I'll be right back." With that, Xiao Yu gathered up the steamed buns and headed to the kitchen.

Song Luoning lowered her eyes and brows.

After the person had left, he murmured after a long while, "I understand."

Xiao Yu quickly returned with the warmed-up buns and porridge, placed them on the table, and called out to Song Luoning, "Eat first, I have something to discuss with you."

It would have been better if she hadn't said anything, because once she did, Song Luoning got even angrier. While she was still angry, Song Luoning acted as if nothing had happened.

Although I don't even know what I'm angry about.

However, it's best not to talk about money with this lecherous man, otherwise things will get really messy later.

Song Luoning got up, walked to the round table, sat down, picked up a steamed bun with her chopsticks, and took a small bite.

“Song Luoning…” Xiao Yu touched his nose. He could never learn Song Luoning’s elegant way of eating.

It's a feast for the eyes; just looking at it makes you want to eat.

Song Luoning raised her eyes, subtly avoiding her gaze, and gave a faint "hmm".

Xiao Yu considered it for a moment and decided not to tell her about the earthen mound and the fan yet. This time it wasn't because she was afraid she would laugh at her, but because she wasn't sure she could make them herself. After all, the book she read didn't explain things in detail, and many things required practice.

He rearranged his words: "Look at the house we live in now, it's small, dilapidated, and unsafe, so I've been thinking of building a new one on that plot of land next door. You know, I bought a plot of land for building construction a while ago..."

"Hmm." So what?

Is this a notification that I've arrived?

Song Luoning took a bite of the steamed bun, suppressing her inexplicable grievances.

"My lord, you can make your own decision. There's no need to discuss it with Luo Ning," he said, feigning nonchalance.

She's only telling me now? She doesn't care. This jerk can do whatever she wants with it. Why is she telling me?

He just took three hundred taels from me yesterday, and today he's building a house.

You bastard.

Xiao Yu frowned.

These words sounded really strange, like she was blaming herself, as if Song Luoning was blaming herself for not discussing it with her beforehand!

She's jealous!

Xiao Yu felt that she had discovered an incredible secret: the young lady cared about her so much!

Xiao Yu, somewhat carried away, quickly tried to appease him, saying, "I wanted to discuss it with you, but I was so busy that I forgot. It's all my fault. Please don't be angry. I promise I'll discuss everything with you first next time."

"..."

Song Luoning looked up. Was that what she meant?

She doesn't care at all.

Song Luoning turned her face away awkwardly; this lecher was becoming more and more out of line.

"Are you still angry? I've already made promises, why are you still angry?" Xiao Yu pitifully dragged the stool closer, trying to appease her, "Wife."

Song Luoning's breath hitched. This lecherous man was actually trying to take advantage of her verbally. It was really too much. She would definitely teach him a lesson later.

Song Luoning gritted her teeth and endured it, then smiled gently. Her eyes and brows melted like snow in spring, and the two dimples at the corners of her lips were incredibly cute.

"My lord, you are overthinking it. How could Luo Ning possibly be angry with you?"

He scoffed inwardly, "What a despicable lecher!"

"..."

Xiao Yu was stunned. His gaze fell on Song Luo Ning's soft, naturally red lips. He swallowed hard, and after a long while, he forced himself to look away and said awkwardly, "It's good that you're not angry, it's good that you're not angry."

My goodness, this young lady's beauty is absolutely deadly.

I almost lost my animalistic instincts and pounced on him.

How could we dare sleep together that night? It wasn't that she was unreliable, it was just that she was too alluring.

Xiao Yu decisively rejected the idea of ​​sleeping together.

However, there was something she needed to discuss with the young lady, and before she could speak, Song Luoning coughed.

Xiao Yu's hand trembled, and all her romantic thoughts vanished instantly. She quickly got up and walked to Song Luoning, gently patting her back with her warm palm. The rhythmic patting caused Song Luoning's body to stiffen slightly, and her face to flush.

That lecherous scoundrel!

How dare you be so bold! You were only verbally taking advantage of me just now, and now you want to take it out on me? Do you think you can openly take advantage of me now that you know I have no money?

And those eyes were so naked, as if they wanted to devour you.

Song Luoning pinched her fingertips and subconsciously reached into her sleeve pocket.

Xiao Yu was extremely worried. While patting her back, he regretted neglecting the young lady today.

Song Luoning stiffened, trying to dodge her pats: "Cough cough... I'm fine, husband, please pour me a cup of tea."

"Okay, wait a minute, I'll pour it for you right away."

Xiao Yu picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea.

"Thank you." Song Luoning took the teacup, sipped it, and took a breath. Her breathing was still a little unsteady. She asked, "Husband, what were you going to say to Luoning just now?"

"Hmm?" Xiao Yu paused for a moment, then looked at her with a pained expression.

Song Luoning felt a twitch between her brows. What was this lecherous man up to now?

"Husband, what do you want to say to Luo Ning?" Song Luo Ning took a deep breath and asked again.

Xiao Yu bit her lip, and after a long pause, asked, "Are you really alright?"

Song Luoning nodded: "Mm."

Xiao Yu's brows relaxed slightly, and he said, "Then you must tell me what you have to say."

Song Luoning pursed her lips: "Mm."

Xiao Yu was relieved and looked at her suspiciously. After a while, she continued, "It's like this, the people who built the houses were all found with the help of the village head. At first, it was agreed that we would only need to provide lunch. I was thinking that it was too much trouble to cook lunch for these people, so why not pay them wages? This way, we can save a lot of effort and avoid owing favors. What do you think?"

Not that stupid.

Song Luo Ning pursed her lips: "Husband is right, Luo Ning has no objection, but how much do you plan to pay each person?"

Xiao Yu thought for a moment: "We paid them 30 coins a day for helping to haul bricks before, because we used their oxcarts. If we're just building a house, I plan to pay each person 20 coins a day. There are seven people in total, and it will take about a month to build. That would cost about 140 coins. If we provide meals, after deducting the labor cost of the cooks, it would cost about the same amount if we provided enough food. What do you think, my wife?"

The analysis is clear and logical; anyone with a discerning eye can immediately tell which option to choose.

Song Luoning nodded and said, "Let's do as my husband says."

Having gained Song Luoning's approval, Xiao Yu beamed and pushed the last bun toward her.

"Husband, please eat. Luo Ning has already eaten." Song Luo Ning paused, lowered her eyes, and dabbed her lips with a handkerchief.

Xiao Yu swallowed hard as she looked at the steamed buns. She was indeed not full. Since the young lady was full, she ate the last steamed bun and drank a bowl of porridge before she finally felt a little full.

She rested one arm on the table and rubbed her stomach with the other.

Then look at Song Luoning, who gracefully picked up the teacup and took a sip, a faint smile playing on her lips, her skin as white as porcelain.

I can't help but sigh, my wife is so beautiful!

The next day, Xiao Yu woke up at the crack of dawn. Song Luo Ning's medicine had been finished, and she planned to go to Ming Shan Tang again in the morning to ask Jiang Zi Jin if she had figured it out yet.

Xiao Yu went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, covered it with a bowl and placed it on the table so that Song Luoning could eat it when she woke up.

Then, leading the horse to go out, he noticed that many of the blue bricks that had been pushed back yesterday were missing.

Xiao Yu was startled and quickly tied her horse to a tree stump. She went forward to check and found that there were at least a hundred bricks missing. She had specifically counted the bricks yesterday.

Who stole it?

Xiao Yu frowned. In this ancient era, there was no surveillance and no way to check fingerprints. She could only investigate. Just when she was at her wit's end, Chen Ziyi and Chen Yu arrived.

Chen Ziyi had seen the blue bricks yesterday, and he could tell at a glance that so many were missing.

Chen Ziyi was taken aback: "What's going on with these blue bricks?"

"As you can see, it was stolen, but I can't figure out who did it right now," Xiao Yu explained to Chen Ziyi.

"If necessary, let's report it to the authorities and ask them to help investigate. After all, we don't have any leads right now," Chen Ziyi suggested.

Xiao Yu bit the soft flesh inside her lip, frowned as she looked at the remaining blue bricks. Reporting to the authorities probably wouldn't be of much use, since there were no modern investigative methods in ancient times. However, she still had to report to the authorities if necessary.

"Ziyi, thank you for making this trip. I'd like to take another look around here," Xiao Yu said.

"Xiao Yu, have you offended someone?" Chen Yu frowned, unable to bear it any longer.

Who knows if she's offended someone again? After all, they've suffered a lot because of her before.

It'd better not be this time, otherwise she'll definitely go home and tell her aunt not to help her anymore.

Offend someone?

Her reminder made Xiao Yu suddenly remember that she had driven Chen Ergou away the day before.

Could it be him?

If it were him, it would make sense, since Chen Ergou had done a lot of petty theft in the original owner's memories. If it were him, it seems we need to be more careful with this person and find a way to get rid of him once and for all.

However, it cannot be determined at the moment.

Xiao Yu: "Chen Ergou did come by yesterday."

Chen Ziyi said, "Let's go, let's go to his house first." He was about to leave when Xiao Yu stopped him.

Xiao Yu said solemnly, "Ziyi, I'll trouble you to make a trip to the government office."

Chen Yu said impatiently, "No, Xiao Yu, you've already guessed Chen Ergou, why make A Yi go all the way? Why don't you just go directly to him?"

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "That won't do. We're not government officials, so how can we arrest people arbitrarily? Besides, it's just a guess right now. It's safest to report it to the authorities."

Chen Ziyi thought Xiao Yu's words made sense, and after exchanging a few more words with Xiao Yu, he rode Xiao Yu's horse toward the county town.

Chen Yu asked suspiciously, "Would reporting to the authorities be of any use?"

“I didn’t hear a sound last night. If it were stolen from another village, they would have used a cart to transport it. I didn’t hear a sound last night, which means it was stolen by someone from the village. Regardless of whether it was Chen Ergou or not, this person must be from the village. The blue bricks are such a big target that even if they were hidden, it would be difficult to hide them. When the government comes, they can find them with a search. If we don’t report it to the authorities, do you think anyone would be stupid enough to let us search them?” Xiao Yu patiently explained to Chen Yu.

At this moment, Song Luoning came out of the house. Upon hearing her analysis, her brows furrowed tightly, and her eyes became unfathomable.

Could a spendthrift be so organized?

Was she faking it all along?

During the time I was married to her, what I saw was indeed different from what I heard.