Chapter 159 The money was distributed, and the villagers who had worked cried.

Lin Luoxi asked Xie Hanchuan and Lin Wenqian to carry the baskets into the house and keep an eye on them, while she left the money in the baskets at the gate of the courtyard and asked the villagers whose names were called to come and collect the money.

As soon as Lin Luoxi put down her basket, the vibration caused the copper coins to rub together, making a crisp, tinkling sound. The villagers heard the sound and all laughed.

Everyone stood at attention and waited quietly for Aunt Yang to call for help.

"Lin Wenjie, Lin Dazhu..." Hearing the crisp sound of the basket being filled, and after the villagers' wages were settled, Aunt Yang's voice became much louder as she called out to them.

The villagers whose names were called pushed through the crowd to stand in front of Lin Dayou, saying auspicious words and waiting for Lin Dayou to give them money.

Lin Ta-yu, who was doing this kind of work for the first time, had never been so happy as he was today, and he couldn't stop smiling.

"Dad, stop laughing. Hurry up and give us the money. Our uncles and elders are waiting for it to buy meat to cook." Lin Luoxi couldn't stand Lin Dayou's silly grin anymore and urged him on.

"Oh, oh, oh..." Urged by Lin Luoxi, Lin Dayou quickly opened the burlap sack in his basket. When he saw the copper coins inside, his hands began to tremble.

Good heavens, he'd lived most of his life and never seen so many copper coins before.

The thought of handing out these coins from my own hands made my heart ache.

"Dad, if you can't do it, let me do it." Seeing Lin Dayou's useless appearance, and with the villagers still waiting for their money, Lin Luoxi urged him again.

"Okay, I'll count it right away." Lin Dayou never thought he would have to count money until his hands cramped up. He would never let anyone do this cushy job, so he quickly started counting the money.

The villagers in line beamed with anticipation and excitement when they saw the copper coins in Lin Luoxi's basket. They desperately hoped that they would be the next one called by Aunt Yang, rubbing their dirty hands as they waited.

Each villager who received their wages had slightly red eyes. They solemnly thanked Lin Dayou, Lin Luoxi, and Aunt Yang, who was calling out their names, before carefully taking their hard-earned money home to share their joy with their families.

Not only the first one did this, but the second one also bowed solemnly to Lin Ruoxi and thanked her.

She said that it was Lin Luoxi who gave them the opportunity to earn money, and that her family was finally able to eat rice. As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her face.

His rough, cracked hands trembled as he held the wages he received from Lin Dayou, looking at them over and over again.

The sight was heartbreaking, and those who could empathize, still waiting to receive their money, gradually lost their smiles and their eyes reddened.

Every male laborer present was a son or father in his family. Now that he could finally earn money, he was excited and joyful.

Seeing the excited expressions on the villagers' faces, Lin Luoxi was also moved. A strong desire to lead these simple and honest villagers to a better life gradually filled her heart.

It wasn't until it was completely dark that the villagers who had worked received their wages and went home.

"Aunt Yang, here is your wages." Only Yang Lin and Zhou Sheng remained in the Lin family courtyard. Lin Luoxi handed over the couple's wages.

Lin Yangshi looked at the sixty coins in her hand and smiled gratefully at Lin Luoxi.

She never imagined that she and her husband could earn so much in a single day; it was something they had never dared to dream of before.

"Luo Xi, consider this money as us paying back what we owe you little by little. Is that alright?" Madam Lin Yang, looking pained, handed the silver that Lin Luo Xi had just given her back to Lin Luo Xi.

Judging from the current rate at which they are earning money, they will soon be able to pay back the money they owe Lin Luoxi.

"Auntie, don't worry about the money you owe me. You can pay me back when you have some spare money."

Judging from Lin Yangshi's eagerness to return the money as soon as she had it, it's clear that Lin Yangshi is a decent person. Lin Luoxi trusted Lin Yangshi's character and returned the money to Lin Yangshi again.

"This..." Lin Yangshi looked at her husband with a troubled expression, then looked at the money in her hand. To be honest, she had worked hard all day and had just earned the money. She was very reluctant to spend it to pay off debts before she could even enjoy it.

But she had outstanding debts at home, and she felt ashamed to face others, especially Lin Luoxi, if she didn't repay them despite having the money.

"If Luo Xi tells you to keep it, then keep it for now. We can pay it back together when we've saved enough." Having shared a bed with her for many years, how could Lin Zhousheng not understand his wife's personality? Seeing that Lin Luo Xi genuinely wanted them to keep the money, Lin Zhousheng simply tried to persuade his wife.

"Alright, then we'll give it to you when we've saved up enough for a round number." Hearing her husband say this, Lin Yangshi's brows furrowed, and she made a straightforward promise.

"Okay, Auntie, you probably haven't eaten yet. Why don't you eat at my house first before going back? It's getting late, and you've worked all day. I doubt you'll want to cook when you get back."

Since I want to cultivate Lin Yangshi into my capable assistant, I should start now to slowly build a relationship with her and observe whether she can meet my desired standards.

"Luo Xi, no need. Brother Jin and Sister Ting have probably already prepared the meal and are waiting for us to go back. We'll definitely eat at your house next time."

Lin Yangshi really wanted to have dinner at Lin Luoxi's house, but when she thought about her two children at home and how they probably already had the food ready, she reluctantly declined Lin Luoxi's invitation.

"Aunt Lin, it's alright. I've already asked my third brother to invite Brother Jin and Sister Ting over." Seeing how polite Lin Yangshi was, Lin Luoxi smiled and stopped Lin Yangshi from refusing.

"Since Luo Xi has said so, then we'll shamelessly stay and freeload a meal." Lin Zhousheng was happier than anyone else when he heard that he could freeload a meal at Lin Luo Xi's house. He had just wanted to say so, but his wife had intercepted him.

Unexpectedly, Luo Xi was so helpful; he was able to freeload at the Lin family's house again.

"Ouch~ Wife, be gentle, be gentle..." Lin Yangshi saw through Lin Zhousheng's little thoughts at a glance, reached out and pinched Lin Zhousheng's waist, causing Lin Zhousheng to gasp in pain.

“We helped Luo Xi with her work, and she paid us. How dare you stay for a meal? You’re shameless.” Madam Lin Yang gritted her teeth and muttered in Lin Zhousheng’s ear.

"Why are you being so polite when you come to my house? If you're invited to stay for dinner, just stay and eat in peace. Why make things difficult for your man?"

"The children are watching, aren't you afraid they'll laugh at you?"

Seeing Lin Yang's fiery manner, Lin Wangshi couldn't help but smile and step forward to ease the tension between the two.