"Hey, it's all about the corvée labor. Why do you insist on separating the family? If you ask me, you should reunite first. If you can't bring yourself to do it, I'll talk to that kid Yan Chun for you. Look at you, you don't have any money on you. You can't have an old body like you having to do corvée labor, can you?"
Bai Lizheng had already visited the Yan family and subtly inquired whether Yan Chun wanted to reunite with her family.
Yan Chun immediately refused, saying that his father was insisting on a divorce, and since that was the case, he should never go back in this lifetime.
That heartless look chilled even an outsider like him.
"No need, just write down my name. I'm in pretty good health, I should be able to pull through."
Although Yan Hecheng had saved up some silver, he was reluctant to hand it over.
I've been there before when I was young.
The longest it will take is three months.
When we returned, it was just in time for summer, so we were able to plant a batch of crops.
After selling the grain in winter, he will build the house.
Live well.
"She's got a really stubborn temper, just like your Xia. She insisted on getting a divorce back then, and I couldn't persuade her, so I stopped trying. And you know what, Xia, you're lucky. It's been less than a year since the divorce, and she's already made so much money. Just buying that mountain alone cost her this much—"
The village head lowered his voice and made a gesture.
"I'll trouble you, Brother Bai, not to tell anyone else about this, so that those money-grubbing guys in the village won't bother my Xia."
"Oh dear, how could I dare say that? I know the villagers better than you do. If you weren't her father, I wouldn't be telling you this. Sigh, we're all family, why did things turn out like this? If you ask me, why don't you just give in to Xia and let her take you to live with her so you can enjoy your retirement?"
Bai Lizheng was extremely envious of Yan Hecheng; he wished he had such promising children.
Why bother being a village head?
They moved to a big house in town a long time ago, spending their days playing with birds and taking walks. It couldn't be more enjoyable.
Unlike Brother Yan, who lives alone in this dilapidated temple.
It was both desolate and pitiful.
Who knows what those gossipy women in the village say about him behind his back?
"I owe her too much, I won't bother her."
"Oh well, whatever."
Bai Lizheng didn't want to offer any more advice, since it was their family matter.
It's not good for him to get involved.
The name Wan Yan Hecheng was registered.
The whole village is all set up.
Thirty percent of the money was given in silver.
The remaining 70% are for handing over people.
One or two ounces is not much, but it's not little either; the whole family works themselves to the bone to save up for half a year.
Some families with many children, even if they have the money, will not pay it.
Instead, they chose an unfavored son and sent him.
If you're lucky, you can work for two or three months and come back in time for summer planting.
If you're unlucky, it'll only last a year or two.
It also saves on food.
Number 10.
Zuo Li, accompanied by a group of officials, arrived at Baihua Village on horseback and in carriages.
There were more than a dozen people, each with a knife at their waist.
It looks incredibly majestic.
Bai Lizheng had already led the villagers to welcome them in advance.
Yan Hecheng was among them, carrying his own bag and standing at the end of the line.
"Sir, this is a booklet. Please take a look."
The village head, despite his advanced age, was still trembling as he tried to please the officials, which was somewhat heartbreaking to see. Fortunately, Zuo Li was not a vicious person. He took the booklet in a gentle tone and then helped the bent-over village head up.
"Yes, well done. You're welcome. I'm good friends with the Yan family from your village. We might see each other often in the future."
Zuo Li had been so busy lately that he was covered in stubble. He forced a laugh and tried to make a joke to help Bai Lizheng relax.
As a result, because he looked so frightening, the village head was so scared that his old legs started shaking.
Left with no other option, Zuo Li had to abandon her smile, carefully examine the booklet in her hand, and verify the household registration information.
He stood at the front of the line, holding a booklet and calling out to each person.
After counting the number of people, they left with the villagers who were to perform corvée labor.
Baihua Village suddenly became much emptier.
"My son, take good care of yourself and come back safely!"
"Dad, I'm waiting for you to come back. You said you'd celebrate my birthday with me. Your son is waiting for you—"
"My husband, promise me you'll come back with all your limbs intact—"
"....."
Many people who came to see them off stood at the village entrance wiping away tears.
He was still shouting.
This scene deeply saddened many people.
Luo Bai glanced back, and the sight of Li Fang's pregnant belly brought tears to his eyes.
Yan Hecheng also turned his head slightly.
But he did not see the person he was looking for.
He sighed softly, turned around, and continued on his way.
At this moment, Yan Xia was planting rose seeds with Xiao Ji on a high mountain.
This seed is both cold- and heat-resistant. It only takes two months from planting to germination, branching, and flowering, which means it will bloom in early May.
Moreover, it can run for three seasons.
One season in May, one season in July, and one season in September.
If Yan Xia hadn't been bored yesterday and read the instructions from the online store, she would have waited until April to plant it.
If she had known this would happen, she should have planted the seeds as soon as the snow melted.
There's not much rose jam left.
I don't know if I can make it to May.
After Yan Xia and Xiao Ji loosened the soil, she took a shovel and dug holes one by one, while Xiao Ji was responsible for scattering seeds, covering them with mud, and watering them behind her, all in one go.
The two worked together from morning until noon, grabbing a quick bite of dry rations for lunch before continuing to work until it was almost dark before heading down the mountain.
The mountain gate was closed when we descended.
Yan Xia knocked on the door from inside.
Only then did I open it.
After saying goodbye to the two security guards, Yan Xia took Xiao Ji back home.
The food Xiaohe made.
Although Yan Xia forbids her from doing housework, she can still cook a dish or a meal.
If a plant doesn't move for a long time, it can easily lead to a difficult birth.
“Mother, I saw your father at the door this morning. He was looking at our house from a distance, but he didn’t say anything. He just glanced at us and left. I heard from Aunt Zhao that today is the day the officials are coming, and the villagers who are to be forced to do corvée labor are expected to leave this morning.”
During dinner, Xiaohe suddenly blurted out those words.
"Hmm, it's none of our business. Eat up. In the future, when Mom isn't home, you'd better not open the door, lest some idiot come and bully you again, understand?"
Yan Xia paused slightly, but recovered in less than a second.
She changed the subject, not wanting to discuss Yan Hecheng.
"Yes, Mother."
Xiaohe is very obedient and well-behaved; her voice is soft and sweet.
Like a little white kitten.
The two daughters-in-law have very different personalities. Jing Shui is short-tempered and carefree, but she is not a bad person. She is simple-minded and not very smart. Originally, she thought Xiao He was also short-tempered. But after Xiao He married into the family, Yan Xia realized that Xiao He was a soft girl, like a newborn tiger cub. She roars when she encounters danger, but she is actually terrified inside. She is incredibly cute. In addition, she is pregnant and has gained a lot of weight.
It looks like a big lucky doll.
I wonder what her first granddaughter looked like.
Ideally, she should look like Xiao He.
If it were like Kim Bok, then really...
Although Jin Fu is not ugly, and is quite handsome, his face shape would look bad on a girl.
It was a truly horrific sight.
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