With four more little ones added to the family, Chen Xiaoru planned to build a new house in the village.
"Dad, go find the village chief and let's get a piece of land. I want to build a big house with green bricks and tiles. With so many babies at home, we need a big one. We are not short of money." Chen Xiaoru said to Chen Laizi in a cheerful tone.
Chen Laizi is a complete "daughter slave", whatever Chen Xiaoru says is what he does!
"Okay, I'll go now!" Chen Laizi said and walked out.
"Dad, there's one more thing," Chen Xiaoru stopped him and continued, "You see, our family is the only one in the village that's rich now, and there must be people who are jealous, so we have to do something..."
Chen Xiaoru looked at Zhou Si: "Zhou Si, do you have any good ideas?"
Chen Xiaoru looked at Zhou Si, expecting his advice. After all, Zhou Si had always been very opinionated and could always come up with unexpected ideas.
Zhou Si pondered for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. He raised his eyes, scanning Chen Xiaoru before finally settling on Chen Laizi.
"Dad, when you go to the village chief, besides talking about building a house, you should also mention that our family wants to make some contributions to the village." Zhou Si spoke slowly in a steady tone.
"Contribution? What contribution?" Chen Laizi was stunned and scratched his head, a little confused.
"Let's just say... our family wants to donate money to renovate the village ancestral hall." Zhou Si raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.
Chen Xiaoru's eyes lit up and she immediately understood what Zhou Si meant.
"Yes! Dad, think about it, this ancestral hall has been in disrepair for many years and should have been repaired long ago. If our family pays for the repair, the villagers will definitely remember our kindness. Who would dare to be jealous of us?" Chen Xiaoru added excitedly, casting an approving look at Zhou Si as she spoke.
Chen Laizi slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing, "Oh! My son-in-law is really smart! This is a good idea. It not only does a good deed, but also shuts up those jealous people! I'll go right away, right away!"
As he said this, he was about to go out in a hurry.
"Dad, wait a minute!" Chen Xiaoru called him again.
Chen Laizi turned around and looked at Chen Xiaoru in confusion: "What else?"
Chen Xiaoru walked over to Chen Laizi and said in a low voice, "Dad, when you talk to the village chief, don't say that our family paid for everything. Just say that our family paid the lion's share, and let the villagers contribute a little to the rest. This way it will seem more authentic and make everyone feel involved. When the ancestral hall is repaired, they will cherish it more."
"How much is the biggest share?" Chen Laizi asked.
"Let's just say we'll contribute 90%!" Chen Xiaoru thought for a moment and added, "And then tell the village chief that we want to build a road for the village! We want to build a smooth stone road from the village entrance to the ancestral hall!"
After hearing this, Chen Laizi nodded repeatedly: "Okay! Okay! Xiaoru, you are really getting better and better at doing things! I'll go right away!"
This time, Chen Laizi really left, and his steps were faster than before.
Zhou Si looked at Chen Xiaoru, his eyes full of admiration. "Xiaoru, you used this tactic of 'retreating to advance' brilliantly! It not only demonstrated our family's financial strength, but also won people's hearts and minds, and avoided becoming a target of public criticism."
Chen Xiaoru smiled proudly: "Of course, don't you see whose wife I am!"
She walked over to Zhou Si, took his arm, and said softly, "Zhou Si, you are really my wise man! From now on, I will have to rely on you for more advice on family matters."
Zhou Si gently scratched her nose and said lovingly, "Silly girl, we are a family, why should we differentiate between each other? Your business is my business."
The two smiled at each other, and a warm atmosphere filled the room.
Chen Laizi trotted all the way to the village chief's house.
Village chief Chen Laogen was sitting in the yard smoking a pipe. When he saw Chen Laizi running over, he was a little surprised: "Laizi, what's wrong with you? Are you on fire?"
Without even taking a breath, Chen Laizi said hurriedly, "Village Chief, I have something to tell you!"
Chen Laogen put down his pipe and pointed to the stone bench next to him: "Sit down and talk, sit down and talk, don't be anxious."
Chen Laizi sat down, took a deep breath, and then spoke: "Village Chief, my daughter Xiaoru wants to build a new house. Where in the village do you think is suitable?"
Chen Laogen had a clue when he heard this. The whole village knew about Chen Xiaoru's family's fortune, so building a new house was no surprise.
"Building a new house is a good thing! Which piece of land do you want?" Chen Laogen asked with a smile.
Chen Laizi scratched his head and said, "My daughter Xiaoru wants to build a big house with blue bricks and big tiles. It would be better if it is closer to the center of the village so it is more convenient."
Chen Laogen nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "How about that vacant lot at the east end of the village? It's big enough and close to the ancestral hall."
When Chen Laizi heard this, he was very pleased: "Great! That piece of land is it! Village chief, please mark it out for me and tell me how much it costs. I will send it to you right away!"
Chen Laogen waved his hand. "Don't worry about the money. Let's talk business first. Laizi, your Xiaoru is such a filial child. She's even thinking about building a new house!"
Chen Laizi smiled proudly: "Of course, my Xiaoru is the most filial!"
Then, he changed the subject and said, "Village chief, there is one more thing. My Xiaoru and her son-in-law are discussing how to make some contribution to the village."
Chen Laogen was stunned, a little surprised: "Oh? What contribution?"
Chen Laizi cleared his throat and said, "Village head, look at the ancestral hall in our village. It hasn't been repaired in how many years? It's so dilapidated and looks really terrible. My daughter Xiaoru and her son-in-law are discussing how to pay for the renovation of the ancestral hall."
Chen Laogen was immediately excited when he heard this: "Really? This is a great thing! Laizi, your family has really done a great deed!"
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