Today, Xichun and Qiangzi have been running back and forth between Taoyuan Village and Weinan County. There are quite a few things to deal with in Taoyuan Village. Originally, Xichun planned to make it in his own house, but after thinking about it, he felt it was not appropriate. So he applied to the village chief and spent some money to build a house on the side.
Uncle Zhang's family had experience building houses before, so he knew where to buy the necessary materials. Xi Chun thought they were all nearby, so he simply tore down the original thatched house and built a one-courtyard brick and tile house.
So although the entire responsibility was handed over to Uncle Zhang, there were still many things to consider. They also asked villagers with time to help, and the construction of the house began in a great hurry.
"Xichun, I heard you're hiring again. What kind of people are you hiring this time?" Several aunties came to inquire. They had all earned money from Xichun before and were now hoping to have another source of income.
"Aunties, my workshop makes chili oil and chopped chili peppers, so I mainly hire people from the village, both men and women are welcome. I'll hire five people for now, and I'll hire more when business gets better."
Xi Chun smiled and explained to those who came to inquire, adding that she would be purchasing large quantities of chili peppers in the future, and that she would buy from anyone willing to cultivate chili peppers, giving priority to those from the surrounding villages.
"Then we can rest assured. We can plant fruit trees and chili peppers at the same time. Life is getting better and better."
“Xichun, have you heard about the Chen family lately? I heard that they’ve regained power and moved to the county town. I’m worried they might cause you trouble again.” The village chief approached Xichun and expressed his concerns.
“I’ve been busy lately. I heard from Taozi the other day that his family was out in the city again, and they were dressed more smartly than before. But they haven’t bothered us yet.”
Xi Chun had heard a few days ago that Chen Xique's whole family had moved to the city because she was pregnant. It seemed that they were relying on the county magistrate to make a living. As long as they didn't bother her, she didn't want to pay any attention to them.
"Alright, then be careful. I'm going back now." Hearing this, the village chief felt relieved and went home.
"Oh, Chen Xichun, look at you. If you had listened to us back then, you wouldn't be showing your face like this now. A grown woman, aren't you ashamed to talk to men every day?" Chen Xichun had hoped they wouldn't bother her, but she never expected to hear Ma's mocking voice as soon as she arrived at the stall.
“We’re just a small family, we don’t have your family’s abilities, so we can only show our faces in public and work hard to earn a little money. Aunt Chen, would you like to come and patronize our stall? We’re just waiting for you to give us some money.” Xi Chun didn’t break her guard and asked with a smile.
"Tch, I wouldn't dare eat anything from your little stall. I'd get sick if I didn't eat it. I'd rather go to a fancy restaurant with Xichun. Chunya, come on, let's go to the restaurant with Madam. The family is waiting." Only then did Xichun notice the very thin little girl next to her.
"Yes, Madam." The little girl named Chunya carefully helped Madam Ma. Madam Ma's body was so different from the little girl's that she looked even more pitiful.
"That Ma family is putting on airs. I heard they've rented out all their land to others and haven't even been back to their hometown," Aunt He said after they'd walked away.
"Never mind her, let's just live our own lives. As long as they don't provoke us, we shouldn't attack them first. They're in the lead right now, so let's lay low for a while." Xi Chun felt that the Chen family seemed different this time. Maybe they really had the support of the county magistrate. She was a businesswoman now, and if the county magistrate took notice, she might be in trouble.
That evening, after Taozi and the others returned, Xichun noticed that Taozi's expression was a little off, so she pulled Taozi aside to ask him about it.
"Sister Xichun, when I came back after closing up shop, I saw Chen Lizhong walking past our stall with his men. He was accompanied by several burly men, two of whom I think I remember."
"Oh, could it be someone from the city?" Xi Chun thought they were from the city.
"No, one of them was the one who stole from your house, and the other was the one I bumped into when there was a robbery in the city. You might think he was one of the robbers."
"Really? Are you sure you're not mistaken?" This matter was of utmost importance, and Xi Chun couldn't believe it either. The people around Chen Lizhong were the same people who had robbed many families and then disappeared. This news was too shocking; An Wuji almost paid with his life because of it.
“I’m not entirely sure, but I’m thinking that if it really is that person, what if they come to steal our things again? And we’ve offended Chen Lizhong, so if he brings people to steal our things, we’re in trouble.”
"It's alright, don't worry. I'll go and investigate first. Don't tell anyone about this yet, understand?"
"Okay, I'll remember that." Taozi knew that those people were all desperate criminals, and if they found out that he had recognized him, they might retaliate.
Xi Chun originally wanted to discuss it with Fu Changfeng, but he was still taking an exam somewhere, and she wasn't very familiar with the Fu family right now, so she didn't want to take the risk.
Xi Chun found An Wuji, and their family's life has improved a lot over the past year. His spicy snack business has also taken off, and it is said that he is already thinking about renting a shop to do business.
When An Wuji heard that Xichun asked him what the person who stabbed him looked like, An Wuji said directly: "It was too dark at the time, and I couldn't see anything, but I remember that the person had a scar on his face and his eyes were the kind of inverted triangle eyes. If I see the person again, I will definitely recognize him."
"Okay, don't tell anyone about this yet. Let me find out more." Xi Chun thought for a moment. At that time, there really weren't many clues left, so she could only continue to investigate.
Xi Chun inquired for several days without any leads, but then she heard some shocking news: Fu Changfeng's older brother had been arrested for murder.
“Young Master Fu is clearly a weak scholar, how could he have killed someone? I think this matter is most likely a case of injustice.”
"Yes, I heard that he accidentally killed someone while fighting with someone over a courtesan. It was the youngest son of the Luo family in the city. I never knew that Young Master Fu had this side to him. I never saw it before."
“I think they’re just all talk. Haven’t you heard? Some of their tenants have come forward and said that while they claim to only charge 30% rent, they actually charge 50%, and they’re threatening people, saying that if they dare to tell anyone, they won’t rent to them anymore. They’re heartless.”
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