Chapter 385 Old Mrs. Chen wouldn't let me go
As the rooster crows, all things come back to life.
As always, the people of Lianhua Village get up and start working as soon as it's just getting light.
During this period, most of the villagers went out to work to earn money to support their families. The village was mostly populated by old men and women, but there were also quite a few who did not go out to work.
In spring, many wild vegetables sprout new buds.
In the morning, the villagers would take bamboo baskets and head to the riverbank and the foot of the mountain, hoping to find some wild vegetables to eat.
Most villagers in Lianhua Village sell the vegetables they grow at home and keep the wild vegetables for themselves.
The vegetables grown in the fields sell for a higher price than wild vegetables because people often choose to eat wild vegetables, which don't taste as good, in order to earn a few extra coins.
Chen Yongxing arrived at a late hour in the eyes of these people.
After washing up, he went straight to the wasteland to begin his busy day.
He glanced at the people who had come today; five or six of them were villagers who had worked for several days, and three or four were newcomers.
But this is far from enough for Wan Qiqi's needs.
Chen Yongxing said, "It is an honor for the Chen family that everyone can come to help, but we may need your help today."
"Yongxing, just tell us what you want to do," Zhao Ermao said.
Since Aunt Fengxian and the Chen family got along well, Zhao Ermao has also had more contact with the Chen family.
Zhao Ermao was among the first to come and help the Chen family with this land reclamation.
“My sister-in-law said it’s a bit slow and wants more people to help in the next few days to turn over all the soil.” Chen Yongxing glanced at the people present and said, “Could you brothers and uncles help me go to the village and ask if anyone is willing to come and help?”
“Digging wasteland is physical work, and most of the young and strong people in the village have gone out to work, so it will probably be difficult…” Zhao Ermao was not trying to discourage Chen Yongxing, but rather stating the facts.
Chen Yongxing was aware of this issue and said, "Everyone who is turning over the soil will receive 35 coins per day. As long as you do it according to the quantity and requirements, we will not shortchange you by a single penny!"
“Women can also help, but the work period is short, and it only costs 25 coins.” He pointed to the small mountain of excrement piled up next to him and said, “They can crush the dried excrement and mix it into the soil. However, the soil and excrement must be crushed and mixed evenly.”
Everyone agreed that this was reasonable and cost-effective.
Although turning over soil is physical labor and tiring, the construction period is long.
Even if you go out to work, you can hardly earn 35 coins a day.
The woman helped loosen the soil and crushed the excrement to mix into the soil, which earned her 25 coins. It was a good deal!
After hearing Chen Yongxing's request, everyone turned back, ready to call their wives and earn the money.
Of course, they weren't selfish enough to try to take on all the work themselves and instead asked their neighbors to help.
They made a big show of it as they went, making as much of a spectacle as they wanted.
Soon, the news spread throughout the Chen family's old residence.
When Chen Ergou heard that Wan Qiqi had returned and was even paying him 35 coins a day, he decided to go there.
In any case, this is all Chen family money; it's better to give it to our own family than to give it to others.
After picking up the hoe, he kept urging Yunniang, "Why are you so slow? What can you do like this?"
As Yunniang walked out, she put on her shoes. Reaching the door, she picked up a hoe, tucked the stray hairs behind her ears, and said in a flustered manner, "Zhuzi just woke up, I was just dressing him..."
Before Yunniang could finish speaking, Chen Ergou impatiently interrupted, "I don't care what you're doing, hurry up and get out of here, don't let someone steal your easy job!"
Yunniang lowered her head slightly and nodded timidly.
"Stop right there! Where are you going?!"
Before the two of them could even leave the courtyard of their house, they heard a sound behind them.
Chen Ergou's lips twitched, and he cursed in a low voice, "It's all your fault for being so slow, you stinky woman! Otherwise, how would Grandma have found out!"
He knew very well that the old lady had just argued with Wan Qiqi yesterday and was against reclaiming the land, so she would definitely not agree to let him help.
Before the old lady could speak, he quickly said, "Grandma, it's Yunniang. She wants to go and help Chen Wanshi!"
Grandma Chen knew that Wan Qiqi and the Chen family weren't very close, but she had a good relationship with Yunniang. She even taught Yunniang how to make honey pomelo jam back then.
She believed Chen Ergou's words, her wrinkled old face darkened, her eyes widened, and she coldly rebuked, "You're not allowed to go! The Chen Wan family has gone mad, are you all going mad too?"
Old Mrs. Chen, leaning on her cane, walked out, shooing Chen Ergou and Yunniang back into the house, muttering curses under her breath, "I'm telling you, no one is allowed to go today. If you go, you'll be making trouble for me!"
"Since ancient times, who has dared to reclaim wasteland? Who hasn't lost their family and their home by reclaiming wasteland?"
“Yongnian works in the county government, but that doesn’t mean he can do whatever he wants. It’s chaotic here! You’re not allowed to get involved, and you’re not allowed to help, do you understand?”
"Okay, I'll listen to Grandma!" Chen Ergou agreed verbally, but kept giving Yunniang a hard time, trying to get her to say a few words.
Yunniang lowered her head, her expression flustered after being bumped by Chen Ergou. She hurriedly said, "Ah...Grandma, the Chen family gave us money. We got 35 coins for tilling the land, and 25 coins for the women..."
Hearing this, Old Mrs. Chen's face grew even darker, and she coldly retorted, "Does our family lack this much money from her?"
It was indeed bad, but no one spoke up to refute it.
Chen Ergou wasn't afraid of Old Mrs. Chen, but rather afraid that no one would take care of him and that he would truly be left to fend for himself.
He knew perfectly well that as long as Old Mrs. Chen was alive, the Chen family would never abandon the old Chen family.
Even if Wan Qiqi doesn't care about Old Madam Chen, Aunt Wang Zhi will!
"I'm telling you, even if I, Old Lady Chen, am so poor that I have to beg for food, I will not take Wan Qiqi's money!" Old Lady Chen slammed her cane heavily on the ground, where it sank into the soil.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
