CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 40: DO YOU THINK IT’S EASY FOR ME?

Old Liu and the village chief, along with the clan leader, were sitting in the main hall, surrounded by elders of the clan who held respect in the community.

Listening to their praises, he looked up towards the courtyard where Liu Ji was greeting guests together with Qin Yao. For the heart that had worried for twenty-three years, he finally felt relieved.

"Third son." Old Liu called out towards the courtyard.

Liu Ji squeezed through the tables and chairs set up in the courtyard and came over, first greeting the village chief and the clan leader, then nodding with a flattering smile to the clan elders, before approaching his father, "Dad, what’s up?"

Old Liu, slightly tipsy after two cups of wine, rarely showed such kindness as he held his son’s hand and pointed at the new house:

"Take a look at this bright and spacious house, the sturdy blue tiles, all of this is Yao Niang’s doing. Honestly, son, don’t get mad, but without Yao Niang, you absolutely wouldn’t be standing here like this now."

The clan elders all nodded in agreement. They initially found Liu Ji quite unpleasing, but now, thanks to the industrious and hardworking Qin Yao, they found Liu Ji, despite being a bit of a layabout, much more agreeable.

Liu Ji’s mouth twitched, feeling a surge of grievance, and he grabbed Old Liu’s hand in return,

"Dad, you don’t know your son’s hardships."

Old Liu glared at him, "What hardships do you have? You have this big house to live in, and such a good wife to manage the household; you should be grateful!"

The old man raised his hand as if he was about to hit someone, "Treat Yao Niang better in the future, it’s better to live well together as husband and wife than anything else. Don’t mess up again, got it!"

Liu Ji realized that no matter what he said, even if he accused Qin Yao of being a killer, no one would believe it.

Oh well, he thought despairingly, even if Qin Yao kills him one day and his body starts rotting and stinking, no one would find out.

Old Liu took his son’s silence as acquiescence, feeling satisfied with his attitude. He then gave some more advice before allowing him to leave.

After the meal, the women stayed behind to help clean up the dishes. Taking this opportunity, Qin Yao, under the guidance of He and Mrs. Qiu, got to know most of the people in the village.

There were many dishes to wash, and everyone used the large water trough at Qin Yao’s home. Once used, they all agreed on its convenience.

Standing to wash dishes rather than squatting spared the waist from strain.

Also, draining the water was as simple as pulling out a plug, no need for two people to carry a large basin of water to dispose of it at the door.

The trough was large, offering ample space for washing; even a few people gathered around wouldn’t feel cramped. A large basin of dishes took just ten minutes to clean.

Qin Yao divided the leftovers into portions and gave them to the families who came to help as a gesture of thanks.

Even though it was leftovers, Qin Yao was generous, having specially bought twenty pounds of meat for cooking, so there was quite a bit of meat left in the dishes, and no one felt disdain, only finding Qin Yao generous and not miserly.

A few young women of similar age invited Qin Yao to join them for needlework at their homes whenever she was free.

Some, knowing that Qin Yao was not skilled at needlework, joked, "Even if you can’t handle a needle, just sitting and chatting is good enough. Sister-in-law looks worldly and knowledgeable, we love hearing about things from outside, tell us more."

The other women chimed in, "Yes, yes, we love hearing about fresh news."

Feeling the enthusiasm and sincerity from everyone, Qin Yao smiled in agreement, "Sure, I’ll come when I have the time, as long as you don’t mind me."

Everyone quickly replied how they wouldn’t mind, welcoming her warmly.

Once the courtyard was tidied up, it was getting late, and everyone returned home with their pots, bowls, tables, and benches.

The people from the Liu Family’s old house also dispersed afterward, as farming families never have idle times; even when not working in the fields, they have to weave cloth and make shoes—they have lots to do.

After sending off all the guests, Qin Yao closed the main door, checked each room, and returned to her own room.

She used charcoal to draw lines on a wooden board, calculating the expenses over this period.

Renovating the house, including wages and furniture, cost ten taels of silver.

During this time, as it got colder, Liu Ji pitifully requested a set of cotton clothes, costing another three maces of silver.

But you know what, clothes indeed make the man look presentable.

Plus, his cooking skills have improved quite a lot recently, and he’s been keeping the house in order, so Qin Yao actually finds him quite agreeable now.

Turns out, there are no ugly men in this world, only lazy ones.

Today, she spent an additional five maces of silver buying rice, meat, and vegetables, partly to replenish the stock used for helping hands during lunch and partly to host a warming party for the house for villagers.

By the way, with the addition of beds for the four kids, she prepared a set of winter bedding.

Not all four beds could have winter quilts, but it wasn’t necessary as it was warmer sleeping two to a bed in really cold weather; this set of winter bedding cost five maces of silver.

Now, calculating it, the silver at hand is only thirteen taels and seven maces.

The weather gets colder by the day; she has managed to chop a lot of firewood with Liu Ji when they found time, piled in the wood shed on the left side of the entrance, enough to burn for two months without issues.

They need to buy more charcoal.

To burn charcoal, a charcoal stove is needed, which costs money again.

The family hasn’t stocked up on vegetables for winter either, requiring more money to buy.

Money, money, everything requires money!

Qin Yao threw the charcoal pencil aside, lay on the bed, and irritably scratched her head.

A long-term money-making venture is needed.

The family only has two acres of barren land, rounding up to practically having no fields or land; all their food, clothing, and daily expenses have to be bought with money, and what’s left now won’t last long.

It’s no surprise that Mrs. Zhang and her two sisters-in-law advised her several times to make do when she poured all the money into the house.

For instance, suggesting not to build the tiled roof, which would save a large sum to buy two acres of medium-grade paddy fields.

Or suggesting not to build that shower room, which could save silver enough for half an acre of lower-grade land.

Many other things, like the bunk beds for four kids aren’t necessary; planks on long benches can also serve as beds.

Yet, she insisted on giving each one a bed, calling that too extravagant!

But ultimately, she preserved all these things with her determination.

A home is a harbor of shelter, and Qin Yao believes a good living environment helps relieve mental stress; this expense, she was unwilling to cut corners on.

Especially now, being able to reside in a clean and warm house, lying on a soft bed in a relaxed state, all the fatigue of past days dissipates, so comfortable that she didn’t want to get up.

"Knock knock knock!"

The sound of knocking came, followed by Liu Ji’s flattering inquiry from outside, "Darling, do you have a moment? I have something to discuss."

Qin Yao stretched lazily, sat up from the bed, and moved to the table, "The door isn’t locked, come in."

"Alright, then I’m coming in."

The door creaked open, pushed by someone.

Liu Ji, with a forced smile, came before Qin Yao, awkwardly saying:

"About that, the money you gave me for groceries last time is all used up."

Qin Yao was surprised, "Used up so fast?"

The smile on Liu Ji’s face vanished instantly, and he complained with some resentment, "Darling, you gave me 300 cents, not three taels!"

"We’ve eaten for one month and eight days, three meals a day, averaging less than ten cents a day, and following your requirement to eat meat once every five days, those 300 coins were pinched tightly together, and I swallowed my pride to ask sisters-in-law from other families for vegetables—do you think it’s easy for me!"

Qin Yao hissed, wondering if her earlier remark was too much, seeing how upset she made him.