Chapter 184: Chapter 183: Differences

Ling Chengyan saw his face full of worry, trying hard to sell his chickens while hiding his reluctance, and asked, “Such good chickens, why are you selling them? Does your wife agree?”

The old man pursed his lips, raised his hand to wipe his face, and said, “I have no choice but to sell them. My wife is sick and needs to be hospitalized, which costs money…”

Ling Chengyan suddenly realized. She wondered why there was a strange smell and it was only after the old man spoke that she remembered—it was the hospital’s disinfectant smell.

“Why don’t you weigh all three chickens for me? I just happen to want to buy two hens to lay eggs for the kids.”

The old man was surprised, then delighted, and quickly grabbed the chickens to weigh them at a neighboring stall.

Ling Chengyan took the three chickens, bought a pound of meat and two pounds of ribs, and also bought some marinated dishes before heading home.

Hongling was at home, and Ling Chengyan slaughtered the rooster and handed it to Hongling to clean, then went to pick up little Wang Wenzhang from school.

By the time she came home with little Wang Wenzhang, Wang Liansheng had already returned from work, and the second sister-in-law Zheng Xiaotian arrived with Qibai.

With Wang Liansheng as the head chef and Zheng Xiaotian and Hongling assisting, there was no need for Ling Chengyan to get involved.

She supervised the children doing their homework while playing with the awakened Qibai, but soon felt warmth on her leg. Looking down, she laughed, “You little rascal, greeting me with a pee, huh?”

Shi Tou, considering himself a big boy, disapproved of his little brother’s random peeing, frowned seriously, and said, “Mom, how can little brother pee anywhere? It’s so unhygienic.”

No sooner had he said so than a hearty laughter was heard from the door: “Shi Tou is growing up; he knows about hygiene now.”

Ling Chengyan got up with Qibai in her arms and smiled, “Big Brother, Second Brother.”

Wang Lianfa, carrying a mesh bag, chuckled and teased Shi Tou, “Shi Tou, can you help your second uncle carry this melon inside?”

Shi Tou, fearless as a young calf, ran over to grab the large watermelon from Wang Lianfa’s hand. Zheng Xiaotian and Wang Liansheng came out from the kitchen; Zheng Xiaotian stepped up to take the mesh bag, only letting Shi Tou hold it from the bottom and even gave her husband a glare, “He’s a kid, are you one too?”

Wang Lianfa wasn’t embarrassed by his wife’s criticism and laughed heartily, following them up, and took over from Wang Liansheng, “Old Four, you go chat with Big Brother; I’ll take care of this.”

In a moment, Zheng Xiaotian’s quietly criticizing voice came: “Liansheng really knows how to cook. What’s the point of you coming in? It would be good if you weren’t in the way.”

Wang Liansheng and Ling Chengyan exchanged a smile. Ling Chengyan handed the freshly diapered Qibai to Wang Liansheng and went inside to change her pants.

The two brothers inevitably talked about the project; Wang Lianqi laughed, “This time, thanks to your classmate Zhao Dongfeng’s help…”

Ling Chengyan happened to hear this as she came out, glanced at Wang Liansheng, and went into the kitchen to help serve the dishes.

Women and children eat quickly, and they were soon full and left.

Little Yu and Hongling cleaned up their dishes and went to wash them, Zheng Xiaotian coaxed Qibai to sleep, and only Ling Chengyan was still sitting at the table.

The three brothers drank a little wine, only slightly tipsy but feeling cheerful.

“Liansheng, rest assured, this time, if for nothing else, then just so that you won’t be in a difficult position, I’ll work wholeheartedly, making sure no one says anything negative,” Wang Lianqi said, holding his wine glass and taking a sip, then added, “I’ve planned it out. Initially, we’ll just help with auxiliary work, like preparing materials, digging trenches, laying foundations… these works in a month should be enough. Just in time for the autumn harvest, we’ll pay part of the wages upfront, let everyone go home for autumn, busy for half a month, and then come back to take over our section…”

Wang Lianfa reminded, “Big brother, have you made an arrangement with them? Will wages be paid by then?”

Nowadays, farmers doing odd jobs are not paid monthly; it’s after the work is all done that the wages are settled.

Wang Lianqi glanced at the fourth brother and smiled, “Don’t worry, Zhao Dongfeng is really looking out for us. The prep and initial work were extra given to us. It’s agreed that once the work is done, they’ll pay us… I estimate that the project will be finished around September 20, just in time without delaying the autumn return.”

Wang Lianfa slapped his knee, “Alright, when the time comes, I’ll go back with you.”

He came out with his wife for little Qibai’s birth; almost two years have flown by. Home affairs have been left to the big brother and sister-in-law. Usually, it didn’t matter, but during the wheat and autumn harvest, it’s too much. If he doesn’t go back, it’s unreasonable.

Wang Liansheng said with a smile, “Big brother, second brother, both of you are busy. For the autumn and wheat harvest, you can hire a few helpers. Not to mention anything else, just try not to let the eldest uncle and aunt go to the fields.”

Wang Lianqi and Wang Lianfa hadn’t really thought of this. The two brothers exchanged a look and nodded in unison.

Wang Lianfa’s business is doing well right now; he’s not short on money. Wang Lianqi has started his own engineering team. Although they didn’t take too many jobs, they’ve earned a few thousand dollars over the past half-year. After taking this large order, they expect at least to make a gross profit of ten thousand or more upon successful delivery… Hiring people to harvest in the field really doesn’t cost much.

However, both brothers have some concerns, fearing their father, who has been the team leader for many years, might disapprove of such ’laziness’ or not agree with this ’exploitation’ relationship.

After all, this is a bit like hiring short-term labor, something only landlords used to do in the past.

The children watched TV for a while, then were ushered by Wang Liansheng to wash up and go to sleep.

In Zheng Xiaotian’s arms, little Qibai was also sleeping soundly, unaware of the day. The three brothers had things to do the next day, so they didn’t talk too late and dispersed before nine.

Hongbing carelessly went to sleep on his own. As Wang Lianqi left, Hongling saw her dad out.

Just after the middle of the month, the moon was only slightly waning, hanging brightly in the sky. However, with streetlights, the presence of the moon wasn’t that important.

Hongling walked Wang Lianqi to the gate. Wang Lianqi stopped and took two large banknotes from his pocket, handing them to his eldest daughter, “Since your fourth aunt helped you inquire about the school, study hard and try to become a nurse…”

When Hongling was a child, schools were closed, and the adults weren’t too concerned, which resulted in her being delayed. Now, having stepped out to do engineering himself, he realized the importance of education and knowledge.

“… As long as you’re willing to study, your father will support you.”

Hongling’s eyes reddened, clutching the money her father gave her tightly, nodding with her head lowered.

Wang Lianqi walked away quickly, ensuring his daughter couldn’t see him before he raised his head to look at the sky and sighed deeply.

Regarding his daughter’s education, he and his wife had some differences.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep