Chapter 98: Chapter 97: The Kids Got Beaten Up

With the stone materials ready, Qin Yao and the four others began to grind the millstones under the roadside shed.

Liu the carpenter had the wood materials ready, and received three taels of silver from Qin Yao for the lumber.

The materials were carried over from his father-in-law’s house. It was used for family purposes, so the price was low, but compared to selling to those wood traders, there was no middleman to earn a difference, so he got more copper coins.

Qin Yao thought at the time, if they could complete the Lower River Village order well and attract people from more riverside villages to place orders, forming an industrial chain, it might directly drive the development of Liu Family Village.

The wood, stone, and labor all came from their own village, and if they earned money, they could help the villagers earn as well.

However, this idea was just a beautiful vision at the moment; the actual situation would depend on the feedback from the people after the water mill in Lower River Village was completed.

But with this thought in mind, Qin Yao secretly laid the groundwork while working on this task.

For instance, the extra piece of stone was also made into a millstone.

Liu the carpenter’s father-in-law could cut down some mature wood in advance. Anyway, when they had free time, everyone would go to the mountain to prepare logs for sale when the wood traders came.

Also, Qin Yao deliberately instructed the Liu Bai brothers to refine their polishing skills for longevity and better quality.

During the use of a waterwheel and stone mill, wear and damage can occur. Qin Yao had promised to teach the people of Lower River Village how to repair them.

But if she and Liu the carpenter set precise dimensions and produced some replacement parts themselves, would villagers looking for parts to repair waterwheels choose to come to them for purchases?

Thinking of this, Qin Yao eagerly went back to the village that day to discuss with Liu the carpenter after finishing the grinding.

The two hit it off immediately and drew up the data to keep for future use.

The blades, axles, and levers of the waterwheel were the parts that needed frequent repair, and making them individually was a laborious, meticulous job.

If someone found their own creations didn’t fit, the villagers who didn’t want to fuss with the headaches would naturally think of finding Liu the carpenter.

“Miss Qin, do you think our water mill can really be promoted? Will people be willing to spend money on it?”

Though excited, Liu the carpenter was still a little unsure after calming down.

After all, when Qin Yao first made the water mill, the reaction from the villagers was quite revealing.

But now it was different, Qin Yao replied, “Haven’t you noticed the village mills have hardly anyone going to them?”

Even at night, there were still grinding sounds from her water mill.

The duration of use each day increased, causing her to check on the waterwheel almost every other day to prevent it from breaking down.

This was the downside of using wood; if the axles could be made of metal, it wouldn’t be so troublesome.

But metal meant high costs, and for families living on thin porridge, who could afford it?

Habit is a terrifying thing. After using a convenient water mill, who would want to use a manual stone mill?

Liu the carpenter thought about it; indeed, the old mills hardly saw anyone, but Qin Yao’s water mill had a growing line.

Qin Yao confidently told Liu the carpenter, “The market reaction may be slow, but the future is very promising.”

Lower River Village was wealthier than Liu Family Village, with better roads. Building the water mill there would be much more impactful for promotion than in Liu Family Village.

Liu the carpenter imagined the lively scenes of the future, and his face was adorned with smiles, revealing his wrinkles.

Aunt Liu warmly invited them to a meal, and though Qin Yao accepted graciously, she hurriedly left after having two bowls of vegetable porridge at Liu the carpenter’s house.

She felt awkward eating too freely at someone else’s place; if she didn’t head back soon, she’d surely be starving!

The sky had turned completely dark, and Qin Yao thought she could start eating once returning home.

Unexpectedly, none of the four children were home.

Liu Ji was in the kitchen cooking, and Qin Yao asked suspiciously, “Where’s Da Lang and the others?”

Liu Ji looked around the yard confusedly, “They just left with the ball, haven’t they come back yet?”

He had finished copying books and, not realizing how sleepy he was, fell asleep in the chair. By the time he woke up, it was very late, and he panicked, knowing Qin Yao would be back soon; the meal wasn’t ready, so goosebumps covered his arms.

Focused solely on cooking, he hadn’t noticed it was completely dark, and all four kids hadn’t returned home yet.

Qin Yao was really speechless with him; although nothing would likely happen in the village, but with the sky so dark and the kids not back, wouldn’t he think to go out and look for them?

“How long have they been out?” Qin Yao put down her tools and asked, standing in the yard.

Liu Ji brought out the last dish, cucumber slices fried with smoked meat. He was very confident; it surely tasted good, and eagerly presented it to Qin Yao for her to taste, “It’s been almost two hours—it’s okay, they won’t get lost in the village.”

Qin Yao thought he had a point; the aroma of the stir-fry wafted into her nostrils, making her pinch a piece of smoked meat into her mouth.

“Tasty, right?” Liu Ji asked expectantly.

The smoked meat was tender and melted in her mouth, mixed with the sweet juice of the cucumber, making it not greasy at all but very appetizing.

Not looking at people but rather the food, Qin Yao nodded, “Not bad, your cooking has improved a lot.”

Liu Ji flattered her, “It’s all due to your guidance, without your daily motivation, I couldn’t have improved my cooking so quickly.”

Qin Yao snorted with a laugh, signaling him to bring the dishes inside, and set the bowls and chopsticks properly. She walked to the flat ground at the front door, took a deep breath, and was about to yell towards the village: “Come home for dinner!”

But just as she gathered her strength to shout, four familiar tiny figures appeared in sight, each with drooping heads, running towards home.

Qin Yao had to swallow back the words “come home for dinner,” and greeted them with a smile, “How did you play so late, are you not hungry?”

“Eh? Da Lang, what happened to your face? Wait, Second Lang, where’s your headband? Sanlang, Si Niang, did you roll in the mud?”

Qin Yao urgently stopped the four siblings trying to run past her, lined them up in front of her from oldest to youngest, and lifted their heads. In the dim light, she saw four small bruised and swollen faces.

She gasped, seeing the handball in Da Lang’s arms, the bamboo strips loosened and already broken, and her expression instantly turned cold.

“Who did this?!”

Liu Ji rushed out from the yard, roaring with rage.

Sanlang, who had been holding back his grievance, burst into tears when he saw his parents, sobbing and saying between gasps, “It was Da Niu and Er Niu… wah…”

Si Niang glanced disdainfully at her crying brother, wiped her dirty face, and angrily reported, “Mother, Da Niu tried to take our ball, and when my brother and I refused, the two brothers pushed me.”

“Later, later big brother and second brother started fighting with them…”

Maybe she sensed the cold aura from her mother was too intimidating, the little girl’s voice, confident just a moment ago, grew weaker.

But she wouldn’t cry, defiant Si Niang pouted, clenching her small fists, and snorted “Hmph!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep