Chapter 68 It's all for your own good
There is no answer to this question yet.
It is April now, and there are still more than three months before the rice is ripe.
After a busy spring ploughing season, I finally have some free time.
Liu Ji took the money box from the water mill home and counted out 170 copper coins.
"Including the eggs and the delivered dishes, the profit is about two hundred coins." Liu Ji finished counting and reported to Qin Yao.
Oh, by the way, there are also the four little chicks in the chicken coop that Grandma Wang gave us. There are a lot more than in March.
But not everyone is so conscious to pay the money. There are also those who are cunning and use the water mill without paying and leave. This has happened more than once or twice.
"Have you found the person?" Qin Yao asked.
This did not pose a problem for Liu Ji. Honest people hated people like him, but the guys in the village respected him the most because he had seen the world. After asking around for a long time, they found out who was not paying.
"I know who it is, but we have no evidence now. I'll have Erlang watch the mill later. If he's caught once, we'll settle the old and new scores together!"
In the past he always took advantage of others, when was it his turn to be taken advantage of?
Liu Ji swore in his heart that if he caught him, he would beat the bastard to death and make the other party pay him back all the money plus compensation for mental damage!
Qin Yao told him in a rare gesture of approval, "This time I will allow you to take advantage of the power of others."
Liu Ji's expression froze, as if he had no ability to deal with the person.
However, it would definitely be better to have the tiger's power to borrow, because that family has many brothers, and he really can't handle it alone.
The couple was just checking their accounts when a faint sound came from outside the courtyard: "Kaka--"
Liu Ji raised his eyebrows in surprise, and a look of joy flashed in his eyes.
"Madam, I'm going to put the cash box back and then go buy some fresh vegetables. Put the laundry in the basin first, and I'll wash it together later."
After giving the instructions, he went out with the cash box.
When he reached the door, he waved quickly towards the bushes in the distance, and a figure jumped out. Following him, the two of them ran towards the river together, sneaking around like thieves.
The two of them came to the grove across the river. Liu Ji smiled and slapped the other man on the chest. "Why did you think of imitating the chicken's barking as a signal? I almost didn't hear it."
The other party teased him with a smile: "Third brother, it's not easy to ask you to come out, and you have to give a secret signal. Sister-in-law is too strict with you."
Liu Ji didn't want to talk about this topic, as it would damage his image in front of his younger brother, so he skipped the topic and asked:
"What's the good news?"
Shunzi was surprised and asked back: "Third brother, how do you know it's a good thing?"
Liu Ji thought, I'm just guessing. He smiled but said nothing, signaling Shunzi to speak up.
Shunzi was from Xiahe Village and met Liu Ji in the county town. Both of them were well-known ruffians in their respective villages. They ran around all day trying to make money but never brought any money home.
These two people, who were both unwelcome at home, had a strong resonance when they met. You called me brother and I called you younger brother, and we got along very well.
Compared with Liu Ji, Shunzi knows how to take care of his family. He stays at home to farm during the busy farming season. Only when he has free time does he wander around - looking for opportunities to stand out!
Just now, he heard that Mr. Ding's family in the town was hiring temporary workers, so he immediately ran to find Liu Ji, hoping that the two of them could go out together to do something big.
When Liu Ji heard that he was going to work for the official, he became excited and asked, "When are we leaving?"
Shunzi said, "I'll wait for you at the entrance of our village at 5 a.m. tomorrow. Let's go together."
After that, he was worried about Liu Ji's speed, so he reminded him again and again before leaving: "Brother, get up early. This time, Mr. Ding only wants ten people. If you go too late, you won't be able to register."
The fastest journey from Liujia Village to Jinshi Town takes one and a half hours, but Xiahe Village is much closer and it only takes half an hour to reach the town.
Liu Ji calculated the time and concluded that he had to set out at least at 1:15 pm (a little after 3:00 am) so that the two of them could arrive at Ding Yuanwai's house early, before the end of 1:00 am.
Liu Ji felt a little hesitant when he thought about having to get up so early and walk at night.
But on second thought, if I was appreciated by Mr. Ding, wouldn't I be able to rise to prominence and enjoy endless wealth and glory in the future?
Most importantly, if he had Ding Yuanwai's support, would he still need to be afraid of Qin Yao, the evil woman?
Thinking of this, Liu Ji felt secretly happy.
After returning home, Liu Ji went into the kitchen to cook while secretly glancing at Qin Yao who was weeding the vegetable garden in the yard. He thought of many excuses in his mind, and finally said half-truthfully:
"My wife, I'm afraid I have to leave home for a few days."
Qin Yao didn't even turn her head and responded in a calm tone, "No, you stay at home, watch the fields, weed the vegetable garden, and just take care of the house. I've figured it out. You can pay me back slowly. There's no need to rush."
Liu Ji's heart skipped a beat. What did this mean?
He asked in surprise, "Do you know why I have to leave home for a few days?"
"Mr. Ding's family is looking for a temporary worker, right?" Qin Yao turned around and said with a smile, "Don't worry, you don't have to get up early tomorrow, I'll go for you."
As she spoke, she seemed to be oblivious to his shocked expression and continued to speak to herself:
"It's better for a man with your looks to stay out of the public eye. The world is tough and dangerous, and men should learn to protect themselves."
She had never spoken to him in such a considerate tone, but at this moment Liu Ji felt his hair stand on end.
How did she know that he was going to Mr. Ding's house?
How did she know that he would get up early tomorrow to meet up with Shunzi?
Liu Ji asked in a trembling voice, "How did you know?"
Qin Yao smiled brightly, "Because I'm standing behind you."
Liu Ji yelled in shock and anger: "Are you a ghost?"
Qin Yao put down the hoe in her hand, stood up, threw the weeds aside, went to the sink to scoop water to wash her hands, lowered her eyes and said slowly:
"With your strength, I'm afraid you won't be able to sign up, it's safer for me to go, after all, we are a family, it doesn't matter who does it, it's the same whether you go or I go."
Liu Ji thought, it's all the same, so why don't you let me go!
He forced himself to calm down, pulled a smile from the corner of his mouth, and reminded her: "They only want men, not women to work as temporary workers."
"No?" Qin Yao turned around and looked at him steadily with her black eyes. "No in Liujia Village, no in Jinshi Town, no in Kaiyang County, and no in Zijing Mansion and the capital?"
Liu Ji angrily retorted: "I have never been to Zijing Mansion or the capital, how would I know!"
"Yes, you don't know either. If you don't know, it means it exists or it may not exist." Qin Yao shrugged and spread her hands, looking tolerant as if letting you continue to quibble.
But Liu Ji knew that if he continued talking, she would start to attack him.
"Qin Yao, how could there be a woman like you in this world who is so unreasonable!" Liu Ji asked with gritted teeth.
Everything he wants to take from him, wuwuwu.
Qin Yao landed a palm on his shoulder with great force, as if a huge amount of gold was pressing down on his head. Liu Ji only heard a crisp "crack" sound from his kneecap, and his face changed drastically in an instant, "Madam, spare my life!"
Then he hurriedly reminded: "My lady, get up early tomorrow and don't be late."
Qin Yao took back the hand that was pressing on his shoulder and smiled coldly, "I'm doing this for your own good."
Liu Ji: Thank you!
(End of this chapter)