Chapter 26: New Projects

The news that Chen Xiao Mi bought a mule and a carriage caused uproar in Big Stone Village.

Chen Xiao Cai walked back and forth around the carriage in excitement, "Big brother, is this really ours now?"

Chen Xiao Mi rested the arms on his hips and said with pride, "That's correct, Cai, come look at the mule, look how long his legs are."

Chen Xiao Cai beamed with smiles, only a handful of villagers could afford draught animals, a mule carriage was definitely a symbol of opulence in the village.

Chen Xiao Cai stroked the mule and said, "How great this is!"

All kids liked to go to town just for the sake of it, their parents might buy them some snacks and some toys if they behaved themselves. Going to town was just an exciting experience for kids that they could brag to their friends even if they couldn't get anything in the end.

Never had Chen Xiao Mi brought Chen Xiao Cai to town, for Chen Xiao Cai was still too young to walk several hours straight. Chen Xiao Cai could vaguely recall that the last time he went to town was with his father before he passed away, but that was years ago.

Chen Xiao Cai knew it was hard for his brother to borrow the ox-cart from other villagers, so never had he showed any sign looking forward to visiting the town even though he had been dreaming of going to town and doing some sightseeing. Chen Xiao Cai stroked the mule and couldn't help but picture him tagging along with Chen Xiao Mi next time he went to town.

It took Chen Xiao Cai a long while to notice the new quilt in the carriage, "Big Brother, this quilt looks so thick and warm!"

"Lu Lin just recovers from a dangerous illness, this quilt is for him." Said Chen Xiao Mi.

Chen Xiao Mi was fully aware that Lu Lin was the reason that their whole family was doing so well, he felt like they were taking advantage of him, and he had noticed Lu Lin wasn't as tough as they were, so he was trying his best to make Lu Lin feel comfortable.

Chen Xiao Mi and the kids hadn't complained about the coldness since they built the kang, but Lu Lin would still grumble to him about how bitter the wind was.

Lu Lin told Chen Xiao Mi that there was a thing called air-conditioner from where he came from, the air conditioner would make the room cool in summer and warm in winter. Chen Xiao Mi was rather dubious of whether it was true, it had nothing to do with how much he trusted Lu Lin, he just found it too good to be true.

Chen Xiao Cai pouted on hearing that quilt was for Lu Lin, he thought the quilt was for their baby brother Chen Xiao Mai. He couldn't help but cast a glimpse at Lu Lin who was busy in the kitchen, 'He is alive and kicking, he doesn't need this quilt!'

The villagers who heard Chen Xiao Mi had just bought a mule carriage did some quick math, they were amazed by how rich he was, he spent ten taels on marrying Lu Lin, and now he had spent about another ten taels on this mule carriage!

The more they talked about it, the more they were convinced that it was true that Grandma Lu tried to steal from Chen Xiao Mi. They all knew how greedy Grandma Lu was. Plus Chen Xiao Cai had confirmed that, 'Children and fools speak the truth'.

And soon there came the news that Chen Xiao Mi had been selling alcohol to a restaurant in town, that was why he became so rich.

A lot of villagers started to regret that they didn't marry their sons into Chen Xiao Mi's family. 'Our entire family could live in ease and comfort if my son were betrothed to Chen Xiao Mi!'

Grandma Lu was so furious when she heard Chen Xiao Mi had bought a mule carriage. She fell ill due to the pent-up frustration for days, none of her family members believed her when Lu Lin accused her of stealing, and then her grandson Lu Cheng Yu was suspended from school due to that, Grandma Lu was so ill that she couldn't get off bed. But no one believed her because she used to pretend sickness to make the family members do stuff for her.

"Mom, that Chen Xiao Mi is so rich, isn't he?" Lu Tong exclaimed. Lu Tong still hated the couple for turning her down last time when she asked Lu Lin to come back home to help with the Autumn Harvest.

Tang frowned and said, "Bastards! Bastards the lots of them! That Lu Lin, it's outrageous how he ignored us since he married Chen Xiao Mi, he shouldn't have said a thing even though your grandma indeed had stolen from them, it has ruined your brother's good name! Even I have been too embarrassed to leave the house recently."

"But mom, do you really think grandma has tried to steal from them?"

"I don't think Lu Lin would lie about that, but the thing is that's not stealing, we are all family now! Lu Lin is married to Chen Xiao Mi!" Tang said brazenly.

Lu Tong squinted her eyes, but she didn't say anything. She just felt her Cousin Lu Lin was a changed person ever since he tried to commit suicide.

To return to the couple.

Lu Lin could finally say goodbye to the door planks since they built the kang, he and the Chen Brothers had been sharing the kang. Chen Xiao Cai had noticed Lu Lin always tried to cuddle Chen Xiao Mi after it got dark, and Chen Xiao Mi would always blush.

Chen Xiao Cai was just a boy, but somehow he knew married couple should have privacy, he felt he and Chen Xiao Cai should sleep on a different bed now.

Lu Lin woke up this morning with a morning glory, he felt so embarrassed because he was cuddling Chen Xiao Mi. Chen Xiao Mi was so embarrassed that he pretended nothing had happened and left the kang.

Lu Lin, on the other hand, was lost in thought. 'This time and space is boring as fuxx, there's no entertainment except some adult activity. I need to build a room for the two kids soon, otherwise I will die a virgin!'

Lu Lin pulled Chen Xiao Mi aside after they had breakfast, "Xiao Mi, what's your opinion on building more rooms?"

He continued when Chen Xiao Mi was about to say no, "Xiao Cai is becoming a big boy, he will get married one day, let's build him a nice and beautiful room so he can impress the girl he likes in the future."

Chen Xiao Mi squinted his eyes, he had never thought of that.

"Let's build a stable for the mule as well, and a chicken coop. We paid good money for the animals, we don't want them to freeze to death in winter."

Chen Xiao Mi hesitated a little while, "Hmm, I agree with you, but it's not cheap, we are talking about at least eight taels of silver here."

"If money is your concern, we can always sell one more batch of alcohol. The restaurant owner said he would love to buy more alcohol from us, plus it's so popular to warm up over a bowl of alcohol among the rich people."

Chen Xiao Mi shook his head and said, "That's not necessary, we have money for that."

Chen Xiao Mi had a total of twenty taels of silver in hand now, he could easily afford to build one more room, a stable and a chicken coop. But the the silver had great sentimental value to him.

Lu Lin smiled and said, "Great, let's get started then. I was just thinking people might start to ask us how we managed to brew so much alcohol in such a short time if we sell a batch again."

Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "I agree with you, money is the least of our concern now, the thing is I don't think we are able to hire any extra help."

Chen Xiao Mi was confident that he could do renovation all by himself, but building a room from the scratch was not easy, the smart thing was to hire someone professional.

Chen Xiao Mi was worried that people would refuse to work for him due to his reputation even though he was willing to pay a high price.

Lu Lin looked totally unconcerned, "Money talks. I'm sure we can hire some help as long as we are willing to pay a good price, we can hire people from other villages if our own villagers don't want to work for us."

Lu Lin couldn't help but think about the modern society where all the employees complained about their bosses, but they felt reluctant to quit for the sake of the Almighty Yuans.

Hearing that, Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "That's a good idea, we can hire somewhere else."

"All righty then, I will talk to the Village Head and ask him to spread the word for us." Said Lu Lin.

"I don't think that's a good idea, you have just offended him the other day, remember?"

"Haha, this is more like a token effort, otherwise people will complain if we just hire from other villages." Lu Lin showed a cunning smile.

"You have a point." Chen Xiao Mi was impressed.

"Are we really going to build a new room? Do we have the money, big brother?" Chen Xiao Cai asked in surprise.

"We are, Xiao Cai, and don't worry about the money."

Chen Xiao Cai gasped.

'We are that rich now, since when?'

Lu Lin visited Zhang Cheng, the Village Head, and told him they would appreciate it if he could spread the news and hire some help for them.

The Village Head turned Lu Lin down flatly on the pretext that he was sure the villagers were busy.

"Father, why was Lu Lin doing here?" asked Zhang Jin.

"They are building a room, and he wants me to hire some villagers for them."

"Why did you turn him down?"

"Have you met Chen Xiao Mi before? What if he goes crazy and starts to assault people?" Zhang Cheng was surprised that his son should ask such a question.

Zhang Cheng was critical of the couple, especially Chen Xiao Mi. He firmly believed it was just a matter of time before Chen Xiao Mi brought disaster to their village. So he just turned Lu Lin down without even thinking about it.

Zhang Jin defended Chen Xiao Mi, "But it's not Chen Xiao Mi's fault! Grandma Chen forced Chen Xiao Mi's father to risk his life in hunting! Chen Xiao Mi had to act tough and provide for his two little brothers!"

Zhang Cheng pulled a long face and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Chen Xiao Mi is unfilial, end of the story! I dread to imagine what would become of our village if everyone were like Chen Xiao Mi."

Zhang Jin frowned, but he didn't the conversation any further.

"But father, the mule is innocent, you don't want to see the mule freeze to death, right?"

"The thing is no one is willing to work for Chen Xiao Mi even if I spread the word for him." Zhang Cheng said that with the greatest assurance.

Zhang Jin just let out a sigh in silence.