Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 44 - 44 045 I am the Elder_1

?Chapter 44: Chapter 045 I am the Elder_1 Chapter 44: Chapter 045 I am the Elder_1 “I’ll say it again, those who don’t want to trust me, just leave! I won’t hold anyone back. Here, the rule is simple, work hard and earnestly, and you’ll earn more! Seventy copper coins are just the base pay. I will conduct inspections periodically. Those who perform well and are diligent, I’ll give a bonus, up to double the wages or at least ten more coins, with wages settled monthly!”

With these words, the entire crowd was astounded, such treatment was nothing short of staggering!

Muniang hooked her lips at Niu Tieshu, “Those who want to leave had better hurry up.”

“What are you talking about? We’re all fellow villagers, of course, we trust each other, plus we’ve got the village head vouching for us,” said Niu Tieshu, grinning.

Muniang couldn’t be bothered with him, explained the general division of labor, and then let them disperse. They were to come for breakfast the next morning, and then work would start.

“Wife, the Qiao family didn’t send anyone over, aren’t they in need of money? Could there be a reason not to earn these silver coins?” Erliang asked.

“They’re too proud to ask for help and suffer for it, let them be,” Muniang laughed.

Because she had to prepare tomorrow’s breakfast for the workers, Muniang needed to get ready in advance. After all, she was feeding dozens of people, and the breakfast could not be lacking, otherwise, the workers wouldn’t have the energy to work.

Muniang and Erliang had hunted plenty of game on the mountain in advance, so the ingredients were nearly sufficient. It was still best to prepare everything today, so they scalded the wild poultry and rabbits in boiling water for plucking and gutting, chopped them into pieces, washed the various vegetables, cut them up, and put them on plates. After a busy day, it was getting dark, so they went to bed and fell asleep immediately.

The next day, as dawn was breaking, Muniang was awakened by Erliang, her human alarm clock. Since they had to prepare breakfast for the villagers, they had to get up early. The couple was just about to start their busy work when Li Cheng and his sister, along with Mrs. Du, came to help, which moved Muniang deeply.

Erliang and Li Cheng were outside setting up the shed, while Muniang, Qinghe, and Mrs. Du busied themselves in the kitchen.

Upon seeing all the meat in the kitchen, Mrs. Du clicked her tongue, “Muniang, your family really knows how to spend, which family would use so much meat for a start-of-work meal? How much did that cost?”

Muniang smiled, “It’s all game that Erliang hunted in the mountains, where’s the expense in that? Next time, I’ll send you a few wild rabbits to try.”

“Muniang, you really are blessed. Erliang’s hunting skills are truly unmatched. How does he manage it? I thought your life was ruined, but now, which household in the village doesn’t envy you?”

“Muniang is bound to have a good life. If you ask me, it’s probably because Mrs. Lin has done so many good deeds that the heavens are rewarding Muniang,” Qinghe said teasingly with a laugh.

Mrs. Du laughed, “That’s right, but who knows what the future holds, whether it will be good or not?”

Qinghe’s face turned a shy red, “Mrs. Du, you’re such a tease.”

Muniang looked at Qinghe’s bashful expression and couldn’t smile anymore, knowing the girl must be thinking of Qiao Yuanzhen. Annoyance began to bubble within her, so she took the opportunity to pull Qinghe aside.

“Qinghe, what exactly is going on between you and Qiao Yuanzhen? Does he really intend to marry you?”

Qinghe blushed and nodded, “My brother hasn’t agreed yet, saying he needs to observe, but his sincerity is substantial.”

Muniang frowned, but Qinghe quickly said, “Muniang, I know you’re worried about me, but I’m not foolish. How could I let myself be easily deceived? Besides, if Qiao Yuanzhen is really after something, then what’s he aiming for?”

This was indeed a problem. What was Qiao Yuanzhen plotting? Muniang really couldn’t figure it out.

“Then you be careful yourself.”

Qinghe nodded, “Mm, I know my limits.”

Villagers who were helping with the work arrived one after another, and preparations in the kitchen were almost ready. In the courtyard in front of the house, a shelter had already been set up, with several large tables laid out. The workers took their seats, sipping on tea, and soon smelt the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen, almost drooling with anticipation.

They all looked eagerly as Muniang and Mrs. Du brought out the dishes, because Qinghe, not yet married, stayed in the kitchen as it wasn’t convenient for her to be out where there were so many men.

“Muniang, aren’t you treating us a bit too well? It’s just a meal to mark the start of work, yet you’ve prepared such a feast. There’s more meat here than we have for New Year’s!”

Muniang laughed and said, “Isn’t it just to bribe you all to do a good job? If everyone works well, when it comes to the meal at the end of the project, I will have no problem treating everyone to delicacies from land and sea.”

“Good! Since Muniang is so sincere, how can we not work hard? Besides, there’s a bonus in our wages. Just for that, we’ll throw all our energy into the work!”

“Right! I’ve never had enough of these delicacies in my life. I’ll definitely work hard on this fish pond project!”

Muniang nodded, pleased. Their enthusiasm was ignited; the meal marking the start of the project was not in vain, and she felt happy inside.

Who knew, as soon as Muniang turned around, she saw Nanny Zhang sitting right next to Niu Tieshu, with her own little grandson beside her. Muniang frowned—what was she doing here?!

Nanny Zhang, oblivious to Muniang’s disapproving look, gleamed at the sight of the table full of meat, and started to stuff food into her mouth with her chopsticks as if they were light bulbs. She had heard earlier that Muniang was hosting a meal to start the work and knew that her family had money, which meant lots of delicious food would surely be available. Why miss out on a free feast? So she eagerly followed her son and even brought her little darling grandson.

With a kind of mocking smile, Muniang said, “Nanny Zhang is truly uninhibited. Since ancient times, men and women over seven years of age do not share a table, yet you seem quite comfortable amidst a courtyard full of men.”

Nanny Zhang wiped her mouth and defended herself with an air of righteousness, “My son’s helping with the work; what’s wrong with me having a meal? Is your family lacking this bit of food? They say that people become stingy once they have money—turns out it’s true!”

The men at the table couldn’t stand it anymore and said, “This meal is for those who are helping with the work; who ever brings family members along? Muniang didn’t say anything over the line; why are you being so harsh?”

Nanny Zhang glared at him, “What’s the problem with bringing a family member? Can you guys even finish all this food? We’re all villagers here; who’s the one being unkind? At my age, I’m definitely one of your elders. How can you talk like that in front of me?!”

The men fell silent, sulking. Nanny Zhang had the gift of the gab; she could make black look white.

Muniang didn’t want to waste her breath arguing with her. People who liked to take advantage were like flies; they’d wriggle in anywhere there was a gap. So she simply ignored her, continuing the squabble would only sour the mood. Just let that old woman take care of the leftovers.

Seeing Muniang walk away, Nanny Zhang ate even more unrestrainedly, her table becoming the merriest of all with her, her son, and her grandson.

The men at the table could hardly bear to watch their gluttony, eating as if they hadn’t seen meat in centuries, mouths greasy, and feeling that chopsticks weren’t enough, they used their left hands to hold a chicken leg and gnaw on it. At the same time, they kept stuffing meat into their grandson’s bowl, “Eat more of this, this mutton is expensive!”