"..."
Where did she have the time to manage her own household matters?
Once her extraordinary abilities were exposed to the higher-ups, they naturally understood the reason behind the massive sales of watermelons in Kushan Village.
As Zeng Jingrong was leaving, he had assigned her, the vice-captain, the task of seed cultivation.
She was to cultivate large quantities of various vegetable seeds, along with fruit and tree saplings.
The seeds she cultivated would serve as exclusive seedlings for the national poverty alleviation program.
...
Tian Jing personally cooked, with Ouyang Meihua and Mother Li assisting.
As they were preparing for dinner, Li Zhengguo rushed back.
Li Liguo arrived with his son, and Chen Suozhu arrived with his wife and child.
Upon arrival, Li Min immediately complained, "Eldest sister-in-law would rather buy vegetables from others than take them from my home."
Ouyang Meihua shot her a sideways glance. "Your family only has one greenhouse, and the three of you are busy. What could I possibly get? You're at home but not coming to help, how can you have the nerve to come for a meal?"
"Why shouldn't I have the nerve?" Li Min sat down beside her unceremoniously. "Where my mother is, that's my home. I'm coming home for a meal, there's no need to feel embarrassed."
"Go, go, go, wash your hands," Ouyang Meihua dismissively pushed her away.
At the dinner table, Tian Jing explained her task.
Li Zhengguo was taken aback. "Captain Zeng didn't tell me."
Ouyang Meihua, understanding the situation, said, "Village Chief Li, you are lower in rank than Tian Jing. Tian Jing notifying you now is the same thing."
Li Zhengguo smiled and agreed, "Eldest sister-in-law is right. I always forget that I have a wife with a high official position."
"Shoo!" Tian Jing lightly chided him. "Don't be so flippant. First, discuss with the village cadres. Those five hundred greenhouses are to be converted into seedling nurseries."
Li Zhengguo acknowledged.
Ouyang Meihua was surprised. "Five hundred greenhouses? Can you manage it all by yourself?"
Tian Jing shook her head. "No, planting and harvesting require manpower. You're not idle, are you? Can you help?"
"Of course!" Ouyang Meihua readily agreed, very pleased. She hadn't witnessed superpowers before.
The bewildered Li Min immediately followed suit. "Little sister-in-law, I often get confused, but I know following you is always right. Whether you pay me or not, I'll work with you and eldest sister-in-law."
Tian Jing was surprised. "What about the business at Hot Spring Valley?"
"I'm not managing it anymore!" Li Min glanced at her eldest son. "We've discussed it, and it will be managed by Xiao Fu. Whether he earns a lot or a little is his own. The dividends the village gives us will be split equally among our four family members. Suozhu brother and I will do some light work down the mountain. Suozhu brother has worked hard enough over the years. Xiao Fu is almost eighteen, it's time he learned to take on his own responsibilities."
Tian Jing was even more surprised. "Li Min, have you finally seen the light?"
Li Min shook her head. "I still don't understand. But I know it's time to let go. I need to learn from you and eldest sister-in-law, letting our children fly on their own."
Ouyang Meihua patted her shoulder. "That's understanding it. It's good to be a little foolish in life."
"Ahem," Chen Suozhu coughed lightly. "Little sister-in-law, I get restless when I'm idle. I'll help you too."
Tian Jing glanced at her husband. Seeing him nod, she agreed. "Have Village Chief Li give a commission from the sales of the seedlings."
Village Chief Li patted his chest. "No problem. Those who participate in the work must be rewarded."
Li Weili glanced at her dejected grandmother and spoke up for her. "Mom, we have the high school entrance exams this year. After we get into high school, we'll have to live at the dormitory. Little brother is also going to junior high. He's alone, so there's no need for Grandma to accompany him anymore. Grandma can also help you with important tasks."
Seeing the hope in her mother-in-law's eyes, Tian Jing nodded. "In the second half of this year, let Ranran live at the dormitory. Mother, you can come back and witness the great changes in Kushan Village."
Mother Li nodded with a smile. "Don't worry, I'm in very good health and can work in the fields."
...
The next morning, after Tian Jing drove her mother-in-law and the children to the county town and returned, Afeng came to invite her.
Facing Afeng's invitation, Tian Jing playfully chided, "Are you helping your in-laws?"
Afeng smiled. "You just need to talk to her for a few words, give her a chance to say goodbye to the past. I'm not asking you to forgive her."
Upon meeting again, Tian Jing noticed that Han Shuzhen had changed again.
The first time, she was like a dodder, surviving by clinging to a large tree.
The second time, before Afeng's wedding, she was like a hypocritical capitalist.
The third time, at Afeng's wedding, she was like a sharp-tongued and mean mother-in-law.
The fourth time, at the banquet, she was like an elder who treated people sincerely.
The fifth time, now, she was peaceful, indifferent, with a sense of detachment.
Han Shuzhen smiled at Tian Jing. "Thank you for coming. I'm cooking today, for you to eat my cooking one last time."
"I know you don't need it. But if I don't do this thoroughly, I'll have regrets in my heart. Just this once, all that has happened before will dissipate with this. From now on, you are you, and I am me."
Tian Jing nodded. "From now on, we are strangers."
"Good!" Han Shuzhen responded readily and turned to work in the kitchen.
Zeng Honglin followed to help.
Afeng asked Tian Jing, "Does this way, the knot in your heart also untie?"
Tian Jing shook her head. "There was never a knot. What I detest is others' self-righteousness. I don't need it, but it's forced upon me, which is very annoying. Moreover, because of her, Sun Liyang was brought up, and I was forced into the Han family. Giving, is not necessarily a good thing."
Afeng agreed. "Sometimes, distance is the best."
Over the meal, Han Shuzhen ate with composure, while Tian Jing ate without savor. She only wished for all these troublesome matters to stay away from her.
After the meal, Han Shuzhen only had two words: "Thank you."
Zeng Honglin also followed, saying thank you.
The couple then packed their pre-arranged luggage and left in Zeng Jingchu's car.
Tian Jing breathed a sigh of relief. It was best that she had come to terms with it. What she wanted was family affection that belonged only to her.
...
In early April, the village's electric loudspeaker rang, and Village Chief Li announced that Kushan Village had been designated as a nursery base.
The saplings and vegetable seeds from Kushan Village would be the exclusive seedlings for the national poverty alleviation program.
The original forty retired soldiers were uniformly assigned to work at the nursery.
The village would recruit ten villagers who were discreet and diligent to work at the nursery.
These fifty people would receive commission-based wages from the sales of the seedlings.
Of the sales amount of the seedlings, the village would only take half; the other half belonged to Comrade Tian Jing, as she was the main force of the nursery. Those who disagreed could file a complaint with the higher authorities.
...
The electric loudspeaker also reached Hot Spring Valley and every cable car station.
Most of the people working at the cable car stations were villagers from Wang'er Village.
Upon hearing this announcement, they became envious. The villagers of Kushan Village would not only receive dividends from the tourism projects but also from the seedling sales, earning a considerable income just by sitting at home without working. Although the business had not yet opened, looking at these tourist attractions and facilities, one could foresee the future income. Compared to the income of Wang'er Village, it was merely a drop in the bucket. It was fortunate that the old village chief had arranged for them to work there; from participating in the construction of the mountain road until now, each of them had become a millionaire. Their future income would definitely be even greater.
Villagers in Hot Spring Valley heard this and immediately called down the mountain to inquire if the village's greenhouses were sufficient. If not, they would reclaim their greenhouses. The village committee told them to diligently prepare for the operation of Hot Spring Valley and that they would be notified separately if necessary.