The initial sentences sounded quite reasonable, and Lin Wanwan was quite moved. She already paid great attention to her children's education and had been too busy with family matters these days to teach them to read and write.
However, as the conversation went on, he started talking nonsense again. He really couldn't be serious for more than a minute.
"Are we just saying we're going to the county for fun? What about the house?"
Xie Sui said, "The house needs to be rebuilt. We'll rent a place first. We'll find someone reliable to look after the dried fruit and jelly business. How about my eldest sister?"
Lin Wanwan said, "She's capable, but my eldest sister is too honest. I'm worried she won't be able to manage those aunts. They're all very cunning and difficult to deal with."
This was indeed true. If Lin Wanwan hadn't used both persuasion and coercion, she wouldn't have listened at first. Management was a very profound subject.
Xie Sui also understood the villagers' ways and said, "It's just a transition for now. Eventually, we'll all move to the county. Whoever wants to work can go to the city. When it's not right in front of their own doorstep, they won't have as much confidence."
"But rebuilding the house will cost a lot of money. We don't seem to have enough?"
Xie Sui had been reborn for two months, and the family had saved over a thousand yuan. The main reason was that he earned a lot but spent even more. It was only because Lin Wanwan was thrifty and unwilling to spend that they managed to save it.
If it were Xie Sui, he would have spent it all, no matter how much he had.
"Money is not a problem. Over two thousand yuan is enough for our house and the old ancestral house. We can even build a two-story house, and we'll earn it back in two or three days."
"Wife, you have no idea how profitable ice cream is. Let me calculate it for you. Milk is basically free. The biggest expense is electricity. I've calculated that we can make a profit of five cents per serving. If we sell ten thousand boxes a day, that's five hundred yuan. During the peak season, it's even more. Do you think we'll lack money for building a house?"
"What? Five hundred yuan a day? Are you burning with fever?"
Lin Wanwan touched his forehead, thinking he was talking in his sleep. Xie Sui took the opportunity to hold her hand, reluctant to let go, his eyes exceptionally deep. "If I'm not lying to you, how will you reward me?"
"What reward? It's not for me, is it?"
Lin Wanwan lowered her head shyly, her face burning hot. This guy was being indecent again.
"I've given it all to you, it's all here. I don't have any secret savings. You can search me if you don't believe me, I guarantee I won't keep a single cent."
He pulled her hand to feel his pocket, but as he felt around, he couldn't help himself. Wanwan's little hands were so soft!
The surrounding temperature gradually rose. Suddenly, Doudou cried out, "Mom, I need to pee."
Lin Wanwan quickly withdrew her hand and said, "Coming."
Xie Sui was somewhat disappointed and sighed, collapsing onto the bed. As expected, children were stumbling blocks to marital affection. Should he send them to live with his parents?
After the two children finished urinating, they heard he was back and ran over, clamoring for him to hold them and tell him about the fun things they did during the day. It took an hour before they fell asleep. Sudan Novel Network
All thoughts of romance were dispelled. Xie Sui had no choice but to sleep, no longer hoping for any progress with his wife.
Damn brats, they should all go to preschool.
A new day dawned, and Xie Sui woke up early, packing the goods that needed to be sold in the county. There wasn't much wild game anymore, mainly because there was no place to get it. Xie Sui gave this business to his neighbors, Wang Tiegang and his wife. Wang Tiezhu was an apprentice at a state-run restaurant, so they could see each other often, which was a way of repaying their previous care for his family.
Aunt Wang was so nice to Xie Sui now, even her own son had to take a backseat.
He only sold scorpions and cicada shells, because Lu Tianxing and his group collected them in nearby villages, with a daily yield of over ten catties. An income of less than a hundred yuan was enough to make most people envious if it got out.
Now, Xie Sui's most profitable business was ice cream, with dried fruit and jelly coming in second.
Xie Dahe entered with his hands behind his back, exuding the demeanor of an elder. His expression carried a hint of feigned humility and pride. Although he tried his best to hide it, his pride was still evident.
"Dad, you're here at the right time. I was just looking for you. Here's a thousand yuan. You and my eldest brother-in-law can renovate both of our houses in the next two days."
Xie Sui tossed half a sack of money to his father. It wasn't that he didn't want to give him twenty-yuan notes, but there were too many small bills, so it couldn't be helped.
Xie Dahe almost stumbled: "Kid, can't you be gentler? Building a house..."
When Xie Dahe saw it was money, his anger turned to joy. He wouldn't mind a few more sacks like this.
"Start construction first, and I'll give you more later. Build red brick and cement houses, two stories high. Don't be stingy with the money. If you're going to build, build the best."
Xie Dahe's old face beamed with joy: "Good, my son has become successful, building a new house for your old man. Dad will go buy materials today. Let's pick an auspicious day and finish building before the rainy season."
Generally, new houses were started in spring when there was less rain, the fields were free, and there was ample manpower. However, building now was also possible. They could hire more people and speed up the process; it would be fine as long as it wasn't during a downpour.
Lin Wanwan was also going to the county today. Her eldest sister would manage the household affairs first, as Xie Sui intended to gradually shift their operations to the county.
The news of the Xie family building a new house instantly spread throughout the village. Of course, this was also the effect of Xie Dahe's deliberate propaganda. From one end of the village to the other, and even to the fields, he told everyone he met. How could they not know?
Zhao Xuefei also heard about it and angrily beat her pillow. That scoundrel Xie Sui, could she really not do anything about him?
Seeing his life getting better and better, while she was being pointed at, Zhao Xuefei hated him even more.
"Sister, I found an enemy of Xie Sui in the county. This time, we'll definitely get rid of him."
Zhao Youliang came in with a look of schadenfreude. After being tricked by Xie Sui over his family's tractor, Zhao Youliang had learned his lesson. If direct confrontation didn't work, this time he would resort to indirect means.
"Really? He's so detestable, he must have many enemies. Let's see how long he can be pleased?"
Zhao Youliang's expression was not good. He had inquired for a long time, and everyone praised Xie Sui. Even the female workers in the factories praised him. What was so good about a pretty boy?
Women were so shallow!
Heaven helps those who help themselves. He finally found out about Yan Xiaoliang, the son of the manager of the Sugar and Tobacco Company. Xie Sui even wanted to fight with him. He really didn't know how he died.
Yan Xiaoliang also held a grudge against Xie Sui and wanted to deal with him. The two were like a maggot looking at a green bean; they hit it off immediately.
"Brother, I'll go with you too. I want to see Xie Sui suffer with my own eyes, or I won't be able to swallow my anger."
Zhao Xuefei clung to him coquettishly. Zhao Youliang hesitated, mainly because Yan Xiaoliang was not a good person. His sister was so beautiful, what if...
But then he thought, if Yan Xiaoliang really took a liking to his sister, wouldn't that be even better? Where else could he find a son-in-law with a better family background?
"Okay, you can go with your second brother. Dress up nicely."
"Thank you, second brother. When am I not dressed up nicely?"
"Yes, my sister is the most beautiful, beautiful even without dressing up."
Completely unaware that she was about to be sold by her brother, Zhao Xuefei dressed up for over an hour before riding her bicycle into town.