Chapter 76: Witness

After hearing her words, Tang Yichen's eyes were filled with anger.

“How dare she?”

“Brother, that Chunsheng isn't from our village, but he went up the mountain to meet Tang Mingxiu in secret. Have you ever seen someone like that?”

“I rarely come back to the village, so I haven't met him. But if he chose to meet Tang Mingxiu in the mountains, he’s either from a nearby village or knows someone here. If we get the chance, we can ask around and find out.”

“Mm. In any case, these petty matters don’t concern us,” Qin Huiyin said. “I’ve already warned Tang Mingxiu—if she’s foolish again, I absolutely won’t tolerate her any longer.”

“Don’t go up the mountain alone from now on,” Tang Yichen said. “The dangers aren’t just wild beasts; people can be even more dangerous.”

“I understand.” Qin Huiyin noticed Li Taohua coming out and made a quiet gesture.

Li Taohua looked at the two of them suspiciously. “What are you siblings whispering about?”

“We were just saying how delicious the grilled fish you made smells—much better than mine. Did you add a special spice?” Qin Huiyin replied with a sweet smile.

Li Taohua looked pleased. “That’s a secret. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Tang Yichen went to the village head and brought up the matter of digging a well.

Digging a well was no small task and required plenty of manpower. Their village was not short of labor, but Tang Yichen deliberately asked the village head to help gather people—both to establish a good relationship and to give him the credit for organizing the work.

The village head gathered the remaining able-bodied men in the village and explained that Tang Yichen’s family needed to dig a well. The project would take more than a day or two, and not only would there be daily wages, but the Tang family would also provide two meals a day. The men, who had no other work in the village, were eager for the job.

“Yichen, just pick whoever you think is suitable,” the village head said. “We’re all family here. If there’s an issue, just say it—no need to be polite.”

“We only need ten people,” Tang Yichen replied. “I hope the rest of you won’t mind. Digging a well is serious work—it’s best if you’ve done similar jobs before or are young and strong. Uncles, I’ll start selecting now. Please don’t hold it against me if you’re not chosen.”

“Go ahead and choose freely. You’re digging a well, not a pond—you don’t need that many people,” the village head said. “If anyone gossips about it, they can forget about finding work in the village in the future.”

Tang Yichen selected ten men directly.

Those who were chosen were delighted; those who weren’t could only look disappointed.

Tang Yichen kept the selected men back to discuss daily wages.

“It will be thirty wen per person per day, plus lunch and dinner. If anyone prefers not to eat with us, I’ll add five wen per meal not taken,” he said.

“That sounds good,” one man replied. “We all live close by—no need to stay for the meals. Just give me the extra five wen.”

The others hesitated but eventually, it was agreed: four would stay for meals, six would not.

Tang Yichen made all the arrangements and told them to start work the next day.

As for the tools needed for digging, the village didn’t have any, but the neighboring village did. Tang Yichen planned to go over in the afternoon to rent them.

On his way home, just as he crossed the edge of a field, he heard sounds of a commotion. Looking up, he saw Li Erniu being chased and beaten by an old woman.

“You damned bringer of misfortune! Who told you to give my eldest grandson cold water? Now he’s got stomach trouble! My son was right, you’re a jinx, always bringing trouble to my son and grandson…”

“Mother, how can you blame me? The meat you cooked was too salty—Baoyu kept complaining, so I gave him some cold water. Please, stop hitting me…”

Not far off, Tang Baoyu was clutching his belly, groaning and calling out to Jia Shi, “Grandma, my stomach hurts so much! It’s all that awful woman’s fault—beat her!”

Tang Yichen frowned as he saw Li Erniu running toward him. He stepped aside, avoiding her.

“Brother Chen, help me! This old woman is going to beat me to death…”

The old woman swung a rolling pin wildly, nearly hitting Tang Yichen several times. Annoyed, he snatched the rolling pin from her and said impatiently, “Step aside!”

“Oh dear, you’ve hurt the old lady…” Jia Shi plopped down on the ground, playing the scoundrel.

Tang Yichen squatted down and said quietly, “Auntie, are you hurt?”

“Yes…”

“Think carefully—your son has never gained the upper hand with us. Are you sure you will? Do you have the money to keep this up?” Tang Yichen smiled gently.

Jia Shi fell silent, not daring to make a scene any longer.

Tang Yichen walked past her without another look.

Qin Huiyin was counting the chicks when she heard someone come in. Looking up at Tang Yichen, she said, “Brother, Uncle Tang bought back the old hen, but she refuses to take care of these chicks. What should we do?”

“It’s all right. She’s not used to her new chicks yet. Give her some time—she’ll accept them soon,” Tang Yichen assured her. “I just spoke with the village head about the well. The workers are chosen and the wages settled. Four will stay for meals.”

“That means we’ll need to have someone at home to cook these days,” Qin Huiyin said. “Mother and Luwu can stay behind.”

“Aunt Li will stay; Luwu will go with you,” Tang Yichen said. “Father and I will help at home as well. Don’t worry.”

“That works. We won’t be going to town much—after three days of work, the well should be finished,” Qin Huiyin said. “But with so much going on, will it disturb your reading?”

“A diligent person can read anywhere. The lazy will find excuses even if they’re home all day. I don’t want to become someone who only studies and knows nothing of daily life.”

“Time for fish!” Li Taohua came out carrying the grilled fish. “This is my first time making grilled fish—try it and see how it tastes.”

In the courtyard, Tang Dafu stopped weaving his bamboo basket and hobbled over.

Tang Luwu served the rice, while Tang Yixiao brought the soup.

Thanks to the family’s combined efforts, besides the delicious grilled fish, several other dishes were soon brought to the table.

“A month ago, who would have thought our meals could be so rich?” Tang Dafu sighed.

“That’s just you. I always dreamt of eating well,” Li Taohua replied, rolling her eyes.

Qin Huiyin picked up a piece of fish and put it in Li Taohua’s bowl. “Mother, you made the fish—try it first, in case it’s poisoned.”

Li Taohua huffed. “You cheeky girl…”

Everyone burst out laughing.

If you enjoy transmigrated stories about farming families and doting big brothers, please bookmark: (xiakezw) The Transmigrated Farming Sister, Cherished by Her Big Brothers.