The next morning, Father Xiao went to find the village chief. The village chief’s name was Xiao Taiyang. He lived in a two-story building in the middle of the village.
When Xiao Taiyang saw Xiao Zhengyang, he smiled and said, “Zhengyang, it’s rare for you to come to see me. What do you need?”
Xiao Zhengyang smiled and said, “Chief, I need to trouble you with something.”
Xiao Taiyang was always happy to see Xiao Zhengyang’s family because Xiao Lingyu had made Taoyuan Village proud by being the top scorer. Xiao Taiyang was praised by the county town leaders.
Xiao Taiyang smiled and said, “Come in and have a seat!”
After entering the house, Xiao Zhengyang went straight to the point, “Village chief, my Yu’er wants to contract the few plots of land at the back mountain. Village chief, can you help me ask if the villagers are willing to help or not?”
Xiao Taiyang was shocked. “Lingyu wants to contract the land? But why? Is she not going back to the big city to work?” Over the years, only Xiao Lingyu had moved out of Taoyuan Village. However, the only university graduate was moving back to farm. This confused the village chief, especially since the Xiao Family’s life was improving after Xiao Lingyu worked in the big city.
Xiao Zhengyang said, “Village chief, my Yu ‘Er temporarily doesn’t plan to return to the big city. She wants to farm at home.” Xiao Zhengyang supported his daughter fully.
“She wants to be a farmer?” The village chief was surprised, “Zhangyang, Lingyu has a good job in the city. Why would she come back to be a farmer? Doesn’t she know how tiring farming is? A university student is coming back to the countryside to farm… Is she mad? And you’re supporting her?”
Xiao Zhengyang shook his head. “Village chief, you know my Yu ‘Er’s temperament. She has always been headstrong. No matter how difficult it is, she will see it to the end!”
For example, they couldn’t do anything when Xiao Lingyu decided to date Chen Ran when they were only fifteen.
In any case, opening a farm would be a good way to draw attention away from the break-up with Chen Ran.
His daughter was perfect except for one thing. She was quite stubborn. Even her parents couldn’t control her. The village chief sighed. “But you still need to persuade her. Back then, you and Qiuying did some farming, and what was the result? Without any retail channel and connection, the vegetables were left to rot. There weren’t any big losses, but there wasn’t profit either.”
If Xiao Lingyu stayed to farm, it would be a waste of her talent. If the harvest didn’t sell, it would be a waste of money, time, and effort.
Xiao Zhengyang knew the village chief was being kind. He also had thought of these problems.
Xiao Zhengyang said, “Village chief, we’ve considered all that. But my Yu ‘Er still wants to give it a try.”
The village chief said, “If she wants to give it a try, she can use the several Mu of land your family already has. Can you give her a few lots? The back mountain covers more than 10 Mu of land. Do you know how big that is?”
“I do.” Xiao Zhengyang nodded. “My Yu ‘Er said since she wanted to do this, then she would go big. She said it would be hard to find a retailer with just one or two Mu of lands!”
“You… are too indulgent of Lingyu!” The village chief was helpless. But in the end, he sighed with resignation, “Alright, I’ll help you ask around!”
“Thank you, village chief!” Xiao Zhengyang said with a smile. Then, he took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed it to the village chief. “Village chief, Yu ‘Er brought these cigarettes from the city. They are for you!”
Xiao Taiyang laughed. He said in an amused tone. “Zhengyang, it looks like you wouldn’t have shown me the cigarettes if I refused to help you. I have no idea you’re so stingy!” However, there was no anger in his tone. He didn’t refuse the cigarettes either.
Xiao Zhengyang said, “Village chief, how can you say that? I only remembered I have this pack of cigarettes when I saw you smoking.” He paused and smiled, “But of course, I’m only joking. Regardless of what your reply is, the cigarettes are for you. You’ve taken care of my family a lot.”
Xiao Taiyang waved his hand and said, “Alright, you can stop buttering me up. Since I’ve agreed to help, I will do it.” Then, he added sharply, “The back mountain is vacant, but the lands have owners. Lingyu wants to contract the land but have you considered the rental price?”
Xiao Zhengyang said, “My family is discussing this. Village chief, do help us ask around first!”
The village chief nodded. “Okay.”
“Thank you, village chief!” “Xiao Zhengyang thanked him sincerely.
The village chief waved his hands. “You don’t need to thank me. In the future, if Lingyu really made something of the farm, remember to help the village.”
Xiao Zhengyang nodded. “Of course!” Then, he left.
…
Ever since Xiao Xiaohui promised to be his cousin’s cow herder, he had been working hard. Other than the salary, it was also because the two cattle were easy to herd. They were very smart. Xiao Xiaohui only needed to lead them to the mountain, and they would find grass to graze. They would automatically avoid the villagers’ crops.
Xiao Xiaohui jumped up in joy when he discovered this. He gathered his group of friends, and they went hunting for bird eggs. They climbed up trees to find bird nests. The eggs could be eaten raw or roasted over the fire. The eggs tasted sweet with a slightly fleshy smell.
“Little Loach, aren’t you supposed to be helping your cousin herd the cows?” Little Charcoal asked in confusion as he ate the roasted bird eggs. “Why do you have the time to play with us?”
The other kids had herded cows before. They found the job restricting their playtime. They had to keep their eyes on the cows all the time. If the cows ate a villager’s crops, they would be scolded.
Xiao Xiaohui said proudly, “That’s because my eldest cousin’s two cattle are too smart! Do you see that calf? Do you know why my cousin bought them in the first place?”
“Why?” The children asked curiously.
“The calf is spiritual.” Xiao Xiaohui said, “When its mother was about to be taken to the slaughterhouse, it grabbed my eldest cousin and cried. It begged her to save its mother.”
“Hmm? Can cows cry?” The kids asked doubtfully.
“Of course, they can!”