Chapter 31: Living Off the Old Folk?

Qi Younian was discussing the style of collapsible tables and benches with Ye Xinyan while also muttering, "You sly girl, you really are extraordinary. To come up with such an idea—if you were a boy and learned the craft well, wouldn't you be able to make many carpentry jobs easier and outperform many experienced woodworkers?"

Ye Xinyan let out an awkward chuckle, not daring to say another word. When she turned away, she secretly stuck out her tongue. Where did she have such skills? She merely recounted things she had seen to this ancient grandfather.

Time passed without notice, and with the farm work winding down, all the seeds that should be in the ground were sown, and the farmers found a bit of leisure time.

Qi Yougui had only come to see Qi Younian's house once during the inspection and afterward was too busy with farm work to come and see how their renovations were going. Only now did he find enough time to stroll over.

As Ye Xinyan went outside to pour out water and saw Qi Yougui coming from a distance, she hurriedly called out to the grandfather in the courtyard and went to greet him, shouting from afar, "Great Uncle is here! Grandfather was just saying yesterday that with the farm work done and our repairs nearly finished, we were thinking of inviting Great Uncle over for a meal."

Compared to Qi Younian's younger brother Qi Yourong, Ye Xinyan felt that Great Uncle was more genuine in his concern for Grandfather. After a few interactions, it was clear that regardless of means, Qi Yougui had their best interests at heart.

Qi Yougui laughed, "No need for an invitation, I'll come over whenever I have the time to chat with your grandfather. See, as soon as I had a moment, I came right over."

Qi Younian also came out to greet him, "Big brother is here! These past few days, I've also been busy tidying up both inside and outside of the courtyard, otherwise, I would have visited big brother."

Qi Yougui smiled, "We're brothers, after all. When we're free, we should visit each other, and when we're busy, we don't have to stand on ceremony. If there's anything you need, just send word."

The two brothers chatted as they walked into the courtyard.

After entering the courtyard, Qi Yougui followed Qi Younian around inside and outside, and couldn't help but praise, "You and your grandchildren are quite capable; in just a few days, you've cleaned up the rundown courtyard so neatly. The house is well-organized too; it looks comfortable."

Qi Younian ushered his brother to sit on the kang bed and sat opposite him at a small table by the kang.

Qi Yougui touched the table in front of him and exclaimed, "You've been smart since you were a child. Even though you claim to have learned from a mason, your woodworking skills are also good. This kang table is well made, good enough for a common family like ours."

Qi Younian chuckled, "It's nothing special. A little table like this is easy to make. If big brother's house needs any woodworking, just let me know. I can take care of it."

Ye Xinyan brought up two bowls of water, "Great Uncle, have a drink to moisten your throat." It seems that no matter what, it's still necessary to buy some tea leaves to serve the guests. Offering up just two bare bowls of water really doesn't look good.

Qi Yougui accepted the water and then turned to Qi Younian, "You're also getting on in years, how can you still have the energy to help others? You should take more rest when you can."

Drinking a sip of water, he continued, "I've come to ask about your future livelihood. The other day you were mentioning becoming a mason, but I think you should reconsider. I know the work of a mason, mixing mortar, laying bricks, building walls, you can't afford to come up short in any aspect. These tasks all require strength, a younger person might manage, but you shouldn't toil with such work at your age."

"Big brother..." Qi Younian tried to explain but was interrupted by Qi Yougui, "Don't worry about the three of us making it through the days. This year is a bust, but after the autumn harvest, I'll talk to the landlord about renting more fields. Then, our two families can farm together. With Dazhu and Dagen there, and both of us brothers plus Ye Zi helping on the side, it should be manageable. Ye Zi and her mom can also raise a couple of pigs and some chickens and ducks. By selling them come New Year's, we'll earn some income; there's no need to worry about making ends meet."

After Qi Yougui finished, Qi Younian responded helplessly, "Big brother, I know our family's situation well, you and Yourong aren't living in wealth either. I haven't done farm work in years, and at my age, I can't contribute much labor in the fields. Relying on farming to eat is just a burden on the kids."

Hearing this, Qi Yougui became anxious, "I'm telling you, why won't you listen? Is the job of a mason that easy? What if you get sick from overexertion, or what if something happens while working? Even if you don't think about yourself, you must consider Ye Zi. What would she do as an orphan if something happened to you?"

Qi Yougui was also distressed about his brother being alone. Ye Zi, although recognized as a granddaughter, had shown true and sincere kindness to his brother over the past few days. He was happy for his brother to have a relative by his side.

At this point, unable to convince Qi Younian, he raised his voice by several notches.

While tidying up the firewood in the yard, Ye Xinyan heard the rising volume from inside the house and hurried in. She added some water to Qi Yougui's bowl and said with a gentle smile, "Great Uncle, Grandpa is indeed considering going back to being a mason. However, I also think that masonry isn't suitable for the elderly. Grandpa and I plan to try selling rice tofu. That's not hard work. My mom and I can handle the cooking, and Grandpa just needs to drive the cart and manage the stall."

"Selling rice tofu?" Qi Yougui frowned, always feeling uneasy about doing business, "The rice tofu you've been selling these past few days tastes quite good when eaten. But with so many different eateries in the county, people would rather pay to dine inside than eat at your small stand. We don't want all our efforts to go to waste with no patrons, losing our capital. Ye Zi, listen to your Great Uncle—farming is reliable. As long as we work hard, the land will yield good returns, and we can ensure you're well-fed."

Having said so much, Ye Xinyan, as a junior, couldn't really argue anymore. She looked at Qi Younian, seeing that it would be better for those of the same generation to talk.

Qi Younian waved his hand reassuringly at Ye Xinyan, saying, "You go on with your work, your Great Uncle and I are just having a little chat, nothing to worry about."

Ye Xinyan smiled at Qi Yougui, "Great Uncle, please have a seat, I'll go outside and help mom with the work."

When it was time for lunch, Qi Yougui insisted on not staying to eat and left. Qi Younian must have said something right because Qi Yougui left in high spirits, smiling and praising Ye Xinyan's clever hands.

At lunch, Ye Xinyan asked Qi Younian, "Grandpa, did you manage to convince Great Uncle? We don't know how to farm, and if we partnered with Great Uncle's family to farm, we'd just be living off their labor, relying on our uncles and cousins to provide for us."

Qi Younian laughed and said, "Don't worry, how could I not understand this? I've talked it over with your Great Uncle; we'll start our own small-scale business first. If it can provide for us, we won't need to work the fields." He thought for a moment and then added, "I think the rice tofu should sell well. Well, even if it doesn't, I'll be able to work and provide for the three of us."

Ye Xinyan was at a loss for words as she looked heavenward. How old are you? It would be so unfilial of me to make you provide for me at my young age! Besides, having been educated for so many years and lived through a time of vast information, if I still expected an ancient person like you to support me, would I have the face to meet people?