PCJ – Chapter 257 Uncle Wants to Work at the Horticultural Farm

The Zhang family had just set the table, with a steaming bowl of stir-fried eel placed in the center. Zhang Runtian, however, was pouting and on the verge of tears.

“Every time there’s something good to eat, you only invite Yuanbao and Jiaohua. Does that mean us girls aren’t human?” she complained.

Zhang Manyin, clearly displeased by his granddaughter’s accusation, replied, “Didn’t I just call you to the table? What’s with the fuss?” But truth be told, Zhang Manyin was indeed very traditional and held a strong preference for boys over girls. Like many in the mountains, he believed that having a daughter was a financial loss, while a son was needed to carry on the family name. After all, a son’s children would bear the Zhang name, but who knew what surname a daughter’s children would have?

Ma Donghua, Zhang Runtian’s grandmother, was deeply opposed to this kind of thinking. “Runtian, don’t pay attention to him. Ignore that old-fashioned fool. When you get married, don’t buy him any wine. Just give him a couple of bottles of cat urine instead.”

Zhang Runtian giggled at her grandmother’s joke. “Grandma, Grandma, Grandpa would definitely be able to tell if it was cat urine! How about we just water down his wine? He won’t notice until he’s already drunk it.”

“See, see! I told you daughters are a financial loss. Yuanbao will marry a wife and keep Grandpa’s feet warm, while Runtian plans to water down my wine!” Zhang Manyin laughed heartily.

As they were talking, Zhang Wenrong entered the house with Zhang Hanggou and Zhang Jiagen.

“What are you all doing here?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, a bit surprised.

“We knew Jiaohua would be back tonight, and that Granny Donghua would definitely make something tasty. Timing is everything, and we have great timing today,” Zhang Wenrong replied with a smile.

“Jiaohua, Rongge said you’d definitely be back, so we all came by to hang out,” Zhang Jiagen added, placing the items he was holding onto the table.

The three of them had brought various items with them some carried dishes, others held bottles of rice wine. Zhang Jiagen, in particular, was holding a bowl of salted peanuts in one hand and a small jar of wine in the other. This wine was a special reserve from Zhang Xianyi’s household, much better than the wine they typically drank.

“How is everything at home?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“Luckily, I went home today, or something would have happened sooner or later,” Zhang Jiagen quickly replied. “My mom went to ask the spirit at Duimen Mountain a couple of days ago. That very night, she started having nightmares, and her health suddenly deteriorated. I just put the protective talisman you gave me on her.”

“Then she should be fine now. You guys shouldn’t go to the horticultural farm for a few days. Stay home and keep an eye on things,” Zhang Manyin suggested.

“How could we do that? There’s nothing going on at home, but there’s a ton of work to be done at the horticultural farm. Jiaohua can’t handle it all by himself. We’re planning to head over there tonight. With so many animals to take care of, one person can’t manage everything. Jiaohua, are you going back there later?” Zhang Wenrong asked.

“Of course, I’m going back. But you guys don’t need to go. Wenrong, your dad’s birthday is tomorrow, so stay home until after the celebration,” Zhang Jiaohua said, only pausing to eat some of the delicious eel before speaking.

“It’s no big deal. We’ll all go to my house for dinner tomorrow,” Zhang Wenrong said, shaking his head.

“Then Jiagen should stay home. Your mom hasn’t been feeling well these past few days, right? Stay and take care of her,” Zhang Jiaohua suggested, looking at Zhang Jiagen.

But Zhang Jiagen shook his head. “I’m not the only son at home. Besides, my work at the horticultural farm is a job. I can’t just take the money and not do the work, right?”

When the topic of money came up, Zhang Manyin glanced at Zhang Wenrong and the others. He had no idea that Jiaohua had been paying them wages. He had always assumed that Zhang Jiaohua had recruited the three of them to work at the farm without having to pay them anything. With such good food provided, and on top of that wages, wouldn’t Jiaohua end up losing money?

Realizing he had misspoken, Zhang Wenrong quickly kicked Zhang Jiagen under the table. “Jiaohua, we just came by to check if you were back. Since you’re here, we should head to the farm. The place can’t run without people.”

He quickly grabbed Zhang Jiagen and the others and left. Once they were outside, Zhang Wenrong scolded Zhang Jiagen harshly. “Jiagen, are you dumb or something? Didn’t Jiaohua tell us not to mention the wages? Now look what you’ve done because of your big mouth, Grandpa Manyin will definitely give Jiaohua a hard time, and then Jiaohua will take it out on us later.”

“I just blurted it out without thinking. Now it’s too late to take it back,” Zhang Jiagen replied, scratching his head with a regretful expression.

Sure enough, as soon as the others left, Zhang Manyin began to criticize Zhang Jiaohua. “Jiaohua, why didn’t you tell us about giving Wenrong and the others money? Were they tricking you into paying them?”

“Do you think they could trick me? They’ve been doing a good job for the past month. I can’t just keep having them work for free. I’m not some old-fashioned landlord. Even landlords had to pay their workers,” Zhang Jiaohua explained.

“How much did you pay them?” Zhang Manyin asked.

“Not much, just eighty yuan each. When we harvested the tea leaves last time, they earned a few dozen yuan in just a few days. They’ve been working much harder than others, so I thought it was fair to give them some pay,” Zhang Jiaohua answered honestly.

“You little spendthrift! Do you know how much Zhang Shunlin earns teaching at the village school? You’re giving them food and shelter, plus eighty yuan in wages? Where else could they find such an easy job?” Zhang Manyin scolded, glaring at Zhang Jiaohua.

“My dad and the others earn hundreds a month in Guangdong,” Zhang Jiaohua responded.

“That’s Guangdong. Where would you find such a good deal here in Meizi’ao?” Zhang Manyin raised his hand, about to give Zhang Jiaohua a hard knock on the head, but he held back.

“Grandpa, just wait and see. In a few years, not even 180 yuan will be enough to hire people to work for me. My parents know to go to Guangdong, so do you think others don’t have hands and feet? Everyone will go to Guangdong eventually. I need to keep these three guys here, so they’ll work steadily for me in the future,” Zhang Jiaohua said with a thoughtful expression.

Zhang Manyin looked at his grandson as if he were seeing him for the first time. It hadn’t been long, but ever since his parents left, Zhang Jiaohua seemed to have matured overnight. His words and actions no longer resembled those of a seven- or eight-year-old child but rather a responsible adult.

“Sigh, whatever. We can’t manage the horticultural farm anyway. Just take care of it yourself. Your uncle hasn’t left yet. If you need more help, have your uncle work at the farm too,” Zhang Manyin suddenly thought of his eldest son.

“If Uncle wants to come, he’s welcome anytime. I’ll pay him a hundred a month. But didn’t he say he was planning to go to Guangdong after the New Year?” Zhang Jiaohua agreed immediately. After all, there was plenty of work at the farm, and he didn’t mind paying for an extra hand.

“I’ll ask your uncle later,” Zhang Manyin said, dropping the subject since Jiaohua had agreed.