TSWPF -Chapter 68 Greed

Following what Aunt Huang had said, Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou went to town to buy pork and vegetables, and on the way back, they informed the shopkeeper at Fumanlou about it.

Since they were collaborators, it was polite to let him know; whether he came or not was entirely his choice.

After bringing the items home, Li Qingling personally went to Old Li’s house. When she saw him sitting by the doorway, she called out, “Grandpa!” and told him that she would be hosting a meal at her new home tomorrow and invited him to come.

Old Li glanced at Li Qingling, nodded, but didn’t say whether he would go or not.

Li Qingling didn’t really care either way; she was only informing him out of filial duty. Seeing that Old Li had nothing more to say, she turned and left.

Once she left, Li Laifu came out from the house and asked Old Li, “Father, how did that little brat Li Qingling get so much money to build such a huge house?” A house that spacious was unique in the village; even the village chief’s house wasn’t that nice.

Old Li took the pipe that had been set aside, lit it, and drew a long puff of dry tobacco. Squinting at the smoke curling into the air, he remained silent.

Li Laifu brought over a stool, sat beside Old Li, and continued planting ideas in his father’s mind. “Father, shouldn’t Li Qingling have asked you to come live there with her? If you moved into such a beautiful house, you could sleep smiling.”

If Old Li moved in, he could find a way to move in as well. Then the house would effectively belong to him.

“Stop spinning those dirty schemes; don’t talk nonsense.” Old Li knew exactly what his son was thinking.

“What dirty schemes? Father, Li Qingfeng is your own grandson, right? It’s only right that you go stay with him and take care of him. If you insist on moving there, no one could object, right?”

Hearing this, Old Li felt a stir of temptation. His son’s words were persuasive.

Filial piety was everything. Even if he moved in, Li Qingling wouldn’t dare to kick him out.

A house that spacious and beautiful—he was genuinely tempted.

Seeing Old Li’s expression soften, Li Laifu pressed on, hoping Old Li would follow his suggestion and move into Li Qingling’s new house voluntarily.

Only then would he have a chance to move in too.

“All right, enough talking. Go weed the fields; soon it will be time for spring plowing.”

Li Laifu knew when to stop. He said to Old Li, “Father, think about it!” and went back inside.

Weeding and chores were not for him—he was waiting to become the master of the house; how could he do such work?

Old Li kept his head down, puffing the pipe, his face thoughtful.

Meanwhile, Li Qingling had no idea that her not-yet-inhabited new house had already attracted attention.

“How’s everyone doing with packing?” she asked with a smile, looking at the children tidying their things. “Rourou, have you finished?”

Liu Zhirou, pouting, was working hard to fold her little clothes. Hearing Li Qingling, she shook her head, “Not yet!”

Li Qingling sat on a nearby chair, reaching to pick up Li Qingning from Liu Zhimou’s arms. “Take your time, no rush.” She patted Li Qingning’s little belly. “Are you hungry, little sister? Want some milk?”

Upon hearing “milk,” Li Qingning pointed toward the kitchen with her tiny finger, babbling excitedly.

Li Qingling laughed, “All right, let’s go get some milk.” She stood up, carrying Li Qingning to the kitchen.

She brought a bowl of warm goat’s milk from the stove back into the room and fed Li Qingning.

After Li Qingning finished, the children finished packing their things.

“Sister, we’re done! When do we move to the beautiful house?” Liu Zhirou ran over, hugging Li Qingling’s leg, her little head raised with a smile.

Li Qingling ruffled her head. “Rourou, you’re amazing! Finished so quickly? Once I finish packing, we’ll move together, okay?”

“Yes, yes!” Liu Zhirou nodded happily. Moving to the new house mattered more than when. “Sister, I’m hungry too, want milk!” Seeing her sister had milk, she wanted some as well.

“Then let big brother get it for you!”

Liu Zhirou ran to Liu Zhimou, asking him to fetch her milk. He bent down, lifted her, pinched her little nose, and said, “All right,” then carried her to the kitchen for goat’s milk.

“Sis, you go pack your things, I’ll take care of the little one,” Li Qingfeng said, taking Li Qingning from Li Qingling. “Little sister, let’s go play!”

With Li Qingling free, she went to pack her own belongings.

Once everything was packed, they slowly moved to the new house and spent a comfortable first night. Early the next morning, Aunt Huang arrived with a few hardworking women to help.

Li Qingling had already prepared breakfast and asked them to eat before starting work.

As the saying goes, “If you take from someone’s hand, your mouth is soft.” Fill their stomachs first, and they’ll work willingly.

Aunt Huang and the others salivated at the sight of breakfast: pork congee and egg pancakes.

They tried to refuse, saying they hadn’t started working yet.

Li Qingling saw their little hesitation and laughed, leading them into the kitchen. “Eat, don’t be so polite.”

Aunt Huang nodded at the others. “Eat first, then work hard after.”

With that, they finally started eating.

After breakfast, Aunt Huang asked, “Where should we put these things? We’re ready to start.”

When Li Qingling opened the cupboards and took out the supplies, Aunt Huang and the others gasped. “Xiaoling, you bought so much? Better than what we have at New Year! How could you spend so recklessly?”

Li Qingling smiled. “Thank you for helping today. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough food if everyone came, so I bought extra. It’s a rare occasion, let’s all enjoy it!”

Aunt Huang waved it off, and everyone started working.

Li Qingling went outside to greet the villagers who had come.

Villagers typically brought small gifts—not expensive, just vegetables or eggs.

Li Qingling and Liu Zhimou didn’t care much; it was the thought that counted.

“Xiaoling, how much did this house cost? So spacious,” a jealous villager asked, staring at the house. “I’m afraid I’ll never live in such a house in my life!”

Looking at the sharp-faced, slitted-eyed woman, Li Qingling’s smile remained unchanged. “You’ve asked the wrong person. I really don’t know how much it cost. This house isn’t mine.”

If she revealed the cost, their village would never have peace. She had to attribute the house to Liu Zhimou.

The woman frowned, unconvinced. “Xiaoling, that’s not fair. We’re from the same village; why hide it?”

Li Qingling stayed calm. “Auntie, you’ve got me wrong. I honestly don’t know. I’m just staying here temporarily; how could I know such private matters?”

Frowning, the woman glanced at her and saw Li Qingling’s sincerity. She started to believe the house wasn’t Li Qingling’s.

If Li Qingling didn’t pay, then Liu Zhimou must have.

She opened her mouth to ask him, but a man’s voice interrupted.

“What? This house isn’t yours?” Li Laifu’s voice was sharp. “Xiaoling, are you joking?” Without Li Qingling paying, how could he implement his plan?

Li Qingling greeted Old Li and others before replying. “Uncle, such things aren’t a joke. The house wasn’t built in my name, and I haven’t lied to anyone.”

“That’s impossible! If not you, could it be this guy?” Li Laifu pointed at Liu Zhimou, displeased. “Looking at him, how could he afford such a spacious house?”

He thought Li Qingling was lying.

Tilting his head at the agitated Li Laifu, Li Qingling asked, puzzled, “Uncle, why are you so worked up? Isn’t this none of your business?” She subtly glanced at Old Li and the others.

Immediately, she seemed to understand something.

“What about—”

“Ahem…” Old Li coughed twice, interrupting Li Laifu before he could speak. If he had, their faces would have been ruined. “All right, go inside!”

“Father, you go in first. I’ll figure out what’s going on,” Li Laifu said, unwilling to believe Liu Zhimou paid for the house.

At that moment, a carriage stopped at the gate. The shopkeeper of Fumanlou lifted the curtain and stepped out.

Seeing him, Liu Zhimou went forward. “Shopkeeper, what an honor, such a rare guest!”