Chapter 174: Mountain Household

Disclaimer: 

1. This is an unofficial translation and no permission has been obtained from the author/ official publisher. It may be taken down if the author/official publisher requests. 

2. This is a fan work and the interpretation represents only the translator’s personal views without any input from the author. 

3. No permission has been granted to use, publish, upload and/or copy this translation to any other site except for Second Life Translations.

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The next day, Liu Lin came to the store and gave Miss Song his response.

Miss Song was already waiting at the store – she basically only trusted Liu Lin now and felt that it would be most suitable to rent the store to him. Added to the fact that he had helped her a lot, she made sure to be extremely polite toward Liu Lin. Before he said anything, she thanked him profusely, “No matter what, even if Young Master Liu doesn’t rent this store, I am very thankful for all of your help.”

Liu Lin smiled and shook his head, “There’s no need to be so courteous. I am also a businessman, and have my own plans and priorities. Your store is on the busiest street in town – I want very much to rent it. It’s just that the timing isn’t too ideal. Since Miss is willing to wait a few months for me, then I too am very grateful and willing to take you up on the offer. So we will confirm it – I will rent the store next year in the third month… Of course, I will give you a booking deposit. That way, we can all rest easy.”

Miss Song was delighted when she heard. Liu Lin was willing to rent the store – that was the most important thing! And when she heard that Liu Lin was going to put in a deposit, she was agreeable. Firstly, because the financial situation at home was rather tight, it would be good to have money on hand. And secondly, that would make the situation official, and would allow everyone to relax. 

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Liu Lin was astounded. He lowered his head for a look and muttered, “If this is copying blindly… Miss’s standard is much better than mine…. It would be best if you could help me take my examination….”

Miss Song couldn’t help a little giggle at that. “If Young Master would like, you can ask me if there are any areas you don’t understand…. We can always explore your questions together. For you to pass the exams would also be good news for me.”

Liu Lin was overjoyed when he heard, “Really? I am going to take you at your word!” He had just been worried over his poor ability. Even after studying for months, he still didn’t feel confident about passing. 

Miss Song smiled and said, “Of course I meant it.” She then smiled bashfully, “I am indebted to you, and there’s nothing much I can do to return your kindness.”

Liu Lin quickly said, “Please don’t say that – I didn’t really help that much. I was planning on renting a store anyway… But if Miss really is willing to help me in this, I will really take you up on the offer…. I really want to pass next year’s exams.”

Miss Song nodded her head, “Ok, that’s no problem. Why don’t we do it this way? Every 10 days, I will come to this store. If you’ve any questions, you can come over to ask. If you haven’t any, you can just send a servant to inform me.”

Liu Lin nodded his head, “Ok, let’s do it that way then!” Up till now, he had always treated her with special respect because of her imposing air! Also, the way she did things and spoke were very generous and decisive. She was transparent about her thought processes – she definitely wasn’t someone who would try to cheat others. 

It was rare for someone from such a prestigious household to have such a good character. In any case, she had never behaved like an entitled miss in front of him. Liu Lin had had no issues interacting with her. 

Since the two of them had come to an agreement, they closed the shop and went their respective ways. 

Liu Lin brought home those few books. He felt that with them, the likelihood of his passing had just gone up significantly. Since he planned to take the exams, then of course, he should do his best! He went back and got the servants to look for Liu Shu, Liu Sen and Shi Cheng. He told them he had received a few books. If they wanted to borrow them, they could come over to have a look. 

During this period of time, everyone was studying very hard. Everything else was of secondary importance. 

But Liu Shu was still concerned about the Shao family situation. He had gotten people to look out for land sales around the area. When Shi Cheng’s store assistant found out that there were three mu for sale, Liu Shu went over to take a look. The place wasn’t too bad. Although it was a bit bigger than they were looking for, money currently wasn’t an issue. So long as Shao Huai was willing to use the money he had given Shao Rong for her betrothal, it would be fine.

After Liu Shu had a look, he didn’t head home. Instead he headed straight for the Shao family. He wanted to get Shao Huai to have a look. 

However, the instant Shao Huai saw him, he smiled and said, “What a coincidence, I was just going to look for you! Who would’ve expected you to come…. I’ve found someplace suitable.”

When Liu Shu heard, he was caught off guard. “I too received news of a suitable piece of land…. Where have you found?”

Shao Huai smiled and said, “I’ll bring you over for a look. I’m quite satisfied with this place. There’s even a house for me to stay in. We plan to move over, and tidy up this place. When Shao Gui gets married, she can use this house in the village.”

Liu Shu sensed that something wasn’t right. Moving in winter? He thought for a moment before deciding to have a look at the area first. He nodded his head and said, “Let’s go. Take me to see the place.”

From inside the house, Shao Rong had seen him arrive. She didn’t come out. Instead, it was Shao Gui who came to greet him. Shao Huai’s new bride didn’t come out either. She was probably unfamiliar with him and felt shy. That was quite normal for new brides. 

Liu Shu could only greet Shao Rong from outside the window. “Shao Rong, your brother and I are going to look at something.”

Shao Rong acknowledged what he said from inside the house. 

Shao Huai brought Liu Shu out. Then he proceeded to drive the cart toward the hill. Liu Shu was very suspicious and surprised. They passed by Shao Huai’s plot of land – Liu Shu saw that most of the flowers had been cleared from the area. From the looks of things, there was no plan to plant new flowers. It was clear that someone had stomped through quite a few areas. Here and there, flowers were drooping – it was clear that no one was caring for them any longer. 

Stunned, Liu Shu asked, “What happened?! Did the Village Head send someone else to make trouble here?!”

Shao Huai glanced over at the plot and gave a bitter smile. “I haven’t dared to stay here for a while and didn’t manage to guard the area. So people came and stole my flowers… But most of the flowers had already been sold. I’ve already given the land to Shao Gui as part of her dowry. I’ve told Pangwa to help me register it under his name. You don’t have to worry – it’s nearly complete.”

Liu Shu frowned when he heard. He asked, “Are we heading in further? Isn’t further in the deep hill area?”

Shao Huai laughed and said, “It’s not that bad. Before the deep hills is an area where a few households stay.” Then he continued to drive the cart forward a little more before arriving at a plot of already plowed land. 

This plot looked to be about a mu in size. There was a house with three rooms attached to the land. A bamboo fence surrounded the area. Liu Shu looked it over. In a distance, nearer the ravine opening, there were two households. He continued to tilt his head up the slope – there looked to be another two or three households staying there. 

Shao Huai got off the cart and said, “Most of the people staying here are hunter families. A hunter family used to stay here, but they want to move to the village. So they decided to sell their land and house. They only asked for eight taels of silver. I thought about it. If I stay here, I can plant my flowers right under my eye – I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone stealing them. This area isn’t under Niangou Village. The neighbouring village claims this to be their land. The government officials themselves aren’t too clear about this area, and haven’t made it explicit where this land belongs to. The Village Heads would never bother coming here to make trouble…. It would be quite suitable to stay here. With the remainder of the money, I will just build a courtyard wall, and that would be enough.”

Liu Shu looked over the place. His heart felt chilled. There was no difference between staying here and staying within the deep hills. The only slightly positive point in its favour was that at least here, there were a few neighbours!

He followed Shao Huai into the house to look. The house at least had a kang, but nothing else. Shao Huai pointed at the house. “I just need to make some tables and chairs and that would be enough. I can slowly make the rest of the furniture later. After all, I originally didn’t have much in the way of furniture….”

Liu Shu then asked, “Have you already confirmed your plans with the owner?”

“Not yet. I wanted you to have a look at the area first, and discuss it with you. Pangwa has already been by to have a look. He thinks it’s suitable.”

Liu Shu shook his head, “I don’t think it is. If you stay here, wouldn’t it be too… unsafe? Are you sure you would be able to get along well with the neighbours? There’s nothing else here. It would be hard to find any help if you need it. Furthermore, there’s really no need for you to be so tight with money now….”

He thought for a moment before saying, “Dajiuzi, there are some matters that you don’t have to be too rigid about. Since I am already betrothed to Shao Rong, then we are all relatives. If you’ve difficulties, I can always help! Before, that 10 taels of silver…. That was because I hadn’t gotten engaged to Shao Rong and worried that you wouldn’t accept it if I gave any more. But now, we are going to become relatives, I can lend you however much you need. Also, you can always use the betrothal money I gave! Please don’t hesitate to use that money. We are all villagers here, honest people. So long as it improves your lives, what if you use some of it first? I can also pledge that even if Shao Rong has not much in the way of a dowry, when she comes to our family, no one will look down on her!”

Shao Huai smiled and shook his head when he heard. “You and I are not in the same position, and therefore don’t think the same way… I am not doing this out of vanity. What you said is true – it’s nothing much for me to borrow some money from you. But, I will never touch my sister’s betrothal gifts for my own use. Liu Shu, us villagers have a saying, we should only bite off what we can chew! Of course, if I were to come to you asking for money, I would be able to afford even a house in town! But I wouldn’t feel at ease staying there. I would definitely worry about how to return the money owed! And when Shao Rong marries, even though I know that no one would look down on her… I still hope for her to be able to hold her head high when she marries! That’s a gege’s mindset. You are also a gege, you should understand where I’m coming from.”