The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 742 - 741 Conflict

Chapter 742: Chapter 741 Conflict

Yet Jinhoo walked out, disheartened and downcast, but after some thought, he decided not to give up. Initially planning to leave the premises, he turned instead toward the backyard.

The backyard was quiet, still as death, with the door of the main house closed.

However, the door that connected to the neighboring Uncle Song Chongjin’s house was open, and Jinhoo knew they must be there.

He followed through the door and saw into Song Chongjin’s yard.

Song Chongjin was digging in the ground while talking to Wang Yongzhu, who sat under the eaves, her expression radiant as she peeled and ate dried fruits.

When Jinhoo arrived, Song Chongjin didn’t stop his work.

It was Wang Yongzhu who stepped forward, "Jinhoo, is something the matter?"

Just by looking at Jinhoo’s face, she knew there was an issue.

Jinhoo felt a bit embarrassed, "I was just walking around, Uncle, you’re not turning the soil correctly—" He caught sight of Song Chongjin’s technique and hastily intervened.

Stepping forward, he took the spade from Song Chongjin’s hand to demonstrate, "Uncle, what are you planning to plant here? Vegetables? Isn’t this plot a bit too small?"

Song Chongjin didn’t hide his intentions, taking the flask of water Wang Yongzhu handed him and downing half of it in one breath before speaking, "I was thinking of building a grape trellis for your Aunt in the yard, and plant a couple of bushes under the stairs."

Jinhoo silently swallowed this large bowl of dog food, spat in his palm, and with a few swift motions of the spade, turned over the soil in the yard thoroughly.

Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu exchanged glances, wondering what had upset him.

Once Jinhoo had finished turning the soil, Wang Yongzhu brought water for them to wash up.

She also brewed a pot of tea and set out some dried fruit pastries. As the three of them gathered around the stone table in the yard, Wang Yongzhu finally spoke, "What’s the matter? Feeling aggrieved? Tell your Aunt about it, I’ll set things right for you!"

At her words, Jinhoo, a lad of about fifteen, couldn’t hold back and felt his eyes well up with tears, overwhelmed with a sense of injustice.

Choking up, he stammered through his story, feeling embarrassed once he came to his senses, and simply focused on his tea and the fruit he was peeling.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin exchanged meaningful glances, their eyes brimming with incontestable delight.

Especially Wang Yongzhu, she hadn’t expected Jinhoo to harbor such ambitions and to possess such a keen business sense.

To be frank, she hadn’t held high hopes for her generation of brothers in the Wang Family.

Some were too honest, others too indolent, and a few had a tendency for petty scheming.

She did her best to develop this business dealing in local mountain goods as it suited her brothers’ capabilities, albeit tiring, it was profitable. As long as they maintained a close relationship with Dahei Mountain and a reputation for honesty and good faith.

With the mountain-goods business, the Wang Family could live a modestly affluent life.

When it came to the next generation, she previously thought only Jinhua had ambition, that Jinhoo was both conscientious and clever, Jinguan was a bit lazy but not of bad nature, and could be guided in the right direction.

As for the others, Jinpan and Jinshao, they were still too young to tell.

Yet this return, Jinhoo’s words had made her realize that in the younger generation of the Wang Family, there was indeed such a promising figure.

Calculating everything, Jinhoo was barely fifteen and barely literate. Yet, having been involved in the family business for just half a year, he had shown remarkable courage and insight!

Perhaps the future of the Wang Family rested on his shoulders! Whatever the case, she hoped for the best for the Wangs. She could support this generation, but if the next didn’t produce a few outstanding children, then the Wang Family would just have to settle for what they had.

Now, there was hope.

Wang Yongzhu was pleasantly surprised in her heart and asked Jinhoo a few more questions, feeling even more satisfied.

Although her lack of experience meant she saw things rather one-sidedly, she had a good eye, a good temperament, was quick-witted, and dare to dream and think.

With just a bit of guidance and a few more years of experience, who’s to say she wouldn’t become a major boss in the mountain goods business someday?

"Your idea is good, but we’re limited by our current situation. I do think, however, that you should spend the next few years getting to know the mountain goods trade inside out, building up your contacts, and understanding the outside market. Once your mourning period is over, if you’re still steadfast in your ambition, I, your old aunt, can invest in you, lend you start-up capital, and let you practice your hand, how about that?" Wang Yongzhu said with a smile.

Jinhoo could hardly believe his ears!

He looked at Wang Yongzhu with astonishment and joy. His intention in seeking out Wang Yongzhu was merely to confide in her, feeling that she might be the only one in the family who could understand his bold ideas.

But not only did his old aunt understand, she even said she would give him start-up capital! This was an unexpected delight!

Jinhoo was so excited that he couldn’t even speak, and tears came rushing out. After a long time, he managed to stutter out a sentence, "Thank you... thank you, old aunt... I, I will definitely work hard! I absolutely won’t let... let you down!"

Wang Yongzhu was indifferent, waving her hand and speaking sternly, "You don’t need to feel indebted to your old aunt. I’m pleased to see you progressing, your sights not limited to Shiqiao Town, not limited to Qilidun. It’s good for people to go out and see the world, to see what’s beyond!"

Jinhoo nodded vehemently with tears.

"Let’s keep this between the three of us, and don’t tell your parents! It’s still not three years yet, and no one can tell what will happen. We don’t want them to worry! After three years, if you’re still determined, we’ll talk then!" Song Chongjin peeled a handful of sunflower seeds, handed them to her, and then advised Jinhoo.

Jinhoo immediately came to his senses. If his folks at home knew, his father might let it go, but his mother could become troublesome.

He hurriedly nodded, "Uncle and old aunt, rest assured, I won’t divulge a single word to anyone!"

Song Chongjin finally smiled, "Okay then, you coming out like this, your father is probably worried. Dry your tears and head back home!"

Jinhoo, lifting his arm, messily wiped his tears with his sleeve and grinned, "Old aunt, uncle, tomorrow I’ll go up the mountain to get some Yellow Pine Mushrooms for you to try!"

With that, he didn’t wait for Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu to respond and ran out the door, the red tips of his ears still visible in the distance.

Wang Yongzhu shook her head; he was still a child.

Song Chongjin looked at Wang Yongzhu and suddenly said, "You can rest assured now, can’t you? The Wang Family seems to have found its future steward!"

For some reason, Song Chongjin felt that Yongzhu had a conflicted attitude towards the Wang Family.

She was emotionally distant, except for her mother-in-law. Yongzhu seemed to keep everyone else in the Wang Family at arm’s length, as if she had drawn a circle around herself that no one from the Wang Family could enter, nor was she willing to step out.

Strangely, despite the emotional distance, Yongzhu persisted in ensuring that the Wang Family lived well, willing to take a loss herself to ensure their well-being.

Although he didn’t fully understand, he knew that Yongzhu was happy to hear about Jinhoo’s ambition!

As long as Yongzhu was happy, so was he!

Early the next morning came the Qingming Festival.

Each household in the Wang Family prepared offerings, with Wang Yongzhu readying a small jar of wine, some fruits, and paper money.

The third and fourth households were all decently prepared, but the eldest household only had some yellow paper, a few paper money notes, and two sorghum flour buns, which were really too perfunctory.

Wang Yongping saw it and wanted to say something, but was glared at by Liu Xiaoqiao and ultimately held it back.

Everyone pretended not to notice the eldest household’s meager offerings, but Wang Yongfu himself felt too embarrassed and after glaring at Lady Lin, went back inside and produced a jar of wine, which was barely adequate.