Chapter 403

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Protagonist:

Chai Mi

Chai Mi's side room was finally completed.

In the courtyard, tools were neatly put away, leaving only scattered broken bricks and mud traces.

Chai Mi inspected everything, all was good, then nodded: "Labor was agreed at one thousand seven, materials calculated separately. You list it out, I'll settle it all at once."

Zhu Shukun pulled out a small notebook from his pocket, flipped it open and read: "Labor one thousand seven, that's fixed. Materials: extra cement thirty bags, ten yuan a bag, three hundred; used one bucket of glue, count fifty; floor tiles cost five hundred fifty, the rest you bought yourself, I didn't handle. Plus miscellaneous nails, sandpaper, total add one hundred fifty. Total two thousand seven."

Chai Mi calculated fast in her head: "Two thousand seven? No, door and window money I already paid Li Jinfu, glue money should be his."

Zhu Shukun waved his hand: "Glue was extra I brought, didn't tell him. This money waived, count it as my gift. Building a house isn't easy, neighbors helping each other is right. Besides, you gave the job straightforward, no dragging feet."

Master Wang interjected: "Chai Mi, Master Zhu is an honest man, last time cement got splashed with water, he ran to the township to haul goods, didn't add a cent freight."

Chai Mi took out a stack of bills, counted out two thousand seven hundred, handed to Zhu Shukun: "Old Uncle-in-law, you're a straightforward person. Labor and materials each accounted separately, whatever it should be is what it is. This two thousand seven you take, glue money I'll make up."

Zhu Shukun declined: "Really no need! Chai Mi, you're straightforward, working with you is pleasant. Later if there's door, window, kang head work, still find me, I'll introduce reliable people."

Chai Mi forced it into his hand: "Okay, noted. This money you keep. Mom, pack some pickled vegetables for Master Zhu and them to take."

Su Wan responded from the kitchen, carrying a cloth bag: "Prepared early, soy sauce cucumber, spicy Chinese cabbage, plenty."

Zhu Shukun accepted with a smile: "Thanks! Chai Mi, your new house is neat, can move in half a day. If anything, holler." He called Master Wang and Little Zhang, the three carrying tools left.

Chai Mi watched their backs, said to Su Wan: "Old Uncle-in-law this person is quite decent, work meticulous, doesn't take petty advantages. Building house money I calculate, he roughly three thousand, bricks two thousand or so, purlins one thousand plus, meals one thousand plus, doors windows eight hundred, floor tiles plus miscellaneous..... just under ten thousand."

Su Wan sighed: "That much? Half a year's dumpling stall money gone."

Chai Mi didn't reply, went inside to inspect floor tiles.

At this moment, Chai Youfu rushed into the courtyard in a panic, panting heavily.

"Chai Mi, major trouble!" Chai Youfu slapped his thigh, "That bastard Chai You De, hired people to harvest all the corn from your and Chai Zhongxiao's land! Just finished harvesting, loading onto carts to haul back right now!"

Chai Mi didn't even raise her head, squatted down tapping brick joints: "Oh, harvested then harvested."

Chai Youfu stared: "What? That's your grandpa's retirement land! Chai You De took advantage while you're busy building house, secretly struck, this isn't blatant robbery? Why aren't you making a sound?"

Chai Mi stood up, patted off dust: "Second Uncle, what are you anxious for? Corn harvested what can it do? My grandpa long ago didn't count on that bit of land to survive."

After all, the place Chai Zhongxiao stays now is good.

Food and lodging covered, not a penny spent.

Chai Mi sometimes even feels it's unbearable, this damn squatting in a cage, yet instead won't starve....

Chai Youfu leaned close, lowered voice: "Chai Mi, this swallowing anger look of yours, I can't stand it! Chai You De last time splashed cement, this time steals grain, clearly bullying you. I inquired, he sold corn earned nearly two thousand! You gotta go raise hell, smash his door!"

Chai Mi coldly laughed: "Raise hell? After raising hell can corn come back? Delay my new house for winter, you pay my labor?"

Chai Mi speaking turned to Su Wan, "Mom, make extra lunch, Song Qiushui coming later to help sweep courtyard."

Chai Youfu anxious stomped foot: "Chai Mi, you stupid? Chai You De rode on your head to shit!"

Chai Mi waved hand: "Second Uncle, you go back. I've got lots of matters, no time to wrangle this."

Finished speaking went inside got broom, ignored him further.

Chai Youfu spat: "Fine, you play coward, I'll wait to see the joke!" Huffily left.

Su Wan followed in, quietly asked: "Chai Mi, really not caring? I see your Second Uncle truly angry."

Chai Mi expressionless: "Angry? He long ago doesn't manage affairs. Chai You De harvesting corn, nothing more than wanting to provoke me to act. I just won't."

She put down broom, eyes turned cold, "But this matter can't end for nothing."

Evening, Song Qiushui came to help tidy courtyard. Chai Mi pulled her to wall corner: "Qiu Shui, your family still have double-kick firecrackers? The kind left over from New Year."

Song Qiushui stunned: "Yeah, my dad hid some, in warehouse beam. You want do what? House ridge-laying ceremony long past."

Chai Mi grinned: "Don't ask. Go fetch a few, hands and feet light, don't let people see."

Song Qiushui frowned: "Chai Mi, what bad scheme you plotting again?"

Chai Mi shoved her: "Less nonsense! Bring five, I'll give you two yuan errand fee."

Song Qiushui grumbling went.

Not long, Song Qiushui slipped back, stuffed Chai Mi five coarse paper tube double-kick firecrackers. "Careful, this thing loud."

Chai Mi tucked into pocket: "Done, you help me watch Chai You De's house. See him go out for a stroll, immediately tell me."

Pitch dark, village dead quiet. Song Qiushui hunched running back: "Chai Mi, Chai You De don't know where went, house lights dark."

Chai Mi nodded, groped in dark out door. Chai You De family's latrine was earth-block built, twenty steps from main house, stench sky-high. Chai Mi climbed over wall top, took out double-kick firecrackers, pinched open fuse. She fished out match, "cha" sound lit.

"Let you taste fresh." Chai Mi muttered, first double-kick firecracker shook hand threw into cesspit.

"Bang—pa!" Huge boom exploded, feces water fountain-like splashed high, plastered half wall. Chai Mi didn't wait stop, lit second, aimed deep into feces pit.

"Chai Mi, you crazy?" Song Qiushui completely stunned, "Will attract people!"

Chai Mi shook him off: "Afraid what? He deserves it!" Third double-kick firecracker thrown, "hong" sound, latrine roof collapsed half, wood planks, feces lumps flew splattering, yellow-white stuff drenched a patch of ground. Stench mixed with gunpowder smoke, smoked people couldn't open eyes.

Song Qiushui dry heaved: "Ugh... too disgusting! This smell a year won't go away!"

Chai Mi coldly laughed, lit fourth.

This throw accurate, right into feces pool center. "Pu chi" muffled sound, feces slurry burst open, like splashed ink plastered all over Chai You De family back wall, even house window frames dripping filth.

Chai You De neighbors hearing noise opened doors, shouted: "Whose family setting off firecrackers? Middle of night!"

Chai Mi lowered voice: "Run fast!"

Then pulled Song Qiushui hunched slipped back.

Behind, fifth double-kick firecracker "bang" exploded in feces pile, splashed feces dots flew over courtyard wall.

Back in courtyard, Su Wan and Chai Youqing stood at door, faces full of shock and doubt. Chai Youqing asked: "What noise? Like thunder."

Chai Mi patted her trouser legs: "Chai You De's latrine blew up, courtesy of a double-banger firecracker."

Su Wan covered her nose: "You did this? Aiyo, that latrine... it'll stink up half the street!"

Chai Mi went inside to wash her hands: "I did it? Who saw? When Chai You De collected the corn, no one saw either."

Song Qiushui panted: "Chai Mi, Chai You De will be furious when he gets back!"

Chai Mi sat down and poured tea: "Good, let him be furious. He splashed cement on me, I blew up his latrine. Fair." She took a sip of tea, then said, "Tomorrow you two elders don't go out, let him smell the shit himself."

Chai Youqing shook his head: "You child, your methods are too ruthless..."

Chai Mi interrupted: "Ruthless? When he ruined my cement, why didn't he think about ruthless? This time let him learn a lesson." She turned to Song Qiushui, "Qiu Shui, you go back yourself, I won't see you out."

Su Wan sighed: "You, always stirring up trouble." But she said no more, turning to go to the kitchen to heat the rice.

Night deepened, Chai Mi lay on the kang in the new house, listening to the faint cursing from outside.

Chai Mi closed her eyes, the corner of her mouth curling slightly, then listened with peace of mind.

"Which heaven-killed bastard blew up my latrine?!" Chai You De's roar carried over, "The whole courtyard is shit! Ugh..."

"Which son of a bitch did such an unconscionable thing......"

Chai Xiu ran out to watch the excitement, came back laughing: "Eldest Sister, Third Uncle is shoveling shit with an iron shovel, he's puked three times already!"

Chai Mi turned over: "Sleep. Tomorrow we still have to sell dumplings, the money can't stop."

In the courtyard, Chai Youqing muttered: "This... would it be a bit excessive? The walls are covered, the whole courtyard is too... that smell won't dissipate for a long time."

Su Wan frowned and pulled him: "You mind your own business. Chai Mi knows what she's doing."

Early the next morning, Chai Mi pushed the inverted donkey out to set up her stall. At the village entrance she ran into Chai You De, his trouser legs stained with shit, eyes bloodshot. Chai You De rushed over: "Chai Mi! Was it you?"

Chai Mi stopped the cart: "What did I do? Your latrine blew up? Tsk tsk, Heaven couldn't stand it anymore." Finished speaking, she pedaled away.

Chai You De jumped in rage behind her: "You wait! I'm not done with you!"

Chai Mi didn't look back, humming a little tune.

Song Qiushui caught up laughing: "Chai Mi, so satisfying. Your Third Uncle just deserves a beating, every time he pulls dirty tricks behind your back. Just a bully who preys on the weak and fears the strong, you give him a hard taste, and he becomes honest as can be. If he stirs up trouble next time, we'll pour... into their chimney at midnight......"

Chai Mi smiled: "Next time? We'll see if he still dares provoke me."

After returning from setting up the stall, Chai Mi and her mother Su Wan tidied up the side room properly.

This era has this era's advantages, at least there's no formaldehyde and such, once a house is built you can basically live in it after a couple of days.

Chai Mi bought a few incandescent bulbs in the county.

This thing in this era still counts as relatively trendy. When everyone generally uses light bulbs, white light is indeed quite novel.

After fussing with these, Chai Mi called Chai Youqing: "Dad, this time. You finally have a job you can do."

Chai Youqing heard he could have his own work, walked over: "What work?"

Chai Mi smiled: "You go to He Tao to steal trees."

Chai Youqing went completely numb: "This work isn't light... besides, that stealing......"

Su Wan at the side also said: "Chai Mi, having your dad go steal other people's things, not too good, your dad has thin skin......"

Chai Mi pointed at the newly built kang, still wet: "Then what to do? Burn me?"

Su Wan: "......"

"Then you go quickly." Su Wan naturally couldn't burn Chai Mi, so she could only let Chai Youqing go steal trees.

Chai Youqing was reluctant to go, but had no choice.

Subsequently, after intense psychological struggle, Chai Youqing still went.

Mainly Chai Youqing found an excuse for himself: If I don't steal, others will steal too... one more doesn't make a difference.

However, Chai Youqing had just arrived at He Tao when he ran into Lao Liutou stealing trees.

"Sixth Grandpa, still stealing trees? You steal at least two hundred trees a year."

Lao Liutou instantly got unhappy, cursing: "Bullshit! Who do you look down on? I steal one tree a day, at least three hundred sixty-five a year. Chai Youqing, you fucking look down on me?"

Chai Youqing flushed red: "Alright, Sixth Grandpa, I was wrong."

The forest was still very large.

At this time any random forest, the trees inside cover several hundred mu.

Chai Youqing had stolen once before, but had no experience.

Seeing Lao Liutou so fierce, he wanted to learn: "Sixth Grandpa, Chai Mi told me to get a few trees back to burn, you say where's good to get them?"

"Go get them on top of your head, always fucking making conversation for nothing. Hurry up and piss off, He Tao is full of fucking trees, you fucking ask me? Is your brain flooded? Go yourself. Rice bucket......"

Chai Youqing, scolded a round by Lao Liutou, had to go fight alone.

Stealing trees actually has no technique, just boldness and carefulness.

Boldness is treating the forest like your own home.

Carefulness is... regardless of whether it affects the environment, take whatever's convenient.

Subsequently Chai Youqing smoothly stole a few small trees, shouldered them and went home.

Just reached the village entrance, ran into Lao Liutou again, Lao Liutou came up and gave a round of head-to-toe scolding: "Chai Youqing, are you a stupid cunt? You steal trees and you steal new trees? You said you're burning firewood, what use is this thing? You rice bucket, this isn't a pickaxe handle, you take new ones, when will they dry? Won't you take some dead trees?"

Chai Youqing puzzled: "Sixth Grandpa, didn't you say any kind is the same? I saw you taking small trees too."

"You fucking have a brain disease? I fucking three hundred sixty-five days a year, take every day. Taken twenty-plus years, what tree isn't dry by the time it reaches my house? You're in a rush to burn, you take wet ones. No wonder your whole family looks down on you, stubborn as a mule. Brain still has a disease. Still fucking rice bucket, still fucking stubborn mouth, still fucking nothing...... your dad how did he give birth to you......" Speaking halfway, Lao Liutou felt he might have spoken out of turn: "Fuck, your dad isn't a good thing either. That rice bucket, garbage, pure fucking stupid cunt. I said before, don't fucking think about Chai You De, that couple aren't human, result not only sent him in, now his land is lost too. When he gets out someday, won't he starve to death."

Lao Liutou also knew Chai You De hired people to harvest the crops on those lands, sold all the grain.

Result, Chai Mi's family and Chai Youfu didn't care.

What about Wang Huirong?

Really not a single bite to eat.

That Chai You De, sold all the grain, could he still buy it back for Wang Huirong to eat? Or buy rice and white flour for Wang Huirong.

"Our Old Chai Family produced you few Rice Buckets. It's truly a family misfortune... One of these days I'll go pay respects at your grandfather's grave, and I'll have a few words with him. Your grandfather didn't have his eyes open — he was already in his sixties before he had your father... A child born when the parents are that old is just no good."