Chapter 676

Qin Village

At the busy village brigade, a pile of things had already accumulated on the ground.

Cao Weiguo walked to Qin Baolu's side: "Village Chief Baolu, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

Qin Baolu asked in surprise: "What favor?"

Cao Weiguo said: "I'd like to borrow a courtyard in the village to use as a warehouse."

"Don't worry, it won't be borrowed for free; the factory has a budget."

Qin Baolu breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:

"Hey! Is that all?"

"That's not even a favor!"

"There are several empty courtyards in the village!"

Cao Weiguo smiled: "That's great! Village Chief Baolu, is it convenient for you to take me to see them now?"

Qin Baolu smiled: "What's inconvenient about that? I'll take you right now."

Qin Baolu gave a few instructions to the village cadres.

He took Cao Weiguo to look at the courtyards.

Because these courtyards were unoccupied, they appeared very dilapidated.

Several courtyards were overgrown with grass, and even ferrets ran out from inside.

In the end, Cao Weiguo chose a large courtyard near the south of the village.

The previous owner of this courtyard was a landlord.

After liberation, he took his family and ran off to who knows where.

The land and the courtyard were confiscated by the collective.

Cao Weiguo followed Qin Baolu back to the brigade.

They made a simple registration and Cao Weiguo paid the brigade some money.

The one-year usage rights for this courtyard now belonged to Cao Weiguo.

After finishing the procedures, Cao Weiguo hired a few villagers.

Together, they cleared the waist-high weeds in the courtyard.

He also asked Qin's father, mother, and others to help clean the rooms.

The items collected that day were all moved into the courtyard.

"Village Chief Baolu!"

"I still need to go to other villages for procurement over the next few days."

"Could I trouble the brigade to help look after the warehouse?"

Qin Baolu smiled: "No problem, I'll send some militia members over."

Cao Weiguo took a ten-yuan bill out of his pocket:

"Village Chief Baolu, please don't think this is too little."

"This is a hardship allowance for the militia brothers."

Qin Baolu accepted the money generously:

"Director Cao, don't you worry!"

"If even a single peanut goes missing, you can come straight to me!"

Returning to Qin Jingru's home, Cao Weiguo took a ten-yuan bill out of his pocket:

"Jingru, I still have to go to nearby villages for procurement."

"Stay in the village for these few days and help me look after the warehouse."

"While you're at it, help me sweep the courtyard."

"People might often be bringing things to store in the warehouse over the next few days."

"Help me keep an eye on it."

"Don't let anyone sneak anything out."

Qin Jingru took the money, her expression solemn:

"Brother Weiguo, don't you worry!"

"I will definitely look after the warehouse!"

"Without your word, nothing is allowed to leave!"

After Cao Weiguo left on his tricycle, the Qin home immediately became lively.

Qin Jingru's big brother and sister-in-law stared at the money, their eyes glowing green:

"This Director Cao is too generous!"

"He gave ten yuan just for watching a courtyard!"

"This is much better than earning work points!"

Qin Jingru put the money away, holding her chin up proudly:

"That's right!"

"Brother Weiguo is someone who does big things!"

"Working for Weiguo is definitely better than earning work points!"

Qin Jingru's big brother rubbed his hands, his eyes shining:

"Jingru, help your brother put in a good word with Director Cao."

"Find some work for your brother too."

Qin Jingru felt somewhat awkward; after all, she was only a worker herself.

Seeing this, Qin's father scolded: "Looking at one mountain while standing on another, why are you joining in the fun instead of farming properly!"

Qin's mother also said: "Jingru is only helping out temporarily, don't you go joining in."

Qin's big brother said resentfully: "How is this joining in the fun? I also want to earn more money for the family."

Qin Jingru's sister-in-law smiled and said: "Jingru, it's not safe for a girl like you to carry so much money, let sister-in-law keep it for you."

Qin Jingru took a step back, covering her pocket nervously: "No need, no need, I can keep it myself."

This was her dowry; she couldn't let others benefit from it.

Qin Jingru's sister-in-law wanted to say something else, but Qin's father said with a straight face:

"Jingru can decide for herself regarding the money she earned."

"Don't you go sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."

Qin Jingru's sister-in-law gave a sheepish smile and didn't dare to mention the money again.

Although Qin Jingru's big brother was the eldest in the family,

the one who made the decisions was still Qin's father.

And the one Qin's father loved most was his daughter, Qin Jingru.

"Dad! Mom!"

"When can we eat the mung bean cakes?"

Qin's third child stared greedily at the pastries on the table.

These were the gifts brought by Cao Weiguo.

Qin's father opened the kraft paper: "I'll divide them for you!"

"One piece each! No one is allowed to take more!"

"Eldest, yours! Second, yours..."

"Keep the rest for the New Year."

Qin's father divided the mung bean cakes, and everyone ate them with great relish.

Qin's mother picked up the white sugar with a smile:

"This Director Cao is truly a decent person."

"This white sugar is enough for our family to eat for several months."

The second child said with shining eyes: "Jingru! Is this Director Cao married?"

"If he's not married, you need to put in more effort."

"If you can marry him, you'll enjoy a life of luxury for the rest of your days."

Qin Jingru suddenly felt the mung bean cake in her mouth wasn't sweet anymore: