Chapter 103: Le’er Takes Action

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Le’er bought two bottles of Guogong wine at the small shop. The wine was inexpensive, but middle-aged and elderly people favored this kind of liquor. Carrying the wine, she headed toward Tao Shiliang’s house. She originally planned to go alone, but the two girls insisted on coming along. Feng Shuya said she wanted to learn how Le’er dealt with Old Bull Tendon.

Old Bull Tendon Tao Shiliang’s home was to the west of Shangtao Village, backed by rocky hills. The yard wasn’t large; two two-story concrete buildings flanked the old house. Next to the old house were the cattle and pig pens, and in front was the yard, though it was not enclosed. When Le’er arrived, the old man was stacking straw.

During snowy winters, cattle couldn’t be let loose on the hills, so straw became the main feed. On sunny days like this, the straw had to be piled into stacks. A post was set in the center of the stack, and small bundles of straw were arranged around it. The old man stood atop the stack, while his wife tossed bundles up to him from below.

“Tao Erbie, stacking straw?”

Tao Shiliang’s face darkened when he saw Le’er arrive with the two girls and enter the yard.

“Le’er, wild kid, are you here to talk about the road again?” The old man’s tone was sour. “Listen to me, unless you want to kill this old man, don’t even think about it.”

“Ah… you old stubborn mule, can’t you be reasonable?” Le’er laughed brightly. “I’m here to help you stack the straw, can’t I?”

“You got such good intentions?” The old man showed no mercy. “You little bastard, like a weasel wishing a hen a happy New Year.”

Le’er ignored him and went over to the old woman who was tossing straw.

“Second aunt, let me do this.”

“Hehe, Le’er, then I’ll trouble you.” She smiled and went back inside.

“Hey, old woman, where are you going? Don’t let that wild Le’er do it, he’s got no good intentions.”

The old woman ignored him and went inside to cook pig feed. Le’er picked up the straw and tossed it up with ease. The old man had no choice but to catch it and pile it up.

“Le’er, wild kid, even if you work with me, I won’t go easy on you.”

“Old stubborn mule, can’t you be less hateful?” Le’er retorted without holding back, tossing bundles quickly. “Catch them, don’t let me knock you down.”

Le’er’s tossing was so fast that the old man had no time to retort. The two girls sat on nearby straw bundles, smiling as they watched the old and young bicker while working. Before long, the straw stack was finished — about four meters high, round and pillar-shaped, topped with a pointed peak like a roof.

“Le’er, wild kid, bring me the ladder.”

“Hehe… old stubborn mule, you can go drink the northwest wind up there first.”

“You little thief, if you don’t bring the ladder soon, I’ll come down and hit you with the pipe.”

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Though joking, Le’er still fetched the ladder. The old man climbed down, and Le’er immediately handed him a cigarette. The old man waved it away, took up a tobacco pipe nearby, and began packing it with dry tobacco. Le’er didn’t get angry; he lit his own cigarette and even helped light the old man’s.

“You even brought wine?” The old man puffed on his pipe. “Better take it back, you little bastard, I don’t want any.”

“Are you kidding? Do you think I’m bringing it back?” Le’er laughed, puffing on his smoke. He wasn’t addicted but occasionally smoked. “Whether you show me face or not, it’s none of your business that I brought wine. Didn’t I already give gifts when I drank at your family’s wedding banquet? Consider this a make-up gift.”

“You little bastard, when have you ever given gifts at weddings? Always eating and drinking for free.”

The old man laughed too. The old Le’er had been a little rogue, always showing up at wedding banquets and sitting proudly at the table, eating like one of their own without ever bringing a gift.

The old man probably liked that version of Le’er better.

“Didn’t you used to be broke?”

“Oh… now I have money, coming to bully this old stubborn mule?”

The old man tapped his pipe sharply. “This old stubborn mule isn’t so easy to bully.”

“Well, old stubborn mule, can’t you be reasonable?” Le’er glared at him. “Little bastard, I’m good friends with Qiangzai, how could I bully you?”

“You’re friends with Qiangzai? What does that have to do with me?” The old man stiffened. “If you want money, do you want me to give up the mountain for your road? Is there such a thing in this world?”

The old man looked up at the sky, no longer looking at Le’er. Le’er wasn’t angry at all, just smiling. He knew the old man’s stubborn temperament. He was like a cat: if you stroke the fur the right way, he’s easy to talk to; if you go against him, he’ll immediately kick you out.

Le’er handed him another cigarette; this time the old man accepted it. Le’er quickly lit his pipe.

“Old stubborn mule, you don’t like my money?”

“Uh… I don’t dislike your money,” the old man glared. “If you don’t want money, what’s it got to do with me?”

“If I have money, it’s good for you too — I can buy you wine.” Le’er scooted closer. “Not to mention far-off things, just soon I’m going to start a project. If Tiger Zai, Gang Zai, and Qiang Zai come work for me, they can not only take care of the family work but also earn more money. Don’t you think that’s good for you? And farther down the road, once I raise snakes well and teach everyone, making tens of thousands a year won’t be a problem. Don’t you think that benefits you?”

Le’er smiled brightly. The old man was somewhat tempted.

“Really can make more money than in Guangzhou?” The old man was skeptical. “You have that much money?”

“Our company’s registered capital is three and a half million. Enough?”

“Three and a half million? You’ve got that much?”

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The old man didn’t know exactly how much three and a half million was, but he had heard that Sha Qiang had made over a million and was already the richest in the village — and even kept a mistress. He was clearly tempted, but with his old Bull Tendon temperament, it was impossible to get him to admit it outright.

“That still won’t do. My mountain is not for building roads.”

“Old stubborn mule, don’t regret this later.” Le’er smiled softly. “Next time you come to me, if you don’t bring an old hen, I won’t agree.”

“I… I won’t regret it, you little bastard, I’ve never wasted money.”

“All right, tomorrow I’ll go see big sister and her husband, let’s see if you can keep that stubborn mouth of yours.” Le’er stood up, still grinning. “Remember, when you come to me, bring the old hen.”

“You little bastard, I won’t give you even a feather.”

The old man was furious, watching Le’er and the two girls leave the yard. Deep down, he felt some regret. It would be strange if he weren’t tempted. His three sons worked outside, and there was plenty of farm work at home, especially during busy seasons when they had to come back. Traveling back and forth wasted time and money.

But his stubborn temper wouldn’t let him change his mind so easily.

“Le’er, haven’t you convinced him yet?” Feng Shuya frowned. “That old man can only be dealt with by force.”

“Who says I haven’t convinced him?” Le’er smiled.

“He didn’t agree, did he?”

“He didn’t say yes with his mouth, but his heart already agreed.” Le’er glanced back at Tao Shiliang’s house. “With his stubborn temperament, if he agreed so easily, that’d be strange. But don’t worry, we’ve got the old hen figured out.”

“Don’t talk big,” Feng Shuya was still skeptical.

“Tomorrow we’ll go see Tao Taotao.” Le’er said mysteriously. “She’s his soft spot. He listens to no one but Tao Taotao. Once we convince her, we’ll have the old hen in hand.”

Tao Taotao was Tao Shiliang’s daughter. After graduating from a technical school, she worked as a civil servant in the city. She was the old man’s pride; Tao Taotao’s words were like royal decrees to him. Feng Shuya was half convinced but thought it wouldn’t hurt to meet Tao Taotao. She heard Tao’s husband worked at the city TV station, so meeting him might be beneficial.

The TV station was a minor office, not impressive, but establishing connections could only help. Le’er was right: if you can avoid force, why not? If you can solve problems and gain useful connections, all the better.