Chapter 107: Tao Shiliang's Hen

Old Man Tao Shiliang really came to Le'er’s house carrying an old hen. Along the way, people were a bit surprised to see him holding the bird.

"Old man, where are you taking that hen?"

He held a certain amount of prestige in the village. Though stubborn, he was upright, his family was well-off, and his daughter and son-in-law worked in the city. Aside from Tao Shiren, his family was the most prominent.

"Eh, I'm taking it to that wild brat, Le'er," the old man didn't hide his intentions. "Damn it, I’m really bringing him a hen to eat. My Xinghua came back and said that Le'er is actually doing a good thing for our village. As long as his snake farm gets off the ground, we’ll all benefit."

"You old goat, you were cursing him just two days ago," an elder teased him. "So fast to change your tune? Trying to butter him up now that he's going to be rich?"

"Shut your trap, you damn old fool. Do I look like the type to grovel?" the old man flared up. "Xinghua makes sense. My stubbornness got the better of me a few days ago, and I didn't think it through. If every family can make several tens of thousands more in the future, aren't you happy? Or are you afraid of money?"

"Is there really such a good deal?" People were skeptical.

"Would my Xinghua lie?" The old man looked disdainful. "What do you know? My Xinghua is from the TV station. The people you see on TV are all put there by him. Could he be wrong?"

Everyone burst into laughter. However, after the old man’s explanation, they felt a bit more confident.

"If nothing else, Le'er is about to start his snake farm. That’s a huge mountain, a massive project. It’ll take a lot of people to work it. I’ve already called my son Qiang back to help him. Le'er said it would definitely pay more than working outside. Isn't that a good thing right in front of us?"

"Hmm..." The other old men were tempted. "That’s true. But who knows if Le'er can really pay that much? If we work and don't get paid, wouldn't it be all for nothing?"

"Are you blind?" The old man sat down, and the group lit up cigarettes. "Damn it, you’re so thick-headed. Let alone Le'er, the girl who came with him is a big boss. How could she not have money if she drives a car like that? I heard it’s much better than Sha Qiang’s car. And that big boss who came a few days ago brought two cars at once. How could they be broke?"

More and more people gathered, and the atmosphere grew lively. The women joined the chatter too. With the old man’s promotion, everyone started considering bringing their husbands or sons back. Especially the women—their men barely came home once or twice a year, and they slept in cold beds every night. Who wouldn't be tempted?

"I’m off, I’m off. You damn lot are holding me up," the old man stood up. "If you want to work for Le'er, hurry up and bring him a hen. I’m afraid there won't be any spots left if you’re late."

The old man walked proudly toward Le'er's house, leaving behind a group of expectant elders and wives. The wives, in particular, were eager to have their men return.

"Le'er... Le'er, open up!" The old man arrived at the courtyard. Six or seven carpenters were working for Le'er in the yard. The gate was open, but the yellow dog stood at the entrance, barking wildly at him. "Get lost, you damn dog!"

"Old Man Shiliang, are you bringing a hen for Le'er?" Carpenter Luo, an old friend, laughed. "Come on, have a smoke first."

Le'er came out and shooed the dog away. "Second Uncle Tao, are you really giving me a hen?" Le'er laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" Shiliang handed over the chicken and took the cigarette from Carpenter Luo. Le'er put the chicken in a cage. Li Ying walked out, and seeing Le'er put the hen in the cage, she frowned.

"Le'er, are you really taking the old hen?"

"Of course," Le'er laughed happily. "Old man's hens are a rarity. It’d be a waste not to eat it."

"You're a greedy one," Li Ying said, having picked up some local dialect. "Isn't it hard for the old man to raise a chicken?"

"Hard or not, it's at my doorstep. If I don't accept it, the old man will blame me," Le'er said nonchalantly. "Hey, old man, you have plenty of chickens to give away two at once."

Shiliang and Carpenter Luo were chatting happily. Hearing this, he glared at Le'er. "You greedy little brat, the other one is for Director Feng. I feel bad for her; she's such a good girl, and I blamed her for no reason. I’m too embarrassed to see her, so you give it to her for me."

"Sister, call Teacher Feng over for dinner. This hen counts as her treat," Le'er said, handing cigarettes to the two old men squatting on the ground. "Old man, stay for lunch. I'll have Uncle and Carpenter Luo keep you company. Since you brought the hen, you should have a piece yourself."

With the carpenters there, the aunt was already cooking. Le'er had her prepare the best hen along with some cured dog meat. Soon, Feng Shuya and the uncle arrived. Feng Shuya and Li Ying chatted in the living room, while the uncle and Old Man Shiliang sipped coarse tea and smoked in the main room.

The meal was served at two tables—one in the main room and one in the yard for the carpenters. There was chicken, fish, and dog meat. The men drank aged rice wine, and the girls had sweet wine.

"Le'er, this cured dog meat is fragrant," Carpenter Luo remarked. The girls froze, looking at Le'er with dark expressions.

"Le'er, didn't you say this was rabbit?" Li Ying challenged him, using her practiced local dialect. "You little devil, you deserve a beating."

"Sister... isn't cured dog meat and rabbit meat about the same? I was afraid you wouldn't eat it... don't hit me, I won't lie again!"

The others roared with laughter. The girls didn't have a huge reaction, but they stopped reaching for the dog meat. Le'er was frustrated—why were girls so resistant to dog meat? Would it kill them?

The girls finished quickly and went back to the living room for tea, leaving the men to continue drinking. After several pounds of wine, everyone was red-faced.

"Le'er... Le'er..." A loud voice called from outside—it was Sister Taohong. Before Le'er could even go out, two women burst in, each holding an old hen. The dog knew them well and didn't bark.

"Sister Taohong, Sister Guihua, what are you doing with those hens?"

"Of course, we have a favor to ask," Taohong said breezily. "I heard you’re hiring. I’m here to secure a good spot for my Dahai."

"Oh... you didn't have to bring hens. We're all family... heh... have a drink first. Is Sister Guihua here for the same thing?"

Le'er took the hens and put them in the cage. The women sat down, and Le'er poured them big bowls of wine. The old men ignored them, continuing their tea and banter.

"Le'er, what work will you give Dahai and Youfu?"

"Dahai and Youfu are stonemasons. The Snake Mountain needs rock clearing. Let them lead a crew for that," Le'er said. He had discussed with Li Ying that they needed to start construction before winter. "Call them and tell them to come back soon."

"Alright," Taohong said quickly. "You better pay well!"

"Would I cheat my own brothers?"

The two sisters left as quickly as they arrived. Once they spread the word in the village, it caused a stir. Soon, over a dozen people arrived, each carrying a hen. Le'er accepted them all with a smile. Then, people from Upper Tao Village arrived, none coming empty-handed. It was incredibly lively.

With forty or fifty hens, Le'er’s cages weren't enough. Uncle went home to get more. The chickens clucked happily, and the donors went home satisfied.

"Le'er, are you starting a chicken farm?" Feng Shuya and Li Ying walked out, laughing.

"Heh... they're all neighbors. It wouldn't be right to refuse," Le'er feigned helplessness. "It's our custom. Giving a hen is the highest gesture of respect. If I don't accept, they’ll think I look down on them. See how happy they are?"

"You're a real devil," Li Ying said in local dialect. "More cunning than a fox. With this many chickens, you practically have a farm."

The clucking in the yard was deafening and smelly. Le'er moved them to the back.

"Uncle Luo, help me find some old furniture, and I'll give you two chickens," Le'er smiled. "Whatever you think is good, just buy it for me. The rooms upstairs are empty."

"Alright."

"I'll give you the money now. Collect whatever you see—old copper pots, kettles, or old thread-bound books. My sister likes those things. Even if they're broken, it's fine."

Le'er handed over a thousand yuan to Carpenter Luo. With so much going on, he didn't have time to hunt for antiques himself.