Chapter 110: Li Ying's Troubles

Luo Yinxiang left for home after the meal, looking back with every step, her heart heavy with sorrow. After she departed, Li Ying fell into deep contemplation.

It is only natural for anyone to be troubled by such a situation. Li Ying was a woman of keen observation; every movement of Luo Yinxiang’s had been etched into her mind. Her sorrow, her lingering resentment, the way she seemed to have nowhere to voice her grievances, and the tenderness in her eyes when she looked at Le’er—all these signs clearly told her that their relationship was far from ordinary.

She had traveled thousands of miles from Guangzhou to live with Le’er as if they were husband and wife. Now that she had discovered he had an ambiguous relationship with another woman, what was she to do? Should she leave, or stay?

Le’er dared not disturb her, nor did he dare enter the house. Though he appeared to be a somewhat coarse country youth, he possessed a sensitive and delicate heart. He sensed the shift in Li Ying’s demeanor, sensing her distress and melancholy. Yet, not knowing how to handle it, he could only pace back and forth outside, as if he had lost his soul.

"Le’er, stop pacing. It’s making my mind a mess."

Le’er’s footsteps only added to the chaos in Li Ying’s heart. His pacing conveyed his unease, his frustration, and his helplessness. This agitation only made her own heart more restless.

"Mm..."

Le’er stopped and sat down on a small stool in the courtyard. The yellow dog sat opposite him, watching him quietly, occasionally biting at an itch on its body. The winter sun shone upon him, warm and pleasant; feeling a bit hot, he took off his outer jacket. Looking out from the yard, although many trees on the mountains had shed their leaves—mostly broad-leafed trees like tung and ailanthus—the evergreens, such as cypress, masson pine, and cedar, remained lush. Swaying in the cold wind and set against the backdrop of withered yellow grass, they appeared all the more vibrant.

Li Ying walked out.

"Sister..."

Le’er looked at her, a pitiable, charming smile on his face, though it was tinged with sadness.

"Let’s go. Let’s head over to Shepan Mountain to take a look."

"Alright."

Le’er followed happily behind Li Ying. The yellow dog let out a soft bark and followed them as well. The road had already been completed, and they walked along it toward Shepan Mountain. People they met on the way greeted them with smiles.

The mountains were lush, though the fields showed the austerity of winter. Yet, the plots planted with rapeseed, wheat, and green manure were full of life. That vibrant green was truly a delight to behold.

Looking at the vitality of the fields, Li Ying seemed to regain her usual cheer and liveliness.

"Le’er, would you tell me about Luo Yinxiang?" Li Ying asked with a smile.

"What is there to say?" Le’er’s face flushed red. "That damn woman—well, it’s hard to talk about."

Le’er had used a coarse term quite naturally.

"Why is it hard to talk about?" Li Ying did not rebuke him for the profanity, seeming to understand his inner turmoil. "Just tell me why she had to get a divorce."

"Divorce?" Le’er kicked a pebble with some irritation. "It was all because of that bastard Sha Jinhai. While he was working away, he openly moved in with a prostitute..."

Le’er recounted in detail how Luo Yinxiang had left home without a penny after discovering Sha Jinhai’s infidelity, nearly starving on the streets of Guangzhou. He explained how he had saved her, though he stopped the story there, leaving out what followed.

Hearing this, and recalling that this was the exact time Le’er had left her and Foshan, Li Ying’s face flushed slightly. She sighed, thinking how months had passed in the blink of an eye, and now she was walking by his side, living together as a couple.

"How could that Sha Jinhai be so wicked?" Le’er’s words stirred sympathy in Li Ying for Luo Yinxiang. "She is so pitiful. How could she be so foolish? If you hadn’t run into her by chance, she might have truly died in Guangzhou."

"That’s right. If not, why would she have divorced him?" Le’er sighed. Saving Luo Yinxiang had led to so many complications; otherwise, things wouldn’t be so awkward now.

"Looking at her now, she seems like such a strong person. How could she have been so foolish back then?"

"She was heartbroken to the core." Le’er kicked another stone, which flew far and struck a cypress tree with a thud. "She used to be the most gentle wife in our village. Everyone spoke well of her. She treated Sha Jinhai with nothing but kindness, always bowing her head to work without causing any trouble. Sha Jinhai is simply not a human being."

"Tell me her story from before."

Li Ying seemed to have developed a deep interest in Luo Yinxiang. Le’er described in detail how she had secretly pledged her life to Sha Jinhai and married him against her family's wishes. By the time he finished, he noticed tears welling up in the corners of Li Ying’s eyes.

"Sister, what’s wrong?"

"Luo Yinxiang’s story is so moving," Li Ying said, wiping her eyes. "And so tragic. A girl who dared to love and hate so fiercely, only to marry a heartless ingrate."

"True." Le’er nodded. "In the past, no matter how much Sha Jinhai hit or scolded her, she loved him. That bastard! He was a lazy man. During the busy farming season, he was afraid of the sun and would hide in the house with a novel to stay cool, while Luo Yinxiang worked in the fields without a single complaint. When she got home, she would still cook him delicious meals. He really is a heartless dog."

Watching Le’er’s indignant expression, Li Ying smiled gently.

"And what about you? You wouldn't be a heartless person, would you?"

"How could I be? If I were heartless, may the heavens strike me down!"

"Who asked you to swear an oath!"

Though she said this, Li Ying felt a sweetness in her heart, yet the shadow of melancholy returned to her brow. If he had a heart for her, what about Luo Yinxiang? She recalled the words of the physiognomist brought by Boss Hong, who said Le’er was very popular with women—it seemed the man was right.

As they talked, they arrived at Shepan Mountain without realizing it. The three technicians sent by Boss Hong were still measuring and designing. There was no need for overly precise design here; the main task was to divide the mountain into zones: dormitories, feed production, and the snake farm itself. The snake farming area occupied the largest space, further divided into venomous and non-venomous sections.

"Boss Sha, Boss Li, you’re here."

The technicians greeted them. Le’er brought out cigarettes and handed them over, while Li Ying thanked them for their hard work. The technicians spread out the blueprints on the ground to explain the site layout.

Being professionals, their design was impeccable. The entire farm included three barren ponds, which could be used to raise frogs and fish, and would be expanded. The main gate would open to the north of the ponds, where the feed production area would be located—including zones for white mice, quail, fly maggots, mealworms, and protein powder drying. To the west would be the incubation area, and the snake-rearing area would occupy the mountain top to the southeast.

"Bosses, the construction for this farm can start now."

Li Ying looked at Le’er. She wasn't familiar with the locals, so recruiting labor was up to him. Most of the people were working elsewhere, and they would have to wait for the young and able-bodied to return.

"The workforce will be back from the cities soon. We can probably start in five or six days," Le’er said, looking up from the blueprints with a furrowed brow. "Fifty or sixty people will be back in the next few days. I’ll contract out the various projects and set deadlines so we won’t miss the start of the snake farming season next year."

"The feed production area should be built first," Li Ying said. "It must be completed before March of next year. We’ll need the feed as soon as the snake hatchlings arrive. Le’er, you must hurry."

"Understood." Le’er looked at Li Ying. "I plan to quarry stone right across the way. I’ve already spoken to Party Secretary Tao and Director Feng. That rocky hill is close, which will save on labor and costs. The demand for gravel will be high. As for bricks, I’ll buy them from the town kiln. Mayor Wang Zhaowei has already spoken to me and will act as a middleman to get us a better price."

Li Ying looked at the rocky hill. It was indeed a good spot for a quarry, only about three hundred meters away, and the land in between was flat—though it was currently dry land planted with wheat.

"What about that wheat?" Li Ying knew how much the villagers cherished their land.

"That belongs to our Lower Sha Village. It belongs to Uncle Shenglong’s family. I’ve promised him five hundred yuan in compensation."

"Is five hundred enough?"

"It’s just for a path. Once we’re done, they can dig it back over and continue planting," Le’er smiled. "How much could this plot yield in one season? Uncle Shenglong is very happy about it. Even if I didn't give him money, he wouldn't have said a word."

He would entrust the quarrying to Tao Hong’s husband, Sha Dahai, and Guihua’s husband, Sha Youfu, who were both arriving home today. Uncle Shenggui, Aunt Ma, and Dalong were also coming back. He planned to assign the earthwork to Uncle Shenggui. Unlike other walls, the snake park's perimeter wall had to be dug half a meter into the ground and filled with cement and gravel. He would contract this task to the three Tao brothers, who would organize their own crew.

The brickwork required experts. He had already settled on the master craftsman who had built his house. They would handle the buildings, and Dalong would take on the wall; he was a bricklayer by trade and quite skilled.

The carpenter was already set, and Master Luo was very happy to help.

Everything was arranged, and he had discussed it all with Li Ying. The only thing missing was someone to manage the site’s accounts and finances. This person was crucial—a steward of sorts—and not even an official accountant might be up to the task. Managing the inflow and outflow of materials, such as measuring earthwork, recording bricks, cement, and steel, required someone trustworthy. He would entrust the physical management of materials to his uncle, but he still needed someone for the bookkeeping.

The two had been fretting over this for days.

"Le’er, do you think Luo Yinxiang is reliable?"

Li Ying had thought of Luo Yinxiang. Since Le’er had told her that she was a high school graduate, she should have no problem handling the accounts temporarily.

"This... she is certainly reliable."

Le’er trusted Luo Yinxiang, of course. He knew all too well that she was devoted to him; if he asked her to work herself to death, she wouldn’t even blink. He just didn't want to get involved with her again.

"Then let her help us manage the site's finances."

"But..."

"But what?" Li Ying knew what he was thinking and used a local phrase. "Do you have a better candidate?"

Le’er shook his head, his face full of gloom.