I Got Rich in Period Fiction-Chapter 379: The Ancestral Master Provides a Meal

It wasn’t just about education, other areas were likewise.

Feifei had good body coordination and loved to dance, and Doudou, though mischievous, had learned to play the harmonica before even starting school, showing a great talent for music.

In the countryside, this wasn’t really a big deal, especially for Qiao Family Team; despite being a rural area, there were many who were skilled in playing drums, suona, flutes, and even the erhu.

But what could that amount to? It was just entertainment within their own small land.

Yet, Yun City actually had specialized schools.

Coming from there, they were artists.

Going to Yun City, was beneficial for the children’s growth.

Qiao Qingyu understood his elder brother’s thinking, but if this place really turned into Xiao Kang Village, yet they lost their own father, mother, and elder brother’s house, that wouldn’t be interesting at all.

"Big brother, big sister-in-law, we Qiao Family Team must certainly become the first Xiao Kang model village in the province and even the whole country. Whatever others ask you, just say you don’t know..."

He then began to describe the future prospects of Qiao Family Team with them.

This was the first time Qiao Genbao had heard his younger sister formally discussing this matter with them.

Niu Guili even seemed to hold her breath beside them.

If it really could become such a village, then they would be workers, they could live in two-story western-style buildings, why would they need to go to the city? The city wasn’t as good as this place.

Cement roads, schools, health clinics, shops, two-story western-style buildings, each home having warm kangs.

They couldn’t leave, they hadn’t left even when they were poor; now that they were about to turn things around, they certainly couldn’t leave!

Qiao Qingyu gave some instructions and then said, "Just discuss Doudou and Feifei’s schooling with mom and dad."

Qiao Genbao nodded, "Dad wants to send them to school in Yun City."

Niu Guili was somewhat reluctant to let go but didn’t speak.

Qiao Qingyu didn’t interfere anymore, saying, "You decide for yourself."

She then returned to her own room and started to formulate a more detailed plan.

Of course, she couldn’t take on everything; that would exhaust her.

The seed breeding base application was left to the commune and the county. Once they prepared all the necessary materials, she personally would go to Beijing to submit them.

After that, she went back to Xichuan to continue her studies.

She had been away for several days and if she didn’t return soon, she would fall behind in her courses.

...

The next morning, Old Lady Qiao, looking refreshed, came to Qiao Genbao’s house carrying a large basin of steamed buns.

She then talked about the previous day’s events.

Old Lady Qiao asked Qiao Qingyu, "Qingyu, tell grandma the truth, you didn’t promise your second uncle anything, did you?"

Qiao Qingyu shook her head, "No?"

"That’s good, that’s good, don’t agree too easily. It’s not easy for you, being so young and handling such big responsibilities, still having to study and take care of the family. It’s not easy at all; it makes grandma’s heart ache, and she can’t even help you much."

"Grandma, it’s fine, it’s not as hard as you say. Sometimes it’s just about making plans, and others do the actual work."

"Did Uncle Second talk to you about something?" he asked out of curiosity.

Old Lady Qiao told Qiao Qingyu about the previous night when Qiao Zhihai and Wang Mei had knelt down to ask for their forgiveness, vowing to return the money and even writing an IOU.

And she mentioned that Da Niu’s marriage didn’t count at all.

Qiao Qingyu thought to herself that this must have been triggered by Wu Hong’s people wanting to repair the road and bringing along the construction team.

However, if the local construction team really had the capability, she wouldn’t mind supporting them because there would definitely be no shortage of construction sites in the future.

She then asked about the contractor team brought up by her grandmother and Li Tie.

Old Lady Qiao didn’t really know about it, but Qiao Genbao was well aware and interjected, "Qingyu, Uncle Li’s contractor team is quite skilled. I’ve heard Brother Tianbao say that they have a good reputation in the county town for building houses quickly with good quality and without cheating the homeowners out of their money."

"What about Uncle Second? What can he do?"

Old Lady Qiao sighed, "I’m not speaking up for that bastard, but your Uncle Second learned masonry when he was young and even took on a master. His master was impressed with him, saying he was naturally talented with bricks and tiles, and destined to be fed by this trade. He even planned to marry his daughter to him. But, your Uncle’s senior brother also fancied the old mason’s daughter and framed your Uncle Second for stealing his master’s money. Your Uncle was beaten by his master and then kicked out..."

Qiao Qingyu was taken aback; she hadn’t expected to hear this.

"Grandma, how old was Uncle Second that year?"

Old Lady Qiao thought for a moment, "He was sixteen that year, and since then, he has never touched brick, tile, or wood again. When it comes to building houses, he avoids it if possible."

This made Old Lady Qiao feel uneasy too.

To avoid this line of work all his life and then step back into it in his fifties probably made him feel like he had backing and support.

Mr. Wu doesn’t recognize him, but her second son really considers Mr. Wu as family.

But he was just a hot-headed fool.

Qiao Qingyu pondered for a moment; these past few days, Li Tie seemed to have something to say but hesitated, afraid to approach her, probably worried about annoying her.

Qiao Qingyu then told her older brother, "Big brother, bring Uncle Li here and tell him I need to talk to him."

Qiao Genbao didn’t overthink it. His sister’s mind was sharper than his, so he turned around and went to find Li Tie.

Li Tie had been extremely anxious these past few days, and he was surprised when Qiao Genbao knocked on his door, saying Qiao Qingyu wanted to see him.

Li Tie hesitated, then realizing what was said, he didn’t even have time to put on his coat, just slipping on his shoes and heading to Qiao Genbao’s house. It was his wife who caught up and helped him put on his coat.

Once at Qiao Genbao’s house, Qiao Qingyu handed him a piece of paper. Being a junior high school graduate, she said, "Uncle Li, write down the basic information of your contractor team members, their years in the construction industry, how many houses you’ve built since the team was formed, the size and quality of these houses—make it clear."

Li Tie looked at Qiao Qingyu with hopeful eyes, "Qingyu, are you asking Uncle Li to write this because there is work for me?"

"Write it first, Uncle Li, and I’ll discuss it with you after I read it."

Scheng then had Qiao Genbao stay with Li Tie at home, while she took her grandmother back to the old house.

Upon returning to the old house, she clearly felt that the previously oppressive atmosphere had been swept away. So, despite Qiao Zhihai being such a scoundrel, in the hearts of the old master and Old Lady Qiao, he was still their second son.

Unless he turned utterly inhuman, they would never give up on him.

Qiao Qingyu went to the west wing room to look at Qiao Shengbao’s handicrafts.

Now that it was time for spring plowing, every household was busy. Only two young men were learning weaving with him.

These items weren’t mass-produced; meticulous work yields fine products, with an emphasis on quality and innovation.