Transmigrated Leftover Woman in Rural Style

Chapter 162 Picking Chili Peppers

After seeing Sang Moyun off, Li Xiaonuan suddenly felt like laughing out loud. When did she become a savior? First Zhou Liufeng, then Chi Yao, and now Wei Yu and Sang Moyun.

The most ridiculous thing is that Li Xiaonuan even thinks about helping everyone in the village live a better life, even though very few people in the village are truly poor. Isn't this the behavior of a saint? Since when did she start positioning herself in this way?

Thinking about it, Li Xiaonuan realized she was truly being selfish. Her desire to build a large ecological estate meant enduring the villagers' envy and jealousy. But to avoid unnecessary trouble, she devised the Shangri-La plan.

Furthermore, her entanglement with Wei Yu and his group was unavoidable. Li Xiaonuan only helped them to ensure her family's safety. As for Zhou Liufeng, that was for Granny Yu's sake.

That evening, Old Song arrived with Da Bao and Er Bao. Li Xiaonuan was somewhat surprised; she hadn't expected Old Song to be such an impatient person.

"Xiao Nuan, I heard from Da Bao that you were looking for me, so I came." Old Song sat there awkwardly, looking somewhat apprehensive.

Li Xiaonuan looked at Da Bao and Er Bao, who were nestled on either side of Old Song, and explained with a smile, "Grandpa Song, I don't actually have anything important to ask you. It's just that recently, there are more and more chili peppers in the field, and no one is helping to pick them. So, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to help me pick them."

Da Bao looked at Er Bao and asked first, "Sister Xiao Nuan, I'll go help you harvest the chilies. Er Bao is too little, can he stay at home?"

Old Song agreed with Da Bao: "Yes, Er Bao can't pick chili peppers, and he doesn't know how. I'll go with Da Bao." What he was thinking was that if they couldn't set up a stall on the street, their family would run out of food.

Li Xiaonuan knew what they were worried about: "Grandpa Song, Dabao, don't worry. Picking chili peppers isn't scary at all. I'll give you a small pair of scissors, you just need to cut off the ripe peppers. You don't need to use your hands. I've also prepared gloves for each of you, so you won't get burned by the spiciness."

Erbao said in a childish voice, "Erbao is not afraid of pain. Erbao is a very good girl and can help her sister pick chili peppers."

Li Xiaonuan smiled as she looked at the well-behaved and sensible Erbao, but she couldn't help but find his thin face pleasing to the eye. A four or five-year-old child should be cute and adorable, but apart from his voice, he completely lacked the qualities of a child.

“Erbao is so great. I like Erbao, so let Erbao help me pick chili peppers, okay?” Li Xiaonuan asked him deliberately.

“Yes, Erbao is so capable! Erbao is picking chili peppers. Sister, my grandpa still needs to go to the street to set up a stall to earn copper coins to buy rice. Erbao is helping sister pick chili peppers, so sister can let grandpa go to the street to set up a stall.” Erbao said to Li Xiaonuan, counting on his fingers.

“Erbao, don’t talk like a child. It’s okay if Grandpa doesn’t set up his stall on the street for now, we still have rice at home. Grandpa can set up his stall on the street after we finish the rice. Xiaonuan, can you let Grandpa set up his stall then? I’ll pick Grandpa’s share of chilies, okay?” Dabao asked, tugging at his clothes.

Old Song patted Da Bao and Er Bao's heads and said to Li Xiaonuan with difficulty, "Xiaonuan, Grandpa's family depends on Grandpa setting up a stall on the street to earn rice. So, could Grandpa set up a stall on the street every few days? Grandpa promises that it won't interfere with picking chili peppers."

Only then did Li Xiaonuan realize what the grandfather and grandson were worried about.

“Grandpa Song, Xiao Nuan hired you to pick chili peppers, and you’re paid. So, stop thinking about setting up a stall all the time. I guarantee you’ll earn more money picking chili peppers than you would from setting up a stall,” Li Xiao Nuan quickly explained.

Old Song was stunned, staring at Li Xiaonuan in disbelief. After a long while, he finally said, "Xiaonuan, this...this shouldn't be happening."

“Grandpa Song, we have a lot more land, and my dad can’t manage it all by himself. That’s why we want to hire people to pick the chili peppers. Also, you’re the ones we hired to pick the chili peppers, so you should get paid,” Li Xiaonuan said.

In the end, Old Song agreed to pick the chili peppers. Of course, he didn't think he could earn many copper coins picking chili peppers. He just considered it a way of thanking Li Xiaonuan.

Picking the chili peppers was just the first thing Li Xiaonuan planned; she actually had further plans. That was about the secluded paradise.

If the Shangri-La plan can proceed, then the village must have its own unique characteristics to attract visitors. Otherwise, once other villages follow suit and build pear orchards or peony gardens, Zhoucun will lose its luster.

Therefore, Li Xiaonuan thought of various crosstalk and skit performances, as well as stage plays. In short, compared to traditional opera, performances that are closer to real life should be more eye-catching.

And so, Li Xiaonuan thought of Old Song. After all, performers on stage might be illiterate or unable to write or draw. But they still needed to remember their lines and the script. Therefore, Old Song's existence was to teach those people to read, recite their lines, and memorize the script.

Although it's a bit early to start making such preparations now, judging from the proactive attitude of the village head and the clan chief, the Shangri-La plan is highly feasible.

If the Shangri-La plan ultimately proves unfeasible, Li Xiaonuan can still bring those small performances to the stage. However, anyone who wants to see them will have to buy a ticket.

Li Xiaonuan briefly explained the situation to Old Song so that he would have a general idea beforehand, and then she didn't go into any further detail. Old Song was a man of letters, and from Li Xiaonuan's brief explanation, he had grasped a great deal of important information.

Da Bao and Er Bao sat obediently to the side, listening and eating the tea, fruit, and snacks that Li Xiaonuan had specially prepared for them. After the two adults stopped talking, Da Bao said in a low voice, "Sister Xiaonuan, Da Bao can read too, and can help you too."

Erbao chimed in, "Yes, Erbao can read too, and Erbao will help too."

Li Xiaonuan looked at Old Song in surprise, and Old Song nodded helplessly. Li Xiaonuan thought about it and realized that Old Song was a scholar, so there was no reason for him not to teach his grandson.

"Okay, I'll ask Da Bao and Er Bao for help too, alright?" Li Xiaonuan chuckled.

Da Bao's pouting lips finally softened, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. Er Bao still looked bewildered, but answered in a clear voice, "Yes, help Xiao Nuan."

After seeing Old Song off, the Li family members sighed with regret. The old lady, in particular, kept saying how impressive Old Song used to be, and how he'd fallen so low. Father Li, however, was concerned about his two children, saying that if they could study hard, they would definitely amount to something.

From that day on, Old Song would bring his two grandsons to Li Xiaonuan's chili field every morning and evening, picking chilies. The three of them were paid by the pound each day, ten copper coins per pound. When Old Song received more than two hundred copper coins on the first day, he was a little hesitant to accept them.

The price of fresh chili peppers on the market is one tael of silver per pound, a price set by Wei Yu. And this fresh and in-demand commodity, chili peppers, can only be supplied by Zhoucun to the Binzhi Rugui Restaurant, and a small amount can only be sold to wealthy families.

As for the chili peppers from Li Xiaonuan's family, besides ensuring guests felt at home, some were even given to Yingkelai Restaurant. In just half a month, Yingkelai, with its high-quality dishes and service, rose to become one of the city's top restaurants.

Therefore, now is the peak season for chili peppers. Fewer people are growing them, demand is high, and prices are high.