Witty Wife, Better Life-Chapter 855 - 845: Li Hongqi Returns

During the Spring Festival that year, while Shen Yunfang’s business was still expanding its territory, there was trouble again in Taoshu Village.

Li Hongqi, the most capable person in the Li Family, had returned.

It was only when Hongjun and his wife received a phone call from Wang Dan that they remembered this event.

Since Qiu Shuping died and the Zheng Family mother and daughter moved out of the Li Family home, no one in the Li Family had mentioned Li Hongqi’s name again.

Suddenly hearing that Li Hongqi had been released from prison, the couple was taken aback for a moment.

"Big sister, where is he going to live?" Yunfang saw Hongjun just frowning and had to ask herself.

After Qiu Shuping’s funeral, they had agreed that the eldest brother’s family would take care of Old Man Li and their family would provide the money, and the two rooms in the old Li family house would also go to the eldest brother’s family. Now that Li Hongqi had returned, if he were to live in the old house, the big sister would probably not be pleased.

"Where else could he live, if not in the old house? Does he have somewhere else to go?" Wang Dan said disdainfully, indicating that Li Hongqi’s return probably also brought about unpleasantness with the eldest brother’s family.

"So, you didn’t ask him what he meant, whether he’s staying temporarily or settling down back home?" Yunfang felt that Li Hongqi’s stay would be temporary because he was too proud to be content living in the countryside forever. He must be taking a break and also checking if Old Man Li still had any money to support him.

"Hmph, you know how he talks. He could convince you he could bring the dead to life; you can’t believe what he says. But I’m not afraid of him coming back. If he does as he says, just staying a few days and then leaving, that’s fine. But if he plans on staying longer, then I definitely need to have a word with him. If he wants the house, he can take over caring for Old Man Li. I’ve been serving Old Man Li for so many years, it’s time for this most filial son to show his duty," Wang Dan began to complain on the phone. "Oh, right, he didn’t come back alone. He brought his wife and mother-in-law with him."

Hongjun and his wife exchanged glances, realizing big sister no longer wanted to take care of Old Man Li. Usually, she couldn’t say it or let go of the money they provided, but now with another option, she hesitated. Moreover, the Zheng Family mother and daughter were really dedicated, having followed him back again. It was just not clear how three people plus Old Man Li, four people in total, would manage to live in just two rooms.

"Yes, big sister, you’re doing the right thing. We serve the elderly out of filial duty, not for those two shabby rooms. Honestly, you and big brother are strong laborers. If you spent the time you care for the elderly on farming instead, you could earn a much larger house," Yunfang understood big sister’s discontent, but if it were her, she probably couldn’t have held back for so long.

"Oh, Yunfang, you understand me so well. But farming isn’t that easy, either. Our side isn’t like your farm; everything turns into money," Wang Dan said, bashfully pleased with the praise.

She did occasionally communicate with her eldest son, who told her his second aunt Yunfang was impressive. This year, she had even hired foreigners to film a show, and somehow managed to sell all the farm’s products overseas, earning US Dollars.

"Listen to what your sister-in-law is saying. It’s the same everywhere. But if you don’t have any good projects, you might as well grow potatoes like my eldest sister’s family. When it’s time to harvest, bring them here. As long as the quality is up to standard, I’ll offer a better price than outsiders. I can’t make you rich, but if you take on more land and work hard for a few years, you might be able to build a spacious house to live in." Shen Yunfang was returning the favor.

A few years ago, she had gotten her elder sister’s family to rent fifty mu of land in their hometown, planning to grow potatoes. If they couldn’t handle the farm work themselves, they’d hire people during the busy seasons. When it was time to harvest, she would send trucks to transport the potatoes back. The first year, her elder sister’s family made over five thousand yuan. The next year, having tasted the sweetness of success and figured out the process, they boldly expanded their cultivation to two hundred mu. For their village, such a large-scale operation was unheard of. People didn’t know how much money they made but said Liu Jianjun and his spouse were crazy about making money, wondering who would buy so many potatoes.

Despite the gossips, the couple hired people and managed to plant potatoes on all two hundred mu, adding over twenty thousand yuan to their bank account that year.

They knew better than to show off their wealth. Although many people came to inquire, they never revealed how much they had made. If someone insisted, they would deflect by saying they were just making enough to get by.

After Liu Jianjun and his spouse had grown potatoes on large land parcels for three consecutive years, people realized they must be making money from it, or they wouldn’t keep planting year after year. While others understood the profits involved and wanted to get rich too, they struggled with the lack of a market; growing so many potatoes without ensuring timely sales meant storage would be a problem.

Wang Dan knew her elder sister’s family was growing potatoes, but had no idea it was so profitable. Just a few years of farming and they could build a house?

"Yunfang, what you’re saying is true, right? Your sister-in-law isn’t easily fooled, but if you say so, I’ll believe it," Wang Dan said excitedly on the phone, but she still made sure to clarify.

"Sister-in-law, don’t you know what kind of person I am? I have a processing plant that needs a lot of potatoes as raw materials. It’s indeed a bit troublesome for you to grow potatoes back in your hometown due to transportation issues, but since we’re really close relatives, I can’t bear to see my brothers and sisters struggling back home while I enjoy my life here. So, I’d rather spend more myself and earn less, just to ensure our families live well," Yunfang said, knowing that good deeds should be accompanied by kind words, or else who would understand her good intentions.

"Oh, Yunfang, I’ve always known you were good. We sisters-in-law have gotten along so well over the years; knowing you think of me makes me so happy. Don’t worry, I’ll discuss it with your elder brother. It’s too late for this year, but next year, we’ll definitely join you," Wang Dan laughed joyfully, as if she could see a better life waving at her.

"Then it’s settled. But sister-in-law, you’ll have to take care of Li Hongqi’s matter, since we’re far from home and can’t rush back if something happens..."

"Don’t worry. Li Hongqi’s issue is no big deal. Your elder brother and I can handle him. Just stay home and take care of yourself," Wang Dan said, cheerfully taking charge.

In fact, if she put her mind to it, the issue with Li Hongqi really wasn’t a big deal. Li Hongqi could only lay low at his hometown, now that his family was dwindling in number. In contrast, the Wang Family was large and influential. If Wang Dan called for support upon returning to her maternal home, it wouldn’t be a stretch to gather twenty or thirty strong young men.