Captain Ou was summoned early in the morning by Accountant Li and his three sons to handle the household registration split. Just as he had finished issuing the certificate, Li Zhengguo and his wife arrived.
His previously unpleasant expression immediately turned into a smile upon seeing Tian Jing, "This must be Zhengguo's young wife, right? I've heard your name spoken of with great reverence."
Tian Jing, sensing no mockery but rather a hint of teasing in his smile, replied, "Captain, you've likely heard of my infamous reputation, haven't you?"
"Hahaha." Captain Ou burst into laughter, then glanced sideways at Accountant Li, "Indeed, your notoriety is well-founded and skillfully executed. You've effectively demonstrated the correct way for members to reason with each other, and more importantly, ignited their drive for self-sufficiency. Excellent! What brings you here?"
"To obtain a certificate for household registration transfer," Li Zhengguo stated.
Captain Ou was, of course, aware of the incident involving Li Min the previous day. He presumed this couple was heading to the Shan family's compound.
"Zhengguo, if you need anything, don't hesitate to come to Uncle. I can offer some assistance. We must handle this matter properly. The most crucial thing is to keep your young wife here; spending a little extra money is inconsequential."
"Thank you, Captain Uncle. I will indeed transfer my wife's household registration."
"Good." Captain Ou quickly prepared the certificate, stamped it with a large red seal, and handed it to Li Zhengguo. "Go on, quickly."
"Thank you, Captain Uncle."
Li Zhengguo pulled Tian Jing out of the office, ignoring the other three occupants.
Li Aiguo's eyes followed them, and he was jolted back to reality by a sharp kick from Accountant Li.
He had been so lost in thought, captivated by Tian Jing's beauty, which surpassed all descriptions. He had never seen such a stunning girl. There wasn't a maiden in the entire Kushan Mountain area who could compare.
Seeing his younger son still in a daze, Accountant Li kicked him with added force. The pain snapped Li Aiguo fully back to his senses. "Dad."
"Hmph." Accountant Li let out a heavy snort before turning to Captain Ou to discuss the matter of selecting a homestead site.
Upon hearing this, Li Aiguo immediately rushed to the captain's side. "I want the homestead right next to Cousin Zhengguo's house."
"Aiguo!"
"Aiguo!"
Accountant Li and Li Jianguo exclaimed in unison.
"What's wrong?"
Li Aiguo turned back. "Dad, do you get to decide where the homestead is? Big Brother, you've never been competitive since childhood. Are you planning to fight for it this time?"
"Yes." Li Jianguo nodded. "Your sister-in-law mentioned yesterday that she wanted the homestead next to Zhengguo's. She said this before she fainted, and Dad, Mom, and everyone else heard it, including your wife. Whether you heard it or not, I don't know."
"Big Brother, Sister-in-law said it, and everyone heard it, but that doesn't mean it's a done deal. I haven't agreed to it."
Captain Ou waved his hand. "Get out and argue elsewhere. Both homesteads right next to Zhengguo's are already reserved. No, the third one is also reserved. Hurry and split your households; only then will you be eligible to choose. If you delay further, you might end up choosing plots further and further away."
"Nonsense." Li Aiguo became agitated upon hearing this. "We haven't heard of anyone in the village splitting their families. How could they be reserved? It must be..." Sudan Novel Network
"Slap!" A resounding slap landed on Li Aiguo's face, cutting him off.
Accountant Li's finger was almost at his younger son's nose, his face flushed with anger and shame.
"Who are you talking to? Who are you calling a liar? Even setting aside that Captain Ou is your elder, his position as captain means you cannot question his work. Now, get out."
Li Aiguo covered his face, disbelief in his eyes. "Dad? You hit me? You're doing this to fight for that homestead for Big Brother, aren't you?"
"Get out!" Accountant Li pointed at the door and roared at Li Aiguo. Then, clutching his chest, he collapsed weakly.
"Dad." Li Jianguo, quick as lightning, caught the collapsing Accountant Li and rushed outside.
Li Aiguo stood stunned, his hand still covering his face.
Captain Ou shook his head and sighed. He hadn't missed the way Li Aiguo had looked at Zhengguo's young wife earlier. He hadn't expected Li Aiguo to be such a deeply hidden pervert.
He recalled his wife secretly telling him about Li Aiguo frequently loitering around the educated youth point, which he had dismissed. It seemed he needed to be more vigilant. Well, not at the educated youth point, but at the end of the village.
With this thought, still uneasy, he got up, locked his drawer, and left the office, leaving the dazed Li Aiguo behind.
At the village Party Secretary's house, Captain Ou whispered to Village Party Secretary Yang Shukuan, who nodded repeatedly. "I'll have Lao Da take his two younger brothers to fence off land at the end of the village shortly. Accountant Li has fainted from anger, so who will go to measure it?"
"I'll go. Let's fence it off first, and Accountant Li will thank us both."
"Indeed, I should thank you too."
"Brother, you speak as if we're strangers. Your family already split their stove years ago, and your nephews have never been satisfied with the land at the end of the village. Now that things are about to heat up over there, I'm just offering a suggestion. Your two sons agreeing to it is a testament to your persuasion."
"Heh heh." Yang Shukuan beamed. "That's all thanks to Zhengguo's capable young wife. However, her appearance..."
"Brother, you might not trust my judgment of people, but surely you trust the character of your own grandchildren? The grandchildren are about to get married, living together, and there's no quarreling. It's evident they are all outstanding."
"If they build a good relationship with Li Zhengguo and perhaps learn a few skills from his wife, they won't have to worry about finding wives in the future."
"I heard the Niu family sifted the soil from their private plots, creating a half-meter depression, then dug from behind their house to replenish it. They learned these techniques from that Tian Jing."
"We'll see first. If it works out, we can't continue like this. How many years have passed? Only twenty-odd households have been added."
"Not to mention those who joined the army during the war, or those who starved to death during the great famine. Even if daughters always marry out and young men can't find wives, bachelors account for almost a quarter of the population. We can't expand the village."
"It's already difficult for our two families to find daughters-in-law. It's even harder for ordinary members. Every time there's a meeting, I stand at the back, enduring their pointed remarks and ridicule about our Kushan Mountain."
"If this seemingly cumbersome method can improve the land, Party Secretary Brother, I intend to turn a blind eye and let them tinker with it."
"If someone intends to continue cultivating the wasteland in front of their homes, I won't interfere. Everyone needs a way to survive. When there are results, we can find an excuse to have the production team's land also tended by the members."
"After all, everyone is idle after the autumn harvest. We can add some work points and improve the land, even planting an extra season of cabbage and radishes."
"Alas~" Secretary Yang sighed heavily. "I agree with your idea. We let them cultivate it before because they couldn't produce. If they can produce now, of course, we should let them continue. We'll see the results first. If the results are poor, we'll turn a blind eye. If they are good, it would be more appropriate to ask them to pay some public grain."
"Yes, I'll follow your lead, Brother. This year we're watching the Niu family. Next year, we'll see how many families participate. It will take until the year after next to see significant results."
After their whispered conversation, they went their separate ways.