Ever since Xiaoxiao took charge at home, the supply of meat never ran out. Xiaoxiao, a meat eater, would never let her family run out of meat.
So there was no need to buy anything special for gifts! Just grab two pounds of meat and go!
Upon arriving at the Village Chief’s house, she saw an old woman coming out, presumably the Village Chief’s wife whom her mother-in-law had mentioned!
"Hello, Village Chief’s wife, I am Yang Ming’s wife. I’ve come to speak with the Village Chief about something. Is he at home?" Xiaoxiao greeted her politely and handed the meat to the old woman.
The old woman, called "Village Chief’s wife" and seeing the meat, smiled broadly and quickly took the meat, though she said:
"What Village Chief’s wife? Just call me auntie. Look at you, bringing things when you come—come in, quickly!"
Xiaoxiao followed the Village Chief’s wife into the house.
"Old man, hurry, Yang Ming’s wife is looking for you!" After saying this, she went to the kitchen to put away the meat, leaving Xiaoxiao and the Village Chief to talk.
"Hello, Village Chief."
"Hmm, Yang Ming’s wife, what do you need?"
It was already common knowledge that Yang Ming’s wife wanted to buy cabbages, so she must have come for this reason!
"Uncle Village Chief, I want to buy cabbages from the villagers, and I thought I should let you know first."
Xiaoxiao could tell from the Village Chief’s demeanor that he was a shrewd man; how else could he have become the Village Chief? He probably was just waiting for her!
"Hmm, I’ve heard about this. Actually, you didn’t need to inform me; just go ahead and buy them."
"Actually, I am buying these cabbages for Yuelai Restaurant in the county town. I’m worried some people might try to cause trouble. We can’t afford to offend people from the county town, and you are the highest official here. I hope you can support me when the time comes!"
"Don’t worry, if anyone causes trouble in the village, I will take care of it."
"Thank you, Uncle Village Chief. Actually, this is a good thing. If I handle this well, next year our village can plant more and help the villagers get richer!"
The Village Chief’s eyes lit up when he heard Xiaoxiao’s words. Their village wasn’t wealthy, and every time he went to the village head, other chiefs outshone him. If he could improve their village’s conditions, it would reflect well on him and secure his position.
"If you can really make our village rich, that would be great. Go ahead with the cabbage buying, and if anyone causes trouble, I, the Village Chief, will back you up!"
The Village Chief’s attitude improved, and Xiaoxiao felt reassured. With the Village Chief’s backing, she could now buy his cabbages openly and legitimately.
"Old man, that Yang Ming’s wife didn’t come empty-handed, huh? A full two pounds of meat!" The moment Xiaoxiao left, the Village Chief’s wife started chattering.
"Old Yang Family might indeed have married a remarkable wife!" The old Village Chief stroked his beard, saying meaningfully.
"What’s so remarkable about her? She’s just a spendthrift and a fool. She pays two and a half cents per pound for cabbages that others sell for two cents. If that’s not foolish, what is? Just listen to what others say about her!"
"That’s just woman’s compassion!"
"I’m not wrong though!"
"Just you watch; Old Yang Family might just rely on her, and our village might too!"
"How could our village rely on her?"
"In any case, get along well with Yang Ming’s wife in the future, help her out more, hear me? And tell the family too!"
The old Village Chief instructed. If Yang Ming’s wife really could lead everyone to prosperity, he couldn’t let his own family members spoil it.