"What about Clan Chief Lin and Clan Chief Ya? Have they come up with any solution?" Liu Baixiao immediately asked.
He doesn’t go out often now. Liu Rumei takes care of everything outside, and does all the work in the fields. Living such a life suited him perfectly. He felt that he had been a loser in the Liu Family for half of his life, and only now could he hold his head high.
"Yes, they have a plan," replied Liu Rumei with a nod.
"The land officer and Clan Chief Lin have decided to fetch water from Lin Caisang’s pond on Manghuang Mountain."
"Then why are you still here chattering instead of fetching water?" Liu Baixiao glared at her.
That young girl Lin Caisang is his niece. Surely, she would not refuse him whatever amount of water he wanted?
Liu Rumei hesitated, looking at Liu Baixiao.
"One can’t simply fetch water at will. Going to fetch water every day costs money, one copper coin per day."
She lifted a finger to emphasize her point to Liu Baixiao.
Liu Baixiao exclaimed, leaping up from his seat in astonishment.
"Fetching water costs a copper coin? Is Lin Caisang robbing us? Does she think people’s money grows on trees? The water is from heaven, not exclusively for Lin Caisang. What right does she have to charge us?"
"The pond is located on Lin Caisang’s Manghuang Mountain," Liu Rumei timidly replied.
She had enlisted the help from several women in the village to discuss with them and also to learn from them how to cultivate crops and utilize all the plants in the fields.
She was living a pinch-penny life now. She could only fill her stomach by making use of any eatable in the field. Otherwise, she would have starved long ago.
Liu Baixiao scoffed disdainfully.
"That brat, Lin Caisang, I would like to see if she dares to take my money. I am, after all, her uncle! You, go fetch water tomorrow. Let’s see if she dares to take my money. Really, does she think we’re at her mercy now?
If she really dares, I’ll break her legs!"
Did she go blind when she fell for Liu Baixiao back then? Other than being handsome, he was really good for nothing.
Now, being reduced to this state, what else could he do besides blustering at home? Absolutely nothing!
"Baixiao, it’s not Lin Caisang who collects the money. It’s Clan Chief Lin," she reminded Liu Baixiao.
"So what about Clan Chief Lin? Hmm, isn’t he just collecting money for Lin Caisang?" Liu Baixiao snorted dismissively.
"You go and tell Lin Caisang that starting from tomorrow, she should bring water to our field. She’s engaged now, isn’t she? Let her fiance, that barbarian man, haul the water over. He’s strong enough. That is settled, then!"
"What? That is settled?" Liu Rumei was startled and looked at Liu Baixiao speechlessly.
Was he having a pipe dream? The current Lin Caisang was no longer the one who would allow herself to be bullied. She was formidable. How could she possibly let them use water for free?
And to have Ya Molian deliver water to their field, he must be dreaming!
"Go and tell Lin Caisang right now."
Liu Baixiao spoke, oblivious to the horrified face of Liu Rumei.
She had to go and speak with Lin Caisang? She must be insane! Dare to butt heads with Lin Caisang? She was no match for her.
"Baixiao, why don’t you go and talk? You know I don’t get along with Lin Caisang. If I go and talk, I’m afraid that girl will refuse us water. It would be better if you go, after all, you’re her uncle," she said.