"It's strange, you know," Liu Chasheng said with a puzzled look. "This morning when I came over, I suddenly saw the crayfish spawning. The fields are full of roe, densely packed."
Since helping Yifeng deal with the crayfish ponds, he had also consulted relevant information. He understood enough to know that it took at least two months from mating to spawning for crayfish. Yet, it had only been a few days, and the crayfish were already spawning. It was truly baffling.
Liu Yifeng didn't speak, but glanced at the dense, almost frightening mass of crayfish roe in the pond. However, he could finally relax. With the crayfish spawning, it meant he would be able to sell them soon. As for his third uncle's confusion, to avoid suspicion, Liu Yifeng brushed it off, "It's all thanks to you uncles feeding them so well, otherwise, how could they spawn so quickly! When we get paid this month, everyone will get a bonus of six hundred yuan!"
Upon hearing that they would receive an extra six hundred yuan this month, the three men were overjoyed and worked even harder tending to the crayfish.
However, Liu Chasheng wasn't planning on accepting the bonus. He said with a serious expression, "Yifeng, I received a call from Kaichen last night. He said the owner of Longteng Hotel has agreed to meet him to discuss cooperation. Uncle knows that this wouldn't have been possible without you. Once the contract is settled, Kaichen and I will host a banquet to properly thank your whole family. Don't be polite with Uncle then, we'll drink whatever good wine is available. As for the bonus, Uncle can't accept it. Since I'm taking your salary, it's my duty to tend to the crayfish, you can give it to them."
Liu Yifeng was surprised to see his third uncle suddenly become so understanding, but he was more delighted. This was how a family should be. "Third Uncle, this is one thing, that's another. This bonus is yours by right, so don't be polite with me. I'll have to 'slaughter' Kaichen then, just don't feel bad about it."
"How could I? You 'slaughter' him as much as you want, Uncle won't have any objections," Liu Chasheng said, patting his chest.
"Alright, I'll head back to make breakfast then. My son will be waking up soon," Liu Yifeng said.
Liu Chasheng nodded. "Go ahead, we've got things under control here, you can rest assured."
Liu Yifeng then returned home. As soon as he arrived, he saw his father washing up in the yard, and Dabai came trotting over to greet him. Liu Yifeng scooped up Dabai, noticing the little fellow had gained quite a bit of weight. It was heavy, showing that Tongtong had fed him well. Liu Yifeng had barely managed Dabai's daily needs; it was Tongtong who handled most of it. At his young age, he had already learned to prepare milk powder for Dabai, acting like a little adult.
"Dad, is Tongtong still asleep?" Liu Yifeng asked.
Liu Chunsheng finished rinsing his mouth and replied, "Not yet. What do you want for breakfast? Dad will make it now!"
"I'll do it, you just rest," Liu Yifeng said, putting Dabai down. He went into the kitchen, planning to make preserved vegetable and egg fried rice, as he had leftover rice from last night. Then, he would boil two plain eggs for his father and Tongtong. This was the most nutritious way to eat them.
"Dad, didn't I say I'd do it? Why did you come in?" As soon as Liu Yifeng opened the pot lid, he saw his father enter.
Liu Chunsheng sat by the stove and lit a fire starter. "I have nothing else to do. I'll help you with the fire."
"Alright, don't make it too big yet. I still need to wash the ingredients!" Liu Yifeng knew his father couldn't sit idle. Having him do nothing for a while would surely make him restless.
"By the way, Dad, have all the funds been collected?" Liu Yifeng suddenly remembered.
"There's still over a hundred thousand yuan, likely to be collected today."
"Has Liu Xincheng come to collect it?"
"He hasn't, but his wife came. This money is practically a gift, why would he refuse it?" Liu Chunsheng replied.
Liu Yifeng didn't say anything more. Although Liu Xincheng was the richest man in the village, he always valued money greatly. Even though they had had disagreements, he wouldn't easily part with a thousand yuan. So, if he felt embarrassed to collect it himself, he sent his wife. However, what troubled Liu Yifeng was that Liu Xincheng also planned to build a farmhouse-style restaurant. That would mean two such establishments in Liu Family Village. Would the business be good? He'd take it one step at a time. Liu Xincheng's idea was sudden and unplanned. He still wanted to make money? Did he think it was that easy? Thinking this, Liu Yifeng's mood improved considerably.
Soon, he finished the fried rice, and the eggs were boiling in another pot. Liu Yifeng served the rice and took out the eggs, then said, "Dad, I'm going to wake Tongtong up for breakfast. If you're hungry, eat first. There's plenty for you."
"You go wake him. I'm not that hungry. We'll eat together later. I'll take the rice to the dining table first," Liu Chunsheng said, picking up two bowls of fried rice. Liu Yifeng went to the bedroom and looked at his son still sleeping soundly. Liu Yifeng hesitated to wake him. However, it was already past eight o'clock, and eating breakfast after nine would be bad for his stomach. He steeled himself and called Tongtong.
"Tongtong, wake up, it's time for breakfast!" he called out, gently stroking Tongtong's face. Tongtong's delicate features scrunched up like a little old man's, clearly displeased at being woken from his sleep.
"Tongtong, be good. Can you sleep a little longer after breakfast?" Liu Yifeng's voice sounded again.
Tongtong finally opened his sleepy, hazy eyes. "Papa!"
"You boy, why are you sleeping so late today? Were you busy helping Papa write the construction proposal until late yesterday?" Liu Yifeng asked gently.
"It was okay, not too late. I've already finished the proposal for Papa. It's on the computer in the study. Papa can check it later and see if he's satisfied!" Tongtong sat up in bed, forcing himself to wake up.
"Tongtong wrote it, so there's definitely no problem. Papa will review it later." Liu Yifeng hadn't expected Tongtong to finish the design proposal so quickly. He was a genius!
Emerging from the room, while Tongtong was washing up, Liu Yifeng couldn't wait to go to the study. He opened the computer document and saw the design proposal Tongtong had written for him. He hadn't said anything yet, but Tongtong had written it very meticulously, and the tables were neat and clear, making it easy to understand. Furthermore, the design drawings he had made looked perfect. He would take out the USB drive soon and get it printed outside, as the application materials required hard copies.
Coming out of the study, Tongtong had finished washing up and was sitting at the dining table, eating an egg that his grandfather had peeled for him. Liu Yifeng walked over without hesitation and lifted Tongtong high. "Son, you're amazing! Papa is so proud of you."
"What's gotten into you? Can't you see Tongtong is eating? Be careful not to make him choke!" Liu Chunsheng quickly intervened from the side. Liu Yifeng ignored his father, gave Tongtong a few more kisses on the cheek, and then put him down.
"Dad, Tongtong helped me design the construction proposal yesterday. I just looked at it. Not only is it perfectly written, but the design drawings can be described as outstanding. It's much better than the rough drafts from the contractor Qianzi hired. Once it's approved, I'll have them build it according to Tongtong's design."
"You've known your son's various skills for a long time, why are you still so flustered? Don't scare the child," Liu Chunsheng said with a look of indifference. It wasn't that he wasn't proud of Tongtong; it was just that he had heard too much. In his eyes, Tongtong was already an all-rounder, as if there was nothing he couldn't do.
"Tongtong, how many more surprises do you have that Papa doesn't know about?" Liu Yifeng looked at his son, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"Papa, Tongtong is omnipotent!" Tongtong praised himself immodestly. Seeing Tongtong clench his fist and purse his lips in a suggestive manner, Liu Yifeng was amused.
"Hahaha, so cute."
"Papa, you're not allowed to call me cute. I'm a little man now!" Tongtong pouted in dissatisfaction.
"Alright, my Tongtong is a towering man. Hurry up and eat, it won't be good if it gets cold." Liu Yifeng's smile faded.
After breakfast, Tongtong was busy feeding the dog. Dabai no longer needed milk powder and could eat dog food. When it grew a bit older, it would have three meals a day like humans. In the yard, five or six children were busy picking peanuts. They had earned quite a bit of money in the past few days. Since the wages offered here were quite high, they worked more diligently. In less than three days, they had already harvested thirteen baskets of peanuts. There wasn't much left at home, but there were still some peanuts in the ground.
At this moment, Liu Yifeng noticed an issue. "Huh? Dad, why isn't Sister Li's child here?"