"At the meeting, you said anyone who wanted to keep one could, and that they could pay on credit if they didn't have the money. How come your words only apply to designated people? Do you suspect I can't afford it? You don't have to. When I, Wang Juhua, say something, I stand by it. Ask around if I've ever owed anyone money over the years!"
Zhang Changhe: "..." Of course, you don't owe money; you've probably scared everyone away with your demands.
"Auntie, it's not that I'm not giving it to you. It's just that the last one was taken by Chen Jia Dayi. You can check my ledger; it's all recorded."
Upon hearing that Chen Lishu had gotten there first, Widow Liu was instantly upset. That little vixen was truly her nemesis!
Widow Liu pointed at Chen Lishu and asked, "Did she pay the deposit?"
Zhang Changhe frowned, "We don't collect money upfront. Everything is tallied, reported to the accountant, and then the money is paid uniformly." As a village cadre, how could he privately collect money? Wouldn't people gossip?
Widow Liu immediately perked up, "If she didn't pay the deposit, it doesn't count. Besides, what if they all decide they don't want it? Can you guarantee they'll definitely want it after saying so?"
Zhang Changhe's brows were almost twisted into a knot. "Auntie, how about I record it for you first? You can wait, and if someone ahead of you changes their mind and doesn't want it, I'll definitely arrange it for you immediately."
"I say what you're doing is wrong. If they haven't paid a deposit, why should they keep it?"
A hint of displeasure flashed in Zhang Changhe's eyes. "Are you teaching me how to do my job?"
Widow Liu's arrogance instantly subsided a bit. "But if you're not doing it right, I'm just offering a kind reminder."
Zhang Changhe was the village secretary, and Widow Liu didn't dare to act too aggressively towards him. However, she was not so polite towards Chen Lishu. "You're not even part of our village anymore, so why are you reserving a vehicle? Your reservation doesn't count. The last one is mine."
Hearing her words, Chen Lishu was amused. "How come I didn't know I wasn't part of this village?"
"Your household registration has been moved. Do you think we don't know?"
Chen Lishu raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? You seem to know quite a lot."
"Secretary, her household registration has already been moved out. You can't just help her because your families are related, can you? I'm a member of our village. This vehicle is for village members, not outsiders."
"Lishu is reserving it for Mantun."
"I don't recognize it if Lishu is the one making the reservation," Widow Liu said, reaching into her pocket. After a long moment, she pulled out ten yuan and handed it over. "She hasn't paid the deposit yet. I'm paying it now. Cross out her name."
Chen Lishu: "I say, Auntie Liu, people say humans need face, just like trees need bark. I'm still here, do you understand the concept of first come, first served?"
"What first come, first served? How much earlier did you arrive than me?"
"I told you we're not collecting money upfront. Auntie, please take your money back. It's already been recorded, and it can't be changed. If there's nothing else, you should leave quickly. I still have things to do."
Seeing her unreasonable behavior, Zhang Changhe directly told her to leave. Widow Liu was instantly embarrassed. She gave Chen Lishu a fierce glare and turned to leave.
After exiting Zhang Changhe's yard, Widow Liu's eyes darted around. She didn't go home but instead headed to Chen Mancang's house.
...
Ever since Chen Lishu announced her intention to contract Qingshan Mountain, Zhang Changhe had convened a meeting with all the village cadres.
"While this is a good thing, I think twenty percent profit is too little. It should be at least fifty percent," said Village Accountant Zhou Fugui, looking up at everyone.
Qingshan Mountain belonged to their Qingshan Brigade. If Chen Lishu truly wanted to contract it, he felt fifty percent wouldn't be excessive.
Hearing his exorbitant demand, Zhang Changhe frowned subconsciously. "Old Zhou, if you demand this much, what if you drive her away?"
Zhou Fugui gave a sheepish laugh. "It's just a meeting, and everyone is offering opinions. I'm just trying to secure more benefits for our collective. Besides, Chen Jia Dayi can negotiate."
"How will the existing trees on the mountain be handled?" asked the captain of the second team.
Zhang Changhe: "They will definitely remain the collective property of our village. If Chen Jia Dayi wants them, they can be appraised."
Afterward, everyone discussed several key issues. Once they reached a consensus, they sent someone to call Chen Lishu.
...
At the Gu family's home, everyone was surprised to hear that Chen Lishu wanted to contract Qingshan Mountain.
"Third Sister-in-law, you want to contract a mountain? It must require a lot of money, right?" Gu Xingye asked curiously.
"Your Third Sister-in-law is a money-grabbing rake. She's been busy for years and has already made a lot of money. Can she be short of this little bit for contracting the mountain?"
Originally, Gu Xingmin had made some money trading grain during this time, and Liu Yuemin was quite happy. But for some reason, when Chen Lishu mentioned contracting the mountain, she suddenly felt uncomfortable.
"Besides trees, there's nothing else on the mountain. Third Wife, won't this contract be a loss?" Li Xiulan was a little worried. She had lived half her life and had some understanding of Qingshan Mountain, and she genuinely didn't think there was anything special about it.
"Mom, if it's contracted, I can plant fruit trees and also raise chickens, ducks, and geese in the orchards. There are many projects that can be developed. Although the returns might be slow in the short term, it's definitely a business that guarantees profit without loss."
"Normally, if it's left there untouched, it's fine. But once someone wants to contract it, things get complicated," said Gu Shoufu, who had been silent until now, with some concern.
Although he had been a farmer his whole life, his insight into matters was very keen.
"What do you mean, dear? Could they make things difficult for Lishu?"
"Those few village cadres probably wouldn't," Gu Shoufu mused. "I'm just afraid that if Lishu suddenly brings this up, someone in the village will object."
That's just how people are. If something is untouched by everyone, even if it's a piece of sheep dung, the moment you go to pick it up, it will be treated like a treasure.
Chen Lishu hadn't really thought of this. Her contracting of Qingshan Mountain was a mutually beneficial matter for the village and everyone. Moreover, she would give up twenty percent of the profits annually. With all the subsequent benefits, how could people refuse?
However, after listening to Gu Shoufu, she had to reconsider. If such a situation occurred, how would she respond?
"If everyone agrees, can someone still be difficult? Don't worry, Lishu. If anyone dares to have any ill intentions, Mom will deal with them. Our Gu family has been in the village for decades. If they don't give us this bit of face, I'll make sure to shame them."
As Li Xiulan was speaking, the captain of the third team suddenly pushed the door open. Seeing Gu Shoufu, he greeted him with a smile. "Brother, are you home? The team sent me to call Dongzi's wife over. They want to discuss contracting the mountain."
Chen Lishu stood up and was about to leave with the third captain when Gu Shoufu also stood up from his stool. "I'll go with you to take a look."
The child is young after all. If anything really happens, there needs to be an elder to hold things steady. There are some things that juniors can't say, and it's good that he'll be there to guide the child.