The Tempting Educated Youth Married to a Rough Man-Chapter 30: The House

On the way back, Xiao Chenye had picked through and recounted all the recent events, which made Xiao Chenxing furious, resulting in a stream of curses.

Xiao Chenye had to warn his sister on the road that once they were home, she mustn’t talk nonsense.

Xiao Chenxing kept it in mind and, despite wanting to claw at Li Chenggang with all her might, managed to hold back, not showing a hint of her irritation, and acted like an obedient little sister in front of Sister Wen.

After some catching up, Xiao Chenxing turned her gaze to Wen Ran.

With a grin, "This must be Sister Xiao Wen."

With a smile, Wen Ran greeted, "And you must be Chenxing? I often hear your brother mention you."

"Oh?" Xiao Chenxing said mischievously, "My brother? Sister Xiao Wen, are there really two nice things he could say about me?"

Xiao Chenye came out holding a bowl, took a sip of brown sugar water, raised his hand, and gave Xiao Chenxing a flick on the forehead, "Speak properly, don’t talk like a ruffian.

Young girl, what kind of behavior is that?"

With that, he casually sat down on the small stool between the two of them.

With ease, he said to Mrs. Xiao, "Mom, I also brought back some braised pork, maybe we can spruce it up and have a good meal at noon."

"Alright!"

Xiao Chenye often brought back rice, noodles, grains, oil, and meat, and over time, Mrs. Xiao got used to it. She never questioned where he got them from, just reminded her son to be careful and cautious.

Xiao Chenxing pouted, "Brother, you’re squeezing me."

"If you don’t like being squeezed, then scoot over a bit," Xiao Chenye rolled his eyes, "Have some discernment."

Xiao Chenxing argued back, "We were sitting just fine, having a conversation, who told you to butt in? If anyone lacks discernment, it’s you!"

Wen Ran watched the two siblings bicker, a bright smile playing on her lips.

The rain drizzled for the entire day.

Indeed, lunch was quite a feast, with braised chicken cooked in an earthen pot. The braised pork was taken by Mrs. Xiao, put back in the pot, with plenty of soft and flavorful potato chunks added, making it quite delicious.

The dish Wen Ran was most pleased with was the oil-braised eggplant; served on white rice, it was quite appetizing, and she ate half a bowl more than usual.

Then she sipped a bit of vegetable egg soup to fill the gaps.

Wen Ran ate her fill quite shamefully.

Oh, it was just too good.

Xiao Chenye noticed Wen Ran’s preference, quietly remembered it, and planned to find a way to get more oil.

In farm life, except for during the winter when things slow down, there’s not a stark division between busy and leisurely times; they rest in the morning and start looking for odd bits of work to do in the afternoon.

Xiao Chenxing busily went about the deep cleaning, Mrs. Xiao took Wen Ran to shell soybeans, while over there, Xiao Chenye was being sent around like a top.

He’s just like a brick, moved wherever needed.

"Xiao Wen," Mrs. Xiao mused for a moment, then spoke, "Weren’t you looking to rent a house? I’ve asked around these days, and nothing seems quite right."

"Huh?"

"It’s like this..."

Although the Silly Deer Team was comparatively more affluent than the average group, it wasn’t to the point where families had spare houses left empty for fun. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Most unoccupied houses usually had issues, like being half-collapsed or missing a part of their walls. Renting such a house would require spending money for repairs.

If next year they don’t rent it to you anymore, it would have been a pointless fuss.

Then there are those with decent houses, but with landlords who are difficult to deal with. Getting mixed up with such people would lead to endless frustration.

After listening to the causes and consequences, Wen Ran was dumbfounded.

Now there were only two paths in front of her: either continue living with the Xiao Family or set up her own place.

Of course, there was another less pleasant option: move back to the renovated educated youth point and deal with those who’ve clearly had their brains soaked in water.

Just the thought of it made Wen Ran feel like she couldn’t breathe.

Mrs. Xiao glanced at Wen Ran’s expression, choosing her words carefully, "Sister Xiao Wen, you’re welcome to stay at our house.

Of course, if you decide to move out and build your own place, we can help you contact people. But with autumn harvest approaching, if you’re going to build, it’s better to start early; otherwise, everyone will be busy with grain harvest later."

Indeed.

Xiao Chenye had been listening intently from the start, and by the time Wen Ran had to make a decision, his heart was already in his throat.

Wen Ran pondered for a moment; she wasn’t short on money, so building a house was akin to buying her freedom with money.

The Xiao Family was nice, but long-term living together inevitably led to friction.

Distance brings beauty.

She made her decision, "I’ll build a house."

Leaving?

Xiao Chenye felt deflated.

"It’s fine staying here," he couldn’t help but add, "But living alone outside isn’t very safe, plus..."

Mrs. Xiao, without a word, took off her shoe and slapped him with the sole.

"Whack!"

After hitting him, she put her shoe back on, "Shoo, shoo, what business is it of yours? Do you think Sister Xiao Wen can’t make her own decisions?"

After shooing Xiao Chenye away, Mrs. Xiao grinned, "If you’ve made up your mind, we need to inform the team leader, choose a location, get some help, and later on, deal with furniture and stuff in advance."

"Yes, I have made up my mind," Wen Ran laughed, "I have some money and while it’s not much, it’s enough to build a house."

"Great!"

Mrs. Xiao was a woman of action; she quickly washed her hands and took Wen Ran to the team leader’s house in the rain.

Behind them, Xiao Chenye’s eyes looked a little blank.

Xiao Chenyue, having been through it, held her baby and said, "Don’t dwell on it; Sister Xiao Wen moving out is what’s best for her."

Being a woman too, Xiao Chenyue could better understand and empathize with Wen Ran.

"Sister..." Xiao Chenye turned around awkwardly, "I didn’t mean anything by it."

"Hmm, I know you didn’t. You’re just bored; now help me hold the baby so I can take a break."

Xiao Chenye carefully took his niece, lowering his voice, "Sister, it’s been so long, haven’t you decided on a name for the baby yet?

Isn’t it awkward to keep calling her ’the baby’ all the time?"

Xiao Chenyue laughed, "Do you think it’s that easy to come up with a good name?"

Xiao Chenye nonchalantly smirked, "What’s so hard about that? With our family name, any name sounds nice."

Seeing Xiao Chenyue not responding, he didn’t think much of it, and played with his niece, "Hey~ what’s your name? How about Xiao Baobao?"

"Oh, get lost, Xiao Chenye, you’re getting more and more ridiculous. Who names a child Baobao? That’s only suitable as a nickname."

"What’s the problem with that? She’s the treasure of our Xiao family."

...

Mrs. Xiao took Wen Ran to the team leader’s home, and from a distance, they could hear the sounds of a quarrel inside.

The two exchanged a glance and came to a sudden halt.

"Wait," Mrs. Xiao pricked her ears to listen closely, "Are they having an argument?"

Wen Ran was certain, "Yes, they are indeed arguing."

She hesitated, "Should we still go in?"

She wanted to eavesdrop, but feared getting caught in the crossfire.

"Why don’t we just take a look from the door?"

Wen Ran immediately agreed, "I think that’s a good idea."

The two of them tiptoed to the doorway, and upon hearing what was being said inside, Wen Ran’s expression changed instantly.