Chapter 136 - Persuasion
Translator: Lonelytree
No one took the girls’ incident during the barbecue to heart.
Xiao Lingye concluded, “The woman really brought this on herself!”
‘She wanted to frame Sis, but she got caught up in this. She has no one but herself to blame!’
After the party, there were some vegetables left. They were quickly divided up by Zheng Haiyang and his friends.
Ning Weiyi rubbed his round belly. “Sis, your family’s dishes are amazing. I still can’t forget the dishes Auntie cooked for us last time.”
Yang Baolin asked curiously, “Sis, I heard that these vegetables are grown by your friend at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences?”
Xiao Lingyu nodded.
“Then, do you think your friend...” could sell them to me too? Yang Baolin wanted to ask.
“Yang Baolin, you should be satisfied that Sis is willing to share them with us. What more do you want?” Ning Weiyi berated.
Xiao Lingyu smiled, “If you guys have a hankering for the vegetables or food, you can come to my house. I can cook them for you!” By house, she meant the rental at the county town.
“Really?” The other people’s eyes lit up instantly. “Sis, we’ll take you on your offer!”
Xiao Lingyu chuckled, “But don’t forget that you guys are sitting for the university entrance exam soon. You are not to leave the school on weekdays!” They could only leave the dorm during weekends. Staying at the dorm would allow them to be closer to study resources. Furthermore, this was safer.
They were students from Number One High School’s elite class. They would bring honor to the school in the future. If anything happened to them outside of school, the consequences would be unimaginable, especially since many of them were from powerful families. The school valued their safety greatly.
Ning Weiyi and the others deflated immediately. He complained, “Our school admin is too cruel. They will only allow us to go home during weekends! If we want to eat some homecooked food, we can only satisfy our hunger with our imagination or have someone send them over.”
Kang Le suggested, “Sis, since we can’t leave the dorm, can you send over some tomatoes and cucumbers every day? At least, we can snack on them!”
“That’s right!” Ning Weiyi added, “Sis, can you?”
Yuan Xuanhao was embarrassed. “Aren’t you people ashamed? Do you know how big of a favor you’re asking of your Sister Lingyu? Do you think she is so free?”
Ning Weiyi argued, “But Sis’ vegetables can help us focus more in class.”
Everyone, “...” They wanted to say it was an exaggeration, but when it came to the miracle food, no one could be sure.
Xiao Lingyu smiled, “Alright then. Since I’m supplying the Gu Family Hotel every day, I’ll deliver some for you guys on the way!”
Ning Weiyi and the gang were ecstatic, but out of politeness, they asked, “Sis, will it be too much trouble for you?”
Xiao Lingyu said, “It’s fine. I have a car now, so it’s not that troublesome!”
With that, the matter was settled.
When Zheng Haiyang and the rest heard that Xiao Lingyu was planning to grow peanuts and soybeans at home, they wanted to join in the fun. They planned to head to Taoyuan Village too.
However, it was already late afternoon. If they departed now, they would arrive at night. The accommodation would be hard to arrange. In the end, it was decided that Xiao Lingyu would drive Xiao Lingye and his roommates over first. They could make do in the same bed, similar to last time. Zheng Haiyang and the other would come the next day.
Xiao Lingyu bought peanuts, soybeans, and some other seeds before bringing Xiao Lingye and the others back to Taoyuan Village.
The car’s convenience was shown then. Normally, she would have to wait and change buses during this journey. It would take more than three hours. But since she drove, it took her less than two hours. Regardless, when they arrived, it was evening and time for dinner.
The light was dim, and there were not many villagers on the road, so no one noticed Xiao Lingyu had driven a car back.
However, when Mother Xiao, Father Xiao, Xiao Mingyang, and Liu Chunjiao saw Xiao Lingyu really drive the car back, they were shocked and excited.
“Yu ‘Er, you really know how to drive?” Mother Xiao touched the car door and said happily, “This vehicle is beautiful!” The other three also examined the car. They were curious. It was not that they hadn’t seen a car before, but it was the first time they could touch a car that belonged to their family.
They heard that the car was selling for 100,000 RMB, but Yu ‘Er’s friend gave her a discount and had sold it to her for 70,000 RMB. In Taoyuan Village, probably no family other than Xiao Lingyu who would spend 100,000 RMB on a car.
Liu Chunjiao couldn’t help but feel that prick of envy. Her sister-in-law had two promising children. When Liu Chunjiao thought about her mischievous son, she felt a headache coming. They had the same Xiao Family lineage, so how come her son’s study was such a tragedy? Regardless, at the end of the day, Liu Chunjiao was happy for her sister-in-law. The two families shared a good relationship. They would rise together.
Liu Chunjiao smiled, “In the future, it’ll be easier for Yu ‘Er to travel to the county town.”
Mother Xiao laughed, “You’re right! In the past, just the journey to the county town alone would take a full day! It’ll be more convenient now that we have a car. It’ll save time for all of us.”
Xiao Lingyu suddenly asked, “Fourth Uncle, do you want to learn how to drive?”
Xiao Mingyang was stunned. “Huh? But I’m already so old.”
Xiao Lingyu chuckled, “Fourth Uncle, you’re only in your thirties. That is not old! Plus, people in their sixties are learning how to drive.”
Xiao Mingyang was confused, “But why?” Why would he learn how to drive?
Xiao Lingyu explained, “Fourth Uncle, you know that I’ve contracted the land to make a farm. Once the harvest is in, I will need someone to drive them to the county town for me.”
Xiao Mingyang said, “But Yu ‘Er, your farm...” No one knew it was going to be successful or not.
At this moment, Father Xiao said, “That’s right, fourth brother. In the future, Yu ‘Er will need your help. I also think that you should learn how to drive now.”
Liu Chunjiao thought about it and said, “Mingyang, you should listen to second brother.” Even though she didn’t know if Yu ‘Er’s farm would be a success or not, having the ability to drive would look good on Xiao Mingyang’s resume, it would help him look for a better job.
Seeing the hesitation on her Fourth Uncle’s face, Xiao Lingyu added, “Fourth Uncle, you know that I’m planting strawberries. If the cultivation is successful, do you think I can trust others to deliver the harvest for me? You’re the only choice I have!”
This struck a chord with Xiao Mingyang. Strawberries were too expensive for rural people. If they had to rely on someone else to deliver the goods, they might run away with the products. That would indeed be a problem.
historical
Mother Xiao joined the rank of persuaders. “Mingyang, like Lingyu said, you’re only in your thirties. You should go and learn how to drive. Lingyu is a girl, and I don’t feel too comfortable seeing her drive around all day long. You can help her with that.”
Xiao Mingyang really did care for Xiao Lingyu. He also wanted to help her in any way he could. Instead of having her rely on others, he would step up to the plate.
Xiao Lingye said, “Fourth Uncle, there’s no way you can get out of this!”
“Haha. Fourth Uncle, that’s right! Surrender while you still can!” Xiao Lingye’s roommates joked.
Xiao Mingyang laughed. “Alright. I’ll go learn how to drive.” But then, he added in difficulty, “Yu ‘Er, where can I do that?”
At this moment, Yang Baolin stood up and said, “Fourth Uncle, I have a relative who runs a driving school. The coaches are good, and the place has a perfect environment. I’ll bring you to go sign up.”
“Thank you so much, Student Yang!” Xiao Mingyang nodded. “After I finish my farm work, I’ll go to the driving school with you!”
“Fourth Uncle, you’re too polite!” Yang Baolin said, “If Fourth Uncle is short on time, I’ll ask my relative to register you in the intensive course. You’ll get your license within seven days!”
“Seven days to get a license?” Xiao Mingyang thought it would take several months to get a license. “You can get a license that fast?”
“That’s right!” Yang Baolin nodded.
Xiao Lingyu added, “Fourth Uncle, I’ll pay the course fee and drive you to the school until you get your license.”
Xiao Mingyang shook his head. “Yu ‘Er, I’ll pay the fee myself!” He didn’t want to trouble Xiao Lingyu. Plus, he was doing for himself too. In the future, perhaps he’d have the chance to buy his own car to drive. “I’ll only need to trouble you to drive me to the school!”
The driving school was at Xing Yin County, so he would need help to cross the distance.
Everyone studied the car for a long time. Eventually, it was time for dinner.
When they had dinner, Ning Weiyi and the others once again experienced Mother Xiao’s superb cooking skills.
Ning Weiyi’s mouth was especially sweet. He praised, “Auntie, with your cooking skill, you’ll win first place in the national cooking competition easily!”
Mother Xiao was acknowledged as the best cook in Taoyuan Village, but when she heard the praises from the kids, she was still very happy.. She said humbly, “These are just some home-cooked meals. How can I compare to those real chefs? Kids, if you like them, you should eat more of them!”