Chapter 370: Mud Brick
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Upon hearing this, several children’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Their families often made pickled vegetables, and they had grown weary of eating them every day. Now, learning that these same pickles they were so tired of could be traded for different food, they were naturally thrilled!
Even Wang Niu felt a tug of temptation after hearing this. After all, she was just a child, quick to heal and quicker to forget the pain, no longer remembering that they had been quarreling just moments ago. She blurted out, “Then, can we also exchange the vegetables from our home?”
Before Jiang Xia could respond, Jiang Gu stood up, “Our family does not wish to associate with those who gossip about others! You always bully people and spread bad words about us everywhere. We certainly do not want to praise your pickles!”
Wang Niu paid her no mind; Jiang Xia was the one speaking, and Jiang Gu had no say in this. She couldn’t care less about Jiang Gu.
She looked towards Jiang Xia with a hint of flattery, “Sister Jiang Xia, look, our home also has a lot of pickled vegetables, and I can dig up wild vegetables, even better than theirs. Your family will definitely prefer ours over theirs, right?”
The other children glared at Wang Niu angrily upon hearing her words. She only thought of herself when something good came up, even wishing others wouldn’t make any money. She was too much!
Jiang Xia glanced at her coolly and said, “What my sister says reflects my thoughts as well. We won’t engage with your family, nor do we like to associate with anyone of ill conduct!”
Fearing that Jiang Xia would refuse their wild vegetables because of their association with Wang Niu, the other children took a step back, distancing themselves from her.
Wang Niu clenched her teeth in anger upon hearing Jiang Xia’s words, her lips turning pale as she bit down hard. Pointing at everyone furiously, she exclaimed, “Who told you to back off? Do you believe I’ll hit you? I’m telling you, none of you are allowed to go to Jiang Xia to exchange money! We can take our vegetables back home and exchange them at the supply and marketing cooperative like before.”
But no one paid any attention to Wang Niu. With a more lucrative method to make money at hand, who would willingly follow Wang Niu around every day?
The other children avoided her gaze, not even wanting to look at Wang Niu.
Wang Niu was so enraged she was lost for words. Suddenly, she turned back to Jiang Xia and uttered a harsh threat, “Just you wait, hmph!” and then she stormed off.
Lil’ Fatty glanced at the wild vegetables in the field; many were still not fully grown. They had to wait another two days before they could start harvesting.
The school had given them a total of seven days off, and two days had already passed. They wanted to use the holiday to do more for their families. What could they do in these two days?
Jiang Xia perceived his concern and suggested, “Since you have to wait some time for the wild vegetables to mature anyway, why don’t you help us gather some adobe bricks in the next two days?”
Another task? Upon hearing this, the children looked up at Jiang Xia with their cute little faces in unison.
Jiang Xia smiled and explained, “As you know, our family is currently building a house and we need a large amount of adobe. You can gather some and bring it to our house to trade. How about I give you 20 cents for each brick?”
The construction of Jiang Xia’s house was a community effort, starting from the collection of adobe. It was not just labor-intensive but also exhausting.
He needed to repay these social debts. It would be better to buy the adobe outright, which would mean fewer people needed for construction, and fewer social debts, the better.
“Wow!”
The children let out another exclamation. They would have to dig up how much wild vegetation to earn 20 cents? At that thought, they nodded their heads vigorously.
Worried they might pick poor-quality adobe in their haste to earn money, Jiang Xia emphasized, “You must find adobe of the same quality that the adults use. Do not bring back the kind that crumbles with a simple pinch!”
Lil’ Fatty patted his chest and promised, “Don’t worry. My father often helped others build houses. I’ve been to construction sites with him and know how to tell if the adobe is strong. I will definitely find the best materials for you, so you can build the biggest and strongest house!”
Having settled the matter, everyone forgot about the wild vegetables and started playing by the river, even inviting Jiang Xia and Jiang Gu, their attitude completely different from before.
Unable to join them in play, Jiang Xia asked Jiang Gu to stay and entertain the children while she went to the river to wash the vegetables..
