The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(66-70)

Chapter 66: She Is Still Around


In the middle of the night, the blanket was kicked aside.



Three seconds later, the blanket was kicked away again.


"It's hot..."


An annoyed murmur sounded by his ear. Xiao Cheng opened his eyes and looked to the side. The girl's serene face remained undisturbed.


However, the blanket had completely covered him this time, leaving Bai Lu with only the upper part covering her, and the lower part, including her fair feet, exposed.


She was still kicking in her sleep with an imposing stride.


The wind created by the strides brushed over her ankles, and her furrowed brow slightly eased.


As soon as the strides stopped, her brow furrowed again. Then the strides resumed, repeating the cycle.


Perhaps the medicated wine had taken effect, and her ankles felt warm.


Xiao Cheng remembered the words of his grandparents, repeated verbatim, whispered into her ear: "It gets better when it's warm."


As the words fell, he got up and covered the blanket again.


Covering her entire lower body, including her feet.


Unexpectedly, before a second passed, Bai Lu kicked the blanket away again.


Kicking it away and turning her back to him, her feet against the wall through the mosquito net, seemingly feeling the cool temperature.


Muttering to herself: "Hot... the blanket is on fire... so hot... my feet are burning..."


As she spoke, she kicked the wall with her foot.


Whether out of anger or a desire to escape the imaginary fire, she kicked repeatedly. The mosquito net and the wall were fine, but her originally tender and smooth feet turned red.


Xiao Cheng pinched his brow, grabbed those dancing jade-like feet in his eyes, and pressed them onto the bed.


With the other hand, he pulled the blanket over.


Half a second before the girl kicked again, a warning fell into her ears: "Kick again, and I'll chop off your feet."


The chilling voice instantly immobilized her feet.


She stayed still for a long time, not moving.


However, Bai Lu's brow became even more tightly furrowed, her eyelashes trembled lightly, and her sleeping eyelids showed signs of waking up.


The man's voice returned to her ears, low and soothing: "I'll buy you wonton soup tomorrow."


Bai Lu's tightly furrowed brow immediately relaxed, her eyelashes settled down, and her eyelids stopped moving.


The corner of her mouth even slightly curved upward, as if she had a happy dream, so delightful that even the imaginary fire was extinguished joyfully.


In the pitch-black room as dark as ink, a low laugh from the man echoed, breaking the night's silence like calm water.


But it didn't disturb the beautiful dream of the woman.


A peaceful night's sleep until dawn.


...


Every year on this day, Xiao Wei would wake up before dawn, arrange the bedding, brush his teeth, wash his face, and go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, waiting for Xiao Cheng to wake up.


Because if he woke up late, Xiao Cheng wouldn't call him, wouldn't take him to sweep the graves of their parents.


Everything was the same as in previous years, starting from waking up.


The only difference was that Xiao Wei wore new clothes this year, not in bright red or purple but in a very ordinary color. Yet, it was new, like the new clothes his mother used to buy for him during the New Year when he was a child. Wearing it would make him happy, dispelling all the gloomy feelings.


Xiao Wei touched his new clothes gently, his usually straight lips slightly curved upwards.


After putting on his shoes, he opened the door.


Surprisingly, the first thing he saw when he raised his eyes was the tall figure that should not have gotten up yet, walking out of the yard.


So early this year?


An alarm went off in Xiao Wei's mind. He didn't dare ask anything and hurriedly ran after him.


The man heard the approaching footsteps but didn't stop. He kept walking, leaving a sentence behind.


"I'm going to buy breakfast."


Xiao Wei didn't believe it and hurriedly caught up to the doorway.


"What about Bai Lu?" Xiao Cheng spoke again.


The footsteps at the doorway paused, not moving anymore.


With his mind clear again, Xiao Wei finally remembered that there was still Bai Lu at home. This Qingming Festival, Bai Lu said she would accompany them to sweep the graves, and big brother silently agreed.


Big brother usually kept his promises to Bai Lu; if he couldn't, Bai Lu would ignore him and get angry.


Now, Bai Lu hadn't gotten up yet, hadn't come out with them, and big brother probably wouldn't go alone.


It would make Bai Lu angry, very troublesome.


After figuring everything out, Xiao Wei watched the tall figure leave without following. He obediently went back to brush his teeth and wash his face.


While brushing his teeth, he stared in the direction of the main house.


Halfway through brushing his teeth, that figure, whose smile was particularly gentle and sweet, finally came out.


Her silky long hair was tied in a low ponytail. With a slow pace, she stretched her arms in a big yawn, looking in this direction.


"Good morning, Xiao Wei!"


"Morning."


"Where's your brother?"


She entered the kitchen and came out again.


Holding the toothbrush, Xiao Wei honestly spoke, "He went to buy breakfast."


"Oh... why go outside to buy? I remember there's still rice at home. Is there no noodles?"


Bai Lu muttered to herself and returned to the kitchen, glanced at the cupboard, and saw there were still a lot of noodles in the bag.


She couldn't understand why Xiao Cheng went out to buy breakfast. Forget it, she didn't want to think about it. She squeezed toothpaste, washed her face, and left.


Just after finishing brushing her teeth, Bai Lu smelled a delicious fragrance accompanying footsteps approaching.


Her lazy eyes suddenly lit up.


It was wonton soup! Wonton soup! Wonton soup!


So Xiao Cheng also liked to eat wonton soup!


Bai Lu quickly finished brushing her teeth and washing her face, trotted to the main house, and sat down properly.


With elegance and speed, she picked up the chopsticks and, along with the patiently waiting big brother and Xiao Wei, started eating.


One person, one serving of wonton soup, was quickly devoured, and all three big bowls of soup were drunk dry.


Full and satisfied, it was time to set off.


Bai Lu checked the incense, paper money, grave floats, firecrackers... confirmed that nothing was left behind, and was about to pick up the bag to go out when Xiao Cheng took it from her.


He didn't say anything, just turned and left.


As a qualified hypnotherapist, Bai Lu could accurately perceive the customer's emotional changes at the first moment. Today, Xiao Cheng's emotions were very low.


Not sad or upset, just distant.


Although his face was still cold and indifferent, the overall aura had isolated itself from the world, rejecting all closeness, whether it be people or things.


The departing figure was lonely, desolate.


When they reached the mountain, Xiao Cheng still didn't speak. He picked up a shovel and started clearing the weeds around the grave. The drizzling rain fell on his shoulders, but it couldn't disturb him.


Xiao Wei also remained silent, using a sickle to cut the weeds. The entire mountain forest was silent, with only the sound of weed-cutting breaking the heavy atmosphere.


When lighting the candles, the rain lessened.


However, there was wind, blowing from the northwest. No matter how Xiao Cheng changed positions, he couldn't light the candles because the orange flame on the lighter was always blown out by the wind. His already deeply furrowed brow tightened.


The next second, a large straw hat appeared on his right side, blocking all the unruly winds perfectly.


Xiao Cheng was stunned and raised his head slightly.








Chapter 67: She is Warm


In the dim light, Bai Lu's eyebrows slightly curved, a few strands of hair at her temples lifted by the wind, clear eyes shining like sunlight, carrying a warm smile. With a windproof straw hat, she swept through the cold wind, unstoppable as she crashed into his heart, holding back the temperature plunging into the abyss.


The dark clouds broke at dawn, and the sky cleared.


Golden sunlight bathed the earth, illuminating Bai Lu's figure, fingertips, clothes, and hair all radiating a halo.


Xiao Cheng's dark eyes were illuminated, and he lit a pair of candles in his hand, the red flame flickering. Despite the harsh wind, the flame remained unshaken, a fiery companion born in silence.


Xiao Wei, holding a just lit incense, looked at Bai Lu standing in the sunlight, lost in thought for a while.


Only when a pair of candles approached the grave did he come back to his senses, placing his incense in front of the grave.


Bai Lu also lit incense, and everyone remained silent, sweeping through the graves in silence.


Finally, they reached Xiao Wei's mother's grave.


After clearing the weeds and lighting incense...


Xiao Cheng did not leave immediately, as he did in previous years. Instead, he turned and walked outside the grave, stopping.


In front of the grave, Bai Lu touched the little one's head, gently guiding the trembling shoulders towards her.


Xiao Wei leaned against the warm waist surrounded by sunlight, hot tears silently falling.


The clothes around Bai Lu's waist were soaked, but she didn't take a step back, gently patting the little one's back.


In previous years, after lighting incense, everyone would leave without saying a word, leaving no one to mourn in front of the grave.


If Xiao Wei dared to cry, Xiao Cheng would turn and leave immediately, not waiting for half a second.


Today was different; even though he still wore a cold expression, he stayed outside the grave.


Even the faint sobbing sounds from the grave reached their ears: "...bought new clothes..." "Mom..." "Big brother and sister-in-law are very good to me..." The usual farewells were not spoken.


...


They arrived home by noon, and as they passed through the town, Xiao Cheng bought some cooked food. They could have a meal after returning home.


After lunch, Bai Lu took a small stool and a pair of pliers, sitting by the well in the courtyard, cutting snail tails.


Xiao Wei watched for a while, then also grabbed a pair of pliers and imitated her in cutting snail tails.


Tomorrow they would go to the countryside to buy chestnut boards. Xiao Cheng went to buy rice, not from Li Shuixian, but from a rice processing factory outside the town, driving a brick truck.


The factory owner not only offered Xiao Cheng the lowest market price but also invited him for tea, and they chatted happily.


Knowing that Xiao Cheng was not working under the big boss anymore, the rice boss half-jokingly suggested that Xiao Cheng become a supervisor in the factory. The work was easy, and there was money to be made.


In essence, the boss saw Xiao Cheng's ruthless reputation in the past and wanted him to intimidate the people under him.


Moreover, when the cooperative partner who sold rice abroad couldn't pay, Xiao Cheng was asked to collect the money.


The amount wasn't much, but there was plenty of work to do. In the end, Xiao Cheng returned to his old profession, making a living on the edge of the storm.


Xiao Cheng knew the boss's intentions, but he casually used the excuse of building a house to brush off the offer.


He casually mentioned the fluctuating prices in the city.


The rice boss immediately engaged him in a lively conversation.


There were a lot of rice fields outside the town, not far from the countryside. The rice processing factory owned by the rice boss was located here, making it convenient to shell the rice after harvesting. Once shelled, it was sold to the city. He had a good grasp of the market price of rice.


The conversation continued endlessly...


Bai Lu and Xiao Wei cut about three or four pounds of snails, and there were still many left in the basin, more than they could eat at once.


"How long will they survive?" Xiao Wei stared at the small creatures in the basin, asking straightforwardly.


"Without mud, they'll die in two or three days."


Bai Lu pursed her lips. "There are no snails for sale on the street. We could bring the ones from the countryside and sell them. However, the quantity is not large, and we won't earn much money. It's better to eat them ourselves. It not only fills our stomachs but also avoids waste."


Xiao Wei suspected she wanted to keep them for herself.


"I've got it!" Bai Lu's eyes brightened. "Let's raise the snails. We can eat them whenever we want in the future. Whenever we feel like it, we can catch and cook them."


Xiao Wei: "..."


"How do we raise them?"


"In the backyard vegetable garden, there's a small stream, right? Let's pour the snails into the stream. Upstream and downstream, we can set up bamboo poles at intervals to enclose them, letting them grow freely. When they are big enough, we can catch them and cook them."


Bai Lu seemed to have already envisioned the entire river of stir-fried snails waving at her, urging her to toss the pot quickly.


"Xiao Wei, help me scoop the snails into the sieve. I'll send them to the oil later... I mean, to the river!"


The small river in the backyard, a branch of the big river outside the town, was temporarily free from industrial pollution.


The river in the countryside and the small river in the backyard both appeared clear, so they should be able to support the snails.


Bai Lu, walking with excited little steps, quickly placed the cut snails back in the kitchen and returned the pliers to their original place.


Xiao Wei took a large and a small sieve, scooping all the snails out of the basin to drain the water.


After scooping, both of them took a sieve, carrying the remaining snails to the small river in the backyard.


"Boom, boom, boom," the sound of water echoed, and only then did they realize that they didn't seem to have any bamboo.


Bai Lu looked up and saw the big chestnut trees surrounding the vegetable garden... branches, thick and sturdy branches.


However, the chestnut trees had already started to bud, and at the latest, they would bloom next month. After blooming, in a few more months, all the nuts on the tree would be golden tickets.


They couldn't cut them down.


Moreover, cutting them down now seemed to harm the tree.


The firewood used for cooking in the kitchen was short, not even halfway into the river. The snails could escape.


Bai Lu was thinking hard about a solution when a small voice suddenly sounded next to her: "Wang Cuihua has bamboo."


"Two days before Qingming Festival, I saw Dashuang help her pull it back with a wooden cart. There is a bamboo forest by the river, and there are many dry bamboo there. Wang Cuihua goes there to cut dry bamboo to burn firewood."


Xiao Wei explained in detail.


As soon as the words were finished, a knocking sound came from outside the door.


Opening the door revealed it was Wang Cuihua.


Both Bai Lu and Xiao Wei were stunned, what a coincidence!


"Bai Lu, Xiao Cheng... Is Big Brother Xiao Cheng at home?" Wang Cuihua, covered in dust, her face still black and gray, as if she had just crawled out of the stove, stood at the door.


The address of "Big Brother" was used during the ancestral worship in the countryside. Wang Cuihua called him this once, and it happened to be heard by the little girls. They teased her in front of her, and she had to change it back to "Big Brother Xiao Cheng."


"What happened to you?" Bai Lu showed great concern for the bamboo tycoon's safety.


"It seems like the chimney is broken."


Wang Cuihua looked pitiful, her face showing a look of wanting to cry but holding back: "I originally planned to wash my hair with hot water. Suddenly, there was a loud noise from the roof. A lot of chimney bricks fell down. At that time, I had just lit the straw, and when I leaned over to the stove to blow on it, the ash inside all flew out..."


Bai Lu only noticed then that Wang Cuihua's lips were a bit swollen, probably burned by sparks.


A small tuft of bangs on her forehead had turned into curly hair due to burning.








Chapter 68: Frustration to the Point of Death

"Is Big Brother Xiao Cheng at home?" Wang Cuihua looked beyond Bai Lu towards the yard, not seeing anyone.

Her face turned pitiful as she said to Bai Lu, "Ask Big Brother Xiao Cheng to come out and help me fix the chimney."

"My brother isn't at home," Xiao Wei replied.

"Did he go to sweep the graves?"

Wang Cuihua thought for a moment and then said, "Last year, you all went to sweep the graves in the morning and came back before noon."

Bai Lu said, "Ah Cheng went out for some errands."

Wang Cuihua didn't believe Xiao Wei's words, let alone Bai Lu. "Has Big Brother Xiao Cheng not returned yet?"

"The brick truck has already left." Bai Lu pointed in the direction where the truck was originally parked.

Wang Cuihua looked back.

Seeing that the truck was indeed gone, she reluctantly believed.

"What about my chimney? If it's not fixed by tonight, where will I cook and bathe?" Wang Cuihua didn't want to leave; she wanted to wait for Xiao Cheng to return.

Xiao Wei blocked the doorway. "Big Brother Da Zhuang's home is closer, and he should be back by now."

Wang Cuihua didn't want to call Xiao Da Zhuang. Last time, when she asked Xiao Cheng for help in carrying bamboo firewood, Xiao Da Zhuang, who was laying bricks nearby, insisted on helping, claiming he was stronger than his big brother.

Clumsy and foolish, always spoiling things for her.

"Big Brother Da Zhuang's mother walks slowly; she probably hasn't returned so soon..."

Before Wang Cuihua could finish her sentence, a heavy footstep sounded behind her. "I'm back."

"Do you need me for something?"

Xiao Da Zhuang carried a large grass carp and walked towards Bai Lu's doorstep, being honest and truthful.

Wang Cuihua was stunned, looking at the six or seven-kilogram fish in his hands. "This is..."

"For sister-in-law," Xiao Da Zhuang said truthfully, hanging the fish on Xiao Wei's small arm. "The fish is too heavy; it's not easy to carry. Xiao Wei, you take it. My mom says it's good for sister-in-law to eat more fish."

Xiao Wei agreed, "Okay."

The fish was heavy enough to bend Xiao Wei's arm downward, but instead of going inside, he said to Xiao Da Zhuang, "Biao Sao's chimney is broken, and she wants you to help fix it."

Wang Cuihua stared at Xiao Wei with a dark face.

She didn't want to call Xiao Da Zhuang.

Last time, when pulling bamboo firewood, she originally asked Xiao Cheng for help. Xiao Da Zhuang, upon hearing it, insisted he was strong enough to help his big brother and took over the task.

Stupid and clumsy, always ruining her plans.

"Biao Sao's chimney is broken? I can fix it. Count on me." Xiao Da Zhuang guaranteed, patting his chest.

Wang Cuihua hesitated for a moment, then turned to Bai Lu. "Do you need any tools?"

"No need," Xiao Da Zhuang grinned and shook his head. "Sister-in-law, rest assured. I can handle this small matter in no time. When our chimney had problems before, Brother Xiao Cheng helped us fix it once, and I watched and learned. I've already mastered it."

Bai Lu smiled, giving him a thumbs up. "You're as skilled as Ah Cheng."

"No, no. Ah Cheng is the most skilled!" Xiao Da Zhuang, praised, seemed a bit buoyant and immediately turned to Wang Cuihua's house.

To fix her chimney.

Must implement the "skilled" to the fullest.

His diligent and swift footsteps left Wang Cuihua dumbfounded. When Xiao Cheng wasn't home before, she asked Xiao Da Zhuang for help, but he wasn't this diligent back then!

Though he helped, it wasn't as enthusiastic and proactive as now.

With a dark face, Wang Cuihua followed him back.

Bai Lu said to Xiao Wei, "Put the fish in a basin, and there's another basin with water. After that, let's go move the bamboo."

Xiao Wei turned around to bring the fish back inside.

Wang Cuihua's house was also a blue-brick-tiled house with a front and back yard. In the backyard, they raised chickens and had a small vegetable garden.

Next to the vegetable garden, the chestnut tree wasn't cut down. Xiao Zhongbiao once said that if his big brother had something, he wanted it too.

After Xiao Da Zhuang finished fixing the chimney, he cleaned the black tiles on the roof, avoiding the need for a second repair in a short time.

Diligent and efficient, reaching the peak of expertise.

However, Wang Cuihua didn't even get a cup of tea to drink. She was still sitting at the main table in the living room, looking worried as she said to him, "Big Brother Da Zhuang, our family also has chestnuts."

"Last year, many chestnuts fell from the chestnut tree. Before Ah Biao passed away, he taught me how to store them, and I stored quite a few."

"Oh." Xiao Da Zhuang didn't understand why she suddenly mentioned this. He put the ladder back in its place.

Then he said, "We also have chestnuts at home, stored by my mom. She said they taste great when cooked."

"In fact, chestnuts taste even better when stir-fried than when boiled." Wang Cuihua hinted.

Xiao Da Zhuang nodded in agreement, "You should stir-fry them then."

Wang Cuihua said, "..."

"There are many chestnuts at home. I can't finish stir-frying them all by myself." Now, do you understand?

"Why stir-fry so many if you can't finish eating them." Xiao Da Zhuang didn't understand. "Just stir-fry as much as you can eat."

Wang Cuihua was almost infuriated. She bit her lip, hesitated, and stammered, "Those sugar-coated chestnuts sold on the street are delicious, but unfortunately, I don't know how to make them."

Talking about sugar-coated chestnuts, Xiao Da Zhuang finally understood, "The sugar-coated chestnuts are indeed delicious."

Wang Cuihua waited for him to continue, but he didn't say anything for a long time.

Then, he was about to leave without saying a word, "The chimney has been fixed. I'm going home."

"Wait." Wang Cuihua couldn't hold back any longer and tentatively asked, "Big Brother Da Zhuang, do you think, if I want to learn how to make sugar-coated chestnuts, would Bai Lu teach me?"

Outside the window, Bai Lu and Xiao Wei heard the conversation.

Xiao Da Zhuang honestly shook his head, "I don't know."

"Sugar-coated chestnuts can be sold for money. Bai Lu probably won't teach me, right..." Wang Cuihua sighed sadly.

After Xiao Da Zhuang finally understood, he was shocked to the point that he couldn't hide his honest expression, "Do you want to learn from sister-in-law to make sugar-coated chestnuts and sell them on the street?"

Wang Cuihua nodded, expressing her reluctance and continued, "Since the chestnuts are at home, instead of letting them sit there, why not..."

"How can that be allowed!"

Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Da Zhuang interrupted, "Brother Cheng said that sister-in-law's skills are her own. Brother Cheng didn't teach her how to make sugar-coated chestnuts. Brother Cheng doesn't know how to make sugar-coated chestnuts. If we want to eat them, we should buy them ourselves from the street."

Before Qingming Festival, they were laying bricks at Aunt Wu's house, and Wang Hao casually mentioned this.

Xiao Da Zhuang remembered it very clearly. That's exactly what Xiao Cheng said, succinctly and precisely.

At first, he didn't understand what it meant; he thought Wang Hao just craved the sugar-coated chestnuts made by sister-in-law.

During dinner conversations at home, he casually mentioned it, only to learn the truth from his mother's mouth.

Wang Hao wasn't craving them; he wanted the recipe for sugar-coated chestnuts.

Wang Cuihua was stunned by Xiao Da Zhuang's unprecedented big reaction and dared not mention this matter again.

She could try asking Bai Lu after he left.

At this moment, a knocking sound came from outside.

Wang Cuihua remembered that the door wasn't closed, stood up in confusion, and saw Bai Lu and Xiao Wei standing in front of the wide-open door. Bai Lu was knocking on the open door, probably having just come over from home, facing away from the door.

"We came to see if Da Zhuang fixed the chimney and if there's anything we can help with."

Bai Lu smiled warmly, while Xiao Wei remained silent as usual, representing agreement.

"Sister-in-law, rest assured, I've already fixed it." Wang Cuihua hadn't spoken yet when Xiao Da Zhuang's loud voice came from inside the house. Soon, his tall figure also ran out.

Wang Cuihua was afraid that Xiao Da Zhuang would reveal what happened just now, so she quickly spoke, "Do you want to come in and sit for a while?"

"Big Brother Da Zhuang, if you have something to do, you can go back first."












Chapter 69: Bai Lu is a Great Deceiver


Xiao Dazhuang saw that there was nothing for him to do, so he left.


Xiao Wei wanted to ask him to help move the bamboo, but considering that it probably wouldn't take much, and he could manage it himself, he silently turned and followed Bai Lu and Wang Cuihua into the courtyard.


After Bai Lu took a seat, Wang Cuihua poured her tea, a chrysanthemum tea specially brought back from her parents' home.


The fragrance was just right, emanating a natural freshness.


Xiao Wei was also treated to a cup.


Sitting beside Bai Lu, sipping tea in small sips, he quietly listened to Wang Cuihua chatting with Bai Lu.


After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Wang Cuihua finally got to the point, "Bai Lu, when I saw you buying chestnuts during the ancestral worship in the countryside, I remembered that we also have a lot of chestnuts stored at home, buried in sand. Each fruit is plump and full, perfect for making sugar-fried chestnuts."


Bai Lu smiled and, in a tone of great trust, said, "The purchase price is twenty cents per kilogram."


Wang Cuihua almost choked on her tea, her mouth twitching, her throat turning for a long time before she managed to swallow the tea.


The price was the same as the Xiao family's, not a single cent less, not to mention any special consideration for their own people.


Bai Lu's eyes, filled with kindness, were smiling.


However, Wang Cuihua felt her scalp go numb. After a pause, she sighed and said, "Since Ah Biao passed away, all the living expenses at home have fallen on me alone. But I don't know how to do anything except plant a few vegetables and raise a few chickens and ducks. I have no other income. Even the rice and oil at home are borrowed from my rural parents."


"Last month, my mother came to town to visit me. When we were cooking, we ran out of salt at home. She had to pay for it herself. Seeing me living such a hard life, my mother kept urging me to find someone else to remarry. But it hasn't been a year since Ah Biao's death. How can I remarry at this time..."


Wang Cuihua shook her head resolutely, her tone becoming more and more sad and pitiful, "But life has to go on. I have no income, and life is getting harder and harder."


"It's really tough," Bai Lu put away her smiling face, suddenly showing an extremely realistic sympathy.


But in her mind, memories of a certain segment of the big brother floated up.


After Xiao Zhongbiao went solo, he brought a group of thugs from the big boss. In a confrontation with a debtor during a visit to the casino, there was a fierce conflict, resulting in casualties on both sides.


Xiao Zhongbiao was chopped to death with a machete.


The organization of the big boss was roughly similar to the large gangs in Hong Kong gangster movies. It had a pyramid structure with strict hierarchical rules and regulations from top to bottom. Someone like Xiao Zhongbiao, a newcomer with no outstanding history, was at the bottom of the pyramid, just one step higher than the bottom-ranking thugs.


According to the big boss's rules, if a small fry died, it was just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning. The bottom of the pyramid didn't deserve any compensation.


The next day, Xiao Cheng brought Luo Shiliu and others to settle the accounts of a big troublemaker in the southern city. When he mentioned this matter in front of the big boss, the big boss, out of respect for Xiao Cheng, finally gave three thousand yuan in compensation to Xiao Zhongbiao's family.


This last three thousand yuan in compensation, Xiao Cheng gave it all to Xiao Zhongbiao's only family member - Wang Cuihua.


In less than half a year, Wang Cuihua began to complain about being poor, having no money, and living a difficult life.


Bai Lu silently drank her tea without saying a word.


Xiao Wei also silently drank his tea without saying a word.


Luo Shiliu and Xiao Dazhuang believed that Wang Cuihua had no money. She went out every day, either buying fish or pork, ribs, and pig's trotters... He couldn't believe that she had no money.


When Wang Cuihua saw that Bai Lu had not spoken for a long time, she felt annoyed and anxious, and couldn't help but speak again, "If I were as smart as you, Bai Lu, I would know how to do everything and could run a small business to support myself."


Bai Lu modestly said, "You know it's just a small business, barely making ends meet."


Wang Cuihua regretted mentioning a small business. A small business was something she valued. Wasn't she just slapping herself in the face? But the words were already spoken, and she couldn't take them back.


She could only envy and sigh, "If only I could run a small business too. Unfortunately, I don't know how to make sugar-fried chestnuts."


"If only I could make sugar-fried chestnuts... Big Brother Xiao Cheng wouldn't be criticized by the neighbors, saying that his brother died, and his brother's wife fell into destitution, and no one cared..."


Wang Cuihua's face was full of guilt towards Big Brother Xiao Cheng, "If only I could make sugar-fried chestnuts, at least I could sell them and barely make a living."


Bai Lu listened to the prelude until her ears were almost calloused, finally ushering in the ultimate goal.


Immediately she spoke, "Selling sugar-fried chestnuts is not a difficult thing; you can do it too."


Wang Cuihua was stunned. She didn't expect things to go so smoothly. Her troubled face instantly turned into a big chrysanthemum-like smile.


"Bai Lu, I knew you were as good as Big Brother Xiao Cheng, who knows how to take care of the relatives of those in difficult situations. You won't let us go hungry."


"Learning to fry chestnuts is not difficult, right? Whenever you have time, I'll come to your house to learn from you. I learn things quickly. If I learn today, I can set up a stall tomorrow."


After listening, Xiao Wei couldn't even drink his tea.


His eyes stared straight at Bailu, suspecting that he had turned back into the fool who was deceived by Li Shuixian.


But Bai Lu smiled very considerately, "Why bother learning to fry chestnuts? It's too troublesome. You sell the chestnuts to me, and I'll give you sugar-fried chestnuts. You can just take them out and sell them!"


Wang Cuihua: "..."


Xiao Wei: "..."


How great, isn't it about making money... Doing business like Aunt Wu, just sell at a stall, and you can make money.


If there's a difference, it's that Aunt Wu is cooperating with Bai Lu, while Wang Cuihua is working for Bai Lu.


I don't even know how much the salary is.


Wang Cuihua's face alternated between green and white for a


 while, feeling that she had been played by Bai Lu again. Bai Lu didn't intend to teach her how to make sugar-fried chestnuts at all; she just wanted her to help sell sugar-fried chestnuts!


But she still had to ask about the salary, "Then, how is the money earned from selling sugar-fried chestnuts divided?"


Bai Lu said, "After deducting costs and one cent per kilogram of labor cost, the net profit is split fifty-fifty."


"A whole cent for labor cost for frying chestnuts!" Wang Cuihua was too excited for a moment, and her voice raised.


Bai Lu remained calm, explaining with a signature fake smile, "Frying chestnuts requires strength and skill."


Strength, skill, skill...


Wang Cuihua's high pitch suddenly stopped.


Although a fifty-fifty split in net profit was not bad, she wanted all the profits.


She paid for the chestnuts, and she ran around to sell them. Bailu just fried chestnuts, and she still had to charge a labor fee. In the end, she could sit comfortably at home, wait for her to work hard and sell sugar-fried chestnuts, and then split half the money with her.


However Wang Cuihua thought about it, she felt like she was losing.


But Bai Lu, with a smiling face, analyzed for her, "You're not at a loss. Look, you sell the chestnuts to me for twenty cents per kilogram, and you can get the money immediately. My labor fee is only one cent per kilogram. In the end, the net profit is split fifty-fifty. You get five cents plus twenty cents, and I get five cents plus one cent. You earn one cent more than me. It's obvious that you're making the big money."







Chapter 70: The Boss Is the Best


All these twists and turns, sounding right but feeling off, the words were clear and straightforward, yet Xiao Wei's mind was a mess, unable to grasp the theory.


Even Wang Cuihua, who was always thinking about making money, was confused. She counted on her fingers while calculating in her mind.


After a long time of contemplation, she finally understood. Bai Lu's words made sense!


In her family, they had chestnut trees, and the chestnuts were directly harvested from the trees, without the need to incur additional procurement costs.


Two cents was equivalent to pure profit. Bai Lu earned only one cent, clearly making Wang Cuihua an extra cent!


Wang Cuihua immediately laughed happily, "Bai Lu, you're really good. I knew it; you, just like Big Brother Xiao Cheng, wouldn't forget to take care of us after getting rich."


Bai Lu smiled, "I'm good, you're good, everyone's good."


Xiao Wei had seen various smiles from Bai Lu, real, fake, angry, but never this one.


It felt like the expression of a pig boss counting money after selling a pig trotter. The difference was that Bai Lu wouldn't open her mouth wide; she always smiled gently, warm like sunlight.


It made people involuntarily believe in her words, believe that she was a good person always thinking about others.


Of course, Bai Lu was a good person, a really good person.


Instead of letting Wang Cuihua come to Xiao Cheng's house every now and then, causing rumors and gossip among neighbors, it was better to use a straightforward and legitimate reason, just like Aunt Wu, to come to Xiao Cheng's house for goods and block the mouths of gossipers.


"Hello, I'm good, everyone's good."


As for the net profit being split fifty-fifty, just like Aunt Wu Xiuyun, Bai Lu had her own considerations.


Xiao Zhongbiao had followed Xiao Cheng for eight or nine years, facing bloodshed and danger, licking blood off the blade, never betraying even when going solo later. Friendship and loyalty always remained.


Even if Wang Cuihua wasn't good, she was still Xiao Zhongbiao's wife, and currently not remarried. If she did something excessive, it would chill the hearts of Xiao Cheng's brothers.


In the previous life at this time, Xiao Cheng and others were still in Li Chengbin's father-in-law's trap, suffering torture.


Yet, not a single person kneeled and begged for mercy.


When Li Chengbin's father-in-law said, "Blame everything on Xiao Cheng, and you can leave," no one betrayed Xiao Cheng. Perhaps it was because of their strong will, unwilling to bow down.


Perhaps it was youthful arrogance, friendship transcending life and death.


Regardless of the future, at that time, they were true brothers bound by life and death.


Bai Lu could already predict that in the next few days, besides Wang Cuihua, there would be another person, with reasons not much different from Wang Cuihua, coming to ask for the sugar-fried chestnut recipe.


A fifty-fifty profit split was the most suitable method for resolving conflicts and making money, for both Wang Cuihua and "her."


Moreover, the sugar-fried chestnuts had gained popularity, and it was time to expand the distribution channels.


It was also time to officially enter the city through Aunt Wu Xiuyun's husband and negotiate higher prices.


The price of sugar-fried chestnuts in the small town would be controlled by Aunt Wu, Wang Cuihua, and "her."


Competition breeds motivation. Even if they didn't sell in the same town, she believed they would strive to achieve the highest sales volume and the highest profit share.


Women always loved to compare.


Selling more chestnuts than others, earning the most money here, they could proudly tell their family and relatives about their achievements. It was a matter of face.


Bai Lu's smile became more benevolent.


Wang Cuihua happily agreed to cooperate with Bai Lu, planning to set up the stall as soon as the sugar-fried chestnuts were ready.


No need to fry them; they could make money by selling them.


Wang Cuihua joyfully gave Bai Lu three large bundles of bamboo, each containing at least thirty or more stems.


Each bamboo was over two meters long, almost three meters. She had already cut and bundled them by the river.


Xiao Wei definitely couldn't carry such a large bundle.


So, when Wang Cuihua politely offered to help, Bai Lu readily agreed.


Wang Cuihua had to reluctantly smile and help with one bundle but ended up carrying three bundles for Bai Lu.


By the side of the vegetable garden, the small river had snails crawling in it. Snails were crawling upstream and downstream, starting to escape.


Bai Lu stood by the river, bending over to roll up her pants.


"You want to go into the river?" Xiao Wei frowned.


"Yeah, how else can I put the bamboo in the river to block the snails' escape route?" Bai Lu said helplessly, "If only I had exceptional martial arts skills. Those TV heroes just need to move their fingers, and they can knock down a bunch of wooden stakes. Dealing with small bamboo is even easier."


"What's TV?" Xiao Wei didn't understand and asked.


Bai Lu thought for a moment and explained in the simplest terms, "TV is like Li Shuixian's radio in the store, but it needs to be plugged in. However, TV not only has sound but also little people performing inside."


Xiao Wei seemed to understand vaguely and thought TV was better than Li Shuixian's radio. "I haven't seen a TV in town."


"Did you have a TV in your previous home before moving here?" Xiao Wei hadn't heard of it.


The original family was even poorer than Xiao Cheng's house. There had never been a TV in town, so how could there be one in her house?


Bai Lu racked her brains and finally came up with an excuse, "My parents worked in a brick factory. The factory would have a gathering during holidays, and sometimes the boss would invite the employees to a big restaurant in the city. Once, when my mom took me there, I saw it in the restaurant, and the boss said it was a TV."


Xiao Wei also had classmates whose parents worked in brick factories, and he had heard about gatherings in the city.


He hadn't heard about the TV, maybe because he wasn't there when his classmates mentioned it.


Without much thought, Xiao Wei believed Bai Lu's words and asked, "Is the hero better than Big Brother?"


Bai Lu's mind twitched slightly as she entered the comparison of power levels.


In terms of martial arts, the hero was definitely better.


In terms of guns, the boss shot a head with one shot.


Bai Lu nodded, solemnly revealing the truth, "The hero is not as good as your brother; your brother is the best!"


As soon as she finished speaking, steady and powerful footsteps came from behind.


And the low laughter of a man coming closer.


The clear wind blew, causing a chestnut leaf to fall on Bai Lu's head, making her want to find a place to hide.


But it seemed more appropriate to jump into the river in front of her.


"What are you doing?"


The cool voice instantly stopped the crazy thoughts and the pair of slender white legs that seemed eager to try.


Xiao Cheng's gaze shifted from Bai Lu's legs, returning to the bamboo beside him, and then turning to the transparent figure of Xiao Wei.


Xiao Wei immediately explained, "The bamboo needs to be put into the river. All the snails brought from the countryside have been released into the river; if the bamboo is not put in, they will run away."


Facing the man's suspicious gaze, Bai Lu quickly explained with a smile, "Aunties picked a lot of snails, and we can't eat them all in one day. We released the snails into the river to raise them. We can eat them whenever we want in the future."


Not sure which sentence pleased Xiao Cheng, he slightly raised the corners of his mouth and began to roll up his pants.


"What are you doing?" Bai Lu was a bit confused.


Did the big boss want to personally go into the river to get bamboo?

The reborn of paranoid boss cannon fodder wife(71-75)