Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1149 Wear it for fun

Old Xia said, "I've been seeing him for several years now, and we live together. He's alright, I guess. Apart from being a bit arrogant, he's not bad in other aspects. I've given him two construction sites in the city to manage. We'll see how he performs. If he's capable, I'll hand over the rest to him; if not, I'll just give him some money to get by."

Xiao Hong said, "I really didn't expect this. Before school, in the summer and autumn, I remember she didn't seem to have her eye on Liu Xiaodong, right? It was that Chen something, not tall and rather thin. He was good at fighting."

Old Xia said, "I don't know. How could I ask? That's my living ancestor! He just pouts and ignores me for half a month."

Xiao Hong giggled, and Xiao Wei asked, "Why aren't you making plans for a wedding?"

Old Xia said, "I'm making arrangements. His husband, Old Liu, has come over before; we're all acquaintances. If you two are free next May Day, come over and join the festivities, give your uncle some face. It'll be held in the city."

Xiao Hong asked, "Where do they live? In the city?"

Old Xia said, "I gave them half a building in the county. It wasn't sold out yet, so it's theirs. They can live wherever they want after that. I don't want to interfere. They're grown up and don't listen to me anymore. They're not like they used to be, always clinging to me when they were little. Your dad lives with you, right?"

Xiao Hong said, "Yes, our two families live together. It's so lively when everyone is together, and it saves us the trouble of running back and forth."

Old Xia nodded: "That's good. Your parents have finally made it and can start enjoying their retirement. By the way," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, handing it to Xiao Hong: "I missed your wedding because I was in Guangzhou. This is a small token of my appreciation. Don't think it's too much; I'm not as rich as you are now."

Xiao Hong opened it and looked inside. It was a crystal-clear jade pendant, shaped like a teardrop. She said, "It's beautiful. I like it."

Old Xia said, "If you like it, then wear it for fun. It's worth over 100,000 yuan."

Xiao Hong said to Xiao Wei, "Look, you never buy me these things."

Xiao Wei said, "You have more pocket money than I do. Buy whatever you like. It's not like I'm stopping you from spending it."

Old Xia patted the steering wheel and said, "Jianshe told me that Xiao Hong, you have over 30 million in pocket money, right? That's almost as much as my entire fortune. Xiao Wei, you're really generous."

Xiao Hong asked, "Uncle, what should I do with the money so I don't lose out? It feels like a waste to just leave this money sitting idle."

Old Xia said, "Ask me? I don't even have as much money as you have for building this school. It's all on the construction site. What can I do if I have more? I can't just spend it recklessly. Buying houses and land is more cost-effective, and you don't lack that. People will curse you to death if they hear you doing this."

Xiao Wei said, "She originally planned to buy a house, specifically in Kyoto or Shanghai. I bought a courtyard house in Kyoto two years ago, and even after renovations, it only cost less than three million. There's no point in buying more."

Old Xia said, "Thinking about this is useless. You're only a few years old, and you make money quickly. You don't need to worry about appreciation or preservation of value. Even if the money depreciates, it won't be as fast as you make money, so what are you afraid of? Are you really planning to buy half a city? The government will come after you. Besides, it's no use saying anything."

Xiao Hong said, "I've made up my mind. I'll set up a foundation to help children in rural areas go to school."

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, whatever makes you happy."

Old Xia said, "That won't cost much. We might as well build more schools. They'll be useful eventually."

When the car arrived at the entrance of the courtyard, Lao Wu had already arrived.

Xiao Wei jumped down and called out, "Fifth Uncle."

The fifth brother laughed and said, "Oh dear, the big boss is back. Don't call me Uncle, call me Fifth Brother. Calling me Uncle makes me feel uneasy."

Xiao Wei said, "Don't say that. I should thank you for taking care of me back then, Uncle Wu."

The fifth brother waved his hand and said, "That was Xia Laoda's arrangement. I didn't do anything. Really, Xiao Wei, if you can accept me as a nobody, then call me 'brother.' Xia Laoda and your father-in-law are buddies. Otherwise, he won't accept being called 'uncle.' In society, age doesn't matter; only achievements matter. Calling me 'uncle' is a bit inappropriate."

Old Xia laughed a few times and said, "There's no way around it, he has to acknowledge me as his uncle for life. Alright, Xiao Wei, don't be stubborn, just call him Fifth Brother, it'll make you look younger."

Xiao Wei had no choice but to nod.

Old Xia pointed to the night watchman's dwelling: "Fifth brother, go in and take a look yourself. It's been sitting here for ages. Is this how you arranged things for me?"

The fifth brother went over to take a look, went inside and walked around, and came out with a rather unpleasant expression. It seemed he hadn't come in person either, but had arranged for his underlings to handle it.

He looked around, picked up half a brick from the side, smashed the lock on the door of the room next to the night watchman's house, and went inside.

Lao Xia and Xiao Wei followed. Inside, there was only an office desk and a shelf against the wall with a row of safety helmets.

The fifth brother clapped his hands and came out, saying to the night watchman, "You move in here. You can live in this room and cook in that room. Don't light the coal stove in the room to sleep. I'll bring you an electric heater later. You can use an electric stove to heat water, just be careful not to get an electric shock."

Old Xia said, "He's so old, it's not safe for him to use an electric stove."

Xiao Wei said, "I feel the same way. We shouldn't use an electric stove; it's the same as burning coal here, except we can't burn coal in the sleeping room."

The fifth brother said, "I have an electric heater; I'll bring one over in a bit."

The old night watchman followed behind the group, a little nervously: "Boss, I'm fine, this is really good."

Old Xia said, "You have to follow orders. If I tell you to move to that room, you move. If I tell you not to burn coal in the sleeping room, you don't burn it. Do you hear me? That thing can kill you in a second. Are you tired of living?"

Xiao Wei asked Lao Wu, "Fifth Brother, how much salary do you pay here this winter?" Winters in Northeast China are quite long, lasting from the end of October to April of the following year.

The fifth brother was taken aback: "Two hundred a month? What's wrong? That's not low. It's considered high in this county."

Xiao Wei frowned: "Ask the old man how much he's getting. Five hundred for the whole winter, coal is free, rice, flour, oil, and vegetables are free. Are you giving him a discount?"

The fifth brother said, "How is that possible? How much rice, noodles, oil, and vegetables do we need to run a canteen every day? He's just one person, he doesn't even cover the electricity bill. Damn it, forget it, I'll handle it, it's my business."

Old Xia said, "Fifth Brother, now is not the time for us brothers to fight together. These kids are all greedy and irresponsible. They will take advantage of any opportunity and dare to reach out for anything. They will run away when there is trouble. You have to be careful and take this seriously, okay?"

"You've handled all the logistics, and I've never asked you about it, have I? Look at what it's become now! You really haven't even had time to come and take a look?"

The fifth brother scratched his head: "This is my fault. I'll investigate it from the beginning right away, and from now on, I'll personally oversee everything."

These are true brothers. They wouldn't say things like, "I'm wrong, I'll take responsibility, just find someone else." That's not being responsible, that's being irresponsible. If you're wrong, admit it and genuinely correct it; take care of yourself. That's what being responsible means.

Old Xia said to the night watchman, "Alright, you can move in now. Are you worried about being ripped off? If you are, just say so. There's plenty of room for maneuver. Don't skimp on food; eat well and be full. Keeping watch over this place is more important than anything else. If anything happens, don't try to be a hero; just call someone right away. Understand?"

The old man nodded.

Old Xia turned and glanced into the house, shook his head, and said to Xiao Wei, "Let's go, Uncle will treat you to dog meat. Where are you staying?"

(End of this chapter)