Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

Zhang Sanlang was somewhat moved by what he saw.

Ideally, it would have been best for the two sisters to stay. However, Lin Qiao'er was young but quite thoughtful. Her insistence on going with Lin Laogui suggested she might have other motives, and Zhang Sanlang couldn't easily stop her.

Lin Xiuer was coaxed into the house by happy Meier. She cried herself to sleep on the kang (a heated brick bed), tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes.

Zhang Sanlang sat in the main room, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down with some annoyance.

Just then, Carpenter He arrived.

He stood in the doorway, rubbing his hands on his knees. "Zhang Qianxing, are you busy?"

Zhang Sanlang raised his head, pointed to the chair opposite him, and said, "Brother He, come in and sit down. The county government office has been sealed off, so I can finally have some peace and quiet for a while."

Carpenter He walked in and sat down next to a chair. "Zhang Qianxing, I've come to talk to you about something."

Zhang Sanlang poured him a bowl of tea.

Carpenter He took it. "The furniture is all bought. I don't have much work to do, I'm really bored. I've been thinking about it these past few days, how about I go to the almshouse before the New Year?"

He rubbed his hands together. "You've entrusted the work to my wife and me; it's a great favor. Magistrate Shen inscribed a name for the almshouse, and I was thinking of getting it done before he leaves office."

Zhang Sanlang waved his hand, "The New Year is almost here, why the rush?"

Carpenter He chuckled, "I've discussed it with my wife. The almshouse provides room and board, and we both get a monthly stipend, which saves us money on New Year's goods, right?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanlang immediately understood that it was He Liu's idea.

This woman always tries to take advantage of any opportunity.

A few days ago, Zhou Qing came by. The almshouse had already taken in twenty-two elderly people living alone and eighteen orphans. His wife was simply too busy to manage everything by herself. After all, she had been pampered since childhood and wasn't very good at taking care of people.

Zhencheng did not have a nursing home before because such welfare institutions required "the property of the deceased to be confiscated for relief purposes," and they were places that only gave out money and did not receive it, requiring long-term financial support. What official would be willing to do such a thankless task?

In other words, after Chen Youde's property was confiscated, the county government made a substantial profit, and only then did they reluctantly agree to the order at Zhang Sanlang's suggestion.

Zhang Sanlang led him to find Clerk Tao, where they happened to meet Magistrate Shen. Upon hearing about the matter, Magistrate Shen generously approved a hundred strings of cash for the almshouse and even inscribed a message on the spot.

With the support of Magistrate Shen, Zhang Sanlang set his sights on Carpenter He. After discussing it, they decided that Carpenter He would be in charge of the construction and daily maintenance of the almshouse, and that He Liu and his mother would be hired to take care of the meals.

Before the carpenter could react, Mrs. He immediately urged him to agree.

He Liu was in such a hurry to go because she was greedy for the free food and lodging at the orphanage, and she wouldn't have to buy any food for the holidays.

Carpenter He bowed deeply to him with eyes full of gratitude. "Zhang Qianxing, my wife and I owe everything we have today to you. Although we've gone to the almshouse, it's not far from here. Please feel free to call me if you need anything."

Zhang Sanlang quickly stood up to help him, saying, "Brother He, there's no need for that."

Carpenter He straightened up and grinned, "Then I won't keep you any longer. I'll go hire a cart in a bit, and while it's still early, we can move over today."

In no time, the backyard was bustling with activity. Pots and pans clattered and rattled, and He Liu's voice could be heard across the yard, "Load this onto the cart! Don't drop that!"

Mother He squatted on the porch, with more than a dozen jars and pots in front of her.

He Liu carried a quilt out of the house. As she passed by, she glanced at the jars, frowned, and said, "Mother, we can't take these pickled vegetables with us. The cart can't hold them all."

Mother He didn't say anything, and wiped the dust off the jar.

He Liu's eyes darted around, and she saw Zhang Sanlang standing under the eaves. She put on a smile and said, "Zhang Qianxing, don't you usually like my mother's pickled vegetables? Why don't you buy them all? I'll give you a discount, just two or three hundred coins will do."

Carpenter He came out from the backyard, carrying two benches on his shoulders. Hearing this, he glared at her and said, "What are you saying? What kindness has Zhang Qianxing shown our family that you have the nerve to ask for money?"

Unconvinced, He Liu threw the quilt onto the cart, put her hands on her hips, and said, "What did I do wrong? I was just joking! I would never really want money!"

"You have no sense of propriety when it comes to jokes." Carpenter He placed the bench on the cart without turning his head.

Before He Liu could retort, He's mother suddenly stood up.

She slammed the jar of eight-treasure vegetables on the ground with a dull thud. The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Mother He looked at He Liu Shi, her face ashen, and said, "Shut up."

He Liu was stunned.

Throughout the years she's been married into the family, her mother-in-law has always spoken softly and gently, never even raising her voice.

Mother He pointed at the row of jars, her fingers trembling. "What kindness has Sanlang done for our family? Don't you know? How many people are eyeing that job at the almshouse? Why did it have to be you?"

"They gave you a secure job, and you still want to take from their bowl? You don't know how to be grateful; what's the difference between you and an animal?"

He Liu opened her mouth, but was so embarrassed that she didn't know where to put her hands.

As Mother He spoke, she grew angrier and angrier, her chest heaving violently. "How many times have I tolerated you all these years since you married into the family? You're stingy, you're calculating, but I, this old woman, have put up with it all, thinking you were just good at managing money."

"Sanlang is such a kind person. If it weren't for him constantly giving the eldest brother chores after he moved in, we'd still be eating porridge every day! How can you expect me to put my face here saying things like that?"

Carpenter He stood by the cart, dumbfounded. His mother and wife had never argued before, and this was the first time he had ever seen his mother so angry.

Zhang Sanlang quickly came over and took He's mother's arm. "Grandma He, don't be angry. Sister-in-law He was just saying it casually, I didn't take it to heart."

Mother He's eyes reddened. "Sanlang, don't speak up for her. I'm an old woman who's lived to this age. I can tell the difference between a joke and genuine feelings."

Zhang Sanlang patted the back of her hand. "Grandma He, what Sister-in-law He said is right. I usually like this kind of food, especially your pickled vegetables. It's a flavor you can't find anywhere else. If you can't take it with you, leave it to me."

Mother He nodded quickly, "Sanlang, this was originally meant for you. It's just not much. I'll have to pickle it again when it gets to the almshouse. I'll have my eldest son send it to you again after spring."

She turned to look at He Liu Shi, "Remember this, people's hearts are reciprocal. You can't just think about taking advantage of others. If you don't understand this principle, then don't come into this house."

Upon hearing this, He Liu's face turned bright red, and her voice was barely audible, "Mother, I was wrong."

Zhang Sanlang quickly gave He the carpenter a wink. He the carpenter went over and tugged at He Liu's sleeve, "Alright, stop standing there, start moving things."

After a short while, the carpenter finished installing the vehicle and came over to Zhang Sanlang, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "Zhang Qianxing, we're off then."

Zhang Sanlang nodded. "Brother He, take care."

Carpenter He jumped onto the cart shaft, cracked his whip, and the mule cart creaked and groaned its way out of the alley.

Sitting in the car, Mrs. He glanced back at the old house, her eyes red-rimmed.

He Liu sat beside her with her head down, her hands on her knees, not daring to move.