Chapter 216 Ye Ma Becomes a Henpecked Wife
The village chief waved his hand upon hearing that, thinking it was nothing serious. The Bai family hadn't arrived at a good time; it was the busiest period for rice harvesting, so he assigned the easiest tasks to them.
"That's fine. You can talk to the head of the brigade and your second team leader later. The women can do housework and will receive ration like the wives who don't work in the village, just per capita. But you men have to earn work points, otherwise, it'll be difficult for me to distribute rations to you."
"Don't worry, all the men in our families will work, and we won't make it difficult for the village chief."
"Are you comrades with the Bai family by marriage? I thought you were all friends."
Mentioning the young girl, Zi Yisheng's lips curved slightly upwards.
"The people in the five houses being built this time are all important to me. The Ye family's youngest daughter is my promised bride, and the Bai family is her maternal family."
The village chief was truly surprised that Young Master Zi already had a partner. He was very curious what kind of girl could capture his heart.
"Alright, you don't have to work in the fields normally, but during busy farming seasons, the brigade's regulations require everyone to work. I'll arrange the easiest tasks for you then, is that okay?"
Zi Yisheng frowned. He wasn't worried about others, but his little girl's health couldn't withstand fieldwork, let alone him wanting her to suffer.
The village chief's heart sank; he was clearly doting on her.
"Village Chief, my partner is young, and her health has always been poor since childhood. She needs constant care, so she can't work."
The village chief found himself in a difficult position. At harvest time, even young children helped in the fields. It was hard to justify a grown girl not working, especially since the village wasn't his sole domain.
"How about this? During those few days, let her tend to the sheep at the foot of the mountain. It's cooler there, and she just needs to make sure the sheep are full."
Zi Yisheng immediately pictured it: a stunning girl in a white dress, wielding a small whip, with a flock of sheep charging wildly in front of her.
Zi Yisheng rubbed his nose. Fine, he'd have Aunt Bai accompany her later, and that should prevent her from getting tired or hurt.
"Okay, but only during the busy farming season for herding sheep."
Zi Yisheng's tone inadvertently carried a commanding edge, a habit of his.
The village chief immediately broke into a sweat. When a top leader spoke, their words could make one's legs go weak.
"No problem. She doesn't need to work otherwise."
The village chief then took Zi Yisheng and his group to see the brigade secretary and the head of the brigade, even visiting the second team leader. They presented gifts of pastries and canned goods to everyone; there's no harm in being generous.
After all, only the village chief and the head of the brigade knew Zi Yisheng's true identity; others were unaware. However, seeing the gifts and the village chief personally escorting them, no one dared to make things difficult for them.
After touring around, it was already time for the afternoon shift to end. Zi Yisheng and his group appearing in the village quickly drew a crowd of onlookers.
"What are you all doing? Aren't you hungry or tired? Do you want me to make you work an extra hour?"
"Village Chief, are these young men new arrivals?"
"Are they the owners of the new houses at the foot of the mountain?"
"Do you have a partner? My daughter is well-built with a big backside, definitely capable of bearing sons."
Zi Yisheng's expression remained impassive, and his companions, Ah Can and the others, immediately cleared a path for him.
"Village Chief, we'll be leaving now."
With that, the group vanished from sight.
"Hey, why aren't these people paying attention to us?"
"Exactly, I haven't even had a chance to introduce my granddaughter."
"Forget it, your granddaughter's appearance is... well, they might not be interested."
The village chief felt a throbbing in his head again today. These villagers were truly overreaching.
Especially seeing a few girls with shy expressions, constantly gazing at the retreating figures, he felt utterly ashamed.
"Ahem, I've said a few words. If anyone doesn't listen and gets into trouble, don't blame me."
"What trouble, Village Chief? Who could we possibly offend?"
"That's right, who is more honest than our families?"
"Everyone shut up, are you going to let me speak or not?"
Despite his age, the village chief's daily shouting matches with the villagers had honed his "inner strength."
"First, the new villagers have been accepted by our village, so everyone should be welcoming. If I find anyone deliberately causing trouble, don't blame me for being impolite. Also, when you cause trouble, consider your own strength and the physiques of their family members.
Second, the newly arrived families are all related. Their children are already engaged, so don't even think about it – it's pointless. And don't let your daughters do anything shameless, or I won't spare your whole family from disgrace in the village.
Third, that's it. Everyone should coexist harmoniously."
The village chief waved his hand and left. If anyone caused trouble, he would not be lenient. If they truly offended someone, they would have to bear the consequences.
Upon returning home, Zi Yisheng saw the goods in the main hall. He kept what he needed and let Ah Can and the others take the rest.
"Young Master Zi, will you be cooking with us from now on?"
Ah Sen was the oldest among them and the leader of Ah Can and the others.
Zi Yisheng glanced at them disdainfully. Could their cooking even be eaten?
"No need. The nine of you can cook for yourselves. I'll eat at Shengge's house."
He had someone to look after him, unlike them who were so rough.
Ah Can's mouth twitched. He didn't know anyone in the Ye family could cook?
Ah Can patted Ah Sen on the shoulder. Perhaps their cooking would be better than the Ye family's. He hoped Young Master Zi could endure it.
"See what else we need, and we'll buy it all from the supply and marketing cooperative tomorrow. Prepare a thermos and a basin for me."
This place was hot for three-quarters of the year, so bathing could be done with cold water. His family didn't need to boil water; he could just fetch a pot of boiled water from the little girl's house every day.
When the little girl married him, he would add all the household items. A home without a mistress was merely a temporary dwelling.
Zi Yisheng ushered everyone away, wanting to quickly wash up and change his clothes to find the little girl, lest she be snatched away by a crowd and forget him.
Ye Shenggge finished tidying up the house and was about to take a bath. She found it strange seeing Ye Ma squatting by the stove, tending the fire.
"Mom, you know how to tend the fire?"
"How could I? I learned it from your aunt. It's not easy working in the kitchen. You go out and rest quickly. Ye Huaijin, Ye Mu'en, come over here quickly and learn to tend the fire. If we women have to do everything, what do we need you men for?"
Hearing Ye Ma's roar, everyone in the house came out. Mo Lin was the most skilled at cooking and tending the fire in the Ye family, so he quickly took over.
"Mother Ye, I know how to tend the fire and cook. The kitchen is hot. I'll teach Father Ye and Big Brother later."
Ye Ma was very fond of Mo Lin and Xiao Tiantian. She felt a connection with them after meeting them only a few times, and now he was so capable, much more useful than her husband and son.
"Then I'll trouble Mo Lin."
"Didn't you hear that? Look how diligent Mo Lin is. What use are you lazy bums?"