Chapter 225 - 225 Think of Ways to Make Money
That man wanted to be a steward? He was uncomfortable interacting with anyone who had somewhat of a status. How could someone like that be a steward?
Lu Gui laughed drily. He couldn’t understand what the group were conversing about and sitting with them felt unnatural.
But because of his sister’s orders, he stayed.
From inside the yard, Lu Jiao and the four little ones’ conversation could be heard, “First Born, do you know why Uncle Dean complimented you all?”
The First Born didn’t answer but the Fourth Born jumped in, “Because we are smart!”
Lu Jiao’s clear and cool voice was stern, “Wrong. Because Uncle Dean is your senior. When he meets juniors like you, he compliments them. He’s trying to show you that he cares for you, he’s not saying all those things because you’re smart.”
The four little ones weren’t disappointed. Rather, their eyes widened as realization hit, “So that’s what it is.”
After hearing the conversation, Dean Lu and Professor Wang exchanged glances. They then turned to look at Xie Yunjin, “Yunjin, your wife is extraordinarily intelligent. Having such a wife is a great blessing. I’m certain that your family will grow even more prosperous.”
Xie Yunjin’s heart felt stuffy. No matter how good Lu Jiao was, she was no longer part of his family. He also knew that Lu Jiao was especially good at educating the children. If the four little ones were raised by her, they would definitely grow up to be successful.
He himself actually wasn’t that good at raising children. Should she give Lu Jiao custody of the four children?
Then he would end up alone without a family. Xie Yunjin’s heart felt so cold and he couldn’t speak for a long time.
After the ate, the group talked for a while longer before Dean Lu, Professor Wang, and Classmate Han left.
Xie Yunjin got up to walk them out. Outside, the four children were feeding the dogs. When they saw the Dean and Professor were leaving, they waved their hands.
“Uncle Dean and Uncle Professor, see you next time! Come play with us again!”
The Dean and the Professor felt so warm and said to Xie Yunjin, “I sure want to take your kids home and raise them myself.”
Naturally, Xie Yunjin was happy to hear compliments of his children. Softness and joy reached his eyes. After he walked out the Dean and Professor and helped them into the horse carriage, he asked to talk to Classmate Han privately.
“Classmate Han, I want to demolish this old home and rebuild it new. Do you think you can get your hands on black bricks?”
Black bricks were expensive and difficult to find.
However, Classmate Han was an entrepreneur and didn’t think it would be an issue for him to get some, “How much do you think you’ll need?”
“I haven’t done the math. I want to build two courtyards with a floral pendant gate in the middle as a separator. I want three buildings in each yard with three rooms in each. Kitchen and others would be separated.”
Based on that description, Classmate Han had a good idea of how many black bricks were needed, “When do you need it by? I can send those to you.”
Xie Yunjin had agreed with the Dean and Professor to tutor the pupils at school. Therefore, the faster he could rebuild this home, the better. Once the house is done, he’ll take the children and move to the city of Qinghe.
“When you get them, you can send them over.”
“I’ll get it done. I probably need around two days.”
“Okay.”
“Oh right, can you also help me keep an eye on housing around the school? I want to rent near there.”
“What kind of house do you want?”
Xie Yunjin thought about it, “Somewhere with one courtyard, and three to four buildings.”
Classmate Han slapped his own chest and promised, “Leave it to me. Don’t worry about that.”
Xie Yunjin walked Classmate Han to the horse carriage and the horse left swiftly.
Xie Yunjin slowly walked into the yard. There, Lu Jiao was washing the dishes. Xie Yunjin was a little stunned. Lu Jiao had no reason to continue doing all this housework. She’s done more than enough by taking care of them.
Xie Yunjin walked into the kitchen. When Lu Jiao saw him, she thought he needed something, “Something up?”
Xie Yunjin didn’t answer. He squatted down next to her and washed the dishes alongside her.
Though he was a scholar, he’s done lots of housework before and did it well.
Watching him doing dirty dishes without a word surprised Lu Jiao. What was wrong with this guy?
“How come you’re washing dishes out of nowhere?”
Xie Yunjin looked up at her, “I’ll share the load of housework with you in the future. Once we move to the city of Qinghe, we’ll hire servants so you don’t have to do all this yourself.”
Xie Yunjin decided that he needed to start thinking of ways to make money.
He was going to raise the four little ones himself. No matter what he decides in the end, whether or not he wants Lu Jiao to have custody, he needs money.
He also didn’t want Lu Jiao to spend all her time doing housework while she was still with him.
Lu Jiao was touched that Xie Yunjin was doing housework with her. For a man to voluntarily help out around the house was a good trait.
Xie Yunjin naturally noticed the look of approval in Lu Jiao’s eyes. His mood lifted as he thought about how he made the right choice doing these dishes.
As they cleaned, they chatted.
“I plan on demolishing this house and rebuilding it.”
Lu Jiao didn’t object. This was his business, not hers.
However, she still asked, “You’re rebuilding it for your second brother?”
Xie Yunjin answered, “Yes, since you, the children, and I are all moving into the city, I won’t be coming back frequently. I want to make sure my second brother’s family is comfortable and settled here. That way, I don’t have to worry once I leave. Plus, this place is where the four little ones and I were born. Once in a while, we’ll have to return.
Therefore, I plan on building two connecting courtyards divided up by a floral pendant gate. We can stay on one side and my second brother can stay on the other side. I’ll ask my second brother to help keep our side clean.”
Lu Jiao didn’t correct Xie Yunjin’s use of “we” and “our”.
The thought of Xie Yunjin’s family made Lu Jiao speak, “I’m scared your family will cause trouble.”
Xie Yunjin’s eyes darkened and the air around him cooled, “If they cause trouble, I have no problem helping them learn their place.”
Lu Jiao didn’t speak – as long as he knew what he was up against.
The dishes were washed as they chatted. As Xie Yunjin washed his hands with clean water, he asked, “If you have any demands or wishes for the new house, you can tell me.”
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Lu Jiao instantly brandished her hand, “This is going to be your home, not mine. I have no requirements.”
Her words hurt Xie Yunjin. His mood once again grew sullen and depressed. Sadness converged deep in his heart, unable to escape.