Chapter 1132: Good Things
Upon seeing Qiao Xuan, Ding Erzhu and his family were pleasantly surprised. They kept glancing at Qiao Xuan’s back, expecting Shao Yunduan to be with her as well, which amused Qiao Xuan.
Ding Erzhu’s family had settled down in the Zhang Village, and they were immensely grateful to Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan. They diligently carried out the tasks assigned to them.
With the money provided by Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan, the whole family managed to save some money. Although they couldn’t afford water fields yet, they invested in 30 mu of dry land where they planted peanuts, beans, corn, and other crops. They also cultivated fruit trees along the way and raised hundreds of chickens to sell eggs. This newfound stability and opportunity for income improved their lives significantly compared to their past struggles in the village.
Even Mrs. Zhou was content and reminded Ding Erzhu’s family not to engage in any dishonest behavior that might cost them their jobs. They always nodded in agreement with smiles on their faces. They were truly grateful to Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan for the help they had received, and they were not the type to be ungrateful.
However, they would never dare to do anything to exploit or take advantage of Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan’s generosity.
Moreover, even though Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan were not physically present in the Zhang Village, their influence and reputation still carried weight, especially considering their standing in the Shao Family.
The truth has a way of surfacing, and news travels fast in the close-knit community of Shaoding Village. It didn’t take long for Fifth Grandpa Ding and his family to learn about Ding Erzhu, Ms. Zhou, and their children living in the Zhang Village.
Upon hearing that they were working for Primus Shao’s abbey and leading a comfortable life, Fifth Grandma Ding’s earlier disdain turned into surprise. She acknowledged that they must have worked hard to achieve such prosperity without her support.
Indeed, Ding Erzhu and Ms. Zhou were flourishing in the Zhang Village. They had built a sizable brick house with a yard, and they earned a substantial monthly income of 5 liang. Additionally, they invested in land and raised more than 100 chickens, which provided them with a lucrative income from egg sales. Their improved circumstances were a testament to their diligence and the opportunities provided by Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan.
The whole family of Ding Erzhu and Ms. Zhou were now dressed in fine garments, and they could afford to have meat with every meal. They even generously provided financial support to Ms. Zhou’s mother and her two grandchildren, who lived with them for free.
Fifth Grandpa Ding and Fifth Grandma Ding initially found it hard to believe that their son and Ms. Zhou, who used to struggle, could have such good fortune. However, after hearing the same accounts from multiple sources, they couldn’t help but visit the Zhang Village to witness the truth for themselves.
Upon seeing the reality of their son’s prosperous life, Fifth Grandma Ding was infuriated and scolded Ding Erzhu and Ms. Zhou for not being filial. She even accused Ms. Zhou of using the Ding Family’s belongings to help her own family, which she saw as a motive for getting divorced.
However, Aunt Zhou was not one to be trifled with. She firmly asserted her authority, asking the tenants and farmers to keep an eye on Ding Erzhu’s parents and preventing Fifth Grandma Ding from taking away even a single belonging. Aunt Zhou defended her family, not allowing anyone to disrespect or harm them.
As the drama unfolded, the villagers gossiped among themselves, witnessing the differences between the Zhou Family and the Ding Family. The Zhou Family might not have loved their daughter as much as the Yan Family, but they were certainly not cold-hearted either. They stood by their daughter and her family, ensuring their wellbeing and prosperity in the Zhang Village.