Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 336 - 335: Beauty Yao
With the contract written, Liu Ji carefully blew dry the ink before handing the contract to Qin Yao with a cheeky smile, "Madam, please have a look."
Qin Yao took it, looked it over once, found no issues, and then handed it to Bai Shan for a double-check. Once everything was confirmed, the two signed and sealed the document.
In the countryside, notarization wasn’t emphasized, so they didn’t bother.
Even if done, it wouldn’t have much effect; the legal codes were imperfect, and there were privileged classes. Clearly documented regulations were not as binding as the codes of the road.
Bai Shan came prepared, immediately laying down two hundred and forty taels of silver, taking the contract, and happily leaving with over six hundred stationery gift boxes.
Liu Ji had been holding back for a while. Now he had the chance to say, "Another big order this time! Madam, your stationery factory is getting better and better..."
Qin Yao raised a hand to interrupt and asked, arms crossed, "What do you want? Just say it!"
"Hehe~" Liu Ji didn’t really want anything; he just wanted Qin Yao to remember the grand promises she once made. "You said you’d build me a study, and plant plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum at the door. You haven’t forgotten, right?"
Qin Yao pursed her lips, "I haven’t forgotten." As if!
She took the contract book to discuss the new production line with Liu the carpenter, only to find Liu Ji tagging along. Qin Yao, impatient, said, "I know, I’ll build the study for you once I’m done with this phase and back from the Prefecture."
"However!" she turned the conversation, reminding, "You also have to prove to me that you deserve a new study, or no deal!"
With that, she waved him away, signaling for Liu Ji to step aside and not slow down her money-making efforts.
Liu Ji watched Qin Yao walk away, angrily punched the air twice, put his hands on his hips, and imitated Qin Yao’s tone in a sarcastic voice, "You also have to prove you deserve a new study~, having money is really something amazing~"
Who’s looking down on whom!
He would prove to her that not only did he deserve a study, but even ten or a hundred would do!
In the evening, after handling matters at the factory, Qin Yao returned home and found the atmosphere within the house a bit odd.
The usually noisy children were silent, all diligently practicing their characters and doing homework in their rooms.
Qi Xian and Gongliang Liao were in the main hall, each sitting in a corner, the young one reading, and the old one playing chess with himself.
Ah Wang was in the kitchen, preparing dinner, with the Attendant Student and maid assisting him.
It should have been quite lively, yet everyone was quiet, communicating purely through gestures and eye contact.
Qin Yao took a sweep of the room, about to ask where that useless Liu Laosan was.
Just as she was about to speak, a man dressed in white appeared from the backyard, holding a bundle of wild daisies.
His long, untied black hair flowed past his waist and swayed in the wind, making him look quite handsome and dashing.
The handsome man walked slowly, holding the flowers. His deep peach blossom eyes were fixed on her lovingly, singing as he walked:
"There is a beauty, her name is Yao—"
"Her neck is like the caterpillar, her teeth pearly white. With her delicate features, graceful brows; a clever smile so alluring, beauty so captivating, unforgettable upon sight..."
Offering the flowers, Liu Ji stood with his hands behind his back, smiling broadly, "Today, my teacher and senior personally composed this tune ’Beauty. Yao’ for me. How does Madam find it? Isn’t the melody exquisite, and the aftertaste lingering?"
Qin Yao took the flowers, and gave him a meaningful smile. Going to such lengths for a study room.
In the kitchen, children’s room, and main hall, everyone perked up their ears.
Liu Ji gently brushed away the mischievous strands of hair blown by the wind, smiling like a blooming flower.
Qin Yao looked at the wild daisies in her hand, then at the man exuding charm before her, and tossed the flowers into his arms, laughing lightly, "Put it in and place it in my room."
Liu Ji immediately responded with an "Aye!" Her smile brought him more vigor, and he joyously said, "If you like listening, Madam, I’ll write poems and sing them for you every day from now on."
With that, he dashed off like the wind to find a vase, arranged the flowers, and carried them into her room, placing them in the most prominent spot. Then he peeked out the window and gave her a radiant smile.
Qin Yao raised her eyebrows, scanning him up and down, made two clicks with her tongue, smiling as she rolled up her sleeves, and turned to the water tank to draw water and wash her hands in preparation for dinner.
No wonder loyal ministers throughout history have always been framed by sycophants, and those in power are often oblivious to their wrongdoing.
How could he be treacherous?
He was clearly someone wholeheartedly writing poems and composing tunes to make "me" happy!
Ah Wang walked out of the kitchen carrying dishes, passing by the water tank next to Qin Yao and noticing the curve of Qin Yao’s mouth. He twitched the corners of his mouth, shook his head, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Dinner is ready!"
All the spectators instantly returned to their posts. Those not enthusiastic about eating were deemed to have a problem with their thoughts. Now that the show was over, it was time to eat.
At the dining table, Liu Ji enthusiastically served Qin Yao food, having somehow acquired the ability to read the room like the Qi Mansion maids. While attending to Qin Yao, he did not forget to ingratiate himself and get brownie points with the teacher.
Alone, he succeeded in creating a lively atmosphere, making the ambiance quite harmonious.
After dinner, Qin Yao went back to her room to get some silver, and when she lifted her eyes under the corridor, Liu Ji immediately appeared in front of her.
"What are your orders, Madam?" Liu Ji wiped the sweat off his forehead, a result of sweeping and wiping tables, and said with delight, "I’m especially willing to serve you, Madam!"
Qin Yao suddenly found him much more pleasing to the eye than usual today and didn’t beat around the bush, handing him the three taels of silver she had taken out.
"Seeing you like this, I know how eager you are. I have to go to the Prefecture the day after tomorrow and might take three to five days to return. You can take this silver and find someone to build your study."
Anyhow, he no longer goes to the county academy and with Gongliang Liao at home teaching, he has more free time than before and idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
Moreover, he also participated in the renovation of the old house, accumulating experience, just perfect for overseeing as a foreman.
Seeing the silver, Liu Ji’s eyes lit up, thumping his chest in assurance, "Rest assured, Madam, I’ll do a great job!"
His heart yelled: I can finally have my own new room!
His flattery and pleasing demeanor made Gongliang Liao and Qi Xian frown in frustration at his lack of ambition.
But recalling the time Liu Ji was beaten nearly to death, they could only silently mourn for him.
Upon learning that Qin Yao would be away for a few days, Da Lang and his siblings felt a bit down.
Qin Yao comforted them, "Your father is still here. If anything comes up while I’m away, you can find him."
In the past, before Liu Ji attended the academy, he managed the household affairs in an orderly manner when she was away.
Regarding stewardship, Qin Yao had confidence in Liu Ji.
Besides, Ah Wang was also watching over, ensuring no problems occur.
"Off to bed now, you all need to rise early tomorrow. I have preparations to make too," Qin Yao urged with a smile.
Da Lang and Second Lang nodded, as if she were leaving the next day, turning their heads back every few steps as they returned to their room.
The Dragon and Phoenix Twins were quite happy because they could sleep in the same room with Qin Yao, obediently entering and lighting the lamp, waiting for Mother to come.
With guests still at home, Qin Yao purposely informed Gongliang Liao and Qi Xian that she would be away for a few days. They expressed understanding, assuring her not to worry about them.
She also left some extra silver with Ah Wang for emergencies before finally returning to her room to sleep.
