A Good Country Wife
Chapter 376 - 370_1

Chapter 376: Chapter 370_1

Although Old Lu was advanced in age, he was still vigorous and energetic. He directed his workers with clarity and precision, and despite being busy at home, for the children’s sake, Lin Yue had originally planned to settle down in the newly purchased house in the city. Little did she know that Songshan Academy had a rule: Once enrolled, students had to live on campus and could only return home during breaks. This was also a way to encourage students to focus on their studies.

Lin Yue was still worried about Dalang and the others, as they had just arrived at the academy and might not have adapted yet. She wanted her elder brother to take care of them a bit, but Songshan Academy was divided into several courts. New students could only stay outside, and their living quarters were not together; even if Lin Qing had the intention to look after them, he could only find time to visit now and then. Lin Yue knew this and had no choice but to give up on the idea, especially since her brother was studying hard, aiming for academic honors. She could not afford to delay his studies.

"Mother, don’t worry. The three of us brothers are all right. The rooms in the academy are spacious and even more comfortable than our home," Dalang said in an attempt to comfort Lin Yue. However, it was also the truth. Their new house wasn’t built yet, and the four brothers had been crammed in one room. At the academy, on the other hand, each had a room to himself, even more spacious than their rooms at home, furnished with everything needed including a bathroom and a kitchen, which made it not only comfortable but also very convenient.

Such rooms were considered mid-range in Songshan Academy; just the accommodation cost three taels of silver per year. For three brothers, that added up to nine taels of silver. However, Lin Yue didn’t hesitate to spend the money to ensure Dalang and the others lived comfortably. She remembered her brother Lin Qing lived in a lower-quality room at the academy and wanted to upgrade him to a mid-range one, but Lin Qing firmly refused, leaving her no choice but to let the matter go.

Since Dalang and his two brothers were staying at the academy, Lin Yue didn’t have to worry about them and thus returned to the village first. Recently, Jiang Ziqi from Capital City had sent word, asking them to rush another batch of goods to the city. Zhao Erhu was busy with it all by himself, so she needed to go back and help out.

"Erhu’s wife, the shop renovation is done. You should check it out and see if it meets your expectations," Old Lu said. Although he had a quirky personality, he was extremely easy to get along with if he liked someone. In all these years, few had caught his eye, but the Zhao Family had made a good impression on him. He was content with their relationship, precisely because they treated him like a craftsman, which was all he ever wanted. He had no interest in flattery or adulation.

The most important thing, however, was Erhu’s wife’s design blueprint. Old Lu couldn’t fathom how a woman raised in the countryside could come up with such ingenious ideas. The only thing he’d been interested in all his life were these designs. After completing the decoration of the city shop, without even taking a rest, he went directly to Zhao Family Village, to Zhao Erhu’s house, and started working on building the farmhouse.

"Old Lu, is the ornamentation finished already?" Lin Yue had allowed extra time for the remodeling, and its early completion somewhat surprised her. However, she did not worry about the quality of the work—she trusted Old Lu’s character and skills.

"That’s great. I’ll go take a look this afternoon." Lin Yue had invested a lot of effort in this project and couldn’t wait to see the finished result of her blueprint designs.

"I’ll come with you. That way, if there’s anything you’re not satisfied with, we can make adjustments right away," Old Lu said with a smile. He always strove for perfection in his work. Although he was quite satisfied with the construction and decoration of the shopfronts himself, if Lin Yue found any flaws, it would give him a chance to reflect on his shortcomings.

"Sure!" Lin Yue agreed and then turned to Zhao Erhu, "Erhu, you should come too. See the results of the hard work Old Lu and I have put in."

The shop described was actually a two-story loft building that covered more than two hundred square meters, including three large storefronts. Lin Yue used one storefront for a general store and the remaining two storefronts, along with the rooms upstairs, to operate a restaurant. If more space was needed, they could arrange for it in their house.

The reason Lin Yue decided to open a restaurant was that she felt her family had significant advantages in this area. First, most of the ingredients could be sourced from their own production, making self-sustaining possible. She was confident in her culinary skills, and the location was also advantageous. Besides earning money, it would be convenient for her brother and Dalang to eat there when they came home.

Although Songshan Academy required students to live on campus, there was no rule against them eating out. However, there were no restaurants near the academy, and going out to eat required a trip to town, which was not only time-consuming but also inconvenient. Now that Lin Yue opened the restaurant right next to the academy, it was likely to attract many people, provided that the food was delicious, of course.

As for the general store, Lin Yue didn’t sell ordinary goods. She sold items like Fragrant Soap, and soaps, as well as intricately wooden-carved trinkets. Zhao Fuquan’s skills had improved significantly through relentless practice and carving. His work now possessed a certain charm, especially pieces created from Lin Yue’s design blueprints, which were exquisite. There was also Lin Yue’s own embroidery and snacks like cakes and candied fruit—the kind of goods you couldn’t easily find on the market. Additionally, the store offered novel items sourced from other places, adhering to one principle: focus on quality, not quantity.

"Erhu’s wife, take a look and see if Old Man’s handiwork meets your expectations. Did it turn out as you wished?" Although Old Lu asked this, there was a hint of pride in his voice. Spending his life studying those crafts was something he was most proud of and best at.

Lin Yue was delighted with the finished general store and restaurant, which surpassed her expectations. They were quaint yet modern, creating a comfortable and elegant ambience that was also strikingly refreshing.

To see her blueprint designs come to life was all thanks to Old Lu’s fine craftsmanship, befitting a descendent of Lu Ban, "Old Lu, thank you so much. I never imagined that the decorations would come out this way based on the blueprint. It’s more than satisfactory. I will need your help again with my farmhouse construction."

"What is there to thank me for? I have but this little skill in my life, and I’ve learned a lot from your blueprints and insights. It is said that being able to learn something new before dying is a blessing. I’ve gained much more from you than you have from me. However, I do have an impertinent request. I don’t know if you could grant it, Erhu’s wife?" Old Lu said.

Lin Yue was curious, given that someone like Old Lu, who already had fame, status, and wealth, would want to ask her for something. She couldn’t commit too readily, so she did not immediately agree, "Please tell me, Old Lu."

"I’m of considerable age now, childless with only a foundling boy, and just the two of us living in that big house seem so lonely. This farmhouse, I think it’s rather nice."