Switched Marriage: The Coddled Little Wife-Chapter 401: The Weight on the Shoulders

Qin Shusen noticed the enthusiasm of the villagers and reminded them again, "Let’s make this clear, if we sign the agreement, we’ll have to grow vegetables according to Xiyang Food Company’s requirements from now on. This includes how to plant in the greenhouses, when to plant, what vegetables to plant, how to manage them, and at that time, Xiyang will provide us with technical personnel. You rough guys can’t mess around anymore."

These were all outlined in the agreement. Qin Shusen had already read it. He was just giving a reminder now to prevent any commotion when signing, in case someone signed without fully understanding and later caused trouble.

"Don’t worry, village chief, even though we’ve been farming vegetables our whole lives, growing in a greenhouse is new to us, we’ll definitely listen to Mr. Lin," someone reassured.

"Exactly, village chief, forget about doing the things we don’t understand. Mr. Lin told us to hang watermelons to grow them, and I’ll do just that," another villager added.

Lin Chuxia touched her nose uncomfortably at the side. She couldn’t deny that in the future, watermelons would indeed be grown hanging.

At this moment, seeing the villagers’ commitment, the village chief was beaming with joy, "Then it’s settled. You’re all old enough to keep your word. If anyone disobeys later, don’t blame me for turning against you. If so, next year you won’t be included in the project."

"That can’t happen."

"Absolutely not."

The money was provided by someone else, just asking them to farm the land, which was their very own specialty.

Moreover, when it came time to sell the vegetables, they wouldn’t have to worry at all, just wait to count the money. What could they be unsatisfied with?

As for the thought of losing money, most villagers hadn’t even considered it.

A joke, could following Mr. Lin lead to losses?

Even if the village chief warned of risks, those people were prepared; at worst, they wouldn’t make a profit.

The investment was all from Mr. Lin. They were just helping out for free. Having the chance to follow Mr. Lin for a year, even if it meant working for free, was a matter of prestige when spoken of.

...

With these people leading the way, the subsequent steps went even smoother.

Led by the accountant and a few other village cadres, including the three Qin brothers, everyone joined the queue to sign the agreement.

The village chief was in charge of the list of names. Those who signed the agreement also signed their names on his list and stamped their fingerprints.

Lin Chuxia didn’t understand the significance of the village chief’s actions at first until he handed her a list full of signatures in various handwriting and covered with numerous red fingerprints, after the villagers had completed signing the agreements.

In that moment, Lin Chuxia truly felt the weight on her shoulders.

"Lin, this list of names will be in your care. It represents the hopes of the 512 households of Qin Family Village."

Lin Chuxia felt a sudden warmth in her eyes and solemnly took the list with both hands, "Rest assured, village chief, I will give my all to this and won’t let our fellow villagers down."

households, nearly the entire population of Qin Family Village.

Qin Han felt somewhat awkward amidst the atmosphere, chuckling, "I never expected the people of our Qin Family Village to be so united."

Hearing this, Qin Shusen also burst into laughter, "Honestly, I didn’t expect it to go so smoothly either. In the end, it’s because you, Lin, carry weight in the hearts of our fellow villagers."

Whether it was the previous Xiyang Food Factory or the later chicken and pig farms, hadn’t they all brought benefits to the villagers of Qin Family Village?

Now, the people of Qin Family in the hearts of the villagers weighed heavier than him, the village chief.

Lin Chuxia humbly smiled, "It’s all thanks to Uncle Qin’s leadership. Without a good leader, even the most motivated villagers would be scattered."

After the routine mutual praise in business, everyone felt somewhat more reassured in their hearts.

With the support of the fellow villagers, this endeavor had successfully taken its first and most crucial step.

Since it was just after the beginning of spring, though the weather was still cold, it was time to start setting up the greenhouses for the early spring vegetables.

The group sat down again to discuss the preliminary construction of the vegetable greenhouses and the subsequent related details.

The villagers were willing to take orders, which made things much easier.

Moreover, Lin Chuxia could feel that the village chief’s authority as the former brigade leader still held sway; they didn’t have the iron-fisted execution of the old days of mustering by the bell, but when given an order, nine times out of ten, the villagers would comply.

Lastly, the village chief sought Lin Chuxia’s input, "Do you need anything from the village? Anything you need Uncle to do, just say the word."

This question really struck a chord with Lin Chuxia, who smiled slightly, "I do have a small request."

Qin Shusen immediately sat up straight, "Go ahead."

"I want to ask Uncle to allocate another piece of land to me, not too big, just about the size of five or six rooms, with a larger yard. We need to hurry and build the agricultural store."

That was a trivial matter for Qin Shusen, "Sure. How about the land behind Xiyang Food Factory on the east side of the village facing the street? True, the area is dipped, but the pit isn’t deep. Cut down the trees on top, fill in the pit, and there’s not only enough space for five or six rooms but even for ten."

Lin Chuxia thought of the location and realized the village chief had a good point.

That location was by the main street and at the edge of the village, perfect for a store.

Not just for the villagers of Qin Family Village, but even nearby villagers would find it convenient to shop there if the store opened up.

"If Uncle says it’s okay, then I’ll get someone to handle it as soon as I get back. Let’s get the store up and running first, so it’ll be convenient when we start building the greenhouses."

"I’ll have the villagers come help you fill in the pit tomorrow. I don’t know much about the store business, so I won’t interfere with that."

It was clear now, the village wouldn’t dispute the ownership of the store; the store would be hers, and so would the house.

Lin Chuxia chuckled to herself; the village chief was doing her a favor.

...

By the time they went back, the sky had already begun to darken.

The villagers who signed the agreement had gradually returned to their homes.

However, on the way back, they still saw people wandering and chatting in the village, all discussing the topic of the vegetable greenhouses.

Lin Chuxia and Zhang Guilan walked home side by side.

Zhang Guilan had been listening in the crowd all day. Although today’s happenings weren’t much related to her, she wanted to witness the scene.

Her heart was still brimming with excitement, and she marveled at the foresight of her sister-in-law in arranging for her husband to manage the agricultural store.

Otherwise, if Qin Han saw today’s scene, who knows how many days he would have sunk into self-pity.

Lin Chuxia looked up and saw someone in the distance.

Seemingly noticing their approach, the person quickly entered the yard and closed the gate.

Nevertheless, she had already recognized the person as Qin Wen.

In fact, during the villagers’ meeting earlier, she had seen Qin Wen.

After not seeing him for half a year, Lin Chuxia almost did not recognize him.

He had lost a lot of weight, probably due to daily labor under the sun; he had also become much darker.

Most notably, the sense of superiority that once came with being a formal employee was gone from him.

He slouched, looking much older than his peers.

Zhang Guilan saw Qin Wen too, and whispered to Lin Chuxia, "Full of ambition yet life is as fragile as paper, I wonder why he always had to contend with our second brother. Is he more educated or more skilled? Things that are clear to everyone, yet he insists on making things difficult for himself."