Uncle Mei led the ox cart, carrying the custom-made wooden bed and wardrobe, toward Ji Nanxi’s courtyard.
Auntie Xie walked behind the ox cart with Ji Nanxi. Auntie Xie was a talkative person.
She whispered to Ji Nanxi about the big news in Ya County, “Hey! Do you know the big news in Ya County?”
Ji Nanxi shook her head, “What big news?”
Auntie Xie chuckled, “Supply and Marketing Cooperative Director Luo has been suspended for investigation, and his nephew Luo Biao was directly sent to be shot!”
Ji Nanxi blinked, “Director Luo stepping down is a good thing, isn’t it?”
“Exactly! He’s no good.” Auntie Xie lowered her voice, leaning closer to Ji Nanxi with a mix of relief and satisfaction on her face, “This Luo Yonggui, relying on his position as the director of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, has done plenty of wicked things!”
“His nephew Luo Biao is just a street loafer.”
“He never does anything proper—stealing chickens, pilfering dogs, bullying honest folks. Everyone’s long been fed up with him.”
“This time, he actually dared to rob someone in broad daylight on the street!”
“I heard Luo Biao even pulled a knife and tried to stab a soldier!”
The one who caught Luo Biao was none other than Lu Zhiyan.
However, Ji Nanxi didn’t want to reveal what Lu Zhiyan had done, to avoid bringing trouble upon him. She feigned surprise in front of Auntie Xie, “So brazen?”
“Exactly!”
Auntie Xie slapped her thigh, speaking even more animatedly, “I heard he robbed several thousand yuan worth of factory funds and was pinned down on the spot by a passing soldier!”
“That Luo Biao even dared to pull a knife, but he was subdued in a few moves—his arm was dislocated! Serves him right! Let him act tough!”
“What happened next?”
Ji Nanxi prompted.
“Next? What do you think!”
Auntie Xie’s tone was full of satisfaction, “Caught red-handed, robbery and assaulting a soldier—that’s a serious crime!”
“All the rotten things Luo Biao usually did were dug up too. Multiple charges combined, and within a few days, he was…”
Auntie Xie made a “bang” gesture with her hand, shaking her head, but there was no sympathy in her eyes, “This outcome is truly satisfying!”
Ji Nanxi nodded, “What about Director Luo?”
“Hmph, do you think he could escape?”
Auntie Xie curled her lip, “His nephew was so arrogant—wasn’t it because he spoiled him and backed him up?”
“The investigation found he wasn’t clean either!”
“Abusing power for personal gain, hoarding scarce supplies, shortchanging on weight… I heard there’s a whole pile of problems!”
“So, he was immediately suspended and investigated!”
“If you ask me, it’s good they caught him. Such parasites should’ve been cleaned out long ago!”
Auntie Xie grew more emotional as she spoke, “This time, we finally got rid of two troublemakers in Ya County!”
“The new director who arrived the day before yesterday is said to be quite upright, and the goods are properly weighed.”
“We really have to thank that soldier comrade for ridding the people of a scourge!”
Ji Nanxi listened, understanding everything clearly in her heart, but she only wore a gentle smile on her face, agreeing, “Yes, evil never prevails over good. Those who do bad things will always be found out eventually. Soldiers are truly remarkable.”
“Exactly, exactly!”
Auntie Xie nodded repeatedly. Looking at Uncle Mei’s steady figure driving the ox cart ahead and then at the quiet and beautiful Ji Nanxi beside her, she changed the subject, “Oh, look at me, I got carried away with gossip.”
“Nanxi, your Regimental Commander Lu is really capable.”
“It’s only been a few days since settling down, and he’s already arranged everything properly. He truly treats you well.”
Ji Nanxi smiled and nodded, “Yes, I know he’s very good.”
The oxcart creaked and groaned as it rolled into the small courtyard.
Uncle Mei deftly brought the cart to a halt, while Auntie Xie rolled up her sleeves, ready to get to work.
“Come on, old woman, lend a hand. Let’s get this big piece inside first.”
At Uncle Mei’s urging, he and Auntie Xie carefully unloaded the heavy, solid-wood double bed from the oxcart.
Ji Nanxi stood nearby, steadying the bed to help guide it into the largest room.
With the three of them working together, the wooden bed was soon carried into the bedroom and placed securely against the wall.
Next, they moved the equally sturdy and tall wardrobe inside, positioning it opposite the bed.
With these two large pieces of furniture in place, the room instantly felt fuller and cozier.
“Uncle Mei’s craftsmanship is truly excellent,” Ji Nanxi remarked, running her hand over the smooth surface of the wardrobe door, which still carried the fresh scent of new wood. “The plum blossom carvings are so intricate.”
Uncle Mei smiled humbly. “As long as you’re satisfied. Regimental Commander Lu specifically asked for something both beautiful and sturdy—I wouldn’t dare cut corners.”
Once the furniture was settled, Auntie Xie pointed to two wooden objects nailed together on the oxcart. “Nanxi, come take a look at these little chicken and duck coops. They even come with feeding troughs. See if they suit your needs.”
These were items Auntie Xie had promised Ji Nanxi earlier. Ji Nanxi was surprised. “Auntie Xie, didn’t you say the old ones would do?”
Old Mei chimed in from the side, “These were made from leftover scraps from the furniture. Knowing you wanted to raise chickens and ducks, we made them for you.”
The rectangular feeding and watering troughs had smooth edges, ensuring they wouldn’t harm the animals’ mouths.
There were also two small coops with roofs and partitioned sections, perfect for the chicks and ducklings to roost in at night.
“Thank you both so much. I really like them—they’re exactly what I wanted.”
After saying this, Ji Nanxi turned to Old Mei again. “Uncle Mei, you’ve gone to so much trouble.”
“It’s nothing, just a small favor.”
Uncle Mei waved his hand dismissively, then helped Ji Nanxi and Auntie Xie carry the small items to a corner of the courtyard that had been set aside earlier.
The ground there had already been leveled with gravel, making it relatively dry.
Uncle Mei took a hammer and a few wooden stakes, securing the feeding and watering troughs in place. He then positioned the two small coops snugly against the wall, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, and carefully checked to ensure the roofs were sturdy.
Auntie Xie took ten chicks and five ducklings from a basket and placed them inside the wooden coops.
Watching the lively, chirping scene of the chicks and ducklings, Ji Nanxi couldn’t help but smile.
Old Mei walked around, inspecting the setup, and clicked his tongue in approval. “This is well arranged—clean and tidy.”
Auntie Xie also looked pleased. “Nanxi, your little courtyard is shaping up more and more nicely.”
“Once the chickens and ducks grow up and you plant some vegetables, life will be even more prosperous.”
Looking at the refreshed bedroom and the neatly organized corner of the courtyard, Ji Nanxi poured water for Uncle Mei and Auntie Xie. “You’ve both worked so hard today. Please sit down, have some water, and rest your feet.”
“No trouble at all,”
Auntie Xie took the bowl and gulped down a large mouthful, smiling at Ji Nanxi. “I think when Regimental Commander Lu comes back and sees how well this home has been put together, he’ll surely be happy too!”
“Oh, and I’ve wrapped up all the vegetable seeds for you—they’re right here!”
With that, she pulled out a newspaper-wrapped bundle of seeds from the cloth bag she was carrying and handed it to Ji Nanxi.
Ji Nanxi accepted it. “Thank you, Auntie. Please wait a moment while I fetch the money and coupons to settle the remaining bill.”
After deducting the deposit, Ji Nanxi paid the remaining money and coupons for the custom-made wooden bed and wardrobe.
Then she settled the payment for the chicks and ducklings with Auntie Xie.
With everything resolved, Ji Nanxi personally escorted the kind-hearted Uncle Mei and Auntie Xie out of the base before returning to her own courtyard.
Just then, the voice of the System, Yaoyao, echoed in her mind again:
[Congratulations, Host. New mission unlocked: Raise chicks and ducklings. Mission completion: 15/100]
[Reward: Credit Points +15.]
[Once the chickens and ducks are fully grown, they can become new products in the Dimensional Mall. The Host can list them for sale.]
Upon hearing this, Ji Nanxi stroked her chin. “You mean selling live chickens and ducks? Yaoyao Zero, tell me, which chef in the Interstellar knows how to slaughter chickens or ducks?”
The System fell silent.
Ji Nanxi narrowed her eyes. “Yaoyao Zero, tell me straight—can the braised duck egg soup I made the other day be sold in the Dimensional Mall or not?”