Chapter 14: The Thief of the Coffin

Under Li Daoyun's urging, Li Qing struggled to pull the coffin to Zhang the Mute's house using a cart.

Li Xian, observing the scene, felt helpless. His sister-in-law, Wang Feng, certainly knew how to cause trouble. However, he didn't have the energy to deal with these petty issues. With the land for the new house already measured, the remaining question was how to build it.

According to Li You, the plan was to build two rooms to accommodate the seven members of the family. But Li Xian wasn't impressed with this idea.

Since they weren't short on money, why settle for less?

Li Xian thought Li You and Zou Ni should have one room, and Li Daoyun should have another. Although Li Lingling seemed young now, historically she would stay at home until she was in her twenties before marrying. It wouldn't be appropriate for a young lady to share a room with her grandparents. As for Li Jie, she was likely to marry soon, so for the time being, she could share a room with Li Lingling. He and Li Pi could manage with one room.

This meant they would need four rooms.

The old room that had originally been Li Qing's would now be reserved for Li Daoyun. Therefore, three new rooms needed to be built.

However, Li You was concerned about the costs: "Building three rooms would require over two thousand for bricks, cement, sand, and other materials, and over three thousand for labor. Following the rules, meals and drinks for everyone during the construction would cost another three to four hundred. Adding in transportation and miscellaneous expenses, is your six thousand enough?"

Hearing this, Zou Ni supported her husband, "Er, listen to your father. If it's manageable, just make do. There are better uses for the leftover money."

What could Li Xian do?

Certainly not accept that!

Due to the recent trouble caused by Wang Feng, there was a lot of gossip in the forest farm. While some disliked Wang Feng's behavior, others whispered behind her back that the Li family couldn't handle their daughter-in-law.

Wasn't it all due to poverty?

Now that he was earning money, Li Xian wanted the house to be impressive.

No money?

Then he would earn more!

Li Xian patted his chest confidently, "Mom and Dad, just build three rooms! Don't worry about the money!"

If this had been a month ago, Li You would have kicked him out. But now, considering his son had earned in ten days what he himself made in four to five years, he couldn't argue.

"Three rooms, then?" he asked.

It seemed like he was seeking Li Xian's opinion while also trying to reassure himself.

"Just three rooms!" Li Xian said firmly. "Not just any three rooms, but the most impressive ones in the entire forest farm. The courtyard should be paved with cement, and the walls should have designs!"

Wow,

Zou Ni felt a shiver at the thought of such grandeur.

What kind of house was that? Even the forest farm headquarters might not have anything more impressive!

...

In the afternoon, Li Xian calculated the costs again. If he proceeded as planned, the cost for three rooms would be high, with materials alone reaching at least three thousand five hundred.

Including labor, it would be at least seven to eight thousand. Building houses during this season was the least cost-effective. Though it seemed fine now, in a month, the soybeans would need harvesting, making labor much more expensive.

Li Xian didn't dwell on the details; even if labor costs varied, it wouldn't affect the overall plan significantly.

To have money, there are two methods: increasing income and cutting expenses.

Their living situation was already as frugal as possible, with Li Pi's clothes being hand-me-downs from Li Xian and Li Qing. Thus, they needed to increase their income.

Watching Li Pi working in the courtyard, Li Xian found it both amusing and frustrating.

"Damn it, my dream in the past life was to be a rich second-generation who did nothing. But now that I've come back after twenty years, I have to work hard for you. What kind of situation is this?"

"Second Brother, what are you saying?" Li Pi turned around, hearing Li Xian's mutterings.

"Nothing, just keep working!" Li Xian waved his hand dismissively.

At that moment, Li Daoyun and Li Qing returned. Seeing the delighted old man and the visibly relieved Li Qing, Li Xian quickly approached them.

"Grandpa, is the coffin repaired?"

"Absolutely!" Li Daoyun pointed with satisfaction, "Zhang the Mute's skills are truly impressive!"

Li Xian took a closer look and couldn't help but admire, "Wow!"

The place that had been dented by the axe was now flawlessly smoothed out with an unknown technique. The paint was perfectly restored. To hide the repaired area's color difference, Zhang the Mute had painted a flying crane in gold on the previously repaired spot!

This artistic touch not only concealed the dent but also gave the entire coffin an ethereal quality.

Li Xian couldn't help but give a thumbs up, "Impressive!"

At that moment, he suddenly remembered the simple coffin in the memorial hall of the forestry bureau's retirement home he had seen the previous day.

The coffin there was far less impressive compared to this one. Considering the person lying in it was a retired high-ranking official, Li Xian's mind started racing.

"Hmm," Li Xian supported his chin with his hand, walked around the coffin, and asked Li Daoyun, "Grandpa, how much did this coffin cost to make?"

Li Daoyun stroked his goat-like beard and held up one finger, "One hundred!"

Li Xian's eyes widened with excitement.

After dinner, Li Xian took the opportunity to visit Gao Ming. Upon returning home, he found Li Pi.

When Li Xian revealed his plan, Li Pi was nearly frightened into wetting his pants.

"Second Brother, are you crazy? If you really do that, Grandpa will probably use his walking stick to fight you!"

Li Xian chuckled, "Oh, how can you say that? I'm just borrowing it."

"No way, no way, no way," Li Pi shook his head firmly, refusing to agree.

Are you kidding? Li Daoyun's nickname was Old Coffin!

That coffin was like his life. Who dared to touch it?

Seeing Li Pi's resolute refusal, Li Xian used his ultimate move: "Fourth Brother, think this through. This is a major matter affecting whether we live in a pigsty or a palace. If you want to continue living in a cramped space with Grandpa during the holidays, then don't listen to me."

Li Pi hesitated.

Since it directly affected his quality of life, he was tempted.

"Second Brother, is it really feasible?"

Li Xian laughed, "Feasibility can't be guaranteed, but it's quite possible. Stop talking nonsense and tell me if you're with me or not."

Li Pi hesitated for a moment but eventually made up his mind, "Alright! I trust you, Second Brother!"

...

The next morning, early.

Li Daoyun got up, washed his face, skipped breakfast, and went to the back of the house to check on the coffin. Recently, the weather had been dry, and he was afraid the coffin might crack, so he had covered it with plastic.

However, when he reached the place where the coffin had been placed the previous day, he was stunned.

The old man tossed aside his walking stick and hurried to the spot where the coffin had been. But there, only an empty plastic sheet remained; there was no sign of the coffin!

"Damn it! Who the hell stole my coffin?!"

"Enough, enough, enough!"

With his furious roar, the rooster in the neighbor's yard crowed loudly at the rising sun.