stingy landlady

Chapter 70 Signing the Contract

When Dazhu went to check on the progress of the east and west wing construction, he did not go into the main house with Xu Hong and Guizhi.

Xu Hong asked Guizhi:

Where should I eat?

Guizhi said:

"Uncle Xu Hong, meals are no problem! The closest place right now is Grandpa Zhou's house. He has a lot of family members, and all seven of his farmhands are there too!"

Including Lin Xiaoyun and Grandpa Zhou's family of five, there are a total of twelve people!

If Uncle Xu Hong finds it too crowded, he can come to my house, the old one over there. I wonder if Uncle Xu Hong still remembers it?

Xu Hong thought for a moment:

"I remember! Now let's talk about the wardrobe!"

Guizhi felt it wouldn't hurt to talk about it.

"Uncle Xu Hong! I once drew the blueprints for the kangqin for Uncle Carpenter for free!"

I want to take the blueprints for this wardrobe to town and exchange them for some money! We're short of money for everything – building a house and buying land!

Xu Hong pondered for a moment and asked, "A style that nobody knows?"

Gui Zhi thought for a moment and realized that it was something more common in modern times, but probably not so common in ancient times. She guessed the style and craftsmanship were different.

Therefore, it's uncertain:

"Nobody should know!"

It's a large wardrobe that's easy to use and inexpensive to make!

It doesn't need expensive carvings or anything like that. Of course, it can't compare to the wardrobes of those wealthy and powerful families!

Xu Hong smiled:

"You're so young, yet you already know about the powerful and wealthy!"

Guizhi said awkwardly:

"I heard it from the restaurants and academies in town every day!"

Xu Hong pondered for a moment and said:

"Gui Zhi! It's called Gui Zhi, isn't it!"

Guizhi nodded.

"I see! Guizhi, bring me the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone! Let's sign a contract! I'll be your bodyguard, and you have to pay me a monthly wage!"

Xu Hong said to Gui Zhi.

"Great! Uncle Xu Hong! How about we just come to my house and sign it there?"

Guizhi thought for a moment and then said to Xu Hong:

"Uncle Xu Hong! I would prefer that you teach us kids some simple skills."

I've heard that the younger you start exercising, the easier it is to build a good physical foundation!

My family has four girls, and they're still too weak!

Xu Hong remained silent for a moment, then said:

"You'll need maids and servants eventually, so go buy a few now. I can help you train them! You'll always need someone to accompany you in the future!"

Dazhu walked in. Seeing Xu Hong place the package on the kang (heated brick bed), he asked:

"What? You've made your choice? Are you planning to stay here temporarily?"

Xu Hong nodded and said to Dazhu:

"Dazhu, I can't be the protector of your whole family."

I can only be loyal to one person! I feel a connection with Miss Guizhi, so I will only sign a contract with Miss Guizhi!

If things are peaceful under normal circumstances, I will do my best to protect your family!

However, when you disagree, I will only follow Miss Guizhi's orders!

Dazhu and Guizhi were both surprised. They had assumed the guards were all family members, but they hadn't expected Xu Hong to be so clear about the distinction.

Gui Zhi also believes this shows that Xu Hong is a responsible person!

Guizhi still asked with doubt:

"Uncle Xu Hong! Can't you sign a contract with my mother? I want someone to protect her! She always just accepts whatever comes her way!"

Xu Hong remained calm and smiled serenely.

"Your mother has your father to protect her! As for her submissive nature, that's just her personality! She can only help herself!"

Guizhi was even more puzzled:

"Uncle Xu Hong! You've never even met my eldest and second sisters! You've only met me and you say we're destined to be together!"

What if my second sister changes her mind after meeting my eldest sister? Wouldn't that be bad? Why don't you go to my house to meet my eldest and second sisters before making a decision?

Xu Hong shook his head, then nodded, and said:

"Dazhu! Guizhi! Your two eldest daughters are getting on in years. In a few years, they'll be ready to get married!"

Have you ever thought about whether it would be bad for their reputation if they had an unmarried male bodyguard by their side?

Your youngest daughter is too young; she usually won't stray too far from your sight!

Therefore, I think Guizhi is the most suitable! She's young, but sensible. And she can clearly express her wishes!

"Dazhu! What do you think?"

Dazhu was helpless:

"Alright! Xu Hong has said both good and bad things! They all make sense to me! I have no objections!"

Guizhi also said:

"Dad! Uncle Xu Hong! Should we talk to the family before signing the contract? Should we ask for everyone's opinion?"

Xu Hong looked at Guizhi, lowered his eyes, gave her a meaningful glance, and said:

"Dazhu! Since I'm going to be Guizhi's bodyguard, for the sake of my master, I suggest that this contract should only be known to the three of us! It's best not to cause any trouble!"

Dazhu didn't think his wife and daughter would have any different opinions, but as Xu Hong said, he believed in the principle of "it's better to avoid trouble."

Da Zhu tacitly allowed Gui Zhi to fetch the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone! Of course, he didn't stand idly by either. After carefully reviewing the contract, he finally had Xu Hong and Gui Zhi sign and affix their fingerprints!

Guizhi has been practicing her calligraphy diligently these past few days! Although Xu Hong mocked her for writing her name in a way that looked like a dog's scribbles, at least she could still recognize it as her own name.

After watching Guizhi sign the contract, Dazhu went to check on the field!

These past two days, the farmhands have been working hard on these fields to the east! Dazhu went to check on the progress; as an experienced farmer, he couldn't rest easy unless he saw it for himself!

Xu Hong then said to Guizhi:

"Third Miss! Could you show me around and let me get acquainted with your family's businesses? And then take me out for a meal?"

You know, people need food to survive; you'll get hungry if you skip a meal!

To be honest, Miss, you didn't eat or drink anything all day yesterday! It's truly frustrating! You're bowing down for a few taels of silver, for a bushel of rice!

Uncle Xu Hong, I'm selling myself!

Guizhi burst out laughing.

"Uncle Xu Hong! Let's go! We'll go to Grandpa Zhou's house and show you around."

Then I went home for dinner!

As the two stepped out of the gate, Guizhi habitually glanced at the vegetable garden.

"Brother Pan! Second Brother Pan! You're back!"

The Pan brothers were busy in the vegetable garden.

Pan Sen and Pan Qiang stood up and saw Guizhi.

Pan Qiang said loudly:

"Third Miss! Everyone, please come back for dinner!"

My brother and I go to check on the vegetable garden every day!

The green beans are already flowering! Some of the cucumbers are also starting to flower.

Some of the climbing vines couldn't find a trellis, so my brother and I helped them climb up!

Guizhi was very interested and asked Xu Hong:

"Uncle Xu Hong! I want to go inside and take a look!"

Xu Hong nodded, "Let's go together!"

Once inside the vegetable garden, Guizhi carefully walked along the furrow.

Pan Qiang pointed to a small purple flower and said:

"Third Miss! This is bean flower!"

He then pointed to the small yellow flowers on the other side and said:

"Third Miss! Those are cucumber blossoms! The early cucumbers and green beans will be ready to harvest next month!"

"Great! That's wonderful! Brother Pan, Second Brother Pan! You've done a tremendous job!"

He then waved behind him:

"Uncle Xu Hong! This is Pan Sen, and this is Pan Qiang! They're from Huanghua Village!"

He then said to the Pan brothers:

"Let me introduce myself! This is Uncle Xu Hong! He'll be our family's bodyguard from now on!"

After Guizhi finished speaking, she glanced at Xu Hong and, seeing that he did not refute her, gave a sly smile!