Arriving earlier than the temporary workers we hired was my cousin Zhu Lingqi, his girlfriend Minmin, and Minmin’s parents.

For those working on the farm, coming too late can be exhausting because of the heat, but for those on vacation, most people like to sleep in before heading out.

There are a few, like them, who arrive in Yunqiao Village so early, but not many.

After all, it’s still early in the morning, unless you’re in a hurry to buy groceries and return to the city, it’s not really an ideal time to buy now, is it?

Everything’s fresh, from vegetables to tofu, but leave them out too long, and they’ll spoil easily.

Zhu Lingqi drove his old car with the whole family straight to the guesthouse.

Throughout the drive, Minmin and her parents couldn’t help but roll down the windows, enjoying the distant, hazy mountain views with a look of contentment.

They turned their gaze to their future son-in-law.

How should I put it, if you were to list his flaws, you could fill a basket with them.

But compared to today’s young people, his strengths stand out quite a bit,

being diligent alone is enough to surpass 80% of people.

"Lingqi."

Minmin’s mother reiterated, "We all know your cousin’s stuff is good. We’ve been lucky enough to try it several times."

"But, we’re here to enjoy ourselves, and whatever we need to buy, we must pay for ourselves."

At this point, remembering Zhu Lingqi’s stingy nature, she gritted her teeth and said, "You don’t have to spend your money; your uncle has some. Here, I’ll transfer you 2000."

As she said this, she nudged Minmin’s father with her elbow.

Minmin’s father was most displeased.

He’s a grown man with only a little pocket money. Is it easy?

Yet, his wife always found excuses to spend it all.

Given the situation, could he really say his pockets were empty?

He could only take out his phone, pretending to be carefree.

"Also, farms may sound profitable, but the money is hard-earned. Whatever you do, don’t take anything for free if they offer!"

"Weren’t they supposed to be really busy today? Let’s just say hi and then do our own thing. No need for them to entertain us for meals and such."

Minmin’s mother kept emphasizing, and Zhu Lingqi nodded in agreement.

Then, the car smoothly arrived at the entrance of Lun Chuan’s guesthouse.

With that, Minmin’s mouth dropped open:

"Oh my god..."

She had seen the guesthouse’s promotions online, but you know, online pictures typically look better after taking away a few points.

But now, seeing it in person, in the midst of blooming flowers, it’s even more beautiful than the pictures!

And this colorful mushroom guesthouse, it’s actually so cute and harmonious in person!

Wow! Wow! Wow!

She was absolutely thrilled.

However, despite her excitement, once she got out of the car, she hesitated to step forward.

"Do you know how much a room costs here?"

Zhu Lingqi was puzzled: "No idea, but since it’s in the village, it shouldn’t be expensive, right?"

No one discusses the price without reason. As for him, being in the village means focusing solely on work, nothing else.

However, Minmin checked the group-buying app and saw the cheapest room was still 600...

Minmin’s mother gasped sharply!

"No way, no way!" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

She turned to open the car door: "We can’t just rely on relatives’ hospitality without reciprocating! Besides, just because they have money doesn’t mean we can just slide by!"

"We’re too old to stay in such a place as this. Didn’t you mention another relative’s guesthouse that’s only a hundred or so per night? Let’s stay there!"

"Or better yet, let’s leave overnight and head back."

Not just Minmin’s mom, even Zhu Lingqi quickly started the car to turn around — 600?!

With 600, he’d rather drive back to the city overnight than take advantage.

His cousin is too frightening; do wealthy people really spend money so casually?

What kind of room is worth 600, he definitely wouldn’t stay there.

He fumbled for his phone to call Zhang Yanping — this time, his night shift should not be over yet, right?

But as soon as he spoke, Zhang Yanping also hesitated: "I don’t have any rooms today."

Not standing on ceremony, he quickly pulled up the reservation messages for Zhu Lingqi to see:

"Look here, fully booked."

It’s the weekend, and there’s a forecast for rain in a few days, so people flocked this weekend...

Hehe, the guesthouse was also having a good time.

Minmin didn’t hesitate: "Let’s enjoy some time here, and head back to the city this afternoon."

Zhang Yanping advised, "Tantan’s already got it arranged, hotel costs shouldn’t be judged by the listed price..."

"Even if that’s so."

Minmin’s mom was sharp: "Yanping... is it Yanping? If it’s priced like that, then it must be worth it. We live so close, it doesn’t matter if we stay here or not, there’s no need.

"And as for us, combined we earn just a few thousand a month, so we should stick to what we can afford. We don’t dare stay in such places when we travel..."

"It’s only because we’re close that we can be upfront, we’re really not staying! Even though it’s a waste of her cousin’s effort..."

Zhang Yanping sighed deeply: A guy like Brother Lingqi, finding a family like this?!

Shows how fate favors the earnest.

Thinking of Wu Lei, he silently added: It favors the earnest, not the foolish.

Still, as he mused, he didn’t forget to remind Zhu Lingqi:

"Have you eaten breakfast? The dining hall opens at 9:30 — my apologies, Uncle and Aunt, we should have hosted you at home, but it’s really busy today. At home, it would only be a simple bite, and that’s just not right..."

This was true, the corn needed to be fresh, so even before packing, it must be cooled down. Song Sancheng and Wu Lan were currently busy shelling corn.

As for breakfast? A couple of quick buns would have to do.

You finish shelling corn in the field, haul it to the processing area, and once done, you haul it out of cold storage and then pack it all over again...

When would there be time to enjoy a meal leisurely?

The whole family was out and about, Song Youde and Wang Lifan were busy too.

Only he, Yanping, well, ahem!

Good thing he had the guesthouse, otherwise not working during this busy time would be inexcusable.

Zhang Yanping felt a sense of deep sympathy.

Hence, he explained in detail:

"We’ve got about a hundred temporary workers hired today, be sure to get to the dining hall early. Otherwise, a whole crowd might show up, and you might even have to wait a while."

Temporary workers? A hundred?!

Zhu Lingqi was astounded.

His cousin’s place usually only needed a large number during spring planting when transplanting was required, nowhere near such a scale outside of that.

Not just that!

Zhang Yanping glanced at his phone: "There’s an urgent need for another 20 packers, working in air-conditioned rooms, 150 a day!"

"Outdoors work pays two to three hundred."

So many of them...

Zhu Lingqi was genuinely envious.

His cousin’s wages were high, and he had always been too busy during those times to join in.

But here, finally being free over the weekend, he found himself with his girlfriend and her parents...

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Minmin had already patted his shoulder:

"Lingqi, if you want to work, go ahead. Since we’re here anyway, I’ll just accompany my parents around. You can earn some money and maybe buy some veggies and tofu on our way back."

Zhu Lingqi immediately perked up!

And looking at Minmin’s parents, their expressions were a bit complex, but eventually, they smiled and nodded.

"Go on, go on."

Zhu Lingqi didn’t care if they meant it, as he had made his decision internally, hesitating for only a moment, he ran up to the hill without hesitation.

From a distance, Minmin’s mom’s voice could be heard hesitatingly saying, "I meant, you can help out, just don’t take any wages."

That’s not appropriate though — Zhu Lingqi thought as he jogged:

He would certainly work harder than those temporary workers, so his cousin paying him wouldn’t be a loss.

Although, given the familial ties, only talking about money feels a bit cold.

So he could — he could work overtime for free!