The Domineering Cultivator Farmer

Chapter 45: Fang Ping Returns Home

After escorting an overjoyed Jiang Lili back to Juyuan Zhai and declining her invitation to have dinner together, Fang Yun drove home with Niuniu. He had originally planned to visit Feng Xiu’er’s family, but local custom dictated that once a wedding date was set, the couple was not allowed to see each other for the week leading up to the ceremony. After mulling it over for a moment, Fang Yun decided to follow local customs. Fortunately, Niuniu was understanding. When Fang Yun told her it wasn’t convenient to visit her mother and maternal grandmother’s family today, she didn’t make a fuss, merely saying they’d come back in a few days to pick up her mom. Watching her thoughtful daughter, Fang Yun’s heart was filled with relief. By the time she got home, it was already dark. Fang Yun parked the car in the courtyard behind the house, and before she even had a chance to get out, Yeyue ran out of the house, excitedly shouting, “Little Niuniu is back!” “Wow, it’s Brother Yeyue!” Niuniu, who had been dozing off, perked up the moment she heard Yeyue’s voice and was instantly wide awake. The two were very close; when Niuniu first arrived, it was Yeyue who took her out to play. However, Fang Ping and his wife had enrolled Yeyue in a summer arts and crafts class and sent him to the city for lessons. Because of this, Fang Changsheng and his wife had often expressed their displeasure to Fang Ping; after all, the elderly couple only got to see their grandson during summer vacation and the Lunar New Year. Fang Yun also believed that children didn’t need to learn too much—their main task right now was to play. However, since this was a matter for his older brother and his wife, he didn’t feel it was his place to say much. “Come inside first—it’s getting dark out.” As he herded the two little rascals, who were bouncing and jumping, into the house, he saw that Fang Ping and Wang Qun had already arrived and were sitting at the table. The meal was laid out on the table, but no one had touched it yet; it seemed they were waiting for him and Niuniu. Fang Yun felt a little embarrassed. “Mom and Dad, older brother and sister-in-law, you didn’t have to wait for me to eat—especially Grandma; she shouldn’t go hungry.” Grandma didn’t even acknowledge Fang Yun; instead, she beckoned to Niuniu to come over, scooped her up in her arms, gave her a quick kiss, and then said, “Without Niuniu by Great-Grandma’s side, my meals just aren’t as tasty.” “Mm-hmm, Niuniu will eat with Great-Grandma every day.” The little girl nodded her head vigorously, full of determination, and her adorable expression amused the whole family. “Yeye wants to eat with Great-Grandma, too,” Yeye said anxiously. Ever since the chubby little girl had arrived, her status had plummeted. “All right, all right. You’ll both keep Grandma company. You’re both such good kids.” “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.” Both of them were satisfied. “When did Big Brother get home? Did he sell the store in the city? He’s going to really make a splash this time he’s back.” Raising his glass to clink with Fang Ping’s, Fang Yun asked. Fang Ping had actually wanted to come back as soon as he got his dad’s call asking him to return home to run a farmstay. He’d heard long ago that the village was swarming with tourists—it had even been featured on TV a few times. His own lackluster shop wasn’t turning much of a profit anyway. It just took some time to sell the shop, and he also had to sort out Yeyue’s school transfer—that’s why it had dragged on until now. “Yeah, I’ll be back this afternoon. This time, I’m going to really go all out and run this agritourism business right,” Fang Ping replied cheerfully after taking a sip of his drink. After returning that afternoon, Fang Ping took a stroll around the village. The huge crowds of tourists and the endless stream of guests heading up the mountain for hot spring baths filled him with excitement. With so many customers, and given his culinary skills, there was no way his business wouldn’t be a hit. “So, have you decided where to open the farmstay yet?” “Not yet. Every house in the village is fully booked—there’s simply no room left. If we wait for the house at the foot of the mountain to be built and then renovate it, it’ll take over a month.” Whenever the topic of the farmstay’s location came up, Fang Ping felt quite troubled. The overwhelming number of tourists was a problem in itself—there simply weren’t any spare rooms left. “Why not open it right here at our house? We’ve got plenty of rooms and plenty of space. When things get busy, Mom and Dad can help out too. We’ll definitely make a good profit,” Fang Yun suggested after giving it some thought. Fang Yun had complete confidence in Fang Ping’s culinary skills. Fang Ping had learned to cook from his father since childhood, and after growing up, he’d apprenticed at a major hotel for five years—his cooking skills were far superior to his father’s. It was just that their family had been poor back then; without the capital to open a restaurant, he’d had to settle for running a fast-food business. “No way. You’re getting married in a few days. If you let your older brother run a farmhouse-style restaurant here, where will you stay for your wedding?” Before Fang Ping could make a decision, Wang Jiu spoke up to object. In the eyes of the older generation, marriage was the most important event in life; opening a restaurant could wait. “Mom, I’ve already made arrangements for the wedding home—don’t worry,” Fang Yun hurried to reassure her. “Really? Are you planning to buy a house somewhere else?” Wang Jiu was highly skeptical. “It’s true. I’m not going anywhere else—it’s right here in the village. I’ll keep it a secret for now. You’ll find out tomorrow.” Fang Yun’s mysterious expression made Wang Jiu grind her teeth in frustration. “All right then. If you really do find a good place to get married, we’ll let your older brother run the farmstay here.” Finally, Wang Changsheng asserted his authority as the head of the household and made the decision. However, after Wang Jiu shot him a withering glance, his back—which had been held perfectly straight—suddenly sagged a little. “Fang Yun, do you really have a place to get married? Don’t let my situation hold up your wedding. It would be a terrible shame if things got messy over the housing issue. I could open a farmhouse restaurant in a month’s time.” Having seen too many situations spiral out of control over housing issues, Fang Ping was very worried that his younger brother might do something foolish out of brotherly loyalty. “Big brother, don’t worry. Do I look like the type to do something foolish? Tomorrow—tomorrow you’ll find out,” Fang Yun said confidently. Fang Ping looked at Fang Yun skeptically. “You really do look like the type who’d do something stupid.” “…Turn around and head out. Close the door on your way out. Bye—no need to see me off.” Fang Yun flung himself onto the bed in frustration. “That’s more like him,” Fang Ping said with a look of relief as he walked out. “Niuniu, come back here and take a bath before bed.” He called out to Niuniu, who was still in the courtyard whispering with Yeyue, planning to sneak out. “Oh no, Daddy caught us!” The little girl hurried back, threw her arms around Fang Yun, and whined for him to help her wash up. The two little rascals had just been trying to sneak out to catch cicadas—they’re especially easy to catch at night. As soon as he heard Niuniu ask him to help her take a bath, Fang Yun groaned inwardly. The little girl was extremely ticklish; every time Fang Yun held her and lathered her with shower gel, she’d laugh so hard she’d squirm all over. Her tiny body, covered in shower gel and slippery with bubbles, had nearly slipped out of Fang Yun’s arms several times, threatening a free fall—but luckily, Fang Yun was quick on his feet and caught her in time. By the time she finally finished bathing Niuniu, Fang Yun was drenched in sweat—the task was truly exhausting. “Niuniu, why aren’t you asleep yet?” Fang Yun felt at his wits’ end looking at Niuniu, who was staring at him with wide eyes. He had things to do tonight—how come this little girl was still so full of energy? “Daddy, tell me a story.” The little girl had slept the whole way in the car and was now wide awake. “Okay, okay, Daddy will tell Niuniu a story.” With his nighttime work looming, Fang Yun resorted to a lullaby tactic for his precious little girl.