Chapter 184: Pampering a maid to such an extent is truly a rare sight.

Hearing the commotion over this way, Old Man Wen hurried over and saw four rather disheveled figures standing at the doorway, laughing heartily with dirt smeared on the hems of their robes.

"What are you all up to?" Old Man Wen glared at them, stepped forward to push open the warehouse door, and fell silent upon seeing potatoes rolling all over the floor inside.

"Uncle, I am truly sorry," the chief culprit, Shopkeeper Qiu, apologized in haste.

Old Man Wen took a deep breath, telling himself calmly that this man was Big Head's godfather, the tutor to three of the children, and a great benefactor to the Wen family.

"It's nothing, nothing at all. But your clothes are all soiled; you should step outside first. Eldest, your mother had new clothes made for Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu a few days ago—you can just bring them out for them to change into. As for Master Li..."

Old Man Wen cast a glance at Li Fu. Given the man's robust build, no one in their household owned garments that would fit him.

Fortunately, Li Fu had been standing somewhat further back, so Doctor Jin, Shopkeeper Qiu, and Wen Xiuyi had blocked most of the flying dirt, leaving him with only a few smudges.

He glanced down at himself and smiled with nonchalant indifference, "It's fine, just a little dirt; it's no trouble."

Only then did Old Man Wen let out a sigh of relief. He hurriedly instructed Wen Xiuyi to take Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu to change, while he himself led Li Fu back to the front courtyard.

"Uncle Wen, I heard your family raises ducks and fish as well?" Li Fu began chatting casually with Old Man Wen.

Old Man Wen held quite a favorable impression of this affable and smiling guest. Hearing the question, he nodded, "Indeed, we raise quite a few. Yao'yao and the others need ducks every day for their roasted duck restaurant, so we raised some extra. The hour is still early; would you like me to show you around?"

Being a host to a guest who had traveled from afar, Old Man Wen took immense pride in displaying the fruits of the Wen family's labors.

"That is naturally what I desire most."

After exchanging a few words with Madam Luo and the others, Old Man Wen led Li Fu out for a stroll.

"This hill over here belongs to our family as well. Eldest said we'll raise chickens on this mountain from now on and plant some fruit trees," Old Man Wen introduced as they walked.

Seeing someone constructing a house at the foot of the hill, Li Fu asked out of curiosity, "What is being built over there?"

"Oh, that? That's a winery being built for my granddaughter. We discovered a mountain spring up on this mountain of ours, and that little girl has been making a fuss about brewing wine." Although Old Man Wen often grumbled about Wen Yao's endless schemes, a deep sense of pride resonated in his voice whenever he spoke of his granddaughter.

Li Fu grew even more intrigued by this young girl named Wen Yao.

"Miss Wen knows how to brew wine?"

The corners of Old Man Wen's mouth curled high upwards, though his words were modest, "She knows a bit. The lass is clever and just loves tinkering with all sorts of odd things. As elders, it wouldn't do for us to discourage the child."

Li Fu raised an eyebrow and teased with a smile, "If Miss Wen fails to brew the wine, wouldn't the construction of this winery go to waste?"

Old Man Wen tapped his tobacco pipe and replied, "How could that be a waste? Just wait and see—our Yao'yao will certainly brew wine successfully. When that time comes, Master Li, you must remember to come and taste it."

This reflected not only absolute confidence in Wen Yao, but also the unwavering support a family offered in front of outsiders; if even they doubted Wen Yao, how could outsiders ever view her favorably?

It was Li Fu's first time witnessing a farming family doting on a young girl to such an extent. Even the most favored young misses from illustrious, high-ranking households were likely treated no differently.

"It seems Uncle Wen has quite a few children in the family?" Li Fu inquired.

Old Man Wen nodded, "Three from my eldest's household, three from the second's, and two from the third's—five lads and three lasses."

"Many children bring much fortune; Uncle Wen is indeed a blessed man," Li Fu laughed.

These words were exceptionally pleasing to the ear. Beaming with delight, Old Man Wen declared that when Li Fu and his companions departed later, they must take along several of the family's home-raised ducks and fish to sample.

As the two walked along, numerous passing villagers greeted Old Man Wen and then cast covert glances at Li Fu, whose attire bespoke great wealth. Li Fu met their gazes with open ease and said nothing further.

Upon reaching the fishpond, Old Man Wen had Old Lu fetch some fish feed and personally demonstrated how to scatter it for Li Fu. Moments later, countless fish broke the water's surface in a dense, breathtakingly spectacular frenzy.

They proceeded to inspect the duck sheds. Iron Head's mother now worked entirely for the Wen family, earning an independent wage while also selling the ducks raised by her own household. Thanks to this dual income, the lives of Iron Head's family had become far more comfortable than those of many other villagers.

However, the pungent odor emanating from the duck sheds was simply too overpowering, so Old Man Wen ultimately refrained from leading his guest too close.

The two then strolled over to the adjacent fields. After the harvest of potatoes and sweet potatoes, the land stood vacant, and the Wang brothers were currently tending to it. In the neighboring cornfield, the stalks had already grown nearly as tall as a man, forming a dense and magnificent expanse.

Noticing the stark contrast between the wheat fields and the corn patch, Li Fu asked curiously what the tall stalks were and how they managed to grow so high.

"Oh, those are called maize; they're a kind of grain as well," Old Man Wen replied casually, though the hand gripping the tobacco pipe behind his back suddenly tightened.

"Ah, I see." Though unfamiliar with it, Li Fu dropped the subject the moment he learned it was food grain.

After taking another turn around the fields and visiting the waterwheel—which prompted yet another round of lavish praise from Li Fu regarding Wen Xiuyi, lamenting repeatedly what a pity it was that he had not entered official service—Old Man Wen merely listened. In the past, such remarks might have stirred emotional ripples within him, but now that his hopes had shifted away from his son, his state of mind was entirely peaceful.

Having endured Li Fu's endless chatter, Old Man Wen offered only this: "The boy is grown; he can make his own decisions about what he wishes to do. As his parents, can we manage him for a moment, let alone for a lifetime?"

Li Fu had originally intended to use the elders as an entry point to persuade Wen Xiuyi, yet he never expected to receive such a reply, leaving him feeling deeply frustrated and depressed.

Such exceptional talent, yet content merely to farm the land—what a profound waste indeed.

Old Man Wen then led him up the mountain, where the wasteland reclamation was nearly complete. After visiting their family's miraculous mountain spring, they descended from the heights and looped back toward the house via the winery.

Having been out for so long, the meal was already prepared.

The moment they stepped through the gate, Li Fu caught a peculiar fragrance. It resembled wild pepper, yet differed from it—a most unusual scent. At first breath, it felt sharp and stinging, but the lingering aftertaste was intensely aromatic and exceptionally appetizing.

It immediately aroused his curiosity: "What fine dish is being prepared? The aroma is so utterly distinctive."

Old Man Wen took a deep sniff and smiled, "Ah, that is the scent of chili peppers. That is a precious treasure of our Yao'yao's, and she rarely makes it for outsiders. Brother Li, you are truly in for a treat today.
"Oh, look at me, getting so caught up in showing you around that I lost track of the time. Let's wash our hands quickly and take our seats—to the table, to the table." Old Man Wen warmly invited Li Fu to fetch water by the well for washing.

All the while, Li Fu turned the unfamiliar name over in his mind.

Chili peppers—truly something he had never tasted before. Today, he must sample it properly to discover what kind of flavor such a bizarre seasoning truly imparted upon the tongue.