Chapter 39
I wanted to mention the Pan family; they are a problem, but I decided not to startle the snake. Anyway, even if I wanted to throw out everyone, managing so much land and the things upon it is something I could not do alone. I had a son now, and though it’s a slow process, I wanted to cultivate my feelings with the cheap husband.
The desire of the flesh and the constant memory of that night was something I wanted to experience firsthand, but that’s later; now I need to focus on more important things.
“Also, inform them that I will be implementing a meritocracy; those who are skilled and loyal will be rewarded handsomely, those who are not will be replaced.” Well, beating them with a stick and offering a treat after is always a good thing.
“I’m sorry for asking, but young miss Mi, what if they ask for details?”
“Then tell them something like; they will be rewarded with bonuses, promotions, and opportunities for advancement,” I said offhandedly. True, they will receive those things but in smaller forms. The world then submerged in water. What house could be given away except room, food, and some random things to do, though I will never mention it until later.
“Also, I will allow a certain amount of people to learn skills, so they can become successful in their own right. They can choose to leave after five years, armed with valuable skills and experience, or stay if they wish, becoming valuable assets to the Mi estate.” It was useless because the world will end in December, but the carrot and stick approach is still useful, a classic manipulation tactic. I felt like I was luring these people to do things like laborers, but alas, I am a good person; their lives will be much more comfortable with me.
“There are many things I wish to improve for the entire Mi territory, not just the estate itself. I want to improve the school for the children, providing them with better resources and qualified teachers; create more businesses for people, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth; improve the infrastructure, repairing roads and building new facilities; and increase their income, lifting them out of poverty and improving their quality of life.” I spewed a lot of bullshit, but it seemed to sound convincing. With all of this, this can cover my tracks with the new purchases and the repair of the old house. There is a benefit to being a mother alone with ‘wolves’ for workers.
“Yes, young miss Mi, the young master?” Reruken asked.
“Give him to me,” I said, reaching out for the child and holding him in my arms. Sigh, I was a bit dusty, covered in dirt from inspecting the fields, but this situation will become normal in the future; let him build an immunity now when everything was still abundant.
Footsteps sounded behind me, and I heard the voice before I turned to see the person. “So what did the Pans do to get you so angry?” Hui Zhengri said from behind, his tone laced with curiosity.
I turned back to look at Zhengri, eyes narrowing in thought, not really wanting to tell him, feeling it was an overshare, but felt it was necessary to explain my actions. This is, after all, my cheap husband. “They are the ones responsible for the cattle in Area A getting sick and nearly dying a few months ago, deliberately contaminating their feed with toxins.” I pursed my lips, heart bleeding, all that food!
Those damn wastes!
“I had suspected they were the ones, but I did not have proof. Now I do, thanks to Reruken’s investigation,” I continued to say, turning my gaze from him to watch the workers continue to handle the cattle and other livestock. “They were also responsible for the fire that destroyed a portion of the grazing area a few years back, a supposed ‘accident,’ and were skimming money from the accounts, siphoning funds into offshore accounts.” Family can be such a burden; the Pan brothers are not bad, but the rest of their family…sigh, they only served to implicate them.
“Miss Mi, would you like us to help?” Hui Zhengli said, stepping forward. The two standing close together had the same soft look which made me become dazed for a moment; I mean, what woman would not become tempted? They were all handsome, charming, and incredibly wealthy and soon to be mine. Honestly, if I did not have so many things to worry about, I would have been shameless!
The child in my arms squirmed, pulling at my hair, forcing me to look away, breaking the spell. “No, thank you, Hui Zhengli, this is a Mi family matter, a private affair, I do not want to involve outsiders.”
“But we are family, aren’t we? We are married,” he said, looking at me with a hurt expression, his eyes like a kicked puppy.
Ugh, imagine having these three lookalikes trailing behind me. I shivered as my imagination went wild.
Their body, their faces, what was between their legs!
Ah! Ah! I’m about to have a nosebleed! Inwardly I tried to control myself, and once I did, I released a sigh. “Yes, we are married, technically, but I still do not need your help. I can handle this myself,” I said, silently wishing they would go away, disappear from my sight, ugh, the temptation is driving me nuts!
I turned away from the three brothers. I would deal with them later, when I had the time and energy. Right now, I had more pressing matters to attend to, a whole estate, farm, and the like to whip into shape before the time is up.
“Alright, Miss Si, you know what to do; make sure everything is done within the hour. I do not wish to waste any more time.”
“As you wish, Young Mistress Mi,” Miss Si said, bowing, her expression impassive.
I turned and walked away, heading towards another awaiting vehicle, a black SUV with tinted windows. This will take some time, but it will allow me to go over everything carefully so that when the Pan family and those others accused wanted to defend themselves, they would have no chance, their lies crumbling under the weight of evidence.
Before the door closed, I looked at the triplets and pursed my lips, knowing now that I faced them, I could not get away even if I tried. The soft slam of the door and the smooth movement of the car indicated that we would be on the way. It will take an hour to reach the desired destination, which should give all the others enough time to stew in their anxiety.
I could feel the eyes of the three brothers following my movements, but I ignored them, focusing on the task ahead.
