Chapter 109 - Chapter 109: Chapter 104 Tang Tile Craftsman i (2/2)

Upon seeing Qin Niu, he recognized him at a glance.

“You’re the son of Old Man Liu from Shuangfeng Village, aren’t you?”

“That’s right, my name is Qin Niu. Uncle, have you been to our village?”

Qin Niu didn’t recognize the person.

“They all call you Ah Niu, right? Please, have a seat!”

The old man’s eldest son invited Qin Niu to sit down and moved a chair for his father as well.

This small gesture showed the family’s values of respect and filial piety.

The old man’s three sons had all managed to develop the family business so successfully for a reason.

The eldest son’s wife came out with brewed tea.

She first offered tea to Qin Niu, the guest, then to her father-in-law, and lastly to her husband.

The old man’s son and daughter-in-law were decent people.

They didn’t look down on Qin Niu for his ragged clothes.

“Hehe, that’s what people in the village call me. May I ask for your esteemed name, uncle?”

“My name is Tang Fang, known as Tang the Tiler. Are you looking to renovate your house, or to rebuild it entirely?”

Upon hearing the surname Tang, Qin Niu’s heart skipped a beat.

In the village, those sharing the same surname were usually relatives.

The kind with blood ties.

Qin Niu wondered what relation this Tang Fang might have with Tang Wenhan?

Tang Fang asked such a question, clearly aware of Qin Niu’s family circumstances. Renovating a house wasn’t cheap, but it was much less expensive than building a new one.

“I want to build a new house.”

Qin Niu answered.

“If you’re building a mud house, you could directly hire the two tilers from Shuangfeng Village! Asking for my help means you think highly of me. However, among us tilers, there’s an unwritten rule to not take work away from others.”

Tang Fang explained to Qin Niu.

“No, I want to build a brick-and-tile house, just like the one your youngest brother has if possible.”

Qin Niu was now an Insect Master, a privileged class.

Building a house could be done with the privileges of an official; constructing a threefold-sevenfold structure would be no problem.

“You want to build a brick-and-tile house? And you want one like my youngest brother’s house?”

Tang Fang looked at Qin Niu with a peculiar gaze, probably thinking the rumors of Qin Niu from Shuangfeng Village being a bit simple-minded might be true, wondering if something was off with his brain.

“Yes!”

Qin Niu nodded earnestly.

“Cough… Brother Qin Niu, the cost of building a brick-and-tile house isn’t small, you know. My youngest brother’s house cost nearly eighty taels of Silver Money to complete. Moreover, my youngest brother is an official with rank, which is why he can build a threefold-sevenfold house. An ordinary person can’t build that type of house.”

Tang Fang patiently explained to him.

“I just like that kind of house. Money is not an issue, and neither is status.”

Qin Niu said indifferently.

He had seen the houses of all three brothers, and the one that suited his heart the most was the youngest brother’s.

It was simple, comfortable, sturdy, and beautiful, and he was very satisfied in all aspects.

“Uh… well, as long as you have the Silver Money and the position, I would definitely be very glad to take on the job.”

Tang Fang’s expression became somewhat stiff.

It was his practice to avoid offending anyone as he lived off the hospitality of many, which is why he refrained from saying anything that might displease Qin Niu.

Just then, the sound of a horse-drawn carriage came from outside.

The few turned to look towards the courtyard, only to see Steward Yan Qi from the official’s residence get off the carriage.

The reason a carriage was considered a luxury was not only because of its high cost, but also because it required a driver.

Moreover, the paperwork for it had to be facilitated through connections.

Without some status, it was very difficult to get approval.

Seeing Steward Yan Qi, Tang Fang quickly got up to greet him.

“All, Steward Yan Qi, what brings you here today? Please, come sit inside!”

“Last time I hired you for a job, I hadn’t settled the payment, right? I had our chief steward settle your wages first, and as soon as I received the money, I immediately brought it over to you.”

Yan Qi was still as talkative and as humble as ever.

“Haha, thank you, thank you! I feel secure working for Steward Yan Qi.”

Tang Fang showed a joyous smile upon hearing that the wages had been paid.

The greatest fear when working for wealthy families was not settling the payment..