Chapter 70

PS: Thank you, JimH, for becoming the first patron of this book.

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Back at the farm, Li Han was in high spirits, giving Doudou several kisses and rubbing his big head against Doudou's small one, making Doudou wave her little hands around and giggle. "It tickles, Dad's beard." The baby pouted, and her uncle was biased; she had already helped her uncle catch bugs. "Uncle, I caught a lot of bugs." "Baby, you did a great job. To reward you and Doudou for catching so many bugs, I'll give you both an ice cream." Li Han pulled out the fridge and handed two cream ice creams to the two little ones. "Don't let Grandma and Mom see, or they'll spank your little bottoms. Take good care of Doudou and play nicely. Uncle will clean the grasshopper legs for you."

"Okay, I'll eat it without Mom seeing." The older sister and mother had set a rule of no more than two ice creams a day. The two little ones had already eaten one in the morning. They climbed onto the sofa with their ice creams, sat side by side, and turned on the TV. The tutorial Li Han had ordered was still playing, covering natural science and some geographical knowledge. The two little ones ate their ice creams while learning. Li Han busily cleaned and prepared the grasshopper legs, keeping the larger ones and feeding the smaller ones to the chicks later.

The family had dozens of chicks. The parents had eaten four or five of them. The free-range chicks, fed on grass seeds and insects, had a pure taste. Li Han planned to bring some domestic chickens from China next time to treat himself. It would be a waste not to use the space. After the two little ones finished their ice creams, they ran into the kitchen, perched on the countertop, and watched Li Han prepare the food, occasionally tiptoeing. "Uncle, are you done yet?" Li Han pinched a bit of flour and dabbed it on the two little ones' noses, calling them little gluttons.

Li Han played with Baby and Doudou while coating the prepared grasshopper legs with flour and frying them in the oil pot. The fried grasshopper legs were truly fragrant, golden yellow, and more delicious than any chicken wings or legs. The crispy and fragrant meat had a unique aroma. Doudou and Baby filled large jars, each claiming a jar to bring to their friends and teachers, including Cynthia and Mr. Bear.

"Good job." Li Han patted the two little ones' heads and said, "Go play now."

The two little ones happily carried their small backpacks, along with a white-tailed deer and a little Millie, to the lawn to play. Li Han organized the farm data, planning to apply for a farm loan to purchase cattle, sheep, and large-scale forage harvesting and baling equipment. This was the best time, as the grasslands had been affected by drought, causing forage prices to rise, and many farmers and ranchers were selling their livestock. In just a few days, the price of lambs had dropped by ten percent, and the price of calves had also decreased.

With the merger of farms and ranches, the second-hand agricultural machinery market was booming again. Buying second-hand machinery that was 60-70% new cost less than half the price of new machinery. Li Han and Hutton discussed how much machinery to buy. The price difference between new and used was significant. A complete set of new ranch machinery cost at least a million dollars, while buying used would cost around 300,000 to 400,000 dollars. Li Han planned to take out a 1.5 million dollar loan, adding the 500,000 to 600,000 dollars he still had, to buy several hundred cattle and sheep, along with a complete set of ranch machinery.

The application had been submitted for some time, but it hadn't been approved yet, and Li Han was getting anxious. This was the best time. He took some photos of the grasslands and considered mortgaging them. The two small houses, with the organic certification for Doudou, would help improve his credit score. He organized the documents and sent them to the bank, adding more details.

After finishing his work, Li Han didn't wait long before Hutton, Jim, and another migrant worker, a Peruvian named Lulu, arrived. Lulu had a dark complexion and was quite strong, looking honest and reliable, a good shepherd. "Jim, it's been a long time, how are you?"

"Great, Han, it's really nice to see you again. The farm looks great." Jim hugged Li Han and said, "Han, this is Lulu, a good shepherd." Lulu smiled shyly, a bit reserved. Hutton introduced Lulu, who had been in the U.S. for five or six years and had worked at Jim's ranch. He was a good person, experienced, and had low wage requirements, not needing insurance, which would save a lot of money.

"Sit down, I've brewed some coffee and baked some cookies. Try them." There were tables and chairs in the yard with a canopy. Li Han brought out the coffee and a plate of freshly baked cookies.

"Great cookies, Han. A beer would be even better." Jim chuckled, putting a cookie in his mouth. "Lulu, don't be shy, they're delicious." "Thank you, very tasty. The boss is a great cook." Lulu, still a bit reserved, took a bite and said.

"Lulu, don't be shy, just call me Han. When I first came to America, I was so poor I couldn't even afford a hot dog. Jim gave me a chicken sandwich, which I ate for a whole day. It was unforgettable. Jim, wait a moment, I'll get the beer. Hey, it's a good time, I just made some fried meat, which is quite tasty." Li Han smiled, went to the small house, and brought a small bucket of beer, a stack of paper cups, and a plate of fried grasshopper legs.

Hutton came to help, sniffing the fried grasshopper legs seasoned with pepper and spices, which had a strong aroma. "It smells great, Han. I'll help. The fried meat looks beautiful." Hutton carried the fried grasshopper legs, while Li Han held the beer bucket and cups, walking out of the small house. "Jim, try the beer I brewed, Lulu, don't be shy, come on."

"Delicious, hey, Han, a beer a day and swinging a bullwhip, it's heaven." Jim wiped the beer foam from his beard, grabbed a handful of fried grasshopper legs, and found them very tasty. "Han, this place is great. I think I'll stay."

"Welcome, Jim. Hutton will help you with accommodation. Lulu, what do you think of this place?" Jim was a good person, and Li Han felt at ease. Lulu looked honest and hardworking, with low wages, and Li Han planned to buy several hundred sheep, with Lulu in charge.

"Great, boss." Lulu still spoke a bit reservedly, and it would take some time to change. "That's good. Hutton, help with the arrangements, Jim, Lulu."

"Sure, Han. Jim, let's go see the grasslands. I think you'll like it."

"Han, thanks for the beer and fried meat." After Jim and Lulu left the small farm, Li Han tidied up and sat in the yard, watching Doudou and Baby ride a cow and chase a black donkey, while sipping fresh beer and enjoying the cool breeze.

After a while, Doudou and Baby got tired and returned to the yard, each sitting in a big chair, swinging their legs, drinking milk, and eating cookies. Little Millie was running around happily at Baby's feet. But soon, Li Han noticed something was wrong. Little Millie started spinning. Li Han was startled, caught Little Millie, and sniffed the beer smell. "Baby, what did you give Little Millie?"

Baby glanced at Little Millie, lowered her head, and looked guilty. Li Han was speechless, having forgotten to move the beer bucket inside. He didn't expect Baby to pour it for Little Millie, who was now drunk.

Li Han was helpless. The two little ones stood by Li Han, with Baby coming up with ideas and Doudou helping to implement them. Li Han scolded them, and Little Millie, now wobbling, was taken back to the doghouse. Doudou and Baby followed Li Han with their heads down. "Okay, don't do that again." Li Han put away the beer, making sure the two little ones couldn't get to it again. If they did, the police might not come, but his mother and sister would surely give him a hard time.

The two little ones were much better behaved. When his mother and sister returned, Doudou and Baby were helping Li Han pick beans, which would be soaked and ground into tofu the next morning. Fresh tofu tasted great, whether in a soup or braised.

"The two little ones were very well-behaved today." His sister smiled and said.

"Yes, Baby and Doudou are very capable, helping to pick beans. Come, Grandma will give you cake as a reward." His mother waved, distributing the afternoon cake early. The two little ones patted their bellies, which were full. "Grandma, Auntie, eat." Doudou said in a baby voice.

"Doudou is so good. Grandma and Auntie have already eaten. Doudou, you eat." Doudou tilted her head, but her belly was full, and she couldn't eat more. Li Han smiled and waved. "Dad, you eat the cake."

"Let's save it for later. Where are Dad and your brother-in-law?"

"Your dad and brother-in-law are grooming the horses. Riding horses is quite fun." His mother stretched and said. "Yes, it's very comfortable." His sister agreed. His father and brother-in-law were really good; in just a few days, his mother and sister had learned to enjoy riding horses.

"Baby and Doudou also rode the cow to catch bugs." Baby, sitting in her sister's arms, lifted her head proudly. "Baby is so capable, knowing how to help Uncle catch bugs to feed the chicks." "Yes, a lot of bugs."

"Did you catch a lot of bugs? Is everything okay, Xiao Han?" His mother was startled. Li Han, while pouring the beans into a basin, waved his hand and said, "It's fine, just a few grasshoppers. By the way, shall we go boating and fishing this afternoon?"

"Wow, Baby wants to go boating."

"Where are you going? Have you finished your homework?" His sister asked, and Baby immediately drooped her head, having played all morning without doing her homework. "Sister, Baby is still young. Let it go, and do it when you come back this afternoon."

"You, Doudou, don't follow your father's example. Good children should study well." Doudou nodded, understanding. "Doudou will study well." "Good, Baby, see how well Doudou is behaving. You're older, so you should set a good example for your sister, okay?" "Baby understands."

Li Han shook his head, helpless. He had no say in this matter, even though he had a 'glorious' history.