Chapter 102: The New Year is Approaching

Chapter 102: Chapter 102: The New Year is Approaching

That afternoon, Mrs. Shaven took Vilia into town.

Upon hearing that Vili was taking Vilia to the Lord Baron’s New Year’s banquet, Mrs. Shaven immediately set a clothing budget of ten Silver Rums. Although it pained her to spend so much, she knew they couldn’t let Vilia’s attire embarrass Vili. After all, Vili’s status was vastly different now; he was a prominent figure in Diamond Town.

When Mrs. Shaven returned with Vilia in the evening, Vilia’s face was wreathed in a smile more dazzling than the setting sun.

Her mother, Mrs. Shaven, had personally picked out a pure white winter dress for her, adorned with delicate lace and openwork patterns. It was the most beautiful piece of clothing she had ever owned in her life.

She carefully placed the dress on her bedside table, then, contrary to her usual behavior, proactively started doing chores and learning to cook from Mrs. Shaven.

Watching Vilia’s behavior, Vili felt a strange warmth in his heart.

While Mrs. Shaven and Vilia were busy cooking, Vili decided to go out for a stroll around the village.

The heavy snow had stopped at noon, but even with a bit of sunlight peeking through, it couldn’t melt the accumulated snow on the ground in the slightest. It was simply too cold.

Vili’s long leather boots left a trail of deep footprints in the snow. As he walked, he looked at the houses lining the paths of Fandou Village.

With the New Year approaching, the villagers were hanging dried meat, frozen flatbreads, and other foods in front of their doors. This was a custom in the Diamond Town area, symbolizing their hopes for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.

In the yards of some homes with children, snowmen had been built, with flatbreads placed directly in their hands.

Bathed in the light of the setting sun and the reflections from the snow-covered ground, Vili could clearly feel the peace and simplicity of Fandou Village.

"Lord Village Chief!"

Old Yor and Yadon, their cheeks and noses red from the cold, were heading home when they ran into Vili.

Old Yor grinned as he approached Vili, revealing his yellowed teeth. With the New Year so close, he too felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Setting aside how the fractured old village had been rebuilt into the more prosperous and vibrant Fandou Village, just thinking about the changes in his own family made Old Yor truly understand the meaning of happiness.

Fandou Village had changed the lives of Old Yor’s family.

Back in the old village, his family had to worry about how to survive. They battled pests and hunger. They had land but couldn’t farm it because of the infestations. Nearly every day was a heavy burden.

But now, Old Yor’s son and daughter-in-law—Yadon’s parents—were in charge of working the fields. Watching the ripening beans and Star-Spotted Snow Roots gave them a comforting sense of satisfaction.

As for Old Yor himself, he had taken on the role of Fandou Village’s head steward. He helped Lake manage many of the village’s affairs. It could be said that, besides the Ferren Family, he was the person with the most Reputation in the village.

As for Yadon, because he was valued by the Lord Village Chief, he had also earned the respect of the other villagers. He followed Old Yor around all day, running errands whenever Vili gave an order. When there were no orders, Old Yor had him work in shifts around Fandou Village. Though it was tiring, he had grown a lot.

Old Yor’s family was a microcosm of Fandou Village.

Even without the aura of Vili’s [Reputation] skill, he had still earned the villagers’ heartfelt respect.

"I was just looking for you."

Vili took a couple of steps forward.

"Lord Village Chief, just give us your orders."

Old Yor said with a cheerful laugh.

Behind him, Yadon bobbed his head in agreement, like a chick pecking at rice.

"Before the butcher shop closes, I want you to go to Diamond Town tomorrow. Buy some meat and distribute it to the families in the village."

Vili instructed, "As for how much to buy and how to distribute it, you can decide."

Fandou Village now had its own financial income, which came mainly from the deposit the Divar Family paid for the Star-Spotted Snow Roots. They had given a full one hundred Gold Rums.

Of these one hundred Gold Rums, ten percent—or ten Gold Rums—was paid to Baron Kels. Baron Kels was quite benevolent toward Vili, only collecting a ten-percent tax. In all the lands under Diamond Town, only Vili’s and Olay’s villages received this treatment.

Of the remaining amount, ten Gold Rums were designated as the villagers’ wages and had already been distributed to each family. Fandou Village didn’t have a large population, so these ten Gold Rums, when divided among them, represented a considerable income for common folk.

As for the rest, sixty percent became the Ferren Family’s private property, while the other twenty percent went into Fandou Village’s treasury.

Now, with the New Year approaching, it was time to put this treasury to use.

Appropriate benefits would further unite the villagers and give them a stronger sense of belonging in Fandou Village.

"Rest assured, Lord Village Chief. I’ll get it done right."

Old Yor’s face crinkled with a wide smile.

He had been wanting to suggest this to Vili himself but had hesitated for a long time without saying anything. He hadn’t expected the Lord Village Chief to bring it up first. Vili’s talent and benevolence had completely won Old Yor’s respect.

"You two can go. I’m just going to walk around the village by myself for a bit."

Vili waved his hand.

"Why don’t I accompany you?"

Old Yor offered.

Vili waved his hand again, signaling that it wasn’t necessary. He really wanted to experience this simple, peaceful atmosphere alone.

For the next hour, Vili circled the village. He walked slowly, meandering to the village entrance. Seeing that the sky had already grown dark, he prepared to head home.

However, he had only taken a few steps when he heard the approaching sound of horse hooves and a familiar voice calling his name.

"Vili!"

It was Sopps’s voice.

Vili turned to see Sopps riding toward him on horseback, a broad smile on his face.

Seeing this, Vili smiled and went to greet him.

Sopps reined in his horse and leaped down.

"What are you doing back?"

In truth, Vili was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

As a new Personal Guard, Sopps definitely wouldn’t have been granted a New Year’s holiday this year. The only reason he could be back was because of Sandoor’s arrangements. Sandoor was a sharp guy; he certainly wouldn’t let his deputy captain’s own brother work hard through the New Year.

"The higher-ups approved a ten-day New Year’s holiday, so I rushed back."

Sopps said with a laugh. He didn’t feel awkward just because Vili had become his superior’s superior. When facing Vili, he still acted like the older brother he had always been.

"Let’s hurry home. Father and Mother will be overjoyed to know you’re back!"

Vili took the horse’s reins for Sopps, and they started walking home.