369: Chapter 370 Family Income and Expenditure!

"Fellow Daoist, you only need to come twice a year, in spring and autumn. Just take a look at the growth of the Spiritual Plants in the spirit fields, provide some guidance, and offer a few suggestions.

If you encounter any particular difficulties, I, Ye, will send a message to ask for your advice. If you have the time, you can reply; if you really cannot spare the time, that is also fine."

His tone was sincere, and his posture was very humble, without the slightest air of arrogance.

Hearing him say this, Xiao Qingxue had no more reservations in her heart and nodded in agreement:

"Since Fellow Daoist Ye is so sincere, naturally, I have no reason to refuse. However, I must ask for your understanding.

I do have duties in the spirit fields of the Lingxiao Sect, so I may not have much time, and I fear I might delay the affairs of the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain."

Ye Changge waved his hand and smiled:

"It is my, Ye's, good fortune that you are willing to come. There is no need to force the timing; everything will be based on your convenience. As for the remuneration for being a Guest Elder—"

He pondered for a moment and offered a rather generous price:

"One thousand two hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones per year, paid in four installments, once every quarter. You only need to come to Longmai Mountain four times. If you have urgent matters and cannot come, just let me know in advance, and you can make it up next time."

Xiao Qingxue was surprised when she heard this.

One thousand two hundred Spirit Stones a year was a considerable income for a Spirit Plant Master at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

Although she was a Second-Grade Spirit Plant Master, her annual salary in the Lingxiao Sect's spirit fields was only seven or eight hundred Spirit Stones.

The price Ye Changge offered was nearly double that.

"Fellow Daoist Ye is so generous, how could I refuse?" Xiao Qingxue bowed slightly and said sincerely,

"Then I shall follow your words. From today on, I am a Guest Elder of the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain."

The two immediately took out a simple Spiritual Contract, wrote the agreed terms on paper, and left their Divine Sense imprints.

Although it was not as solemn as a Dao Companion Spiritual Contract, it was still a proper employment contract with binding force.

Wan'er, who had been following along, heard that her Senior Sister could often come to Longmai Mountain in the future, and her eyes lit up with joy.

She quickly stepped forward, grabbed Xiao Qingxue's arm, and looked up with a small face:

"Senior Sister! Will you really come often in the future? That is wonderful! Wan'er will be able to see Senior Sister often from now on!"

Xiao Qingxue was amused by her innocent and lively appearance and reached out to rub her head:

"Mm, I will come. As long as you don't find Senior Sister nagging."

"I won't!" Wan'er shook her head quickly, then turned to look at Ye Changge, her eyes full of gratitude, "Senior Ye, you are so kind! Not only did you take Wan'er in, but you also invited Senior Sister to be a Guest Elder!"

Ye Changge smiled: "It is because your Senior Sister is capable that I invited her. If she were incompetent, I wouldn't be able to hire her even if I wanted to."

Hearing this, Xiao Qingxue couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle: "Fellow Daoist Ye is certainly straightforward."

After they chatted and laughed for a while, Ye Changge took them around Muling Cliff, pointing out the key locations Xiao Qingxue had just mentioned,

They confirmed the direction of the spirit-guiding canal, the zoning plan for the medicinal garden, and the direction for future expansion one by one.

By the time the setting sun slanted and the sky was filled with gorgeous sunset clouds, Ye Changge led everyone back to the main courtyard of Longmai Mountain.

That night, Ye Changge prepared a sumptuous spirit banquet to welcome Xiao Qingxue.

During the banquet, everyone talked and laughed, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Wan'er chattered about what she had seen and heard at Longmai Mountain these days, while Xiao Qingxue occasionally asked Ye Changge about details regarding the Family's spirit fields, clearly already planning for the future.

After the banquet, Ye Changge personally arranged a quiet guest courtyard for Xiao Qingxue to rest.

Once everything was settled, he returned to his study, sat down on the large pear wood chair, and let out a long breath.

Counting the days, Xia Qingcheng would be leaving for the Lingxiao Sect in a few days.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and was just about to sort through the affairs of the past few days when he suddenly heard light and fragmented footsteps outside the door.

Ye Changge raised his eyes slightly, swept his Divine Sense across the door, and a smile couldn't help but appear on his lips.

"Come in."

The door was gently pushed open, and a slender figure slipped in from the side, holding a jade slip in her hand, standing at the door somewhat nervously.

It was Liu Yiyi.

She was wearing a lotus-root pink dress today, her smooth long hair tied up loosely with a white jade hairpin, and a few strands of hair hanging by her cheeks, making her palm-sized face appear even more pure and lovely.

However, she looked nervous at the moment, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of the jade slip, as if she were holding a hot potato.

Ye Changge waved at her, his tone gentle: "Yiyi, come here."

Liu Yiyi pursed her lips, walked over quickly, stood in front of him, and lowered her head, whispering: "Husband... these are the income and expense accounts for Longmai Mountain for this period. As you instructed, I have already organized them."

As she spoke, she handed the jade slip over with both hands, her movements respectful and with a hint of careful ingratiation.

Ye Changge reached out to take it, but did not rush to check it. Instead, he pulled her into his arms.

Liu Yiyi was caught off guard, let out a soft "Ah," and fell onto his lap, her cheeks turning bright red instantly.

Although she and Ye Changge were already an old married couple and had two children, she still felt nervous and at a loss every time he hugged her like this.

Her slender fingers subconsciously gripped his lapels, and her breathing became lighter.

"Husband... the accounts..." She reminded him in a low voice, her voice thin and soft, like a frightened rabbit.

Ye Changge looked at her nervous appearance and found it interesting. He deliberately leaned into her ear and lowered his voice:

"I will look at the accounts later. Yiyi has worked hard these days, let your husband hold you for a while."

The warm breath brushed against her ear, Liu Yiyi's body trembled slightly, and the tips of her ears turned red enough to bleed.

"It... it wasn't hard..." Her voice became smaller and smaller, and her whole face was buried in Ye Changge's shoulder, not daring to look up.

Ye Changge teased her a few times, and seeing that she was really too shy, he stopped teasing her. He gently wrapped one arm around her waist,

With the other hand, he picked up the jade slip, probed his Divine Sense into it, and began to browse the account records inside.

The income and expenses of the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain since the establishment of the residence were listed by Liu Yiyi in categories and in an organized manner.

Spirit field reclamation, Spiritual Plant procurement, Talisman shop operations, salary distribution for Family disciples, Immortal Cave repairs, Formation arrangements... every item was recorded, and the handwriting was beautiful and neat, clear at a glance.

Ye Changge watched for a while, and his eyebrows suddenly raised slightly.

"Hmm? The income and expenses are actually so different?"

The accounts clearly showed that since moving to Longmai Mountain, although the income from the Talisman shop was still considerable, the total expenditure had already exceeded the income by more than double.