Chapter 84 Another Trivial Matters at the Semi-Leisure Residence

The kang table customized by Ye Li is long and narrow.

It is five feet long and two feet wide.

It is made of beech wood from the south.

Beech wood is heavier than poplar and elm, so this long kang table is not only sturdy but also stable.

Jiang Ji put Ye Li on it, regardless of whether Ye Li was lying down or sitting up.

No matter how loud or frequent the embarrassing sounds were, the kang table remained completely still.

They truly loved each other dearly.

Unfortunately, although the bedroom was much warmer than outside, it was still freezing cold. To avoid catching a cold, after checking the quality of the kang table, the two obediently went back to bed.

They lay face to face, with Ye Li's legs draped over Jiang Ji's shoulders. The difference in their body sizes allowed Jiang Ji to completely embrace Ye Li.

Not only were their skin pressed together, but their lips, tongues, and even their breaths were intertwined.

This intimacy, compared to Ye Li lying on the kang table with her body exposed, fascinated and moved Jiang Ji even more.

High stools and kang tables are tools.

It's about fun and enjoyment.

It is the composure that comes only after satisfaction.

Now, all he wanted to do was hold Ye Li, hold his Ye Li intimately, and enjoy himself to the fullest.

His Ye Li would stare at him without blinking.

Her eyes were sparkling, all of them were for him.

They'll even initiate a kiss.

Her soft tongue licked his lips and the corners of his mouth.

When he wanted to kiss her, she obediently opened her mouth and bit his tongue, while snuggling into his arms and making soft humming sounds.

These leaves are like plump peaches in summer, sweet, soft, and sticky.

It made his heart swell and throb.

Therefore, relatively speaking, this first one ended rather quickly.

But enjoy yourself to the fullest.

I had a great time.

They kissed for quite a while before finally releasing each other's lips.

They both stepped back slightly, looked at each other's flushed cheeks, smiled, and couldn't help but kiss each other again.

After the kiss ended, the longing that had been building up for a month finally eased a bit.

Ye Li had just sweated, and the blankets were a little damp. She lifted her legs, wanting to kick the blankets off.

Seeing this, Jiang Ji simply sat up and pulled off most of the blankets covering the two of them.

A cold front suddenly enveloped the two of them.

It's very comfortable.

Jiang Ji looked at Ye Li.

Ye Li lay lazily on his side, one leg stretched out and the other casually bent. The hazy light enveloped him, making his skin appear flawless like warm jade, extremely alluring.

Jiang Ji's throat went dry as he watched, and he pulled the blankets over the two of them.

He then lay down and pulled Ye Li into his arms.

Ye Li twisted a few times in dissatisfaction: "It's still hot, lift it up."

"Don't catch a cold, the medicine tastes so bitter."

Jiang Ji grabbed his hand and pulled him down: "Let's continue."

But then, Ye Li suddenly yawned.

"Tired?"

Jiang Ji asked.

As he said those two words, he put one arm around Ye Li's waist and began to move gently.

The soothing pleasure made Ye Li yawn involuntarily again.

He closed his eyes, placed his hand on Jiang Ji's waist, and said, "We walked quite a lot today."

Today's activity level is several times higher than usual.

I just took a hot bath.

Again, it was after the fact.

Adding these three things together, you'll definitely feel sleepy.

But at this moment, Jiang Ji was taking a gentle approach, slow and deliberate, but the pleasure in each movement was stretched out, as if he were soaking in water, which made him hum a few times.

Seeing this, Jiang Ji chuckled, cupped his face and kissed him, then said, "Then let's buy an oxcart?"

"That way, I won't have to hitch a ride with other people anymore."

"It's convenient for us to go out on our own."

They need to borrow Jiang Fuzheng's mule cart to go to the county town tomorrow.

Upon hearing this, Ye Li hummed in agreement; he had the same idea.

Today, when he was walking to the county school, he regretted it halfway there; he should have asked Jiang Fuzheng to take him there.

This mistake must not be repeated, otherwise he will be the one to suffer in the end.

He said, "I'll buy it in the next couple of days."

"Okay." Jiang Ji nodded.

However, seeing that he still had his eyes closed, he said, "Look at me."

Upon hearing those three words, Ye Li half-opened his eyelids: "What?"

"I'm good-looking, just looking at me will keep you awake."

"……shameless."

Ye Li laughed and actually opened her eyes.

Jiang Ji also laughed.

Just like before, Ye Li rested her head on Jiang Ji's arm, their bodies intertwined in an embrace.

But being too close isn't good either, because you can't see Jiang Ji's face clearly.

Ye Li moved her head back, about a foot away from Jiang Ji.

The two looked at each other.

Their dark eyes stared at each other without blinking.

This can actually be quite embarrassing.

But for the two of them, they had looked at each other like this countless times during their past sexual encounters.

Just looking at the other person's face makes my heart feel sweet.

Neither of them looked away, and their smiles grew wider and wider until they finally burst out laughing.

They naturally pressed themselves together again, their lips meeting in a kiss.

Although the touch was gentle and soft, the sweetness in my heart was no less than the first time.

A comfortable and spacious kang (heated brick bed).

A sticky, gooey person.

The winter night is finally no longer cold and lonely.

Moreover, the workshop has now been moved to the back of their house, so they no longer need to get up early.

So after this one ended, Jiang Ji couldn't bear to sleep. He pulled the drowsy Ye Li along and started the third one.

Ye Li was truly exhausted, but what could he do when it was so pleasurable, especially with someone he liked? He was simply indulging in pleasure.

He was half-awake and half-asleep, and he and Jiang Ji kept each other up until late at night.

The next day, he woke up when it was already broad daylight.

The weather is nice today, and the bedroom is bright and airy.

The kang (heated brick bed) was still warm.

But Jiang Ji had already risen.

He yawned, turned over, and went back to sleep.

When he woke up again, Jiang Ji was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), looking through his account book.

He grunted twice.

There wasn't much noise, but Jiang Ji immediately put down the account book and looked at him: "Awake?"

"What time is it now?" he asked lazily, closing his eyes again.

"It's almost 9 AM, isn't it?" Jiang Ji said.

Is it 9:00 AM?

Ye Li opened her eyes.

He slept until ten o'clock?

"...Brother Yi and Father have gone to the workshop, right?" he asked.

Jiang Ji smiled upon hearing this, and pulled the blanket down to reveal his face: "Don't worry, Xiaomai and Ya Ge'er have also gone to filter the soybean dregs."

"They're not home, they didn't know you were sleeping until now."

Upon hearing this, Ye Li was no longer in a hurry.

They're not home.

However, he asked, "Why did Xiaomai and Yage go too?"

The water was too cold in winter, so ever since the village workshop was set up, the two little guys stopped doing this work.

Jiang Ji explained, "I sent them out to earn money so they wouldn't chatter at home and disturb your sleep."

Ye Li laughed upon hearing this: "You really are their good older brother."

"Of course, I'm still your good husband."

Jiang Ji leaned down and kissed his slightly dry lips: "Shall we get up? The rice is warming in the big iron pot, and there's hot water boiling on the stove."

Ye Li struggled; he really didn't want to get up.

In the dead of winter, since I've already slept until ten o'clock, I might as well dawdle a little longer and have lunch right away.

But not today.

I just promised Jiang Ya yesterday, I can't go back on my word.

Zengzi slaughters a pig!

Giving himself courage from those four words, he sat up abruptly: "Go and call Xiaomai and Ya Ge back. Let's go straight to the county town for a hot pot."

"Also, tell Father to make dinner a little lighter."

The food these past two days has been far too oily and salty.

Jiang Ji responded, then cupped his face and kissed him before leaving the bedroom.

So Ye Li got up and washed up.

Jiang Fuzheng's mule cart had been brought back by Jiang Ji and tied up next to the well.

After he finished tidying up, the two little ones, Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya, came back skipping and hopping.

Jiang Ji followed behind the two.

As soon as Jiang Ya entered the courtyard, she saw him carrying a basket onto a mule cart and immediately ran towards him with a smile: "Brother Li, Brother Li, can I work in the workshop in the future?"

"You want to go? The water's quite cold."

Ye Li reminded him.

"But the wages are high."

As Jiang Ya spoke, she stopped in front of him, her small hands behind her back, her round face showing a hint of embarrassment.

But the big eyes were still looking at him, clearly taking the matter very seriously: "I don't have much work to do, I only need five coins, is that alright?"

Ye Li was amused by his awkward little posture: "Sure, of course. You can go whenever you want in the future, just like before. I'll pay you after the filtering is done."

Having gotten the answer she wanted, Jiang Ya stopped being coy and cheered as she threw herself into Ye Li's arms: "Brother Li, I'll work hard! I won't slack off!"

"Good boy, you're the most diligent one."

Ye Li couldn't help but rub his little head: "Go and carry your big bag, we're about to set off."

"Okay, okay."

Jiang Ya hurriedly turned around and ran towards the house where he and Jiang Mai lived.

Jiang Mai wanted to go too, but Ye Li stopped him: "Xiaomai, are you going to work in the workshop?"

"No, I want to study."

Jiang Mai shook her little head.

Five coins a day is indeed a lot, but studying is more important.

Working in the workshop, one only earns thirty coins a day.

But if he achieves fame and success, he will have everything, just like his elder brother!

"Good, it's good to focus on studying. Besides, studying is much harder than working. Wheat has chosen the most difficult path. You're really brave!"

Ye Li offered encouragement with a smile.

Jiang Mai felt a little embarrassed by his praise. She blushed, glanced at him, gave a soft "hmm," and then ran away.

Ye Li then looked at Jiang Ji and asked, "Brother Ya, why do you want to work in the workshop?"

"He had just boasted to the villagers that we were going to eat at Banxianju, and that we could get a 50% discount, and the villagers couldn't help but start calculating how long it would take them to save up enough money for such a meal."

"He was tempted by what he heard, and wanted to earn more money. He said that once he had saved enough money, he would treat the two of us and Xiaomai to a big meal."

Jiang Ji explained.

"...That five-copper-coin wage is too little."

Ye Li hadn't expected this reason.

He originally thought that giving a child ten coins a day was a bit too much, since Jiang Ya already had more than a thousand coins.

Although the little boy should be raised in comfort, Jiang Ya shouldn't think that making money is easy. When the little guy gets a little older, she will gradually increase his wages.

But little did he expect that this little guy wanted to treat him and Jiang Ji to a big meal!

If it costs five coins a day, even if you work hard until the New Year, you still can't afford to hire someone.

Just then, Jiang Ya ran out of the house carrying a large purse. He smiled and waved to Jiang Ya, saying, "Brother Ya, the water is too cold in winter, and you're so young. How about I give you an extra five coins a day for the winter?"

Ye Li had previously received high-temperature subsidies, so Jiang Ya understood what he meant.

The little guy's eyes lit up immediately, and he happily jumped into Ye Li's arms: "Brother Li is so good!"

Oh dear, ten coins a day.

That's three hundred coins a month.

Wow, that's a lot of money!

Seeing him so happy made Ye Li happy too.

In fact, even if you earn ten coins a day, you still won't be able to afford a half-leisure house by the time the New Year arrives.

But there are many festivals in the twelfth lunar month, so we can just convert the rice, flour, and meat into cash and give it to the little guy then, and that will definitely be enough.

So the whole family happily boarded the mule cart and headed to the county town.

At this time, Bao Beiyuan had already gone out to sell drinks, and they went directly to Banxianju.

Business at Banxianju is still going very well today.

Although it wasn't noon yet, the first floor was already almost full.

Since the second floor was inconvenient, Ye Li sat down in an empty seat on the first floor.

Just like yesterday, a waiter came over with a menu for them to order.

However, the waiter added an extra line compared to yesterday: "Sir, our shop has a new spicy fish hot pot. The spicy fish has already been prepared and can be eaten as soon as it's served."

"After you finish eating the meat and vegetables, it will be just as delicious."

"..."

Ye Li and Jiang Ji exchanged a glance.

Yu Cai acted so quickly?

So that's all arranged?

However, after glancing at Jiang Ya, he shook his head and said, "Just a regular hot pot will do."

Before the waiter could even speak, Jiang Ya interrupted, "Why, Brother Li?"

"Because I have to remove the fish bones for you, and we're going to go shopping to see your Brother Bao later."

Ye Li explained.

He was worried about Jiang Ya eating fish alone, so he always picked out the bones for her when he cooked fish, which took too much time.

Jiang Ya gave an "oh" and didn't say anything more.

indeed.

There's so much to do today.

So Ye Li ordered the food.

There were two little ones with him, and he ordered quite a few vegetarian dishes, because children need a balanced diet of meat and vegetables.

After ordering, he handed the menu to the two little ones.

Since it was their first time eating hot pot, they had to experience every step of the process.

Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya held the menu. Jiang Mai recognized most of the words on it, and could guess the rest.

Jiang Ya didn't know as many characters as he did, so he patiently read them to her one by one.

Moreover, you also have to consider the price!

One serving of these dishes is half a pound.

A serving of cabbage costs three coins!

In their village, a single cabbage can't even sell for three coins!

The two little heads huddled together, and it took them quite a while to finally order the food.

As soon as the waiter left, they didn't look at the shop's decor, but instead all looked at Ye Li.

Jiang Mai frowned and said, "Brother Li, those things just now cost more than a thousand coins."

He felt like there wasn't much food.

Jiang Ya nodded her head. It really is expensive.

However, he patted his chest and said to Jiang Mai with a serious expression, "Second Brother, I will work hard to earn money. Once I've earned enough for two strings of cash, we'll come over for dinner."

Ye Li couldn't help but laugh at this scene.

He looked at Jiang Ji.

Jiang Ji was also looking at him.

They both laughed.

However, just as he was about to look away, he saw the deputy manager of Banxianju, surnamed Zhang, walking quickly towards the door with a smile on his face, calling out, "Young Master, Young Master, you've finally arrived."

The eldest son?

Ye Li looked towards the doorway.

A middle-aged man who looked like a scholar entered the shop with a beautiful woman and two little boys.

He leaned closer to Jiang Ji and lowered his voice, saying, "Look at the door, do you know that person?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ji glanced towards the door, made out the middle-aged man's appearance, then looked away and said in a low voice, "I've seen him at the county school."

But I can't recall the name.

For the past month, he has been busy reading and has not socialized.

Ye Li hummed in agreement.

He was a scholar from the county school, and was also called "Young Master" by Deputy Manager Zhang. His age also matched, so this person was most likely Yu Cai's elder brother, Yu Shiting.

But Yu Shiting did not recognize him or Jiang Ji.

Therefore, he pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked at Jiang Mai and Jiang Ya.

After the two little ones finished lamenting the price, they turned their little heads to look around the store.

Soon, the waiter brought over the hot pot base and the ingredients they had ordered.

So the four of them started eating.

Eating hot pot at home does taste quite different from eating it in a restaurant. Banxianju's broth is made with chicken soup, giving it a richer flavor.

The two little ones ate with great enthusiasm, actively dipping and scooping out the meat, while also keeping an eye on the increasingly lively atmosphere in the restaurant. They were really busy.

This meal took most of an hour to finish.

After the meal, Ye Li went to pay the bill. With a 50% discount, the deputy manager Zhang only charged him a little over 600 coins.

After paying the money, he asked the assistant manager, Zhang, to convey his regards to Yu Cai. Then he and Jiang Ji left the shop with the two little ones.

Bao Beiyuan is probably still selling drinks outside right now.

So Jiang Ji drove the mule cart to the vegetable market.

Tomorrow is Jiang Dahe's birthday, so I need to buy a birthday gift today.

I'll also buy some snacks and braised dishes for Bao Beiyuan.

After buying these, they went to find Bao Beiyuan.

If nothing unexpected happens, Bao Beiyuan should be home by now.

Sure enough, when they arrived, Bao Beiyuan was in the kitchen eating the fried dough he hadn't finished eating that morning.

Ye Li's face was full of disapproval when she saw his meals.

When asked if he had been busy these past few days, he shook his head and said, "Not busy. I take the glutinous rice to the mill to grind it, which saves me a lot of effort and time."

“I also had the staff at the goat milk shop deliver it to my door.”

"In this way, I can make 150 boxes of drinks a day. Half of them are delivered to Banxianju, and the other half are not sold individually, but only delivered to regular customers. So I can manage all the work by myself."

Ye Li: "..."

Jiang Ji: "..."

Goodness, he's really spinning himself like a top.

Seeing that the two of them were speechless, Bao Beiyuan smiled and said, "I know you mean well, but I can't find a suitable person to help me right now."

“We have the right people.”

Ye Lidao.

"Who?" Bao Beiyuan asked curiously.

“Datong’s younger brother, Jiang Shun, is fourteen years old. If you’re willing, I can have him help you.”

Ye Lidao.

The workshop currently has enough staff, so Jiang Shun cannot enter the workshop.

Furthermore, after Jiang Tong's family's financial situation improved, he became more carefree and outgoing, typical of his age. Rather than keeping him cooped up at home making wind chimes, it would be better for him to come to the county town and explore.

Given Bao Beiyuan's situation of eating fried dough sticks in the morning, eating leftover fried dough sticks in the afternoon, and still being as busy as a spinning top, Ye Li is really afraid that his last illness will happen again.

Upon hearing this, Bao Beiyuan hesitated.

He knew Ye Li was thinking of him.

They've already found someone.

But sometimes he really wants to be alone...

At this moment, Ye Li added, "I will tell him not to bother you unless necessary. You two will each stay in a separate room, and he won't affect you too much."

Bao Beiyuan: "..."

He gave a wry smile.

His brother-in-law has thought things through so thoroughly; if he were to refuse again, he would be ungrateful.

Moreover, he even asked Ye Li to help him find a spouse.

He should try to move on from his pain.

After two years, when the mourning period ends, things should return to normal...

He took a breath, smiled, and said, "Alright, let him come."

"...You just agreed like that?"

Ye Li was surprised, then frowned and said, "Don't force yourself. If you really don't want to, then forget it. Don't force yourself to suppress the pain."

"No, I've really come to terms with it."

Bao Beiyuan said with a smile.

"Have you really come to terms with it?" Jiang Ji asked.

"I've really come to terms with this. I need to let my father rest in peace, and I can't let down my future wife and husband. I've married her, so I have to take responsibility. It can't be like it is now."

Immersed in pain all day long.

That's a valid reason.

Ye Li thought for a moment and said, "Okay, Jiang Ji and I will bring him over the day after tomorrow."

Let's try it first.

If it doesn't work, let Jiang Shun go home.

As for whether Jiang Shun would be willing to do this job, there is no doubt that he would. Coming to the county town is better than staying at home making wind chimes.

He also plans to charge the same wages as a workshop.

Thirty coins a day!

With the business settled, Ye Li and Jiang Ji didn't linger. Winter days are short, and in the short time they were talking, the sun was already setting.

The family of four bid farewell to Bao Beiyuan and rode home in a mule cart.

By the time they reached the village entrance, it was already getting dark.

They returned the mule cart first, and then the four of them walked home.

Father Ye had already prepared dinner. Ye Li had asked Jiang Ji to specifically tell her this morning that they should eat something light tonight.

Therefore, Uncle Ye made spicy and sour cabbage, scrambled eggs, and steamed white flour buns as the staple food.

After a pleasant dinner, Ye Li and Jiang Ji didn't rush to wash up; instead, they went to the small living room to settle the accounts.

Tomorrow is not only Jiang Dahe's birthday, but they also plan to settle everyone's previous wages.

A few days ago I was busy building the village workshop, and after that I delivered the goods. Then Jiang Ji came back, so the issue of wages has been delayed until now.

We can't delay any longer, after all, the village workshops are already on the right track.

Money will be paid tomorrow!