Sister-in-law Chi subconsciously looked at the wheel tracks outside the courtyard, the marks left by Boss Shang's carriage.

Could it be?

"What can she do? It would be better if she died outside."

Aunt Chi muttered irritably.

They were having a great time talking at home when this depressing person had to come and ruin it!

Chi Erchuan was a little anxious: "Hongxing has never left the courtyard. I have already searched the whole place, but I can't find her!"

The others exchanged glances, too lazy to care.

"Go find it yourself. Don't expect your mother and me to help you." Old Man Chi also felt it was bad luck and didn't bother with it.

Chi Erchuan's face turned red.

Chi Wuhu rolled his eyes, picked up Chi Tang, and went inside without any hesitation.

Chi Sanhe also chimed in with sarcasm: "Hey second brother, not to be a younger brother, but someone like Shi Hongxing is better off lost. Don't end up like your younger brother!"

If he could do it all over again, he would have divorced that woman, Xiao Zhou, much earlier!

Otherwise, why would An'an have been lost and Si Lang have suffered so much?

He just doesn't dare to say these things normally!

Because I was worried that my mother would feel even worse!

Others either didn't want to, or felt awkward, so they didn't care.

In the blink of an eye, only Chi Erchuan was left in the courtyard.

For a fleeting moment, Chi Erchuan felt a profound sense of loneliness, as if everyone had abandoned him and he was all alone...

Despite the biting wind and snow, Chi Erchuan still decided to go out and search.

They searched the entire village but couldn't find it.

Later, some villagers said they thought they saw Shi Hongxing get into a horse-drawn carriage and leave.

carriage?

Could it be Shang Renqi?

Chi Erchuan hurried back to tell his parents about his discovery.

"Didn't you hear what they said? Shi Hongxing got into their carriage willingly. So what are you still looking for? It's better if she doesn't come back."

"What a disgrace! If we really follow Boss Shang, will we still be able to do business with him?"

Just thinking about it makes me feel awkward.

"Isn't Boss Shang coming in five days? Let's ask him then. Maybe Shi Hongxing didn't leave with Boss Shang?"

Everyone advised Chi Erchuan to stop looking.

Later, Aunt Chi simply kicked everyone else out and spoke with her second son alone for an hour.

I don't know what they talked about, but Chi Erchuan really stopped talking about finding Shi Hongxing.

In the following days, Chi Erchuan devoted himself even more to teaching his nephews to read and write, while spending the rest of his time reading books.

Perhaps it was the absence of worries about making a living, or some indescribable feeling, that allowed Chi Erchuan to actually concentrate on reading.

Old Man Chi was very excited.

Especially when Chi Erchuan hesitantly expressed that he wanted to prepare more and participate in the scientific expedition two years later.

The scientific expedition is held every three years, and the last one was last year.

Chi Erchuan blushed slightly: "I know, I'm an adult now, and I still have to rely on my parents, I..."

"As long as you don't make any mistakes and don't want Shi Hongxing anymore, you can continue your studies if you want to!"

Aunt Chi made the final decision.

Afterwards, Aunt Chi specifically sought out Sister-in-law Chi and her other sons to explain the situation properly.

If Chi Erchuan can pass the exam, it will be an honor and a benefit for the whole family.

No one had any objections.

These past few days everyone has been busy with the charcoal making, which has been very physically demanding, so we've been eating more.

The women at home prepare a variety of delicious meals to nourish the men.

Before we knew it, five days had passed.

Shang Renqi sent someone to the town to weigh the items, and Chi Sihai went with him, while the others waited at home.

Once the person returned and confirmed that it was two thousand catties, Shang Renqi immediately took out the money and wrote a contract, intending to do business with the Chi family in the long term.

However, the premise is to expand the scale and output; two thousand catties in five days is too little.

In winter, families who can afford coal need to buy 4,000 jin (2,000 kg) of coal; 2,000 jin is too little.

Then they agreed that the next time they would come to collect charcoal would be five days later, and they requested 10,000 catties!

The Chi family readily agreed.

After receiving the five taels of silver, the Chi family immediately paid the Li family their wages and then went to the village chief to discuss buying timber.

What was unexpected was that before the next day when everyone went to work, Shang Renqi sent a manager who, with a red face, said he wanted to terminate the contract!

"Why?" Old Man Chi was extremely anxious.

The manager was somewhat embarrassed. He took out a silver note and handed it over, saying firmly, "This is fifty taels of silver as compensation. Please give me the contract."

The other party was unyielding and refused to utter a single word no matter how the Chi and Li families questioned them.

Finally, having no other choice, Old Man Chi took out the contract, watched as the steward tore it to shreds on the spot, then left the silver and walked away.

Neither family was particularly happy to see fifty taels of silver.

Fifty taels of silver is a lot, but what they want is a long-term income!

"No, why is that?"

"Could there be something wrong with the charcoal?"

"No, we've been using it all along, and it's fine."

"So what exactly is the reason?"

"Could it be that Shang Renqi knows how to make charcoal on his own?"

As soon as Xiao Wu Ge voiced his guess, the whole family's expressions turned sour.

If that's really the case, then they...

"Hey, what are you all doing outside? Brother Chi, there's something I need to tell you. The Wang family has bought up all the mountains surrounding our Plum Blossom Village. They said no one else is allowed to go up the mountains anymore, and they even paid a lot more money for it."

“...Every household will receive compensation. Here, this is one tael of silver as compensation for your family.”

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