Aunt Zhang brought Qiangzi back the next afternoon. Because there were many things to do, and it was the busy farming season, and the children of both families were of marriageable age, they found a matchmaker and the matter was basically settled.

"We've already consulted someone to choose an auspicious date, and we've set it before the Dragon Boat Festival. That'll be right after we've finished a round of farm work, and everyone in the village will have time to help out. We've found a date for the engagement, and everyone will come to support me." Aunt Zhang looked quite spirited.

"Okay, we'll all go on that day." That's how it usually is in the village. If someone has something going on, they just raise their arms and everyone in the village will come to help, especially for weddings and funerals, when the whole village, young and old, will be there.

When Xichun's father passed away, the family didn't have much money left. Apart from a thin coffin, they couldn't afford anything else. The villagers each contributed some money and rice to help Xichun bury her father.

Now that Xichun's family is all alone, if any of the families she helped in the past need help, she will go back to help them and repay the favor.

The village chief drove his newly bought donkey cart to the county town to deliver vegetables. Since he bought the donkey at the end of last year, the village chief has cherished it very much. Even when grinding grain, he makes it come slowly. If the children in the family want to ride in the cart, they have to get his permission first.

"Village chief, you've arrived. Using a donkey cart must be much more convenient these days, right?" Xichun smiled as he helped unload the goods, patting the obedient little donkey.

"That's for sure. It's much faster than pulling the cart with all my might before, and it's not as tiring." Most of their money was spent on this donkey. They originally wanted to buy a cow, but cows were too expensive. If all their money was spent, the village chief was worried that they wouldn't be able to handle any emergencies.

"Yes, you were the first family in our village to own a donkey cart."

"Xichun, would you like to buy one? I'll go take a look for you. It'll be convenient for you when you come back to the village."

Speaking of this, Xichun really did have such plans. She earned quite a bit of money last year. After hearing that the house they were renting was going to be sold, she bought the house from the landlord. After that, she didn't have much money left, which was not enough to meet her need to buy land. Besides, if she bought one or two acres of land, it would be too little to rent to others, and she wouldn't have time to take care of it if she farmed it herself.

So Xichun bought the house after weighing the pros and cons. She planned to use the remaining money to rent a small shop and do business directly in the shop instead of setting up a stall. However, after asking around, she couldn't find a suitable shop. If the location was too remote, she might as well continue setting up her stall here. So she put the matter on hold for the time being.

So when the village chief mentioned buying a donkey, Xichun was quite tempted. Having a means of transportation would make it much easier to get home.

"Village chief, why don't you take a look at that mule for me? If the price isn't right, I'll consider buying a donkey." Xichun originally wanted to buy an ox, but she mainly needed it for hauling goods, so buying an ox wasn't appropriate. Besides, oxen are suitable for plowing, and if the villagers knew she had bought an ox, they would probably want to borrow it for plowing, and she would be reluctant to lend it to anyone, which would easily offend people.

"Okay, I'll go check it out for you. Anyway, I don't have anything else to do. You guys watch the donkey for me." The village chief was indeed decisive and efficient; after saying this, he immediately set off to do it.

Xichun told him her estimated price, while Taozi went to take care of the donkey.

In the afternoon, the village chief came to find Xichun, saying that he had his eye on a donkey and a mule, and asked Xichun to go and take a look as well. If they were suitable, he could buy them. He added that buying and selling livestock was a matter of chance.

Xi Chun took the bag and followed him. This was Xi Chun's first time entering a livestock market. There were very few horses there; it was mostly cattle, mules, donkeys, and other livestock. There were also many people like Xi Chun who had come to buy livestock, and they were all looking at the animals.

"Brother Zhang, is this the one who wants to buy a mule? Come with me, it's over here. Young lady, Brother Zhang has a really good eye. He spotted that strong mule right away. It's only been here a short time, and it's very docile. It'll be perfect for pulling carts."

The middleman at the livestock market kept saying nice things along the way, afraid that Xichun might change her mind.

Xichun also saw the mule. It was indeed a combination of the characteristics of a horse and a donkey, with big eyes, long eyelashes, and a strong body. Although it was not capable of reproduction, the mule was indeed the first choice for pulling a cart.

"Look at these teeth, this coat, it's a fine mule. I've been selling livestock in this market for over twenty years, I can tell what kind of animals they are at a glance. Do you think it's suitable?"

Xi Chun glanced at the village chief, who nodded, before she circled around to inspect the mule: "This mule is alright, but judging from the price my uncle mentioned, should we discuss it further?"

“Young lady, come here. We don’t haggle like this in our livestock market. Come here, this is the owner of the mule. If you don’t know how, I’ll be your middleman to negotiate the price.” The middleman saw that she was about to negotiate the price, so he quickly moved her away from the livestock and led the owner and them to the other side, taking out a white handkerchief.

The village chief knew their business dealings rules and, having ascertained Xichun's current asking price beforehand, negotiated back and forth with his hands under the white handkerchief before finally settling on a deal for ten taels of silver.

"Are you still interested in this donkey?" the middleman asked Xichun after the deal was made.

"I think we should hold off for now. We'll contact you again if we need anything else." Xichun shook his head. With the mule, they wouldn't buy anything else for the time being.

As for mule carts, they were available for sale here. When they arrived at the stall, Taozi excitedly looked at the mules that had been brought over and curiously went up to touch them.

"This mule is great. It will make things much more convenient from now on. We can haul all this stuff in one trip."

Thus, Xichun's family gained a new member, and Taozi had an additional task every day: feeding the mule. His family didn't have such livestock yet. Boys seem to have an irresistible urge to ride a horse. Whenever he had free time, Taozi would run outside the city to cut a lot of hay to feed the mule.

Fu Changfeng hasn't come to the stall to eat these past few days. Xiangxi thought something was wrong, but seeing him rushing to the academy every day, she didn't stop him or ask him.

Soon it was time for Qiangzi's engagement. Taozi had already developed feelings for the mule, so everyone rode in the cart he was driving back to the village.

"Hey, isn't this Taozi? Whose mule cart are you driving? This mule looks really strong, it's definitely a good mule." When the villagers saw that it was Taozi driving the cart, they couldn't help but run over to take a look.

"Taozi, when did you learn to drive a mule? You're so good! Is this the mule your family bought?" The children were playing at the village entrance. When they saw Taozi driving the mule, they all gathered around, wanting to touch the mule, which was taller than them.