Chapter 680: Awkward
In the afternoon, Bai Zhi took Ye Rufeng and Zhou Lin to the train station, bought them platform tickets, and watched them board the train before returning home with peace of mind.
When I returned to the courtyard where I was staying, Liu Guifang had just entered the house.
"Sister-in-law, you're closing up shop so late today? Have you sold everything?" Liu Guifang usually goes home to her family compound before 2 p.m.
Liu Guifang was exhausted today because her hands were constantly in contact with food. Looking at her oily face, she sighed, "Sigh, what a bad start. I was hoping to sell out quickly, but even now, there are still some left from this afternoon. I went out for a while and finally sold them all. Luckily, I still have some cold noodles and liangpi left. If it were liangpi, it would have been sour by now."
It's not a sour smell from spoilage, but from the fermentation of the dough.
"I'm exhausted today, I need to rest tomorrow."
Liu Guifang had originally planned to do less work tonight and sell her wares by tricycle tomorrow, but today's day was a blow to her.
I'll rest and adjust my mindset tomorrow, and also take care of the stall situation.
Bai Zhi said, "Take a rest. From now on, you don't need to go door-to-door selling anymore. Just set up a stall on market days. Don't tire yourself out so much."
"Yes, I've come to terms with it. I need to balance work and rest, otherwise my body won't be able to handle it, and the psychological pressure will be too great."
At this point, Liu Guifang changed the subject and said with a smile, "But fortunately, we sold out today. We made more than 50 yuan today, which is twice the usual amount. It was worth it to work hard all day."
Bai Zhi's mouth dropped open in surprise upon hearing her words. A day's turnover was only 50 yuan?
That's more than what their clinic makes today.
The clinic seemed to have patients coming and going, but the Chinese herbal medicines were cheap, and his grandfather's medical fees were also low.
To be honest, you don't really make much money.
Of course, they didn't choose to open a traditional Chinese medicine clinic here for the money.
Liu Guifang was different; she worked hard, getting up in the middle of the night to prepare so many dishes, and that's how she made a living.
It's only natural that they can make money.
"If I'm not setting up my stall tomorrow, I have to go home now. I'll come back tomorrow afternoon," Liu Guifang said, glancing behind Bai Zhi. "Where are Dr. Ye and Linlin? Haven't they finished work yet? Do you want me to help you cook?"
Bai Zhi replied, "My maternal grandfather and Linlin went back to Nancheng, and I'm all alone at home."
"They went back to Nancheng? Their sudden departure suggests something's wrong?" Liu Guifang's expression tightened again, her face full of concern.
Bai Zhi smiled and said, "There is something going on, but it's great news. My uncle opened a hotel in Nancheng, and my grandfather is going to attend the opening ceremony. Linlin is also going home to visit relatives."
Liu Guifang clicked her tongue twice as she listened to her words, “Xiao Zhi, your family is so outstanding. Last time when we had dinner at that hotel when you opened your business, Yu Mei and I were really shocked. We didn’t expect that all the people who came to your family were important figures. You see, Yu Mei’s attitude towards you has been much better since then.”
The grand opening of the clinic that day truly stunned Wang Yumei, and she no longer doubted that she was a country bumpkin.
Bai Zhi smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, there are no big shots here. My uncle is a businessman. If you work hard, you can open a chain store like my uncle in the future."
"I don't dare to dream of opening a chain store. I'll be lucky if I can just keep this business going."
Liu Guifang looked at her and asked, "If they're all not here, do you want to go home?"
Bai Zhi agreed, "Okay, it's great that I'm going back with you. I have some dirty clothes at home, I'll go back and wash them, and then I'll come back tomorrow morning."
It's so lonely living here all by myself; it's much more reassuring to go back to my own home.
She won't need to open the clinic so early tomorrow. If she's the only one in the clinic, even if patients come in, no one will be willing to let her treat them.
"Xiao Zhi, if you're going back, then I won't ride the tricycle anymore. I'll hitch a ride on your motorcycle to get back."
Liu Guifang thanked Bai Zhi profusely, quickly went back inside to tidy up, and then rode on Bai Zhi's motorcycle back to the family compound together.
Liu Guifang told Bai Zhi not to cook, and that she would cook something at home and bring her a bowl.
"Sister-in-law, don't be so polite. It's easy for me to do a little bit by myself."
Liu Guifang was adamant, "Just listen to me, don't do it anymore. Anyway, I have to cook, I'll call you in a bit."
"Alright then."
When Bai Zhi passed by Wang Yumei's house on her way home, she smelled the aroma of Chinese herbs again.
They seem to be brewing a medicinal soup right now; the smell is quite strong.
She went home and threw the dirty clothes into the washing machine.
Then I started cleaning.
About an hour later, Liu Guifang appeared at Bai Zhi's door with a meal in hand. She had steamed rice and stir-fried twice-cooked pork.
"Sister-in-law, you cook so fast!"
"When I got back, Xiao Kai was washing rice, so I just cooked a dish. That kid's actually doing pretty well at cooking now," Liu Guifang said with a look of satisfaction.
Bai Zhi smiled and said, "My son is reliable."
"Yeah, you're such a thoughtful kid. Go on inside and eat, I'm not coming in. I'm going to go outside and see if my husband is coming back soon."
Bai Zhi took the bowl and said, "Okay, thank you, sister-in-law."
Liu Guifang was about to go downstairs when she also smelled the aroma of Chinese herbal medicine wafting from Wang Yumei's house.
Always concerned about her neighbors, she stopped and knocked on Wang Yumei's door.
Wang Yumei opened the door and was clearly surprised to see Liu Guifang standing there. "Sister-in-law, didn't you go to live in the county town? Why are you back? I was planning to come see you tomorrow."
"I came back today to check on the family," Liu Guifang said, looking at Wang Yumei with concern. "How have you been these past few days? Are you feeling alright? Did you get your medicine again? Didn't that doctor prescribe Western medicine for you last time? Why are you taking Chinese medicine again? Where did you see the doctor? Why didn't you see Dr. Ye?"
Liu Guifang was so enthusiastic that she asked a whole bunch of questions in one go.
Wang Yumei was surprised that Liu Guifang would mention traditional Chinese medicine. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled as she said, "I'm in good health. I'll just get some medicine to regulate my stomach and intestines."
"Really? If you feel unwell in the future, don't go anywhere else to get medicine. Just go see Dr. Ye. He's a famous traditional Chinese medicine doctor." Liu Guifang hurriedly recommended him.
"Okay, I understand."
Liu Guifang said to her with concern, "Also, don't take any medicine randomly. Didn't Xiaobai tell you the other day that there's nothing wrong with your health? Well, if you're really worried, you can ask your husband, Lao Zhou, to go and check on him. Maybe the problem really is with him."
Zhou Jianmin, who was drinking herbal medicine inside the house, couldn't help but cough when he heard Liu Guifang's words at the door.
Liu Guifang was startled when she heard the coughing from inside the house. Her face turned awkward. "Your husband is home? Well... well, I'll talk to you later. I'm leaving."
Liu Guifang didn't expect Zhou Jianmin to be home so early; he must have overheard what she just said.
She quickly turned and left.
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