Xu Lanyin smiled modestly and said, "I can't say I invented it all. My father loved Lu Boqi when he was alive, and he often taught me how to play when he came home. When I had some free time, I added some characters and changed some of the rules, and it became what it is today. In fact, you're not limited to this method of play and rules, you can design other rules. Think about it when you have time, maybe you can come up with something even more fun."
Zhao Wu nodded repeatedly.
The two began playing Go. After one game, Zhao Wu lost, and then dragged Xu Lanyin to play a second and third game, saying, "I really don't like playing Go. It's mainly because I can't calm down, and it's too time-consuming. I prefer Xiangqi. Military chess is much simpler than Xiangqi, but it's similar in nature. Both require a lot of military strategy and require courage and carefulness... Sister, I admire you so much that you can even think of this. Being your little brother is worth it, even if I get pushed off a cliff."
Xu Lanyin laughed out loud and said, "Stop the flattery, it's so corny." She looked up at Zhao Wu and said, "I remember you used to be so arrogant, as if everyone owed you money, but it turns out you have this side too, you just keep saying corny things."
Zhao Wu put down the chess piece in his hand and said, "I only do this with my sister. My parents died early, and I don't know how to get along with them. My eldest brother is serious and his mood and health are always poor. I don't even dare to smile in front of him. In this world, besides you and my eldest brother, and Uncle Yu and Master, I have never felt kindness from others. Why should I smile at them?" He added, "And our mother, she made clothes and shoes for me before she even met me, and she asked you to bring me so much food. I will remember her kindness."
He is a grateful child.
Seeing Zhao Wu's mood sink, Xu Lanyin said, "Those of your relatives have lost their conscience. They disregarded family ties and persecuted you for their own purposes. They are not worthy of being human. However, there are still more good people in this world, or ordinary people with conscience. When you get out, it's right to always be on guard against others, but you must also calm down and feel and accept the kindness of others, and then convey your kindness. This way, not only will you live a happier life, but more people will help you. More friends means more opportunities. Of course, some people have bad habits and their own calculations, and they will use some tricks to achieve their own interests, but most ordinary people still have conscience. After all, those who disregard the lives of others for their own selfish interests are a minority..."
Xu Lanyin was giving Zhao Wu some inspirational words again. Because of his special upbringing, Zhao Wu already had a shadow in his heart, and this time he was pushed off the cliff, the shadow became even more serious. Xu Lanyin hoped that he could integrate into the ordinary people and live happily in the future. As for those things he wanted to "take back", he had to gain a foothold first, continue to grow, and then plan and implement them. No matter how high his martial arts skills were, one punch could not defeat several hands. Even if he practiced the three-legged skills to perfection and killed his enemies, he might not get what he deserved. The strong men in the court did not rely on martial arts. So, if he couldn't become strong, he should just be an ordinary person, at least he could save his life and live happily.
These days, I have been drinking a lot of this kind of "chicken soup".
The two men talked while playing chess, and the setting sun quickly moved westward.
Xu Lanyin quickly stood up and called to Huazi, who was happily playing with the animals outside, "Huazi, it's time to go." Seeing Zhao Wuji's reluctance to leave, she smiled and said, "My pastry shop is about to open, so I can't come over for the next few days. How about this, I'll leave Huazi here to keep you company."
Zhao Wu was too lonely here alone, and it would be better to have the clever Hua Zi by his side. But he was worried about Xu Lanyin going home alone, so he shook his head and said, "No, it would be dangerous for a girl like you to go home without it. I have those little ones to keep me company."
He took out a fish weighing more than three pounds from the large wooden basin and tied its mouth with a straw rope. He then picked up a small package from the table and said, "I picked up the matsutake mushrooms the day before yesterday, and I forked the fish in the stream yesterday. I roasted the two small fish and ate them. I'm saving this big fish for mother, sister, and brothers." Seeing Xu Lanyin frown, he said, "Okay, okay, give it to aunt and brothers."
Then he went over and untied the rope that tied the squirrel from the tree, wrapped it in a piece of rag, tied it up, and stuffed it into the basket, saying, "This little thing is for Brother Ting to play with."
Xu Lanyin couldn't say anything. Xu Lanting lived at the foot of the mountain and wasn't interested in squirrels. It was hard to refuse his gift, so he decided to give it to Fang Jie'er to play with later.
Zhao Wu, carrying a bow and arrow and holding a knife, sent Xu Lanyin to the edge of the valley. He watched the figures of the man and the dog gradually disappear in the sunset, until he could no longer see any trace of them, and then he reluctantly walked back.
Except for a few birdsongs, the valley was silent. His face turned serious, without the warmth he had just shown.
When Xu Lanyin returned home, Xu Lanting was indeed not interested in squirrels, but when he saw such a big fat fish, he smiled with his eyes curved.
Xu Lanyin smiled and said, "I'll make a sweet and sour dish that my brother likes tonight."
Xu Lanting said insincerely, "Let's make pickled fish."
He knew his sister liked to eat pickled fish.
Xu Lanyin pinched his little face which had grown a little fatter, and made sweet and sour fish.
Only after the meal was ready did Xu Lanzhou return from town alone. From today on, Xu Dashi and his wife would live in the backyard of the "Xu's Cake Shop." The family's two acres of land had been rented out, and Xu Lanzhou had found a private school in the county town, where he would also live from tomorrow. He would help with the bookkeeping after school and would only return home when the private school was closed.
The shop was small, so Xu Lanzhou was temporarily serving as the accountant, and he would hire someone else if business improved. Xu Dashi was the shopkeeper, waiter, and buyer, and he had hired two apprentices to work with Li. He would hire more people if business improved.
The monthly salary is temporarily set at 500 wen for Xu Dashi, 400 wen for Li, and 200 wen for Xu Lanzhou. It will be increased later when business improves.
Xu Dashi and his wife could earn more than ten taels of silver every year without having to share dividends, which made Gu very happy.
The shop sells twelve kinds of snacks, eight of which are new products, including cakes, egg tarts, and pear and osmanthus cakes, and four of which are traditional snacks, including peach cakes and mung bean cakes.
The next day, Old Man Xu and his wife put on new clothes and took everyone from the first and second wives to rent Fifth Grandpa's donkey cart to go to the county town.
The old couple was proud, their eyes and eyebrows smiling, as if they were walking sideways. Their family was the first in Xiaozao Village to open a shop in the county town. Xu Lizheng's family and Lao Chai's family also opened grocery stores, but one was in the town and the other in the village, neither of which could compare to the county town.
The villagers were envious and jealous that the low-key Xu Fangzi family had opened a shop in the county town. Old man Xu had a square face, so others privately gave him this nickname.
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