Chapter 107 Peng Ximing's Lyrics - School Starts
Business is good at Banxianju today.
When Jiang Ji arrived in his oxcart, the tables on the first floor were already full.
Yu Cai was not there, so the four of them only saw Peng Ximing carrying a teapot and adding soup to the diners' bowls.
So they went straight to the second floor.
After indulging in rich, meaty meals every day during the Lunar New Year, Ye Li is now really craving hot pot.
Moreover, Banxianju has several kinds of wild vegetables.
Vegetables like shepherd's purse, noodle leaves, and rapeseed leaves are at their tenderest, making them perfect for cutting through the greasiness of the New Year celebrations.
Ye Li loves to eat wild vegetables, but doesn't like to tidy them up.
Firstly, the leaves are small, so picking them requires a lot of patience.
Secondly, there's too much soil on top!
I have to wash the bottom of the basin eight or ten times each time before there's no dirt left.
Therefore, he was pleasantly surprised to see these wild vegetables added to the menu of Banxianju and ordered three servings of each.
Jiang Ya sat to the side, resting her chin on her hand, and quickly reminded him, "Brother Li, you can't finish it!"
Anyway, he won't eat it.
Wild vegetables don't taste good.
And there's so much meat in it!
Brother Li, you don't have to pay to eat here.
You don't need to worry about the cost when you eat here.
But as a result, his plan to save money to treat his family to a meal was put on hold.
He now has more than five strings of copper coins, and he doesn't know what to do with them!
Ye Li smiled and said, "I'll eat most of it, and the three of you can share the rest. We'll definitely be able to finish it."
"Huh?" Jiang Ya frowned. "Brother Li, I don't want to eat."
"You didn't like it before because the method was too simple. Try it in hot pot today. It's a great combination of meat and vegetables, and it's super delicious!"
Ye Li said.
It wasn't really coaxing.
These wild vegetables themselves don't have much bitterness, so how bad can the taste be after being mixed in sesame dipping sauce?
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ya immediately believed it.
He had hardly ever eaten hot pot, let alone cooked wild vegetables in it.
Reminded by Ye Liyi, he immediately became expectant.
Like the cabbage leaves we ate before, they taste so good when cooked in hot pot.
Seeing this, Jiang Ji couldn't help but smile.
Ye Li has a knack for coaxing Jiang Ya.
Knowing that neither he nor Jiang Mai would be home to sleep tonight, he asked, "Ya-ge'er, are you scared to sleep alone tonight?"
Before Jiang Ya could answer, Ye Li said, "Let him sleep with me."
Upon hearing this, a bright smile instantly bloomed on Jiang Ya's face.
He nodded his little head like a chick pecking at rice: "Okay, okay."
He really enjoys sleeping with Li Ge!
Ye Li reached out and pinched his little cheek, a smile on her face.
With a chubby little one in his bed, he no longer has to be so bored that he rolls around on the kang (heated brick bed).
Jiang Mai was relieved to see this.
Although Ya Ge'er falls asleep as soon as he sits on the kang (heated brick bed), he'll definitely be scared if he wakes up in the middle of the night in such a dark room.
Soon after, the waiter brought out the broth and ingredients.
Ye Li first poured a plate of shepherd's purse and a plate of rapeseed leaves into the pot. After the two wild vegetables were cooked, he put a piece of each on Jiang Ya and Jiang Mai's plate.
Jiangmai is not picky about food and can eat anything.
Moreover, once the wild vegetables are coated with the dipping sauce, their flavor becomes richer and more intense, making them far from unpalatable.
Jiang Ya thought so too.
Previously, the wild vegetables he ate were boiled in water with just a little salt, or made into cornbread with cornmeal. At that time, the original flavor of the wild vegetables was too prominent.
It doesn't taste good!
But nowadays, the hot pot dipping sauce has suppressed the original flavor of the wild vegetables, and he mostly tastes the hot pot dipping sauce, which he really likes.
He eventually finished all the wild vegetables that Ye Li picked for him.
Jiangmai ate quite a bit too—the food at the private school was terrible!
He's not a picky eater, but he loves good food even more!
Peng Ximing came up as the meal was drawing to a close.
He was carrying ingredients in his hands; business was so good that he didn't have a moment to rest.
But when he went downstairs, he deliberately turned to stand next to Jiang Ji and asked Jiang Ji to wait for him for a moment after the meal.
Jiang Ji nodded slightly.
The reason I made this trip to Banxianju today is because of Peng Ximing.
Otherwise, the family of four would have gone straight home.
After dinner, the family of four went straight across the backyard to the back door of the semi-secluded residence.
The diners' cars were all parked at the back door.
Peng Ximing greeted Steward Xing and followed Jiang Ji out of Banxianju. Then he pulled Jiang Ji aside and whispered, "Brother Jiang, I've been thinking about this for the past few days, and my mind remains unchanged."
"When do you two think you can give Manager Yu a message?"
"Have you decided?" Jiang Ji asked.
"It's decided." Peng Ximing said solemnly.
“Okay, I’ll have Ye Li put in a good word for you.” Jiang Ji nodded.
Peng Ximing immediately looked grateful: "Thank you very much, brother-in-law. Whether it works out or not, I will remember this kindness."
"However, I have also prepared a few lines to show my sincerity."
"Oh? What word?"
Jiang Ji's eyebrows twitched.
Peng Ximing looked a little embarrassed: "These past few days, I've thought about this matter carefully. In the end, it's just like when Manager Yu recruited a temporary employee. The difference is that Manager Yu is recruiting a lifelong employee this time."
"..."
Jiang Ji blinked.
No, lifelong partners?
Peng Ximing continued, "I want to go from being a temporary employee to a lifelong employee."
"I want to repay Manager Yu."
"I also want a job that will last me a lifetime."
“I have experience as a shop assistant, and Manager Yu has seen my performance these days. I hope he can give me a chance.”
"...Brother Peng, is that really how you want to put it?"
Jiang Ji hesitated for a moment.
“Brother Jiang, I know this is too blunt, but we are all adults. I am twenty-six, not six years old. I can’t avoid this issue.”
"Besides, Mr. Wu has suffered losses in this regard before. If I just make a few empty vows, who will believe me except you two?"
"Although this might seem like a transaction."
"But I have a request: as long as Manager Yu doesn't give me money after the marriage, I will never betray Manager Yu so that I can enjoy a life of luxury."
Peng Ximing said with a serious expression.
"...Won't I give you any money after we get married?"
Jiang Ji was stunned.
No, that's a bit too harsh.
But Peng Ximing said calmly, "Yes, all I need is food; money is unnecessary."
Jiang Ji: "...Isn't this too extreme? Besides, Manager Yu is looking for a son-in-law, not a shop assistant."
Peng Ximing shook his head upon hearing this: "I understand."
"But what Manager Yu is seeking is a guarantee."
"What I'm asking for is also a guarantee."
“Unlike when I came to Banxianju to answer questions before, this time I have a sincere heart.”
"He is like the moon in the sky, and I am like mud on the roadside. I am willing to serve him for the rest of my life."
Jiang Ji: "..."
Peng Ximing really put a lot of thought into persuading Manager Yu.
But he felt that his words might have the opposite effect.
However, Peng Ximing was unaware of Yu Cai's intentions. Peng Ximing only wanted to prove his sincerity and honesty, so it was normal for him to say such things after racking his brains.
So he agreed: "Ye Li will definitely pass this on to Manager Yu."
Peng Ximing immediately looked moved and bowed to Jiang Ji, saying, "Then I'll leave it to you two."
"Brother Peng, there's no need for such formalities."
Jiang Ji reached out and helped him up.
Peng Ximing straightened up, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Manager Yu hasn't been to the shop for many days..."
"There are many trivial matters during the Chinese New Year."
Jiang Ji brought out a reason he had prepared long ago.
At this moment, Peng Ximing and Yu Cai were merely in an employer-employee relationship, so Peng Ximing had no right to ask any further questions.
He stammered, "Is there... a fortune telling session?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ji couldn't help but smile and shake his head: "No, not at all."
These four concise words immediately dispelled Peng Ximing's worries, and he instantly perked up.
In this way, Manager Yu will neither be wronged nor will there be anyone to argue with him for the time being.
Very good!
Peng Ximing didn't linger and quickly said goodbye to Jiang Ji before returning to his shop to get busy.
Jiang Ji then walked toward Ye Li, Jiang Mai, and Jiang Ya.
With two little ones with him, he drove the oxcart straight home.
I was so busy registering Jiang Mai this morning that I haven't even packed my own luggage yet.
When they arrived home, only Father Ye was there.
Moreover, Father Ye was steaming large dumplings.
His job was to make tofu, and he didn't actually need to go to the workshop in the afternoon, so Ye Li asked him to make some egg tarts so that Jiang Ji and Jiang Mai could take them away.
Give some to Shi Yi as well.
After finishing his work, he saw that it was still early, so he went to dig up some wild vegetables in front of and behind the house and steamed a pot of wild vegetable dumplings with eggs.
This way, not only can we have some at home, but we can also take some Jiang Ji and Jiang Mai with us.
The wild vegetables were so tender that he was craving them.
A short while later, Jiang Dahe arrived, carrying some salted eggs.
These eggs are salted eggs pickled by Liang Erxiang. They can be stored for a long time, so Jiang Ji and Jiang Mai don't need to spend money to buy eggs anymore.
Although Ye Li now often delivers meals to the county town, it is still a token of his second uncle's goodwill.
Now Jiangmai is going to school too.
The Jiang family has a bright future!
Unfortunately, he had no son, let alone a son who was able to go to school...
How wonderful it would be if he had a son like Jiang Ji who could bring glory to his ancestors!
Although someone will take care of him in his old age, this regret is something he can't let go of.
well!
Not long after Jiang Dahe left, Jiang Ji carried his luggage onto the oxcart.
It's time to go.
This time, Jiang Ya won't be taken along because Ye Li refuses to go out alone with her.
However, this reason cannot be stated explicitly.
So he used the excuse that he was going to have dinner with Shi Yi later.
But this reason could not appease Jiang Ya.
The little guy was a bit unhappy and tugged at Jiang Mai's sleeve reluctantly.
Jiang Mai was also somewhat reluctant to part with it.
Holding his little hand earnestly, she said, "We're having dinner with Brother Shi later. You're too young to come along."
Jiang Ya pouted: "I'm already six years old."
"You mean you're an adult now?" Jiang Mai asked.
Jiang Ya immediately nodded her head: "Yes."
"Shouldn't adults be more reasonable?"
"Besides, there's a lot of work to do at home, so please help Uncle Ye out."
Jiang Ya: "..."
His lips pursed even more.
With a flick of her wrist, she shook off Jiang Mai's sleeve and turned to throw herself into Ye Li's arms.
Second brother, you're so annoying.
Ye Li was amused. She hugged him and rubbed him, promising to bring him something delicious when she came back, which finally made him smile.
So Ye Li, Jiang Ji, and Jiang Mai got on an oxcart and went to the county town.
When they arrived at the private school, Shi Yi had already arrived as well.
The four of them ate at a restaurant outside.
Shi Yi patted his heart and promised that from now on, apart from classes, he would definitely spend all his remaining time with Jiang Maidai.
Whether it's from textbooks or other sources, as long as Jiang Mai asks, he will answer everything he knows without reservation.
These words reassured Jiang Mai considerably.
He is only eight years old. If he is suddenly in a strange place and has acquaintances to help him, he will feel much more at ease.
Moreover, his older brother and Li Ge would often come to see him.
He really has nothing to be afraid of.
Entering the private school brought him one step closer to achieving academic success.
Moreover, Ye Li had just given him another two hundred coins, telling him to have some for emergencies or to have an extra meal.
Today alone, I paid six taels of silver for tuition.
The brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and books I had prepared beforehand cost more than five taels of silver.
He hadn't even done anything yet, and he'd already spent eleven taels of silver.
We need to work harder!
On the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, Ye Li went to deliver taro paste and also made a trip to the Wu family's house.
Yesterday, when he took Jiang Ji back to the county school, he learned from Jiang Ji about the poem that Peng Ximing had specially prepared.
These words were indeed quite touching.
It has a particularly refreshing feel.
Who wants to marry a shop assistant?
However, it also has a bit of a loyal dog feel to it.
Therefore, it's really hard to say what Yu Cai's reaction will be.
When they arrived at the Wu family's residence, Yu Cai was not there.
It turns out that the batch of taro from Zheng's shop has returned today.
Upon receiving the news, Yu Cai went to Zheng's shop with Wu Fulang to inspect the goods.
So Ye Li rushed to Zheng's shop.
The 40,000 catties of taro have not yet been unloaded. Yu Cai wanted to check each truckload one by one, but when he saw Ye Li arrive, he handed the job over to Wu Fulang and went to Banxianju with Ye Li.
Peng Ximing was in class today and wasn't at the store, so Yu Cai came over without hesitation.
After not visiting for several days, Yu Cai's interest was noticeably higher as soon as she entered his courtyard.
After hearing Ye Li's retelling, he couldn't help but cup his face in his hands, his eyes shining.
At first glance, Peng Ximing's words sound quite harsh.
He has no shortage of servants!
But what could Peng Ximing do when he still had a sincere heart?
Do I have to serve him for the rest of my life?
You don't want money?
"So he's just asking for a place that includes room and board."
What a humble wish.
I feel sorry for you.
However, Manager Yu wasn't that heartless; he would definitely still pay the wages!
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