Back at the bookshop, the bell was about to close, so Xu Jiang asked Lou Yunchun to divide the jar of preserved wine and some local specialties for Lou Jing and his wife to take back. Lou Yunchun was a little worried about her and wanted to stay with her for a while, but Xu Jiang persuaded him to leave.
She had been fine for a long time, when she and he worshipped the Eight Gods together, when she danced with him, when he threw her handkerchief into the sacrificial fire.
She is safe.
Before leaving, the two of them were intimate behind the corner door. Xu Jiang stepped on top of Lou Yunchun and kissed her on the lips, saying softly, "Thank you so much for today."
Lou Yunchun frowned and said, "I don't want to leave again."
Xu Jiang laughed muffledly, then pushed him out the door and waved at him, "Go back, it's getting dark."
Lou Yunchun walked away, looking back every few steps.
Xu Jiang locked the door and felt that the day had come to an end. Then she sighed, boiled some water to wash up, and rolled into bed early.
That night she dreamed of her master, who came flying on a cloud and roared at her, "You unfilial daughter, where is my wine?"
Xu Jiang was awakened by his saliva, and quickly got up to pour him a bowl of preserved wine before she went back to sleep.
She slept until daybreak. When she finished her breakfast and opened the door, Shopkeeper Wang came in with swollen eyes, delivering something.
Xu Jiang saw him carrying things back to his shop again and again, and she was at a loss whether to laugh or cry and asked, "What is he doing?"
"Your sister-in-law asked for it to be sent to him." Last night he could not help but tell his wife about Xu Jiang's life story. The couple hugged each other and cried until midnight. Early this morning, Qin got up and packed up all the delicious food and daily necessities in the house and asked Manager Wang to send it to him.
Afraid that she would refuse, Shopkeeper Wang said, "If you don't accept it, I can't enter the house."
Xu Jiang had no choice but to accept it, and then took out some local products and preserved wine that she had collected yesterday as a return gift for him to take back.
Shopkeeper Wang did not refuse. After all, human relationships always grow deeper through interactions like this, and outsiders are always the ones who are polite.
When Lin Hongchu came to work, he was surprised to see that Manager Wang had sent so many things.
Xu Jiang winked at Shopkeeper Wang, who then said, "There's too much stuff my mother-in-law's family sent. We can't finish it, so I'll give some to you guys."
He left in a hurry, saying he had something to do at the shop. He was afraid that Lin Hongchu would see his swollen eyes and ask him about it, so he couldn't help but talk and cry.
Lin Hongchu stared at the piled-up table and asked Xu Jiang, "Is Shopkeeper Wang's mother-in-law a wealthy farmer in the village?"
Xu Jiang touched her head and smiled without saying anything.
Lin Hongchu was worried about her mother's illness, and Xu Jiang didn't want to make her sad by bringing up her past troubles.
After arriving at Sili, Lin Hongchu started grinding ink and spreading paper to copy plum blossom poems. Xu Jiang asked her to take a break, but she just said she was not tired.
She copied all day, finishing the last poem before returning home. Then, with an apologetic look on her face, she said to Xu Jiang, "Master, I won't be coming from tomorrow."
Xu Jiang's heart sank suddenly, "But my aunt is not feeling well?"
Lin Hongchu nodded, and after a moment of silence, she choked up and said, "Mother coughed up blood last night."
"Silly girl, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Xu Jiang's heart ached. He packed up his things and said to her, "I'll go see her with you."
Lin Hongchu shook his head, "Let's wait a couple of days until she feels better before going."
Xu Jiang looked at Lin Hongchu and felt heartbroken. She walked over, hugged her in her arms, and gently patted her thin back.
Little Chutou is only fourteen years old and has not yet reached the age of marriage.
"My mother won't let me quit, but I'm worried about her," Lin Hongchu said, sobbing. "Sister, I'm sorry, you'll be left alone in this bookstore again."
Xu Jiang's eyes couldn't help but turn red, and he hugged her tighter.
Her silly sister was still thinking about her at this time.
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