Chapter 215 Let's eat dumplings together
Jiang Ling quickly waved her hand, her tone firmly refusing:
"No! Young Master Zhao, this is too valuable, I absolutely cannot accept it!"
“I saved you because of the circumstances and my duty as a doctor. I never thought about asking for anything in return. This stone is a family heirloom, something your parents protected with their lives. It carries too much weight. You should keep it as a memento.”
Zhao Shiying understood this principle perfectly well, but every time she saw it, she would be reminded of her parents' passing.
If given another chance, he would gladly offer it up to ensure his family's safety.
Zhao Shiying looked at the diamond that had been pushed back.
"If Miss Jiang refuses to accept it, then this item is useless to me and will only cause me more sorrow. Let it drift away with the current and go to the hands of someone destined to receive it."
Jiang Ling was shocked; his expression seemed to indicate that he really didn't want it anymore.
Zhao Shiying stood up and picked up the diamond wrapped on the table.
"etc."
Such a large diamond, just thrown away like that?
Even though Jiang Ling was very generous, she really couldn't bear to part with it.
She sighed softly, her tone softening.
"In that case, if Young Master Zhao trusts me, I will keep this for the time being. You can retrieve it whenever you feel calmer or need it. What do you think?"
Zhao Shiying nodded in agreement.
Jiang Ling carefully put the diamond away.
He glanced at Zhao Shiying again.
It's already the dead of winter, but Zhao Shiying is still dressed very lightly.
He had just recovered from a serious illness. Fortunately, he was in good health, otherwise he might have caught a cold.
He lives alone now. His fields have been abandoned for several years, and he has no surplus grain. He relies entirely on the help of the villagers.
Jiang Ling remembered what Xiao Ran had told her that morning: that she was already learning martial arts from Brother Xiao Ying.
She thought for a moment, then carefully asked, "Young Master Zhao, I heard that Xiao Ran has been learning martial arts from you recently?"
Zhao Shiying composed himself, nodded, and when the topic turned to martial arts, his eyes lit up with a newfound brilliance:
"Yes. Xiao Ran is a talented child, and she's also willing to work hard."
Jiang Ling smiled slightly, "Actually, I've long wanted to find a teacher for Xiao Ran, but I haven't found a suitable one yet. Now that Young Master Zhao is teaching him, I'm relieved. However, I have another request."
Zhao Shiying looked up at her with some confusion.
Jiang Ling continued, "I have two younger brothers in my shop now, and I can't favor one over the other. Xiao Ran has learned, and I'm sure Xiao Yi is envious too. I'd like to formally hire you as their martial arts instructor, not just to teach them a few moves, but also to teach them principles of physical fitness and interpersonal relationships. I'll pay you one tael of silver per month as your salary. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shiying was visibly taken aback, then quickly waved her hand:
"No, no! Miss Jiang, this is absolutely unacceptable! I already promised to teach Xiao Ran, and teaching Xiao Yi is just a small favor. How can we talk about wages? This is too extravagant!"
Jiang Ling, however, insisted on her principles, deeply understanding the truth that "efforts should be rewarded."
Especially in these difficult times, providing Zhao Shiying with a stable income is far more important for maintaining his dignity than simply providing financial assistance.
Besides, it would be beneficial for her to learn martial arts from Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi.
As the children grew up, she naturally didn't want them to hide behind her whenever they encountered danger.
They need to learn how to face problems independently.
In the future, when they have completed their studies, they will be able to handle any issues that arise at the shop better, and they will also be able to protect her when she goes out.
This is a long-term investment.
Jiang Ling softened her tone and said, "Young Master Zhao, teaching you martial arts takes a lot of time and effort, which is valuable work in itself. With this income, you can teach them with peace of mind and no longer worry about making a living. Besides,"
She paused, her voice softening slightly, "I know you don't want to rely on the villagers for support forever. With this wage, you'll feel more at ease, won't you?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Shiying's originally resolute heart wavered.
He was indeed unwilling to always accept charity, and every time he received food from the villagers, his heart was filled with gratitude and unspeakable sorrow.
Thinking of his empty rice jar, he tried to refuse several times, but in the end, he could only sigh silently.
“…In that case…thank you very much, Miss Jiang. I will do my best to teach the two children well.”
Jiang Ling's face lit up with a joyful smile upon hearing his agreement:
"Then it's settled! From now on, we'll be entrusting Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi to Young Master Zhao!"
Having resolved a matter on her mind, Jiang Ling was in high spirits. Looking at the busy crowds and rising smoke outside, she warmly invited them:
"Young Master Zhao, today is the Winter Solstice. We made dumplings. Why don't you stay and eat with us later? It's more fun with more people!"
This time, Zhao Shiying did not refuse and nodded solemnly:
"good."
He no longer placed himself in the position of a guest, but instead took the initiative to get up and walk towards the new house construction site. When he saw that someone needed to lend a hand, he naturally joined in.
He was naturally strong, and had trained his arm strength when he studied martial arts in the capital. Although he had just recovered, he could do these tasks with ease.
Not long after, from the makeshift stove in the corner of the yard, came Aunt Zhao's loud shouts:
"Time to eat dumplings!"
Three large pots of water are boiling, and plump, white dumplings bob and sway in the boiling water.
The fragrance could be smelled for miles around.
Aunt Chen specially used a strainer to scoop up the first batch of perfectly cooked dumplings, carefully filled a large plate, and personally carried it to Jiang Ling's grocery store.
"Miss Jiang, the dumplings are ready, eat them while they're hot!" Aunt Chen said with a smile as she placed the dumplings on the counter.
"Thank you, Aunt Chen."
The dumplings in the bowl were all plump, with thin skins and generous fillings. You could vaguely see the tender pink meat filling and bright green vegetable bits inside. They were steaming hot and smelled delicious.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi also came in.
"The white flour and pork dumplings smell so good!"
"Sister, I washed the cabbage for these dumplings."
Jiang Ling asked Xiao Ran to take Xiao Yi to wash her hands so they could eat.
He called Zhao Shiying, who had just finished her work, to come over with him.
Each of the four people received a large bowl, and there was still a lot left on the plate.
Jiang Ling picked up a dumpling, blew on it, took a bite, and found the outer skin smooth and the filling inside fresh, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. She couldn't help but sincerely praise it:
"Aunt Zhao's cooking is really good! These dumplings are just the right amount of salty!"
"Eat more if you like it!" Aunt Zhao said with a smile, handing over the vinegar bottle.
"There's still plenty left in the pot, we'll add more if it's not enough!"
The workers gathered under the makeshift shed, bowls in their hands, eating their hot meals.
Jiang Ling asked Xiao Ran to take a bowl home first.
Xiao Yi stuffed a whole dumpling into her mouth, her cheeks bulging.
Zhao Shiying also took a bite of the dumpling, and her eyes suddenly felt a little hot.
He had never eaten such delicious white flour dumplings since his parents passed away.
When I was little, my mother would always make dumplings like these for the winter solstice, and she would put two extra in my bowl, saying, "Eating dumplings will keep your ears from freezing."
This kind of scene will never happen again.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com