Chapter 164 Going to the Capital in Five Days
As evening fell, Jiang Ling cooked a large pot of cabbage and pork dumplings. The steaming dumplings tumbled in the pot, emitting an enticing aroma.
She specially invited the children who were attending classes outside, Mr. Fu, and Xiao Qi to stay and eat dumplings together.
The children stared intently at the dumplings in the pot.
It's not easy to eat white flour dumplings on holidays or special occasions.
Led by Mr. Fu, the children bowed respectfully and expressed their gratitude before sitting around the temporary table and chairs set up at the entrance of the shop.
Xiao Ran helped serve the dumplings to the table, while Xiao Qi excitedly ran around, helping to distribute the bowls and chopsticks.
Looking at the lively scene, Fu Chengze smiled gently: "Miss Jiang is too kind. You always go to such lengths."
Jiang Ling smiled and served dumplings to each child's bowl. "Mr. Fu, please don't say that. I'm glad the children like them. Everyone, please eat slowly. There are plenty more in the pot!"
After finishing the dumplings, Jiang Ling closed the door early. The next time she opened the door would be the day Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing came to pick up the cloth.
She's going to move all the fabrics from next door over tonight.
This is a huge undertaking. Luckily, it's not anything heavy.
It's nighttime here at the iron gate, and there are hardly any people walking on the streets of the town, so she has to do it herself.
Jiang Ling found a large trolley in the warehouse, opened the two iron gates, and began to move things piece by piece...
By the time she had moved all the fabric, she was exhausted and soaked in sweat.
She decided that she would ask someone to help her move next time!
Open the wooden door again.
The morning mist of late autumn had not yet dissipated when the familiar sounds of carriages and horses could be heard at the shop entrance.
Jiang Ling looked up and saw that Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing had indeed arrived as scheduled.
"Miss Jiang!" Cheng Fang's voice arrived before he did, still full of energy.
Zhao Jingxing followed behind him, his steps steady, a gentle smile on his face.
Jiang Ling went out to greet them upon hearing the sound, and saw dozens of horse-drawn carriages parked at the intersection, their bodies covered with thick tarpaulins, just as well as when they were transporting grain last time.
Cheng Fang was wearing a dark-colored short jacket, the fabric of which was a bit thicker than when I last saw him;
Zhao Jingxing was still dressed in his navy blue casual clothes. When he saw Jiang Ling come out, he nodded slightly and said, "Miss Jiang, I've kept you waiting."
He nodded and said, "The fabrics are all ready and in the warehouse. This time, in addition to some soft materials, I also prepared some thick cotton and canvas, which are more practical for making winter clothes or thick quilts. Send someone to move them."
She stepped aside and led the two into the bunk.
Inside the shop, ten thousand bolts of cloth were neatly stacked, almost filling the entire shop.
Cheng Fang stepped forward, touched a stack of thick cotton cloth, feeling its solid warmth, and then looked at the durable canvas next to it, his eyes full of admiration.
“Miss Jiang, you really are…you always manage to surprise people! These fabrics are of excellent quality, far superior to ordinary goods sold in supermarkets. With these, the disaster victims will have a much lower chance of getting sick and dying in the winter.”
Zhao Jingxing reached out and carefully felt the thickness and texture of the fabric, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "This fabric... is so thick and tough, yet quite soft. I wonder what material it is? I don't think I've ever seen it before."
Jiang Ling smiled slightly and said, "This fabric is far more waterproof and windproof than ordinary cotton and linen, and it is also more durable and wear-resistant. It should be excellent for keeping warm when made into winter clothing. You two can rest assured."
Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing were both worldly people, and a quick inspection revealed that this was an extremely rare and valuable item.
Jiang Ling actually managed to procure such a large quantity of unusual fabric in just ten days, which once again amazed them. However, they kept their promise and never asked about its source.
Zhao Jingxing nodded to the guards behind him: "Move it according to the previous plan, handle it gently, and don't break it."
The guards immediately sprang into action, working in pairs to quickly load the cloth onto the carriage. Once the oilcloth was covered again, it looked no different from an ordinary cargo carriage from the outside.
In no time at all, the cloth was moved.
Cheng Fang took a food box off the carriage and handed it to Jiang Ling, "This is poria cocos cake and pea flour cake from the capital. Jiao Jiao specially asked me to bring it to you. Try it!"
Jiang Ling took the food box and opened it.
The Poria cocos cake has a faint medicinal fragrance, while the pea flour cake has a honey-colored hue, making them look exquisite.
She smiled and said, "Jiaojiao, you're so thoughtful."
After finishing the important business, I checked the last car as well.
Cheng Fang suddenly changed the subject, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Jiang Ling, his tone becoming eager.
"The autumn air is crisp and clear right now, which is the most lively and fun time in the capital. Before Jingxing and I came here, we were saying that it must be a bit boring for you to be running this shop all day. Why don't you come with us to the capital for a while? Let us show you around and be your good host!"
Jiang Ling was stunned. "Go to the capital?"
Although Cheng Fang had mentioned this matter when they came to collect the grain last time.
Jiang Ling thought he was just saying it casually and that she would forget about it as soon as she turned her head.
Zhao Jingxing nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at Jiang Ling.
"Although the capital city is not as quiet as your place, it has its own unique charm. The autumn leaves in the Western Hills are in full bloom, the crabs in Honghu Lake are plump and delicious, and there are many interesting markets and craft workshops in the city. If you have some free time, you might as well go and relax."
His invitation was not as impulsive as Cheng Fang's; it was more sincere and considerate: "Don't worry, young lady, the whole itinerary will be arranged by the two of us, and we will definitely not let any irrelevant people disturb your peace."
Looking into their sincere eyes, Jiang Ling gradually fell in love.
She thought about how, since she came into this world, she had spent most of her time in Jishui Village and knew very little about the outside world.
The farthest place she had ever been was a county town; the prosperity of the capital was something she had only imagined from snippets of conversation with others.
She genuinely wanted to see what the capital city of this world was like, and given Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing's good intentions, refusing would seem distant. However…
Going to the capital is not something that can be done in a day or two. She had just talked to Grandpa Zhao about building a house, and the details had not yet been finalized.
Xiao Yi hasn't explained anything yet, and we don't know how Zhao Shiying is recovering; we haven't had a chance to go see her.
Also, going to the capital isn't something you can just do on a whim. Remembering what happened in Ping'an County last Mid-Autumn Festival, I need to prepare a lot of things to avoid a recurrence.
After thinking it over, she replied, "Thank you both for your kind offer. Things are too rushed, and I may need some time to settle things at the shop."
Cheng Fang was overjoyed to see her agree: "Of course, shall we set a time to pick you up then? How about five days from now? The weather will get colder if we wait any longer, and we probably won't enjoy our trip as much then."
Jiang Ling lowered her head and thought for a moment. Five days is twelve hours, so she still had time to prepare.
He nodded: "Okay, let's set it for five days from now."
Cheng Fang happily agreed: "That's great! I'll definitely show you around the capital!"
Zhao Jingxing nodded: "We'll come to pick you up on time in five days!"
Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing mounted their horses and bid farewell to Jiang Ling once again.
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