Chapter 218: The Little Camellia
"We forgot one important thing--" Xiao Yan said.
"What?"
"Secret."
"Secret?" Lu Qiniang was confused. After thinking for a while, she realized, "You mean, the craft of making rapid-fire cannons should be kept secret? It seems that's indeed the case..."
She was so happy that she forgot that if anyone of the thirty or so people leaked the information, the vicious competition in selling dry food might happen again.
"No, we didn't expect that," Lu Qiniang said, "How could Deaf Lei be so honest? This is his family's ancestral craft! And they even give him an extra 10% interest. How could he not be afraid of it being leaked?"
This kind of eating skill is passed down to males rather than females, or even to the eldest son, for fear that it will be leaked and the descendants will no longer be able to make a living by relying on their own cooking skills.
"I just thought of that," Xiao Yan said, "I'll write a contract and bring it with me tomorrow. This year they can only work for us."
"That's fine. But what about next year?" Lu Qiniang asked.
Without waiting for Xiao Yan's answer, she understood, "Next year, even Lei the Deaf will probably have to go out and do it on his own."
Why would you want to partner with someone if you can keep all the profits yourself?
This year, Lei Longzi is penniless and has no capital, but he will be given interest at the end of the year, so he will probably have to work on his own next year.
Alas, although this business is good, the skills are in the hands of others, so it will not last long.
"I just hope that I can earn more this year, at least enough to pay for Daya's dowry, then I will be satisfied." Lu Qiniang sighed.
Doing business also has its difficulties.
Why did she have to think so much in the past?
Now my brain has to follow suit.
"Next year will have its own business." Xiao Yan said with a smile, his voice steady and magnetic.
Lu Qiniang seemed to be comforted, "Yes, that's right. If it doesn't work out next year, I'll just keep raising pigs! Pigs bring me good luck! You bring me good luck too!"
After Xiao Yan came, she could now count to a hundred when counting silver.
Although money comes in and goes out, it seems that I no longer have to worry about a few copper coins.
The days are becoming more and more promising.
Xiao Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Abandoned Mother, could you please not talk about me and pigs together? I'll feel like I'm as stupid as a pig."
"Pigs aren't stupid!"
"Then I'm worse than a pig?"
"I didn't say that. Xiao Yan, why are you picking on me? I was praising you, praising you for bringing me good luck. You see, you're unlucky for your wife and I'm unlucky for my whole family, but together we seem to be quite prosperous."
"Then you've never thought about being together for a long time? For example, you and I will always be husband and wife. Don't think about status issues, and don't think about whether we are dissatisfied or not?"
Looking at Jiang Xuan today, Xiao Yan felt a sense of envy and jealousy in his heart.
I envy him for being able to calmly arrange everything for Daya and treat her well.
But I, like a rat in a gutter, can only watch Lu Qiniang secretly.
Obviously, they were together earlier.
"Are you trying to scare me to death?" Lu Qiniang asked, "Xiao Yan, I just want to ask you one thing."
"Well, go ahead."
Lu Qiniang was willing to face her own problems, and Xiao Yan felt that this was progress.
"Do you think I'm living a good life now? Have people been talking about me behind my back? I'd say most people are."
"I'm living a good life. Few people point fingers at me behind my back. Instead, they all praise me for being capable and kind." Xiao Yan said truthfully.
"That's right," Lu Qiniang said, "Look, everyone around me is polite when they see me, whether they're neighbors or acquaintances on the dock. No one says, 'Lu Qiniang, you're a toad wanting to eat swan flesh.' No one says, 'Why are you with us?' No one says, 'Look, she can't do anything and makes a fool of herself every day...'"
"Xiao Yan, I know you have a conscience. You don't want to use me and then abandon me. But that's different. I treat you well because I've received your kindness, so we're even. You can be your General Po Lu in the future, even more powerful than Jiang Xuan. I will continue to happily run my small business, with no shortage of money. I can sleep when I'm full and work when I wake up. Xiao Yan, this is such a good life for me, don't you know?"
It was a beauty that she felt in a trance even in her dreams.
"You should find a wife like Miss Jiang. I'm just using that as an example, not forcing you two together." She continued, "You both come from wealthy families, are equally refined, and can understand whatever you say without explanation. You're not like me, who eats bananas with the skin on, which makes me look ridiculous..."
They are each beautiful in their own world, which is the best ending to their encounter.
"Xiao Yan, you don't need to test me anymore, you can't be so hesitant." Lu Qiniang said, "We are like the little god and the chickens I raise. We both look like birds, but there is a huge difference between us. It's hard to tell."
The eagle wants to fly and the chicken wants to lay eggs, each has his own way.
"If you really feel bad about it, when you become an official again, give me... three hundred taels of silver, and I'll give them to the three sisters as dowries."
I don’t dare to take the five hundred acres of land, because I can’t even reach the edge of the field when I have to pee urgently.
"What about you?" Xiao Yan asked, "What do you want?"
Even though he felt upset at the moment, he controlled his emotions and didn't show it.
"Me? I have hands and feet and I'm healthy. When my three daughters are married, I can feed the whole family. Even if I have a headache or a fever, I have Old Hu here, so I won't suffer."
Lu Qiniang thought about the future with optimism and open-mindedness.
"Actually, if you count, you've been home for less than a year! Don't let this one year ruin your whole life." Lu Qiniang said, "I really appreciate your kindness! I know you're a good man and will find a beautiful and kind wife in the future."
Lu Qiniang hadn't seen many girls from wealthy families, so when she talked about this, the only figure that came to her mind was Jiang Yi.
That’s great.
It’s a pity that Xiao Yan is gone and there is no one to teach her how to use two big axes.
I should ask for more advice while Xiao Yan is still here.
"Sleep!" Lu Qiniang said, "No more talking, go to bed early and get up early, I have to practice martial arts tomorrow morning!"
She seems to have gained some weight recently.
There is no way. I am so busy that I have no time to rest. If I don’t eat better, what is the point of living?
It’s winter, what’s wrong with gaining some weight?
If you want to lose weight, wait until next year.
Just like before, Lu Qiniang really slept when she said she was going to sleep.
Poor Xiao Yan, he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
He wasn't upset by Lu Qinniang's rejection - he was mentally prepared for that.
Of course, your own failure is painful.
But it is the success of those around you that can really break down your defenses.
Yes, he was talking about none other than Jiang Xuan.
Daya understood Jiang Xuan's intention, and Xiao Yan also saw it clearly.
Xiao Yan was angry. Why was Jiang Xuan, whom he had mentored in the past, so much more successful than himself in pursuing his wife?
Xiao Yan expressed his feelings to the greatest extent today, stimulated by Jiang Xuan. He felt that it might be better to be more direct. He had been wrong in the past.
But what is the result?
Still the same.
Why is it so easy for others?
Is this fair? Is this reasonable?
Xiao Yan asked the heavens speechlessly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
