After exchanging greetings, there was another round of introductions.
When they entered the main hall and sat down, Feng Yijia found out that the young man driving the car was named Wei Yang, from the provincial capital, and was a colleague of Zhang Yuncong, but one was a doctor in the hospital, and the other was a logistics purchasing agent and driver.
Lao Tao, Tao Chengye, his ancestors were in the medicinal herb business.
Ever since I came back from the cowshed, I have been dealing with medicinal herbs in this unmarked yard for nearly two years.
Zhang Jingan once saved him, and later some of his medicinal herbs were bought and sold through others. The two of them had always cooperated well.
Tao Chengye enthusiastically asked everyone to sit down, but he himself did not sit down. Ignoring everyone's attempts to stop him, he moved his fat body in and out, getting food for everyone.
The table was filled with ice-cold watermelons from the well in the backyard, fragrant pig's trotters and pig offal braised with various medicinal herbs in the kitchen, and various candies and biscuits locked in the bedroom.
Feng Yijiajia had just finished his meal and his saliva was watering at the sight, but he was powerless and just followed the crowd and took a piece of watermelon to eat slowly.
After Tao Chengye finally sat down, Zhang Jingan got down to business: "Yun Cong's job is stable, and he took us to live in the provincial capital. In the future, we will have fewer opportunities to come to the county.
The reason I came here this time was, first, to say goodbye to you, and second, to bring Feng girl here to introduce herself to the family.
This child's father was kind to me, but now he lives alone and has to rely on himself to earn a living.
Fortunately, he is smart and learned some skills of collecting herbs and making medicine from me.
I was planning to make a living from this, but I was afraid she wouldn't know anything and that the herbs I worked so hard to get would be ripped off, so I brought you here, Lao Tao."
Lao Tao looked at the frail Feng Yijiajia and didn't expect that such a thin girl would dare to go into the mountains to dig for food.
After a slight surprise, he smiled and said, "Just lead me here.
In the entire county, I dare say that I offer the highest price.
Besides, he was introduced by you, Old Zhang, so you can just send medicine to him without any worries!"
After getting the promise, Zhang Jingan said no more. He took Feng Yijia's backpack and Xu Xiuping's package and said, "These are the medicinal herbs that Feng girl brought this time. Check them and pay!
Yun Cong took leave to come back and pick someone up, and has been staying in the village for a few days.
Have to hurry back to work.
While it's still early, we can still drive a little further!"
——“So urgent?
I was thinking that since it’s a rare occasion for us to get together, we should have a good meal in the evening!
You said you were in a hurry and didn't come earlier. It's a rare visit, and I don't even have time to chat with you."
Tao Chengye muttered to himself and started working swiftly.
Zhang Jingan helped to sort the herbs and continued with a smile, "It's not difficult to chat. You're not short of money. I'll contact you when I'm settled. You can call or write to me then."
Besides, the provincial capital isn't too far from here. Maybe someday you'll be there, or I'll be back, and we can talk about it later."
"Too!"
Tao Chengye nodded in agreement and sighed, "You are so lucky. You have finally made it through.
My children are promising, and I can look forward to having grandchildren and enjoying the happiness!"
——"It's easy for you to enjoy this blessing. It all depends on whether you are willing or not."
——"As for me, I'd better forget it.
It's good to live alone, but seeing those children and grandchildren acting so pretentiously in front of me makes me upset!"
·······
Two experienced middle-aged men chatted casually while working.
The others watched and listened in silence.
I guessed a little bit and found out some things about Lao Tao.
The ancestors of the Tao family ran a drug store, so they suffered when the movement just started a few years ago. Tao Chengye was demoted to Rongshu Village in front. His wife stepped on him and drew a clear line between them and remarried with her two teenage sons.
We had no contact during the turbulent ten years that followed.
Now that the policies have improved, Tao Chengye has been rehabilitated and has returned to his old business. He is living a prosperous life. His two sons often come to his house with their families to take care of their father.
But Tao Chengye was already heartbroken and would rather live alone than be reunited with his children and grandchildren.
Amidst the heavy conversation, the herbs were quickly weighed and the total bill was calculated.
Feng Yijia received the first profit from selling medicine, a total of seventy-three yuan, of which sixty was earned on the first day.
She had already asked Xu Xiuping about the approximate prices of various medicinal herbs, which were a little more than she had estimated.
I guess it’s because of the Zhang family.
After the transaction was completed, Zhang Jing'an said goodbye to Tao Chengye, led everyone out of the yard, and climbed onto the truck again.
The roads in the city are smooth, cars drive slowly, and the noise is much less.
Xu Xiuping took Feng Yijia aside and explained in detail: "We will take you to the guesthouse later.
If you can't go back to the village today, just stay in the city for one night. Close the door, keep your money, and don't be afraid.
There are people everywhere in the city and the police are close by. If you have any problems, you can just shout loudly or find the police.
"After checking out tomorrow morning, ask for directions to Zhongyi Village outside the city and find a man named Liu Shengli.
His family had a horse-drawn carriage, which was used to carry people for delivery.
Your Uncle Zhang is familiar with him and asked him to go to Mengjia Village several times.
If you mention your Uncle Zhang's name, he will definitely send you back to the village.
Just two or three dollars a trip!"
As she spoke, Xu Xiuping took out a small stack of big unity bills from her pocket and handed them to Feng Yijiajia.
He continued, "We are in a hurry and cannot send you back. It's a rare opportunity for you to come to the county town. When you have time, go to the street and buy some things you need. You can ask the carriage to take you back!"
I don’t know when I will see you again. This money is a little gift from me. Take it.
Live a good life in the future, take your time when collecting herbs and working, don’t work too hard!
·······. ”
Feng Yijia looked at the stack of money in his hand and listened to Aunt Xu's earnest instructions. His throat tightened slightly and a layer of mist appeared in his eyes.
She blinked hard to regain her consciousness. She put the money in her pocket, took out the jade bracelet she had prepared earlier, and put it in Xu Xiuping's hand.
He said, "Aunt, I don't have anything else. This is something I found in the mountains. I'm giving it to you as a souvenir."
Almost all the things in Feng Yi's house were sent by her family. Xu Xiuping certainly knew that this girl had nothing else.
She was kind to others and never thought about anything in return.
But the green bracelet in front of her really surprised her for a moment. The jade was warm and the color was pure. It was better than the jewelry she had hidden in the past few years.
Xu Xiuping didn't want to take advantage of others, so she refused, saying, "This is a rare and valuable item. Although it's not worth much right now, it will definitely be worth a lot in a few years.
Keep it for yourself and don't give it away easily!"
Feng Yijia insisted: "How can we take back what we have given away?
I have received so much kindness from my aunt, I can't just not show any gratitude.
Auntie, please keep it, or I will return the money to you!"
After some arguing, the bracelet was given away. However, after finding a guesthouse to settle Feng Yijiajia, Xu Xiuping stuffed a cloth bag into Feng Yijiajia's hand.
Inside was three hundred yuan neatly folded.
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