Chapter 50: It Came Too Fast
As soon as Shen Zhiyi spoke, everyone tacitly remained silent. A series of unprecedented ideas came to their ears, and they always had a sudden realization that "so that's how it can be done." Some of them even wondered what would happen if they tried a different approach.
"We need to focus on low profit margins and high sales volume, and research new flavors to have a broad market," Shen Zhiyi concluded.
Aunt Lin nodded in agreement and suggested, "Then let's sell it for fifty coins."
"Auntie, this is too low. It should be at least two hundred coins."
"Three hundred coins will do."
These suggestions were made with great caution, as if they were people who had suddenly become rich and didn't know how to spend their money. Shen Zhiyi smiled and said, "Eight hundred coins. The things I mentioned are the key points that Auntie will discuss with them tomorrow. If we reach an agreement, Auntie will stay there and teach them how to pickle vegetables."
"What's wrong, Shen girl? Aren't you coming with me?" Aunt Lin asked anxiously, tugging at Shen Zhiyi's sleeve.
"I..." Shen Zhiyi had just begun to speak when the village chief interrupted, "She rushed back to check on the pickles as soon as they were ready, because the magistrate has other matters to attend to."
"The matter concerning the adults is important, but I can handle it," Aunt Lin said sensibly.
“It’s not just Aunt Lin alone, there’s also Brother Zheng with you.” Shen Zhiyi pushed Zheng San forward at the right time. Since they were going to go out and see the world, they had to start training him with the things right in front of them.
Upon learning that he was the leader of the group going out, Zheng San never lowered his head. When he heard his name called, he immediately raised his hand and ran towards them, saying as he ran, "I, I'll be in charge of communication. Auntie, you just need to teach them."
Seeing that the matter was settled, Shen Zhiyi chatted with the people around him as he retreated. Just as he reached the outer perimeter, he saw Tie Tou running over in a hurry, pointing behind him and shouting, "M-Sir, the carriage!"
Shen Zhiyi looked up and saw a carriage driving on the village road. The driver looked increasingly familiar. She turned to the village chief and said, "It's Brother Xuan Yan. I'll go back and wait for him."
"Go quickly," the village chief urged.
So Shen Zhiyi ran all the way home to her front door and saw the carriage parked outside her yard. She subconsciously tidied her hair and clothes, and when she saw Xuan Yan walking over, her gaze couldn't help but shift towards the carriage.
“Miss Chen,” Xuan Yan called out.
"Young Master Xuan Yan, what brings you here?" Shen Zhiyi withdrew her gaze and asked casually, "Where is Lord Lu? Why isn't he getting off the carriage?"
"Something came up at the county office, so you'll be heading back now, sir," Xuan Yan said. "I've come to inquire about the chili peppers. Is the young lady ready?"
Getting down to business, Shen Zhiyi said seriously, "It's all ready! But we still need to get it from the village chief."
She couldn't go into details about the various reasons, but fortunately, they didn't ask.
On their way to the village chief's house, Shen Zhiyi saw the half-open gate, knocked a few times, and heard Zhou Wanniang's gentle voice from inside: "Who is it?"
“Aunt Wan, it’s me,” Shen Zhiyi replied, and the courtyard gate was opened from the inside.
Zhou Wan Niang changed her mind after seeing Xuan Yan standing next to her, saying, "Come in quickly, your things are all in the side room."
"Alright." Shen Zhiyi said, leading Xuan Yan, who kept his eyes straight ahead, inside.
With Xuan Yan's help, Shen Zhiyi's prepared things were easily moved out. Then Zhao Daya's voice came: "Why didn't you call me when you were moving things? I'm very strong!"
As they were talking, Zhao Daya carefully lifted the earthenware pot that Shen Zhiyi was struggling to hold and placed it in the carriage. Seeing Xuan Yan carrying and lifting it in the back, she quickly went to help.
"Brother Xuan, where are you sending these?"
"Brother Xuan, what's the situation in Peach Blossom Village?"
"Brother Xuan..."
Zhao Daya had a loud voice and called out the title first, so all that could be heard was "Brother Xuan," and Xuan Yan always answered patiently.
Although some villagers who passed by greeted them in a friendly manner, their eyes were mostly on Xuan Yan.
Zhao Sanxing stood out in particular.
In this atmosphere, Xuan Yan remained calm and composed, while Shen Zhiyi inwardly expressed her admiration.
"These are pickled chili peppers. After opening them..." Shen Zhiyi finished explaining about the chili peppers, and Xuan Yan listened attentively.
After Shen Zhiyi finished explaining the precautions, she noticed that Zhao Daya was still standing beside her and became unusually patient.
After finishing their business, Zhao Daya said frankly, "Brother Xuan, I've made you some knee pads. Wait for me, I'll go get them right now!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Daya ran quickly home.
"Zhao..." Xuan Yan had barely begun to speak when the figure ran even faster, "Slow down, don't fall!"
“Hey!” Zhao Daya responded loudly.
After watching Shen Zhiyi's entire communication process, I felt that something was subtly getting wrong.
Her thoughts were quickly diverted by the silver notes that Xuan Yan respectfully handed her.
"Miss Chen, here are some silver notes. Do you think this is enough?" Xuan Yan asked expressionlessly, showing none of the gentleness he usually displayed when chatting with Zhao Daya.
When Shen Zhiyi saw the denomination "two hundred", she was so shocked that she didn't know what to say. She quickly pushed the silver note back and said, "Our things all have a price. No matter how much the price goes up, it's impossible to sell them for two hundred taels! You should take this silver note back."
I thought I would have to say a lot of words, but to my surprise, Xuan Yan took back the silver note and handed over another one, the face value of which suddenly became one hundred taels.
You can't take this!
She waved her hand repeatedly, but Xuan Yan did not retract it. Instead, he put on a stern face and said seriously, "Young Master said that Miss Shen has gone to such lengths to prepare this, and this sentiment is priceless. Please do not delay."
“Otherwise, it would be you, young master, who would come to find the young lady in person,” Xuan Yan said, changing his tone.
“Then…” Shen Zhiyi wanted to say, “Have him come to me,” but she was interrupted by a voice from afar: “Brother Xuan! Don’t go! I’m coming right away!”
Xuan Yan looked up and called out, "I'm waiting for you, Da Ya, slow down."
Shen Zhiyi, who was standing between the two of them, had never felt so speechless. She glanced at the bushes behind Xuan Yan and noticed that something seemed wrong with them. Why were they growing light brown leaves?
The sound of footsteps approached from afar. Shen Zhiyi consciously stepped aside and brushed past Zhao Daya. She could see that the other woman's face was still flushed as she hurriedly handed the knee pads in her hand to Xuan Yan.
This scene suddenly looks familiar!
Shen Zhiyi exclaimed inwardly, then heard Zhao Daya say, "Brother Xuan, take it back and try it out. If it's not suitable, I'll revise it."
“Okay,” Xuan Yan replied gently.
The silence between the two came suddenly. They could only look at each other before Xuan Yan finally spoke up: "Da Ya, I'll be going now."
"Okay! Be careful on the road!" Zhao Daya said with concern.
The entire process unfolded before Shen Zhiyi's eyes until the carriage left. Just as she was about to speak, a figure leaped out of the bushes and rushed towards her.
In a flash, the tall Zhao Sanxing appeared before him and asked, "You worked tirelessly all day to make knee pads just for that kid?"
"Otherwise what?" Zhao Daya retorted.
Zhao Sanxing was speechless, and turned his head to look at Shen Zhiyi, as if he was trying to signal something with his eyes.
Having understood everything, Shen Zhiyi could only face the challenge head-on and asked in a tactful tone, "You and Xuan Yan have a pretty good relationship, don't you?"
“Yes, Zhiyi, aren’t you the same?” Zhao Daya asked in return.
Zhao Sanxing silently patted his forehead, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. Seeing Zhao Daya's completely indifferent expression, he lowered his voice and asked, "Do you have feelings for that kid?"
"Huh?" Zhao Daya was slightly taken aback by the question, a belated blush creeping onto her face. "It could be interesting."
Shen Zhiyi, who had been subjected to Xuan Yan's blatant double standards, felt a pang of sympathy at this moment. However, seeing that Zhao Daya's expression seemed off, she asked, "Why did you suddenly think of making knee pads for Xuan Yan?"
“He took such good care of us on the way, of course we should show our appreciation!” Zhao Daya said matter-of-factly. “We don’t have any money, but we can give him something! My dad has a lot of internal heat and doesn’t need knee braces in the winter. I was thinking that Xuan-ge is a bit thin and might need some! I’m really good at making knee braces. My grandfather used to love the knee braces I made the most.”
Zhao Sanxing suddenly felt relieved and said, "Indeed, that kid looks a bit thin; he'll probably have a hard time getting through the winter."
Caught between the two, Shen Zhiyi was a little confused by their thought process. They weren't talking about that, so why were they bringing up knee pads again? Although they were still talking about knee pads…
After thinking it over and over, Shen Zhiyi was a little confused.
Since she couldn't figure it out, she decided to leave it at that and said, "I'm going back now."
"Hey, Zhiyi, don't go! You've always been so resourceful, but have you noticed anything about Xuan-ge... he... he... he's interested in me..." Zhao Daya's voice trailed off, until it was just a muffled whisper, "Is there anything he's interested in?"
Zhao Sanxing was listening intently, practically wanting to press his ear to Zhao Daya's mouth, but unfortunately his hearing wasn't very good, so he didn't hear what came next; otherwise, he would have already started getting excited.
Shen Zhiyi recalled the double standards she had experienced with Xuan Yan and said, "Yes, at least he only calls me 'Miss Shen,' while he calls you 'Da Ya.' And his attitude is different too; he treats you more affectionately."
"Weren't you thinking of expressing your gratitude for his care on the way? Why did you suddenly..." Shen Zhiyi asked in surprise. You really can't guess what a girl is thinking. She couldn't understand Zhao Daya at all.
“That’s different!” Zhao Daya said clearly. “Some people are heartless. If you’re good to them, they’ll only treat you badly. But some people… if you’re good to them, they’ll treat you even better, and then the two of you… will always be harmonious and happy, like my father and mother, and my grandfather and grandmother. They are good to each other.”
Zhao Sanxing listened with delight and said with a smile, "That's right, we should treat those who deserve it well, so that we can do better."
"Zhiyi, look, my dad has agreed," Zhao Daya said happily.
Perhaps he agreed to something else?
Shen Zhiyi thought to herself, she was even more puzzled by the strange sense of sync between the father and daughter!
Being the one who stays awake between them is too torturous. Shen Zhiyi said slowly, "Whatever makes you happy, I'll go back first."
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