Chapter 65: Selling in the Shop "You said you wanted to become sworn brothers with me?" ...
When Wei Jinyun looked up, Lu Lan was already standing outside the counter. His ponytail was a bit messy from the wind, and there was a chill around him from outside.
"Why are you here?"
She packed up the sun tarts for the guests before smiling and saying to him, "Come in quick, it's cold outside."
"I can't come?"
Lu Lan couldn't help but twirl her fingertips.
"no."
Wei Jinyun poured him a cup of tea and said, "Xiangxiang said that with the end of the year approaching, the files at the Inspection Office are piling up like a burial place. I thought you hadn't been coming lately."
Suddenly, a burst of laughter erupted from the lobby. Wei Fuqiu was teaching Zhi Duoxing how to use red beans to create a fog monster. Zhi Duoxing couldn't place the fog monster's ears correctly, and Wei Fuling clapped her hands at the table, laughing. Meng Ge'er was also explaining it to him attentively. The crowd of heads gathered together, making the atmosphere particularly lively.
Li Ji, who was standing next to Lu Lan, looked at the scene and his eyes softened a little.
"It's okay. I can handle it."
Lu Lan handed over the hand warmer wrapped in a thick yellow cloth. "It's getting colder now. I'll give it to you."
"Thank you, Lord Lu."
Wei Jinyun quickly took it with both hands, and the temperature of the hand warmer seeped through the cloth.
She leaned in closer and asked him, "Did Lord Lu buy this specially for me?"
The hand warmer cover has a rough edge, so if you bring it from Changmen Wharf, it will be cold. The ones sold in the street shops in front of Tianqing Temple are also freshly filled with hot water.
"Um."
Seeing her take the hand warmer, Lu Lan's tone relaxed a little. "I'll also order some sun tarts. It's almost New Year, and the brothers farther away are on vacation. We can't let those who stay behind on duty go hungry... Your sunflowers are bright, and they can always see them at Changmen. It would be nice to bring them home to the children."
"OK."
When Wei Jinyun heard this, she was so happy that she almost dropped the hand warmer in her hand. "How much do you want?"
"There are still 200 people in Changmen at the moment. We order 800 a day and deliver them in three days."
Lu Lan glanced at Li Ji beside her.
"Okay, okay!"
Wei Jinyun immediately took a pen and wrote it down on the paper -
The wealthy Inspector Lu Lan ordered eight hundred sun lashings every day for three days.
Seeing what she wrote on the paper stroke by stroke, Lu Lan's expression relaxed and she couldn't help laughing.
She is so... smart and cute.
The laughter in the hall hadn't died down yet. Li Ji waited until Lu Lan finished speaking before he smiled and said, "Manager Wei, I just heard Lord Lu say he was ordering snacks for the brothers in the Inspection Office. How about we order our New Year's rations from you as well?"
He glanced at the children playing in the hall, his expression warmer. "It's the end of the year now, so it's time to prepare some snacks for the servants so they can rest and relax for a few days."
"Okay, okay!"
Wei Jinyun responded repeatedly, "Master Li is truly as considerate of his retainers as the rumors say."
"I'm not compassionate?"
Lu Lan turned sideways, standing between Li Ji and her, and looked down at her.
“And compassionate.”
She looked up at him, put her palm to her lips and whispered, "Lu Lan, do you want to hear what I have to say? I thought we were very familiar with each other and there was no need for such high-sounding words... Well, if you like to hear my flattery, I will talk to you more in the future."
"Need not."
Seeing her eyes light up again because of the order, Lu Lan turned her head and looked away, "In addition to the sun tarts, we need to order some that can be kept for two or three days."
Between them...there's no need to talk about this.
Lu Lan liked what she said.
Wei Jinyun was stunned for a moment. "It's going to be a few days off. Are you going on a long trip again?"
"Um."
Lu Lan nodded. "I'm going to the inspection office along the Yangtze River for a few days. It's the end of the year when pirates are most likely to cause trouble, so we can't let our guard down. I'll tell you when I leave, and then I'll..."
Before he finished speaking, Li Ji beside him said, "Then, Shopkeeper Wei, here are some snacks from our house."
"Can't you see we're talking?"
Lu Lan suddenly said coldly, "Please, Sir Li, don't interrupt."
The air was instantly still.
Li Ji was not angry. Seeing Lu Lan's tone and expression, he smiled and shook his head.
It turned out to be the same as him.
Lu Lan didn't look at Li Ji again, but turned to Wei Jinyun, "You still have time to make those snacks that can be put in. If not, I can order from Xu Ji."
"Of course I can."
Wei Jinyun nodded quickly. "Yunlaixiang can handle the snacks for two hundred people. So when do you want them? I can prepare them according to the date."
"We haven't set a date yet, so we'll just send the Sun Tarts within the next three days."
Lu Lan thought for a moment and added, "I'll come get it myself."
"ah?"
Wei Jinyun was stunned for a moment, then retorted, "No need to go to such trouble. I can just ask some idlers to deliver it. Idlers want to make more money at the end of the year, so they're willing to travel further, and they're familiar with the route."
“No need.”
Lu Lan smiled and said, "After all, this is for the brothers to eat. It needs to be safe. I will come and get it myself. It will be more appropriate."
"Let Adjutant Zhan and the others..."
"You won't let me come?"
"Come on, come on, Lord Lu is so considerate of his subordinates. I really admire him!"
“Stop filming.”
Gu Xiang straightened the scroll, which had been blown to pieces by the north wind, when a couple, seemingly in their early forties, approached. The man had a swarthy complexion and wore a brown jacket. The woman next to him wore a red cloak, and her eyes were slightly red.
"Excuse me."
The woman spoke first, then cautiously, "Miss Chang Siyan...are you working here?"
Gu Xiang glanced at them and said, "Looking for Xiao Chang, are you her relatives?"
The woman pursed her lips when she heard that, then quickly nodded, "Yes, I just want to ask her some questions."
"She had a severe cough, and Manager Wei asked her to go to the clinic for treatment."
Gu Xiang pointed in the direction of the street and said, "I guess he won't be back until later."
"It's nothing serious, actually. Since she's not here, we'll come back next time."
The man tugged at the woman's arm, and she stared at the painting at the entrance of the shop for a long moment before being dragged back. From time to time, the man would glance back at the Yun Lai Xiang banner, and the woman's shoulders hunched slightly, as if she were sobbing.
Gu Xiang felt a little puzzled. She remembered that Chang Siyan's family only had her grandfather. The two of them had traveled extensively, and she had never heard of any relatives. Judging from their accents, they sounded like locals from Pingjiang Prefecture. She stood there for a moment, still unsure, and then went inside.
As soon as the couple disappeared around the corner, Chang Siyan leaned half of his body in from outside, holding two bulging cloth bags in his hands.
"Hurry up, come and help your leader Xiao Chang. If you're a step late, my legs will be broken!"
Chao Jiu was sprinkling sesame seeds on the freshly baked cakes. He quickly stepped forward, took the cloth bag from her hand, and hurried to check her leg. "What happened? You went to the clinic to see a doctor and get some medicine, but ended up hurting your leg too?"
"Go away, what's going on? My leg isn't broken, it's just numb."
Chang Siyan blew on his palms and said, "I stopped by the rice shop. Look."
She opened the cloth bag and showed them what was inside. "Yellow rice, dried lotus seeds, dried longan... The shopkeeper said these are newly dried this year and very sweet. I also weighed out some walnut kernels so we can make Laba porridge."
Wan Wu was wiping the table. Seeing this pile of things, she couldn't help laughing, "It's still half a month away from Laba Festival. You're so impatient."
"You don't know."
Chang Siyan rubbed his sore legs and sat down on a chair. "It's not even Laba yet, and the people lining up in front of the rice shop are almost around the corner. The line hasn't moved for ages. My calves are numb from standing so much. It's scary."
She took the hot orange Chaojiu offered and took a bite. "I just suddenly wanted to drink it. When I used to travel around with Grandpa, every Laba Festival, no matter where we were, he would always cook a pot of hot Laba porridge. But we weren't picky, we just ate whatever we wanted. The porridge had all kinds of rice in it, and it was sweet. Grandpa and I both loved it."
"Well, it's because we're always greedy. I'll go wash some rice and cook it for you, so we can celebrate Laba Festival in advance."
After hearing this, Wan Wu picked up the cloth bag, smiled and turned to walk towards the backyard.
"Xiao Chang, besides your grandfather, do you have any other relatives in Pingjiang Prefecture?"
Gu Xiang had just cleaned a few steamers, wiped his hands, walked over and asked casually.
Chang Siyan bit an orange and smiled when he heard it, "Yes."
"Why haven't I ever heard you mention it?"
Chang Siyan blinked. "The chickens, sheep, and pigs raised in my yard all have the surname Chang. Aren't they my relatives?"
"You are just talking nonsense."
Gu Xiang was amused, his shoulders shaking. "Then don't kill them during the New Year, or it will be considered 'killing your relatives'. Then Lord Lu will arrest you and take you to the Inspection Office for questioning, and you'll be put in jail in the spring."
"That won't do. We'll still have to kill them."
Chang Siyan also sat on the stool, laughing until his stomach hurt. "What's the New Year without stewed chicken and roasted meat? I can just find some new relatives next year... When we make some money, I'll buy a donkey and have a donkey brother next year."
After Li Ji and Wei Jinyun finished discussing the snacks they wanted to order at the mansion, they walked over to the small table by the window and sat down, helping their son adjust the sunflower headband on his head.
Seeing Lu Lan also sitting over, he picked up the tea bowl on the table and took a sip. After a long while, he said, "Lord Lu is really a good official. He is still so busy at the end of the year and never relaxes for a moment."
"Yes, so does Lord Li."
Lu Lan took a bite of the sun tart that Gu Xiang brought over and said, "Many people will settle in Pingjiang Prefecture at the end of the year. You'll be busy if you come."
Li Ji didn't mind his indifference. Turning his gaze to Wei Jinyun, who was using an abacus behind the counter, he praised her, "Shopkeeper Wei has a good temper and is very skillful. My son Cheng used to not like playing with others and was a bit arrogant. But lately, after spending time with sisters Fuqiu and Fuling, he's become much more cheerful. It seems like he really enjoys being with this family."
"so?"
Lu Lan raised her eyebrows while holding the Sun Tart.
Li Ji seemed to have expected him to say this. The smile on his face deepened, but with a serious expression that brooked no compromise. "To be honest with you, Lord Lu, I also like her."
He had worked with Lu Lan for two years and knew Lu Lan's personality. His thoughts were obvious to others, but Shopkeeper Wei seemed to have a hard time understanding them.
"no."
Lu Lan spoke almost immediately, interrupting Li Ji.
Li Ji was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing, "Lord Lu is in charge of catching thieves and water affairs in Pingjiang Prefecture. Does he even want to control Li's thoughts?"
"She won't marry you again."
Li Ji looked at Lu Lan's cold and hard face and was speechless for a moment. After a long while, he shook his head.
"Lord Lu... you have no business interfering in my affairs. Before I joined the army as a household official, I also did some small business in the countryside, carrying a load on my shoulder and walking through the streets. I've experienced the hardships of making a living. Shopkeeper Wei runs this pastry shop, getting up early and working late to knead dough and serve customers. I can probably understand some of the difficulties she faces."
As he spoke, his eyes fell on Wei Jinyun's busy back again, and he glanced at Lu Lan gently, "Lord Lu comes from a noble family, and has been living a life of luxury since childhood. I'm afraid it's difficult for him to understand these things."
"oh."
Lu Lan held the tea bowl still, her eyes downcast. "Right now, she's focused on making money, and it's even busier at the end of the year. According to Lord Li, you want her, a seventeen-year-old woman, to be your second wife, a twenty-eight-year-old, with a child?"
"I will treat her well."
Li Ji looked at his son smiling brightly among the other children and said slowly, "Cheng Ge'er likes her too."
"Is it you who likes her, or your child who likes her?"
Lu Lan glanced at him.
“There is no difference.”
Lu Lan didn't talk to Li Ji anymore, but walked straight behind the counter.
"Except for the few days I went to the Yangtze River."
Lu Lan spoke slowly, "From now on, Manager Wei, please vacate this counter for me at this time every day."
"ah?"
Wei Jinyun was a little puzzled. "Aren't you busy? The work of the Inspection Office has piled up like a mountain. Changmen Wharf is such a short walk away. Do you still want to stay here?"
She met his gaze and then looked away.
But what exactly is this faint sense of anticipation in her heart...
"I have to come back after I finish my work. I can't sleep there."
"Then I'll keep it for you every day."
Wei Jinyun nodded. "Do you want to sit here today, or continue to sit with Master Li?"
"Well, sit here."
Lu Lan waved to Yuanbao, and Yuanbao jumped up from the rattan chair and jumped into Lu Lan's arms.
While Wei Jinyun went to the backyard to get the Sun Tart, Lu Lan rewarded Yuanbao with a small loach.
He reached out and scratched its chin again, whispering, "Little Yuanbao, how can I tell your master about my feelings without offending her?"
She is so good that many people will like her.
He's just so annoying.
He wanted to drive all those people away.
The clouds are fragrant and warm.
Zhi Duo Xing carefully stacked his red beans, while Li Ji sat beside him, shelling chestnuts for the children. Several waiters worked enthusiastically, occasionally joining the children or going to other customers to throw a handful of chess pieces to try their luck.
Lu Lan rested his chin on his back and took a nap, while Wei Jinyun sat beside him and used an abacus, glancing at him from time to time.
He seems to like sleeping in Yunlaixiang very much.
Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment, and Lu Lan slowly asked, "Does it look good?"
"You're not asleep!"
"I have eyes in my head."
"I don't believe it!"
Wei Jinyun was clacking on an abacus to hide her embarrassment when Zhan Ziming rushed in with a hand warmer in his hand.
"Manager Wei! This is great news! I guarantee you'll burst out laughing when you hear it!"
He was laughing excitedly, but when he caught a glimpse of Lu Lan sleeping, he immediately tried hard to suppress his excitement.
"Lawyer Zhan is so rushed, could it be that he just won a lawsuit at the government office?"
"Well, the lawsuit is nothing compared to this."
Zhan Ziming took a sip of tea, panting but still speaking, "Have you ever mentioned wanting to expand your store? The Zhang family's stationery store next door is urgently selling. My broker friend just told me this, and it's absolutely true!"
With the case solved, Zhan Ziming could finally breathe a sigh of relief and leave the house. His younger brother told him that it was thanks to Lord Lu's constant watchful eye that he was able to escape so quickly. Lord Lu had recruited his younger brother into the Inspection Office and had led a group to destroy the Water Dragon Gang. He had long respected him, and now that he had helped him clear his name from disdain, the two Zhan brothers practically had a clay statue of him to worship at home.
There were also the Sun Tarts from Shopkeeper Wei and the encouraging little flower notes that sisters Wei Fuling and Wei Fuqiu put in his food box every day, which made him feel less bored when he was locked up at home.
Zhan Ziming has many drinking buddies but few serious friends. He wants to make friends with Shopkeeper Wei from the bottom of his heart.
Lord Lu...just keep it as a sacrifice.
"Why are the Zhang family leaving so suddenly? I didn't hear any rumors about it. Are you kidding me?"
Wei Jinyun couldn't help but feel happy because the Zhang family's shop was very big.
"I'm a dog to tease you."
Zhan Ziming was anxious, "He doesn't want to stay in Pingjiang Prefecture anymore and is making plans to return to his hometown."
Wei Jinyun's eyes lit up, then frowned again, "I do want to expand, but they're in a hurry to sell... what's the price? Also, I originally planned to buy a house with the money I have, but I'm afraid it won't be enough to cover the cost."
"The price is negotiable."
Zhan Ziming replied carefully, "The Zhang family is in a hurry to leave, and the price they offer is several percent lower than the market price. If there is one thing, they need cash, and the delivery must be made before the 18th day of the twelfth lunar month."
"How much?"
Wei Jinyun asked carefully.
This is a shop in front of Tianqing Temple. The rent is not bad, about 30 strings of cash a month. If you buy it out, you will have to pay at least several thousand strings of cash.
Zhan Ziming held up his hand and said, "Not much, not much, one thousand four hundred strings of cash."
Wei Jinyun's hands trembled upon hearing this, and he steadied himself by holding onto the edge of the table. His eyes widened as he shouted, "How much? One thousand four hundred strings of cash!"
Zhan Ziming was startled by her reaction. "That's right. The Zhang family was in a hurry to leave, but they weren't stupid. The shop has a backyard and is in a good location. It's worth 1,800 guan. The 1,400 guan was only negotiated by my broker for several days, after all, his son had been in trouble."
"Mr. Zhan, look at my Yunlaixiang restaurant. There are only a few tables, and I sell snacks for a few coins each. And look at me again. Take a look at me. Do I look like I could possibly hold 1,400 guan?"
Wei Jinyun stretched out his hand and twisted his brows, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "Do you think I look like one thousand four hundred strings of cash?"
Although Meow Meow Cookies earned several hundred coins, and the net income from the Sun Tarts and other dine-in meals these days was about three hundred coins, the total amount she had on her was at most nine hundred coins, so how could she come up with fourteen hundred coins?
Zhan Ziming also scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed. "I know this is a large sum... but the Zhang family is adamant that we need cash, and it must be paid before the 18th day of the twelfth lunar month. Otherwise... Manager Wei, can you think of another way? After all, this shop is right next to Yunlaixiang. If we miss out, it will be difficult to expand in the future."
"It's less than thirty days until the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month. I can't just dismantle Yunlaixiang's stove and sell it. Where am I going to get a few hundred strings of cash?"
Zhan Ziming smacked his lips and suddenly slapped his thigh. "How about this? I know a few friends who lend money at interest rates. The interest rates aren't too high. Manager Wei, could you lend me some money first to get by?"
"Don't hurt me!"
Wei Jinyun quickly waved his hands, "I dare not fall into the trap of borrowing money. If I can't pay it back when the time comes, not only will I lose the shop, but I will also have to pay for Yun Lai Xiang."
She thought for a moment, "Mr. Zhan, please try to be more flexible with your broker friend. I'll pay him ten strings of cash first and ask him to keep the Zhang family shop for me. If I really can't come up with the money before the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, I'll consider it a treat for your friend as a token of my gratitude for his trouble."
Before the New Year's Day arrived, Wei Jinyun had to find ways to promote her dim sum. The Zhang family's shop was only separated from her home by a wall. Although it had a bad reputation at the moment, it would gradually fade over time. There would be no other shop with such a high price in front of Tianqing Temple.
If the wall is broken down and the two shops are merged, Yunlaixiang can be transformed into a large teahouse.
It’s so beautiful.
Zhan Ziming nodded. "Alright, I'll go talk to my friend right away. But let me be frank. The Zhang family is in a hurry to leave, so they might not be willing to wait that long. I can only try my best."
"Thank you very much, Attorney Zhan. This matter depends entirely on you."
To express her gratitude, Wei Jinyun presented him with a children's meal and a bowl of Red Lotus Rejuvenating Soup on the spot.
The Zhang family was selling their shop, but she, a neighbor who lived next door, had no idea. It seemed the Zhang family had no interest in selling their Yun Lai Xiang, or simply looked down on her. If they finally saved enough money, and no one else wanted it, they'd have no choice but to sell it to her.
It's a bit treacherous.
But as the saying goes, there is no business without fraud.
She had met Zhan Ziming's brothel friend, who was as eloquent as a motor. All she had to do now was make money.
The stove was blazing, and soon, Wan Wu emerged from the backyard, carrying a large bowl. The steaming white mist, wrapped in a sweet aroma, filled the entire shop. The bowl contained a thick, creamy bowl of Laba porridge, the glutinous rice and yellow rice cooked to a translucent shine, the lotus seeds soft and fluffy, and the walnuts and longans sprinkled on top were glistening and mouthwatering.
Chang Siyan was waiting at the table early with a bowl in hand. As soon as Wan Wu put down the big bowl, she scooped a full spoonful into her own bowl.
The stickiness of glutinous rice, the fragrance and softness of yellow rice, the sweetness of red beans and longan meat mixed with the crispness of walnut kernels made Chang Siyan sweat from the tip of his nose while eating.
Wei Jinyun walked over to Lu Lan while holding some Laba porridge. "Want to try it? Xiao Chang bought the ingredients specially, and Wan Wu cooked them for almost half an hour."
Lu Lan thanked him and slowly scooped a spoonful of porridge into her mouth. The porridge was sweet and fragrant without being greasy, soft and sticky without being sticky.
"Master Lu, you eat so elegantly."
Wei Jinyun held his chin and watched from the side.
Just like a painting.
Lu Lan slowly raised her eyes, holding a spoon and asked, "Are you short of money?"
She looked up to meet his emerald eyes and nodded, "Yeah, not even close."
"I'll lend it to you."
"That won't do."
Wei Jinyun quickly waved her hands, even more firmly than when she had just rejected Zhan Ziming, "Our beautiful friendship cannot be tarnished by this money."
Lu Lan raised her eyebrows, her eyes seemed to be a little hazy from the heat of the Laba porridge.
"friendship?"
He leaned forward, his eyes fixed on her face.
He emphasized these two words.
Wei Jinyun looked away, picked up the abacus on the table and dialed it twice, then patted the head of the loofah beside him, "Otherwise... otherwise what is it?"
Lu Lan sighed softly and repeated the word, "Friendship?"
"You should continue eating..."
Lu Lan smiled softly and scooped a mouthful of Laba porridge. "The end of the year is the time for families to exchange gifts. If Manager Wei wants to raise money, he should hurry up. The old lady of the Liu family likes sweet and sticky snacks. You can ask Zhou Zhuqing about the Zhou family. There are also several families of soldiers who like to order some exquisite tea and snacks as gifts every year. The New Year is a good time for the prefect to comfort his subordinates."
"Lu Lan, are you telling me the truth?"
Wei Jinyun was full of surprise.
Lu Lan picked up the tea bowl, pretended to blow away the non-existent hot air, and turned his face to her, "Did I? I just heard the people below mention it in their idle chatter, so I just said it casually."
"Lu Lan, you're so kind! The preferences of each family are not just something you say casually."
Wei Jinyun looked at Lu Lan, his tone warming up, "How about... we become sworn brothers? We can look after each other in the future."
As soon as she finished speaking, a low laugh came from not far away. Li Ji was holding a tea bowl, a smile spreading from the corner of his eyes.
"Father?"
Zhi Duo Xing also tasted a bowl of Laba porridge and asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Li Ji put down the tea bowl and reached out to touch his son's head. "Nothing, I just thought of something happy."
"become sworn brothers?"
Lu Lan repeated these three words, "You said you wanted to become sworn brothers with me?"
"Master Lu, please don't take it personally. I know I was wrong. This tea is just warm. Drink it while it's hot to calm your nerves."
Seeing his gritted teeth, Wei Jinyun carefully refilled his cup of hot tea.
She glanced at the half-full bowl of Laba porridge and said, "I'll give you some more porridge."
"You really are..."
Lu Lan laughed angrily, "Call me Lu Lan ten times and I'll calm down."
Wei Jinyun was stunned for a moment. Seeing that he didn't seem to be joking, she cleared her throat and whispered, "Lu Lan."
He said nothing, just looked at her.
"Lu Lan."
"Lu Lan..."
She called out more and more fluently. When she was calling out for the seventh time, she heard the laughter of her sisters in the hall. Perhaps she was distracted. Just as she had said the eighth time, she took a detour and uttered two words for the ninth time.
"Lu Lang."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the shop looked over here.
Wei Jinyun was stunned first, "My mouth, my tongue slipped!"
Lu Lan's slightly furrowed brows relaxed at some point, and she even smiled a little.
He just picked up the cup of hot tea that had just been refilled and responded in a low voice, "Yeah."
*
The light leaking in through the gap in the car curtain made Zhang Renbai's eyelids feel heavy. He slowly opened his eyes, and there was still a little moisture on his eyelashes.
The wound on his back throbbed with pain, and his throat felt dry as if it were clogged with straw. He moved his fingers, only to feel his bones fall apart. The slightest effort and his arms collapsed.
The carriage was shaking violently. He blinked hard, and in his blurry vision, he saw Xu's face across from him. He spoke in a hoarse voice, "Mother...where are we?"
Seeing that he had woken up, Xu came over and touched his forehead, "Renbai, you are finally awake. We are on our way back home."
"Back home?"
Zhang Renbai suddenly propped himself up halfway, but his hasty movement strained the wound on his back, causing him to gasp in pain. "When did I ever say I wanted to go back home?"
He was too weak and his voice was floating. "Where's Dad? I want to go back! I want to go back to Pingjiang Prefecture! Cough cough cough..."
Before he could finish his words, he couldn't help coughing and curled up into a ball.
Xu patted his back quickly and said, "Son, you can't be angry anymore. Your father is dealing with the shop. He will come after us after he sells it. You have to go back to your hometown to recuperate first."
"I won't raise one!"
Zhang Renbai gasped, "I want to see Miss Wei! I want to see Wei Jinyun! Mother, turn the carriage around, I want to go back to see her!"
"You still mention her!"
Xu's voice rose a little, then softened again. She stroked his hair and pleaded, "Renbai, don't think about her. That Wei Jinyun... doesn't follow the same path as us. When we return to our hometown, I'll find you a gentle young lady who's considerate and understanding. She'll be much better than her."
Zhang Renbai seemed not to hear. He just stared at the shadows of the trees passing by outside the car curtain and kept repeating in his mouth, "I want to see her... I have to see her..."
The voice became lower and lower, and was finally swallowed by a rapid cough.
"You are a good child. You must listen to your mother."
Xu smiled.
When he returned to his hometown, he was still the good boy he had been since childhood.
At the same time, several figures from Jiangning Prefecture jumped onto the boat.
-----------------------
Author's words: Jinyun: [Starry eyes] Let's be brothers
Mr. Lu: Who in my family understands? Not only do I not know whether she likes me or not, but she also wants to be my sworn brother [bursts into tears]
Did my wife eat the sun tart today? [Rainbow fart]
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