Chapter 68 Bought a Shop "Do you want me to hold your hand?"
"Uncle Zhang, what are you saying? Are you leaving so soon?"
Wei Jinyun frowned, as if he had heard something unbelievable.
Father Zhang snorted coldly at her. "What else can you do if you don't leave? You've already got this reputation. Why would you stay in Pingjiang Prefecture and invite criticism? This story you made up really pisses me off!"
Most of the stock in the shop had indeed been sold thanks to this piece, and he could take the remaining stock with him when he left and sell it back home. But the lyrics that Wei Jinyun had written for him were pure nonsense, all fabricated nonsense, and she had no manners at all.
He couldn't really go to the lobby and explain to the guests; that would just let them know he was being ripped off. On his way to the dealership, he saw several children wearing small yellow flowers, dancing around on bamboo poles while chanting a melodious melody. The melody was like a song, passed around among the children.
So angry!
Seeing Zhang's father's scowl, the broker quickly tried to smooth things over, stepping in to act as a peacemaker. "Shopkeeper Zhang, you're so anxious you're losing your mind. Shopkeeper Wei is no stranger. Look, she's planning to open a branch and buy a shop, and your shop happens to be right next to hers, Yunlaixiang. Isn't this fate?"
"I'd like to sell it to her."
Zhang's father raised his chin slightly and gave Wei Jinyun a contemptuous smile. "Can you afford it? One thousand four hundred strings of cash. This shop was passed down from my father. It's bright and in a good location. It's not comparable to your little snack shop."
Wei Jinyun was carrying a shoulder bag and covered his mouth with his hands in shock.
"Fourteen hundred strings of cash... that's too much. I've only managed to scrape together a thousand strings of cash, half of which I borrowed from friends. I was thinking I'd just open a small shop on Shantang Street. My Yunlaixiang hasn't been making much money lately, and I'll have to split the profits with Chenji Cloth Shop soon..."
Wei Jinyun's voice weakened a bit. "How about Uncle Zhang, since I'm the one who gave you advice on selling the goods and we're neighbors, could you give me a discount? Twelve hundred strings of cash would be fine?"
"One thousand two hundred strings of cash, you might as well just rob it. But you're so young and you dare to borrow so much. If you really can't pay it back, are you going to mortgage your snack shop?"
Father Zhang chuckled softly, his eyes full of disdain.
Lately, he'd seen so many people at her shop that he'd thought she'd made a fortune, and was just bragging about it. She hadn't made much money, so he'd thought she was a business savvy.
He knew that all those gimmicks wouldn't make any money, giving away everything. Although he didn't go to Yunlaixiang, he knew that many children stood in front of her shop, taking advantage of it and asking for sesame paste.
As the Chinese New Year approaches, the four generations of grandparents and grandchildren don't seem to be dressed in any brightly except for a few new winter clothes.
Wei Jinyun bit her lip and looked up after a long while. "Let's borrow it first. We can always find a way later."
Zhang's father was becoming increasingly proud, but he pretended to be resigned. "If you really want it, go borrow another 400 strings of cash, and I'll consider selling it to you. After all, your pastry shop is doing well, so are you worried you won't be able to pay it back?"
Wei Jinyun raised his eyes, his eyes full of astonishment, "I, I go to borrow again? What if...what if I really can't pay it back?"
Father Zhang patted her arm and smiled meaningfully, "No, no, Shopkeeper Wei is smart. It won't take long to earn back this little money."
Wei Jinyun's eyes reddened after hearing what Zhang's father said. He lowered his head and twisted the hem of his clothes, choking and saying, "Well, well, I can only trouble Wang Yaren again. After all, you have a wide network of contacts, maybe you can really borrow it..."
The broker immediately agreed, but frowned helplessly, "I can lend you the money, but it's New Year's Day, Shopkeeper Wei, my friend's interest rate is not low, 8% per month, have you thought about it?"
Wei Jinyun still had his head down, as if he was really worried about the interest.
Zhang's father was already beaming with joy at the sight of her. A young girl who had only run a pastry shop for less than six months, half of her thousand guan was borrowed, and she was still selling the shop?
He knew the interest rates were high here, and there were plenty of ways to collect the debt. This 8% interest would roll over to next year, and with the lack of income from the Lunar New Year holiday, she'd definitely be robbing Peter to pay Paul, eventually losing even the shop.
The more he thought about it, the more proud he felt. Even if he left, he would make sure Wei Jinyun had a hard time in the future. They would all suffer together. After all, if he really sold it to her, he would have received the money. After all, she couldn't come back to his hometown to look for him later, right?
Father Zhang urged the broker, his tone becoming increasingly anxious. "Hurry up and find someone to write her an IOU. Once it's done, we'll go inspect the shop. Once you get the money, sign the deed today, and I'll sell it to you."
The brothel worker sighed and hesitated when picking up the pen and paper.
Wei Jinyun raised his red eyes and said in a weak voice, "Uncle Zhang...really, do you really want to lend it to me right now? I feel uneasy...it's such a huge sum of money."
"What are you panicking about?"
Zhang's father immediately interrupted her, fearing she would change her mind. "I've borrowed the money and signed the contract. You just need to sell snacks well. Can you still pay it back? Don't worry, my shop has good feng shui, and you can make a lot of money."
Wei Jinyun thought for a while, as if he had made a huge decision, and nodded with red eyes, "Then, then I'll lend it to you."
Zhang's father immediately laughed out loud and patted her on the shoulder. "Hey, that's right. This is the kind of energy you need to do business!"
He turned and urged the broker, "Hurry up and write the IOU to our shopkeeper, Wei. Once we get the money, we'll go check out the shop. When you delivered snacks to our house before, you only went to the front hall. Our backyard and living quarters are very spacious. You've definitely never seen them."
After Wei Jinyun started writing the IOU, the broker moved very quickly. He turned around and discussed with a few people for a while, then took out a heavy purse and put it on the table with a clatter. "Here are the silver coins. Shopkeeper Wei, check them out."
Zhang's father didn't wait for her to check it. He reached out to pick up the purse and handed it to Wei Jinyun. "What are you checking? Let's check it out when we get back to our shop. How could Manager Wei not trust you? Come on, Manager Wei, let's go check out the shop right now and sign the deed right after we see it. We're neighbors after all."
Zhang's father, his brown headscarf covering most of his face, leaving only his anxious eyes exposed, fearing recognition from the neighbors, walked ahead. Wei Jinyun followed behind, carrying a heavy purse, his steps slow and uninspired.
Pushing open the door of Zhang's Stationery, a gust of air mingled with the scent of ink hit me. The lobby was spacious, the counters that had once held brushes, inkstones, and paper now mostly empty, with only a few wooden tables of good quality remaining. However, it was still clear that the space was considerably wider than Yunlaixiang's.
"The inner room is still big."
Zhang's father urged them inside and lifted the door curtain. The inner room was actually divided into two rooms. One was supposed to be the accounting office, with a large old desk, and the other was empty, with some firewood piled in the corner. There were also three bedrooms on the second floor.
Further back is the yard, with unmelted snow piled on the wall. A few wintersweet trees in full bloom stand in the corner of the yard, bright and open.
Wei Jinyun stood at the foot of the wall and reached out to gently touch the wall she had repaired.
Poor wall, it’s only been repaired for half a year and she wants to tear it down.
Father Zhang stood in the yard and said proudly, "Well, our shop is quite big, isn't it? I've searched all over the place in front of Tianqing Temple, but I can't find another one as spacious and cheap as this one."
"It's quite a big one. Since you're anxious to go back home for the New Year, let's sign the contract right now."
Wei Jinyun nodded.
"become."
Wei Jinyun turned and walked towards Yunlaixiang. In just half a cup of tea, he came back with a heavy purse containing a thousand strings of cash that he had prepared earlier.
Father Zhang took the purse, poured it on the empty table and counted the coins with a clinking sound. The sound of copper coins colliding echoed in the empty shop for two quarters of an hour.
After all the money was counted, he looked up and said, "The amount is correct, we can sign the contract. Have Wang Yaren take these two copies to the government office."
Wei Jinyun responded with "hmm", took the contract prepared by the broker, and quickly signed his name and pressed his fingerprints.
The broker rubbed his hands and came up to Zhang's father, glanced at the purse in his hand, and twisted his fingers to indicate, "Manager Zhang, this shop is finally sold to you. Look at me..."
Zhang's father's face darkened and he spat, "Your business as a pawnbroker is nothing but a scheming business, not worthy of public display!"
He pulled out fifty coins from the pile of money and threw them into the broker's hand. "Here, it's enough for you to have some good drinks."
The broker held the fifty cents in his hand and cursed Zhang's father in his heart, but he didn't dare show it on his face. He could only respond with a dry smile.
The more you earn, the stingier you become!
Wei Jinyun held up the signed contract and said, "Alright, alright, the deed is done. Uncle Zhang, please move as soon as you have time. I'm still looking forward to expanding the store... You can leave tonight."
Father Zhang was holding a large bag of silver and money, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Wei Jinyun holding the deed.
She looked listless, but she seemed to be smiling a little, and with her red eyes, she looked like she was smiling through tears. He frowned, thinking that the girl was just being smug about getting a good deal, and didn't think too much about it.
"Got it. I'm leaving tonight. Who wants to stay here any longer?"
The snow had subsided at night and there were fewer people on the streets. It was a good opportunity for him to hire a boat out of the city and then take a bus back to his hometown. He didn't want to stay in Pingjiang Prefecture any longer.
As Wei Jinyun stepped out of Zhang's Stationery, the broker quickly followed him, his face full of smiles, "Boss Wei, this matter is finally settled."
Wei Jinyun turned around, and there was no trace of dejection in his eyes.
She smiled and nodded. "It's indeed appropriate. You are worthy of being the friend praised by Lawyer Zhan. Your eloquence is really amazing. It also helped me keep this shop."
The broker immediately pulled out a purse from his pocket and handed it over. "Ah, Manager Wei, you're too polite. This is the money you gave me earlier. Now that the shop is open, I have to return it to you."
"This money is your commission. You should eat meat with wine, right? Besides, I can't refuse the money just because you are Mr. Zhan's friend. I know exactly how much profit you should get from the sale of the shop in front of Tianqing Temple."
Wei Jinyun held his wallet and said cheerfully, "I'll need you if I need help in the future. If I need to expand the store and hire people, I'll look for you. If there's anyone with good character and quick hands and feet, I'll have to ask you to keep an eye out for them... Also, I really want to buy a small house in the future."
Upon hearing this, the dealer smiled until his eyes narrowed, and he bowed repeatedly, "Hey, hey, hey, thank you so much, Shopkeeper Wei. Your Yunlaixiang business will surely prosper in the future and grow bigger and bigger... But how did you know that Shopkeeper Zhang would eventually sell the shop to you?"
Wei Jinyun smiled and said, "We feel the most annoyed when we are unlucky and helpless. And considering Shopkeeper Zhang's personality, he must want to drag me down with him."
The broker understood, said goodbye to Wei Jinyun, and walked back with the money bag. The snow crackled under his feet and he was very happy.
I've placed a big order and need to buy some nice clothes for my wife and kids to celebrate the Spring Festival.
Wei Jinyun stood between the two shops, looking up at the snow-covered rooftops. To her left was Yunlaixiang, the shop she had supported with one hand, and to her right was her newly acquired shop, which was incredibly spacious.
The two storefronts were connected, and they belonged to her. She couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth.
That money was naturally the proceeds from her recent card savings activity, and the four hundred strings of cash she had given to Wang Yaren earlier that morning. These days, she's been grateful for the recognition and trust shown by her neighbors and guests regarding her dim sum.
There was also the distinguished Peony Card member, Lord Lu, who bought snacks for his subordinates and deposited fifty strings of cash with her.
Wei Jinyun went for a walk outside for a long time, relaxed his scattered mood, and then returned to Yunlaixiang.
Seeing his shopkeeper humming the tune of "Good luck, wish me good luck..." as he returned to the shop, Gu Xiang asked with a towel, "Shopkeeper Wei couldn't even hide his smile. Did the matter with the shop next door end?"
"It's done!"
Wei Jinyun put her bag on the counter and said, "I went to the Li's Braised Meat Shop at the corner of the street and picked out three large pieces of braised pork with skin, fat and lean meat, and multiple layers of sauce. I'll give them to everyone for dinner."
Wan Wu came out from the backyard, still holding a bowl of pastry in her hand, and replied with a smile, "Then I have to cook several delicious dishes to go with this soybean paste recipe."
A warm aroma wafted from Yunlaixiang's kitchen. When Wan Wu brought the steamed meat to the table, the glossy sauce flowed down the cubes of meat.
The table also contained shredded radish and wutacai, winter bamboo shoots and chicken soup, and braised sea bass—all common dishes from Pingjiang Prefecture. The warmth, wrapped in fragrance, dispelled the day's chill. Wei Fuling held the bowl and took a bite of the sauced square skin. The dark brown skin was soaked in the sauce, and it softened at first, then the aroma of oil and sauce melted in her mouth, not at all greasy.
Her mouth was greasy from eating, so she took a bite of black mustard greens to relieve the greasiness.
Wei Fuqiu slowly used chopsticks to poke the sauce into small pieces and ate them with rice. She knew that Wei Fuling liked to eat the skin, so she picked up the skin from her bowl and gave it to her.
Meng Ge'er poked his head in with a bowl in hand, his face flushed. "Sister Wei, can I...have a piece of braised pork belly? I came here because I smelled the aroma. My mother said I have to exchange it for a duck leg. See if Sister Wei is willing."
The stewed sauce wafted out from Yunlaixiang's backyard. It was so fragrant that even his rooster danced at the aroma and jumped onto the wall.
Unfortunately, the sauce recipe of Li's Braised Meat Shop was delicious and popular, so when his mother ran to buy it with money, it was sold out.
"Of course you can."
Wei Jinyun watched Meng Ge'er pass two fat duck legs to his two sisters, and smiled as he took the largest piece of skin and put it into his bowl. "The exchange is successful. If it's not enough, ask for more."
"Thank you, Sister Wei!"
Meng Ge'er immediately ran to the table with the bowl in his hand, and without even turning back to the shop, he began to bite the skin with big mouthfuls.
Wei Fuling picked up a piece of lean meat from her bowl and gave it to Meng Ge'er, "Meng Ge'er, let me give you this. It's delicious too."
A group of people were eating in the shop. Wind chimes were ringing outside and a couple was standing at the door.
The man moved a few steps forward, his eyes fixed on Chang Siyan. The woman stared at his face, her lips trembling, and tears fell first.
Wei Jinyun put down his chopsticks and looked up in confusion. "Are you two here to buy dim sum? But they're all sold out today. Come back tomorrow."
The woman suddenly took a half step forward, stretched out her hand and grabbed Chang Siyan's arm, her voice hoarse, "Hua Jie'er... Mother has been looking for you for many years, and finally found you..."
The man quickly caught up and approached Chang Siyan, "Hua Jie'er, I'm your father... Back then, your parents were so unfair to you. You were abducted by that kidnapper and suffered a lot out there. Now that I know you're doing well here, I wanted to come and see you."
Chang Siyan remained silent for a while, then retracted his arm and shrank back.
"I don't have any parents. I've only had my grandpa since I was little. You two have the wrong person."
The woman moved forward even more anxiously. "How could we have made a mistake? We are from Pingjiang Prefecture. Were you kidnapped near Hanshan Temple? We've been looking for you for over ten years!"
"No."
Chang Siyan interrupted her and picked up the dishes slowly, "I have never been kidnapped. Grandfather is my real grandfather. We have lived in Pingjiang Prefecture for more than ten years and depended on each other for survival."
She raised her chin towards the door and said, "If you two are here to buy snacks, please come early tomorrow. If not, please go back."
Seeing this, the man quickly tugged at the woman's sleeve and smiled at Chang Siyan, "Hua Jie'er, don't be angry. Back then, it was us..."
"I told you, I got the wrong person."
Chang Siyan didn't look at them again. He turned around, picked up the bowl and walked towards the backyard. His back was straight and he didn't even turn his head back.
The woman stood there, her tears falling even harder. Someone tried to pull her away, but Gu Xiang stopped her calmly.
Gu Xiang said in a deep voice, "My little Chang said that if he admitted his mistake, then he admitted his mistake. You two should go away and don't disturb us while we're having dinner."
The couple was so choked that they were speechless and could only step back awkwardly. As they walked out, they couldn't help but look back towards the backyard.
As soon as they left the shop, the woman grabbed the man's sleeve and asked, "How could this happen? Why doesn't she have any mercy at all?"
Her brows were furrowed tightly. "I heard that she was doing well earlier, and I thought..."
The man looked around and saw no one. "Don't yell. Maybe she was too young back then and has forgotten everything. Isn't it good that she has forgotten? We also know that her grandfather is still selling things at the dock. Let's talk to him. Elderly people are the softest-hearted."
The woman's eyes lit up and she nodded quickly, following the man in hurried steps.
When Chang Siyan came out from the backyard, he was holding a towel in his hand.
"Xiao Chang, you really don't have any impression of your parents at all?"
Gu Xiang leaned over and asked.
She knew that this couple had been hanging around Yunlaixiang for several days but had never come in. Today, they came in and brought such shocking news.
"No. I've lived with my grandfather since I was a child. After returning to Pingjiang Prefecture, my family raised chickens, sheep, and two pigs, and we lived a stable life. Now I can get a monthly salary here and tell jokes. My life is much better than before."
Gu Xiang scratched his head and nodded, "Yeah, maybe he's just trying to trick you into recognizing him as a relative. Don't take it to heart."
"Um."
After the meal, everything was cleaned up and Yunlaixiang ended its business for the day.
Wei Jinyun handed a piece of sauce wrapped in oil paper to Chang Siyan, "Take it, go home and give it to your grandfather with wine. It's cold, so drive slowly."
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Wei."
Chang Siyan took the paper bag, his eyebrows curved, "Shopkeeper Wei is so nice, I like Shopkeeper Wei too."
"It's not for nothing."
Wei Jinyun rolled her eyes at her and added, "Xiao Chang, take some time tonight to think of a new joke."
"That's what I know."
Chang Siyan smiled and responded, "I understand."
She went out carrying the sauce recipe, snowflakes fell on her oil-paper umbrella, and she walked steadily.
She has no parents, only her grandfather, and now, there is also Yun Laixiang's group.
Time flew by. Wang Yaren handed the key to the shop next door to Wei Jinyun, and she hadn't even seen Zhang's father for the last time. She carefully stored the contract with her own property deeds.
At present, she is the owner of two shops in front of Tianqing Temple.
Before dawn, candles were lit again in Yunlaixiang's kitchen.
Wei Jinyun tied her apron tightly and poured a lot of glutinous rice into the oil to fry. With a sizzling sound, the glutinous rice quickly turned into plump round glutinous rice flowers when it met the hot oil. The iron pot on the stove was also boiling syrup, bubbling, and the sweet fragrance and rice aroma soon filled the room.
She sprinkled fragrant roasted walnuts and black sesame seeds into the syrup, quickly mixing it thoroughly, then poured the fried glutinous rice popcorn in. The hot syrup coated the popcorn, forming a sticky mass. While still warm, she poured it into a wooden mold and pounded it with a mallet, sealing every corner perfectly. She waited until it cooled completely before cutting into pieces.
Rice cakes are very easy to store. If Lu Lan goes to the Yangtze River for a long time, they can be kept for several days without any problem.
When I was a child, there was always an old man wearing an old cotton hat walking on the street in the winter. He had a black stove that looked like a small cannon barrel, which was mounted on a tripod. He would shout from door to door.
"Fried popcorn! Fried popcorn! Let's make rice krispie cakes!"
At that time, her grandmother would always hold her hand and go there with a bamboo basket full of glutinous rice.
The old man poured the sticky rice into the furnace, screwed the lid on tightly, and then cranked it to start cooking. The furnace slowly roasted over the fire. When the time came, my grandmother would cover her ears.
The old woman pointed the stove at the sack and stepped on the pedal. "Bang!" There was a loud explosion, and white rice flowers wrapped in hot air rushed into the sack, the fragrance making her drool.
Grandma would always grab a handful and hand them to her. The freshly fried rice crackles had a burnt aroma and a sweet, crunchy texture. She would make syrup with the remaining rice crackles, mix them with her favorite chopped walnuts and raisins, pour them into wooden molds, press them into cakes, cut them into squares, and put them in a bag.
A bag of rice cakes can last her the whole winter.
Although she doesn't have the small cannon at the moment, she can use oil instead of frying, so Lu Lan can chew it for a long time.
While waiting for the glutinous rice cakes to cool, she kneaded the dough again, adding a little salt and chopped green onions, kneading it together, and covering it with a damp cloth to let it rise.
During this time, she sliced her homemade pickled sausages into thin slices and steamed them until they were glossy and oily. After the dough had risen and become fluffy, she took the dough and rolled it into a thin pancake, placed the sausage slices on it and rolled it into a roll. She then flattened it into a round pancake, brushed it with a thin layer of oil, and placed it in the already heated stove.
The bread in the stove slowly swelled up, and when the aroma of green onions mixed with the salty aroma of sausage came out, the rice cakes were also cool and ready to be cut.
The square cakes are wrapped with sesame and walnuts, and are crispy and sweet when you bite them. The crust of the freshly baked bread is slightly burnt, and the inside is soft when you tear it open. The oil from the sausage seeps into the dough, giving it a salty and fragrant taste.
Wei Jinyun packed all the rice cakes and wrapped the bread in oil paper, put them into several baskets, and loaded them onto the gray cart.
The winter sun rose late, and the snow hadn't stopped. But the silvery white snow in the yard made it possible to see the road clearly. She wrapped herself in a red cloak and earmuffs, ready to take Huihui out.
Huihui wagged his tail and stood obediently by the door. She pushed the door open, but bumped into a tall figure.
Standing at the door was Lu Lan, wrapped in a black cloak, with his ponytail tied high behind his head.
"Lu Lan, why didn't you knock on the door!"
Wei Jinyun quickly handed him the heater and said, "It's so cold outside. If you stand here any longer, you'll be frozen into an ice sculpture."
"I just arrived."
A cold mist escaped from his lips and fell into the air in front of him.
"Didn't I tell you I'd send it to you when it's done?"
Wei Jinyun first poured him a cup of hot tea.
Lu Lan followed her and finished her hot tea. "The roads are slippery in the snow. It's not safe for you to be alone."
He raised his hand and touched Huihui's ear, then took out a bag of Ringo from his pocket and said, "Huihui, do you miss me?"
Huihui came over immediately, ate heartily, made two happy "woof" sounds, and rubbed his head against his palm.
Before the two of them left, Lu Lan did not forget the other big brothers.
Yuanbao was sprawled on his back in a rattan chair. Seeing him approach, he rolled over. He fished out a small loach and handed it over. Loofah and edamame came around, wagging their tails. He also gave them two pieces of dried duck meat and watched the three little guys eat happily before straightening up.
The snow outside was so thick it crunched underfoot, leaving footprints deeply embedded in the ground. Wei Jinyun, draped in a red cloak, followed beside them, stumbling slightly and about to slip when Lu Lan reached out to support her.
"Do you want me to hold your hand?"
He stopped, looked at her and smiled.
Wei Jinyun reached out and steadyed the gray cart shaft, "Okay..."
Lu Lan spread out his hands and said helplessly, "But I didn't bring a knife today."
Wei Jinyun's gaze fell on his waist, and sure enough, there was no knife across his waist.
The hand he extended had a black three-finger glove wrapped around his wrist, revealing his slender fingers with distinct knuckles.
Wei Jinyun quickly turned away, "Well, forget it."
As she spoke, she took two quick steps forward, the snow making a crisp sound under her feet. "It's okay, I don't feel slippery at all!"
The red cloak swept quickly across the snow like a dancing fire.
Lu Lan stood there, looking at her back, and smiled softly.
The red in the snow is really eye-catching.
The snow showed no mercy to Wei Jinyun. The thick snow that had accumulated for several days was trampled hard. Wei Jinyun walked more carefully, but still slipped and was buried in the snow pile.
Lu Lan walked beside her, pulling the gray reins. Seeing her staggering and trying to get up, he said, "How about you sit in the cart and I'll pull you along. Someone who doesn't know will think I buried you."
"Goodbye, let Huihui go."
Wei Jinyun quickly waved his hands, "It's already carrying so many snacks, if it takes another person, it will be exhausted."
"Then hold the shaft."
Lu Lan moved the donkey cart towards her.
Wei Jinyun followed his instructions and reached out to hold onto the cold shaft of the cart. After only a few steps, Huihui suddenly shook his head, causing the cart to sway slightly. She lost her grip and stumbled forward, only to be suddenly grabbed by someone's wrist and pulled back with force.
Huihui turned his head and called out to her twice, very affectionately.
Whose donkey are you?
Without the scabbard, the warmth of his palm could be felt through the thin gloves. Wei Jinyun lowered his head, staring at their clasped hands, wanting only to find a thick snowy spot to bury himself in.
"That way you won't fall."
Lu Lan's voice sounded above his head. He did not let go, but just adjusted his posture slightly and held it more firmly.
Wei Jinyun buried his head and responded in a mosquito-like voice, "Yeah."
The donkey cart creaked as it went along, and it seemed to be less slippery.
The river breeze from Changmen Wharf blows into people's collars.
Zhan Wenxing stood on the deck of the official ship, looking towards the street. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he patted the shoulders of his men and shouted, "Here they come! Lord Lu and his men are here!"
The soldiers behind him immediately squeezed their heads to look into the distance.
In the snow, a figure in a black cloak was pulling a donkey cart, and a figure in a red cloak was walking next to him. The two of them were very close, and they looked closer than usual.
Jing Liulang clung to the side of the boat, squinting his eyes for a long time, then suddenly lowered his voice and excitedly poked the person next to him, "Look at my hand, it's done, it's done, I'll say it was right to hide the master's knife!"
Zhan Wenxing glanced at him and said, "You're going to get a beating."
Jing Liulang couldn't help laughing secretly, exchanging glances with other men, and everyone on the deck was trying to hold back their laughter.
Is the river wind cold?
The river breeze is not cold.
When they arrived at the shore of Changmen Wharf, Lu Lan first helped unload the basket from the gray cart and handed it to Zhan Wenxing who came to meet him.
Wei Jinyun gathered his cloak, looked at the official ship floating on the river, and asked softly, "When will you...come back? Eat the sausage bread first, it will last for two days. If the inspection takes too long, you can eat some rice cakes."
"Thank you for your hard work, Shopkeeper Wei. Don't worry, I will be back soon."
Lu Lan said softly.
Wei Jinyun nodded and waved to Lu Lan, "Then I'm leaving. Be careful of the pirates."
"Yes, I will."
Lu Lan responded, his eyes fixed on her red-cloaked figure. He didn't look away until she turned around with Hui Hui and her figure slowly blended into the snow.
Is she concerned about him?
Yes.
When Wei Jinyun pulled Huihui back, it was already bright and the snow made everything look white.
The Changmen Wharf gradually became lively. Vendors carrying vegetable baskets walked on the snow, people pushed carts selling sweet porridge, and people set up stalls selling wontons.
She was drawn in by the aroma of fried stinky dried tofu, cubes deep-fried to a golden, bubbly golden brown. She bought a bag and ate it with a skewer. She ate all the way to the carpenter's shop and then to the innermost room.
Shopkeeper Zhou pushed open the door with a bowl of porridge in his hand and saw Wei Jinyun biting on some fried stinky tofu and smiling at him.
"Shopkeeper Zhou's business is booming!"
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Author's Note: Jinyun: There's a traitor among us! [holding chin], how come we're holding hands?
Lord Lu: You hid the knife really well. I'll give Xiao Jing two loaves of bread as a reward. [Rainbow fart]
What do you call rice cakes at my wife's place? They sell sausage and chive bread! [Glasses]
Why are there so few messages recently? Where is my wife? I have such a big wife. [Breaking down crying]
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