Chapter 69
Last year, a heavy snowfall on the winter solstice caused them great anxiety when it came time to receive their rations.
Fortunately, they received good grain in the end, otherwise the two families would have regretted it.
As the head of the family, Shu Yanrong made the mistake of not storing grain in advance back then, and he is unwilling to make the same mistake again.
"Uncle, have you inquired about the current grain price?"
"Yes, I asked at several grain shops in the county, and one shi (a unit of dry measure) of rice costs about 165 wen."
The price was slightly higher than the grain price they had inquired about when they first settled there, but lower than the price around the winter solstice.
Shu Yanrong said, "If the drought continues, prices will rise soon."
Shu Wanxiu held onto the family's money, wanting to buy a wood-chopping knife but unable to bring herself to do so.
But buying grain...
She closed her eyes, and the tragic scene of starving people lying everywhere on the road during her escape from famine last year flashed before her eyes.
He agreed to Shu Yanrong's suggestion almost without hesitation.
"I'll buy two shi (a unit of dry measure)."
Two bushels of grain would be enough for her and Shu Shouyi to eat for a long time. If there was another complete crop failure this year, this little bit of grain would save their lives.
If the drought is only temporary, then once the harvest is complete, they will sell the new grain they have collected this year and eat the old grain they have bought.
Although doing so may result in a slight price reduction.
"Buy all rice? Why not buy some soybeans?"
Shu Yanrong also quoted the price of soybeans.
Soybeans are much cheaper than rice and wheat.
“My family plans to store some rice and some soybeans. If this year is another year of disaster, it would be too conspicuous for a family to eat rice every day.”
During the famine, families who ate well were always easy targets.
Shu Wanxiu then changed her mind and said she would buy one shi of rice and one shi of soybeans.
Shu Yanrong nodded. "This arrangement is acceptable. Do you have time to go to the county to buy grain?"
Shu Wanxiu shook her head. "I have to guard the water during the day these days."
Shu Yanrong agreed, "Then I'll have your two cousins make a few more trips to buy it."
Buying too much grain at once is too conspicuous; it must be transported in small batches.
Uncle Lao and the others have already gone through a lot of trouble to help buy and transport the grain, so they can't be slow to pay them.
Shu Wanxiu found a money storage spot, counted out the money for two shi of grain, and handed it to Shu Yanrong.
It's all hard-earned money, saved up penny by penny. It's impossible not to feel the pain of giving it away.
Only the thought that the money could be used to buy food that might save my life made me feel a little better.
Shu Yanrong took the money for the grain and hurriedly left.
Farmers were busy with their crops during this time, so Shu Wanxiu didn't ask him to stay for a meal or to sit any longer. She simply got up and saw him off for a short while.
...
Lin Xinghua stayed at the Wu family's house for a month, and today, Xun Ai finally finished her postpartum confinement.
I've been cooped up for a month without being able to shower or wash my hair, and I'm starting to smell awful.
She wanted to take a bath and wash up early in the morning, but her mother-in-law gently persuaded her not to.
"After all, she just finished her postpartum confinement period. How can she wash her hair so early in the morning? She should wait until it gets warmer around noon to wash it, so she won't develop any health problems later."
Xun Ai heard the phrase "cultivating chronic illness" many times during her postpartum period. However, during this month, not only did Lin Xinghua take good care of her, but her mother-in-law also treated her with great care despite her exhaustion.
Xun Ai couldn't bring himself to refute it, so he just waited patiently until noon.
Logically, Lin Xinghua should have been able to return home from the Wu family this morning.
But during that month, she ate and drank well at the Wu family's house every day, and she also took care of Xun Ai's child by herself for a month, and she developed some feelings for him.
It's really hard to leave now that it's so sudden.
Because she was reluctant to leave, she stayed a little longer. After lunch, she helped take care of the child while Xun Ai was taking a bath. Only after everything was settled did she carry her luggage home.
Logically, Xun Yi should have paid her wages, but the Wu family also gave her a considerable sum as a reward.
She had money, meat, and dried fruit, and her bundle was quite full. Wu Zheng personally escorted her for most of the journey.
Having received so many gifts, the reluctance to part was lessened.
She was secretly pleased until Wu Zheng left, at which point she finally broke into a smile.
The bag was heavy, but she had plenty of strength and could lift it with one hand.
As I approached the village entrance, I bumped into a middle-aged man who seemed to be in a hurry.
Lin Xinghua glanced at him a few more times, feeling that he looked very familiar.
Upon careful recollection, it was discovered that, if memory served, this person should be Shu Wanxiu's eldest uncle.
This immediately stirred up some unpleasant memories for Lin Xinghua—was Xun Yi still going to act as a matchmaker?
A matchmaker who successfully arranges a marriage can receive a generous gift as a token of gratitude.
After taking care of Xun Ai for a month, I need to settle the remaining money with Xun Yi as soon as possible.
With two important matters pressing her, Lin Xinghua only went home to drop off her things before heading out again.
Just as Lin Xinghua was concerned about the wages Xun Yi hadn't settled with her, Xun Yi was also concerned about not settling the money he hadn't paid Lin Xinghua for taking care of Xun Ai during her postpartum period.
Today is the day Xun Ai finishes her postpartum confinement. Xun Yi remembers it clearly. He went to the Wang family twice in the morning, and both times he received the same news: Lin Xinghua had not returned.
Lin Xinghua took the initiative to go to Xun Yi's place, and the two finally met.
Lin Xinghua was thinking of putting on a friendly front, getting her wages in hand, and then questioning Xun Yi about whether he had changed his mind. Unexpectedly, as soon as he saw her, Xun Yi took out the money.
"This is the remaining payment."
"Aunt Xinghua, thank you for your hard work this past month."
He clasped his hands and bowed respectfully to Lin Xinghua.
This respectful attitude instantly boosted Lin Xinghua's arrogance.
She counted the money and put it into her pocket.
He bypassed Xun Yi and sat down on the bench in the main room, crossed his arms and legs, questioning the rumors and whether he still wanted to act as matchmaker for Shu Wanxiu.
Xun Yi has already explained the rumors to countless people recently, so explaining it to Lin Xinghua now will be a piece of cake.
Even if she understood, Lin Xinghua remained aloof and arrogant.
“Your auntie is not the kind of matchmaker who only cares about making dirty money and deceives both sides, ultimately creating a miserable couple.”
"Are you truly sure you want me to be your matchmaker?"
Xun Yi took out two hundred coins from his sleeve and pushed them in front of Lin Xinghua.
"yes."
"Please, Auntie, hurry up."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
