The person in the crowd was none other than the old woman who knew martial arts, whom Qin Xiaoyun had invited.
Today, after Cheng Yue and her group finished delivering the goods, they happened to run into Ji San driving his horse-drawn carriage over. He said that the people had already been invited and they wanted to check if anyone was at the shop first, so that they wouldn't be unable to find anyone after delivering the goods directly to Houshui Village.
The old woman knew that this was the person Cheng Yue and Chen An wanted to meet, so she went back with them in the oxcart without letting Ji San see her off.
After getting to know her along the way, Cheng Yue learned that the old woman's name was Jin Yu, and she was originally a young lady from a security escort agency. Her whole family lost money when she lost a delivery.
Jin's father worked himself to death to pay off the debts, and Jin's mother cried all day long and eventually fell ill, leaving only fifteen-year-old Jin Yu.
Everyone said she was a jinx to her parents, and all her relatives avoided her like the plague. Even her previously arranged marriage fell through.
A teenage girl with no one to care for her or help her, and who was disliked by everyone, couldn't do anything she wanted. In the end, Jin Yu had no choice but to sell herself into slavery to survive.
For so many years, I was sold from one place to another, doing the lowest-level cleaning and sweeping work. Only in the last seven or eight years, after going to the Qin family, have I finally settled down.
In fact, Jin Yu possessed martial arts skills and would have had a promising future no matter which household she went to. However, she had long since seen through the fickle nature of human relationships and was unwilling to compete for them.
She had never married or had children, and remained single all her life. Cheng Yue and Chen An sighed inwardly after hearing this, saying that her life was truly unfortunate.
Jin Yu didn't hide anything from Cheng Yue and the others. She hadn't mentioned her young age when she was sold into slavery because she was afraid that people would value her reputation and reject her.
But she's already this old, and she doesn't care what others think of her anymore. At worst, she'll just find a village to live out her remaining years.
Cheng Yue and the others naturally didn't care. What did it mean to bring misfortune to one's parents? Doing business is inherently risky. Losing goods was an accident, and the death of one's parents was something that gold and jade couldn't control. How could they blame her for it?
Moreover, Jin Yu's hair was neatly combed, her clothes were clean, her back was straight, and she had a faint smile on her face, making her look kind.
Years of experience have only given her wrinkles, but not a trace of bitterness on her face. Such a person must be very resilient and optimistic. Children will not go wrong following her.
While Cheng Yue and Chen An were observing Jin Yu, Jin Yu was also observing them.
When she arrived, Qin Xiaoyun told her that the host family was from the village and had started their business. They weren't extremely wealthy, but they had a good family tradition and outstanding character.
That's why she was willing to come and see; she really didn't want to stay in any wealthy family, where there was so much filth.
She had thought that as long as the host family was nice, it would be fine, but she didn't expect them to be so polite and respectful, not treating her lightly at all, which made her feel even more favorably towards them.
The three of them talked the whole way, as if they had known each other for a long time.
Because of the long delay in delivery, I didn't get home until late noon.
Seeing that their father and mother hadn't returned, the sisters Chen Tong and Chen Ning sat at the gate to wait. As soon as the oxcart appeared, they immediately skipped over, "Father, Mother, you're back!"
They knew their parents were going to deliver goods, and now that the oxcart was empty, everything would go smoothly.
Then he noticed an extra old woman on the oxcart and immediately thought of what Aunt Qin had told his mother—it must be that old woman who knew martial arts.
Chen Tong, always quick-witted, immediately greeted him sweetly, "Chen Tong greets Master!"
Cheng Yue raised an eyebrow at Chen An; this kid's mind works really fast.
Jin Yu was stunned for a moment. Although she had decided to stay, she didn't know if Cheng Yue would be satisfied with her. After all, she was there to teach martial arts, so she had to see her before making a decision.
"This old servant... I am unworthy of being called 'Master' by the young lady, this is unacceptable."
After serving as a maid and servant for so many years, I've almost forgotten how to refer to myself.
Cheng Yue was somewhat speechless. Jin Yu was only forty years old, just thirteen years older than her, and she already referred to herself as "this old woman." Then she would probably be called "old woman" by then...
Forty years old, clearly the prime of life! In modern times, she could be riding the waves!
“Sister Jin, the child is already calling you ‘Master,’ so it’s obvious that he’s taken a liking to you. In that case, I’ll get straight to the point.”
We've learned about your situation along the way, and to be honest, I wanted you to stay, but I didn't know what you'd think.
She disliked beating around the bush. Since she already knew most of the facts, she made a decision directly. If Jin Yu didn't want to stay, then she would say something else.
Jin Yu was even more stunned upon hearing this. Although she was no longer a slave, she still couldn't accept being called "elder sister"!
Putting aside the difference in appearance, there is also a difference in status. After all, even if she stays, she is here to do things. How can she talk about being sisters with the main family?
Moreover, why do this mother and daughter have such similar styles? They let her stay without asking any other questions.
"Madam, it's really inappropriate for you to call me 'elder sister.' Please address me by my given name instead!"
"I'd be happy to stay, of course, but since you're looking for a martial arts instructor for the young lady, it would be best if you first saw my skills."
Cheng Yue smiled and said, "Since you've come all this way and know my requirements, you must have martial arts skills, otherwise you wouldn't have made this trip for nothing."
Furthermore, I only wanted her to learn some self-defense techniques, not to become extremely skilled.
As for how I address you, please don't worry about it. If you truly become Xiaotong's master, then you'll be an elder just like us. How could I possibly call you by your first name?"
She had originally wanted to say something to persuade Jin Yu to stay, but unexpectedly, they gave her a direct answer, as if they were afraid she wouldn't agree.
Although Cheng Yue said that, Jin Yu couldn't let it go so easily. He immediately moved aside and started punching and kicking.
With agile movements and fluid grace, every move is both light and powerful.
Jin Yugang looked ordinary except for his slightly more upright back, but once he started practicing martial arts, he became a completely different person, with sharp eyes and powerful punches.
Although Cheng Yue and the others didn't understand, they could tell at a glance that it was real kung fu. After all, they had been practicing martial arts with their parents since they were young, and their more than ten years of experience was not something to brag about.
Chen Tong watched from the side, her eyes suddenly shining. She couldn't help but move her hands and feet to follow along. Although she couldn't understand or keep up at all, she just thought it was amazing!
As Jin Yu finished her move, a round of applause rang out around her. Cheng Yue exclaimed in amazement, "Sister Jin's kung fu is truly breathtaking!"
Jin Yu was a little embarrassed. "Madam is too kind. I haven't practiced like this in a long time, and I've become a bit rusty."
Furthermore, he's getting old, and he was panting a bit after a few moves.
Chen Tong's eyes lit up. "Mom, I want to learn kung fu! I want to learn from Master! It's so amazing!"
Cheng Yue was satisfied with the result, and Jin Yu also gave an answer, so naturally she wanted to stay.
Becoming an apprentice is a very serious matter, but Jin Yu always felt that he was just doing a job, so he didn't make any demands.
However, it would be inappropriate to do without any ceremony, so Cheng Yue prepared a formal apprenticeship ceremony, and Chen Tong solemnly and earnestly became his apprentice.
For the first time in so many years, Jin Yu felt respected and treated with care, and her eyes welled up with tears. She said she would teach Chen Tong well and treat her as her own daughter.
—(The End)—
Hello everyone, this book may be coming to an end here. I am truly sorry to the readers who have been following the updates.
There's actually a lot more to write about, besides the promised potato planting, vermicelli workshop, vegetable greenhouse, Chen An's carpentry workshop, and the children's individual futures and development.
However, the data for this book is too poor. The author is writing it full-time, and the income is only enough to make a living. It's really hard to keep going.
Of course, the author was well aware that the book was poorly written from the beginning and completely fell apart at the 200,000-word mark, so he had always had mixed feelings.
I don't want to write, but I feel bad for the readers who have been reading all along. But continuing to write is so agonizing; I'm constantly experiencing writer's block and pulling my hair out! (?(ェ)?)
The reason for this decision to cancel is because of the book test. Everyone says that book tests can revive a book, but they didn't. The amount of content given was even less than the debut. I'm so upset! There's absolutely no hope, so I can only cancel it and wait for the next book to come.
To be honest, the author is a bookworm who has been reading for over ten years, especially fond of farming novels. When reading, he always thinks: "If only this part were written like this, or if I were to write it, I would write it like this or that."
The result is that the author oversimplified writing; reading is easy, but writing is difficult.
Perhaps I haven't yet developed the ability to write a complete book, or rather, I'm far from it, which is why so many readers have left by now.
Left with no other option, I had to flee.
Thank you again for your support. The journey ahead is long, but we'll meet again someday!
Wishing everyone happiness every day, joy at all times, good luck, and continuous advancement!
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