Thanks to everyone's tireless efforts day and night, the rice seedlings in the whole village have been planted in just half a month.
Everyone sat comfortably under the big locust tree to cool off. Zhang and Tian Laosi, along with their children, joined the group for the first time under the tree and chatted with everyone.
Since tasting Tian Sangui's excellent cooking, the villagers' feelings towards his family have greatly improved, transforming from slight goodwill to close friendship.
Tian Sangui was pulled under a locust tree by several girls of similar age to count ants.
Xiao Si, Xiao Wu, and several other children were squatting together playing in the mud.
Tian Da, Tian Er, and several friends lay among the tree branches, swinging their legs and chatting.
"San Gui, you're such a good cook, could you teach us a few dishes so we can show off our skills at home?"
"Sure, as long as you pay tuition, I'll learn anything!"
Tian Sangui poked at the ant hole and said casually.
The little girls immediately gathered around her, their eyes wide with curiosity, and asked, "So what's tuition?"
Tian Sangui thought for a moment. As for money, let alone them, even their parents couldn't come up with much.
It's not that their family was poor, but rather that rural people, like Zhang, value money as much as life itself.
Adults simply cannot accept the idea of learning to cook.
Let alone girls.
"In a few days, it will be harvest season in my vegetable garden. If you want to learn how to cook, help me pick cucumbers. Consider it tuition!"
The little girl cheered after hearing this, realizing that tuition fees were so simple.
"San Gui, I'll take care of all the work in your vegetable garden. Could you teach me a few more dishes?"
"What? You've covered everything? What are we supposed to learn?" One of the girls, with two little pigtails, retorted angrily, dissatisfied with what the girl opposite her said.
Then he turned around and said to Tian Sangui, "Sangui, can you give me some of your chili pepper field? You only need to teach me two dishes, okay?"
"Sure, but you won't have a choice. You'll learn whatever I teach you!"
"Of course, every dish you make is delicious, and we all love learning from you!"
The young girls huddled together, discussing their important matters, and secretly divided up Tian Sangui's vegetable garden.
The adults sat around the thick roots that were exposed above the ground, fanning themselves and the people around them with straw fans.
"Hey, have you heard? The eldest son of the landlord Zhao from the next village has taken a fancy to Yu Niang from our village!"
"Oh, Tian Daye's family actually caught them."
"So, Yu Niang must be getting married soon?"
The young wives all gathered around to discuss the topic.
The woman with the straw fan waved it twice, curled her lips downwards, and raised her eyebrows, saying, "Is there any need to think about it? This is a done deal, it was just a matter of time!"
Aunt Wang felt envious and pounded her lower back with both hands, saying, "They're going to be rich! The Yang family will be able to do whatever they want in the village from now on!"
"Hahaha......"
As night fell and it was time to rest, people gradually dispersed from under the locust tree.
Back home, Tian Sangui brought out the new foot bath basin that Tian Laosi had made and took out half a basin of the warm water from the pot.
I put my hand down to test the temperature and stirred the soup a couple of times in the bowl to get a feel for the broth.
Go fetch another ladle of clean water, the temperature just right, and bring it to the courtyard to soak your feet comfortably in the silvery moonlight.
Seeing that their third sister was enjoying herself, the fourth and fifth children followed suit, sitting in a row with their feet in the basin and leaning back against the chair.
The three siblings basked in the moonlight, their faces beaming with enjoyment.
I slept soundly until dawn, the morning light as intense and dazzling as a winter midday.
Tian Da and Tian Er have now made getting up early a habit; even on their days off, they still wake up at the same time.
Aside from Tian Er's fondness for afternoon naps, Tian Da is always full of energy.
In the morning, Zhang went up the mountain to feed the chickens and hadn't returned yet, while Tian Laosi was still busy in the vegetable garden.
After washing up, Tian Sangui took a steamed bun, locked the door, and went to find Zhang Shi while eating.
Under the locust tree, there was a large oxcart with a square sedan chair built on top. The wood was of the finest chicken-wing wood, and the outside was surrounded by a circle of green and blue longevity character patterns.
A master and a servant stood on the ground. When they saw Tian Sangui approaching, the young man smiled gently.
He stepped forward, holding up the hem of his robe, and blocked her path: "Miss, please wait. May I ask if you know Yu Niang?"
Tian Sangui had just taken a bite of dry steamed bun when he looked at the gentle and refined Zhao Yan.
Her bright, watery eyes fluttered twice as she recalled the conversation between the village women last night.
Looking closely at the man in front of me, surnamed Zhao, and who specifically named Yu Niang, he must be the son of a landlord.
I heard that Yu Niang finally found a perfect husband, and her whole family cherishes him dearly.
To avoid getting into trouble, it's best to avoid talking to this person.
So, with a steamed bun in his mouth, he said in a cold tone, "I don't know him!"
They then swaggered off, preparing to flee.
However, Zhao Yan did not believe her words. Anticipating her reaction, he took a big step back and reached out to stop her.
"Hey, girl, don't rush off. You're all from the same village. Who would believe you don't know each other?"
Zhao Yan has a pair of peach blossom eyes, and when she smiles, a refined and elegant aura emanates from her.
No wonder Yu Niang likes him; any girl would be smitten if she saw him like this.
Tian Sangui knew the crux of the matter and didn't want to cause trouble between him and Yu Niang because of this young master.
She pushed him away without hesitation, swallowed the steamed bun in her mouth, almost choked, but thankfully it slid into her stomach in a few seconds.
Then, feigning a fierce tone, he said, "So you think you don't know me? I have other things to do!"
After saying that, he ran away again.
However......
Another piece of fine cotton cloth appeared before my eyes, with wide blue sleeves, blocking my view.
After repeatedly causing this mess, Tian Sangui lost his temper.
"No, what are you doing? Is it fun?"
"Please don't be offended, young lady. I just want to ask you for a favor!"
In Zhao Yan's eyes, Tian Sangui's ferocity was nothing more than a little wildcat; his pure eyes and cute yet fierce appearance were quite amusing.
Zhao Yan thought that Yu Niang was already the most special and interesting person in the village, but compared with the little cat in front of him, she was inferior and uninteresting.
Tian Sangui was unaware of his thoughts; she only wanted to find an opportunity to get rid of this young master Zhao, who was always causing her trouble.
If he has something to say, I might as well listen. If it's a small matter and I can help him in exchange for my freedom, it's not something I can't consider.
"explain!"
She took a bite of her steamed bun, glanced at him, and impatiently told Zhao Yan to hurry up and speak.
Seeing her expression, Zhao Yan smiled and quickly bowed, taking out an envelope he had prepared and handing it to Tian Sangui.
"Please, young lady, help me deliver this letter to Yu Niang. It must be opened by Yu Niang herself!"
Looking at the manila envelope in his hand, she seemed to already know the sweet nothings and nauseating sweet nothings inside.
Tian Sangui remained calm and unhurried, refusing to take the hand when it was pressed against him.
While munching on a steamed bun, he narrowed his eyes: "If the authorities find out that a man and woman are exchanging private messages, you two will be publicly humiliated and thrown into a pig cage..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Yan, terrified, reached out and covered Tian Sangui's mouth without thinking.
He looked around anxiously, but apart from the crickets chirping in the trees, there was no one else in sight.
Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. The servant, still uneasy, walked around to check carefully, making sure no one knew. Finally, he glared angrily at Tian Sangui.
This woman almost killed her son; women really can't accomplish great things!
Tian Sangui didn't care about their taboos. In broad daylight, a man covered her mouth in public. Did he really think she was easy to bully?
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