Chapter 29 Heartbeat
"This..." The shopkeeper looked somewhat embarrassed.
Before the shopkeeper could speak.
"If the shopkeeper thinks it's unreasonable, I can ask another shop. After all, this is the first shop I've bought rice from, and this price is only because the shopkeeper is an honest person. I definitely wouldn't give this price to other shops." Xiao Yu said nonchalantly, and then went to tie the bag.
"Wait a minute. Go find another place?"
How can this be? His grain store is the top one in Linyang County; how can it be outdone by others?
The shopkeeper stopped her from tying the bag shut.
"Hey~, young master, don't be impatient, I didn't say no, did I?" Can't a person even speak? Not only do they not give you a chance to negotiate the price, they don't even let you finish your sentence.
This white rice looks so tempting.
Twelve coins is a small profit, but if I can get this rice, it will be the best in Linyang City. What does it matter if the price goes up by two coins? Such good rice is a sure thing.
The shopkeeper gritted his teeth and readily agreed, "Alright, twelve coins it is, but you can only sell this rice to me."
Xiao Yu nodded and smiled, "Of course, besides these, I have some more at home..."
"Bring it all here." The shopkeeper waved his hand, and the shop assistant came over, picked up the rice sack, and weighed it.
"Shopkeeper, that's a total of one hundred catties," the waiter said.
The shopkeeper walked to the counter, took out 1,200 coins from the drawer, and handed them to Xiao Yu: "I'll take the rest too. When can you deliver them, young master?"
Xiao Yu thought for a moment. There was still quite a bit left. If she rushed to finish it tomorrow, she should be able to. But she didn't want to rush it. Although her body had improved a lot after this period of training, she couldn't keep pushing herself like this. There was plenty of time.
Furthermore, if she takes out the rice so readily, what if the shopkeeper takes the opportunity to lower the price?
"I'll come back in two days," Xiao Yu said.
A hint of disappointment flashed across the shopkeeper's face, but he quickly smiled and said, "Alright, then we'll wait two days. But you must promise me, young master, that Linyang County can only be sold to one family."
"Of course." Xiao Yu readily agreed. As a newcomer with no connections and no powerful backers, it would be difficult to make a name for herself. She understood the principle of relying on the strength of others.
After selling the rice, Xiao Yu didn't linger. Having finally managed to come out with the young lady, she didn't want to stay in the grain store any longer. After leaving the grain store with Song Luo Ning, she was worried about the young lady's health and considered the matter carefully.
"My wife, how are you feeling now?"
"Hmm?" Xiao Yu's voice came, and Song Luo Ning came back to her senses. She paused for a moment, then looked up at her and smiled gently, "Luo Ning is fine, husband, you don't need to worry."
He lowered his eyes, a complex mix of emotions welling up within them. From the conversation between the two men, it seemed they wanted to monopolize the rice market. If that were the case, the price of rice would likely remain high, and ordinary people would still be unable to afford it.
That lecherous fellow really knows how to cause trouble.
Song Luo Ning sighed softly, "Husband, do you remember the teahouse from last time? I'd like to go there for a visit."
Why go to that place again? Xiao Yu subconsciously pouted. The book doesn't even describe things as well as I do. If the young lady wants to hear it, can't I just tell her myself?
She had come all this way, intending to show the young lady around and buy her some things, but the young lady wanted to listen to storytelling again. Just how much does the young lady love storytelling?
It seems I'll have to explain this to the young lady more often in the future.
Xiao Yu helped Song Luoning into the carriage, and his hand touched the warm jade again. He was delighted and couldn't help but squeeze it. Instantly, he was overjoyed and had no objection at all. If the young lady liked to go, it would be fine for her to come and sit for a while.
"Going to listen to it would be fine; it's crowded and lively there," Xiao Yu said.
Song Luoning frowned slightly, her gaze falling on their clasped hands. She paused for a moment, a blush rising to her cheeks. She wanted to pull her hands away, but ultimately resisted the urge and got into the car.
Xiao Yu reluctantly let go of her hand and drove the carriage to the teahouse they had visited before. As before, there were still many people gathered outside the teahouse. Xiao Yu led Song Luoning upstairs. The storyteller was still the same one, but the story had changed. However, he wasn't very interested in listening to it.
The young lady likes it when she has someone to listen to her; it's just a way to pass the time.
Around noon, Song Luoning picked up her teacup and took a sip: "Husband."
"Hmm." Xiao Yu turned her head, a little nervously asking, "Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Sitting for a while made her a little tired, and Xiao Yu felt sorry for her. She held Song Luo Ning's hand and stared at her without blinking.
"..." Song Luoning took a breath, looked away, shook her head, and said in a low voice, "It's getting late, we should go back soon. Husband, could you please buy a few more storybooks for me? I've read almost all the storybooks at home."
Are you just buying storybooks?
Xiao Yu asked again, worriedly, "Are you really alright?"
Song Luoning: "It's alright."
Xiao Yu glanced out the window. The sun was shining brightly outside, so it must be almost noon. Usually, the young lady would have already started eating by this time, and Xiao Yu was worried that she might be hungry.
He turned around and said softly, "Wife, why don't we go get something to eat first, and then I'll go buy some more."
After pondering for a moment, Song Luoning stood up and said, "Alright, let's go get something to eat first."
I almost forgot, I haven't done anything and I don't feel hungry, but Deng Tu Zi has been busy all morning and should be hungry by now. I'll put my own business aside for now.
Seeing Song Luoning say this, Xiao Yu stepped forward and naturally took Song Luoning's hand: "Wife, let me help you downstairs."
Knowing that the young lady was easily embarrassed, he didn't dare to play with it openly, but gently rubbed the warm jade with his thumb.
Song Luoning's body stiffened, and her gaze subconsciously swept around. This person was going too far, daring to do such a thing in public. A breath caught in her chest. She should have just let her go hungry.
Song Luoning tried to pull her hand away, but it was gripped even tighter.
"Husband, Luo Ning can walk by herself," Song Luo Ning said in a low voice.
"Huh?" It was too noisy around, and Xiao Yu didn't hear clearly.
Song Luoning's breath hitched.
Pretending to be stupid? How dare she pretend to be stupid with me? Song Luoning was secretly annoyed.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Xiao Yu asked again, "What did you just say, my wife?"
Song Luoning bit her lip, feeling embarrassed and annoyed, but unable to show it. She pursed her lips, not wanting to say another word. All she wanted now was to leave this place as soon as possible.
"Wife, slow down, don't get jostled." Xiao Yu used one hand to support Song Luoning as they walked out of the teahouse with a very natural movement.
He let out a long sigh as he left the teahouse: "It was really too crowded inside, and the stories were just so-so. If you want to hear them, my wife, I'll tell you every day. Alright, I heard last time that Mingpinlou is the biggest restaurant in the county. Why don't we go there to eat?"
Song Luoning nodded, her expression softening, and got into the carriage.
She was in a state of turmoil. This lecherous man's intentions were becoming increasingly obvious. He had been somewhat subtle before, but now he dared to be so blatant. What were her own feelings for him? Why had she tolerated him time and time again? She couldn't understand it, but...
I'm still annoyed.
Xiao Yu drove all the way to Mingpinlou. It was lunchtime, and the first floor was full, so Xiao Yu asked for a private room on the second floor and ordered a few dishes according to Song Luoning's taste.
Song Luoning wasn't hungry to begin with, so she ate very slowly, but Xiao Yu finished eating first.
Xiao Yu wiped his mouth with satisfaction. As expected of the largest restaurant in Linyang County, the taste was indeed different. Not only did he like it, but the young lady seemed to like it too.
This is the first time I've seen the young lady eat slower than me.
"My lady, please eat slowly. The bookstore is nearby. I'll go and choose some stories for you and be right back." Xiao Yu stood up and stretched. She had eaten too much and her stomach was a little bloated. It was better to walk the two steps than drive the carriage, which would also help her digest. The young lady could rest here and wait for her after she finished eating.
Song Luo Ning put down her chopsticks, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said gently, "Thank you, husband. Could you please help me choose a few more books?"
"Mm." Xiao Yu smiled, preparing to leave, and added, "Wife, I'll be back soon."
Only after stepping out of the private room and downstairs from Mingpinlou, turning right onto the street, did Xiao Yu enter the bookstore. At noon, there were few people, and the bookstore was empty, except for the shopkeeper who was dozing off with his hand supporting his cheek. He glanced at her and then started to doze off again.
Xiao Yu wanted to ask him where the new storybook was, but it seemed she would have to find it herself.
The books in the bookstore were arranged in an orderly manner. Starting from the left, there were ancient books and travelogues. Not many people bought them, so they were relatively neat. Xiao Yu picked out a book called "Baisheng Landforms" to prepare for future trips.
Further down were the various books Bai Sheng needed for the imperial examinations, which were arranged in a somewhat messy manner. Xiao Yu wasn't interested in these. Further to the right were storybooks, which were flipped through in a chaotic mess.
You can't tell anything just by looking at the titles. Xiao Yu opened them and browsed through them. It took him about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before he selected twenty books.
Satisfied, she paid the bill and left the bookstore. Worried that the young lady was getting impatient, she quickened her pace. But as soon as she entered Mingpin Restaurant, she bumped into someone. Before she could even see who it was, the person disappeared at the restaurant entrance.
"......"
Who is it? How rude!
However... the figure looks somewhat familiar from behind.
Xiao Yu rubbed his sore shoulder, swayed up and down as he went up to the second floor, pushed open the door of the private room, and called out, "Wife."
Upon hearing the sound, Song Luoning looked up and saw that the person's cheeks were flushed, beads of sweat were on the tip of his nose, and he was breathing slightly heavily.
"Why are you running so fast?" Song Luoning took out a handkerchief and stood up to wipe the sweat off Xiao Yu's face. Xiao Yu blushed and pressed down on Song Luoning's hand, placing her hand and the handkerchief together on her cheek. The faint fragrance of the young lady lingered in her nose.
Xiao Yu was tempted and subconsciously licked her lips.
Song Luoning was surprised that she would hold her hand. She paused, suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, put on her usual smile, and said softly, "Don't do this again. I'm here and I'm not leaving."
"I was worried that my wife would get impatient," Xiao Yu said truthfully.
Song Luoning's heart skipped a beat. Her gaze was fixed on Xiao Yu's smiling, peach-blossom eyes, which were sincere and frank. A mix of emotions welled up in her heart.
she......
Fine, let her hold it if she wants.
"My lady, I bumped into someone when I came in just now. They seemed familiar," Xiao Yu said thoughtfully.
Song Luoning's hand tightened, and she looked up at Xiao Yu.
she......
Song Luoning's heart leaped into her throat. She opened her mouth, but Xiao Yu continued, "I didn't see clearly. That person was going too fast, and it still hurts." Xiao Yu then took Song Luoning's hand and gently stroked it, her tone sweet and coquettish, with a hint of pleading.
Looking into her eyes, Song Luoning breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment, she asked softly, "Did the impact hurt a lot?"
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