Busy days always fly by. Just as Xichun was about to close up shop and go home, Fu Changfeng came over with Zhu Nian carrying a lot of things, saying they were New Year's gifts for Xichun.
"How can this be? I didn't prepare anything, but you've prepared so much for me." Xi Chun was about to refuse when Fu Changfeng forcibly stuffed all the things into the car.
"You're always so polite. Haven't you sent enough food to my house before? Anyway, my family doesn't need anything. You're going back for the New Year this time, and we won't see each other for a long time, so don't be so polite. Also, these are for my future mother-in-law and brother-in-law, so don't be shy."
"That's right, Xichun, you should accept these. These are all practical things. With these, you won't need to buy anything for the New Year anymore," Aunt Zhang urged Xichun to accept.
"Alright, I'll accept it then. You should head back soon too."
"Okay, come back early after the New Year and I'll come see you again." Fu Changfeng's eyes were full of smiles as he watched them walk away before going home.
Every household in the village is preparing for the Spring Festival. Business is good this year, and they are earning more. In addition, since the new county magistrate arrived, he has canceled the stall fees for setting up stalls in the town, so the town is much more lively.
So at this moment, some villagers were still carrying New Year's goods on their way home. When they saw Xichun and his mule cart, they all greeted them. In the end, all the seats on the mule cart were filled, and those who walked quickly naturally had no seats left.
"Xichun, we heard from the village chief that he's going to send people to see those so-called peach blossoms next year. Several families in the village have pooled their money to buy cattle, planning to make a good business next year. But we don't know if anyone will actually come to see them. What's the point of seeing those peach blossoms then?"
Since Xichun and her group returned, the village has been buzzing with discussion about this topic. Some families are buying oxcarts, some are planning to make food, and others are busy going to the mountains to pick more peach branches to plant, hoping to get some business. Even if no one comes, they won't lose money; at least they can still harvest peaches and sell them.
"I can't guarantee anything, but as long as we plant them well and the peach blossoms are beautiful, people will naturally come. We can talk about it in the city, and once the transportation is convenient, those people will come uninvited."
“What Xichun said makes sense. Those people are probably like us. Every year around Qingming Festival, they go on outings, stroll around, and walk to cure all kinds of illnesses.”
"That's true. Some people even go up the mountain to worship the Buddha. If we had a temple here, even more people would come."
“That temple isn’t something you can just build on a whim. All of us have to go to that mountain over there in the county town to worship.”
"Haven't you heard? They're building a temple to the Old Man Under the Moon in our town. They say they chose it because of the town's name, which is all about peach blossoms. Isn't that exactly what the Old Man Under the Moon does?"
"That's true. If it's really fixed, it won't be far from the county town to our village. It would be great if it could be built in our village."
"Who knows? Anyway, the repairs haven't started yet. I've only heard about it from people in town."
Xichun was unaware of this matter. She hadn't been to town for a long time. Only Aunt Liu's family was still in town. Their business was doing well now. Aunt Liu's family was hardworking and had even rented a small shop.
"Grandma, Dad and Mom, how about we invite Xichun to our house for the New Year this year? She spends every New Year alone, and she's getting married next year. She should at least have a lively and festive New Year."
At noon, in the Ma family's house, after the new daughter-in-law Mo Xiaoling brought up the food, she brought up this idea, which surprised Wang Shi. She did not expect her daughter-in-law to come up with such an idea, and she was somewhat shocked.
"How did you come up with the idea of inviting Xichun to celebrate the New Year?" Old Mrs. Ma glanced at Wang Shi, assuming that Wang Shi had sent her to tell them.
"Grandma, did Mom tell me to say this? Xiaobao and I discussed it ourselves. I thought Xichun has helped our family so much, and our family will still have to rely on Xichun to make a living in the future. She's getting married soon, so if we treat her well, it will be easier for us to ask Xichun for help in the future."
Mo Xiaoling knew from her grandmother's expression that she had misunderstood, so she hurriedly explained. Ma Xiaobao, who was standing next to her, also chimed in, "Yes, Grandma, it was me who brought this up. I think our family's relationship with Xichun has improved, so it would be good to invite her over for the New Year this year. Our family has made quite a bit of money thanks to her."
"As long as you can invite them, I have no objection." In fact, Grandma Ma had already had this idea in her heart, but she was too embarrassed to say it before.
"Mother, I'll give it a try and see if I can get Xichun to agree. That girl is stubborn, and I'm not sure if she'll come." This was naturally the happiest thing for Madam Wang. Over the years, she had felt sad watching her daughter spend the New Year alone, but she just couldn't say it out loud.
“Okay, let my sister come for the New Year, let my sister come for the New Year.” Xiao Feng was the happiest, with his beloved relatives on both sides.
As the mule cart entered the village, Xiao Feng, with his sharp ears, heard the cheers outside and immediately put down his bowl to run and see what was happening.
"Sister's back! Sister's back!" Xiaofeng looked at the mule cart. Although Xichun was blocked by the aunties in front, Xiaofeng still knew that this was his sister's mule cart.
"Xiaofeng, quickly stand to the side, be careful the mule doesn't kick you." The mule cart stopped, and everyone on it got off.
"Sis, I miss you so much. Do you miss me too?"
"Did you miss me, or did you miss the candied hawthorns I bought?" Xichun magically produced two bright red candied hawthorns. Xiaofeng exclaimed in surprise, then happily accepted them.
"I miss my sister, especially the sister who held the candied hawthorn."
"This child really knows how to say nice things. He's so clever. No wonder you two are siblings." Aunt Zhang and the others also thought that Xiao Feng was a very cute child. Perhaps it was because the Ma family had been living a good life in recent years that Xiao Feng had grown up to be chubby, like a New Year's picture doll.
"Xiaofeng, do you want a ride? I'll drive home first."
"I want to sit, I want to sit." As soon as Xiaofeng finished speaking, Xichun picked him up and put him on the bench.
When Wang heard that Xichun had returned, she also planned to go and talk to Xichun about the New Year. However, the village chief happened to come to see Xichun as well, saying that there had been results regarding the matter that Xichun had asked him to inquire about.
"Really? How big is that land you mentioned, village chief? How far is it from here?" Xi Chun was tidying up her house when she heard the good news from the village chief and couldn't wait to ask.
"That land is about ten acres, not far from the town. The family's child is sick and they urgently need money, so they are looking for a buyer. If we go now, we can be back before dark."
"That's perfect, let's go take a look now. We'll hurry by taking the cart. Mother, we'll talk when we get back." Xichun saw Wang Shi coming over, put Xiaofeng in her arms, and drove off with the village chief.
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