"Why haven't you been coming to the stall lately? Is something wrong at home?" Xi Chun asked curiously, seeing his anxious look.
"It's nothing, it's nothing. I've just been busy studying lately. My teacher told me to take the imperial examination next year, and I need to focus on my studies from now on," Fu Changfeng denied repeatedly.
"You're really amazing. I've heard the imperial examinations are very difficult, but with your intelligence, you'll definitely succeed."
"Hehe, I myself don't have much confidence, it's rare that you value me so much, Miss Chen, if you encounter any trouble, just send someone to the Fu family to find me. As long as it's something I can help with, I will do my best to help."
"Alright, then I'll trouble you if there's anything I can do. But business is doing well right now, so don't worry about me. You should study hard and become someone who can speak up for the people in the future."
"I will certainly live up to Miss Chen's expectations and study hard," he said with a smile.
"It's not for me. Everyone's efforts are to be true to themselves and not to worry their families. It would be exhausting to take on other people's responsibilities."
“Miss Chen is very talented. To say such things proves that you are also very wise. I also want to learn from you.”
"I don't have any talent or lack thereof, it's all just accumulated life experience. While you're studying hard, don't forget to take care of your health, eat more nourishing foods, and eat less fried chicken and the like."
"Okay, I will definitely remember what you said, Miss Chen." Seeing that she cared about him, Fu Changfeng was very happy. This bright young girl in front of him was someone he liked, but he was not yet able to protect her, so he had to work harder to gain his parents' approval.
Fu Changfeng has decided to work hard and make sure he passes the imperial examination next year.
Xi Chun also began to think about the future direction of her stall. Although she could make money by setting up a stall, she didn't earn much. She wanted to buy land and become a landlord, but it would probably take many years to achieve that kind of life.
Since there aren't any suitable shops to rent right now, we need to find ways to generate more income and have more ways to make money.
She pondered for several days but couldn't come up with any good ideas. Soon it was Qiangzi's wedding day, and Xichun and the others closed the door again and all returned to the village.
Aunt Zhang's family started getting busy, and Xichun went to help. Families from the village who were close to Aunt Zhang also came. Uncle Zhang had been busy at home these days, building a side room next to the main house. This would be the young couple's future marital home. This bright and spacious house cost a lot of money.
"Your house is so beautiful. I wish we could build a new house like this someday."
"It'll definitely be soon. The children in the family are growing up, and if we don't build a house, there won't be any extra place for them to live. We can't let the young lady suffer." Aunt Zhang's family is usually very low-key, and even if they make money, they won't flaunt it like Old Chen's family.
"Hey, not a single person from the Chen family came this time. I heard they're still doing business in the city and have made quite a bit of money. Did you see the silver hairpin that Madam Du was wearing last time? Oh, didn't you see it? She kept showing it off to me, but I didn't even bother to talk to her."
"Xichun, do you know what kind of business they do in the city? They make so much money. She says they've earned quite a bit." Someone saw Xichun standing to the side and pulled her aside to ask.
"I'm not too sure about that. We don't usually have any contact, and we don't even live on the same street." Xichun was well aware of the villagers' love of gossip, but she didn't want to mention the Chen family.
“I know that now. My little piglet also went to the city to be an apprentice. Du Shi sets up a stall on that street. I heard she just makes some ordinary food. I doubt it’s as good as Xi Chun’s.”
"She can make money like that? Are all city people stupid? They can make money just by cooking a simple dish. If I went there, could I make money too?"
"Who knows? Last time, Malay said that her sister-in-law's family lived in a big house in the city, leaving her mother-in-law in the countryside. She also said that they had never made a single piece of clothing for her mother-in-law. How heartless!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, this Du family is really outrageous."
Xi Chun didn't listen to their conversation anymore because Qiangzi and his bride had already returned in a mule cart. The bride had a red cloth covering her head and was wearing a red dress, looking very festive. Xi Chun had never seen an ancient wedding ceremony before, so she joined the children in watching.
"The bride is here! The bride is here! Time for the wedding ceremony!" Qiangzi was dressed festively today and stood next to the bride, smiling happily. They were going through the wedding ceremony under the guidance of the elders, which was pretty much what Xichun had imagined. After the ceremony, they gradually sat down to eat.
"Xichun, come quickly, I saved a seat for you." There were quite a few people, and after the distant relatives had finished eating, the villagers began to sit down one after another. Wang Shi, holding Xiaofeng, also saved a seat for Xichun.
"When are you going back to the county town? Your Uncle Ma picked a lot of peaches. You can take them back to have a treat. It's not cost-effective to buy them outside," Wang asked her while eating.
"I'm going back tomorrow afternoon. I'll take some back to eat tomorrow." Xichun didn't refuse. The peaches on the mountain are mostly wild, which is why their village is called Peach Blossom Village, because there are indeed many peach blossoms.
Every spring, the mountain is covered with wildflowers of all colors, a riot of colors and a beautiful sight. If it weren't for the inconvenient transportation, Xichun thinks that if this could be developed into a tourist attraction, it would definitely attract people.
"There are so many peaches this year, it's a pity they're all going to rot on the mountain, we can't even eat them all." The people at the table were all from the village, and they all started talking.
"Yes, these peaches are very sweet, it's a pity, they won't fetch a good price, they'll rot in a day or two."
"In a few days, we'll be able to eat plums and loquats. Xichun, if you want some, ask the village chief to bring some over when he's hauling vegetables. Anyway, if we can't finish them, they'll just rot on the mountain."
After listening to everyone's talk, Xichun suddenly had an idea and couldn't wait to go back and try it out. The peaches, plums, loquats and other fruits on the mountain were all wild, which was a business with no capital investment. If he could make money from it, the whole village would surely benefit.
After returning home, Xichun began to plan the possibility of this matter, so much so that she slept in very early in the morning.
"Xichun, are you home? We brought you some peaches." Xichun had just finished lunch when she heard Wang knocking on the door. She then remembered that she had asked Wang to bring her more peaches yesterday.
"Mother, Uncle Ma, I'm already up. Did you bring so many peaches?" Xi Chun hadn't expected the two to give her two large baskets.
“Anyway, we didn’t have anything else to do. I heard from your mother that you were leaving this afternoon, so I picked a lot more this morning. We’ll take them to the city and share them with everyone. There aren’t many left.” Ma Dawei put the two baskets of peaches he had picked in the yard.
“Yes, anyway, nobody wants them on the mountain, and you’ll need to bribe officials in the city. This is a great deal since it doesn’t require any investment,” Wang said, holding Xiaofeng.
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