Huo Xuewen felt that it was really unlikely, and he couldn't control his mother's confidant, so he could only say hello to Ning Shaoyun and take Uncle Fu away personally.
Ning Shaoyun planned to go back to the Huo family with Xia Mian that day. Although she knew that Xia Mian was a person who would not suffer any loss, she did not intend to let the Huo family insult Xia Mian.
Xia Mian opened the bag left by the eunuch with great interest, and saw that in addition to a few boxes of flashy cakes, there was actually a very formal moon-white dress.
Xia Mian couldn't help laughing out loud. This was really the style of the Empress Dowager. She even gave him a formal dress before the audience.
Thinking of Uncle Fu's outfit, Xia Mian couldn't help but shudder. I wonder if the Huo family members are all dressed neatly at home as well.
Ning Shaoyun knocked on the door and came in. Xia Mian couldn't help but look at her, "Sister Ning, you are really amazing. Won't you go crazy staying in the Huo family?"
Ning Shaoyun saw the dress and said helplessly, "Actually, it was fine when Grandpa was home before, but he's been away recuperating for the past year and hasn't been home much, so Grandma has become increasingly paranoid."
Xia Mian thought for a moment and said, "Could it be that the old lady thinks she's not well-mannered enough, and that's why the old man doesn't want to go home?"
Ning Shaoyun nodded helplessly. The old man was indeed annoyed by the old lady's messy rules and etiquette.
But he was too lazy to talk to the old lady and just hid away. The old lady just thought that she didn't do well enough, so she became more demanding and unreasonable.
"The Huo family is a wealthy and powerful family after all," Xia Mian said. "Didn't anyone tell Mr. Huo about this? He doesn't care about the mess he's made?"
Ning Shaoyun said, "Since we're hiding, how can we be easily found? Otherwise, if the old lady chases us, what's the difference between being at home?"
"Besides, it's called the Huo Residence," Ning Shaoyun shook her head helplessly, "It's better to say it's the place where the old man lets the old lady play house."
"People in the social circle won't visit, people with serious business won't go there, and those who are invited by the old lady can't make any waves."
"Mr. Huo doesn't know either?" Xia Mian was surprised.
Ning Shaoyun shook her head. "I don't know. I guess they're afraid he'll tip them off. Anyway, if there's anything important, they'll just call. If Mr. Huo doesn't allow me to ask, Huo Xuewen won't ask either."
Xia Mian was simply amazed at the Huo family's indifference, "Did you know about their family's situation before you married them?"
Ning Shaoyun smiled helplessly, "Who would know about this kind of thing? Grandpa also said that the Huo family has a good family tradition. I grew up watching Old Man Huo, and Huo Xuewen is also very serious and has no tricks."
Yes, at first glance it does seem like a nice family, but when you actually marry into the family, you will know the truth only after you drink the water.
"Haven't you told your grandfather or father?" Xia Mian asked in confusion.
Ning Shaoyun smiled bitterly, "They don't understand."
Oh, that's right. For a man, if his son-in-law is not cunning and works hard to make money, Ning Shaoyun would be hypocritical if she complained...
Ning Shaoyun said, "Don't worry about this matter. I will handle it. The old lady wants to vent her anger on Zhou Qianqian, and it's me she wants to make trouble for. You don't have to get involved because of me."
"That won't do." Xia Mian said, "They invited me personally, how can I not go?"
"Isn't it just a rule?" Xia Mian raised his chin towards Ning Shaoyun and said proudly, "After all, I am a person who is familiar with Dream of the Red Chamber. I will have a good discussion with the old lady when the time comes."
Ning Shaoyun's worries were relieved by her words, and she couldn't help but burst out laughing. Well, she was worrying too much. She looked so excited, so she didn't think she would suffer any loss.
"But it won't affect you, right?" Xia Mian then remembered that Ning Shaoyun still had to live in the Huo family.
"No." Ning Shaoyun smiled, "I heard what Aunt Wei said today. I think you are right."
"Hmm?" Xia Mian blinked.
"A woman should pursue a career," Ning Shaoyun said. "Actually, Xiaobai told me about these things after giving birth to Chenchen, so I've been painting all these years as a preparation."
"I originally wanted to discuss it with Huo Xuewen, but there was no suitable opportunity. At that time, I really didn't want to embarrass him."
Ning Shaoyun laughed at herself, "The old lady is actually a pitiful person. She always feels that she is not worthy of the old man, so she has been competing with him all her life. As a result, the more she competes, the more she makes the old man unhappy. The more unhappy he is, the more she makes things difficult for herself and others."
"She knew in her heart that, apart from the relatives she had brought in, everyone was laughing at her. So she didn't like interacting with people in that circle and only liked to entertain those who had something to ask of the Huo family."
It's just like someone who dislikes his daughter-in-law for being too outstanding and wants to find someone who is not as good as himself to show off his sense of superiority.
Of course, those who want something from the Huo family have no choice but to flatter them, and over time it will become a vicious cycle.
"Old Master Huo has gone away, and Huo Xuewen feels sorry for his mother," Ning Shaoyun said. "Although I know she's wrong, I can't persuade her otherwise, so I can only go along with her. I also hope that when the old lady is in a good mood, she'll listen to my advice."
Seeing Xia Mian about to speak, Ning Shaoyun smiled and said, "I know what you want to say. There must be something hateful about pitiful people. She really asked for it. No one can save her."
"When I first married into the Huo family, I wasn't familiar with them. I thought I was the younger generation, so I had to make some concessions. But as I gave in, I felt that I should tolerate her. Being patient for a while can keep things peaceful and avoid trouble. Why not do it?"
"Just like Huo Xuewen, when he couldn't bear Zhou Qianqian, his mother would be sad and make a fuss, but he just endured it. Over time, he got used to it, as if it had become a matter of course."
Ning Shaoyun said, "But this is wrong. People are always accustomed to pushing things further. One day, she will push you to the limit."
"I used to always place my hopes on Huo Xuewen, but later on I was endlessly disappointed. I was sad because he wasn't considerate enough, upset because he was so stupid, and angry because he didn't know how to protect me and Chenchen."
"After listening to your scolding today, I realized that he couldn't even protect himself. He couldn't even see clearly. How could he talk about protecting me and Chenchen?"
"Your words woke me up," Ning Shaoyun said with a smile, "Why should I wait for others to protect me? I'm not completely helpless. If he can work, so can I. I can protect myself and Chenchen. It's more reliable than asking anyone else for help."
Xia Mian didn't expect that her disturbance today would trigger Ning Shaoyun's inner thoughts. She scratched her head embarrassedly and said, "Sister Ning, if you do this, will the old lady make a fuss again?"
Ning Shaoyun smiled calmly, "No, I used to think about living a good life, but now that I can't, I have nothing to worry about. Nothing can restrain me anymore."
Ning Shaoyun is a girl who is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. The only thing that can restrain her is her love for Huo Xuewen.
Now she plans to break free from this shackle, but she doesn't know whether the two of them will end up with the same ending as in their previous life.
Not long after Ning Shaoyun left, Xia Wenyue came in again, looking worried. "Mianmian, the Huo family doesn't look like a reasonable family. Second Aunt should go with you that day."
"Don't worry, Second Aunt." Xia Mian said, "That old lady is just a paper tiger."
To reassure Xia Wenyue, Xia Mian revealed the old lady's background. He didn't say he was going to slap her in the face. He just said, "She's just an old lady. Just go along with her. Otherwise, if she holds a grudge, it will be troublesome in the future."
Second Aunt Xia frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "We can tolerate small matters, but we can't let her handle big matters. If the old lady really holds a grudge, the worst that can happen is that we can just go back home."
Xia Mian nodded and said, "No, don't we still have Sister Ning and Doctor Ning? The Ning family is much more powerful than the Huo family."
Xia Wenyue sighed, "It seems that whether you have money or not, people are all the same. There are always people who don't want to live a peaceful life."
She obviously couldn't understand why Mrs. Huo wanted to make trouble for her son and daughter-in-law. They were a family of three, and her grandson Chenchen was smart and cute. What was she thinking?
"Whether she's safe or not is none of our business anyway." Xia Mian didn't intend to let Xia Wenyue get involved in this matter. It was more suitable for their family to live a down-to-earth life.
"Have you any ideas about work? Are you thinking of starting a small business or looking for a job?"
Work is the foundation of their family's foothold here, so Xia Wenyue had already thought about it carefully.
"I think I'd rather do business," Xia Wenyue said. "It's hard to take care of you when you work for others. Running my own business gives me more freedom."
She always remembered that she was here to help Xia Mian and the others, and she couldn't become a burden to them.
"I went out with Sister Wei this morning and saw that there were quite a lot of people selling breakfast," Xia Wenyue said. "Second Aunt's skill at making pancakes is pretty good, so I thought I might as well build an oven and sell pancakes."
"This way I can take care of you both and pick up Xiaofeng and Huizhu from school on time."
"You really think the same as I do." Xia Mian took out a notebook from her bag, "But mine is simpler than yours. This is a recipe I copied from a book. Take a look at it first."
The summer sleep notebook records the recipe for Chuan Chuan Xiang, a street snack that has become popular in later generations and has remained popular for a long time. It is a good thing that has been tested by the market. Putting two or three of them in a night market can make money.
Xia Mian loves to eat, and she has two older brothers who love to eat as well. There was a time when the three siblings were crazy about Chuan Chuan Xiang.
Unfortunately, after only two meals, my aunt who is a doctor suddenly came to our house, and then everyone was in trouble.
Takeaways, night markets, restaurants and the like were all banned, and the three siblings were left with green vegetables and tofu all day long.
Unable to bear it any longer, Xia Mian had to do it himself.
Fortunately, she is very talented in cooking. In the era of knowledge sharing, many recipes can be found on the Internet. She summarized them, experimented twice, and finally came up with the one that suited her taste best.
Under the supervision of their aunt, the two silly brothers washed the vegetables four or five times and thoroughly disinfected all kinds of meat and non-vegetarian dishes before they could finally eat their Xia family's skewers.
Well, after my aunt left, they no longer liked the skewers sold outside and only liked the ones made by Xia Mian.
So, this became the Xia family's Chuan Chuan Xiang recipe.
The recipe that can be easily found in later generations is subject to the limitations of transportation and information in this era, and it may not be available even if you spend money, so Xia Mian is very confident about this.
Not only is the cost low, but most importantly it saves time and effort.
"This is mainly for the soup. Once the soup is cooked, the dishes can be prepared." Xia Mian carefully explained to Xia Wenyue how to skewer the vegetables and what they needed to prepare. "We need to make a four-wheeled cart with two long iron soup troughs. There's room for a gas stove underneath. This is the design. We'll discuss the specific dimensions with the blacksmith when the time comes."
"I just checked. The intersection leading out of our alley is the only way for Yanda High School, the kindergarten, and the elementary school. The flow of people is very good, and our place doesn't conflict with any of the restaurants. You just need to make soup, wash vegetables, and skewer them every day. The children can help you with this when they are free."
Xia Mian had thought of every aspect for her, what else could Xia Wenyue say?
She didn't act pretentiously and took the recipe and said, "This recipe is yours. If you really make this, we'll split the profits 50-50."
Xia Mian did not reject Xia Ergu's idea. She believed that whether helping others or accepting help, one must be principled and moderate.
If you rely solely on personal connections, you will eventually become enemies, and the best outcome will be parting ways, without exception.
but……
"Fifty-fifty is too much, twenty-eight will do." Seeing Xia Wenyue was about to say something, Xia Mian said, "Listen to me, I'm not just saying this casually. Generally, there are rough standards for this kind of cooperation."
"I'll invest in the company with the recipe, but I won't be involved in the management. This profit share is quite suitable," Xia Mian said. "If this business grows bigger and there are other models, we can hire a lawyer to sign the contract."
Xia Wenyue felt relieved when she heard her say that. "Okay, let's do it first. After a year, if we have the conditions, we can consult a lawyer and write a formal contract."
Xia Wenyue is a decisive person. After confirming the prescription, she immediately took Huimei and Huilan out to buy things.
After all, she was not like Xia Mian who came from the future and knew clearly that this business could be done. To be on the safe side, she still had to try the food first to confirm that there was no problem before preparing the tools for setting up the stall.
When Aunt Wei heard about it, she was worried that they were unfamiliar with the place, so she went along.
She was familiar with the area and had more experience. "The ingredients for this recipe can't be bought in one place. If you make it in the future, people might learn from you."
So several people had to run to several places to get the seasonings, and some had to go to Chinese medicine shops to get them.
I also have to make bone soup and the like, so the finished product won’t come out that quickly.
The reason why Xia Mian didn't go along was that she and Ning Shaoyun were going to take Xiao Feng, Chen Chen and Hui Zhu to kindergarten.
The house and other needs need to be prepared slowly, but kindergarten can be started very quickly.
Chenchen is a child who has had two years of kindergarten experience. There is nothing to worry about him changing to a new environment and making new friends.
Mao Huizhu is one year older than Chenchen. Although they are from a small county town, Xia Wenyue has given the children enough sense of security. The child is curious about the unfamiliar environment, but is never afraid.
Xia Wenyue's plan is to let Huizhu and Chenchen study in the senior class together.
Only Xiao Feng is left, and he has to start studying alone from the kindergarten class.
As Xia Mian took him out, she suddenly understood the old mother's feelings. This child already has psychological trauma. What if he is bullied and can't speak up? Will he dare to talk to the teacher? What if he needs to go to the bathroom?
The new environment finally made him cheerful, but he was traumatized by bullying again. What should he do?
Countless uncertainties almost made Xia Mian back out. "Actually, it's okay to start a year later. Xiao Feng is still relatively young."
Ning Shaoyun couldn't help but want to laugh when she saw Xia Mian's worried look. "You have to believe them. Children are not as fragile as you think."
"On Chenchen's first day in kindergarten, I stood at the kindergarten door for almost the entire day."
"How is Chenchen? Did he cry?" Xia Mian felt it necessary to learn from him.
Chenchen immediately said vigilantly, "No!"
He raised his head with a straight face and tried hard to cover up his dark past, "Mom, no, all the other kids were crying, but I wasn't."
Ning Shaoyun smiled without saying anything, and Xia Mian didn't expose her intentions. She just said, "Then I'll ask Chenchen to take care of little brother Xiaofeng since he's going to kindergarten for the first time!"
Chenchen was already prepared, and patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I will take him with me!"
Xia Mian thought about it and said, "I'll teach you some self-defense techniques when we go back."
Ning Shaoyun chuckled, "Be careful or the teacher will call your parents every day."
Xia Mian stroked Xiao Feng's ahoge, "Our Xiao Feng is so well behaved, he definitely won't do that, right!"
Xiao Feng happily held Xia Mian's hand and shook it.
Since Ning Shaoyun had already planned to live here permanently, Chenchen's schooling was naturally part of her plan.
The kindergarten is in another alley, right next to Longcheng Street No. 1 Primary School.
A huge rainbow and cute little animals are painted on the green wall tiles, and the five big words "Longcheng Kindergarten" are jumping and hiding in them. Even if children cannot recognize the words, they know that this is a kindergarten.
The kindergarten has already started. It is three o'clock in the afternoon and the children are having fun after waking up from their nap.
The children lined up to play on the slide, seesaw, wooden horse and climbing frame, with two older teachers watching them.
Xiao Feng held Xia Mian's hand and watched. Hui Zhu had never seen it before. Chenchen had attended an aristocratic kindergarten before, which was quite different from this one, so she also looked at it curiously.
A group of children were playing "Eagle Catches Chicken". Xiao Feng was standing nearby. Whenever he saw a chicken about to be caught, he would anxiously hug Xia Mian's legs. Chen Chen would stamp his feet and say, "Bad Eagle!"
Mao Huizhu was eager to try, "Sister Mian, can we play with them tomorrow?"
Xia Mian smiled and said, "We have something to do tomorrow and can't come. Can you come to school by yourself?"
Mao Huizhu hesitated for a moment and said, "I'll go back and ask my mother."
The children's cheerful laughter echoed over the kindergarten, and Xiao Feng unconsciously laughed along with the children.
Xia Mian gave up the idea of letting him go to school when he was older. In fact, Ning Shaoyun was right, she should believe him.
After all, in his previous life, despite being in such a situation, he still grew up to be such an outstanding person.
Kindergarten registration is quite fast. In that era, people were not as particular as they are in later generations. As long as there was a vacancy, non-local children like Xiaofeng and Huizhu could go as long as they paid some tuition fees.
After registering, Xia Mian and Ning Shaoyun took the three carefree little ones to buy school bags and stationery.
In fact, it is mainly needed by Chenchen and Huizhu. The children in the small class just need to play around.
Xiao Feng didn't understand, but Xia Mian bought everything for him. Seeing that he liked colorful crayons, she also bought him a set.
Oh, by the way, I also bought three Mizukura rifles in the end.
Each of the three children carried a small schoolbag and a water canister filled with water.
Mao Huizhu had never played this game before, so she just stared at the trigger and pulled it down. Then Chenchen, who was standing next to her, was suddenly splashed with water in the face and was startled.
Xiao Feng was also confused, not knowing what to do, when Mao Huizhu squeezed the trigger again as if she had discovered a new world...
Chenchen was scolded again. He was unbelievable at first, but seeing that Mao Huizhu was still interested in continuing, he immediately said without hesitation, "You're finished!" He pointed the mouth of the wooden cannon at Mao Huizhu and started to scold her.
"Hahahaha..." Mao Huizhu was not willing to be outdone, and the two children immediately started making noise.
Xiao Feng, who was at a loss just now, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the two children playing happily. He then followed them with his short legs, holding the water cannon and hitting the trees and walls, having a lot of fun.
Ning Shaoyun laughed, "Xiaofeng is not suitable for this kind of aggressive game."
"Haha, because he's a healing angel!"
Xia Mian looked at the backs of the three children playing lively and suddenly felt relieved. This would be where they would live.
Now all that’s missing is the courtyard house opposite!
After lunch, Ning Shaobai specifically told her that he would help her buy the yard opposite where Zhou Qianqian lived the next day, and she could make as much noise as she wanted.
Of course, the original words were: "Little fairy who respects the elderly and loves the young, don't bully the elderly too harshly tomorrow. After all, you still have to buy their house."
Xia Mian clicked her tongue and shook her head. She had such a good comprehension ability and Ning Shaobai was so mean.
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