92 New Year's Eve
"Bring some paste, Xiao Pingchuan."
"What did the Su family say?" Shen Suqin asked.
"He seems to be trying to change his strategy and make high-priced products, like soap," Yan Lin said.
“That’s a possibility. We can’t make all the money, but wouldn’t that significantly reduce the soap workshop’s profits?”
"It won't be that fast. We can hold on for another two or three years. Besides, even if counterfeit products come out, Shenji's position as the genuine brand will not change. It's cheap and good, and the people aren't stupid."
"Um."
With the Lunar New Year approaching, Xiao Pingchuan finished arranging military affairs and prepared to return to Ningyuan for the holiday.
Now that they have gunpowder to control the situation, Shatuo would have to think twice before coming, so he is very reassured.
The day Xiao Pingchuan organized his team to set off, the Shule River was blessed with a rare sunny day.
The sky was high and deep, with the azure canopy hanging over the vast snowfield, and distant mountains winding like silver snakes.
Under the sky, a troop of heavily armored cavalry galloped past, splashing up dry snow with their hooves, creating a white mist wherever they went.
As we approached Ningyuan, we could see many vendors moving about outside the city, creating quite a lively scene.
Outside the city, in front of Meipo Slope, Xiao Pingchuan reined in his horse and stopped. On the hillside beside him grew several old wild plum trees, their branches strong and their red plum blossoms standing out against the desolate landscape.
"What's wrong, General?" Xu Youcai asked.
Xiao Pingchuan licked his lips: "Do you think she would like it if I gave her a sprig of plum blossom?"
Xu Youcai had seen Xiao Pingchuan's ruthlessness when killing enemies and his seriousness when reprimanding his subordinates, but he had never seen him so hesitant at this moment.
He scratched his chin. "Probably, don't all young girls like flowers?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Xiao Pingchuan dismounted and headed straight for the few red plum trees.
"What is the general going to do?" a soldier behind him asked curiously.
Xu Youcai sighed, "Picking flowers."
"What?" The soldier looked like he'd been struck by lightning. He thought it was more likely that their general was cutting down trees, so why would he be picking flowers?
Before long, Xiao Pingchuan returned carrying an old branch, which was almost waist-high and covered with numerous flower buds.
"Why did you carry the tree back?" Xu Youcai asked.
"Isn't it good-looking?" Xiao Pingchuan asked.
"You should at least fold it a little. When you send flowers, you send a bouquet, not the whole tree trunk."
"Really?" Xiao Pingchuan listened and beckoned two people over, saying, "Two of you come and help me fold it."
Soon, he set off again, carrying a large bunch of plum blossoms.
Red plum blossoms in full bloom, galloping horses... This is the Xiao Pingchuan that Shen Suqin saw.
Unlike the first time she met him, this time Xiao Pingchuan was less gloomy and more bright and lively.
Shen Suqin smiled unconsciously, her gaze softening as she watched him run towards her from afar.
Surrounding her were the people coming and going from Ningyuan. As soon as they saw Xiao Pingchuan, they cheered and shouted, "General! General!"
Xiao Pingchuan galloped over, reined in his horse, and raised its hooves high. He stared intently at Shen Suqin, and before even dismounting, he eagerly bent down to hand her the red plum blossom.
Shen Suqin met his gaze without flinching, and after a long while, she stepped forward in full view of everyone and accepted the large bouquet of red plum blossoms.
Their eyes met, and no one else could get a word in edgewise.
Xiao Pingchuan leaned forward and reached out his hand: "Come on up, I'll take you for a walk to clear your head."
Shen Suqin handed him her hand, which he gently pulled and placed in front of him. Then, with a flick of his whip, the horse galloped away.
From afar, the crowd saw a cluster of red plum blossoms and a spirited horse galloping across the snow-white ground. The rider on horseback was unrestrained and seemed extremely happy.
Shen Suqin rarely had the opportunity to ride a horse, especially after it snowed when the ground was slippery, and Yan Lin and the others would make her even less likely to ride.
The cold wind was blowing against her face, the bright sunshine was overhead, and she could see the vast earth in the distance. She deeply felt the immensity of life.
After a long while, the two stopped.
This is a snowy field untouched by humans, with withered trees nearby. A horse is tethered to a tree, and a large bunch of red plum blossoms lies quietly beside it.
Xiao Pingchuan was standing next to her, a fist's distance between them, and whispered, "I missed you."
Shen Suqin laughed: "How much do you want to?"
Xiao Pingchuan replied, "I don't know. I think about it every single day, not for a single moment."
"The general knows how to say nice things now."
Xiao Pingchuan chuckled: "Is that considered nice talk? It's just the truth."
The snowfield in front of me was vast, and as far as the eye could see, there was only a faint line on the horizon, very far away.
The two watched in silence as dusk slowly crept in, turning the sky a soft, orange-red hue. Their figures were enveloped in the afterglow, the light and shadow folding and blurring their distinctions.
“Before I met you, I watched many sunsets alone, on the Shule River and in Ningyuan, and I was always unhappy afterward. But from today onward, I will never be unhappy watching the sunset again, because you are by my side. As long as I am with you, I will be happy doing anything,” Xiao Pingchuan said.
"If you take me around more often, wouldn't there be no more unhappy things?"
Xiao Pingchuan said, "That's right." He turned to look at her, "So what about you? How can I make you happy? Do you feel happy watching the sunset?"
Shen Suqin took a step back and tilted her head to look at him: "Why do you care whether I'm happy or not?"
"Because I want to make you happy."
Shen Suqin remained silent for a while, then said softly, "I'm very happy right now. I'm happy watching the sunset, and I'm happy being with you."
Xiao Pingchuan turned back and gave a soft "hmm".
On New Year's Eve, Su Yubai arrived at the Shen residence early in the morning with a thick stack of Spring Festival couplets he had bought at the market.
The bright red Spring Festival couplets exuded a festive atmosphere. He urged Shen Suqin to make paste, saying he wanted to personally paste them on for her.
Shen Suqin had no idea how to make paste, but while she agreed verbally, she didn't move her feet.
It wasn't until Xiao Pingchuan brought out some fried pork from the kitchen for her to try that Su Yubai finally found someone else to tease.
"Bring me some paste, Xiao Pingchuan," he ordered imperiously.
Xiao Pingchuan stepped aside, clearing the kitchen window, and said to him, "Go and talk to Master Yan yourself."
Yan Lin was in charge of cooking.
Yan Lin looked over from afar, and when their eyes met, he even raised an eyebrow.
Su Yubai immediately shrank back. He dared not provoke Yan Lin and immediately remained silent.
Shen Suqin picked up a piece of crispy pork and put it in her mouth. "Brother Yan, it's too salty."
"Understood," Yan Lin replied calmly.
Su Yubai put the Spring Festival couplets on the ground and whispered to Shen Suqin, "Let's go out and buy some ready-made ones. His cooking isn't very good."
Shen Suqin rolled her eyes and agreed without thinking, even dragging Xiao Pingchuan along with her before leaving.
“I’m not going, I want to stay and help,” he said.
"What help are you offering? Hurry up and go," Su Yubai covered his mouth, "Don't let Yan Lin hear."
And so, the three of them sneaked out the door.
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