Chapter 20
"Miss?" Wang De, the man selling porcelain, asked aloud.
Only then did Jiang Yun Zhu come back to her senses, "Boss, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure whether I want to buy it now. In fact, there was one matter in a few days. I don't know if I can get through it safely. If I can, I will order fifty first. In the future, I may order more. If we can't make it through..."
She didn't continue, believing he could understand.
Wang De listened to her words. It was a matter of her family’s life. Compared with her, his matter wasn't urgent.
"Miss, are you alright?" He asked hesitantly.
"It’s fine." Jiang Yun Zhu smiled.
Seeing her light smile, Wang De believed her statement. Gritting his teeth, he stated, "Miss, tell me a date. As long as you come before this date, I will sell it to you."
If this day has passed, he can't guarantee it. Maybe he has already gone to the mine to work as a miner by then.
"Thank you Boss. If I buy it, I will definitely come before November 8. If I don't come, don't wait for me, Boss." Jiang Yun Zhu replied.
November 8th. He agreed at the end of the month with his wife. Forget it. No matter what, he will wait another eight days. After eight days, everything will come to a conclusion.
"Okay." Wang De nodded.
"Thank you!" Jiang Yun Zhu thanked again before turning around.
"Yun Zhu, were you okay? November 8th..." Xu Qing Shan was a little worried when he heard what Jiang Yun Zhu said just now.
"I had a dream yesterday. I dreamed of a big-bellied Arhat...Forget it, it might just be a dream. Let's talk about it later." Jiang Yun Zhu said casually.
Hearing that it was because of a dream, Xu Qing Shan laughed, "Things in dreams can't be real." He said.
"I know." Jiang Yun Zhu replied.
The two of them did not continue this topic.
Afterwards, Jiang Yun Zhu went to the nearby restaurants and looked at the prices of various dishes. Then she got on a donkey cart and returned to Changshi Village.
At this moment, Jiang Lin was playing with some children in the village by the river at the head of the village. When he saw Jiang Yun Zhu come back, he ran home and shouted, "Elder Sister is back. Elder Sister is back."
When Jiang Yun Zhu got off the cart, Jiang Lin, Jiang Yun Xue, and Jiang Wu immediately came over to help her carry her things.
Soon, those big and small bags were carried to the hall or the kitchen.
"Then I'll go first." Xu Qing Shan said.
"En, thank you for today!" Jiang Yun Zhu said.
"You don't need to be so polite." Xu Qing Shan glanced at Jiang Yun Zhu again and left quickly.
After he left, Jiang Yun Zhu went into the yard. Checking the sky, it was still okay. There should be time to rest for half an hour before she starts making lunch.
She took out a paper bag from her pocket and opened it. Inside were eleven colorful candies. When she bought the seasoning, she bought it by chance. Two cost one wen. She bought five wen worth. The boss gave her an extra one.
Those candies were crystal clear. Each was the size of a finger belly, shining charmingly in the sunlight.
"Candy." With sharp eyes, Jiang Lin immediately saw the candies in her hand and ran over a few steps. He didn't grab it though, just stood there staring at the candy greedily. He could barely remember the taste of candy.
In fact, there was sugar in the kitchen, the kind of yellowish candy that Jiang Yun Zhu used for cooking. None of the three children ate it.
Jiang Yun Xue also walked over, intently staring at the candies.
"Candy." Jiang Wu's saliva was about to flow down. He looked at Jiang Yun Zhu eagerly.
"Which one do you want?" Jiang Yun Zhu started asking Jiang Lin, who was the oldest. These days, Jiang Lin followed them to do business. Busy like a bee, like a little adult. He should be rewarded.
"The green one." Jiang Lin replied. He liked that color.
Jiang Yun Zhu picked up a green candy and handed it to him. He carefully accepted it but didn't eat it. Instead, he held it in his hand and looked at it carefully, as if he couldn't get enough of it.
"What about you?" Jiang Yun Zhu asked Jiang Yun Xue.
Jiang Yun Xue had also helped a lot in the past few days. She said softly, "The blue one." She found that one was the most beautiful.
Jiang Yun Zhu gave her a blue one and she held it in her hand like a jewel.
"I want the red one." Jiang Wu was already anxious and hurriedly said without waiting for Jiang Yun Zhu to ask.
Jiang Yun Zhu picked out a red one and handed it to him.
He directly stuffed the candy into his mouth. His big black eyes opened wider as if in amazement.
"One each today. It’s gone after eating. You’re not allowed to steal other's, understand?" Jiang Yun Zhu said to the three children.
The three of them understood and nodded immediately.
"Don't spoil them too much, they..." Mrs. Chen came out of the kitchen and said to Jiang Yun Zhu.
Before she finished speaking, a candy was stuffed into her mouth.
Sweet. A very sweet candy. Sweet all the way into people's hearts. Mrs. Chen narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking of many things.
Jiang Yun Zhu nipped a candy and put it in her mouth. Her bright red lips slightly raised.
Standing in front of the window, Shen Feng Ming stared at Jiang Yun Zhu's lips. Suddenly, he was curious whether those candies were really that sweet.
Even though he didn't like to eat sweets.
There were eleven candies. Six were left. Jiang Yun Zhu took out one and handed it to Mrs. Chen, asking her to keep it for Jiang Cheng to eat at night. As for the rest, she asked Jiang Lin to send it to old Mister Chen. Though he didn’t say, he likes sweets.
After distributing the candy, Jiang Yun Zhu went into the middle hall to put away the things she bought.
Mrs. Chen and others followed in and saw what she had bought.
When she saw the package of paper and ink, Mrs. Chen asked, "Why did you buy these things?"
Bookkeeping, Jiang Yun Zhu wanted to say. Suddenly, she frowned. In a moment of busyness, she forgot her original state of being illiterate. How would she keep accounts?
But if she didn't keep accounts, how can she remember clearly how much money was deposited with her, how much was spent each time, and who ordered what meal today?
Matters like cooking, she can say that she can figure it out slowly. But being literate without a teacher? Who would believe it!
Who was literate? Old Mister Chen was illiterate. Jiang Cheng was illiterate. Mrs. Chen was illiterate. Gu Yan Zhou was literate...
Then, go ask him for help?
Just as Jiang Yun Zhu was thinking, an icy voice asked, "What's the matter?"
Looking up, there was a tall and imposing man standing there. He was wearing a crow blue brocade robe. A belt of the same color in darker shade was tied around his thin waist, making his figure even more slender and handsome.
Shen Feng Ming, this killing god, when did he come here!
Jiang Yun Zhu was stunned, "I want to keep accounts, but I can't read."
After finishing speaking, she regained her senses and tensed up.
Shen Feng Ming looked at the brush and paper in her hand. It turned out to be like this.
"What do you want to take note of? I can write it for you." He said.
It was as if fireworks were blooming in Jiang Yun Zhu's mind. What did he say? He wanted to help her write accounts? Did she get it wrong? Or, he was in a particularly good mood today and especially wanted to write.
Shen Feng Ming took the brush from Jiang Yun Zhu's hand, signaling that she can start.
Jiang Yun Zhu spread out the paper like a puppet, poured out a little ink, and put it aside.
Shen Feng Ming dipped his brush in ink and stood in front of the table.
"Bearded Customer, five silver coins, October 26th lunch, one portion of boiled meat, twenty wens, one serving of rice, two wens.
Tan-faced Customer, eight silver coins, October 26th lunch, one portion of fatty intestine, eighteen wens, one serving of rice, two wens.
Thin Customer, seven silver coins, October 26th lunch, a portion of dry-cooked fish, thirty-eight wens, one serving of rice, two wens. "
Regarding the accounts of these three customers today, Jiang Yun Zhu actually knew the surnames of the three deputy generals. But she didn't want Shen Feng Ming to know. So she said it like this.
While listening, Shen Feng Ming scribbled on the paper.
He wrote in a regular script. His characters were as neat and upright as his person. Each character was as neat and blocky as a piece of tofu.
A good handwriting was like a painting. Even people who were illiterate would find it beautiful.
At this moment, Mrs. Chen and the others looked at the words written by Shen Feng Ming in amazement, feeling that it have magical powers.
Good words! Jiang Yun Zhu was full of admiration!
The room was silent. When Yang Cheng came in from the outside, he saw Shen Feng Ming standing in front of the table with a brush in his hand. Beside him stood Jiang Yun Zhu and others.
He blinked vigorously, suspecting that he was seeing things.
Or was this Shen Feng Ming a fake?
"Miss?" Wang De, the man selling porcelain, asked aloud.
Only then did Jiang Yun Zhu come back to her senses, "Boss, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure whether I want to buy it now. In fact, there was one matter in a few days. I don't know if I can get through it safely. If I can, I will order fifty first. In the future, I may order more. If we can't make it through..."
She didn't continue, believing he could understand.
Wang De listened to her words. It was a matter of her family’s life. Compared with her, his matter wasn't urgent.
"Miss, are you alright?" He asked hesitantly.
"It’s fine." Jiang Yun Zhu smiled.
Seeing her light smile, Wang De believed her statement. Gritting his teeth, he stated, "Miss, tell me a date. As long as you come before this date, I will sell it to you."
If this day has passed, he can't guarantee it. Maybe he has already gone to the mine to work as a miner by then.
"Thank you Boss. If I buy it, I will definitely come before November 8. If I don't come, don't wait for me, Boss." Jiang Yun Zhu replied.
November 8th. He agreed at the end of the month with his wife. Forget it. No matter what, he will wait another eight days. After eight days, everything will come to a conclusion.
"Okay." Wang De nodded.
"Thank you!" Jiang Yun Zhu thanked again before turning around.
"Yun Zhu, were you okay? November 8th..." Xu Qing Shan was a little worried when he heard what Jiang Yun Zhu said just now.
"I had a dream yesterday. I dreamed of a big-bellied Arhat...Forget it, it might just be a dream. Let's talk about it later." Jiang Yun Zhu said casually.
Hearing that it was because of a dream, Xu Qing Shan laughed, "Things in dreams can't be real." He said.
"I know." Jiang Yun Zhu replied.
The two of them did not continue this topic.
Afterwards, Jiang Yun Zhu went to the nearby restaurants and looked at the prices of various dishes. Then she got on a donkey cart and returned to Changshi Village.
At this moment, Jiang Lin was playing with some children in the village by the river at the head of the village. When he saw Jiang Yun Zhu come back, he ran home and shouted, "Elder Sister is back. Elder Sister is back."
When Jiang Yun Zhu got off the cart, Jiang Lin, Jiang Yun Xue, and Jiang Wu immediately came over to help her carry her things.
Soon, those big and small bags were carried to the hall or the kitchen.
"Then I'll go first." Xu Qing Shan said.
"En, thank you for today!" Jiang Yun Zhu said.
"You don't need to be so polite." Xu Qing Shan glanced at Jiang Yun Zhu again and left quickly.
After he left, Jiang Yun Zhu went into the yard. Checking the sky, it was still okay. There should be time to rest for half an hour before she starts making lunch.
She took out a paper bag from her pocket and opened it. Inside were eleven colorful candies. When she bought the seasoning, she bought it by chance. Two cost one wen. She bought five wen worth. The boss gave her an extra one.
Those candies were crystal clear. Each was the size of a finger belly, shining charmingly in the sunlight.
"Candy." With sharp eyes, Jiang Lin immediately saw the candies in her hand and ran over a few steps. He didn't grab it though, just stood there staring at the candy greedily. He could barely remember the taste of candy.
In fact, there was sugar in the kitchen, the kind of yellowish candy that Jiang Yun Zhu used for cooking. None of the three children ate it.
Jiang Yun Xue also walked over, intently staring at the candies.
"Candy." Jiang Wu's saliva was about to flow down. He looked at Jiang Yun Zhu eagerly.
"Which one do you want?" Jiang Yun Zhu started asking Jiang Lin, who was the oldest. These days, Jiang Lin followed them to do business. Busy like a bee, like a little adult. He should be rewarded.
"The green one." Jiang Lin replied. He liked that color.
Jiang Yun Zhu picked up a green candy and handed it to him. He carefully accepted it but didn't eat it. Instead, he held it in his hand and looked at it carefully, as if he couldn't get enough of it.
"What about you?" Jiang Yun Zhu asked Jiang Yun Xue.
Jiang Yun Xue had also helped a lot in the past few days. She said softly, "The blue one." She found that one was the most beautiful.
Jiang Yun Zhu gave her a blue one and she held it in her hand like a jewel.
"I want the red one." Jiang Wu was already anxious and hurriedly said without waiting for Jiang Yun Zhu to ask.
Jiang Yun Zhu picked out a red one and handed it to him.
He directly stuffed the candy into his mouth. His big black eyes opened wider as if in amazement.
"One each today. It’s gone after eating. You’re not allowed to steal other's, understand?" Jiang Yun Zhu said to the three children.
The three of them understood and nodded immediately.
"Don't spoil them too much, they..." Mrs. Chen came out of the kitchen and said to Jiang Yun Zhu.
Before she finished speaking, a candy was stuffed into her mouth.
Sweet. A very sweet candy. Sweet all the way into people's hearts. Mrs. Chen narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking of many things.
Jiang Yun Zhu nipped a candy and put it in her mouth. Her bright red lips slightly raised.
Standing in front of the window, Shen Feng Ming stared at Jiang Yun Zhu's lips. Suddenly, he was curious whether those candies were really that sweet.
Even though he didn't like to eat sweets.
There were eleven candies. Six were left. Jiang Yun Zhu took out one and handed it to Mrs. Chen, asking her to keep it for Jiang Cheng to eat at night. As for the rest, she asked Jiang Lin to send it to old Mister Chen. Though he didn’t say, he likes sweets.
After distributing the candy, Jiang Yun Zhu went into the middle hall to put away the things she bought.
Mrs. Chen and others followed in and saw what she had bought.
When she saw the package of paper and ink, Mrs. Chen asked, "Why did you buy these things?"
Bookkeeping, Jiang Yun Zhu wanted to say. Suddenly, she frowned. In a moment of busyness, she forgot her original state of being illiterate. How would she keep accounts?
But if she didn't keep accounts, how can she remember clearly how much money was deposited with her, how much was spent each time, and who ordered what meal today?
Matters like cooking, she can say that she can figure it out slowly. But being literate without a teacher? Who would believe it!
Who was literate? Old Mister Chen was illiterate. Jiang Cheng was illiterate. Mrs. Chen was illiterate. Gu Yan Zhou was literate...
Then, go ask him for help?
Just as Jiang Yun Zhu was thinking, an icy voice asked, "What's the matter?"
Looking up, there was a tall and imposing man standing there. He was wearing a crow blue brocade robe. A belt of the same color in darker shade was tied around his thin waist, making his figure even more slender and handsome.
Shen Feng Ming, this killing god, when did he come here!
Jiang Yun Zhu was stunned, "I want to keep accounts, but I can't read."
After finishing speaking, she regained her senses and tensed up.
Shen Feng Ming looked at the brush and paper in her hand. It turned out to be like this.
"What do you want to take note of? I can write it for you." He said.
It was as if fireworks were blooming in Jiang Yun Zhu's mind. What did he say? He wanted to help her write accounts? Did she get it wrong? Or, he was in a particularly good mood today and especially wanted to write.
Shen Feng Ming took the brush from Jiang Yun Zhu's hand, signaling that she can start.
Jiang Yun Zhu spread out the paper like a puppet, poured out a little ink, and put it aside.
Shen Feng Ming dipped his brush in ink and stood in front of the table.
"Bearded Customer, five silver coins, October 26th lunch, one portion of boiled meat, twenty wens, one serving of rice, two wens.
Tan-faced Customer, eight silver coins, October 26th lunch, one portion of fatty intestine, eighteen wens, one serving of rice, two wens.
Thin Customer, seven silver coins, October 26th lunch, a portion of dry-cooked fish, thirty-eight wens, one serving of rice, two wens. "
Regarding the accounts of these three customers today, Jiang Yun Zhu actually knew the surnames of the three deputy generals. But she didn't want Shen Feng Ming to know. So she said it like this.
While listening, Shen Feng Ming scribbled on the paper.
He wrote in a regular script. His characters were as neat and upright as his person. Each character was as neat and blocky as a piece of tofu.
A good handwriting was like a painting. Even people who were illiterate would find it beautiful.
At this moment, Mrs. Chen and the others looked at the words written by Shen Feng Ming in amazement, feeling that it have magical powers.
Good words! Jiang Yun Zhu was full of admiration!
The room was silent. When Yang Cheng came in from the outside, he saw Shen Feng Ming standing in front of the table with a brush in his hand. Beside him stood Jiang Yun Zhu and others.
He blinked vigorously, suspecting that he was seeing things.
Or was this Shen Feng Ming a fake?
I can’t decide if I like Yang Cheng or Shen Feng Ming better as ml. I think we haven’t seen enough of them yet.
ReplyDeleteYan cheng got tons of beauty in his backyard
DeleteTo much drama
Thank you for the chapter! I like them both as well but can’f help feeling like the author is setting up SFM to be the ML?
ReplyDelete