Chapter 19 A Kiss
Xu Xiao Jiao waited with bated breath, waiting to see how Song Wei Ping would answer. If this guy really dared to agree...
After a few breaths, Song Wei Ping looked up at her, "It’s just a few steps away. Still the same as a few days ago. I can support you there."
Xu Xiao Jiao instantly showed a big smile. Her eyes were full of approval and satisfaction. Song Wei Ping, I know I didn’t misjudge you! "Okay!"
She started to sing the salted fish song that she composed herself again; leaving Song Wei Ping to let out the raised breath while reciting the alphabet in a low voice.
So close.
**
When Xu Xiao Jiao's ankle fully recovered and was able to jump around again, the spring sowing was completely over.
In the entire Meilin Village, except for a sparse amount of people who were still working, most of them were taking the time to rest at home and sorting their private land.
Song Wei Ping was finally able to catch his breath.
In the past half a month, he basically didn't rest for a day. Some people in the town were also sowing in spring. When they were tired, they wanted to eat something with oil content. So during this period of time, the pot stewed pork business was better than before. Four or five jins of meat could be sold out in a day.
Because he bought a lot of meat every day, the private meat seller always kept the best big bones and pig's trotters for him. And the price was always cheaper.
Because of this cheapness, even though the family was tired during this period, they never had a shortage of food. During this period, Xu Xiao Jiao even directed Song Wei Ping to cook a big bone in sauce, which made the family's mouth covered with oil.
Business was good. Song Wei Ping had already paid back the remaining five yuan owed to Li San Tie. Even Wu Chun Hua said that their life was getting smoother and smoother.
"Look at my daughter's hand, it's fair and tender. One look and you can tell you got a blessed life. This is the busiest time of farming and you laze away the whole time at home and become so fair and rosy. Look so blessed." Wu Chun Hua touched Xu Xiao Jiao's hand with emotion.
Xu Xiao Jiao didn't pay any heed to anything else, but she focused on the word ‘blessed’. Didn't being blessed mean being fat? She took a mirror to watch her face at night, "Song Wei Ping, do you think I've gotten fat?"
Fat? Song Wei Ping thought of the weight he felt when she laid on his body when she sprained her ankle and thought of her slender ankles. Then looking at her good complexion now, he thought about nourishing her in the future, "Not fat. Too skinny before. It’s better to get fatter."
"So I have gotten fat?" Xu Xiao Jiao quickly pinched her waist. She didn't have a scale, so she couldn't monitor it accurately. She took a rough measurement and felt that she didn't grow much. She was relieved and made up her mind at the same time.
"I have to control myself. Don't buy pork ribs and trotters every day. I'm fine. I'll eat lighter in the future."
Song Wei Ping saw that she kept measuring her waist, which he could hold with both hands, and couldn't help feeling his face flame up a little, "I've been free for the past two days. Do you want to go to the county to play? I'll take you there."
Now that he had some money in his hand, he could buy her some things. The weather was getting hotter. The red dress had long sleeves and couldn't be worn anymore. He wanted to buy her a new one.
Xu Xiao Jiao thought for a while, "Are you going to go out with Third Elder Brother Li in a few days?"
Song Wei Ping nodded. Third Elder Brother Li had sent a letter to him yesterday. The spring sowing was over. The town received another mission to get some goods.
"Then you go first. Let's talk about going to the county when you come back." During this period of time, everyone except her was tired. Better take a good rest these days.
She pondered again, "When you’re out and come across someone who washes their hair with shampoo, buy me a bottle even if you’re not importing it. If I keep using that soap, my hair will not look good."
The cooperative in the town didn’t have shampoo.
She didn't have much pursuit of skin care products. The vanishing cream was okay to use. However, the shampoo soap was truly uncomfortable. She admired herself for being able to endure such difficult conditions.
Song Wei Ping eyed her long black hair. He remembered that one day she didn't sleep well and was probably too close to the curtain, a few strands of hair came from underneath. He touched it lightly. It felt cold and smooth.
"Don't you wash it with egg whites?"
Xu Xiao Jiao stuck out her tongue, "Don't talk about it. Last time I washed it with egg whites, my mother saw it and almost didn't nag me to death. I don't dare to let Grandmother see it. Only you don't tell me off. My mother says you spoil me."
The corners of Song Wei Ping's mouth curled slightly and he continued the current topic, "Then I'll go out and see if there is any shampoo and buy it for you if there is. You can use egg whites, don't let them see it."
Xu Xiao Jiao was happy to hear that. She raised her chin toward Song Wei Ping, "Song Wei Ping, you are the best."
Now that Song Wei Ping promised her, he always paid attention on the road. It made Li San Tie amazed, saying that he really loved his wife.
Song Wei Ping didn't disappoint Xu Xiao Jiao either. Although he couldn't find anything on the way, he went to a big shopping mall in the county town and bought Xu Xiao Jiao shampoo, hair conditioner, and a set of pearl powder skin care products.
As soon as he got home, he gave it to Xu Xiao Jiao, "See if you like it."
This feeling of her needs put in his heart was really good, Xu Xiao Jiao immediately used it.
In the evening, she also used pearl powder skin care products. The effect was very good.
"Song Wei Ping, come here and touch my hair. I think it's a lot smoother." She felt the need to give positive feedback.
Song Wei Ping was sitting beside her writing English words. Hearing this, he put down the pen and reached out to smooth her hair. It was as smooth as imagined, "Not bad."
"Yes, yes. And this skin care product, it’s also very good. It has a faint fragrance. Can you smell it?"
Song Wei Ping had smelled it a long time ago. He felt that his whole body was shrouded in a layer of hazy fragrance and made people unconsciously addicted. "En, since you think it's good, I'll buy it for you again."
Xu Xiao Jiao wouldn’t refuse. This was the benefit of her marrying Song Wei Ping.
When the two were lying down, Song Wei Ping heard her start singing again and couldn't help asking, "Want to eat salted fish?"
"No! Don't mention eating salted fish and we are still good roommates." Five out of ten times she sang this song, Song Wei Ping couldn't help asking her if she wanted to eat salted fish. She didn’t want to.
Song Wei Ping stopped at that and instead talked about this time’s outing. The trip went smoothly, and all the goods required by the superiors were bought. But they didn't find any loophole.
This was normal. It was impossible to be so lucky every time. "It's good to be able to come back smoothly. Also, I have a new idea for you going to the alley to make money. Maybe it will work."
As for the source of this idea, it was Song Wei Ping who gave it to her.
A few days ago, even though Song Wei Ping went out with Li San Tie, he didn't forget to ask Wu Chun Hua to arrange meals for Xu Xiao Jiao. Although Xu Xiao Jiao was well, she still didn't dare to do big moves like running and jumping. He couldn’t be rest assured. This made Wu Chun Hua more and more satisfied with him.
It was Xu Xiao Jiao who wasn’t very cooperative.
Wu Chun Hua felt that her daughter was really spoiled, "Wei Ping said, he's not at home and you don't know how to cook. Simple food is fine, but told me to make you bone soup and ribs every second day. This lass, you don't know what's good or bad. Look, who in the whole team could compare to you in eating."
Xu Xiao Jiao really didn't want to eat meat anymore. If this continues, she will really gain weight. After being nagged by her mother a lot, Xu Xiao Jiao moved the cogs in her head again and thought of a new diet. At least eat less meat.
"It's a kind of baked pancake. Chop up the pot stewed pork and the edible fungus cooked in the pot stewed pork soup and fill it into the sliced pancake. You could also cut some green peppers and put it in for some kick. It's called #Roujiamo/https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=AB5stBgiqjPskxxi4723lYaZT2f-FYF3DA:1689643444552&q=%E8%82%89%E5%A4%B9%E9%A6%8D&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwiryLyqjJeAAxUVkFwKHchOAMoQ0pQJegQIDRAB&biw=1094&bih=717&dpr=1.35."
She had already inquired clearly that there was really no such thing as Roujiamo in this place. So they could make it.
Xu Xiao Jiao has already eaten it twice. Following her instructions, the pancake made by Wu Chun Hua were pretty good. "I will get my mother to make it for you to try tomorrow. If you think it’s good, you can sell it and see how it goes. Three dime for one. Five dime for two."
Wu Chun Hua's cooking skills were great. She baked the fat steamed buns crispy on both sides and soft in the middle. It sandwiched finely chopped pot stewed meat, edible fungus, and a sprinkle of green peppers. Then drizzle some pot stewed pork juice. Xu Xiao Gang could eat three in one meal.
Seeing that her grandson was devouring the food, Grandmother Song smiled and said to Wu Chun Hua, "It should be my grandson who is blessed. If it wasn't for Xiao Jiao, with his brain, he wouldn't be able to think of these foods. So I'm saying, Xiao Jiao lass bring luck to husband!"
Grandmother Song has nothing to worry about now. Her grandson had married a good wife and the couple lived a good life. Granddaughter-in-law was also filial to her. These days, she could wake up from dreams with a smile.
Song Wei Ping tasted the Roujiamo and felt that he couldn't stop. The pancakes slightly soaked in the pot-stewed juice mixed with the pot-stewed meat tasted amazing. So he immediately decided to try it out.
He didn't expect that it would sell so well.
The price was three dimes each, which was neither expensive nor cheap. Although one didn’t use a jin of meat, the white flour and oil used for pancakes weren’t cheap either. Those who regularly bought pot stewed meat from him knew that his goods were good value. Those who weren’t of two or three dimes, would buy one to try.
With this tasting, it opened up the source of customers. Some people bought one from him and looked for something to buy in the alley while eating. When they came back, they had to get two to take home to eat. As long as they had bought it, they became repeat customers.
This was how the small business of Roujiamo started.
Because of this business, Wu Chun Hua also became a supplier.
Originally, Xu Xiao Jiao and Song Wei Ping agreed to give Wu Chun Hua two yuan a month, but Wu Chun Hua didn't want anything. Two yuan was enough for a month of work for her.
Now was the chance. Xu Xiao Jiao directly arranged work for her. Song Wei Ping was busy enough with the pot stewed pork. There was no time to make pancakes. The task of making pancakes was handed over to Wu Chun Hua. As long as Song Wei Ping made pot stewed pork, Wu Chun Hua would provide twenty or so pancakes.
Wu Chun Hua originally wanted to help her daughter and didn't want any money. But Xu Xiao Jiao didn't comply. In addition, the money wasn’t free. So she accepted it with joy and some grumbling.
This year was a year of satisfaction and happiness for the two families.
After being busy with spring sowing and autumn harvest, the year was coming to an end in the midst of heavy snowfall.
The Song Family's small courtyard welcomed the most liveliest time of the year through these countless years.
Wu Chun Hua and Song Wei Ping were busy with their work. From time to time, they called the people in the room who were eating roasted chestnuts around the stove.
"Xiao Jiao, Xiao Gang, the chicken is finished stewing. Come quickly. I’ll give each of you a big chicken drumstick to eat first."
"Come, the fried meatball is ready. Eat two while they're hot."
"Xiao Jiao, the fried lotus root you want is out of the pot. Come and try the saltiness."
Before the New Year's Eve dinner started, Xu Xiao Jiao and Xu Xiao Gang were already half full.
When the steaming hot dishes were set on a large table, everyone sat down and looked at each other, smiling unconsciously.
Grandmother Song and Wu Chun Hua smiled with tears in their eyes as they repeatedly remarked how wonderful it was.
Xu Xiao Jiao didn't want to be sad on such a lively day. She also missed her family, but the most important thing was to have a good life in the future.
She started a conversation, "Shouldn't we have some wine on such a good day like today? Elder Brother Wei Ping, didn't you buy #Baijiu/https://www.google.com/search?q=%E7%99%BD%E9%85%92&source=lmns&bih=717&biw=1094&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjLwP_Kh5mAAxWKLcAKHbMKDnMQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA, grape wine and orange juice? Xiao Gang drinks orange juice and we’ll all have some wine?"
No one disagreed. There was wine and meat. This was a good day that gods won't exchange for.
Xu Xiao Jiao asked for grape wine and continued to liven up the atmosphere, "Grandmother, why don't you say a few words."
Grandmother Song happily responded, "Oh, Grandmother is an old lady who doesn't understand anything. What can I say? Xiao Jiao, do say a few words."
Seeing that Grandmother Song was in high spirits, Xu Xiao Jiao encouraged her, "Who dares to say that my Grandmother doesn't understand anything. You eat more salt than we eat flour. Any few words contain big reasoning. Grandmother, say a few words.”
The few people coaxed together, Grandmother Song grinned so wide that only her teeth could be seen. She coughed twice, "Okay, okay, I'll say a few words."
She wiped away the tears from her laughter, "How many years has it been? This year is Grandmother’s happiest year. In the past, it was me raising Ping boy. Life, life was hard, but this year since he married Xiao Jiao in, luck turned around. Not only life got better, Ping boy is also happy. In Grandmother’s opinion, Xiao Jiao is the lucky star of our Song Family. From now on, Ping boy, you must treat Xiao Jiao even better. Grandmother doesn't expect anything, just hope that you two will live a peaceful and beautiful life in the future."
Xu Xiao Jiao couldn't accept her title of ‘Little Lucky Star’ any faster. She turned her head and smiled complacently at Song Wei Ping, "Did you hear what Grandmother said? Got to treat me well."
Wu Chun Hua saw Song Wei Ping's gentle brows and eyes and honestly acknowledged with an ‘en’. She was satisfied, but she also chided Xu Xiao Jiao, "I think he spoiled you. Wei Ping is a good child. You have to live with him with one heart. Mom looks forward to your next year getting more and more prosperous."
This year, she had become more and more satisfied with Song Wei Ping. He was capable both at home and out. Daughter basically didn't do anything. He wasn’t stingy. What should be daughter’s money wasn’t gripped in his hand. Because of Daughter, Son could attend school. What’s more, his academic performance was very good. He only attended the first grade for half a year, he was promoted to the second grade in autumn because of his good grades. She felt that this life was a bit like a dream.
The whole family was happy and joyous. Xu Xiao Jiao liked liveliness. She made a fuss to change to Baijiu. Song Wei Ping was afraid that she would get drunk, but he couldn't stop her. The meal lasted until after nine o'clock in the evening. After drinking the wine, her body was warm and not cold. The slightly drunken state made one unconsciously lazy. nd it was still a long time before twelve o'clock. After the few played cards for a while, Xu Xiao Jiao had a new idea.
"Let's play luck and draw red envelopes. Song Wei Ping, you earned money this year. Can you give us red envelopes?" She flushed a little after drinking and spoke slowly with a smile on her face.
Naturally, Song Wei Ping wouldn’t disappoint. Complying to what Xu Xiao Jiao said, he used the red paper left over from the Spring Festival couplets and wrapped them in four identical red paper bags. Inside was ten cents, twenty cents, fifty cents, and one yuan.
"Draw it." He stacked the red envelopes in his hands, turned around and handed them to the four people in front of him.
Grandmother Song and Wu Chun Hua were happy to play with the children and joined in the fun with high spirits. Because of the different amount of red envelopes, Xu Xiao Gang opened his eyes excitedly and wanted to draw a big one. Xu Xiao Jiao let him, "Xiao Gang, you draw first."
Everyone took one. Xu Xiao Gang opened it impatiently.
"Oh, I'm one yuan! Elder Sister, how much did you get? Hahaha, Elder Sister, you only drew a dime." Xu Xiao Gang laughed loudly, making the few people laugh.
Of course Xu Xiao Jiao didn't care about a few yuans, but she didn't want to be the unluckiest one either. She rubbed her hands and signaled to Song Wei Ping, "Come again. This time, I want to be the king of luck!"
The second one, she wanted to draw first. The result was still another dime.
Amid everyone's laughter this time, even Song Wei Ping couldn't help but curl his lips.
Xu Xiao Jiao held the dime and stomped her feet in dissatisfaction, "Song Wei Ping, you’re laughing at me too."
The alcohol hit her. Being drunk, her voice was coquettish like she was acting spoiled.
The two were the closest. Song Wei Ping approached her and whispered to her with a smile, "I'll make it up to you later."
Xu Xiao Jiao snorted, "No, another round. I don't believe it."
In the third round, everyone let Xu Xiao Jiao be the first to draw. She looked at the four red envelopes in front of her, and was a little unsure. What to do if she was the last one?
Just as she was hesitating, she felt a light touch on her calf.
It was so close and was on the right. Next to her on the right was Song Wei Ping.
Xu Xiao Jiao lifted her chin and looked up at Song Wei Ping's face. He was expressionless.
But on the calf, he lightly touched twice.
A total of three times. Xu Xiao Jiao looked at the red envelope in front of her again and suddenly understood. She quickly touched Song Wei Ping three times and winked at Song Wei Ping.
Song Wei Ping still had no expression on his face, only a quick smile flashed in his eyes.
Xu Xiao Jiao let out a chuckle. Seeing that the rest of the people were looking at her, she touched her cheek with her hand resting on her chin and pretended to think about it. Looking distressed, "Oh, which one should I choose? It can’t be another dime.”
Xu Xiao Gang tasted the sweetness twice and couldn't wait, "Elder Sister, hurry up. Anyway, I must be the luckiest. So you choose whatever you want."
"It's too early for you to be happy." Xu Xiao Jiao reached out, tapped the four red envelopes, and took out the third one.
"Wow, Song Wei Ping, two yuan!" Xu Xiao Jiao cheered, her mood instantly soaring.
Though Xu Jiao Jiao already knew that the third one might be a big red envelope, she couldn't help but get excited when truly did get more than before.
This time it was Xu Xiao Gang's turn to come last/ Xu Xiao Jiao laughed mercilessly.
Grandmother Song and Wu Chun Hua laughed as they watched Xu Xiao Gang hold the dime he had drawn.
"Very good. Both you and your sister are lucky and will make a lot of money in the New Year."
"That’s right. Both of you are blessed."
As the laughter went on, it was almost midnight. Song Wei Ping took out the fireworks he had bought earlier and led everyone out.
He bought these fireworks when he went out with the transport team. It wasn't sold locally. This was because Xu Xiao Jiao once said she wanted fireworks during the New Year.
There were a total of five firework bombs. Each of them were round. It was placed on the ground and each of them set off one.
Xu Xiao Gang immediately lit his one.
The ball flew into the sky at high speed. And with a 'bang', a huge firework exploded in the sky. Quite dazzling.
Xu Xiao Gang exclaimed loudly, "Wow, so beautiful."
Even if you have seen this kind of scene countless times, you can't help but be amazed again.
She held an incense stick and stretched it toward her own firework bomb.
On the other side, Xu Xiao Gang was acting cute with Wu Chun Hua and wanted to set off her firework too. Xu Xiao Jiao felt that the voices were a little far away. Her vision was getting a bit blurry.
"Not accurate at all. Are you drunk?" A big hand covered hers. Song Wei Ping's warm voice rang in her ears.
"No, just a little dizzy." Xu Xiao Jiao shook her head, unwilling to admit it.
Seeing that her eyes were blurred, Song Wei Ping was amused, "Told you not to act brave. Just some grape wine is enough. You insist on drinking Baijiu. And also snatch Xiao Gang's orange juice. Drinking all three of them must have got to your head. You’re drunk. You’re not allowed to drink Baijiu in the future."
As Xu Xiao Gang set off another firework bomb, Xu Xiao Jiao refuted him, "Nonsense, I can never get drunk!"
Song Wei Ping didn't talk to her anymore. He held her hand and reached out to the firework bomb. The flickering incense ignited the fuze and there was a crackling sound. He pulled her away and looked up at the lit night sky.
"It's so beautiful." Xu Xiao Jiao looked at the huge fireworks that exploded and turned to Song Wei Ping with a smile.
Song Wei Ping stared at her smiling face. Still holding her wrist, he nodded, "En."
After the fireworks were set off, everyone realized that Xu Xiao Jiao was drunk.
Wu Chun Hua didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Don't this lass know her limit. She dares to drink Baijiu with this amount of alcohol tolerance. Quickly drink a cup of strong tea. Wei Ping, take her to bed."
Xu Xiao Jiao obediently drank the water and sat on the edge of the bed. She hardly turned her head as she stared blankly at Song Wei Ping who bent over to take off her shoes.
"Song Wei Ping, you are so kind."
Despite knowing that she was having a drunken rant, Song Wei Ping’s corners of his mouth slightly curled up from hearing it.
Xu Xiao Jiao saw the red envelope she had drawn on the table and muttered, "Song Wei Ping, I'm not lucky."
Song Wei Ping looked up at her, "How can it be bad? Didn’t you draw the biggest red envelope? It's two yuan."
"That's because you told me secretly. That doesn't count." Thinking of Xiao Gang's slumped appearance, she laughed again and continued to complain, "I'm not lucky, and I won't have any fortune this year. You have to earn money .”
She was a little sleepy. Taking off her shoes, she had the consciousness to crawl to her sleeping side, take off her coat, and get into bed.
Before going to bed, she subconsciously said to herself, "No worry of no financial luck; Song Wei Ping will support me."
Song Wei Ping sat beside her and watched her peaceful sleeping face. He couldn't help but reach out and stroke her cheek.
"Okay, I'll earn money and support you."
After a long time, he lowered his head slightly and pressed a kiss on her forehead.
**
When Xu Xiao Jiao woke up, she felt energetic and refreshed.
Song Wei Ping got up earlier than her as usual. She dressed and washed. The round dumplings over there were already on the table.
Xu Xiao Jiao was satisfied. She could eat once she woke up. She didn't have to do it herself. It was the best start to the new year.
This Spring Festival, Xu Xiao Jiao experienced the joy of salted fish.
From the first day of the New Year to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, she didn't have to do anything every day. Just order food and wait for Song Wei Ping to feed her. Her mind was completely emptied.
Which resulted in her brain catching on slowly when the village branch secretary came to find her.
The village branch secretary talked about a lot of things and seeing that Xu Xiao Jiao was not in the right state, he asked her directly: "Xiao Jiao, look at this book. Can you understand it thoroughly and then tell everyone the reasoning in it?"
Xu Xiao Jiao brood over what he said and understood a little bit, "Secretary, you mean, I study and then give training to everyone?"
The village branch secretary slapped his thigh, "Yes, that's the word. Training! The superior leader said, "We need to gather the strength of the brigade, study this book thoroughly, and then train all members of the commune."
Xu Xiao Jiao held the thin booklet, "But why did you find me?"
There were quite a few literate people in the village. Wasn’t it better to let them do it?
When the village branch secretary first got the booklet, he felt that the task was simple. Even himself was somewhat literate. But after reading it for two days, he felt something was wrong.
The words were still those words, but when they were grouped together, he couldn't comprehend it.
Like some distances, temperatures, meters and degrees, he could still handle it. Some parts like cuttage, he could understand after research.
But those words, such as 'accumulated temperature', 'introduction', 'ground diameter', 'acidity and alkalinity' and so on, he didn't understand what they meant even when they were explained in the book.
After much deliberation on this task, he decided to pass it to the educated youth comrades.
Everyone recognized educated youth Han Guang Hui as knowledgeable. That kid guaranteed to handle it. After going through it for a few days, he asked a few questions. The simple ones, he was fine. When asked the ones he didn’t understand, he stuttered and couldn't say anything. When asked again, he’ll say the book didn't write anything specific.
How could that do? People like him who could read and write can't understand it, so forget about those who can't read big characters. This skill can't be spread at all.
He took back the book and told the educated youth about this matter in a meeting. Everyone studied and researched, but they couldn’t grasp these things thoroughly. Zhou Ping Xiang suggested that Xu Xiao Jiao could try it.
After he asked, he found out that delicate-looking Xu Xiao Jiao who looked as if she didn't know anything when she actually did. She privately chatted with Zhou Ping Xiang about some planting knowledge and sounded full of reason. Maybe she could find a way.
Xu Xiao Jiao accepted the book and flipped through it casually. She raised her eyebrows. Actually, she could really do this.
In her previous life, because she liked to eat and was also very picky about the ingredients. Later, her elder brother simply built a whole manor for her, specializing in cultivating some rare things. In order to obtain the best quality and taste, she put in some hard work for once and learned some planting guidance techniques. On a rare chance, she was hands on. Although the nouns mentioned by the branch secretary were somewhat different from those she read, she can understand after some pondering.
"En, I should be able to." Xu Xiao Jiao nodded.
At the beginning, Han Guang Hui agreed more quickly than Xu Xiao Jiao. The pat on his chest was in vain later. To be cautious, the branch secretary asked a question in the book that Han Guang Hui couldn't answer at the time.
Unexpectedly, Xu Xiao Jiao flipped through the book and straightforwardly and clearly explained it clearly in a few sentences.
"Good, good, good. Xiao Jiao, I understand now that you explained it. It turns out that the more topdressing fertilizer isn’t the better. It has to be adjusted according to the soil quality, crop growth and precipitation. There are ways to adjust according to each situation. Ah, just saying that is enough. Say, that Han Guang Hui, he stuttered and stammered exactly whatever the book said about comprehensive coordination and what experience was considered. After half a day, he got nowhere.”
The village branch secretary smiled so wide that the creases on his face layered on. "Comrade Xu Xiao Jiao, the organization has officially entrusted you with this task. You don't have to work hard for the spring plowing right now. Hurry up and learn. When the spring sows, you will give everyone training. As for the work points, I will give you ten work points!"
This was really a person sitting at home and blessings come from heaven.
Xu Xiao Jiao immediately said that she would obey the organization's arrangements, study hard, and contribute to the brigade's increase in grain production.
When Wu Chun Hua found out, she clapped her hands happily, "I say, Xiao Jiao is lucky this year. Afterward, she drew the biggest red envelope during the New Year. In a blink of an eye, she got such a good job in a blink of an eye. Just happens that Xiao Jiao isn’t good at field work. Isn't this Heaven rewarding the meal?"
Grandmother Song also smiled contentedly, "Oh, you are blessed. To have a god daughter like Xiao Jiao, you’re blessed."
In short, everyone was happy.
It was already time for spring plowing and spring sowing. Song Wei Ping was thinking about going out with the transport team next time and getting some popular items to send to the village branch secretary to arrange a light job for Xu Xiao Jiao. Unexpectedly, before he made a move, Xu Xiao Jiao found a way by herself.
Xu Xiao Jiao knew his plan. In the evening, the two of them sat at the same table to study. Xu Xiao Jiao learned planting techniques, while Song Wei Ping studied English books. She couldn't help showing off to Song Wei Ping, "Look, I saved you more money."
She was so outstanding and seemed to be shining all the time. Song Wei Ping was proud as well as feeling inferior. He stopped writing and nodded, "Very awesome."
Xu Xiao Jiao was of course happy to be praised. She reciprocated, "Song Wei Ping, you are also very great. To be honest, you are the hardest working person I have ever met. From last year to this year. It has been almost a year, how do you study every day? If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to persist.”
She sometimes thought, no wonder Song Wei Ping was called a business tycoon in the book. His great success wasn’t out of nowhere. It wasn’t mentioned in the book, but she had watched him for a year. She had long understood that Song Wei Ping's achievements were all justified.
It was said that people who work hard are the most attractive. She felt that she admired Song Wei Ping more and more. If he was a woman, she must upgrade their relationship from a roommate to a best friend. A salty fish like her should be matched with a best friend with strong self-control who dotes. Ohhhh, thinking about it made her excited.
Before Song Wei Ping could speak, she said, "Song Wei Ping, it would be great if you are a woman."
Seeing that Song Wei Ping's face became indescribable, she immediately added, "Of course, it's good now. A guy makes people feel safe. What’s more, you're good-looking. It's face-garnering to take you out."
Song Wei Ping sighed silently and then turned to her, "Study hard."
Ohh! It's this feeling. If it's a female bestie who said this, she would immediately pounce on her, act cute and roll around to not study. Fully act like a salty fish with confidence. What hard work. She can't do it.
Seeing her eyes sparkle, Song Wei Ping knew that she wanted to write some strange things in her head again. Although he didn't know what it was, Song Wei Ping already understood something. She didn't want to eat salted fish when she sang the salted fish song. When singing study songs, she actually didn't want to learn. Her wish was probably to be a delicate little doll who didn't do anything.
He wanted to satisfy her.
Since she promised the branch secretary to study hard and provide training for everyone, Xu Xiao Jiao didn't intend to be perfunctory. It was no problem for her to read, move her brain and understand it. Still, she had to take notes, make tables, etc. This was troublesome. Occasionally, she had to go to the field for investigation and develop some planting programs according to the actual situation.
Originally, she thought it would be a big project. But during the whole process, Xu Xiao Jiao unexpectedly didn't do much.
The main reason was that she has such a good helper like Song Wei Ping.
Song Wei Ping stopped reading the English books and helped her take notes and draw pictures every day. It was like giving orders; it couldn't be any more convenient.
The key was that Song Wei Ping had a very strong comprehension ability. There were many proper nouns. As soon as she uttered them, Song Wei Ping understood them and could also organize simple explanations into his notes.
Xu Xiao Jiao felt that the field can’t go without Song Wei Ping. So she took her notebook to the village branch secretary and tried her best to arrange for Song Wei Ping to work as a fieldwork assistant. She won eight work points per day for Song Wei Ping.
The happy Grandmother Song hugged Xu Xiao Jiao and didn’t let go. She stopped calling her lucky star and instead called precious egg.
It was true. The spring plowing was basically over. The large tracts of plowable land have been plowed with cattle. The remaining corners and bits require human labor. The work at most earned eight work points. Not only was it tiring, it was also not light. Just Xu Xiao Jiao’s action only, Song Wei Ping didn't have to work hard to dig the ground and got eight work points. Of course, she would become the treasure of the Song Family.
There were some people in the village who were sour about it.
Back when Xu Xiao Jiao married Song Wei Ping, apart from saying that Xu Xiao Jiao was a flower put on cow dung, everyone had another thought in their minds- Song Wei Ping was a well-known calamity star. Don’t know how Xu Xiao Jiao will end up after marrying over. Of course, people dared not say it in front of Song Wei Ping.
Don't know what happened. Since Song Wei Ping married Xu Xiao Jiao, the couple’s lives were getting more and more prosperous these days. Everyone didn't know about other things, but Grandmother Song's body was evidently getting stronger. Before, Grandmother Song was always laying down and occasionally seen once in a long while. Now they saw her coming out to chat with everyone from time to time.
Xu Xiao Jiao's maternal family was even more amazing. Attending school burned money. The other party let Xiao Gang go to school. Wu Chun Hua used to have a bitter face all year round. But now, she and Xiao Gang duo were all rosy in complexion. It can be seen that their diet was good.
Ever since Xu Xiao Jiao got married, she was hardly ever seen in the field. She was clearly faring well.
Everyone kept commenting that Xu Xiao Jiao was really blessed. Looking like a flower, she married into Xu's Family with her money. After a year, she climbed up. It was heard that Song Wei Ping did a good job in the town's transportation team and even got a driver license. One must know, there weren’t many people with driver licenses in the whole town. How precious that was.
Seeing Song Wei Ping following Xu Xiao Jiao with a pickaxe and shovel, the team leader’s wife, Auntie Wang, raised her voice and asked, "Oh, Xiao Jiao, I heard you told the branch secretary that Wei Ping will be your assistant and will get eight work points a day? "
Xu Xiao Jiao nodded, "Yes."
Tsk tsk tsk, look at Song Wei Ping's luck. Everyone was jealous, but this was their capability. That whatever technical manual, the branch secretary had said a few times that it could increase food production and meant getting more money and food in the New Year. Who wouldn't look forward to it. It happened that no one can fully grasp it. Xu Xiao Jiao said it could be done and everyone was secretly happy. When the other party fought for easy work for Song Wei Ping, no one would say anything.
Auntie Wang wanted to tease Song Wei Ping a few words, but seeing his expressionless face. She felt embarrassed for a moment, turned her head, and saw Zhao Yan Yan was digging the ground with a pickaxe nearby. She immediately moved over to her.
"Aiya, Yan Yan ah. Say, why are you working again? You didn't ask Han Guang Hui to arrange some light work for you this year?"
Zhao Yan Yan was fuming when she saw Xu Xiao Jiao and Song Wei Ping walking past. She was even infuriated when being asked this by Auntie Wang and irritatedly replied, "Auntie Wang, Uncle Wang is the team leader. I don’t see you doing light work."
Auntie Wang rolled her eyes. Although she was present, no one dared to say anything even if she did little work and got full points as her man was the team leader. She knew Zhao Yan Yan was pretending to not understand and acting snarky.
"Say this how life is. It is destiny. Some people fly higher branches and not become a phoenix. Still, she assumes that she will be able to eat delicious well and enjoy life in the future. In the end, she is still digging food from the ground. Oh, Yan Yan all, Han Didn't Guang Hui was studying that whatever technical manual at the beginning. Why did he give it to Xiao Jiao later? If he didn’t, you could have been that whatever assistant. How leisurely would that have been."
Zhao Yan Yan fumingly looked at Han Guang Hui who was resting under a tree not far away. At first, she thought that Han Guang Hui was leading such an errand and she also basked in the limelight. But it turned out that Han Guang Hui didn't properly learn and made Branch Secretary angry. More importantly, she discovered that Han Guang Hui was flirting with other girls.
She didn't believe it. She didn't believe that her fate wasn’t as good as Xu Xiao Jiao's. She had become a city person and married an educated youth. But now she was in the village, in the dormitory! She could hear everyone praising Xu Xiao Jiao blessing her husband and Song Wei Ping being lucky once she opened her eyes. Han Guang Hui was even secretly hiding a small photo of Xu Xiao Jiao now!
She refused to accept it!
Zhao Yan Yan didn't want to see Xu Xiao Jiao at all. But when it came to making a living, she had to obey the branch secretary's arrangement. All of them entered the brigade to listen to Xu Xiao Jiao's lectures.
When training everyone, Xu Xiao Jiao wasn’t nervous at all. This small scene was a small drizzle when compared to the family's year-end banquet in her previous life. However, the people below weren’t so disciplined.
Before the training started, the people sitting below were like in a big market. One person said something, another followed up with something. It was quite messy.
Xu Xiao Jiao was sitting on the side of the podium, drinking the honey water that Song Wei Ping had prepared for her. She watched Song Wei Ping busily cleaning the blackboard and sorting out materials. He really looked like an assistant.
He seemed to be very serious about everything he does and never procrastinates or does anything for show. Even at the littlest work, he did it properly. That’s why people like him can be successful.
Well, let her, a salted fish, always live in the bigshot’s warm harbor.
Seeing Song Wei Ping finished tidying up and walking toward her to prepare for her going on stage. Xu Xiao Jiao hummed, too lazy to move, "Song Wei Ping, could you explain it for me?"
Anyway, his research was more thorough than hers.
Seeing her look up, Song Wei Ping's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her watery eyes. He coaxed her, "I only learnt it for a few days. I can't convince people with my lecture. You speak. After the lecture, I'll make you your favorite sour pickled veg fish. "
Ah, motivation. Xu Xiao Jiao's heart was thunderstruck. The sour pickled veg fish cooked by Song Wei Ping last time was too delicious. She couldn't get enough of it. How could this guy tell? But she can't easily compromise for a mere dish, "But they are so noisy; chattering endlessly."
Song Wei Ping didn't refute her. He straightened up and faced the room, and hollered in a deep voice, "Quiet!"
The deep voice was solemn without anger, making the people below feel as if their throats had been choked. They all fell silent.
"Let’s invite Comrade Xu Xiao Jiao to give you training on planting techniques. Applause." As he spoke, Song Wei Ping took the initiative to applaud.
A group of confused people below applauded.
Then they saw Song Wei Ping turn to face Xu Xiao Jiao. His face changed from the expression that someone owed him 10,000 yuan to extremely gentle in a second, "Okay, go then."
PreviousXu Xiao Jiao waited with bated breath, waiting to see how Song Wei Ping would answer. If this guy really dared to agree...
After a few breaths, Song Wei Ping looked up at her, "It’s just a few steps away. Still the same as a few days ago. I can support you there."
Xu Xiao Jiao instantly showed a big smile. Her eyes were full of approval and satisfaction. Song Wei Ping, I know I didn’t misjudge you! "Okay!"
She started to sing the salted fish song that she composed herself again; leaving Song Wei Ping to let out the raised breath while reciting the alphabet in a low voice.
So close.
**
When Xu Xiao Jiao's ankle fully recovered and was able to jump around again, the spring sowing was completely over.
In the entire Meilin Village, except for a sparse amount of people who were still working, most of them were taking the time to rest at home and sorting their private land.
Song Wei Ping was finally able to catch his breath.
In the past half a month, he basically didn't rest for a day. Some people in the town were also sowing in spring. When they were tired, they wanted to eat something with oil content. So during this period of time, the pot stewed pork business was better than before. Four or five jins of meat could be sold out in a day.
Because he bought a lot of meat every day, the private meat seller always kept the best big bones and pig's trotters for him. And the price was always cheaper.
Because of this cheapness, even though the family was tired during this period, they never had a shortage of food. During this period, Xu Xiao Jiao even directed Song Wei Ping to cook a big bone in sauce, which made the family's mouth covered with oil.
Business was good. Song Wei Ping had already paid back the remaining five yuan owed to Li San Tie. Even Wu Chun Hua said that their life was getting smoother and smoother.
"Look at my daughter's hand, it's fair and tender. One look and you can tell you got a blessed life. This is the busiest time of farming and you laze away the whole time at home and become so fair and rosy. Look so blessed." Wu Chun Hua touched Xu Xiao Jiao's hand with emotion.
Xu Xiao Jiao didn't pay any heed to anything else, but she focused on the word ‘blessed’. Didn't being blessed mean being fat? She took a mirror to watch her face at night, "Song Wei Ping, do you think I've gotten fat?"
Fat? Song Wei Ping thought of the weight he felt when she laid on his body when she sprained her ankle and thought of her slender ankles. Then looking at her good complexion now, he thought about nourishing her in the future, "Not fat. Too skinny before. It’s better to get fatter."
"So I have gotten fat?" Xu Xiao Jiao quickly pinched her waist. She didn't have a scale, so she couldn't monitor it accurately. She took a rough measurement and felt that she didn't grow much. She was relieved and made up her mind at the same time.
"I have to control myself. Don't buy pork ribs and trotters every day. I'm fine. I'll eat lighter in the future."
Song Wei Ping saw that she kept measuring her waist, which he could hold with both hands, and couldn't help feeling his face flame up a little, "I've been free for the past two days. Do you want to go to the county to play? I'll take you there."
Now that he had some money in his hand, he could buy her some things. The weather was getting hotter. The red dress had long sleeves and couldn't be worn anymore. He wanted to buy her a new one.
Xu Xiao Jiao thought for a while, "Are you going to go out with Third Elder Brother Li in a few days?"
Song Wei Ping nodded. Third Elder Brother Li had sent a letter to him yesterday. The spring sowing was over. The town received another mission to get some goods.
"Then you go first. Let's talk about going to the county when you come back." During this period of time, everyone except her was tired. Better take a good rest these days.
She pondered again, "When you’re out and come across someone who washes their hair with shampoo, buy me a bottle even if you’re not importing it. If I keep using that soap, my hair will not look good."
The cooperative in the town didn’t have shampoo.
She didn't have much pursuit of skin care products. The vanishing cream was okay to use. However, the shampoo soap was truly uncomfortable. She admired herself for being able to endure such difficult conditions.
Song Wei Ping eyed her long black hair. He remembered that one day she didn't sleep well and was probably too close to the curtain, a few strands of hair came from underneath. He touched it lightly. It felt cold and smooth.
"Don't you wash it with egg whites?"
Xu Xiao Jiao stuck out her tongue, "Don't talk about it. Last time I washed it with egg whites, my mother saw it and almost didn't nag me to death. I don't dare to let Grandmother see it. Only you don't tell me off. My mother says you spoil me."
The corners of Song Wei Ping's mouth curled slightly and he continued the current topic, "Then I'll go out and see if there is any shampoo and buy it for you if there is. You can use egg whites, don't let them see it."
Xu Xiao Jiao was happy to hear that. She raised her chin toward Song Wei Ping, "Song Wei Ping, you are the best."
Now that Song Wei Ping promised her, he always paid attention on the road. It made Li San Tie amazed, saying that he really loved his wife.
Song Wei Ping didn't disappoint Xu Xiao Jiao either. Although he couldn't find anything on the way, he went to a big shopping mall in the county town and bought Xu Xiao Jiao shampoo, hair conditioner, and a set of pearl powder skin care products.
As soon as he got home, he gave it to Xu Xiao Jiao, "See if you like it."
This feeling of her needs put in his heart was really good, Xu Xiao Jiao immediately used it.
In the evening, she also used pearl powder skin care products. The effect was very good.
"Song Wei Ping, come here and touch my hair. I think it's a lot smoother." She felt the need to give positive feedback.
Song Wei Ping was sitting beside her writing English words. Hearing this, he put down the pen and reached out to smooth her hair. It was as smooth as imagined, "Not bad."
"Yes, yes. And this skin care product, it’s also very good. It has a faint fragrance. Can you smell it?"
Song Wei Ping had smelled it a long time ago. He felt that his whole body was shrouded in a layer of hazy fragrance and made people unconsciously addicted. "En, since you think it's good, I'll buy it for you again."
Xu Xiao Jiao wouldn’t refuse. This was the benefit of her marrying Song Wei Ping.
When the two were lying down, Song Wei Ping heard her start singing again and couldn't help asking, "Want to eat salted fish?"
"No! Don't mention eating salted fish and we are still good roommates." Five out of ten times she sang this song, Song Wei Ping couldn't help asking her if she wanted to eat salted fish. She didn’t want to.
Song Wei Ping stopped at that and instead talked about this time’s outing. The trip went smoothly, and all the goods required by the superiors were bought. But they didn't find any loophole.
This was normal. It was impossible to be so lucky every time. "It's good to be able to come back smoothly. Also, I have a new idea for you going to the alley to make money. Maybe it will work."
As for the source of this idea, it was Song Wei Ping who gave it to her.
A few days ago, even though Song Wei Ping went out with Li San Tie, he didn't forget to ask Wu Chun Hua to arrange meals for Xu Xiao Jiao. Although Xu Xiao Jiao was well, she still didn't dare to do big moves like running and jumping. He couldn’t be rest assured. This made Wu Chun Hua more and more satisfied with him.
It was Xu Xiao Jiao who wasn’t very cooperative.
Wu Chun Hua felt that her daughter was really spoiled, "Wei Ping said, he's not at home and you don't know how to cook. Simple food is fine, but told me to make you bone soup and ribs every second day. This lass, you don't know what's good or bad. Look, who in the whole team could compare to you in eating."
Xu Xiao Jiao really didn't want to eat meat anymore. If this continues, she will really gain weight. After being nagged by her mother a lot, Xu Xiao Jiao moved the cogs in her head again and thought of a new diet. At least eat less meat.
"It's a kind of baked pancake. Chop up the pot stewed pork and the edible fungus cooked in the pot stewed pork soup and fill it into the sliced pancake. You could also cut some green peppers and put it in for some kick. It's called #Roujiamo/https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=AB5stBgiqjPskxxi4723lYaZT2f-FYF3DA:1689643444552&q=%E8%82%89%E5%A4%B9%E9%A6%8D&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwiryLyqjJeAAxUVkFwKHchOAMoQ0pQJegQIDRAB&biw=1094&bih=717&dpr=1.35."
She had already inquired clearly that there was really no such thing as Roujiamo in this place. So they could make it.
Xu Xiao Jiao has already eaten it twice. Following her instructions, the pancake made by Wu Chun Hua were pretty good. "I will get my mother to make it for you to try tomorrow. If you think it’s good, you can sell it and see how it goes. Three dime for one. Five dime for two."
Wu Chun Hua's cooking skills were great. She baked the fat steamed buns crispy on both sides and soft in the middle. It sandwiched finely chopped pot stewed meat, edible fungus, and a sprinkle of green peppers. Then drizzle some pot stewed pork juice. Xu Xiao Gang could eat three in one meal.
Seeing that her grandson was devouring the food, Grandmother Song smiled and said to Wu Chun Hua, "It should be my grandson who is blessed. If it wasn't for Xiao Jiao, with his brain, he wouldn't be able to think of these foods. So I'm saying, Xiao Jiao lass bring luck to husband!"
Grandmother Song has nothing to worry about now. Her grandson had married a good wife and the couple lived a good life. Granddaughter-in-law was also filial to her. These days, she could wake up from dreams with a smile.
Song Wei Ping tasted the Roujiamo and felt that he couldn't stop. The pancakes slightly soaked in the pot-stewed juice mixed with the pot-stewed meat tasted amazing. So he immediately decided to try it out.
He didn't expect that it would sell so well.
The price was three dimes each, which was neither expensive nor cheap. Although one didn’t use a jin of meat, the white flour and oil used for pancakes weren’t cheap either. Those who regularly bought pot stewed meat from him knew that his goods were good value. Those who weren’t of two or three dimes, would buy one to try.
With this tasting, it opened up the source of customers. Some people bought one from him and looked for something to buy in the alley while eating. When they came back, they had to get two to take home to eat. As long as they had bought it, they became repeat customers.
This was how the small business of Roujiamo started.
Because of this business, Wu Chun Hua also became a supplier.
Originally, Xu Xiao Jiao and Song Wei Ping agreed to give Wu Chun Hua two yuan a month, but Wu Chun Hua didn't want anything. Two yuan was enough for a month of work for her.
Now was the chance. Xu Xiao Jiao directly arranged work for her. Song Wei Ping was busy enough with the pot stewed pork. There was no time to make pancakes. The task of making pancakes was handed over to Wu Chun Hua. As long as Song Wei Ping made pot stewed pork, Wu Chun Hua would provide twenty or so pancakes.
Wu Chun Hua originally wanted to help her daughter and didn't want any money. But Xu Xiao Jiao didn't comply. In addition, the money wasn’t free. So she accepted it with joy and some grumbling.
This year was a year of satisfaction and happiness for the two families.
After being busy with spring sowing and autumn harvest, the year was coming to an end in the midst of heavy snowfall.
The Song Family's small courtyard welcomed the most liveliest time of the year through these countless years.
Wu Chun Hua and Song Wei Ping were busy with their work. From time to time, they called the people in the room who were eating roasted chestnuts around the stove.
"Xiao Jiao, Xiao Gang, the chicken is finished stewing. Come quickly. I’ll give each of you a big chicken drumstick to eat first."
"Come, the fried meatball is ready. Eat two while they're hot."
"Xiao Jiao, the fried lotus root you want is out of the pot. Come and try the saltiness."
Before the New Year's Eve dinner started, Xu Xiao Jiao and Xu Xiao Gang were already half full.
When the steaming hot dishes were set on a large table, everyone sat down and looked at each other, smiling unconsciously.
Grandmother Song and Wu Chun Hua smiled with tears in their eyes as they repeatedly remarked how wonderful it was.
Xu Xiao Jiao didn't want to be sad on such a lively day. She also missed her family, but the most important thing was to have a good life in the future.
She started a conversation, "Shouldn't we have some wine on such a good day like today? Elder Brother Wei Ping, didn't you buy #Baijiu/https://www.google.com/search?q=%E7%99%BD%E9%85%92&source=lmns&bih=717&biw=1094&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjLwP_Kh5mAAxWKLcAKHbMKDnMQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA, grape wine and orange juice? Xiao Gang drinks orange juice and we’ll all have some wine?"
No one disagreed. There was wine and meat. This was a good day that gods won't exchange for.
Xu Xiao Jiao asked for grape wine and continued to liven up the atmosphere, "Grandmother, why don't you say a few words."
Grandmother Song happily responded, "Oh, Grandmother is an old lady who doesn't understand anything. What can I say? Xiao Jiao, do say a few words."
Seeing that Grandmother Song was in high spirits, Xu Xiao Jiao encouraged her, "Who dares to say that my Grandmother doesn't understand anything. You eat more salt than we eat flour. Any few words contain big reasoning. Grandmother, say a few words.”
The few people coaxed together, Grandmother Song grinned so wide that only her teeth could be seen. She coughed twice, "Okay, okay, I'll say a few words."
She wiped away the tears from her laughter, "How many years has it been? This year is Grandmother’s happiest year. In the past, it was me raising Ping boy. Life, life was hard, but this year since he married Xiao Jiao in, luck turned around. Not only life got better, Ping boy is also happy. In Grandmother’s opinion, Xiao Jiao is the lucky star of our Song Family. From now on, Ping boy, you must treat Xiao Jiao even better. Grandmother doesn't expect anything, just hope that you two will live a peaceful and beautiful life in the future."
Xu Xiao Jiao couldn't accept her title of ‘Little Lucky Star’ any faster. She turned her head and smiled complacently at Song Wei Ping, "Did you hear what Grandmother said? Got to treat me well."
Wu Chun Hua saw Song Wei Ping's gentle brows and eyes and honestly acknowledged with an ‘en’. She was satisfied, but she also chided Xu Xiao Jiao, "I think he spoiled you. Wei Ping is a good child. You have to live with him with one heart. Mom looks forward to your next year getting more and more prosperous."
This year, she had become more and more satisfied with Song Wei Ping. He was capable both at home and out. Daughter basically didn't do anything. He wasn’t stingy. What should be daughter’s money wasn’t gripped in his hand. Because of Daughter, Son could attend school. What’s more, his academic performance was very good. He only attended the first grade for half a year, he was promoted to the second grade in autumn because of his good grades. She felt that this life was a bit like a dream.
The whole family was happy and joyous. Xu Xiao Jiao liked liveliness. She made a fuss to change to Baijiu. Song Wei Ping was afraid that she would get drunk, but he couldn't stop her. The meal lasted until after nine o'clock in the evening. After drinking the wine, her body was warm and not cold. The slightly drunken state made one unconsciously lazy. nd it was still a long time before twelve o'clock. After the few played cards for a while, Xu Xiao Jiao had a new idea.
"Let's play luck and draw red envelopes. Song Wei Ping, you earned money this year. Can you give us red envelopes?" She flushed a little after drinking and spoke slowly with a smile on her face.
Naturally, Song Wei Ping wouldn’t disappoint. Complying to what Xu Xiao Jiao said, he used the red paper left over from the Spring Festival couplets and wrapped them in four identical red paper bags. Inside was ten cents, twenty cents, fifty cents, and one yuan.
"Draw it." He stacked the red envelopes in his hands, turned around and handed them to the four people in front of him.
Grandmother Song and Wu Chun Hua were happy to play with the children and joined in the fun with high spirits. Because of the different amount of red envelopes, Xu Xiao Gang opened his eyes excitedly and wanted to draw a big one. Xu Xiao Jiao let him, "Xiao Gang, you draw first."
Everyone took one. Xu Xiao Gang opened it impatiently.
"Oh, I'm one yuan! Elder Sister, how much did you get? Hahaha, Elder Sister, you only drew a dime." Xu Xiao Gang laughed loudly, making the few people laugh.
Of course Xu Xiao Jiao didn't care about a few yuans, but she didn't want to be the unluckiest one either. She rubbed her hands and signaled to Song Wei Ping, "Come again. This time, I want to be the king of luck!"
The second one, she wanted to draw first. The result was still another dime.
Amid everyone's laughter this time, even Song Wei Ping couldn't help but curl his lips.
Xu Xiao Jiao held the dime and stomped her feet in dissatisfaction, "Song Wei Ping, you’re laughing at me too."
The alcohol hit her. Being drunk, her voice was coquettish like she was acting spoiled.
The two were the closest. Song Wei Ping approached her and whispered to her with a smile, "I'll make it up to you later."
Xu Xiao Jiao snorted, "No, another round. I don't believe it."
In the third round, everyone let Xu Xiao Jiao be the first to draw. She looked at the four red envelopes in front of her, and was a little unsure. What to do if she was the last one?
Just as she was hesitating, she felt a light touch on her calf.
It was so close and was on the right. Next to her on the right was Song Wei Ping.
Xu Xiao Jiao lifted her chin and looked up at Song Wei Ping's face. He was expressionless.
But on the calf, he lightly touched twice.
A total of three times. Xu Xiao Jiao looked at the red envelope in front of her again and suddenly understood. She quickly touched Song Wei Ping three times and winked at Song Wei Ping.
Song Wei Ping still had no expression on his face, only a quick smile flashed in his eyes.
Xu Xiao Jiao let out a chuckle. Seeing that the rest of the people were looking at her, she touched her cheek with her hand resting on her chin and pretended to think about it. Looking distressed, "Oh, which one should I choose? It can’t be another dime.”
Xu Xiao Gang tasted the sweetness twice and couldn't wait, "Elder Sister, hurry up. Anyway, I must be the luckiest. So you choose whatever you want."
"It's too early for you to be happy." Xu Xiao Jiao reached out, tapped the four red envelopes, and took out the third one.
"Wow, Song Wei Ping, two yuan!" Xu Xiao Jiao cheered, her mood instantly soaring.
Though Xu Jiao Jiao already knew that the third one might be a big red envelope, she couldn't help but get excited when truly did get more than before.
This time it was Xu Xiao Gang's turn to come last/ Xu Xiao Jiao laughed mercilessly.
Grandmother Song and Wu Chun Hua laughed as they watched Xu Xiao Gang hold the dime he had drawn.
"Very good. Both you and your sister are lucky and will make a lot of money in the New Year."
"That’s right. Both of you are blessed."
As the laughter went on, it was almost midnight. Song Wei Ping took out the fireworks he had bought earlier and led everyone out.
He bought these fireworks when he went out with the transport team. It wasn't sold locally. This was because Xu Xiao Jiao once said she wanted fireworks during the New Year.
There were a total of five firework bombs. Each of them were round. It was placed on the ground and each of them set off one.
Xu Xiao Gang immediately lit his one.
The ball flew into the sky at high speed. And with a 'bang', a huge firework exploded in the sky. Quite dazzling.
Xu Xiao Gang exclaimed loudly, "Wow, so beautiful."
Even if you have seen this kind of scene countless times, you can't help but be amazed again.
She held an incense stick and stretched it toward her own firework bomb.
On the other side, Xu Xiao Gang was acting cute with Wu Chun Hua and wanted to set off her firework too. Xu Xiao Jiao felt that the voices were a little far away. Her vision was getting a bit blurry.
"Not accurate at all. Are you drunk?" A big hand covered hers. Song Wei Ping's warm voice rang in her ears.
"No, just a little dizzy." Xu Xiao Jiao shook her head, unwilling to admit it.
Seeing that her eyes were blurred, Song Wei Ping was amused, "Told you not to act brave. Just some grape wine is enough. You insist on drinking Baijiu. And also snatch Xiao Gang's orange juice. Drinking all three of them must have got to your head. You’re drunk. You’re not allowed to drink Baijiu in the future."
As Xu Xiao Gang set off another firework bomb, Xu Xiao Jiao refuted him, "Nonsense, I can never get drunk!"
Song Wei Ping didn't talk to her anymore. He held her hand and reached out to the firework bomb. The flickering incense ignited the fuze and there was a crackling sound. He pulled her away and looked up at the lit night sky.
"It's so beautiful." Xu Xiao Jiao looked at the huge fireworks that exploded and turned to Song Wei Ping with a smile.
Song Wei Ping stared at her smiling face. Still holding her wrist, he nodded, "En."
After the fireworks were set off, everyone realized that Xu Xiao Jiao was drunk.
Wu Chun Hua didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Don't this lass know her limit. She dares to drink Baijiu with this amount of alcohol tolerance. Quickly drink a cup of strong tea. Wei Ping, take her to bed."
Xu Xiao Jiao obediently drank the water and sat on the edge of the bed. She hardly turned her head as she stared blankly at Song Wei Ping who bent over to take off her shoes.
"Song Wei Ping, you are so kind."
Despite knowing that she was having a drunken rant, Song Wei Ping’s corners of his mouth slightly curled up from hearing it.
Xu Xiao Jiao saw the red envelope she had drawn on the table and muttered, "Song Wei Ping, I'm not lucky."
Song Wei Ping looked up at her, "How can it be bad? Didn’t you draw the biggest red envelope? It's two yuan."
"That's because you told me secretly. That doesn't count." Thinking of Xiao Gang's slumped appearance, she laughed again and continued to complain, "I'm not lucky, and I won't have any fortune this year. You have to earn money .”
She was a little sleepy. Taking off her shoes, she had the consciousness to crawl to her sleeping side, take off her coat, and get into bed.
Before going to bed, she subconsciously said to herself, "No worry of no financial luck; Song Wei Ping will support me."
Song Wei Ping sat beside her and watched her peaceful sleeping face. He couldn't help but reach out and stroke her cheek.
"Okay, I'll earn money and support you."
After a long time, he lowered his head slightly and pressed a kiss on her forehead.
**
When Xu Xiao Jiao woke up, she felt energetic and refreshed.
Song Wei Ping got up earlier than her as usual. She dressed and washed. The round dumplings over there were already on the table.
Xu Xiao Jiao was satisfied. She could eat once she woke up. She didn't have to do it herself. It was the best start to the new year.
This Spring Festival, Xu Xiao Jiao experienced the joy of salted fish.
From the first day of the New Year to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, she didn't have to do anything every day. Just order food and wait for Song Wei Ping to feed her. Her mind was completely emptied.
Which resulted in her brain catching on slowly when the village branch secretary came to find her.
The village branch secretary talked about a lot of things and seeing that Xu Xiao Jiao was not in the right state, he asked her directly: "Xiao Jiao, look at this book. Can you understand it thoroughly and then tell everyone the reasoning in it?"
Xu Xiao Jiao brood over what he said and understood a little bit, "Secretary, you mean, I study and then give training to everyone?"
The village branch secretary slapped his thigh, "Yes, that's the word. Training! The superior leader said, "We need to gather the strength of the brigade, study this book thoroughly, and then train all members of the commune."
Xu Xiao Jiao held the thin booklet, "But why did you find me?"
There were quite a few literate people in the village. Wasn’t it better to let them do it?
When the village branch secretary first got the booklet, he felt that the task was simple. Even himself was somewhat literate. But after reading it for two days, he felt something was wrong.
The words were still those words, but when they were grouped together, he couldn't comprehend it.
Like some distances, temperatures, meters and degrees, he could still handle it. Some parts like cuttage, he could understand after research.
But those words, such as 'accumulated temperature', 'introduction', 'ground diameter', 'acidity and alkalinity' and so on, he didn't understand what they meant even when they were explained in the book.
After much deliberation on this task, he decided to pass it to the educated youth comrades.
Everyone recognized educated youth Han Guang Hui as knowledgeable. That kid guaranteed to handle it. After going through it for a few days, he asked a few questions. The simple ones, he was fine. When asked the ones he didn’t understand, he stuttered and couldn't say anything. When asked again, he’ll say the book didn't write anything specific.
How could that do? People like him who could read and write can't understand it, so forget about those who can't read big characters. This skill can't be spread at all.
He took back the book and told the educated youth about this matter in a meeting. Everyone studied and researched, but they couldn’t grasp these things thoroughly. Zhou Ping Xiang suggested that Xu Xiao Jiao could try it.
After he asked, he found out that delicate-looking Xu Xiao Jiao who looked as if she didn't know anything when she actually did. She privately chatted with Zhou Ping Xiang about some planting knowledge and sounded full of reason. Maybe she could find a way.
Xu Xiao Jiao accepted the book and flipped through it casually. She raised her eyebrows. Actually, she could really do this.
In her previous life, because she liked to eat and was also very picky about the ingredients. Later, her elder brother simply built a whole manor for her, specializing in cultivating some rare things. In order to obtain the best quality and taste, she put in some hard work for once and learned some planting guidance techniques. On a rare chance, she was hands on. Although the nouns mentioned by the branch secretary were somewhat different from those she read, she can understand after some pondering.
"En, I should be able to." Xu Xiao Jiao nodded.
At the beginning, Han Guang Hui agreed more quickly than Xu Xiao Jiao. The pat on his chest was in vain later. To be cautious, the branch secretary asked a question in the book that Han Guang Hui couldn't answer at the time.
Unexpectedly, Xu Xiao Jiao flipped through the book and straightforwardly and clearly explained it clearly in a few sentences.
"Good, good, good. Xiao Jiao, I understand now that you explained it. It turns out that the more topdressing fertilizer isn’t the better. It has to be adjusted according to the soil quality, crop growth and precipitation. There are ways to adjust according to each situation. Ah, just saying that is enough. Say, that Han Guang Hui, he stuttered and stammered exactly whatever the book said about comprehensive coordination and what experience was considered. After half a day, he got nowhere.”
The village branch secretary smiled so wide that the creases on his face layered on. "Comrade Xu Xiao Jiao, the organization has officially entrusted you with this task. You don't have to work hard for the spring plowing right now. Hurry up and learn. When the spring sows, you will give everyone training. As for the work points, I will give you ten work points!"
This was really a person sitting at home and blessings come from heaven.
Xu Xiao Jiao immediately said that she would obey the organization's arrangements, study hard, and contribute to the brigade's increase in grain production.
When Wu Chun Hua found out, she clapped her hands happily, "I say, Xiao Jiao is lucky this year. Afterward, she drew the biggest red envelope during the New Year. In a blink of an eye, she got such a good job in a blink of an eye. Just happens that Xiao Jiao isn’t good at field work. Isn't this Heaven rewarding the meal?"
Grandmother Song also smiled contentedly, "Oh, you are blessed. To have a god daughter like Xiao Jiao, you’re blessed."
In short, everyone was happy.
It was already time for spring plowing and spring sowing. Song Wei Ping was thinking about going out with the transport team next time and getting some popular items to send to the village branch secretary to arrange a light job for Xu Xiao Jiao. Unexpectedly, before he made a move, Xu Xiao Jiao found a way by herself.
Xu Xiao Jiao knew his plan. In the evening, the two of them sat at the same table to study. Xu Xiao Jiao learned planting techniques, while Song Wei Ping studied English books. She couldn't help showing off to Song Wei Ping, "Look, I saved you more money."
She was so outstanding and seemed to be shining all the time. Song Wei Ping was proud as well as feeling inferior. He stopped writing and nodded, "Very awesome."
Xu Xiao Jiao was of course happy to be praised. She reciprocated, "Song Wei Ping, you are also very great. To be honest, you are the hardest working person I have ever met. From last year to this year. It has been almost a year, how do you study every day? If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to persist.”
She sometimes thought, no wonder Song Wei Ping was called a business tycoon in the book. His great success wasn’t out of nowhere. It wasn’t mentioned in the book, but she had watched him for a year. She had long understood that Song Wei Ping's achievements were all justified.
It was said that people who work hard are the most attractive. She felt that she admired Song Wei Ping more and more. If he was a woman, she must upgrade their relationship from a roommate to a best friend. A salty fish like her should be matched with a best friend with strong self-control who dotes. Ohhhh, thinking about it made her excited.
Before Song Wei Ping could speak, she said, "Song Wei Ping, it would be great if you are a woman."
Seeing that Song Wei Ping's face became indescribable, she immediately added, "Of course, it's good now. A guy makes people feel safe. What’s more, you're good-looking. It's face-garnering to take you out."
Song Wei Ping sighed silently and then turned to her, "Study hard."
Ohh! It's this feeling. If it's a female bestie who said this, she would immediately pounce on her, act cute and roll around to not study. Fully act like a salty fish with confidence. What hard work. She can't do it.
Seeing her eyes sparkle, Song Wei Ping knew that she wanted to write some strange things in her head again. Although he didn't know what it was, Song Wei Ping already understood something. She didn't want to eat salted fish when she sang the salted fish song. When singing study songs, she actually didn't want to learn. Her wish was probably to be a delicate little doll who didn't do anything.
He wanted to satisfy her.
Since she promised the branch secretary to study hard and provide training for everyone, Xu Xiao Jiao didn't intend to be perfunctory. It was no problem for her to read, move her brain and understand it. Still, she had to take notes, make tables, etc. This was troublesome. Occasionally, she had to go to the field for investigation and develop some planting programs according to the actual situation.
Originally, she thought it would be a big project. But during the whole process, Xu Xiao Jiao unexpectedly didn't do much.
The main reason was that she has such a good helper like Song Wei Ping.
Song Wei Ping stopped reading the English books and helped her take notes and draw pictures every day. It was like giving orders; it couldn't be any more convenient.
The key was that Song Wei Ping had a very strong comprehension ability. There were many proper nouns. As soon as she uttered them, Song Wei Ping understood them and could also organize simple explanations into his notes.
Xu Xiao Jiao felt that the field can’t go without Song Wei Ping. So she took her notebook to the village branch secretary and tried her best to arrange for Song Wei Ping to work as a fieldwork assistant. She won eight work points per day for Song Wei Ping.
The happy Grandmother Song hugged Xu Xiao Jiao and didn’t let go. She stopped calling her lucky star and instead called precious egg.
It was true. The spring plowing was basically over. The large tracts of plowable land have been plowed with cattle. The remaining corners and bits require human labor. The work at most earned eight work points. Not only was it tiring, it was also not light. Just Xu Xiao Jiao’s action only, Song Wei Ping didn't have to work hard to dig the ground and got eight work points. Of course, she would become the treasure of the Song Family.
There were some people in the village who were sour about it.
Back when Xu Xiao Jiao married Song Wei Ping, apart from saying that Xu Xiao Jiao was a flower put on cow dung, everyone had another thought in their minds- Song Wei Ping was a well-known calamity star. Don’t know how Xu Xiao Jiao will end up after marrying over. Of course, people dared not say it in front of Song Wei Ping.
Don't know what happened. Since Song Wei Ping married Xu Xiao Jiao, the couple’s lives were getting more and more prosperous these days. Everyone didn't know about other things, but Grandmother Song's body was evidently getting stronger. Before, Grandmother Song was always laying down and occasionally seen once in a long while. Now they saw her coming out to chat with everyone from time to time.
Xu Xiao Jiao's maternal family was even more amazing. Attending school burned money. The other party let Xiao Gang go to school. Wu Chun Hua used to have a bitter face all year round. But now, she and Xiao Gang duo were all rosy in complexion. It can be seen that their diet was good.
Ever since Xu Xiao Jiao got married, she was hardly ever seen in the field. She was clearly faring well.
Everyone kept commenting that Xu Xiao Jiao was really blessed. Looking like a flower, she married into Xu's Family with her money. After a year, she climbed up. It was heard that Song Wei Ping did a good job in the town's transportation team and even got a driver license. One must know, there weren’t many people with driver licenses in the whole town. How precious that was.
Seeing Song Wei Ping following Xu Xiao Jiao with a pickaxe and shovel, the team leader’s wife, Auntie Wang, raised her voice and asked, "Oh, Xiao Jiao, I heard you told the branch secretary that Wei Ping will be your assistant and will get eight work points a day? "
Xu Xiao Jiao nodded, "Yes."
Tsk tsk tsk, look at Song Wei Ping's luck. Everyone was jealous, but this was their capability. That whatever technical manual, the branch secretary had said a few times that it could increase food production and meant getting more money and food in the New Year. Who wouldn't look forward to it. It happened that no one can fully grasp it. Xu Xiao Jiao said it could be done and everyone was secretly happy. When the other party fought for easy work for Song Wei Ping, no one would say anything.
Auntie Wang wanted to tease Song Wei Ping a few words, but seeing his expressionless face. She felt embarrassed for a moment, turned her head, and saw Zhao Yan Yan was digging the ground with a pickaxe nearby. She immediately moved over to her.
"Aiya, Yan Yan ah. Say, why are you working again? You didn't ask Han Guang Hui to arrange some light work for you this year?"
Zhao Yan Yan was fuming when she saw Xu Xiao Jiao and Song Wei Ping walking past. She was even infuriated when being asked this by Auntie Wang and irritatedly replied, "Auntie Wang, Uncle Wang is the team leader. I don’t see you doing light work."
Auntie Wang rolled her eyes. Although she was present, no one dared to say anything even if she did little work and got full points as her man was the team leader. She knew Zhao Yan Yan was pretending to not understand and acting snarky.
"Say this how life is. It is destiny. Some people fly higher branches and not become a phoenix. Still, she assumes that she will be able to eat delicious well and enjoy life in the future. In the end, she is still digging food from the ground. Oh, Yan Yan all, Han Didn't Guang Hui was studying that whatever technical manual at the beginning. Why did he give it to Xiao Jiao later? If he didn’t, you could have been that whatever assistant. How leisurely would that have been."
Zhao Yan Yan fumingly looked at Han Guang Hui who was resting under a tree not far away. At first, she thought that Han Guang Hui was leading such an errand and she also basked in the limelight. But it turned out that Han Guang Hui didn't properly learn and made Branch Secretary angry. More importantly, she discovered that Han Guang Hui was flirting with other girls.
She didn't believe it. She didn't believe that her fate wasn’t as good as Xu Xiao Jiao's. She had become a city person and married an educated youth. But now she was in the village, in the dormitory! She could hear everyone praising Xu Xiao Jiao blessing her husband and Song Wei Ping being lucky once she opened her eyes. Han Guang Hui was even secretly hiding a small photo of Xu Xiao Jiao now!
She refused to accept it!
Zhao Yan Yan didn't want to see Xu Xiao Jiao at all. But when it came to making a living, she had to obey the branch secretary's arrangement. All of them entered the brigade to listen to Xu Xiao Jiao's lectures.
When training everyone, Xu Xiao Jiao wasn’t nervous at all. This small scene was a small drizzle when compared to the family's year-end banquet in her previous life. However, the people below weren’t so disciplined.
Before the training started, the people sitting below were like in a big market. One person said something, another followed up with something. It was quite messy.
Xu Xiao Jiao was sitting on the side of the podium, drinking the honey water that Song Wei Ping had prepared for her. She watched Song Wei Ping busily cleaning the blackboard and sorting out materials. He really looked like an assistant.
He seemed to be very serious about everything he does and never procrastinates or does anything for show. Even at the littlest work, he did it properly. That’s why people like him can be successful.
Well, let her, a salted fish, always live in the bigshot’s warm harbor.
Seeing Song Wei Ping finished tidying up and walking toward her to prepare for her going on stage. Xu Xiao Jiao hummed, too lazy to move, "Song Wei Ping, could you explain it for me?"
Anyway, his research was more thorough than hers.
Seeing her look up, Song Wei Ping's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her watery eyes. He coaxed her, "I only learnt it for a few days. I can't convince people with my lecture. You speak. After the lecture, I'll make you your favorite sour pickled veg fish. "
Ah, motivation. Xu Xiao Jiao's heart was thunderstruck. The sour pickled veg fish cooked by Song Wei Ping last time was too delicious. She couldn't get enough of it. How could this guy tell? But she can't easily compromise for a mere dish, "But they are so noisy; chattering endlessly."
Song Wei Ping didn't refute her. He straightened up and faced the room, and hollered in a deep voice, "Quiet!"
The deep voice was solemn without anger, making the people below feel as if their throats had been choked. They all fell silent.
"Let’s invite Comrade Xu Xiao Jiao to give you training on planting techniques. Applause." As he spoke, Song Wei Ping took the initiative to applaud.
A group of confused people below applauded.
Then they saw Song Wei Ping turn to face Xu Xiao Jiao. His face changed from the expression that someone owed him 10,000 yuan to extremely gentle in a second, "Okay, go then."
This couple is strangely in sync with each other. ♡♡♡♡
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