Seeking a guaranteed monthly pass (50+ is far from enough, add more)

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  May knew that Xia Zhi was not joking. She narrowed her eyes at Xia Zhi: "Sixteen, how could you not know better!"

  "Following your design in the twelfth lunar month, I just know what's good and what's not! Are you coming back with me or not?" Xia Zhi said to Wu Yue without any politeness, and after finishing speaking, he pulled her along as they headed back.

  This time, May didn't struggle. In terms of strength, she was no match for Xia Zhi. Moreover, she had seen it early on that Xia Zhi was a fierce and formidable opponent. If she dared to argue with Xia Zhi, Xia Zhi would dare to quarrel back. At that time, she would definitely be the one to lose face.

  As soon as they entered the big car store, Xia Zhi's face softened. Wu Yue was also very clever and put on a smile. "Sixteen, this is a waste of effort," she said in a low voice to Xia Zhi.

  Summer solstice naturally understands the meaning of May.

  The Qian family is not stupid. In May, they just did that, clearly saying that she didn't look down on Qian Yue, this marriage, she was unhappy. Regardless of whether the other party liked Ruiyue or not, May first cleared herself.

  In May, the matter of marrying into the Qian family, Xia Zhi had no opinion. If in May disagreed, she should just say so, but she shouldn't have dragged La Yue into it to fill the gap. Now what has happened to La Yue? What will the Qian family think?

  Xia Zhi pulled May back, and everyone didn't make any special expressions. Old Man Xia didn't even say a word. Xia Zhi sat back down on the stool and heard Qian Auntie talking to Rui Yue.

  Lan Yue is a very honest girl, and she's being asked by Aunt Qian about her recent hobby of making pouches.

  "Just one look and you can tell she's a skilled young lady. Let Auntie take a look, the pouch made in the twelfth lunar month is definitely beautiful."

  Lan Yue felt embarrassed, slowly taking out the embroidered pouch she had made and handing it to Qian Dajie. Qian Dajie took the pouch and carefully examined it before saying that Lan Yue's needlework was good. "At just twelve years old, this is quite rare."

  "I'm still learning, I'll definitely be able to do better later." said Lao Yue.

  "Grandpa, we're going to the market." Xia Zhi told Grandfather Xia that they were leaving.

  Xia Lao Ye Zi let them go, he wanted to continue talking with Qian Lao Ye Zi and his family. "It's rare for you to come from so far away, let's have a good drink together." He also understood the meaning of Wu Yue and felt apologetic towards Qian Lao Ye Zi in his heart.

  The method of May is to clearly look down on the Qian family and treat the young generation of the Qian family as a monkey show.

  Qian Lao Ye Zi seems to have no displeasure at all, laughing and talking with Xia Lao Ye Zi, saying he wants to be the host: "Please invite older brother to drink wine, bring all the children along. These few children, one is more handsome and spirited than the other, I find them quite delightful."

  No matter who is the host, the two old men plan to have a meal together. Although the marriage proposal was unsuccessful, their friendship cannot be affected.

  The big car store just manages the food, two old men discussed it and didn't go anywhere else, they ate at the big car store. Mr. Qian also said that he was very familiar with the big car store and that the mutton balls here were particularly delicious.

  "Go and tell the kitchen to prepare a table of dishes, and bring up a good wine." Old Master Qian instructed his grandson. Qian Yue came answered loudly and went to arrange it. Old Master Qian was still smiling and inviting Xia Ershu, "When I was young, I used to hold him in my arms, and now the children have grown so big. Second uncle, how many cups can you drink? Later, we two old men will have a good drink."

  Xia Er Shu laughed and said, "Then I must accompany San Shu."

  "He can't drink." Old Man Xia said, "He still has something to do in the eastern part of town, let him accompany you for a good drink another day." As he spoke, Old Man Xia glanced at Second Uncle Xia and urged him and Second Aunt Xia to take May and hurry off. "Go on, there's no need for you all to stay here. Get things done, don't delay."

  Xia Er Shu brought May here for a blind date today, and there's nothing else. He understands that Old Man Xia wants to drive them away. To be honest, Xia Er Shu is still quite reluctant to give up this table of wine and dishes, but compared to his daughter's marriage, he can only bear the pain and give up the benefit of this table of wine and dishes.

  Xia Er Shu and Xia Er Shu brought May away. Several of Xia Zhi's stayed behind.

  The dishes were served, and Old Man Xia raised his cup first: "Let's toast to our elder brother's joke."

  "What's Big Brother saying? Don't I know his character? Our friendship isn't about this." Old Man Qian also raised his cup.

  The two old men raised their cups and drank in one gulp, and many words were left unspoken.

  "Linzhuang Town is getting more and more lively. I'm old, from now on the business here will be handed over to Yue to run." Qian Laoye said to Xia Laoye, "His father doesn't understand this, this child is my own apprentice, in the future he'll take over my position. Old brother, you have a wide network of connections in these ten villages, from now on just look out for me and take care of Yue."

  Qian Lao Ye Zi let Qian Yue come to toast Xia Lao Ye Zi and address him as Dry Father.

  Old Xia said modestly, then sincerely: "I don't have any special skills. From now on, when the child comes over, my home is his home. Just don't be polite to me."

  The two old men said are quite good. Uncle Qian is relatively quiet, mainly Auntie Qian and several children talking, also let the children eat more dishes. Auntie Qian looks at them with enthusiasm, but Xia Zhi always feels that she pays more attention to Dongyue.

  Qian Dainiang seems to be quite fond of Lanyue.

  "Auntie, what business did my brother and Third Uncle do together last month?" Xia Zhi asked.

  "Speak with your uncle and siblings for a month." Qian Dajie encouraged her own son to speak.

  "... sell sheep." Qian Yue came over with a hint of shyness, "There are many people raising sheep on our side, the mutton tastes fresher than here, and it can be sold at a good price if brought over."

  In Linshui Town's large gathering, there is a mule market, and the trade of cattle, sheep, and mules is very prosperous.

  "The sheep raised on the west side are good, with lush water and grass on that side, and the mutton doesn't have a strong smell." Old Man Xia chimed in, "Your family's Third Master Qian started out doing this business."

  "Oh dear brother, don't tease me. We're just farmers, and in our spare time we try to make a little money to support our families." Old Qian was also very humble.

  "...Our family has ten mu of fruit trees... The newly built house. Outsiders say we are mountain people, poor and don't like to go out. Later, when business comes to this side, it's convenient to buy a house and live here too. As long as the children are good, we have nothing to worry about." said Qian Dajie.

  Huh? What does Auntie Qian mean by this? Is she still thinking of making a match? With whom?

  Look around at the summer solstice and lower your head to eat rice.

  The meal was quite harmonious. After dinner, Old Qian hurried to let his grandson pay the bill. Everyone remained seated, sipping tea and chatting.

  The Qian family still needs to return to Qianjia Village today, but they drove themselves and said it's no problem driving at night.

  Xia Zhi glanced at the empty space and then came out of the big car store. She bought a pack of pastries and a roasted goose back home.

  Xia Lao Ye Zi was bidding farewell to Qian Lao Ye Zi when he saw Xia Zhi bring over roasted goose and dim sum, and he was delighted.

  "These two things in our town are not bad, take them back and try them, it's a kind intention."

  Qian Lao Ye Zi declined repeatedly, but couldn't decline any further, and had no choice but to let his daughter-in-law accept it.

  Xia Lao Ye led Xia Zhi and several others to see off the Qian family as they hurried away in their carriage, only then did he slowly walk back.

  "Sixteen, how much was that roast goose and dim sum just now? I'll pay you right away," Old Man Xia said to Xia Zhi.

  "Go ahead." Xia Zhi didn't hesitate, saying the amount. Old Master Xia then counted out copper coins from his pouch and even gave Xia Zhi an extra ten big coins, telling her to buy whatever she wanted.

  "Today's matter was handled quite well." Old Man Xia praised Xia Zhi again.

  "Grandpa, as long as you're not angry, it's fine." Xia Zhi smiled.

  "What am I getting angry about? I'm not even mad at you guys." Old Master Xia sighed. Even if the few kids didn't come, and Second Uncle Xia's three mouths disagreed with this marriage, they could still think of a way out.

  At this time, Old Man Xia also understood. The three people who came with Second Uncle Xia today were just fooling him. They never intended to consider this marriage.

  "When the son grows up, he doesn't listen to his father. From now on, I won't interfere with their affairs." Old Man Xia said this and asked the children if they wanted to continue strolling around the fair. This was extremely rare for Old Man Xia, as he usually didn't have the patience for it.

  Xia Zhi still had something important to do, she wanted to buy fabric. Old Master Xia accompanied them to the door of the store, but didn't go inside. He was used to going into a shop, buying what he needed and then leaving immediately. Today, he could accompany the children for a walk, but refused to enter the store with them.

  He instructed several children to buy things and come out, then sat on the steps to smoke a dry cigarette.

  Xia Zhi walked into the store and found the shopkeeper, saying he wanted to buy some cloth. The larger pieces of cloth in the fabric store were all for sale, while the smaller, irregular scraps were often given away as gifts. Last time, the shopkeeper had given Xia Zhi a lot of cloth, so this time when he saw Xia Zhi wanting to make a purchase, he was naturally very willing.

  Xia Zhi then picked out some good scraps of cloth and bought them. The shopkeeper also gave her the rest, which was half-sold and half-given away.

  After leaving the fabric store, Xia Zhi went to another larger silk store in the town and bought some scraps of silk by the catty.

  Carrying two baskets of fabric, Xia Zhi bought some snacks for Xiao Hei Yu and Xiao Shu Er, and also bought a knife of meat to cook at home. Then he followed Old Man Xia back home.

  The car they rented was waiting at the entrance of the town. Xia Er Uncle and Xia Er Auntie were already sitting in the car with Wu Yue. Seeing Old Man Xia approaching, Xia Er Uncle hurriedly jumped out of the car and smiled fawningly at him.

  "Dad..."

  "Hmm." Old Master Xia nodded and didn't say a word. He walked to the side of the car, gesturing for Auntie Xia and Wu Yue to get out.

  Xia Er Auntie and Wu Yue got off the car, letting Xia Lao Ye get on. Xia Lao Ye brought Xia Zhi, Xiao Hei Yu Er, and Xiao Shu Er onto the car and sat down. Then, Xia Lao Ye also had Xiao Hei Yu Er hold Da Qing. At noon, Da Qing ate well too. The boss of the big cart shop was quite fond of dogs and gave Da Qing a bowl of bones to gnaw on.

  Xia Er Shu saw that all three of them were already seated in the car, so he also got on.

  "The carriage is full, you have nothing to do, just go back." Old Master Xia's tone was flat and calm, urging the driver to hurry up. The horse cart started running, and Second Uncle Xia, Second Aunt Xia, and May were caught off guard, standing stupidly in place.

  "Father..." Xia Erbo chased after him for two steps, Er Kang called out to his old father.

  Old Xia didn't hear a thing, didn't even turn his head, and urged the driver to hurry up, leaving in a cloud of smoke.

  "Hahaha..." Little Black Fish couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing first. Then came Little Tree.

  Lao Yue also followed with a low laugh.

  Old Man Xia had a stern face, but he didn't scold the children much.

  Back home, the sky was still early. Xia Zhi had already told Mrs. Xia about selling lotus root bags before summer. "The kind that looks like embroidered ones are fifty cents each. The ones Lanzi and I made are thirty cents each. We must work hard in December!"

  "This price is not bad." Old Lady Xia was quite satisfied. She makes three or four pouches every month, which is enough for Little Black to spend, and she can also buy needles, thread, oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar without any problem.

  "Here's the money for this time. From now on, we'll just go deliver a purse every half month." Xia Zhi handed over a string of cash to Old Lady Xia.

  Old Lady Xia refused to accept it: "Sixteen, this money is for you, don't give it to your grandma. You and your uncle can spend it as you like. Besides, that fabric was bought by you too." Moreover, Xia Zhi also brought back some fabric heads this time, which also required money.

  "There's a saying, 'clear accounts with close brothers.' Let's do it this way: the thread and fabric are all paid for by me, and I'll take them to sell. For each pouch, I'll keep 20 big coins, and you can keep 30. This is you being kind to me, how about it?" Xia Zhi discussed with Old Lady Xia, "If you collect the money and then give it back to me or buy things for me, I definitely won't refuse."

  Old Lady Xia was talked into a smile by Xia Zhi: "That's okay, I'll listen to you." She happily accepted the sixty dollars and immediately wanted to buy food for the kids.

  "I've already bought food for my uncles, Grandma, you can keep this money and spend it slowly." Xia Zhi then took out the snacks she had bought for Xiao Hei Yu and Xiao Shu Er to show her grandmother.

  "You're all listening to sixteen, right?" Old Man Xia said with a sentence.

  Old Lady Xia glanced at Old Man Xia and agreed, then took out a small box and said that from now on it would be used to store money specifically for making pouches for Xia Zhi and Xiao Hei. She also saw the fabric that Xia Zhi had bought back and thought it was better than what she usually used, so she said she wanted to make a few more pouches and told Xia Zhi to remember to buy her a piece next time too.

  Xia Zhi smiled and agreed.

  Old Lady Xia suddenly remembered: "How come I haven't seen Old Second and them?" Did May's marriage arrangement fall through?

  Old Xia just grunted.

  Several people with good eyesight retreated from the upper house. Back in the front yard, Sun Lan'er had been waiting for her and was overjoyed to hear about selling the lotus-leaf pouches. She couldn't bear to put down the sweet potatoes she had bought, holding them in her hands.

  "Sixteen, will we be using this from now on? I saw my mother buy one before, it was very useful. She didn't dare to buy another one after that."

  "Sister Lanzi, we'll be using this from now on." Xia Zhi told Sun Lanner, as long as they continued to make handbags, they could always use this fragrant glue.

  "Leave it here with you, I'll come over every day to wash it, okay?" Sun Lan'er asked Xia Zhi.

  "Need you ask?" Xia Zhi smiled, and at the same time took out his purse and poured the money onto the kang to count.

  This time she didn't spend all the money. Tian's family is coming back and this money will come in handy for her.

  (。)