Since hearing that Mrs. Gu wanted to protect herself, Ning Ningqing didn't know what it was like in her heart, and all afternoon, she sat by the window of her house, looking at the trees outside the window.

If she really marries Gu Xuesong, what kind of life will she live?

She couldn't help but look down at her hand, for the sake of the abacus, her hand had already become ten fingers bald, and her delicate fingertips had also sharpened ten thin calluses in this kind of labor.

An imaginary scene suddenly appeared before her eyes—she sat down quietly, pampered and let the maid dye her nails, and the red kodan on her fingertips was more delicate than the spring flowers outside the window.

If she marries Gu Xuesong, she may be able to continue to rent the mulberry garden to Master Ning as her grandmother said, and then she herself will become an ordinary woman, and she will not go out of the door.

She knew that Gu Xuesong would have a bright future, and she would be able to live a worry-free life. At that time, she will no longer have to worry about her business and stay awake at night, she will no longer have to take the risk of being eaten at any time, and she will not have to endure the contempt and malice of those men in the business field.

At this moment, although she couldn't fully imagine the days after marrying Gu Xuesong, she was very, very sure that there was absolutely nothing bad about that kind of day. It can even be said that marrying Gu Xuesong may be the wisest choice for her and the Ning family.

She couldn't tell what she was feeling in her heart, she just wanted to avoid the question for a while, she got up and walked out, intending to go to the shop.

When she walked into the shop, Ah Zheng was the only one at the counter.

Ah Zheng saw her coming and nodded.

"What about the others?" she asked. ”

Ah Zheng said calmly: "Shopkeeper Dong has gone outside to do some errands, and Uncle Gu Feng has already taken Xiaobao home." ”

She walked to the counter, took the ledger in Ah Zheng's hand, and flipped through it.

The turnover on this account is not very large, and compared with many big businessmen, this flow of Huacaiyuan is not enough to see at all. In the eyes of outsiders, this little bit of water is just a lifeless number.

Spring passed quickly, and the cage smoke yarn of Huacaiyuan was in full swing.

On the day Gu Huaiteng got married, Ning Xia Qing did not go under the pretext of having something, but prepared a generous gift, including an apology gift specially for Mrs. Gu, and asked Mrs. Ning and Zi'er to take it to Gu's mansion together.

Old lady Gu conveyed Ning Ningqing's meaning to Gu Xuesong, Gu Xuesong's expression was very calm, and even breathed a sigh of relief, but after breathing a sigh of relief, she didn't see real joy.

In April, Gu Feng calculated the accounts of the previous quarter, and Ning Xia Qing sat at the counter, watching and talking to Dong Zizhen.

Dong Zizhen whispered: "By the way, didn't you ask me to inquire about the shop in Jiucheng Lane before I was in charge, I inquired, and it was really Miao Laosan's industry." Miao Laosan has been doing well since he took down the shop, but he has encountered a little problem recently. ”

Ning Xia Qing asked, "What problem did he encounter?" ”

Dong Zizhen replied: "It seems to be a matter of purchase, I heard that Miao Laosan has been in short supply recently." ”

Ning Xia Qing frowned slightly: "Why haven't I heard about his recent shortage?" ”

Dong Zizhen replied: "Of course, the goods in his own shop are still fine, but his own shops are all watched by his brothers-in-law, and the shops in Jiucheng Lane are secretly ordered by him, how dare he use the goods in his own shop to fill this side of Jiucheng Lane." ”

Dong Zizhen leaned over and whispered: "I heard that he recently encountered something in the shop on the other side of Jiucheng Lane, and he could have turned around with an acquaintance to help, but Miao Laosan was afraid that the news would leak and let his tigress know, so he didn't dare to ask an acquaintance for help, so he had to hold on all the time." ”

Ning Xia Qing smiled slightly and said, "Okay, you go and inquire again, and see what kind of goods he has over there in Jiucheng Lane, let's prepare it for him." ”

Dong Zizhen couldn't cry or laugh: "The head of the family is so kind, want to help Miao Laosan get through this?" Not to mention that we don't need to help Miao Laosan's old bastard, even if we help him prepare all the goods, with Miao Laosan's current situation, it is estimated that he will not be able to pay for the goods. ”

"Don't worry, I have my own arrangements." Ning Xia Qing asked: "By the way, I asked you to order pickles from Tong's pickle shop to send to old customers, have you done it?" ”

Dong Zizhen nodded and said, "It's all done, according to the list given to me by the owner, I just sent it to some old customers and merchants who always cooperate with us, and I didn't leave Second Master Ning and Master Gu behind." ”

Hearing Dong Zizhen mention that person, Ning Ningqing's fingers turning the page couldn't help but pause slightly, and then he gently opened the page. After reading it, she closed the account book and said, "Ask Cuiyu to come and follow me to Tong's pickle shop." ”

Unexpectedly, as soon as she went out, she met Gu Xuesong, who she hadn't seen for a long time, and Gu Xuesong came to find her.

She took Gu Xuesong to Tong's pickle shop, and Gu Xuesong stood at the door of the pickle shop, very silent.

Ning Xia Qing walked to the counter, and the person who was greeting him was still Boss Tong's younger brother.

Ningxia Qing has been coming a lot recently, and Boss Tong's younger brother has already met Ningxia Qing, and when he saw Ningxia Qing, he smiled and greeted: "Miss Ning is here?" You're here to buy candied dates again, right? It's really unfortunate, there is only the last half a catty of candied golden dates left, but my sister is making it inside, and it will be fine soon, why don't you wait a while? ”

Ning Xia Qing nodded, and Tong Sili immediately greeted: "Miss Ning is an old customer, and she often buys things from us, if you don't dislike it, you go inside and wait?" ”

Ning Xia Qing nodded, and was immediately greeted by Tong Sili, and Gu Xuesong, who had never said a word, also followed Ning Ningqing to Tong's pickle shop.

Tong Sili looked at Gu Xuesong, quickly looked away, but couldn't help but look at it again and again, and then took out a rag and wiped the only two chairs in the store a few times, polishing the chair shiny.

Tong Sili pointed to the chair, nodded to Gu Xuesong and Ning Xia Qing and said, "Please!" Please! ”

Gu Xuesong and Ning Xia Qing sat down, and Tong Sili greeted his brother-in-law, and then went back to the counter to greet a steady stream of guests.

Lu Youfu also knew Ningxia Qing, who often came to visit, but it was the first time he saw Gu Xuesong, Lu Youfu held his hands, looked at Gu Xuesong several times, and simply said a few words like "sit first, sit first", and then went into the back kitchen.

When Lu Youfu came back, he was holding a tray with a teapot and two teacups on the tray. However, of the two teacups, only one was matched with the teapot, and the other was obviously bought later.

Lu Youfu held the cup that he bought later in front of Gu Xuesong and said, "The tea and tea are bought by my mother-in-law, and it is purple fruit tea from Nanshan, although it is cheap but very, very special. This cup is、My mother-in-law looked at it on the side of the road and saw it.,I thought it looked good.、I bought it back.,No.、I haven't used it.,I hope this son doesn't.、Don't dislike it.。 ”

Gu Xuesong didn't say a word, there was no expression on his face, and he took the cup handed by Lu Youfu as if he was unconscious, Ning Xia Qing took another cup, and then smiled at Lu Youfu and said, "Thank you Boss Lu." ”

This Tong's pickle shop was opened by Lu Tong and his wife and Tong Niangzi's younger brother. This family is an honest craftsman, but there is no person like Dong Zizhen who can speak well. Tong Sili, who greeted the guests in front, was shy enough, and Lu Youfu was even more shy than Tong Sili, and even stuttered when he was nervous.

On weekdays, Lu Youfu almost always helps Tong Sanniang in the back kitchen. Today, it was because Tong Sili still had to greet guests, so he had to call Lu Youfu to come out to entertain Ningxia Qing and Gu Xuesong.

Ning Xia Qing understood Lu Youfu's temperament, and saw that Lu Youfu was so nervous in front of Gu Xuesong, who was speechless, that Ning Xia Qing said: "Boss Lu, you don't have to entertain us, you go to the back kitchen to help, we can wait here ourselves." ”

"Okay, okay, I, I'm going to show you, what is the candied golden date, when will it be ......good," Lu Youfu stammered, as if he was about to amnesty, and never came out.

There were only Gu Xuesong and Ningxia Qing sitting in the store, and although the business in front of the counter at the door was lively, the excitement could not be as noisy as Gu Xuesong and Ningxia Qing inside. And the two of them were silent until Ning Ningqing opened his mouth to break the deadlock, and Ningxia Qing asked in a soft tone: "Lord Gu's feelings for candied golden dates are not as simple as appetite. ”

Gu Xuesong suddenly stood up and said, "There is still something to do, go first." "Put down the cup and go out.

Tong Sili at the door just wrapped the last half a catty of candied golden dates, handed it to Gu Xuesong with a smile, and flattered: "Childe is here, this should be given to Childe, and I hope Childe will not dislike this is leftover......"

At this moment, a crisp children's voice sounded carefree from outside: "Uncle! Uncle! I am back! ”

A thin boy with a muddy face who was less than ten years old and ran happily towards Tong Sili was the son of Lu Tong and his wife.

Gu Xuesong looked at the kid coldly, glanced at Tong Sili again, and then left silently, leaving Tong Sili holding half a catty of candied golden dates in the air.

And the confused Ning Xia Qing had already chased to the door of Tong's pickle shop, only to see that Gu Xuesong did not look back at all, and his back even looked extremely resolute.

Tong Sili looked at the half-catty candied golden jujube in his hand, his mouth pursed, and he even wanted to cry, and asked Ning Xia Qing in fear: "Ning...... Miss Ning, did I do something wrong? ”

Ning Xia Qing looked at Tong Sili and comforted: "No, that son is indeed in a hurry, and it has nothing to do with you." Ning Xia Qing looked at the half catty of candied golden dates in Tong Sili's hand, and said, "I'll buy this half catty and the new one back in a while, you don't have to take it to heart what happened just now." ”

Tong Sili laughed a few times, and continued to entertain the guests with the residual uneasiness on his face. Cuiyu, who looked confused, walked over and whispered to Ning Xia Qing with some fear: "What's wrong with Master Gu?" ”

Jade stumbled and said in disbelief, "I...... I've never seen Master Gu ...... like this."

Ning Xia Qing shook his head, but said in response: "I've seen it once." In fact...... Forget it......"

At this moment, with a burst of sweetness, the curtain in the back kitchen was lifted, and Lu Youfu, who was holding a large pot of candied golden dates, walked out, and Tong Sanniang, who still had charm, also walked to Ning Ningqing's side with a smile and greeted: "Miss Ning is here again?" Why don't you sit? Eh, don't you say that there is another noble son? ”

Ning Xia Qing said calmly: "That son has left beforehand. However, he likes your candied golden dates very much, and he specially asked me to bring him here this time. So please help me wrap two boxes, and I'll buy them back and give them to him. ”

Tong Sanniang immediately nodded and said, "Blessed, go find the two best boxes and wrap them for Miss Ning!" Lu Youfu answered, and went into the back kitchen to find the box again.

Tong Sanniang and Ningxia Qing sat down together, and Ningxia Qing greeted: "Tong Niangzi must be very busy today, right?" ”

Tong Sanniang smiled and said, "Haven't you just finished making a pot of candied golden dates, and you can rest for a while now." Speaking of which, Miss Ning not only comes often, but also often asks the shopkeeper Dong to come to me to place orders, and also brings such distinguished guests to my little broken place, I really don't know how to thank Miss Ning. ”

Ningxia Qing said politely: "In the final analysis, it is all Tong Niangzi's craftsmanship, but I entrusted the blessing of Tong Niangzi and used the dim sum of Tong's pickle shop to give gifts, which flattered my old customers." ”

Tong Sanniang smiled, and then couldn't help but clear her throat, as if she was a little thirsty, she looked around to find water, but saw the new teacup full of tea that Gu Xuesong had not moved. Tong Sanniang couldn't help staring at it and sighed: "That son was really in a hurry, and he didn't even drink a sip of tea." ”

Ning Xia Qing was stunned.

How...... How could it be......

"Miss Ning? Miss Ning? Tong Sanniang's voice woke Ning Xia Qing up from her distraction, and Ning Xia Qing came to her senses, only to see that Tong Sanniang had already stood up, and she was still holding two wrapped boxes in her hands.

Seeing that Ning Ningqing came back to her senses, Tong Sanniang smiled and repeated: "My family has already wrapped the two boxes of candied golden dates that Miss Ning wanted, Miss Ning, you can put them away." ”

"Oh......" Ningxia Qing motioned for the jade to be put away and paid, and then said, "I...... I still have something to do, I'll go back first......" After speaking, Ningxia Qing also hurriedly left Tong's pickle shop.

Tong Sili was stunned in place holding half a catty of candied golden dates, and couldn't help but whisper to Ning Ningqing's figure who had gone away: "Miss Ning, you haven't taken this half catty yet......"

Tong Sanniang, who was also a little stunned, also involuntarily chased Ning Ningqing's figure to the counter, Tong Sili said, "Sister, what's wrong with Miss Ning?" Why did you ...... all of a sudden?"

Tong Sanniang was also very puzzled and said, "Maybe...... Maybe I suddenly remembered that there was something urgent, after all, Miss Ning's business was so busy. After speaking, Tong Sanniang looked at the little baby beside Tong Sili and said, "Come here." ”

The little baby walked out, Tong Sanniang touched his head lovingly, and said angrily: "Come back and wash your face, look at you, you have become a little clay figure!" ”

After getting into the car, Zhen Fu drove the carriage to Gu Xuesong's residence according to the original plan, and walked out of an alley, Ning Xia Qing seemed to react and said, "Zhen Fu, go home, don't go to Lord Gu's." ”

"Okay." Zhen Fu replied and then turned around. Cuiyu couldn't help but ask confusedly, "Why did the girl suddenly change her mind?" ”

Ning Xia Qing lowered his eyes and said, "Didn't you just see Master Gu, so there is no need to go over deliberately." ”

Cuiyu looked at the two boxes of candied golden dates in her hand and said, "Then this dim sum ......"

Ning Xia Qing thought for a moment and said, "When we go home, let Zhen Fu go back and send it to Master Gu." ”

"Hmm." Although Cuiyu didn't understand why Ningxia Qing didn't send it directly to Gu Xuesong now, and asked Zhen Fu to trouble again, but seeing that Ningxia Qing seemed to have a different color, she didn't ask interestingly.

As soon as she returned to Ning's house, Lan Ying greeted her and said, "The eldest girl is back, and my wife is looking for you." ”

Ning Xia Qing nodded, because he had something on his mind, so he didn't say a word, and just followed Lan Ying to Cao's side. Lan Ying muttered unintentionally, "Aunt Du has just been to Mrs. Du." ”

Ning Xia Qing couldn't help but stop, glanced back at Lan Ying, and felt his heart.