(59) Take a look at the thatched house

The bustling morning market is naturally not much clean. Seeing Zhang Qingting cover his nose all the way, walking through with disgust, Zhao Xiucai really couldn't imagine how she killed pigs in the past.

"Lady, do you want to buy some?"

Where does Zhang Qingting know? "It's not some fish or meat, you can watch and buy it yourself!" By the way, don't you say you want to make soup? Then buy one**! ”

That's too extravagant, isn't it? There are many mistakes, and my daughter-in-law is really generous! Zhao Xiucai thought in his heart, but he still had to make it clear in advance, "I don't need chickens, I have them at home, but my mother didn't speak, so I must be reluctant to kill and eat, so I will buy some fish." But if you buy it as you say, I'm afraid it will cost a lot of money, do you really want to buy it? ”

Zhang Qingting just wanted to leave this ghost place quickly, "Buy it, buy it!" Don't let your mother call me stingy again! Hey, do you know how to do it? If you don't do it well, you'll waste your money! ”

Zhao Chengcai nodded and said, "Yulan is a good person, my mother used to let her work for free at others, and she learned needlework and embroidery." Cook and fry. ”

This Zhao Wang's education of children is quite dedicated! Zhang Qingting immediately decided, "That's okay, you can watch and buy it." She stood far away, refusing to come in.

Zhao Chengcai shook his head secretly and went over by himself.

Zhang Qingting suddenly remembered that this was his own money, and it would be a loss if he didn't get something he liked, "Buy a few ribs, I want to eat steamed ones." ”

As soon as her voice was heard, the familiar butcher saw it and greeted loudly, "Miss Zhang, I haven't seen you for a long time!" Are you still killing pigs? If you don't come, our business will be much better! ”

Zhang Qingting glanced at the white family, and didn't talk, thinking, if you have to make money, you will send your wealth in a muffled voice, and do it with many mouths and tongues?

These rough men, how can they understand her heart? Still quipping there, "Ah! It's different when you get married, you know how to be shy. This is your showman, right? There are many words without mistakes, and the little couple is really affectionate, and they came to buy vegetables together early in the morning. Well! Xiucai, are you hiding? This has become a pro and doesn't even give us a candy to eat, come here! You want to buy it, I'll give you a cheaper? ”

Zhao Chengcai was dragged back with a red face and a thick neck, and the butcher said, "Don't worry, you just say you want it." I'm sure you'll give you the best, with your daughter-in-law here, I won't dare to lie to you! ”

Zhao Chengcai had no choice but to hesitate, "That...... Then take two pork knuckles, a piece of pork ribs and a piece of pork belly. ”

He also remembered that his mother likes to eat pig's feet, and at this moment it is a fake public benefit.

"Great!" The butcher quickly brought him two pig's front hooves, a small half of the ribs, and a knife, three fat and seven thin belly, "Is it enough?" ”

"Enough is enough!"

After the scale was priced, the butcher deliberately raised the tail of the scale, "Look, I didn't press the scale at all, a total of four dollars and three cents of silver." ”

Wow! Zhao Xiucai was shocked, this is better than eating at home for the New Year! It's rare to have money on you, and after paying the bill, I picked a big carp that weighed more than two catties and was jumping around before walking towards Zhang Qingting.

Miss Zhang glanced at it, she didn't know whether it was good or bad, she just nodded when she looked at it and reminded her. "Your sister also said that she wants ginger and garlic, my ribs should be steamed with tempeh, the fish should be sweet and sour, and the pork knuckles can be made in soup, but if you want lotus root and soybeans to match, the meat will be braised in the braised meat. Look at the difference, go and buy it together! ”

Zhao Chengcai was a little overflowing when he heard it, and it was estimated that there was no one at home, so he put down the basket and hurriedly went to buy all kinds of ingredients. When I got the things back, the small wicker basket couldn't fit it, and it hurt my hands heavily, but this feeling of abundance made people's hearts very full and happy.

Xiucai was saying that he was going home, but Zhang Qingting said, "I still have something to do, so I won't go back with you!" I'll find a carpenter on the street in a while, go home and install the door, and by the way, I'll repair your broken bamboo bed, and you can greet you. ”

Zhao Chengcai didn't ask much, but said, "Then you tell me how to make these dishes, and I'll go back and explain to Yulan!" ”

After remembering it, Zhao Chengcai happily carried the basket and went home with the fish, if there was such a coolie to follow, he would be willing to come every day!

At home, Zhao Yulan was naturally happy to see that her brother had bought back so many good dishes, and even Zhang Luo's family actively got up to help.

Zhao Chengcai explained the method of cooking, and Zhao Yulan would know how to make pork knuckle soup. I had never heard of the steamed pork ribs with tempeh, and I went out to inquire about it, but I didn't know how to do it in the south. Zhao Yulan did things very properly, she was afraid of ruining things, so she took a pork rib out alone and tried to make it, and it felt good, so she steamed the others.

Besides, Zhang Qingting, after parting ways with Zhao Chengcai, first went to the market to find a carpenter to negotiate the installation of the door, and then turned around to find a vacant shop.

But the business in this town is really good, and it is the transfer of the silk shop. This time it was a serious conversation, she really didn't want to take over so much silk, and it would add up to more than a hundred taels of silver. But when the boss saw her turn around, he was playing a score, and he refused to reduce the price, but agreed to rent her to make barbecue brine.

Zhang Qingting took a closer look at the fabrics, the really good ones have been sold, and now the rest are unsalable stocks that have been unsalable for several years, the color is not good, and the fabrics are also poor, if this is more than a hundred taels of silver, I am afraid that I will have to lose half of it immediately. But now the other end has not yet been decided, so she has to say goodbye first. turned his head and went to find the ancestors and grandchildren of the Fang family.

I inquired a few people along the way, and when I heard that she was looking for the broom star, passers-by all looked sideways, and some kind-hearted ones reminded them. Zhang Qingting was not afraid and went straight to the past.

The Fang family's house is not small, twice the size of the Zhao family, and the prosperity of the past can be vaguely seen. It's just that the courtyard is ruined, overgrown with weeds, and quietly and no one is angry.

"Is anyone there?" Zhang Qingting patted the knocker and shouted.

No one answered.

"Is anyone there?"

"No need to scream!" An aunt suddenly appeared behind her, "Old man Fang must still be sleeping." Inaudible! ”

That's okay, Zhang Qingting wanted to talk to the little girl first, "Auntie, do you know where his granddaughter is?" ”

The aunt was stunned for a moment before she reacted, "You're talking about the broom star, right?" No mistakes a lot of words you ask her to do? If you are also here to find Old Man Fang to borrow a grinder, just look for him directly, you don't need to find that broom star! ”

She felt kind, and said with a mysterious face, "Let me tell you, even if you ask Old Man Fang to borrow a mill, don't let that broom star touch your wheat, if you don't have worms, it will become moldy!" ”

Zhang Qingting was a little displeased when he heard this, and couldn't help but distinguish it for the little girl, "No, how can it be so evil?" ”

The aunt said, "This is not to bluff you, who was like this the year before last, when grinding wheat, it rained, and it was cleaned up by the broom star, and when I went back, I had worms, but it wasn't because of her?" ”

Zhang Qingting secretly rolled his eyes, "That's because of the rain!" ”

Seeing that she didn't believe her, the aunt felt a little bored, so she didn't say much, "Anyway, I advise you not to provoke her, if you don't get it, you will be unlucky!" ”

The villagers are ignorant, and prejudice is difficult to correct. But you can imagine what kind of life the little girl lived.

The aunt raised her feet and went to the house, "Old man Fang! Old man Fang! I'll borrow the mill! ”

Zhang Qingting followed behind her, and also went inside, and the aunt was familiar with the way and went directly into the main house, and what came to her face was the strong smell of wine, as well as the sound of snoring.

"Bang Bang" Aunt was embarrassed to go in, so she slapped the table outside, "Hurry up, Old Man Fang." If you don't wake up again, I'll hit you with a stone! ”

Zhang Qingting noticed that the broken copper and rotten iron that the sister-in-law said seemed to be a wooden plaque with gilt and copper, and there were four big characters on it, "Fresh and Delicious", which seemed to be a style ordered by the government, and a line of small characters was cast next to it, but it was already blurred. He casually rested on the only remaining table of eight immortals in the hall, covering the half-missing tabletop.

Seeing that the old man was really not awake, the aunt felt that her hands were hurting, and she really went to the yard to pick up stones.

But suddenly a tender voice sounded, "Have you come to borrow the mill?" ”

Zhang Qingting looked out and saw the legendary broom star.

It's still yesterday's dress, but the eyes have lost the luster of yesterday, and the eyes are high and swollen, and they must have cried. At this moment, he was struggling to carry a big bucket and stood far away by the courtyard gate, not daring to approach them. But in the sleeves rolled up high, there were a few obvious scars on the thin little arms that looked like sticks.

As if she had seen a ghost, the aunt took three steps back, "Yes! You go in and wake him up! ”

The little girl hesitated, "Grandpa drank too much last night and slept deeply, if you call him, I'm afraid he will lose his temper for a while, can you come back later?" ”

The aunt crossed her waist and said, "Who do you think likes your family to borrow the mill?" If it weren't for your grandfather's pity, now that every family is busy harvesting, I wouldn't have come to your house! If you don't call him, I'll go, huh! It's really unlucky, I saw you again for no reason. ”

"Then please wait!" The little girl hesitated for a moment, and then carried the bucket to the courtyard with great difficulty.

The aunt followed her movements and retreated far to the door, "You can hurry!" ”

The little girl glanced at Zhang Qingting, who was still in the house, and rushed into the inner room quickly.

Zhang Qingting saw her shouting when he was outside, "Grandpa! Someone borrowed the mill! Wake up! ”

No response.

"Grandpa! There is money to collect! ”

Still no response.

"Grandpa! Rich in drinking! ”

Now there is finally a reaction.

I could only hear the humming and chirping inside, and the little girl took two steps back and shouted again, "Grandpa, someone has borrowed money from the mill to give you wine!" ”

Old Man Fang snorted heavily, and finally slowly opened his bloodshot eyes.

The little girl took a step back unconsciously, and said in a trembling voice, "Grandpa, there are people waiting outside to borrow the mill!" ”

Old man Fang grabbed the empty wine jug in his hand and threw it at her, "It's noisy!" Early in the morning! ”

The little girl did not dare to dodge, but she shrank her neck in fright, and covered her head with her arm, and the wine jug smashed on her arm, falling to the ground and shattering.

The aunt outside was waiting impatiently, and shouted loudly outside, "I said Old Man Fang, whether you borrow it or not, if you don't borrow it, I'll leave!" ”

Old Man Fang closed his eyes and was confused for a while, then he slowly stood up and sat up little by little.

Seeing that her granddaughter was cowering and trying to escape, she glared at her viciously, "Why don't you come here and help Lao Tzu up!" ”

The little girl stepped forward tremblingly, and Old Man Fang grabbed her arm, and hit her twice hard. The little girl didn't even dare to cry, she only tried her best to endure the tears that kept rolling in her eyes, and helped her grandfather up.

When the old man Fang arrived at the hall, but he didn't see anyone, his face immediately changed, "Where are people?" ”

Zhang Qingting stood in the dark and said, "That aunt is gone!" ”

If it comes out so slowly, the business has to be yellow!

"And you're here to do it?" Old man Fang saw her at this time, and when he looked at that expression, he didn't remember her at all.

Zhang Qingting didn't bother to explain, and said directly, "I'm here to talk to you about business!" ”

"Business?"

"I want to open a braised shop, I need a chef, are you willing to go?"

"Don't go!" Old man Fang categorically refused, "Anyway, the Fang family is the last one, and when I die, I will bring this secret recipe into the coffin!" Don't try to fool anyone! Get out! ”

Zhang Qingting didn't expect this layer, and just wanted to confess, but saw that the old man Fang was already angry with the little girl, "The people who should be left don't stay, and the people who shouldn't be left are recruited into the house!" It's really a broom star, it's really the ancestors who poured mold for eight lifetimes to raise such a thing as you! ”

"Grandpa! Don't fight! The little girl was beaten and screamed, crying and begging for mercy.

Zhang Qingting couldn't stand it anymore, and stepped forward to persuade, "Don't beat her!" It's just that we can't negotiate business, and it's her business? ”

"Lao Tzu disciplines his granddaughter, it's your business? Get lost! He pushed Zhang Qingting away roughly, and his attack became more and more ruthless.

Zhang Qingting's temperament also came up, "It's your granddaughter, you can't beat her like this!" ”

While protecting the little girl behind him, Old Man Fang sneered, "She deserves to kill her if I beat her!" How? Do you still want to kidnap her? Hum! That Lao Tzu will fight with you! ”

He picked up a wooden stick from the side and hit the two of them, Zhang Qingting didn't expect this old man to be so arrogant and unreasonable, he couldn't dodge it for a while, and he also hit him twice, and he retreated out of instinct. The old man took the opportunity to drive her out of the door, bolted the door with his hand, and grabbed his granddaughter and beat her severely.

Zhang Qingting could only hear the little girl crying miserably, but he had nothing to do, so he had to stomp her feet and turn around. The beating on his body was really painful, and he lifted his sleeves to take a look at it, but fortunately the skin was not broken, and he went to the pharmacy to buy a bottle of bone-setting wine. Thinking about the little girl, she simply took two bottles, asked for another box of white medicine, and turned her head and went to Fang's house again.

This time, Zhang Qingting didn't rush in, he listened to the movement with his ears sideways, the old man may have gone crazy after drinking, and the courtyard was quiet. She followed the wall to the backyard, where the walls were relatively small, but half of the adobe was formed in a circle, and she saw the little girl sitting alone on a small stool chopping wood.

Looking left and right at no one, Zhang Qingting called softly, "Miss Fang!" Miss Fang! ”

The little girl turned a deaf ear, still lowering her head and chopping firewood. Zhang Qingting was afraid of alarming the old drunkard, so he didn't dare to make a loud noise, picked up a small pebble from the ground, and threw it at the little girl's side, and this time, the little girl finally saw her.

"Miss Fang, don't be afraid, I'm here to deliver medicine to you!" Zhang Qingting beckoned to her and shook the medicine in his hand.

The little girl frowned and looked at her very strangely, and saw no one left and right, so she pointed to her nose, "Are you calling me?" ”

Zhang Qingting nodded, "Yes!" Miss Fang, can you talk lately? I'm afraid to make a noise about your grandfather! ”

The little girl looked down and thought for a while before she hesitated and stepped forward, "Do you know that I am human?" ”

"I know! That's all nonsense, don't take it to heart! ”

The expression on the little girl's face was indescribably complicated, both confused and stunned, three points of puzzlement, and seven points of disbelief, not a single point of joy.

Zhang Qingting looked a little distressed, "Don't worry, I'm not a bad person!" I saw that you had a lot of injuries on you, so I bought you two bottles of medicine. If the skin is broken, use this white medicine, and if there is no broken skin, use this medicinal wine. ”

Seeing that the little girl was still silent, she put the two bottles of medicine on the wall, "Oh, by the way, there are two steamed buns here, I just bought them, they are still hot, take them and eat them!" Don't be afraid, this is not stuffed, I can't take sweat medicine! ”

The little girl still looked at her stunned, Zhang Qingting smiled slightly, and shook her hand at her, "Miss Fang, goodbye!" ”

When she had taken five or six steps, the little girl suddenly rushed to the edge of the wall, "Bah! You-"

Zhang Qingting turned around, "What's wrong?" ”

The little girl stared at her as if she wanted to take her apart and study, "You...... Are you really not afraid of me? ”

Zhang Qingting smiled warmly, "You're not a big tiger, what are you afraid of?" ”

"But I ......," the little girl blurted out, "I'm a broom star!" ”

Zhang Qingting said with a straight face, "That's all their nonsense!" Don't believe it! ”

"But I, I killed my father and mother when I was born, and I also made my grandfather unable to be a cook!"

"It was an accident, not your fault! You had just been born at the time, how did you overcome people? How can it hurt people? Don't believe that Xiangshi nonsense, if he is really so capable, why can't he calculate a good life for himself and fly to the sky? Zhang Qingting scoffed, "When I was a child, some people said that I was not good, do you think I live a good life?" Isn't it self-inflicted trouble to believe their nonsense? ”

The little girl was finally slightly moved, "Are you also said to be ominous?" ”

"That's pretty much what it means, I never pay attention to it, why are I bored for a few gossip from others? Maybe you and I were born with a good life, and the Xiangshi was jealous, so he deliberately said these backwords! ”

The little girl thought carefully about her words, and her face gradually softened.

Suddenly, her small face was stiff, and she was full of vigilance, "If you want me to help you steal grandpa's ingredients, it's impossible!" ”

Zhang Qingting was really a little amazed, he didn't expect this little girl to be so clever and thoughtful, how could such a smart person be said to be a broom star?