Lu Xingyi was already extremely sleepy, and he closed his eyes and fell asleep after being put on the bed by Lu Zheng'an.

Lu Zhengan patted her lightly a few times, and saw that she was really asleep, so he tiptoed out of the room. When he came to the kitchen, Song Huaishu had just started to scoop the bowl, and saw Lu Zhengan coming over and hurriedly beckoned him to serve the bowl to eat.

However, just as Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu had just finished eating and were about to clean up the dishes and chopsticks, there was a sudden sound of a horse's nose outside the door. Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu originally thought that Ji Yuexian was here again, but when Ma Yuntao, the shopkeeper of Yunxiangzhai, stood at the door and knocked on the door panel, Lu Zhengan immediately frowned.

Chapter Ninety-Eight

Since there is a guest at the door, there is no reason to stand at the door and speak. After Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu spoke, they let Ma Yuntao welcome him into the hall.

After Lu Zhengan saw Ma Yuntao, he still had a drum in his heart. After all, Ma Yuntao's Yunxiangzhai takes the 'high-end' route, and the kind of dried peaches made by Lu Zheng'an do not match their identity as a shop, and it is natural that if they are not easy to sell.

Moreover, Ma Yuntao directly took away thousands of catties of dried peaches last time, and if it is not easy to sell them for export, the backlog in his hands may also be a problem. Therefore, when Lu Zhengan saw Ma Yuntao for the first time, he thought that the other party had come to return the goods.

However, after thinking about it again, since Ma Yuntao can afford to open a shop as large as Yunxiangzhai on Zhuque Street, his methods and methods must be unusual. Even those thousands of catties of dried peaches are not easy to sell, and a person with a net worth like him will not brave the frost to run from Linzhou to Hualong Town for more than 100 taels of silver.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhengan was relieved. When facing Ma Yuntao, the expression on his face became even more indifferent.

"I wonder why the shopkeeper is coming to the humble house again?"

Seeing Lu Zhengan help him pour tea, Ma Yuntao held the tea cup with both hands, bowed his head to Lu Zhengan, and then said with a smile: "The dried peaches that we took away from Lu Gongzi last time were sold very well in our store. I want to ask Lu Gongzi if he still has this kind of dried peach in his hand, and it is about to reach the end of the year, so he wants to order another batch. ”

Hearing this, Lu Zhengan couldn't help but pause as he held the teacup in his hand. Then after taking a sip, he shook his head with a smile and said, "Don't hide it from the shopkeeper, the ones you took away last time are the last inventory of my family." If you want it, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until next year. ”

Hearing Lu Zhengan's words, the shopkeeper couldn't help frowning. Before he could ask, he listened to Lu Zheng'an continue: "I guess when the shopkeeper went up the hill noticed the garden on the hillside, my garden is only so big, and the annual output is limited, so I ask the shopkeeper to forgive me for one or two." ”

Now that Lu Zheng'an has already said this, Ma Yuntao also knows that he really doesn't have it in his hands. Thinking of the booming business in the past two days, I can't help but feel a little sorry in my heart.

"That's really a pity, but there is really no way for Lu Gongzi to have it in his hands, so he can only wait until next year."

Hearing Ma Yuntao's words, Lu Zhengan thought that he was about to get up and leave immediately. However, after hearing Ma Yuntao's words, he continued: "However, since so-and-so is here, he can't go home empty-handed. I wonder if Mr. Lu can agree to a certain request? ”

When Ma Yuntao's words fell, Lu Zhengan still thought that he wanted himself to help him build a bridge with the Ji family. I want to wait for him to finish speaking, and then excuse myself and forget it. However, what the other party said made him a little unexpected.

"The dried peaches made by Mr. Lu are really good, and the guests like them very much. Therefore, I want to ask cheekily, can the dried peaches produced in Lu Gongzi's garden be sold directly to a certain next year? ”

After Ma Yuntao finished speaking, he was a little surprised to see Lu Zhengan's expression. Hurriedly explained with a smile: "After the last farewell, Lu Gongzi had some words, and he also thought about it seriously. A few days ago, I deliberately walked around Linzhou City, and I felt that what Lu Gongzi said before was still very reasonable. It is true that the money of rich families is easy to earn, but if you want to make a fortune, you have to work steadily. ”

"It's just a few nonsense words, and the shopkeeper of Montma still thinks about it. As for my family's dried peach ......" Lu Zhengan frowned and thought for a while, then continued: "The shopkeeper also knows that we countrymen all rely on the sky for food, and no one can say how much the annual harvest can be, and whether we can have a full meal. I can reserve some for next year's dried peaches, but this price, I'm afraid it will be determined when the market comes. ”

Ma Yuntao has been in business for so many years, and he naturally understands the inside story. Hearing Lu Zhengan say this, he immediately nodded in agreement.

"Okay, I came here today just to ask Mr. Lu for a word. Knowing that Lu Gongzi is an open person, as long as he gets your words, he will be relieved in his heart. ”

After speaking, Ma Yuntao stood up from the chair. "It's not early, I have to rush back to Linzhou, so I won't talk more about Lu Gongzi."

Seeing this, Lu Zhengan also got up from his chair, and after sending Ma Yuntao out of the door, he watched his carriage drift away before turning back.

After Lu Zheng'an returned to the courtyard, Song Huaishu hugged Lu Xingyi, who was already asleep, was still sitting in front of the stove. Feeling that the light in the stove house was dim, he looked up at the door, only to find that it was Lu Zhengan who walked in.

"Sent people away? What is this shopkeeper doing? ”

Lu Zhengan leaned down and hugged Lu Xingyi from Song Huaishu's arms, and when he saw that Lu Xingyi's little head was rubbing a little uncomfortably, and then fell asleep on his chest, he replied softly: "Our dried peaches are selling well, and I want to order another batch." ”

Hearing Lu Zhengan's words, Song Huaishu was as surprised as Lu Zhengan had done before. "Didn't he take away more than a thousand catties before? It's all sold out? ”

Lu Zhengan looked at Song Huaishu's eyes with a look of surprise, and couldn't help but smile. Stretched out his hand and scratched the bridge of his upturned nose, and said, "What's the fuss about, Uncle Changgen and I pulled more than 500 catties of dried peaches before, and didn't we sell them out in two or three days." But knowing that our dried peaches are gone, this shopkeeper asked me to help him keep next year's dried peaches. ”

"Next year's ? Let's all watch the sky and eat, this, it's not good to tell him to die directly, right?"

Lu Zhengan lowered his head and wrapped the quilt on Lu Xingyi's body, and sighed in response: "No, so I just responded to it, as for next year's harvest, what the price is, and how much I can help them keep, we can only talk about it at that time." ”

After speaking, Lu Zhengan looked at Song Huai's eyes and seemed a little tired, and urged: "Put your daughter on the bed, and you can lie down with you for a while." This day looks like I want to turn cloudy, I fill the water tank, in case the snow falls tomorrow, we don't have to worry about the draft. ”

After Lu Zhengan sent Song Huaishu and Lu Xingyi to the back room, after Song Huaishu took off the thick cotton clothes outside and lay down on the bed, Lu Zhengan put Lu Xingyi in his arms. Leaning over Song Huaishu and kissing each of them on the forehead, they turned around and left the room.

……

Time passed in a flash, and under the persuasion of Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu, Song Xiren and Song Lan finally spat out to celebrate the Spring Festival together at Lu Zheng'an's house.

Knowing that Lu Yang's family also wanted to celebrate the festival with them, Lu Zhengan began to prepare for the New Year's goods early, and in addition to killing all the chickens, ducks and geese he raised at home, Lu Zhengan specially bought four large fish, half a fan of pork, and 10 catties of tofu.

When he just stepped into the twentieth month of the lunar month, he took Song Lan's family to his home first. Leave Song Xiren to watch the shop in the town first, and come over after the shop closes.

Because Lu Xingyi is still young, this year's oil and steamed buns are all prepared at Lu Zheng'an's house. Fortunately, this year, there is an extra Lu Yang, and Lu Zhengan and Song Lan are a lot easier. On the 27th day of the lunar month, everything to be eaten for the New Year was basically prepared.

After preparing the New Year's goods, Lu Zhengan, who had nothing to do, drove and took everyone to the last big gathering of the year.

Because the Chinese New Year is coming soon, the market is very lively, in addition to all kinds of snacks and fried goods, there are also shoes, fabrics, rouge gouache, head flowers and head ropes abound. Lu Zhengan even had one at the entrance of the alley and saw someone supporting a stall to help people clean their faces.

Lu Zheng'an held Lu Xingyi in his arms, held Song Huaishu in his hand, and carried a half-person-high backpack on his back.

Although there is nothing lacking at home, there are already a lot of things in the basket after walking through the half market. Among them, there are no less than ten small toys bought for Lu Xingyi alone.

At present, Lu Xingyi is nearly six months old, and he is not very old, but he is a crazy person. Seeing so many people at the big gathering, instead of being afraid, they clapped their hands excitedly.

However, the cotton clothes on her body were too thick in winter, her two little arms waved for a long time, and the two slaps could not be photographed together, which made Song Huaishu, who had been paying attention to her on the side, laugh out loud.

"Our daughter hasn't seen so many people since she was born, and she was originally a lively person, so you see I'm happy for her today."

Hearing this, Lu Zhengan glanced sideways at Song Huaishu, "No, it's just a few of us who I see every day, and I guess I'm tired of it." After the weather warms up, I will take her out more often when I have time, so as not to look like a little hillbilly who has never seen the world when I go out. ”

Because it was the last gathering of the year, and many people's homes had not yet prepared their New Year's goods, there were noticeably fewer pedestrians on the street in the middle of the day.

Lu Zheng'an's half-human-height backpack was also loaded with a lot of things, and he was still holding a small meat mound weighing nearly 20 pounds in his arms, and after a while, he began to feel a little overwhelmed.

Song Huaishu saw that Lu Zheng'an's forehead was already sweating, and hurriedly reached out and took Lu Xingyi from his arms.

Lu Xingyi, who was looking at the scenery with relish, suddenly shortened his gaze, and suddenly became a little unhappy, kicking his two calves and began to hum and chirp.

was so troubled by Lu Xingyi, the thin Song Huaishu hugged her and almost got out. Fortunately, Lu Zheng'an, who was on the side, quickly held his hand to prevent both father and daughter from falling to the ground.

Holding Lu Xingyi tightly with both hands, Song Huaishu only felt that his cold sweat came out. "You girl, you just scare people to death." As he spoke, Song Huaishu reached out and poked her forehead.

Lu Xingyi's round little head was poked to the side by Song Huaishu, and the tiger head hat on his head also deviated, and the silver bell on the tiger head hat jingled to a bell.

Lu Xingyi also thought that Song Huaishu was playing with her, and her happy millet teeth were exposed. The innocent appearance is not the bookishness of Song Huai when he reads, nor is he laughing.

Frightened by the baby girl, Song Huaishu had no interest in continuing to shop, reached out and pulled Lu Zhengan's sleeve, and said, "It's not too early, let's go to my father's shop and sit for a while, shall we?" ”

Lu Zhengan pinched his sore arm that was pressed by his daughter, nodded and replied, "Okay, my father said that he would close the door and go to our house this afternoon." Either wait for him in the shop, and then we will go home together after eating on the street at noon. Didn't you want to drink Sun Kee's mutton soup before, but now it's just the right time for you to get over it. ”

Song Huaishu nagged a few months ago that the mutton soup stewed at home was not as good as Sun Ji, but he didn't expect it to be remembered by Lu Zhengan until now. Hearing Lu Zhengan's words now moved Song Huaishu's heart.

"I, I just said it in passing, how can you still remember it."

Lu Zhengan knew that Lu Xingyi's weight was not light now, and after the soreness in his arm eased, he reached out and took his daughter from Song Huaishu's arms.

"I just remember it, but it has been snowing some time ago, and the family is preparing New Year's goods, so I didn't take the time to come. I just happened to go out shopping today, so I just had to eat a little bit on the street, and I had to do it again when I got home. ”

Hearing Lu Zheng'an say this, Song Huaishu answered, and then followed Lu Zhengan to the Song Ji grocery store.

At this time, Song Xiren and Xiao Chen were counting the number of things in the shop. Seeing Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu entering the door with their precious granddaughter in their arms, they immediately threw the account book in their hands on the counter and clapped their hands at Lu Xingyi.

Because every time Song Xiren went to see Lu Xingyi, he never went empty-handed, and in addition, every time he took her to some places where Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu had never taken her, and even carried her on his shoulders, Lu Xingyi was so happy that he couldn't help himself every time he saw his grandfather.

"Ouch, grandpa's beware, the liver is coming~"

Song Xiren smiled and hurriedly stepped forward to take Lu Xingyi, who was holding her hands and feet, and pinched her waist and lifted it above her head, so happy that Lu Xingyi giggled.

"Why did you bring the girl to town on this cold day?"

"Yesterday the house was all cleaned up, and today is the last day of the big gathering, so if you are idle at home, you will take them out for a walk." After saying that, Lu Zhengan saw Lu Xingyi's hat that covered half of his face and pulled it on his head, and then said: "Mother and Aunt Changgen are also here, and the two of them have gone shopping together, and it is estimated that they will come over later." What else is there to keep busy in the shop? I'll help you get it, and when the door is closed, let's go to Sun Kee to drink mutton soup together." ”

Hearing Lu Zheng'an say this, Song Xiren hugged Lu Xingyi and replied with a smile: "The inventory is already being counted, and when it is ready, we can go." Just as you're here, it's up to you. I'm going out for a walk with my little liver. ”

After Song Xiren finished speaking, he didn't wait for Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu to react, and helped Lu Xingyi wrap his cloak and hat and go out again. The two looked at the backs of their grandfather and grandson, and looked at each other with a little helplessness.

"Okay, now that the work has been explained, let's do it. I heard Aunt Changgen say that Uncle Changgen killed the black chicken that he had raised for several years at home today, and we will also have two bowls of it today. ”

Song Huaishu couldn't help but be a little amused when he heard Lu Zhengan's words. "Drink mutton soup at noon and chicken soup at night, and you are not afraid of overheating. Now that the Chinese New Year is coming, look at the bubbles on your lips and see how you meet people! ”

Lu Zheng'an carried the account book, slowly came to Song Huaishu's side, turned his head sideways and whispered in his ear: "If you think I am too angry, you will help me vent my fire when I go back at night." Let's ......."

However, before Lu Zheng'an could finish his words, Song Huaishu slapped away the 'hairy paws' that he stretched out. After glancing at Xiao Chen, who was five or six meters away, with a red face, Song Huaishu gritted his teeth and said to Lu Zhengan: "There are still people here, you are so good!" If this is heard, do we still have the face? ”

Lu Zhengan, who was 'disliked', touched the bridge of his nose with a sneering expression, "Look at you, I just said casually, what are you doing with such a big fire?" Okay, I'll go and help Xiao Chen with the work, you rest for a while and then go look for your mother and Lu Yang, and then we'll go to dinner together when we're done." ”

The two have been in a contract for so long, and Song Huaishu knows that Lu Zhengan will occasionally bargain. He couldn't do such a ridiculous thing in front of people, but there were outsiders here, and Song Huaishu couldn't help but worry that he would be seen as a joke.

Seeing that Lu Zhengan was concentrating on following Xiao Chen to work, Song Huaishu took a break, poured a cup of tea, and watched Lu Zhengan finish drinking, then raised his feet and left the shop.

By this time, it was the end of the hour, and the number of pedestrians on the streets had decreased significantly. As soon as Song Huaishu went out, he saw his father sitting in the teahouse with Lu Xingyi in his arms, and when he saw his smug face, Song Huaishu did not speak to him, but went down the street to find Song Lan and Lu Yang.

Although Song Lan's family came from a famous family, he unexpectedly surrendered to Lu Yang's family.

Since the beginning of the contract between Lu Zhengan and Song Huaishu, the two have worked together several times, plus they get along on weekdays. After a period of time, the two talked about everything, and sometimes the relationship was so good that Lu Changgen was a little appreciative.

Knowing that the two of them went to the market today to see the newly imported fabrics from the cloth village, Song Huaishu walked along the shop for less than two quarters of an hour when he saw Lu Yang in the shop with a cloth and gesturing on his body.

Song Huaishu was about to say hello, when he suddenly heard a faint voice next to him say, "This son, please be kind and send some time." My son is sick and hasn't eaten for three days."

Hearing this, Song Huaishu subconsciously looked at the old woman sitting on the ground, and saw that her gray hair was dirty and messy, and it was a cold day now, but the other party was wearing a thin coarse cloth clothes, shivering from the cold. Rao is so, and he doesn't forget to take care of the man lying on the ground with his body clumped into a ball.

Song Huaishu saw that she was similar in age to Song Lan's family, and couldn't help but feel compassion for a while. She was about to take a few pennies out of her sleeve pocket and give it to her, but at that moment, the man lying on the ground suddenly rolled over, and then held his stomach and groaned in pain.

The begging old woman knew that her son's illness had begun to attack again, and she did not care about Song Huaishu in front of her, so she hurriedly walked to the other party's side, picked up the man from the ground with trembling hands, and brushed the hair on the man's face to the side.

Just when the hair on the other party's face was pulled away, Song Huaishu saw the man's face clearly, and the other party was Yuan Lingfeng, whom he hadn't seen for a long time!

At the Xiaoman meeting more than a year ago, Yuan Lingfeng was dressed in silk and satin, and his attitude was high, and he commanded Lu Zheng'an. However, after more than a year of not seeing each other, the other party has become a beggar, and even relies on his mother to beg for a living.

Thinking of the past, Song Huaishu looked at Yuan Lingfeng on the ground and didn't know what kind of feeling he felt in his heart.

The emotions on Song Huaishu's face were too complicated, and Yuan Lingfeng's mother speculated that Song Huaishu might have offended her son in the past. With a nervous expression, he hugged Yuan Lingfeng and moved to the side, and at the same time kept apologizing in his mouth.

"I'm sorry, we don't want it, you raise your hand, we don't want it."

Yuan Lingfeng, who was huddled in his mother's arms, heard his mother's apology, slowly opened his eyes, and turned his head to look in the direction where Song Huaishu was standing.

However, after seeing that the other party was Song Huaishu again, he saw Yuan Lingfeng smile, pushed away the mother who was holding him, and struggled to get up from the ground.

"Who was I then, it turned out to be you, the second son."

As soon as Yuan Lingfeng's words fell, Song Huaishu's slap immediately fell on his face.

Song Huaishu used a lot of strength, and Yuan Lingfeng himself had illness. Song Huaishu's slap landed on his face, and Yuan Lingfeng fell to the ground with a stumble.

Yuan Lingfeng didn't expect Song Huaishu to dare to fight back, covering his face and looking at him in disbelief. "Song Huaishu, you dare to beat me?!"

Hearing this, Song Huaishu's expression did not move, and he looked at Yuan Lingfeng with cold eyes and said, "If you dare to speak disrespectfully, it will be as simple as more than one slap in the face." ”

When Yuan Lingfeng's mother saw that the other party was really her son's former enemy, she felt remorse and hatred in her heart, but she didn't dare to do anything to Song Huaishu. Crying, he threw himself to Yuan Lingfeng's side and laboriously picked the person up from the ground.