As the sun sets, the creaking sound of a horse-drawn carriage can be heard from the muddy road in the distance. The families of my great-grandfather and great-aunt gradually go away in the reluctant eyes of the old Zhu family. My grandfather stands at the gate, staring at the back of the carriage, unwilling to leave.
Of course, Zhu Ping'an did not feel any such sadness of parting. He touched his bulging pocket and smiled from ear to ear. He was not worried because he had money in his pocket.
Chen was also staring at Zhu Ping'an's pocket, her eyes narrowed into crescents.
Facts have proved that age is more valuable than experience. The New Year's money that Zhu Ping'an received was confiscated by Chen, who only left five copper coins for Zhu Ping'an. Even then, Chen also told Zhu Ping'an not to spend money indiscriminately.
Zhu Ping'an looked at Chen, who was counting money with a smile under the oil lamp, with resentment, "You only left me five cents, why did you spend it so recklessly?"
"One, two, three, four, five, six..." Chen was counting silver beans under the oil lamp.
"Wife, what should I buy for you at the market tomorrow?" Father Zhu Shouyi walked in from outside and asked. Grandmother had just called my father over because there would be a market in town tomorrow, so she asked him to go to town to buy some daily necessities such as oil, salt, sauce and vinegar, and to sell the two rabbit skins and the three rabbit skins that he had saved a few days ago, as well as the dried fungus and bamboo shoots to supplement the family income.
Father Zhu Shouyi had good intentions, but he didn't expect to receive a cold shoulder from Chen.
"Oh, I'm counting, why are you making trouble!" Chen looked unhappy. She was counting, but was interrupted by Zhu Shouyi's shout. She had to count again. It would be strange if she could give Zhu Shouyi a good face.
So the counting started again.
A moment later, Chen counted out the New Year's money that she had robbed from Zhu Ping'an's pocket. Not counting the five cents left for Zhu Ping'an, there were now a total of 8 silver beans and 20 copper coins on the table.
It was almost one or two taels of silver. Chen happily collected all the money, put it under her pillow, and hid it when no one was around.
"Okay, stop pouting. Let your father take you to town for a day tomorrow." Chen comforted Zhu Ping'an.
Although he knew that he was trying to get something for nothing, Zhu Ping'an had no choice but to accept it because he was powerless.
Xiahe Village is about five miles away from the town, which is named Kaoshan Town because it is close to the mountains.
Kaoshan Town is surrounded by mountains, with streams flowing around it on both sides. The city is well organized, with the trade area and living area vaguely separated. There are shops on both sides of the trade area, and the sounds of hawking are endless.
Although it was nothing in Zhu Ping'an's eyes, it was still prosperous and lively compared to the village.
Zhu Shouyi drove a ox cart with his two sons to Kaoshan Town. In addition to the rabbit skins, black fungus and other mountain products that his grandmother asked him to bring, Zhu Shouyi also brought some bamboo baskets and bamboo baskets woven with bamboo some time ago, as well as some small daily necessities. Zhu Ping'an also brought a basket of honeysuckle that he had dried in the sun to see what price the town's drugstore would offer.
After entering the commercial area, Zhu Shouyi rented a ten-square-meter stall for two cents and displayed the wild delicacies, rabbit skins and bamboo weavings from the cart.
Next to their stall is a snack stand. There is a tarpaulin tent outside the store, and underneath are six tables for customers to sit and eat.
In order to get there early to occupy a spot, Zhu Ping'an and his friends hadn't had breakfast yet. After setting up the stall, Zhu Shouyi took his two sons to the snack bar next door to have some breakfast.
Zhu Shouyi asked for four steamed buns, two meat buns, and three bowls of dumpling soup for himself and his son. Two steamed buns cost one penny, a meat bun cost one penny, and three bowls of dumpling soup cost one penny in total, so he spent five pennies in total. The store also gave him a plate of pickled vegetables as a gift.
Zhu Shouyi ate two steamed buns himself, while Zhu Pingan and Zhu Pingchuan each had a meat bun and a steamed bun.
"Dad, you eat the dumplings. One steamed bun is enough for me." Zhu Ping'an reluctantly put the meat dumpling in front of Zhu Shouyi.
"Me too." Zhu Ping'an is a simple and honest man who doesn't talk much.
Zhu Shouyi touched his two sons' heads with satisfaction and shook his head, "You guys eat. I drank a lot yesterday and don't want to eat greasy food today."
Zhu Ping'an decided to quit while he was ahead. He was also quite craving for the meat buns. This was the first meat bun he had seen since ancient times, and he was sure the taste would not disappoint him.
"Poor!"
At this time, a childish and arrogant voice came.
When Zhu Ping'an heard the voice, he looked over and saw a little girl of about four or five years old, about his own age, not far away, expressing her contempt with her eyes.
The little girl was wearing a Ming Dynasty children's skirt, tied with a silk ribbon, and wearing a tassel hair ornament, which was very beautiful. If it weren't for the little girl's words just now, Zhu Ping'an would definitely admire the beauty of the shape of Hanfu and say "It's enough for my adopted daughter to be like this!"
But it's a pity that she is just a willful, sarcastic, materialistic and uncultured little loli, which wastes her pretty face.
Next to the little girl sat a fat local rich man, with a watermelon hat on his round head and a big gold ring on his finger, and he was dressed better than the great grandfather. On the table for the two of them were braised pork slices, a basket of meat buns, exquisite side dishes, and two bowls of wontons.
Turns out he’s a rich landlord, no wonder!
The local rich man had no intention of criticizing or educating his daughter. Instead, he dotingly advised the little girl to eat quickly.
"Shu'er, be good, ignore them and eat your meal quickly."
The local rich man had three sons, and this was his only daughter. He held her in his hands for fear that she would drop, and held her in his mouth for fear that she would melt. He really doted on her.
You spoil him, but I don't.
Zhu Pingan glanced at the little Lolita and rolled his eyes, saying three words, "Ugly girl!"
This sentence was like a powder keg. The little girl was not happy. She pouted and her big watery eyes were filled with tears. It was so abominable that this little country bumpkin dared to say that I was an ugly girl, but only people said that I was pretty.
"You poor little bastard, who are you talking about?!" The little Loli wanted to bite Zhu Ping'an.
Zhu Ping'an showed a hint of sneer on his face, and pouted his lips, wanting to continue educating this willful little loli.
"Cough." Zhu Shouyi coughed, "Zi'er, eat."
Zhu Shouyi was an honest man and did not want to cause trouble. He also recognized that the local rich man was Mr. Li from the neighboring village Shanghe, so he stopped Zhu Pingan.
"Brother, don't cause trouble." Zhu Pingchuan also persuaded him. The eldest brother's personality was almost a replica of his father's. He was also honest and almost dull.
With the father's words and the brother's persuasion, the idea of educating the willful little girl had to be given up.
When the little Loli saw that Zhu Ping'an didn't dare to say anything, she became complacent and kept saying "Bumpkin, poor, and mean".
"Okay, Shu'er, eat quickly. It won't taste good if it gets cold. After you finish eating, daddy will take you to buy the little red horse." Rich man Li said as he scooped wontons with a spoon to feed the little Loli.
Mr. Li, the rich man, also loves the little Lolita. He feeds her first and then he eats.
The little girl opened her eyes wide as her rich landlord father fed her mouthful after mouthful.
After finally feeding the little girl, when Mr. Li was preparing to eat, the little girl started to make a fuss about eating candied haws. Mr. Li was unwilling to refuse her, so he happily ran to buy the candied haws.
Then, the little girl picked up the chili sauce and put it into the wontons of Mr. Li, muttering, "I asked you to feed me, I asked you to feed me, and I still fed you when you couldn't eat anymore. It's so spicy that you'll die... It's so spicy that you'll die..."
Zhu Ping'an gave the little Loli another label: sinister.