Her gaze was so scorching that Chi Qing couldn't help but turn his head to look at her while holding the potted plant. He found that she saw the potted plant as if it was gold. He thought that this little cook was quite knowledgeable and knew that this was a plant that was only found outside the Great Wall and was very rare!
After being stared at by him, Jiang Yanyi came back to his senses and knew that he could not stay any longer. He glanced reluctantly at the potted plant in Chi Qing's hand, then bowed and left.
Her heart was beating violently.
There are chili peppers in this dynasty!
It just hasn’t been put on the table yet!
When I leave the military camp, I will go to the market to look for it and buy more!
At this moment, hot pot skewers, spicy hot pot and chicken pot all flashed through Jiang Yanyi's mind. She couldn't wait to leave the military camp and open her own hot pot restaurant!
After she left, Chi Qing looked at Feng Shuo with an accusing look on his face: "See? The young cook knows better than you!"
Feng Shuo glanced at him calmly and said, "Go and clean the potted plants."
Chi Qing wanted to say that whoever made it dirty should wash it, but then he thought that this guy poured the water used to wash the brush directly on the pepper, which must mean he didn't take the pepper seriously. If he expected him to do that, the sun would rise from the west!
Chi Qing had no choice but to go out of the tent with the potted plants in his arms to look for water, mumbling something.
At this time, he had not yet realized why Feng Shuo, who was too lazy to take care of the potted plant on weekdays, suddenly asked him to take it down and clean the light ink stains on it.
When Jiang Yanyi returned to the fire camp, she ran into several firemen who came to look for her. It turned out that Chef Li saw that she had not returned for a long time and was afraid that something unexpected had happened to her, so he asked them to come and check.
As soon as he returned to the kitchen, Jiang Yanyi had hot meals and dishes. Chef Li had specially ordered them to be kept warm in the stove. It was rare that he hadn't finished work at this time tonight.
Chef Li learned from Boss Zhao the location of the shop that Jiang Yanyi planned to rent.
While Jiang Yanyi was having dinner, he talked to her a lot, from hiring a few kitchen helpers to interpersonal relationships, and reminded her that running a shop requires harmony to make money and not to offend the powerful people around her.
It was the first time that Jiang Yanyi felt someone was so kind to her in this strange world. She was touched, but there was also some bitterness in her eyes.
In her previous life, whenever she wanted to go on a long trip, her father would always nag her like this, telling her everything he could think of. She had a car accident in that world, and her parents must be very sad now...
Just as Jiang Yanyi's eyes became wet, she heard a whimpering sound coming from behind the stove. It was Qiu Kui.
Jiang Yanyi was startled, thinking something had happened, and hurried over to ask her what was wrong.
Qiu Kui cried so hard that she could hardly breathe. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and choked up, "I miss my dad..."
When she heard Chef Li saying this to Jiang Yanyi, she couldn't help but think of her parents who starved to death on the road while fleeing famine. When she was a child, she had a serious illness and had a fever for several days. After she recovered from the illness, she became a little dull.
The children in the village all laughed at her and called her a fool, but her parents still loved her very much.
But when her parents died, she couldn't even find a straw mat to wrap their bodies with while fleeing from famine. She used branches to dig in the ground for two full days before she dug a shallow pit and buried them.
Jiang Yanyi had managed to hold back her tears, but they were brought out again because of Qiu Kui's words.
She squatted down and hugged Qiu Kui: "Don't cry, your father must be hoping for the best for you. He will feel at ease when you are doing well."
Qiu Kui lay on Jiang Yanyi's shoulder and cried loudly, as helpless as a child. After a while, Jiang Yanyi's shoulder was wet with her tears.
"I... wuwu... don't want to be a camp whore... wuwuwu..."
"I've wanted to go with my parents... so many times..."
"But my parents... wuwu... before they died, they told me... wuwuwu... to live well..."
Jiang Yanyi patted her back gently to calm her down, and consoled her: "We won't be camp prostitutes anymore. We will leave the barracks tomorrow."
Qiu Kui shook her head. She was crying so hard that she could hardly speak. “I… wuwuwu… I also want to be like… wuwu… like you, Huahua… hiccup…”
She cried so hard that she hiccupped, and then continued with her previous words: "I want to... live a clean life... wuwu... go back and rebury my parents... "
Chef Li was old and couldn't bear to see such crying scenes, so he wiped his eyes and turned his head away without looking at them.
But he was very sad in his heart. He joined the army at the age of fifteen and entered the fire camp. He stayed in the kitchen for his entire life. He had no children and didn't know how he would spend his old age.
Before tonight, he looked down on Qiu Kui, the silly girl, because she was naive, stupid and had no understanding. But when he saw how filial she was, he felt pity for her and even envied her parents a little.
Jiang Yanyi's heart was torn by Qiu Kui's crying. Thinking of what she had said before, that her parents died on the way to escape famine, he felt quite upset. At the same time, he was even more grateful for the grace Feng Shuo gave him today.
She quickly told her about Grace.
Qiu Kui was already crying and confused. When she heard the news, she felt like she was dreaming: "Is... is it true?"
Jiang Yanyi said hurriedly, "The general has promised to clear your name. It will take some time for the memorial to be sent to the capital. I will buy you tomorrow, and you can open a restaurant with me in the future. When your name is cleared, you can go back and bury your parents."
When Qiu Kui heard this, tears started rolling down her cheeks. "Thank you, Hua Hua. After I bury my parents, I will work for you in the restaurant for the rest of my life. I don't want any pay, just give me something to eat."
Jiang Yanyi was touched and distressed: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
After Qiu Kui calmed down, Chef Li gave Jiang Yanyi a few more instructions. Seeing that it was getting late, he asked a few big firemen to take Jiang Yanyi and the others back to the barracks to rest.
When the two men returned to the Poplar Forest Barracks, few people were asleep. Those who were about to regain their freedom were overwhelmed with sorrow and joy and could not sleep, while those who were charged with crimes were also trying to find a way out for themselves.
Some gave their lovers the money they had saved for many years, hoping that they would be bought back; some did not want to do the hard labor of washing clothes, and washed themselves from head to toe in the cold water in the water tank outside the barracks, hoping to be noticed by the madams from the brothels tomorrow; and some looked empty-eyed, probably because they did not want to fight against this fate anymore...
What surprised Jiang Yanyi was that Chunxiang asked someone to fetch water to help her wash herself and then changed her into her most beautiful clothes.
The reward for doing this was a box of rouge.
She had already spent all her money on medicine for her injuries.
When she was in her prime, she had accumulated a lot of rouge and powder. Camp prostitutes who had the same idea as her were naturally willing to help her in order to make themselves look better tomorrow.
Jiang Yanyi looked at the busy women in the barracks, and suddenly felt like something was blocking her chest, making her feel uncomfortable.
This is the sadness of this era. Her own life is as fragile as a floating duckweed and she can't help them at all.
She turned over and forced herself not to think about it.
Qiu Kui was a very simple person. Knowing that she would go with Jiang Yanyi tomorrow, she didn't worry about anything. She had fallen asleep in a short while and even snored softly.
Chunxiang, who was in the bed opposite, felt as if she had returned to her glorious past because so many people came to borrow her rouge and powder tonight. When she heard Qiu Kui snoring, she sneered, "They say that fools have good fortunes. It's true. At this time, you can still sleep so soundly. I guess you'll have a good time tomorrow with our chef Jiang."
Before coming back, Jiang Yanyi told Qiu Kui not to tell anyone else that she could be reinstated as a good person and that he would buy her out tomorrow.
After the lesson that Chunxiang and Liu Cheng had taught her, Jiang Yanyi now dared not show off her wealth at all.
When Feng Shuo gave her the banknotes that day, no one except Qiu Kui was present, but someone might have heard the news from the mouths of the firemen who were on duty that night.
Moreover, the fact that she received the reward tonight could not be concealed. Jiang Yanyi deliberately put the reward she received tonight and the silver coins she received before under her pillow. This was her worst-case scenario plan - even if it was stolen, she still had the one hundred taels of silver notes.
As for the one or two hundred silver notes, she hid them under the insole of her okra shoes before returning to the camp.
Jiang Yanyi knew that she was at the end of her rope. If someone really wanted to steal money, she would definitely be the first target. After all, she had received a lot of rewards in the Huotou Camp.
Her bed is so small that she can't hide even if she wants to, and the soles of her shoes will definitely be turned over.
On the contrary, Qiu Kui looked stupid on weekdays and was the worst at saving money among the camp prostitutes, so naturally no one would think of looking for money from her.
Chunxiang didn't know this, and once she felt proud, her nature did not change, so she deliberately made sarcastic remarks.
Jiang Yanyi didn't want to cause any trouble on this last night, so he pretended not to hear anything.
Chunxiang thought that Jiang Yanyi had no intention of taking care of Qiukui, and she felt guilty and embarrassed, so she didn't dare to confront her.
She became even more proud: "So this person should think carefully before trying to climb up the social ladder, otherwise he will end up with nothing."
The prostitutes in the camp were all going their separate ways. Except for a few who wanted to borrow cosmetics from Chunxiang and were willing to flatter her, no one else said anything. Chunxiang herself felt that it was meaningless. After all, she had gained a breath of fresh air, so she stopped shouting.
After midnight, the barracks became completely quiet.
But Jiang Yanyi didn't dare to fall into a deep sleep, and only took a light nap until nearly four o'clock in the morning.
The next day, when the rooster crowed for the first time, the women in the barracks began to get up one after another to clean up.
Jiang Yanyi woke up and found the silver under his pillow was still there.
But when she was about to get out of bed, she noticed that the insoles of her shoes were a little loose, as if they had been turned over by someone. She was slightly startled and glanced at Qiu Kui's shoes next to her calmly. Seeing that there were no signs that her insoles had been turned over, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Since nothing was lost, she didn't say anything. She got dressed and called Qiu Kui.
At the hour of Yin, the little leader who was in charge of them came over and shouted at them to follow, just like the day Jiang Yanyi had just come through.
The only difference was that that time he took them to Huotouying to help in the kitchen, but this time, they were going out of the camp.
On the way, Jiang Yanyi looked at the military tents, which were twice as many as when he first arrived, and the patrolling soldiers, and suddenly felt a little emotional.
When they arrived at the gate of Xizhou camp, they saw a few mule carts and ox carts parked outside. They were probably here to buy camp prostitutes, or they were decent girls who had been abducted into the camp. They heard the news that their daughters could return home and came to pick them up.
The young leader took out a list, and every time a person was read out, someone would leave the team. The soldier behind him took out the household registration documents and five taels of silver and handed them to the woman who came forward.
Jiang Yanyi is the last one.
"The general is kind and benevolent. He has redressed your grievances and restored your good status. You can go home now!" the little leader said to them.
Next came the camp prostitutes who were charged with crimes. Qiu Kui was among them because the pardon document had not yet been issued.
As soon as the little leader said that they could be sold, several middle-aged women on the mule and ox carts that had not yet been driven away came over with their waists twisted. Their clothes looked a little worldly, and their faces seemed mean and sharp. It was obvious at first glance that they were powerful people.
Jiang Yanyi knew that this was probably the madam of the brothel, so before she came over, he hurriedly dragged Qiu Kui to the leader and said, "Master Jun, I want to buy her."
Qiu Kui had a dark complexion, a round face, and a pretty face, but because she looked dull on weekdays, her appearance was reduced by three points. In addition, the other camp prostitutes had specially washed and dressed up today, and she stood out in the crowd like a stupid goose, which made her even more inconspicuous.
Now that Jiang Yanyi had a good record, she had the right to buy and sell slaves, so the chieftain did not ask too many questions. He only asked her to sign the contract to purchase the government's criminal slaves and reminded her not to resell them easily. Even if the owner changed, she had to register them with the government. Jiang Yanyi agreed to all of it.
Xizhou is a poor place, and basically no one is willing to buy prostitutes from criminal camps. No matter how tall, thin, short or fat they are, the price set by the authorities is one thousand coins per person.
Jiang Yanyi bought Qiu Kui with one or two taels of silver. When Qiu Kui saw the little leader handing her indenture to Jiang Yanyi, she was both happy and sad, and her eyes were red. She had fallen into the mud since she was sold by her aunt, but now she can finally walk out.
Jiang Yanyi was very beautiful, and the madam who came to pick someone couldn't help but look at her a few more times. When she saw that she was also buying someone, she knew that she was a girl from a good family and stopped thinking about it.
Chunxiang, who was in the crowd, saw Jiang Yanyi buying okra and her face twisted with anger. It turned out that she deliberately didn't answer her last night and was waiting here!
Seeing the madam coming over, Chunxiang immediately put away her ferocious expression. She was wearing bright clothes, had a charming figure, and had rouge on her face, making her the most eye-catching in the crowd.
The madam saw her at a glance, and when she came closer, she discovered that she was supported by two camp prostitutes and was barely able to stand. During this period of time, a lot of sweat appeared on her forehead, and the rouge could not cover up her pale face.
The madam looked her up and down.
Chunxiang quickly smiled and called her: "Mom, please buy me back and I will make a lot of money for you."
The madam had shrewd eyes. She only glanced at her, snorted and laughed, then turned to look at other camp prostitutes.
Chunxiang was completely panicked and shouted at her: "Please buy me! I can really make money for you!"
She fluttered forward and tried to grab the madam's sleeve, but the two camp prostitutes who had benefited from her were unable to hold her up. She fell directly to the ground, and the wound on her buttocks split open. She screamed in pain and crawled towards the madam, who grabbed her clothes and said, "Sell me!"
The madam pulled the corner of her clothes out of her hand as if she had touched something dirty. She said sarcastically, "Go away, go away. Don't bring me bad luck! You are so unlucky!"
As she was talking, the madam had already chosen the person to buy and went to the small leader to get the indenture.
Chunxiang's eyes were suddenly filled with despair. She couldn't even stand up now. If no one bought her, she would be sent to do hard labor and would die in pain. She lay on the ground and cried loudly.
Jiang Yanyi and Qiu Kui had already walked for a while. When they heard the crying behind them, she and Qiu Kui turned around to look.
Chunxiang is probably a person who fits the saying "There is always something hateful about a pitiful person."
Everything that happened now was her own fault. He almost died because of her and Liu Cheng's vicious scheme. Jiang Yanyi really couldn't feel any sympathy for her.
She said to Okra. "Let's go."
Okra nodded.
Zhao Tou'er rented an ox cart and waited for them in front. His nephew was eager to go, and he went to Jiangnan yesterday afternoon. Zhao Tou'er took a leave today to take her to sign the contract for the shop, and also took them there.
When they arrived at the shop, it was already noon. Jiang Yanyi signed the lease with Zhao Tou'er and paid three months' rent. As they had not had time to pack everything up yet, Jiang Yanyi did not invite Zhao Tou'er to have dinner. He only said that he would invite him to come over for dinner when the restaurant officially opened. Zhao Tou'er naturally agreed.
Jiang Yanyi and Qiu Kui roughly tidied up the shop in front and the yard in the back. It was almost noon and they hadn't had breakfast yet. The kitchen was empty, so Jiang Yanyi decided to take Qiu Kui out for a meal.
Qiu Kui lowered his head, pinching the corner of his clothes and unwilling to go: "Hua Hua, you have already spent a thousand dollars on buying me. The rest needs to be saved for the store, so save some money. I see there is still some rice in the rice jar. I will light a fire and cook a meal. It won't take many hours."
Although this girl is a little dull, she is actually sensitive and he is afraid that she will become a burden to him.
Jiang Yanyi felt sorry for the girl, thinking that even if he forced her to go out to eat, she would not be happy, so he could only say: "Then go and light a fire and boil water in the pot."
Zhao Dabao just left yesterday, and the kitchen was fully stocked with firewood, rice, oil and salt. Before leaving, Zhao Tou'er said that these things would feed rats if left alone. He lived far away, and it was inconvenient to move such a small amount of things, so he let them use them as they pleased.
Jiang Yanyi walked into the kitchen and looked around, and found that there were no fresh vegetables, but there were a few large yellow pumpkins piled in the corner.
She instantly had an idea that she could make a simple pumpkin risotto and use the remaining pumpkin to make pumpkin pie!
The author has something to say: Feng Shuo: Wait, I’ll be over for a free meal soon!
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated nutrient solution during 2020-11-02 23:59:42~2020-11-03 05:59:37~
Thanks to the little angels who cast mines: Chabai, Xiaoguaiguai, Tianzi, 40302657 1;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated the nutrient solution: 10 bottles of Like Water Flowing Years; 4 bottles of The Best of Us; 1 bottle of Liangliang, Couchpotato, Shangguan Yadun, and Qingzhi Nanhuai;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!