Chapter 115 - 116: Honored Guest?
"Miss Gu, what a coincidence. Out buying groceries, are you?" Aunt Xiao blocked Jin Qianqian’s path, a basket on her arm.
Jin Qianqian noticed a piece of meat in her basket. "Just taking a walk. Have you finished your shopping, Auntie?"
Aunt Xiao glanced proudly at the meat in her basket. "My daughter is visiting today, so I had to buy some nice things to welcome her.
She’s a very filial daughter, always bringing bags of gifts when she comes back. I can’t let her feel short-changed, so I have to make her something good to eat."
Jin Qianqian finally understood why the old woman had stopped her. "You’re truly blessed to have such filial children. By the way, that meat looks quite fresh. Did you buy it at the butcher shop up ahead?"
"I bought it precisely because it was fresh, from the shop just ahead. But don’t go to the second one. That Old Zhao has wanted to quit for a while, and the meat he sells isn’t fresh at all."
Seeing Jin Qianqian’s confused expression, Aunt Xiao simply stood at the intersection and started pointing out the various shops along the street.
She pointed out which fabric store had reasonable prices, which jewelry shop looked down on people, and could even find a thing or two to say about the street vendors.
Jin Qianqian processed all the information and realized that some shops on this street were indeed poorly managed and about to be sold.
She was genuinely grateful. "Auntie, thank you so much. Without you, I don’t know how long it would have taken me to learn all the ins and outs around here."
"Hah, we’re all neighbors. Besides, you’re such a sweet-talker. I’d love to hear more nice things from you."
Jin Qianqian grinned. "It’s not that I’m a sweet-talker, you’re just that wonderful, Auntie. Oh, right, didn’t you say your daughter was coming home? Shouldn’t you be getting back? You don’t want her to arrive to an empty house."
"Oh, you’re right! I’ll head back first, then. When I have time, I’ll have a good long chat with you." Carrying her basket, Aunt Xiao waved and hurried off, not even giving Jin Qianqian a chance to reply.
"..."
* * *
On his day off, Ancient Wen Heng drove the donkey cart, swaying and bumping along the road back to the village.
"This is so much easier. No more walking until my feet are covered in blisters." Sitting on the soft cushion, rocking with the cart’s movement, she could even enjoy the scenery along the way.
Ancient Wen Heng said, "Will you be able to manage the shop on your own? Maybe you should find someone to help."
Jin Qianqian replied, "It’s still early for that. Foreman Ding is helping me tidy up the shop these next couple of days. Besides, I’m only making a few pastries. It shouldn’t be too tiring."
Thanks to Aunt Xiao’s informative tour, she had quickly found a shop she liked. Although it cost more than half of their savings to acquire it, she was truly satisfied with its location.
It was located in the center of the county town, with a storefront of about forty square meters, plus a small rear courtyard with a well that could be used as a workshop. It was perfect for making desserts.
She had spent the last two days busy directing the craftsmen on how to build the stove and oven. The rest she left to the master craftsman to handle.
"Just make sure you don’t overdo it. Don’t forget, you’re still recuperating. It wouldn’t be worth it to ruin your health again."
Jin Qianqian pinched her own arm. "Don’t you think I’ve put on some weight recently?"
Ancient Wen Heng glanced back at her. "You’re still a bit bony to hold. Keep up the good work."
Jin Qianqian asked, "Really?"
How could Ancient Wen Heng miss the subtle change in her expression? "A warm, fragrant armful... but it could feel even better to the touch..."
Jin Qianqian followed his gaze downward, then suddenly crossed her arms over her chest. "You’ve gone too far."
Ancient Wen Heng averted his eyes, pulling on the reins to slow the cart, but a wicked grin spread across his face. "Wife, these are all my perks. I have to supervise them properly, don’t I?"
Jin Qianqian, "..."
* * *
As they neared the village, Ancient Wen Heng and Jin Qianqian put all the things they had packed onto the donkey cart, including the old furniture they had prepared for the old madam.
"Well, if it isn’t Lao Gouqi? You’ve been missing for so long. Where’d you go to make your fortune?" Liang Xiaojun was sitting at the village entrance, legs crossed, chewing on a blade of grass.
"Liang Xiaojun, you seem to have a lot of free time, sitting at the village entrance sunbathing," Ancient Wen Heng retorted, shooting him a sideways glance.
"I had someone bring something back for me from town. They should be back soon.
You’re doing well for yourself, kid, even got a cart now. So where’d you strike it rich? Don’t forget to give your brother a hand."
Ancient Wen Heng said, "I’m just an ordinary farmer. Where would I go to make a fortune?
Since you’re waiting for something, we won’t hold you up. I need to go see my parents."
Liang Xiaojun suddenly burst out laughing, gloating. "Going to see your parents? Oh, you should definitely go have a good look. Your family has a truly distinguished guest. I bet your parents will be living in comfort from now on."
Though filled with doubt, Ancient Wen Heng didn’t want to waste time bickering with him. He urged the donkey cart straight into the village. Their house was right at the entrance, so they arrived in no time.
Jin Qianqian jumped down and pushed open the courtyard gate, and Ancient Wen Heng led the donkey and cart inside.
"What did that guy mean just now?" Jin Qianqian couldn’t hold back and asked directly.
Ancient Wen Heng replied, "Our family is just ordinary farming folk. What kind of distinguished guest could we have? But that guy wouldn’t have a reason to lie about it. We’ll go over together in a bit and see."
Jin Qianqian took out two boxes of pastries she had made. "Let’s go. We haven’t been back in so many days. We should go see them first."
"..." Ancient Wen Heng said, "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
Jin Qianqian shrugged. "We’ll find out soon enough. If something is really wrong, we can just keep our distance."
* * *
As soon as they entered the main part of the village, they immediately felt the villagers’ eyes on them, as if watching a show.
They exchanged a confused glance and quickened their pace at the same time.
"Mother, are you home?" Ancient Wen Heng called out towards the closed courtyard gate.
"I’m here." Hearing the familiar voice, Li Cuicui opened the gate a moment later.
"Mother, it’s broad daylight. Why is the gate closed?" In the countryside, people usually didn’t close their main gate when they were home, or others might think they weren’t welcome to visit.
"Come in first, we’ll talk inside!" Li Cuicui stepped aside, and after they entered, she shut the gate tightly behind them.
Jin Qianqian held up the basket in her hands. "Mother, we brought you some pastries from the county town. Give them a try. If you like them, we’ll bring more next time."
"Well now, I wonder what precious things Seventh Sister-in-law has brought for Father and Mother? Why disappear for so many days? Didn’t you know Father and Mother were worried sick?"
Hearing that familiar voice, displeasure flickered across both Ancient Wen Heng and Jin Qianqian’s faces. A moment later, a familiar figure emerged from the side house.
"Youngest Brother? When did you get back?" Ancient Wen Heng frowned. "Where have you been all this time? Don’t you know the family was worried?"
"Tsk, tsk. Look at you, putting on the airs of an elder brother. If you were really so worried, why did you move out without waiting for me?"