Chapter 121

Speaking of it, it was a coincidence. After Boss Chen made an agreement with Xue Tingxiang that time, after he returned, he went around looking for people to inquire about the Zhifang.

Most of them deal with paper workshops, ink workshops, engraving workshops and the like in this business, and they also know in their hearts that business like this kind of craftsmanship is generally not offered outside. But by coincidence, a paper mill with which he often had business dealings was going out to make workshops.

He asked the owner of the workshop and found out why.

It turns out that the business of this paper shop has been bad, and it only makes a living by making some bamboo and tissue paper. In the off-season, it even makes some fire paper and money to subsidize the wages of the craftsmen.

Shanxi is not a major province of paper production, nor does it have any famous papers. Bamboo and hemp paper can be found in Jiangxi and Fujian, tissue paper can be found in Henan, Guizhou, and Zhejiang, and rice paper can be found in Xuanzhou, Anhui. purchase.

In Shanxi, at best, there is only tissue paper available, but it is gray in color and slightly thick in texture, which is disgusted by people. It's like the worst-quality bamboo and tissue paper sold in Boss Chen's shop are locally produced in Shanxi, and only some poor scholars from their families will buy this kind of paper for use.

So not only this paper mill, but other paper mills are having a hard time. It's just that the owner of this paper shop is really tired of this business. Moreover, the paper workshop does not make money, and the owner of the workshop has to do it himself, so it goes without saying that there is a lot of hard work involved.

It just so happened that the owner of the workshop was getting old, and his children and grandchildren had changed to other businesses. He didn't need him to earn this money, so he wanted to sell the paper workshop. But after a long time, no one took over. The owner of the workshop over there was worrying about the livelihood of the craftsmen in the workshop, and Boss Chen came to the door here.

After some discussions between the two, Boss Chen bought the paper shop at a low price, and the craftsmen didn't have to find another way out.

Xue Tingxiang went out with Boss Chen, and when he came back in the evening, he told Zhao'er Zhifang that the plate was ready.

He went to have a look. Although the paper shop was a bit old, the utensils inside were newly added in recent years, and they were still usable. Even if you add some other tools, it won't cost much money. The contract of partnership between him and Boss Chen was also signed. He provided the prescription, and Boss Chen provided the money and took charge of the business.

Xue Tingxiang four.

Originally, Boss Chen said that he accounted for 40% of the money, but now the money is worthless, that is to say, Fangzi is worth money. A good prescription can be handed down from generation to generation, but I don’t know how much it can be exchanged for. This is how ordinary people come into partnership.

But Xue Tingxiang insisted on not giving in. He knew that he couldn't take care of the business, so he pointed at Boss Chen in every way. Besides, Boss Chen helped him a lot back then, and he always remembered this kindness.

The matter was settled like this, and after Boss Chen signed a 20-year contract with those craftsmen, the paper workshop was reopened.

This side is doing the old business of the past to maintain the daily flowers, and the other end Xue Tingxiang has been going out for several days, just to teach those craftsmen the craft of making paper, and the most important thing in rue paper is to prevent insects. , he taught it to Boss Chen.

As for the future, it all depends on Boss Chen.

The weather is getting colder and colder, and it is almost the twelfth lunar month.

Every time around this time, it is the slowest period for recruiting children. At Wangji Vegetable Shop, they rely on some preserved vegetables, pickled vegetables, meat, eggs, chickens, etc. to support them. The food delivery business stopped, and Jiang Wu, Gao Sheng and the others could also take a break.

At this moment, news came out from the Jiang family that a wedding was going to be held for Jiang Wu.

It turned out that the Jiang family had already chosen a wife for Jiang Wu. It was a girl surnamed Li from a nearby village. It was said that the girl was fair and beautiful, and she was also virtuous and hardworking. Jiang Wu also met, but because he was busy, he set the wedding date in Dongyue, and got married before the twelfth lunar month, so that Jiang Wu could "marry a daughter-in-law for the New Year" this year.

The Jiang family had been preparing for a long time, and Jiang Wu came to announce the good news when the wedding was approaching, so they didn't know about Zhao'er.

Gao Sheng and others congratulated each other repeatedly, and Zhao'er was very happy when he heard about it, and a group of people told Jiang Wu that they would definitely go to the wedding.

On the right day, the Jiang family is very lively.

Although the Jiang family has a foreign surname in the village, because the Jiang family has a hunting skill, their life is no worse than any other family. Not to mention that since Jiang Wu and Zhao'er went into business, they don't know how much money they have made for the family.

Now that the son is holding a wedding, it is natural to do it big. On the first day, Jiang's family set up a water mat, and on the first day, even the whole village went to celebrate.

Only Xue's family didn't go. After all, they have filial piety, so they were afraid of collision.

Jiang Wu, dressed in a bright red wedding dress, was standing in front of the door to greet the guests who came to the banquet, when he suddenly saw a big black dog running towards him. His eyes moved slightly, he said something to his brother, and then quietly followed the big dog away.

I saw Zhao'er from a long distance away.

Zhao'er stood there with her stomach outstretched, wearing a light blue jacket and a moon-white pleated skirt, with a bun on her head and no jewelry, she looked clean. Maybe it's because she wasn't exposed to the wind and sun like before, Zhao'er became much fairer, her complexion was better, and her little face was flushed.

Jiang Wu was a little stunned.

In the past year or so, he seldom went back to the village and spent more time outside. He had only seen him when he announced the good news, but he suddenly found that Zhao'er had changed a lot now.

In the past, he was very hot-tempered, pungent and capable. Now it is a little softer, probably because she is going to be a mother, the edges of her brows and eyes have softened, and there is always a gentle smile in her eyes.

Like this time, Zhao'er just looked at him gently and smiled.

"Brother Jiang Wu."

Even the voice has changed, less sharp and more gentle.

Who changed her?

Is it that frail young man?

No, he is no longer a teenager, but the famous Xue Juren.

Zhao'er finally made it through!

Even Jiang Wu was surprised that he would think so, instead of being jealous every time he thought of that person like before.

Perhaps, time can really pass through everything.

"Hey." He responded and said with a smile, "Why are you standing here? Come on in and sit down."

Zhao'er raised eyebrows and blamed: "Did you forget that I have filial piety?" Without waiting for Jiang Wu to speak, she said again: "I originally prepared a gift for my sister-in-law, but it's a pity that you haven't been to Xiaoshan since that time. I couldn’t give it to you either. No, seeing that it’s almost time, I’ll come here by myself.”

Seeing Jiang Wu walking towards her, she quickly stopped her and said: "Don't come over, I'll let Heizi take it to you. We can't touch each other, so as not to offend your joy, you are the bridegroom."

Jiang Wu stopped in his tracks, Zhao'er took out a slender brocade box from his sleeve, and let Heizi run to him with it in his mouth. He squatted down to pick it up. It was obviously not heavy, but he felt heavy.

It took him a while to stand up, not knowing what to say.

In fact, there are a lot of things I want to say, but I just hesitated and hesitated for so long, and became dumb at this moment.

"Brother Jiang Wu, I'm leaving." He waved his hand in this direction, Zhao'er turned around and planned to leave. She was dressed thickly, had a big belly, and her posture was not good-looking either, she was clumsy and clumsy.

"Trick!"

"Ah!" She stopped, half turned around, and looked at him in surprise.

Seeing her look like this, the impulse that Jiang Wu finally had aroused suddenly disappeared again. He smiled: "It's okay, I just want to tell you, walk slowly when you go back, the road is slippery."

Zhao'er nodded: "Well, I know, you go, pack up, and pick up the bride later."

"Why."

It seemed that Jiang Wu's appearance was a little weird, and Zhao'er hesitated to turn around. She glanced at Jiang Wu again, before saying: "Brother Jiang Wu, you want to be happy."

"The same to you."

Hearing these words, Zhao'er suddenly became cheerful, nodded to Jiang Wu, and led Heizi away.

Jiang Wu watched until he couldn't see her back before turning his eyes away.

He stood quietly for a while, then suddenly let out a laugh, and then returned to the fiery red world full of noise.

*

Zhao'er finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This breath has been hidden in her heart, unable to spit it out, unable to swallow it, and today she can finally let it go. She walked slowly all the way, because most of the people in the village gathered at Jiang's house, and it was extraordinarily quiet everywhere.

Heizi followed her step by step.

One person and one dog walked very slowly.

She looked at the grass on the side of the road, and even the withered tree branches. Although the scenery was not good, she was in a good mood.

Suddenly he looked up, and there was a person standing not far in front of him.

It was Xue Tingxiang who was wearing a blue cotton robe.

"Where did you go? Don't tell me a word."

Obviously Xue Tingxiang's expression was normal, but Zhao'er was inexplicably guilty. She lied subconsciously: "Isn't Brother Jiang Wu happy today? I just wanted to come and have a look. I remembered that I was filial on the way, so I turned back."

Xue Tingxiang walked to her side, helped her to go forward, and said calmly, "Why didn't you take a look? I remember that you seemed to have prepared a gift for the Jiang family, why didn't you take it and send it over?"

"Isn't this filial piety? I let my sister take it."

Xue Tingxiang snorted, but didn't say anything.

The two returned to the hill.

There was no one on the small hill today, Aunt Gao, mother and son, and Zhao Di were all carrying Brother Wei to a wedding, so the two of them were left alone. It was Zhao'er who asked Zhaodi to go. Since Zhaodi lived in the village, she had to get in touch with the villagers. It would be good for Brother Wei to go out and get in touch with people.

It's not too early. It gets dark early in winter. Usually, I start cooking at this time, and eat when it gets dark. Eat early and rest early.

Xue Tingxiang went to the stove, scooped a bowl of rice from the rice jar, washed the pot with water, and then sat in front of the stove to light a fire. During this period, Zhao'er didn't enter the house, and just followed him step by step.

"Go home, it's cold outside."

"It's not cold in the kitchen either."

The fire was lit, and Xue Tingshan stuffed dead branches to light the fire. His white hands, which used to only hold pens, now looked good when doing these chores.

He and Zhao'er usually eat with everyone, but now Zhao'er has a big belly and gets hungry faster. Sometimes when she gets hungry in the middle of the night, Xue Tingxiang has to cook for her, so it's also out of practice. .

It’s too complicated to do. It’s still possible to cook a porridge or a bowl of noodles.

After filling the stove with firewood, Xue Tingxiang stood up and went outside to get food.

Every winter in Yuqing Village, the unfinished dishes are frozen outside. People who don't pay attention to it just put it casually, pay attention to their moves, and make a special cabinet, put some meat and vegetables in it, it will not be spoiled, and it will be clean.

Xue Tingxiang took two bowls of mutton from the cabinet, threw them in the water basin to soak for a while, and the frozen mutton came out of the bowls. He threw the mutton into the hot pot, and within a short while, he could smell the aroma of stewed mutton.

These mutton are all prepared in advance, one piece is mutton, and the other is frozen mutton soup. It only needs to be thawed when eating, and some side dishes can be added.

It is simple and labor-saving. Zhao'er came up with this method.

Xue Tingxiang took two radishes out from the corner of the kitchen, washed them with water, and chopped them on the cutting board. With a bang, a carrot was cut in half. Bang bang bang a few more times, the radishes were chopped into small pieces.

Zhao'er was startled when he heard it, and couldn't help shrugging his shoulders.

After Xue Tingxiang chopped the radish and soaked some dried shiitake mushrooms, he sat down in front of the stove again. The orange fire light illuminated his face bright red, and the jumping of the flames rendered his white face flickering.

Zhao'er couldn't help but took two steps forward, squatting by the stove to catch up with the warm sunspot, looking at the hostess and then the hostess.

"Your craftsmanship is getting better and better now, and it smells delicious!" Zhao'er said with a flattering smile on his face, pretending to be brisk.

Xue Tingxiang hummed.

Obviously yes, but Zhao'er heard something humming.

Zhao'er couldn't hold on anymore, she looked around pretendingly, and said to herself: "It seems that there is nothing for me to help, so I'll go back to the house." After saying that, she fled in despair He quickly fled back into the room.

Xue Tingxiang glanced at her back with a gloomy face, and snorted again.

At the same time, Heizi snorted, licked the corner of his mouth, and touched his trouser leg with his nose.

Xue Tingxiang glanced at it: "You son of a bitch! What did you do just now, you don't know what to do, and you still want to eat?"

Heizi glanced at him innocently, it was originally a dog, what would it be called a dogleg?

*

Dinner was eaten quietly, and the two of them packed up and rested after eating.

After burning hot water to soak their feet, before going to the kang, Xue Tingxiang added firewood to the kang, and the two of them lay down.

It seems that because of too much firewood, the kang was extremely hot today, and Zhao'er couldn't sleep because of tossing and turning, so he had to lift the quilt.

It was much more comfortable to lift the quilt. She lay on her back and faced inward. She covered the quilt when she felt cold, and lifted it when she felt hot. She seemed to be having fun.

But Xue Tingxiang remained silent from the beginning to the end.

When Zhao'er covered the quilt again, there was one more person behind him.

He still hugged her from behind as before, but instead of falling asleep, he pinched his hands in front of her. Squeezing and pinching, the clothes were untied at some point, and slightly cold palms slipped inside.

These days, Xue Tingxiang also has dishonest hands and feet, but they are just a taste of it. Zhao'er thought it was the same this time, so she didn't stop him, but cooperated a little.

But soon she realized that something was wrong, and when she realized it, something had squeezed in.

"What are you doing, you can't!" Her voice seemed to be stuck in her throat, small.

The people behind ignored her at all, and pinched her thigh, giving it a squeeze. Because of the posture, but also because of scruples, I didn't go in too much, but that's what tortured me the most.

It took her all her strength to turn her head around, and when she was about to speak, someone bit her lip.

After a plundering, the other party let her go, but didn't let her go.

In the end, Zhao'er cried and begged for mercy: "I was wrong, I was wrong..."

He panted slightly, his voice low and hoarse: "What's wrong with you?"

Zhao'er cried in a mess: "I shouldn't lie, in fact, I went to see Brother Jiang Wu and gave him the gift I prepared. After giving it to me, I came back, and then I bumped into you."

Xue Tingxiang snorted and did not move.

When he doesn't know? He was actually following behind.

He knew that Zhao'er hadn't done anything, but he just felt uncomfortable.

"Are you still thinking about him?"

"I didn't think about him, I just treated Brother Jiang Wu as my elder brother."

"Could it be Brother Qing?"

Zhao'er pushed him with his hands: "You are unreasonable! How can you have any love brother! You are talking nonsense!"

He snorted again.

Zhao'er said in a low voice, "I was afraid that you would get angry, so I kept it from you."

But he didn't hide it, he was still angry.

In the next few days, Xue Tingxiang's anger never disappeared, no matter how Zhao'er tried to please him, it was of no use. Even Zhaodi and Aunt Gao noticed it, and asked Zhaoer privately if the couple had had a fight.

But it doesn't look like it, Xue Tingxiang does everything inside and out, especially when it's about Zhao'er. For several days, I heard him getting up in the middle of the night to cook for Zhao'er. Whose man could do this.

What can Zhaoer say? It can be said that I was dizzy for a while, that's why I stumbled and regretted through the ages, and looking back, it has been a hundred years.

This man is really stingy!

Don't look at her gnashing her teeth in hatred, turning her head and still pampering him, and being tormented at night crying for father and mother, for fear of tossing the child out.

Time passed day by day, until the time entered the twelfth lunar month, when Li Datian came to the door, Xue Tingxiang's anger did not disappear.

Li Datian is here on business.