Chapter 206

They really didn’t cook dinner. The whole family failed to finish all the cold dishes brought back from the deli and the dishes packed up by Mr. Chen.

Qin Shuwen exclaimed that bought food was always more delicious.

This was indeed the case. People always thought that food cooked at home was not so tasty as the one bought from others, although home cooking was free.

At the beginning of April, it was time for them to grow corn, but Xu Ran still wanted to dig some bamboo shoots first because now was bamboo shoot season. Xu Ran wanted to repeat what he had done last year, which was to dig bamboo shoots for a few days. After all, things like bamboo shoots could be considered the main source of income of their family in winter.

Besides, fruit trees would cost the family a lot this year and so far they hadn’t made money on them. Therefore, Xu Ran had to think of ways to earn a bit extra.

Wu Mei and the others’ families had earned a lot of money with Xu Ran last year. If they saved their earnings this year, it might be enough for them to build a house.

In any case, Xu Ran’s family alone couldn’t dig many bamboo shoots, so Xu Ran decided to have these families work together just like last year. But this time, they had to do it very quickly. After digging those bamboo shoots first, they could carry them home and shell them slowly. The bamboo shoots could also be dried in the yard of Xu Ran’s house. After all, as long as the gate was shut and nobody got in, no one would know anything.

After dinner, Xu Ran, Liu Tong, and Gao Quan, with torches and oil lamps in their hands, each visited one family and told them about bamboo shoots digging. The decision was made very hastily and Xu Ran planned to start digging tomorrow.

Wu Mei and the others had made money on bamboo shoots last year, so they naturally knew about the situation, and agreed at once. Other issues could be put off a little, or they could just work harder and multitask.

When each household had agreed on it, they got up early the next morning and went to the mountain.

Xu Ran asked Shao Yu and Qin Shuwen to stay at home to take care of the children and cook by the way, while they went to the mountain to dig bamboo shoots. Half of the people did the digging while the other half carried the bamboo shoots home.

Tender bamboo shoot shells could also be used to feed the cows and horses, while those that couldn’t be eaten by cows or horses could be used for the fire. Those shells were versatile.

They had spent two whole days on bamboo shoots digging. There were quite a lot in the yard of Xu Ran’s house. If there was not thousands of jin of bamboo shoots, there was at least hundreds of.

Thinking of the fact that the dried bamboo shoots had sold well last year, Xu Ran felt that he could probably store up more this year.

More tasks were assigned. Ge’ers would stay at home, shell the bamboo shoots and then did the boiling, cutting and drying work, while men would all go to the mountain and dig bamboo shoots as many as possible. Anyway, the moment they had decided to do this, they were prepared that their farm work would be delayed for a few days.

No one else had any objections, so they followed Xu Ran’s instructions.

By the time they had finished the work with bamboo shoots, it was already April 10th.

However, they couldn’t hang around idly. After all, they had to start growing corn, and Wu Mei and the others had to do their own farm work. There was a lot of work in the field, which was no picnic.

The corn they had to grow this year was much more than last year, and now they couldn’t ask anyone for help, so they could only do it own their own.

Qin Shuwen alone was responsible for cooking and taking care of the children. Fortunately, Xu An had already made a wheelbarrow, so it was much easier for Qin Shuwen to look after the kids.

Xu Ran even joked with Qin Shuwen that he could not complain to Zhuo Yun when he came back. Otherwise, Zhuo Yun would definitely fall out with him.

Qin Shuwen also smiled and said that he must complain to Zhuo Yun. Qin Shuwen had used to be someone who had never done any housework, but since he had come to Xu Ran’s house, he could even cook. He did it well.

The whole table of people were amused.

By the time they had finished growing corn, it was already after April 20th. It had been three months since Zhuo Yun had left home. Qin Shuwen was a little anxious. Although Zhuo Yun had said that he would come back in two or three months, Qin Shuwen had always thought that Zhuo Yun would come back in two months. When he had been busy a while ago, Qin Shuwen hadn’t noticed it, but now that he had free time, he was a little worried.

However, others didn’t know how to comfort him. No matter how close they were, no one could empathize with him exactly.

In addition, they themselves were anxious too.

Xu Ran had been waiting for Zhuo Yun to come back. He still had a lot of things to do. He hadn’t bought enough fruit trees yet. He needed to dig up potatoes in the field in May. He also needed to take care of the strawberries. There were so much work that needed to be done.

However, since Zhuo Yun hadn’t come back, Xu Ran couldn’t go away. Xu Ran was still waiting for him to come back so that they could make another trip to Ban Yue Town.

Xu Ran had been busy recently, so he hadn’t been to town in more than ten days. He guessed that Mr. Chen should be angry again, and it was time that he paid him a visit.

Xu Ran prepared the carriage and went to town with Liu Tong. As a result, they met a carriage halfway coming from the opposite direction, and the driver was the shopkeeper from Zhuo Yun’s family.

Just as Xu Ran stopped the carriage and was about to say hello to the shopkeeper, the shopkeeper stopped the carriage too. Then someone jumped off the carriage and it was actually Zhuo Yun. Xu Ran got excited and also jumped off the carriage.

“Zhuo Yun! Finally you’re back.”

Zhuo Yun also got excited when he saw Xu Ran. The two of them went closer to each other and pounded their fists. Zhuo Yun said, “Yeah! Finally I’m back now. How is my Shuwen and my baby? You didn’t bully them, did you!”

Xu Ran glared at him, “What are you talking about? Be careful that I won’t let you enter my house!”

Zhuo Yun apologized immediately, “Fine, fine, I was wrong. I had it wrong, but you have to understand me. I’m anxious.”

Xu Ran naturally understood his mood and said, “They are doing pretty well. Well, your Shuwen is able to cook now, and he can do it quite well. You can ask him to cook lunch for you.”

Zhuo Yun flew into a fury when he heard this, “How can you let him cook? Do you know that he has never stepped into the kitchen when he was at home? Cooking is so hard and it makes one hot and dirty. You actually let him do it!”

Xu Ran patted Zhuo Yun on the shoulder, “Alright, calm down. Why don’t you ask your Shuwen whether he is willing or not? After all, he is a Ge’er. Seeing that other Ge’ers can cook, he must want to learn it. If he is unwilling to do it, can any of us force him? Wasn’t he bustling around in the kitchen during the Spring Festival? Do you really think he was playing around in the kitchen?”

Zhuo Yun nodded, “It didn’t occur to me that he really wanted to learn how to cook! I thought he did that for fun.”

Xu Ran knocked him again, “You idiot. If he wanted to have fun, why didn’t he go to anywhere else but the kitchen? What’s fun with kitchen? Alright, I won’t talk to you anymore. Since you’re back, hurry to my house! Shuwen has got too anxious these days. I’m going to town with Tongtong now and we’ll come back soon.”

“Fine, fine. Then hurry and go! I’m going to see Shuwen and my baby.” After that, Zhuo Yun turned around and walked towards his carriage.

What a short temper. Xu Ran touched his nose and also walked to his carriage. He said to Liu Tong, “It seems that we can’t go shopping again today.”

Liu Tong smiled and shook his head, “It’s a great thing that Zhuo Yun came back! We can go shopping anytime, but not today. Let’s hurry up and go to town!”

“Okay.” Xu Ran got into the carriage and drove away from Zhuo Yun’s. They headed off in opposite directions.

When they got to town, they went to Qin Shuwu’s shop first. Qin Shuwu had put two new dishes on the menu, bean jelly and cold noodles. He told Xu Ran that they had sold well, and that he would put little fish on the menu in May. Qin Shuwu asked Xu Ran to come up with new ideas soon.

Xu Ran remembered that he had asked Qin Shuwu about how to make ice.

Qin Shuwu patted his head, “I forgot to tell you. He told me that adding niter would work. I asked him to make it for me. You will get as much ice as you need then.”

Xu Ran nodded, “That’s fine. As long as we have ice, our business will boom in summer. By the way, Zhuo Yun is back. Did you know that?”

Qin Shuwu nodded, “I did. He came to my shop this morning and left, saying that he would go to your house to see Shuwen. Did you bump into each other on the way?”

“Yeah! However, I still have something to do in town. I will go back after I’m done with work.”

Qin Shuwu said, “Your spouse is a rare guest here, and I wanted to have you stay for lunch. But since Zhuo Yun is back, let’s meet next time!”

Liu Tong stood aside and said with a smile, “Thank you, Brother Qin. I’m really sorry today.”

Qin Shuwu waved his hand, “There’s nothing to be sorry for. Well, if you have something to do, go ahead! Then go back early. They are probably still waiting for you to go back for lunch.”

Xu Ran nodded, “Alright, then we’re leaving now. We’ll come again next time.”

Qin Shuwu waved his hand, “Alright, go!”

Xu Ran and Liu Tong left Qin Shuwu’s shop and went to Mr. Chen’s restaurant.

When Mr. Chen saw Xu Ran, he put on a livid face. After all, Xu Ran had told him that he would visit him in several days, but now it had already been more than ten days.

However, for Liu Tong’s sake, Mr. Chen didn’t say anything. He had to respect Xu Ran in front of his spouse. If Mr. Chen really offended Xu Ran, that would be a huge loss for him.

Xu Ran also knew that it was his fault. After all, he failed to keep his promise. Xu Ran apologized to Mr. Chen, “Mr. Chen, it’s my fault. I’ve been too busy these days. I also have to rush back today. Zhuo Yun just came back, and I have to go back and throw a welcome lunch party for him. Have you prepared all the materials? If yes, let’s try it now!”

Mr. Chen also knew that Zhuo Yun had been on a business trip. It had already been three months since he had left, so he deserved a welcome lunch party indeed. Mr. Chen could understand it.

Mr. Chen said, “I’ve been ready for a long time and waiting for you. Since you’re in a rush, I won’t dillydally anymore. Let’s go! Let’s try it in the kitchen right now.”

Mr. Chen led the way in the front while Xu Ran and Liu Tong followed him.

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