868 Throwing a Sandbag
It was rare for it to snow so early in the capital. The weather was not good and the roads were much harder to walk on than usual. Li Gui felt sorry for the children and she decided to rest at home today.
Qiao Mei joined her in the living room to modify the small baskets. When she went to the market today, she realized that someone was selling very tall and deep baskets that could be used to store popcorn. Qiao Mei also brought over the remaining wooden planks from the house renovation and installed a few wheels on them so that Li Gui would be able to carry more popcorn to sell.
“Mom, why don’t you stop going for now? You can go after the snow melts,” Qiao Mei said as she looked at the heavy snow outside.
Li Gui knew that Qiao Mei was worried about her, but this bit of snow was nothing to her. She had experienced even heavier snowfall than this and would just go about her business as usual.
Moreover, Xia He had even given Li Gui an old down jacket that she did not wear anymore. This coat was much warmer and lighter than the cotton coat which she usually wore.
“I’m fine. I can go by myself. I don’t need to sell much. I’ll only do one trip,” Li Gui said with a smile.
Qiao Mei knew that she could not dissuade Li Gui, so she just let her be. People who had just started doing business would find it addictive to earn so much money. After all, her goods were sold out every day.
“Sure,” Qiao Mei said.
Li Gui told Qiao Mei what Xia He had said in the car yesterday and Qiao Mei fully agreed. This matter had indeed reminded her of the need to pay more attention to the children’s homework.
Ever since they all came to the capital, other than Zhang Chao who still insisted on reading every day, the other children had been helping out with the work to earn money and did not have time for themselves at all.
They would need to put aside work for the moment. She should find a home tutor for the children. The cost was not an issue for her.
Qiao Mei hurriedly went out to the public phone booth to call Xia Wen. Only he would know best about such matters.
“Eldest brother, are you free tonight? I want to talk to you about something!” Qiao Mei asked.
“Sure, you can just wait for me at home. Do you need anything? I can bring it over for you,” Xia Wen asked considerately.
Qiao Mei thought carefully. There was actually one thing that she really wanted to eat. She did not see anyone selling it in the vicinity and she wondered if Xia Wen could get it.
“Eldest brother, isn’t it snowing now? Do you think you can find candied hawthorns on your way here? If you do, bring back a few sticks,” Qiao Mei said happily.
Xia Wen noted down this matter. After hanging up the phone, he asked his secretary to buy eight sticks of candied hawthorns. He instructed that they must be fresh and the largest and best candied hawthorns.
This was only the first snowfall in the capital. Usually, candied hawthorns would only be sold on the market after three to four snowfalls. He would probably have to find someone who sold candied hawthorn to specifically make it. Anyway, there was still enough time.
In his current position, it was very convenient for him to do anything. He could have whatever he wanted and there were people who helped him arrange many things.
After Xia Wen got off work, he brought eight big and red candied hawthorns to Qiao Mei’s house. The children were throwing sandbags in the courtyard! As soon as Xia Wen entered, he was hit in the face by the sandbags.
The children pointed at Xia Wen and laughed loudly. Zhang Wei even said mockingly to Xia Wen, “Eldest brother! Your skills are not as good as my brother-in-law’s!”
These words successfully brought out Xia Wen’s desire to win. He put his bag and the candied hawthorns aside and focused on the game of throwing sandbags with Zhang Wei and the others.
“Kid, stand there and don’t move! See how I’m going to hit you!” Xia Wen looked at Zhang Wei as he held a sandbag and said ruthlessly.
Zhang Wei did not take Xia Wen seriously at all. He was the best at throwing sandbags in Foshan Village! No one could beat him! He had never met an opponent before! He did not even lose when Xia Zhe played with him.
“Hehehe! Hit me if you can!” Zhang Wei said as he made a face at Xia Wen.
Qiao Mei and Xia He looked out through the living room window and saw them playing happily in the courtyard. Xia He mocked Xia Wen mercilessly and said, “Look at how clumsy eldest brother is. No matter what, he used to be a top army warrior. Why can’t he even win against a child now… Look, look! Hahahaha! Zhang Wei even hit him! He’s really too stupid!”
Xia He had not seen Xia Wen laugh so happily for a long time, nor had she seen him play with children with such abandon. The last time this happened was probably 20 years ago. At that time, she and Xia Wen were still young and the three Xia siblings had played with Zheng Yuan and the others.