Chapter 167:
When Li Sanmao came back, her work became much easier, because all the heavy labor was snatched up and done by Li Sanmao.
This big dolt was like a follow-along bug; she goes to carry water, he takes the bucket away; she goes to irrigate the scallions with manure water, he takes over the manure ladle; she goes to wash clothes, he takes the club!
She feeds the mule water, he snatches the rope.
She trims Bill’s fur, he sticks over his own long-haired head, “Wife, my hair needs trimming too.”
Miaomiao even says Father is clingy and won’t play with him.
She only needs to stay home with Miaomiao, making dough, kneading it, baking bread.
Today, Li Sanmao got up early to carry water, pulled up several bamboo baskets of grass yesterday afternoon, fed the mule this morning, fed the sheep and Bill, then swept inside and out, watered the orchid.
Very diligent. Last night’s scorching gaze made her panic; how’s she going to handle nights from now on? He always intentionally or unintentionally wants to hug her, scaring her into wanting to hide.
Other times he’s in charge of catching eels and bullfrogs, then picking mushrooms.
She’s thinking about the termite mushroom oil still in stock at home, frying those dried mushrooms, and some matsutake mushroom oil.
The mushrooms on this mountain are gradually going out of season now; she’s preparing to start making scallion oil.
When the time comes, give the scallion oil to Yumian Tower for Ye Beiyao to inspect; in winter, this scallion oil will replace the termite mushroom oil.
Today is also delivery to town plus selling baked bread day. Li Sanmao got up early, fed the mule full, harnessed the mule cart, trotted a few laps in the yard; today he’s the driver.
Even if he racks his brains in the prison cell, he never imagined his wife bought a mule cart.
Seeing his wife in brand new clothes, his eyes light up, and the cute and charming Miaomiao; his heart filled with satisfaction and happiness—these are his two treasures:
“Wife, Miaomiao, hurry and get on the cart; it’s getting late.”
“Okay!”
“Got it, Father!”
Mother and daughter climb into the cart bed; she hugs Miaomiao in her arms, sits inside—today she can finally comfortably be a passenger for once.
“Let’s go! Her father!”
“Alrighty! Hold on tight, Miaomiao’s mother, and little Miaomiao.”
The three happily head to town, full of longing for life; villagers up early working in the fields watch their family drive the mule cart away enviously.
They meet early-rising Old Lady Zhao sweeping the ground; Old Lady Zhao happily greets them, “Yo, Miaomiao, off to town to sell bread again today?”
“Yes, Grandma Zhao.” Miaomiao says sweetly.
Grandma Zhao sees the young maid hiding in her mother’s arms, peeking out her little head with eyes squinted into slits from smiling, and says she’ll go watch their door and take care of Bill later.
Seeing them go far, she mutters, “Now Miaomiao’s mother doesn’t have to walk that wretched road to town anymore; poor thing, her heels were all blistered before.”
At Yumian Tower, Shopkeeper Zhu sees Li Sanmao on the mule cart and is startled, but only for a moment—what situations hasn’t he seen at his age?
“Brother Sanmao, you’re finally out; this time must’ve worn out Miaomiao’s mother and Miaomiao. You’re all better now?”
“Yeah, all better, Shopkeeper Zhu. Thanks for taking care of my wife and Miaomiao this time.” Li Sanmao says gratefully.
If not for Shopkeeper Zhu not minding their Old Li Family in prison, not despising their delivered ingredients, his wife and daughter would probably still be going hungry.
“As it should be, no need to keep thanking!”
This is mainly thanks to the ingredients from Luo Niangzi being indispensable to Yumian Tower; useful to Yumian Tower, not something he could graciously help with.
Anyway, getting out is good; he’s happy for them too.
Li Sanmao just finished unloading the jars and wooden bucket of eels when Ye Beiyao arrives imposingly.
Shopkeeper Zhu hurries forward to greet, full of respect: “Owner, you’ve arrived!”
“Mm!”
A nasal “mm,” his deep gaze glances at Luo Niangzi squatting on the ground communicating with the quality inspector; she doesn’t even look up.
“Eh, Waiter, wait—this, how’s there a dead bullfrog here!”
Toss it out! Thrown on the rotten vegetable leaves pile by the backyard!
Ye Beiyao disgustedly furrows his brow! Nostrils up, he gives a bland glance at the mule driver nearby—is that her husband Li Sanmao?
Ha! What a waste saving him; nothing impressive!
If it were him, he’d grant two zhang of red cloth, let others beat him to death—good for nothing but holding back.
Far inferior compared to him; expressionless, he goes up to the second floor.
“Right, have Luo Niangzi come up later; I have business to negotiate with her!”
“Yes!”
Li Sanmao hears this man is the owner and hurries to greet, but before his foot lands, the man exchanges a few words with Shopkeeper Zhu and clomps upstairs.
Completely ignores him, like he’s air!
Suddenly makes him feel uncomfortable, even sensing some hostility toward him!
But thinking again, rich young masters are born with the capital to be arrogant.
Just, with his arrogant, look-down-on-others personality, how does his wife handle doing business with him?
His tone didn’t seem good either; did he see when wife tossed the bullfrog just now?
After quality check, Luo Zhi’er calls, “Husband, watch Miaomiao; I’ll go up to talk business with the owner and come right down!”
Li Sanmao watches her worriedly, encouraging her.
“Okay! Wife, don’t be nervous!”
“What are you saying, nervous about what? Don’t worry!”
She said she was going up to talk business with the owner, but didn’t tell him specifics.
Miaomiao and Li Sanmao stay in the restaurant private room to rest.
Waiting in the elegant room for over half a shichen, getting anxious, drank two pots of tea; then Luo Zhi’er comes out.
“Wife, you okay?”
Li Sanmao steps forward, looks closely at her face—sure enough, she looks puffed up with anger, very unapproachable!
He figures that unapproachable-looking owner bullied her.
Poor wife; doing business with this Yumian Tower is really tough!
Luo Zhi’er sees tea on the table, picks up the teacup Li Sanmao drank from and gulps down several big mouthfuls.
“Wife? You’ve suffered; tell husband anything, husband may not have as much silver as him, but if anyone bullies you, husband will go make trouble for him!”
Luo Zhi’er sees this man’s enlarged face before her, full of tension, eyes showing sincerity—suddenly her anger flares up,
“Hmph! What’s there to be upset about? Let’s go! You big dolt!”
“Oh!”
Li Sanmao follows, face red and puffy—what’s a big dolt?
Luo Zhi’er mentally crosses out Ye Beiyao countless times in her mind—this damn Ye Tuotuo, Ye pervert, what’s with his mood?
Negotiating business, yet dares to openly disdain her husband Li Sanmao in her face!
Flattens her husband to worth nothing!
Marquis’s Mansion young master so great? Her husband could punch a tiger to death!
Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!
Luo Zhi’er storms out of Yumian Tower, Ye Beiyao upstairs secretly delighted! Thinking of her fuming just now makes him unusually pleased.
Can’t help but dry chuckle a few times!
Stuns even Song Wu!
After coming out, Li Sanmao sees his wife’s iron-blue face in the cart bed, mouth pursed enough to hang an oil pot.
Swallows saliva, turns back to steady the mule cart, heads to the marketplace; he parks the mule cart, Miaomiao and wife go occupy position.
Finds last time’s spot; Granny Xie greets her from afar!
“Luo Niangzi, Miaomiao!” She’s been watching all morning with eyes strained; finally here.
“Granny!”
“Miaomiao, why are you and your mom a bit late today? Quick, Granny’s been holding this spot for you two!” Any later and couldn’t hold it; good thing mother and daughter came.
She remembers last time she said they’d come to town today to sell baked bread. “Thanks, Granny Xie; something delayed us on the road today!”
“Eh, quick set up; don’t waste time, soon marketplace will fill with more people, no spot for you!”
“Okay!”
Luo Zhi’er and Miaomiao set out today’s bread for sale; this time on the way she met a bamboo basket seller and bought a few.
Arranged neatly in rows, each basket with different ones.
Luo Zhi’er arranges the bread: red bean paste bun, baked egg tart, toast, garlic bread, baguette, doughnuts.
Dazzles Granny Xie, “Aiyo, new varieties today; what’s this round one like a cup, golden and looks delicious!”
“Strange, wasn’t hungry for anything this morning, but suddenly appetite surges seeing this.”
“Hehe, this is egg tart; Granny Xie, try one first!”
Luo Zhi’er casually hands an egg tart to Granny Xie.
“Hehe, then this old woman won’t stand on ceremony. Your hands are so clever; this egg tart looks just like a little bowl.”
Granny Xie takes it, looks, bites—soft and fragrant with eggy sweetness, melts in mouth!
“Oh wow, so delicious; no idea how you make it? Miaomiao’s mother, auntie hit the jackpot meeting you!”
“Hehe, Granny Xie, what are you saying; if not enough, take any others you want!”
“Can’t do that; these are for silver; old woman just savoring is fine. Right, garlic today still?”
“Yes, usual amount, twenty jin!”
“Got it!”
This Luo Niangzi is generous; every time she comes, there’s bread for this old woman.
Luo Zhi’er knows Granny Xie is good people too, straightforward, doesn’t take advantage; she just says it like that, wouldn’t to others.
