...
In the early spring evening, the wind was exceptionally cold. The mont Guan Rong stepped out of the Jing Family’s courtyard, she was hit by a chill and tightened her collar further.
Hua Xiaomai also felt the cold, drawing her hands into her sleeves. Looking up unintentionally, she saw Aunt Geng standing under a big tree with three or four middle-aged won, chattering incessantly, though Hua Xiaomai couldn’t make out what they were discussing.
The day Chen Huosheng hurriedly left the Jing Family’s courtyard, Hua Xiaomai’s mother felt sothing was amiss. She had gone to the Geng family herself to clarify matters, hoping to prevent any rifts from forming between the two families, which would not look good publicly. But as soon as Aunt Geng saw her, she was t with sarcasm and ridicule. Barely a few words into the conversation, both were fuming with anger and ended up having a row, parting on bad terms. Since then, whenever Hua Xiaomai’s mother saw Aunt Geng on the road, she would roll her eyes as if she didn’t recognize her.
Now facing an awkward encounter and with Guan Rong by her side, Hua Xiaomai felt a headache coming on. She tugged at Guan Rong’s sleeve, signalling her to walk faster, hoping to pass by those won unnoticed and without incident.
However, Aunt Geng, sharp-eyed as she was, glanced up and spotted the two of them. She said sothing quietly, prompting the other won to turn and look.
Although Hua Xiaomai couldn’t hear clearly, she knew Aunt Geng’s words were likely not kind. Thinking that she had thick skin and didn’t care about idle gossip, she just pulled Guan Rong forward. It was not until they had passed the won and gone five or six steps further that they heard one of the won mutter, "Ugh, reeking of kitchen fus, who would fancy you anyway?"
Guan Rong faltered in her step and turned her head, looking at Aunt Geng with puzzlent, then whispered to Hua Xiaomai, "Sister Xiaomai, who’s she talking about?"
"How should I know?" Hua Xiaomai looked up nonchalantly, "It has nothing to do with us, why bother with her?"
"Oh..." Guan Rong uttered, and they continued walking. After a while, as if she couldn’t help herself, Guan Rong hesitantly spoke up again.
"That... Sister Xiaomai, have you heard? The neighbor, Old Mrs. ng, is arranging a match for Brother Yuhuai."
Her tone seed unusually sprightly, perhaps to conceal her own emotions.
"Hmm, my brother-in-law ntioned it at dinner," Hua Xiaomai nodded, "Apparently, the girl isn’t from Fire Knife Village; she’s eighteen or nineteen, quite pretty, and cos from a wealthy family."
"Yes, that’s what I heard too," Guan Rong lowered her head, "Brother Yuhuai is of an age... he should indeed settle down. These past two years, Old Mrs. ng has been quite worried about this. There were a few matchmakings before, but for so reason, they never worked out... Sister Xiaomai, do you think he’ll agree this ti?"
Hua Xiaomai laughed, "Sister Rong, why do you keep asking questions I can’t answer? How can I guess what Big Brother ng is thinking? If you’re really curious, you’ll know his decision when he returns to the village in a few days, right?"
"I just thought, he seems to be... close to you and your family, maybe..." Guan Rong mumbled shyly, then stopped mid-sentence, "I..."
Not wanting to dwell on the subject, who knows if Guan Rong might end up pouring out her woes to her, Hua Xiaomai quickly pointed ahead and exclaid with a smile, "Sister Rong, is that the sugar-water stall you ntioned? It’s still steaming!"
Guan Rong looked up and realized they had reached the riverbank. She parted her mouth to speak, but Hua Xiaomai let go of her hand and dashed ahead to the stall, where an old woman was busy serving a crowd of custors.
Setting up a stall was a simple affair: push everything needed on a cart, a stove, two large pots, and so inexpensive tables and chairs, and business could begin. Charcoal burned in the fire, easy to control for heat. Standing beside the fire on a cold spring evening made one feel a few degrees warr all over.
"Almond tea, walnut paste, egg lotus seeds, red bean soup... Granny, you have quite the variety here!" Hua Xiaomai didn’t wait for Guan Rong, already striking up a conversation with the old woman, "I’ve never seen you before, do you not co to set up your stall daily?"
The old woman didn’t reply but just smiled at Hua Xiaomai and asked loudly, "What would the young lady like to eat?"
Just then, Guan Rong ca up from behind and pulled on Hua Xiaomai, "Old Granny Sun is hard of hearing; she probably didn’t catch what you said. She’s from Guzi Village and only sets up her stall around these neighboring villages, coming to ours every three to four months for half a month. I’ve been waiting quite a while for her to co back!"
Hua Xiaomai nodded and spoke up a bit louder to Old Granny Sun, "Granny, then I’ll have a bowl of taro puree and two bowls of walnut paste to go!"
Guan Rong also ordered an almond tea, and the two sat down at a table near the riverbank. Looking around, Hua Xiaomai leaned over and comnted, "Looks like there are quite a few custors for the sugar-water, Granny Sun’s business must be good, huh?"
"Of course." Even though Guan Rong felt downcast, she replied with a forced smile, "Don’t be fooled by how small the stall looks; it’s very popular! People in our village, old and young, sotis get hungry at night and can’t be bothered to cook for themselves, so they co out and spend a little money on a warm bowl of sweet soup, which makes them feel comfortable all over. I’ve heard that in the County, they sell noodles and wontons on the streets at night, and the business is booming!"
Ah? Hearing this, an idea sparked in Hua Xiaomai’s mind.
If a sugar-water stall could be so popular, what might happen if she set up a stall in Fire Knife Village to sell sothing else? (To be continued. If you like this work, welco to Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.)
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