Chapter 254: Chapter 241: Worries

Translator: 549690339

“I recall the tofu at Hanfeng Tower in the county town was very good when we were there last time. I happen to be acquainted with Old Li, the person in charge of buying ingredients there. He loves drinking and gambling, so when you go there, take him a jar of wine and ask around about where Hanfeng Tower gets their tofu, tofu skin, and salted duck eggs from,” he said.

“Remember to mention my name when you go there. Old Li doesn’t know you. If you don’t mention me, then he might not tell you honestly,” advised Qi Changfu.

“Sure thing, Master. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely handle this matter properly,” Tongfei replied, completely agreeing.

Seeing his disciple willing and capable, Qi Changfu was thrilled. He took another sip of wine from his cup, savored on some peanuts, and thoroughly enjoyed himself.

That very night, Zhuang Qingning brought back the bean seeds she had gotten from Mo and handed them over to Zhuang Jingye.

On seeing the bean seeds, Zhuang Jingye was overjoyed, his face filled with laughter. “Thank goodness we still have some. I had already made promises. It would have been quite embarrassing if we didn’t have seeds.”

“The weather has been good these past few days. I estimate that we might start planting by the day after tomorrow. If Uncle Village Chief’s fields are too much to handle, Qingsui and I can come to help…” Zhuang Qingning chuckled.

“You take care of your own things.” Zhuang Jingye didn’t wait for Zhuang Qingning to finish and waved his hand continuously. “It’s just a few acres of land. I can manage it with your aunt.”

It was a joke to let these few acres of beans interfere with Zhuang Qingning’s affairs.

There are things far more important than planting beans!

“Then… alright,” Zhuang Qingning said. “After the fall planting, Uncle Village Chief can help take care of the tofu hot pot. I’ve already talked to Uncle Dayong about setting up the tofu skin workshop. These days, Uncle Dayong is out choosing a location and setting up sheds.”

“No problem, count on me,” Zhuang Jingye repeatedly nodded. “Speaking of your tofu skin factory, your new house is almost ready too. When are you planning to move in? When you do, you must invite me for the house warming. I’d like to bask in your good luck.”

“I plan to move in after the busy autumn planting season is finished.”

Zhuang Qingning chuckled, “Don’t worry, Uncle Village Chief. When the time comes, everyone would be invited. Let’s all gather in the courtyard to liven things up and bring good luck to the new house.”

“Alright.” Zhuang Jingye laughed with his eyes squinted, already thinking about what gift he should get for the housewarming.

However, thinking over and over, Zhuang Jingye didn’t know what to prepare. After Zhuang Qingning left, he called Mrs. Ye to ask for her opinion.

After listening, Mrs. Ye blinked, “Normally, for a housewarming, people bring food, drinks, daily necessities, eggs, poultry, bedding, etc., and if you want to be extravagant, you can gift caskets, makeup, and other things that girls like…” “No, no, no.”

Before Mrs. Ye could finish, Zhuang Jingye waved his hand, “Qingning won’t need these things. Moreover, others will likely bring the same. If I also bring the same, there won’t be anything new or interesting.”

Given his status as the village chief, he couldn’t give something vulgar and identical to others. Whatever he gives has to be better and different.

“If these things aren’t appropriate, then I don’t know what to give…”

Mrs. Ye thought for a while, leaned towards Zhuang Jingye and said, “Just like a piece of cloth, both coarse cloth and fine cloth are types of cloth. Just as silk is also considered cloth, they’re all cloth but they’re completely different. If you want to be unique, just send a superior version of the same type of things, right?”

“Worst comes to worst, you could go to the county town, tell eldest brother about this, and see if he has any good stuff. If it’s a gift from the county magistrate, that would be even better. Riding on the coattails of the county magistrate would indeed make us look good, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s a good idea!” said Zhuang Jingye, patting his thigh, eyes gleaming. “That’s exactly what I’ll do! In the next few days, when I get some free time, I’ll make a trip to the county town to see what I can get.”

Not a bad idea at all! Mrs. Ye seems to be growing more and more sophisticated. She now knows how to navigate social relationships.

Zhuang Jingye felt pleased.

After leaving Zhuang Jingye’s house, Zhuang Qingning headed to the tofu shop at Mrs. Wen’s house.

Zhuang Mingliang was currently busy drying the tofu skin.

The weather these past few days had been hot and Fushun Tower didn’t need supplies, so Zhuang Qingning asked the tofu shop to focus some energy on producing tofu skins instead. This should help them be more skilled when the tofu skin workshop opens officially.

“Mistress Qingning is here.” Mrs. Wen was in the courtyard feeding chickens. Seeing Zhuang Qingning, she got up, brought out two cucumbers from the kitchen, and said, “Have a cucumber. It’ll help with the heat.”

“Thank you, Aunt Wen.” Zhuang Qingning received it, smiling happily.

In recent times, Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yucheng often visited Mrs. Wen and their mother-son relationship had improved. Aunt Wen, frequently receiving advice from Zhuang Qingning, had changed her temper considerably and had learned to warmly welcome guests.

However, this was only limited to Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui.

The two sat in the courtyard chatting and enjoying the crispy and sweet cucumbers. After finishing one, Zhuang Qingning took another to eat, “Aunt Wen, I need to go the county town for some work tomorrow. The other day, I saw you sewing shoe soles. Were they for Uncle Yutian? Do you want me to take them to him?”

“Why would I make them for that rascal?” Aunt Wen’s face flushed slightly as she denied. “I was just killing time. Those shoe soles are for my own shoes. If I made soles for that rascal, it would be a waste.”

“Is that so?” Zhuang Qingning feigned disappointment and sighed, “When Uncle Yutian saw Aunt Wen sewing shoe soles, he thought they were for him and was overjoyed. He was even more excited than Qingsui was about getting a new hair accessory. If he finds out these shoes aren’t for him, he might be disappointed again…”

“I think I should tell Uncle Yutian about this sooner rather than later. This will at least save him from the disappointment and heartbreak of eagerly waiting.” “Alright, alright, alright,” Aunt Wen was somewhat flustered, but she stood up and went inside the house, returning with two pairs of new shoes, which she threw into Zhuang Qingning’s lap. “I suppose it’s on the way, so you can take them.”