Chapter 114: You Can Finally Know to Come Back

An Qing Yu blinked curiously.

Grey-blue pupils reflected the warm winter sun, turning into a clear, light blue like glazed porcelain.

Gu Xixi smiled and countered, "What are you thinking? Why did I buy so many fruit trees at once?"

An Qing Yu scratched his head, "You must be a hidden expert—a super big landlord!"

He immediately followed up with self-denial, "No, you should be a princess, or a commandery princess!"

"What's the phrase you guys use? Going incognito… right, incognito visit!"

According to the current planting level of Pinpo fruit.

Two-year-old saplings planted will need at least three to four years before they might bear fruit.

In a year of peak fruit yield, each tree's harvested Pinpo fruit does not exceed ninety kilograms.

Not to mention off‑year yields and losses from bad fruit due to harsh weather like hail and prolonged rain.

Anyone who bets all their land on planting only Pinpo fruit, let alone the fact that losing money is inevitable.

Just waiting for the long fruiting process is enough to drive one to bankruptcy.

That's why these Western Regions people can only establish a Seedling Merchants Association, not a fresh‑fruit association.

How much wealth can withstand such turmoil?

An Qing Yu thought it over and concluded that only those born as princesses or commandery princesses, who never have to worry about livelihood, could act so willfully.

Gu Xixi chuckled, "Do princesses need to personally go buy seedlings? Back then you even gave us the cold shoulder."

"I'm just an ordinary farmer from Huachi Du Cun."

"If we had to call me a landlord, I'd be the tiniest kind."

An Qing Yu stared, speechless, "And yet you dare sign a contract to buy a thousand trees!"

His feelings for Gu Xixi went from initial curiosity to admiration and reverence; after getting along, he had truly entrusted his heart.

So he immediately flared up, "Xixi, know that once you sign and put your handprint, there's no turning back!"

Gu Xixi resignedly said, "You mean there's no way back, right?"

An Qing Yu nodded, "Pretty much!"

"Although I believe you don't need to pay the remaining sixty percent of the payment."

"But the upfront deposit and later investment—can you afford them? They'll drag you down!"

Gu Xixi could feel that An Qing Yu truly had her best interests at heart.

She then sincerely comforted him, "Rest assured."

"First, my fruit trees won't leave me with nothing once planted; I'll just wait for the harvest."

"Second, the thousand trees aren't mine alone,"

"there are people in the village who want to plant trees with me, and I want to give it a try."

An Qing Yu's brows furrowed into a shape like the Chinese character for 'river', "Even if you're confident you can survive the first few years, what about others?"

"Most people come for profit and gather because of profit."

"You don't hesitate to front them the capital, but will they gamble with you?"

"Be careful you end up putting in effort for no thanks!"

Gu Xixi laughed, "This time you used the idiom correctly."

An Qing Yu stared sternly, angry, "Xixi~~!"

Gu Xixi quickly gathered her smile and said solemnly, "Without the resolve to break the cauldrons and sink the boats, I wouldn't choose such a person."

"And since I want to accomplish this, I naturally need to muster the same determination."

"Rest assured, anyone who wants to take seedlings from me in the future must sign a contract with me."

An Qing Yu still worried; having followed his father, elder brothers, uncles, and cousins in trade since childhood, he'd seen all kinds of variables.

"Alright, on this front there's no risk."

"If they don't sign, we might as well quit—where would you plant the surplus seedlings?"

Gu Xixi said, "That would make things even simpler."

She smiled slyly and mysteriously, "I have another place to plant trees, and it's much bigger."

For such a big undertaking, she couldn't possibly rely on just one route; she at least had to make two preparations.

Far away in Huachi Du Cun, Mu Nan Zhao received a sealed letter.

The gist was, the person you entrusted to look after things didn't bring any token.

But I already know who she is—she's stirred up the Hu merchants of Cloud Ridge and has become a notable figure.

Now she's looked after by the Hu merchants, with people coming and going, she's as comfortable as a fish in water; even her mule has grown plump.

After subordinates' covert observation, it seems no special care is needed; please rest assured, and so on.

Mu Nan Zhao placed the letter on the oil lamp, gazed at the flame, his face as cold as frost.

He suddenly covered his mouth and coughed a few times; when he pulled his hand away, his palm bore several specks of bright red, shocking to behold.

Yet he seemed unfazed, got up, and washed his hands.

In Cloud Ridge County, Gu Xixi sat in the mule cart, facing the earnest crowd urging her to stay, and smiled:

"No, my return date has already exceeded the plan by three days."

"If I don't go back now, my family will worry."

Ge Shu boss joked, "If we didn't know Boss Gu was still unmarried, we'd think it was the lady of the house being too strict!"

The crowd burst into laughter.

Someone said, "You're muddled—Boss Gu is a woman; getting married is still a wedding."

Ge Shu boss said, "Boss Gu is a heroine among women; marrying a man is no big deal!"

In Boss Geshu's hometown, there is a family that follows the mother's surname, which is even better than marrying into the Great Undertaking Dynasty.

Gu Xixi laughed, "You guys, stop joking with me."

"This separation won't be too long; when spring comes and flowers bloom, I'll still come to Cloud Ridge County."

"By then I'll be the host; please everyone gather."

Everyone agreed.

An Qingyu pushed through the crowd and walked toward Gu Xixi, solemnly handing her a square mother-of-pearl lacquer box.

The few people from the merchant association fell silent, exchanging meaningful glances.

Everyone had practically watched this youngster from the An family grow up; who couldn't tell what he was thinking?

But Boss Gu seemed……

Gu Xixi put the box into her bag and slapped An Qingyu on the shoulder with a crisp 'pa'.

An Qingyu was tall and sturdy; Gu Xixi had to tiptoe and stretch her arm to barely reach.

"Thank you for your care during this time and for your gift."

"I've told you all how to care for the Pinpo fruit."

"You've always wanted to prove to your father that you can stand on your own, haven't you? You can do it!"

An Qingyu stared blankly at Gu Xixi from the moment his shoulder was slapped.

Only when the people behind him from the merchant association lightly coughed to remind him did An Qingyu come back to his senses.

"Oh, with your words, I will strive!"

"You..." he stammered, having swallowed thousands of words, leaving only three: "Don't worry."

Actually, even for the contract she signed with the merchant association and for her ideal.

He would also devote himself fully to the Pinpo fruit nursery.

Gu Xixi waved to everyone, just as when she arrived, driving her mule cart farther and farther away.

Huachi Du Cun, the weather bright and clear, the dark moon like a hook.

Lai Fu pulled the cart, familiar with the way, found his own home, stopped outside and let out several loud snorts.

Gu Xixi laughed and patted it, "You also miss home?"

Footsteps came from inside the door, accompanied by a sweet, coquettish cat's meow.

Zhang Shen answered the door somewhat excitedly, "Xixi? Is it really Xixi coming back?"

Gu Xixi laughed and said, "It's me, Aunt, open the door quickly."

The door bolt was swiftly pulled back; Zhang Shen stepped out holding an oil lamp, "Oh my grandaunt, you finally know you still have a home!"