Chapter 134

Gu Daye lowered his head and fell silent for a while.

"Wait a bit longer, wait a bit longer."

He muttered to himself, not knowing whether he was speaking to himself or to Gu Erye.

The village's pomegranate fruit trees were planted one after another; An Qinghe came again, personally escorting the last batch of saplings.

This time he came in a high-profile manner, deliberately letting many villagers see him.

He also specially went to crowded places and loudly proclaimed that pomegranate fruit sells at a high price, that rich people love it and are willing to spend money to buy it, etc.

These words were not his boasting; they had solid purchase price, selling price, and location, making it hard not to believe.

Originally, the series of actions by Qin Dasao and a few households had already caused some villagers to start doubting themselves.

Upon hearing An Qinghe's words.

That very evening, two households, one after another, sneaked over to Gu Xixi's house, wanting to take out one mu of land to try planting fruit trees.

However, since Gu Xixi had already spoken beforehand, she would not soften.

She herself did not even show up; she only had Zhang Shen turn away those two households, saying to wait until next year when there might be an opportunity.

Gu Daye and Gu Erye, upon hearing this news, began to mutter again.

Gu Erye said, "I think the land those few households reserved is already fully planted."

"These newly arrived saplings, she refuses to let others plant them; does she intend to keep them for firewood?"

Gu Daye had thought he had figured out Gu Xixi, but now he could not understand her at all.

Could it be that Gu Xixi really intends to plant trees in the sky?

The next morning, many people saw Gu Xixi and An Qinghe leading a convoy transporting saplings out of the village.

Where were they going? No one knew.

The following day at noon, Gu Xixi and An Qinghe returned, but the saplings and the convoy were gone.

Finally, a curious busybody could not resist, stopped the two on horseback, and asked, "Xixi, you brought those extra saplings to the village, then took them out again—did you have too many and sell them for profit?"

Gu Xixi laughed, "Who says I can't use them all? I planted all those trees."

They were merely planted near the Northwest Army camp.

The questioner stared wide-eyed, wearing an expression of disbelief.

Gu Xixi did not explain, just smiled slightly and rode home on horseback.

When she initially ordered the saplings, she had already thought of making two-handed preparations.

If villagers were willing to plant trees, that was best; if not, she would ask the general for a plot of land.

That place, although its soil and water were not as good as those of Flower Pool Ford Village.

It merely required a bit more effort, a slightly longer growing period, and the pomegranate fruit produced would still be delicious.

The nursery in Yunling County was also entering its busy season; after An Qinghe helped Gu Xixi finish this major matter, he had to rush back.

Gu Xixi, Zhang Shen, and Shitou three went to the village entrance to see him off.

When An Qinghe left, he actually had two extra bundles; Zhang Shen packed many things, including several local pastries he liked, home-cured bacon, recently made steamed buns, big pancakes, and vegetable-meat buns.

At least half of the kitchen cabinets had been emptied.

Several Jinhua fu tea cakes were entrusted by Gu Xixi to him as return gifts for several bosses of the merchant association.

Shitou also had a return gift: "My family also grows fruit trees, although our varieties differ from yours..."

He slipped a small notebook into An Qinghe's hands, saying, "I often miss my father and grandfather lately, so I wrote down some of the things they told me inside."

"They are all related to fruit trees; you might find them useful if you read them."

An Qinghe reverently placed it in his bundle, clasped his hands, and said, "Thank you, little brother Shitou; I will surely cherish and preserve it!"

Zhang Shen even felt somewhat reluctant, saying, "You came this time, stayed only one night and left; I didn't even have time to make you more delicious food."

An Qinghe laughed, "You've already packed me with so many delicious things; that's plenty!"

He uttered a polite phrase, "Taking both food and gifts, I feel too embarrassed."

Zhang Shen said, "You brought gifts for everyone in our family; I asked Xixi last night, and they are all not cheap. Next time you come, just come, but please don't bring gifts anymore—it's wasteful."

If delayed any longer, they would not be able to reach Yunling County seat by nightfall.

An Qinghe again clasped his hands in farewell to the three, reluctantly rode away on horseback.

Shitou patted his satchel and said, "Grandma Zhang, Sister Xixi, it's getting late; I'll go straight to school and won't return home with you."

Having said that, he was about to skip away when Gu Xixi grabbed his satchel strap.

"Wait."

Shitou slowly turned back, his smile trying to conceal something, "Sister Xixi, is there something else?"

Gu Xixi unfastened the satchel buckle, reached in, and pulled out a kaleidoscope.

"What is this?"

"How did you answer me last night?"

Shitou could not smile; he drooped like a quail, listless: "I cannot bring the kaleidoscope to school."

Gu Xixi said, "Since you know that, I'll take it back home for you."

Shitou looked up at the kaleidoscope, feeling very reluctant, then changed tactics, hanging it on Gu Xixi's arm and acting coquettish.

"Sister Xixi~~dear sister~~I know the kaleidoscope is very expensive. But everyone like me has never seen one; it's so fun, I want to let them also take a look—just look, I won't break it!"

Although Gu Xixi smiled, she insisted on her principle: "No. This is not a matter of whether it's valuable or not."

"The kaleidoscope given to you is yours; you may let whoever you want play with it, but only after school is over."

"If you bring your classmates home to play, or take the kaleidoscope out to play, whether it gets broken or lost is your own affair; I won't interfere."

"The only thing you cannot do is take it into the village school."

She paused, then gave the reason: "You lot of little rascals, when you encounter something fun, how could you still sit still and study?"

If we end up fighting over toys again, wouldn't that just cause trouble for your teacher?

Shitou, however, could take in what was said; he nodded and no longer insisted.

That's right, it's my fault for not thinking it through.

Gu Xixi has told him more than once lately that, at the village school, he should let Teacher Chen relax a bit.

For example, try to stay quiet, and don't get the gang riled up with Dogwa.

For example, if you can help, do so; don't let Teacher Chen get worn out.

Also, help maintain order in the schoolhouse, and try not to let the rambunctious kids provoke Teacher Chen's anger.

Shitou took two steps, then suddenly thought of something, turned back, and furrowed his brow.

Gu Xixi, is the teacher feeling ill?

I've noticed the old doctor has been telling him to go to the backyard every day lately.

Zhang Shen, hearing that, also turned her gaze toward Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi smiled calmly. 'No, he's just a bit weak and needs some conditioning.'

Shitou sighed like an adult. 'So that's how it is.'

It seems my earlier concern for the teacher wasn't enough.

He said solemnly, 'Gu Xixi, don't worry; from now on I'll treat him better.'

Thinking that way is certainly good, but… Gu Xixi bent down and leaned close to Shitou's ear.

Your teacher cares about saving face; you just need to know about his frailty, but don't tell Dogwa and the gang.

Shitou winked and said, 'I understand! Including Teacher Chen, I won't let anyone know that I know.'

Gu Xixi smiled and patted his head, saying, 'The young can be taught.'

She still held An Qinghe's proposal in her hand; she'd better go back and examine it more closely.