Chapter 199: with translation of chapter title

The neighbor aunt pulled Gu Xixi and chattered on, talking about her recent observations of the Qin family.

Gu Xixi listened, feeling happy for Qin Dasao from the bottom of her heart, "No wonder Qin Dasao has been too busy lately to drop by."

The neighbor aunt sized up Gu Xixi with a smile, as if looking at a delectable treat, her eyes full of fondness.

She sighed, "My son just has no vision; if he had followed you back then, he could have made a fortune and also gotten all those… whatever fruit trees from somewhere for free."

He Jinglan laughed, "Auntie, what does 'getting something for nothing' mean? You make it sound like our Xixi is a sucker."

The aunt quickly gave an embarrassed laugh and slapped her own mouth, "Oh dear, look at my mouth, I really can't speak properly."

"But when you talked about planting fruit trees at the Tudimiao earlier, our family never said a bad word about it."

"Lately I keep scolding my son, his mind is muddled with grease, his courage smaller than a mouse's! Xixi doesn't ask for money, she gives you fruit trees for free—you should gratefully accept with both hands and wholeheartedly learn from her."

"You, on the other hand, hang out with those good-for-nothings, believing whatever anyone tells you—now you regret it, huh?"

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exchanged a glance.

Both understood in their hearts what this aunt was scheming.

Gu Xixi said offhandedly, "There's no need to follow me specifically. As the saying goes, everyone has their own fate; with time still ahead, your son will surely encounter good opportunities too."

She said this while putting on a polite smile and pulling He Jinglan outward.

The aunt didn't get a definite answer from Gu Xixi, felt a bit disappointed, but still called out, "You two take your time; when you have a moment, come to my place and I'll fry some peas for you!"

After they walked onto the main road and looked back, seeing no sign of the aunt, He Jinglan let out a breath of relief.

"Really…"

"Back when you were opposed and nobody thought highly of you, with few families willing to plant fruit trees—where did those people go?"

"Now that they've seen the actual benefits, they've all done an about‑face, practically wishing to carry you on their shoulders."

Gu Xixi laughed, "People are naturally profit‑seeking, so it's understandable."

She paused, then said, "No matter what they think, let's talk about it again next year."

He Jinglan smirked slyly, "Let those who are watching and those who regret keep grinding their teeth?"

Gu Xixi looked at her, "Not only that; maybe next year I can give them another option."

The two walked forward, nearing Lao Qian's orchard, and Gu Xixi several times turned her head subtly to look behind.

He Jinglan sensed something odd and whispered, "What's wrong? Is someone following us?"

Gu Xixi replied, "Yeah, I noticed him back when we were at the Qin family's."

"This fellow idles about all day, is older and still unmarried, and people call him the old bachelor."

He Jinglan grew a little fearful, "What does he want by following us!"

Gu Xixi gave a reassuring smile, "Don't be afraid; the villagers are simple, not as complicated as the city's myriad sects and trades. Besides, it's broad daylight out here—he wouldn't dare do anything to us."

He Jinglan relaxed a bit, but still clung nervously to Gu Xixi.

Upon reaching outside the orchard, they saw Lao Qian and Qian Dasi shoveling chicken manure in the garden.

Gu Xixi felt assured and whispered to He Jinglan, "Wait and see; we'll give him a scare too."

Saying that, Gu Xixi took He Jinglan's hand and hurried into the orchard, "Auntie! Uncle Qian, Xixi and Jinglan are here!"

Qian Dasi and Lao Qian immediately picked up their shovels and came forward to meet them.

"You've come?"

"These chickens and ducks eat bugs, grow fast; since yesterday we've already gathered chicken and duck eggs, and their droppings can fertilize the fields—excess we collect and compost for next year's own use."

Gu Xixi laughed, "Chicken manure is an excellent fertilizer; it's perfect for strengthening seedlings, and it also improves the soil, preventing clumping and giving lasting fertility."

"Once the manure compost is ready, I'll be the first to buy it."

Qian Dasi exclaimed in delight, "This stuff… can actually be traded?"

Gu Xixi said, "Of course; the wealthy families in the city have manors and gardeners."

"Where would they get so much fertilizer? Naturally they have to buy it."

Lao Qian and Qian Dasi exchanged glances, both delighted, "I never imagined that once this orchard was built, big and small, every corner would be a place to make money!"

After chatting a bit more, Gu Xixi glanced backward and whispered a few sentences to the couple.

Qian Dasi spat, "Pah, that old fool doing such shameless things—really disgracing our village!"

"We'll leave this matter to our family's Black General; he'll surely whip that fellow into shape!"

He Jinglan asked curiously, "What is the Black General?"

Gu Xixi teased, "You've seen it; you know it."

Outside the orchard, the old bachelor clung to the fence, watching the few people talk from afar, then headed deeper into the woods.

He could see nothing anymore, feeling a bit anxious; after hesitating repeatedly, he still mustered his courage and sneaked into the orchard…

Not long after, we heard the old bachelor bellow, "Don't chase me! Ah! Ahhh!!!"

"Ow ow ow… help!!!"

Lao Qian, Gu Xixi, and the others stepped out from behind the trees.

They saw the old bachelor being chased all over by a rooster and a large goose.

The rooster flapped its wings, soaring higher than the old bachelor, seeming to aim for his head and repeatedly pecking at it.

The goose trailed behind the old bachelor, persistently twisting his buttocks.

Because the orchard was filled with fruit trees, the panicked old bachelor had no choice but to run around in circles, unable to find an exit.

He Jinglan slightly opened her mouth, "Ah, it looks… really painful."

She asked, "Is this rooster the Black General?"

Qian Dasi laughed and replied, "That day you said it was a fine fighting cock; our family said, a fighting cock that doesn't want to be a general isn't a good fighting cock."

"Plus it has black feathers on its neck, so we call it the Black General."

He Jinglan watched the old bachelor not far off getting his head pecked again, clapped her hands, and said, "What a good name."

Seeing that the heat was about right, Gu Xixi said to Lao Qian, "Uncle Qian, that's enough."

Lao Qian gave a whistle and then shouted, "Old Black, come back!"

I don't know if it's because Lao Qian gave the fighting cock a name.

This chicken now listens to his words.

Black General flapped its wings, and after a few hops it would reach Lao Qian's feet.

Lao Qian stroked the sleek neck of Black General with his fingers, "Go eat."

Just then, a big goose also chased the old bachelor and ran up close.

Qian Aunt skillfully lifted the goose's neck, thereby rescuing the old bachelor.

The old bachelor, in a sorry state, panted heavily as he lifted his head, only to meet four unfriendly eyes.

He was already exhausted from running; seeing this, his legs went weak and he sat down on the ground.

Lao Qian shouted, "Speak! Why are you secretly following those two young ladies in broad daylight?!"

Gu Xixi said, "Wasn't it you who was peeking outside my house that afternoon when Gu Youfu caused trouble?"

The old bachelor glanced at He Jinglan, his eyes flickering.