Chapter 253: A long line queues outside your door

Gu Xixi was drinking tea when she heard Shopkeeper Liao's words, and she couldn't help but lightly cough twice.

He Jinglan said unhappily, "What profiteering in the chaos? Our boss Gu only does legitimate business. It's not like we're learning from corrupt officials and bullies who seize civilian fields!"

Shopkeeper Liao startled, realized he had gotten a bit carried away, and hurriedly took a sip of tea to calm himself.

"I got over-excited and used improper words; Boss Gu, Miss He, please don't blame me!"

"Boss Gu, this... this should be said as having exceptional vision and seizing the initiative!"

Gu Xixi had finished reading the list's content, she smiled lightly and said, "All right, I know Shopkeeper Liao means no harm."

She lifted her gaze to meet Shopkeeper Liao's, with a hint of deep meaning.

"Moreover, I believe Shopkeeper Liao also hopes I can acquire the desirable farmland this time."

"Of course." At this moment Shopkeeper Liao no longer hid his thoughts, speaking frankly, "In these three years, the larger Boss Gu's stall expands and the more grain he collects, the more profit I gain."

Gu Xixi also had this in mind.

She had just seen the prices listed on the sheet; they were lower than the market price for farmland two months ago, so Shopkeeper Liao likely hadn't added a markup.

Shopkeeper Liao hurriedly returned to the main topic, "After conducting on-site inspections and making further inquiries, I have selected these several plots."

"They are all plots that the owners have abandoned and will not return to; all are irrigated farmland. The land is relatively concentrated, ranging from eight to fifteen mu, and is not scattered."

"The only estate among them, though called a manor, has few buildings; it features a contiguous fifteen mu of field, and the rest consists of two small huts where the estate manager and farmers live."

Gu Xixi had actually taken a liking to this farmstead as well.

Located between the county seat and the official road, transportation is absolutely convenient.

It's just the price…

Gu Xixi looked again at the amounts listed on the sheet.

On average, each mu of land is still somewhat more expensive than elsewhere.

Shopkeeper Liao saw Gu Xixi's hesitation, smiled and said, "The price written here is merely what the seller quoted when I first met them."

"If Boss Gu takes a liking to any of these plots, I'll go negotiate further; the price will naturally be pressed down as much as possible."

He had inquired and found that none of these families intend to return.

The remaining manors, fields, and shops are all for sale.

Moreover, now we are in troubled times, the world unsettled, and no one can predict how the future of the northwest will unfold.

Basically, no one will purchase real estate at this time.

Even Shopkeeper Liao himself had taken a liking to two shops, but after much hesitation he dared not purchase them.

The sole advantage is that the sellers are eager to sell, offering low prices, making it easy to press the price down during negotiations.

This is precisely Boss Gu, who, though merely a woman, dares to act contrary to the norm.

Shopkeeper Liao gazed at Gu Xixi, his feelings at once complex.

Gu Xixi marked two checks on the list with her brush and handed it back, saying, "Just these two places: a fifteen-mu estate and an eight-mu plot; being close together makes them easier to manage together."

Shopkeeper Liao took it, glanced once, and solemnly agreed, "Fine, I'll get it done as soon as possible; there will be results within these two days."

Gu Xixi politely said, "Trouble you; lately I really can't leave home, so I can only ask you to make a couple more trips."

"Once the matter is settled, I'll give you a brokerage fee according to the going rate."

Shopkeeper Liao did not decline.

Having done business for so many years, he clearly understands that to earn what he deserves, there must be mutual give-and-take; only then can this relationship be long-lasting and stable.

The discussion having more or less concluded, the horse accountant went outside to call the carters in to move the goods.

Seeing off Shopkeeper Liao and his party, Gu Xixi picked up a bundle of heavy silver ingots and turned back inside.

He Jinglan said regretfully, "It's a pity we still can't leave the village; otherwise I'd really like to go see the land you intend to buy."

"Besides the haggling, I'll leave it all to Shopkeeper Liao; it's fine if you stay out of it, right?"

Gu Xixi curled her lips, "Who says we can't leave the village?"

"Don't you feel these past few days have been quite peaceful?"

He Jinglan pondered a moment, "Seems so."

Recently, the He family's dark guards have detected no suspicious activity, and they're even somewhat bored from idleness.

Gu Xixi said, "Except for Master Liu having dispatched extra personnel."

"Perhaps elsewhere there is a larger movement."

She looked at He Jinglan, "How long has it been since you received a family letter?"

He Jinglan startled, "You mean my brother?"

"What has he done, to keep a balance? Or perhaps he threatens certain people."

"So that they dare not act against you and me?"

Gu Xixi said, "Perhaps, just speculation."

She yawned, "I can't anymore; I need to get some sleep."

Dealing with people in business is too mentally taxing, far more tiring than doing her own trade.

Gu Xixi slept until evening in one stretch.

The glow of the clouds and rosy light streamed into the room; upon opening her eyes, the whole chamber was filled with red light.

She stretched comfortably, the air cool after the rain, and she had a good sleep.

Thudding bangs sounded, and then Stone's loud voice called, "Sister Xixi! Are you awake?"

"Come out quickly! Something big has happened at our home!"

"Granny Zhang can barely keep up; what are we to do?"

Gu Xixi startled, hurriedly got out of bed and dressed, "Stone! Come in!"

Stone then pushed the door open; Xiao Hua was at his feet, mouth holding a cicada, still alive, emitting a chirping sound.

Gu Xixi asked, "What big thing happened? Speak slowly."

"Hmm..." Shitou's expression was a bit strange, "Oh dear, I'm afraid... I'd better not say it."

Jing Lan said, "Come out and take a look, then you'll know."

He raised his hand and pointed outside, "It's right outside."

The door was open at this moment, and Gu Xixi also heard voices.

It seemed like many people were talking outside.

Very noisy.

Gu Xixi followed Shitou out, full of doubts, and saw a crowd of people outside her home, actually forming a long line.

Many of them were unfamiliar faces, not from the village.

He Jinglan stood under the eaves, holding a bowl of mint plum sugar water, watching the bustle.

Seeing Gu Xixi come out, He Jinglan shoved the soup bowl into her hand, smiling, "Just woke up, you're thirsty, right? Afraid you'll get angry later, this bowl was specially prepared for you."

The sugar water was boiled early in the morning, hung in the well until now, cool and refreshing.

Gu Xixi was indeed thirsty, took a couple sips, was about to ask what was going on, then heard Zhang Shen shouting outside:

"How many times have I said it? We have no intention of arranging a marriage!"

"Why won't you listen?!"

"As long as you're here to propose marriage, you're queuing here, no matter how long you wait, it's useless!"

He Jinglan and Shitou seemed to hear a cracking sound.

Gu Xixi felt like she was about to split apart.

Marriage proposal?

Are all those people outside here to propose marriage?

She heard her own voice weak and faint, "Who are they proposing marriage to?"

Shitou looked at Gu Xixi sympathetically.

He Jinglan answered, "Naturally it's you, the head of the family."

Gu Xixi's body swayed, she raised her hand to hold the wall, "Didn't we already refuse? Why are there still so many people coming?"

He Jinglan gazed at the crowd outside the door that still refused to leave.

"Didn't Wu Danniang say that a good girl is sought by a hundred families, and you have to fight tooth and nail?"

Outside Gu Xixi's home, at the end of the road under the tree shade, a hidden figure watched all this.