Chapter 38: Even from a distance, they are a loving couple

Gu Xixi lingered under the trees, loving every tree and unable to let go.

These ancient trees were ones she had never researched, nor even looked at any related data.

Because in later ages, some ancient varieties were either naturally lost or eliminated with the passage of time.

Compared to the tree species that exist in later ages, they are obviously more suited to the current climate and soil conditions.

Gu Xixi was intoxicated by it, not noticing that Shitou had been staring at her.

"Gu Sis, your family sells pearls, so how do you also know how to grow fruit trees?"

Gu Xixi startled, adhering to the principle of not deceiving children, she answered honestly, "I enjoy farming and planting; I like fruit trees, tea trees, grain, and vegetables."

"Because I like them, I naturally consider how to make them grow better and sturdier, how to make them bear more and tastier fruit."

Shitou's eyes shone with full emotion, "Gu Sis, you're amazing!"

"We who grow fruit trees think the same way, but I don't know as much as Grandpa and Dad."

"Gu Sis, when you have free time in the future, you can often come to my house to teach me!"

"Sure." Gu Xixi gladly agreed.

It's getting late; Gu Xixi can only take her leave for today.

Shitou saw them to the gate, insisting on stuffing a few fresh peaches wrapped in dry lotus leaves into Gu Xixi's hands.

"Gu Sis, this is the sweetest, most fragrant peach I picked; try it when you get home."

Ignored, Mu Nan Zhao tugged the reins, and the little black donkey pulled the cart forward.

Gu Xixi had no choice but to take the peach, turn, and wave at Shitou, "Take care of yourself; I'll come see you again in a few days."

"If your relatives come causing trouble again, you can go to Zhenbaoge and ask Meng Dangni zi for help."

Shitou followed behind the cart, reluctantly trailing a few steps.

He finally had to stop, gazing longingly as Gu Xixi gradually faded into the distance.

The cart drove onto the main street.

Gu Xixi gazed at the horizon where the sunset quickly vanished, "Today there's no afterglow of the setting sun; maybe you were right, and it will rain tomorrow."

Mu Nan Zhao said, "You like that child, and you also like his family's property; why not just take him in as your brother?"

Gu Xixi rolled her eyes, "Are you testing me?"

"Although I'm interested in those fruit trees, I'm not so desperate as to resort to any means, exploiting a child's feelings, especially familial affection."

She paused, glancing at Mu Nan Zhao from the corner of her eye, "As for you, you first got hurt looking for pearls, then went to find Qinger while injured, and didn't mind the hardship of accompanying me to the Zhang Family Nursery."

"Going to all this trouble, is it all just to put on a full act?"

Mu Nan Zhao remained silent, merely urging the little black donkey to run a bit faster.

The woman sitting on the cart bed tilted her head, smiling brightly, while the man driving the cart ahead also turned up the corners of his mouth.

Among the passersby, a couple couldn't help but stop and gaze, then exchanged smiles.

The couple who just drove past must also be a happy young pair, right?

Returning to Huachi Du Cun, it was already evening.

Throughout the village, shouts could be heard calling children home for dinner.

As Mu Nan Zhao drove the cart and just turned onto the home's front, an elderly sigh suddenly came from the darkness, startling both of them.

"Finally, you're back."

Mu Nan Zhao recognized it as Lao Langzhong and let out a breath, "Mr. Jiang, why did you come out?"

Lao Langzhong only said his surname was Jiang, with no given name.

He sighed again, "Of course I'm waiting for you!"

"You act recklessly; if you cause any more trouble, before I even open shop, my sign will be smashed by you!"

Lao Langzhong didn't bother with explanations, grabbing Mu Nan Zhao and pulling him off the cart to go inside.

"You haven't taken medicine all day, running around east and west, and I don't even know how your wound is."

Mu Nan Zhao helplessly explained, "Driving the cart today took much less effort than before; I'm fine."

Gu Xixi stood outside, shaking her head; the master's eyes held only patients, he couldn't even see her as his disciple!

She exerted great effort to unload the cart, then raised her hand to pat the little black donkey's back.

"You've worked hard today; after you've eaten your fill, I'll send you back."

The little black donkey only at the Zhang Family Nursery nibbled some weeds, drank half a basin of water; tonight it should be given some good feed.

A mixed feed of dry grass, wheat bran, and beans, plus a basin of water.

Gu Xixi used to watch her animal husbandry major classmates mix feed; after trying it herself, she found it quite interesting.

As she was busy feeding the donkey, turning around she sensed someone peeking outside the gate.

"Who's there?"

A slender, graceful figure stepped out from beside the gate, "Sis Xixi, it's me."

Though it was too dark to see clearly, Gu Xixi recognized the voice as Gu Qingye's, "Is that you? Come in and sit?"

Gu Qingye laughed and said, "It's time for dinner; I won't go in."

Gu Xixi asked, "Then do you have something to see me about?"

Gu Qingye hesitated a moment, then said, "Recently the mountain's twisted dates and kernels should be ripe."

"In past years, Sis Xixi always took me to pick them……"

The twisted date, also known as the longevity fruit, becomes sweet when its stalk matures.

The kernel is a kind of myrtle fruit, sweet and tart, juicy.

Both have edible fruit value and medicinal worth.

Former Gu Xixi, though she didn't know farming, was skilled at going into the mountains to gather.

So Gu Qingye always goes with Gu Xixi; not only does she harvest abundantly, she also makes sure not to get lost.

Gu Xixi said clearly, "Do you want to make an appointment with me to go into the mountains tomorrow?"

Gu Qingye nodded hurriedly.

Actually, she had already gone this morning; unfortunately, the places she could find had already been picked clean by others.

After working hard for most of the day, she only picked two handfuls of horn dates, and upon returning home she was scolded soundly by Madame Liu.

There was no way; she had to come look for Gu Xixi again.

Gu Xixi thought for a moment and said, "I originally planned to go into the mountains tomorrow morning; just follow me."

Aunt Zhang loves horn dates; the ripe fruit can be soaked to make fruit wine, to be drunk during the winter months.

Gu Qingye was overjoyed, "I knew Sister Xixi was the best!"

After saying that, she was reluctant to leave; she glanced around the courtyard at Zhang Wang, asking hopefully:

"Why don't I see Older Brother Chen? He... will he also go with us tomorrow?"

Gu Xixi felt amused in her heart; she had been struggling to matchmake the male and female leads, but now seeing that the female side had a chance, she couldn't help but redouble her efforts.

She turned her head to look at the west room and said softly, "If he has nothing tomorrow, I will definitely invite him to come along."

Gu Qingye returned home satisfied.

Aunt Zhang came over and asked, "Who were you just talking to, Xixi?"

Gu Xixi then said she would go into the mountains tomorrow.

Aunt Zhang pursed her lips unhappily, "I really can't understand this family."

"If I fell out with someone, I'd be too embarrassed to show up at their door for the rest of my life, but she's fine—when it comes time to use you, she can still speak with such a thick-skinned face."

Gu Xixi put her arm around Aunt Zhang and walked back, "Anyway, I'm going myself; just let her come along."

"I met a child today who shares your surname Zhang, let me tell you, he..."

Aunt Zhang was attracted by the story Gu Xixi told, and naturally she put aside her dissatisfaction with Gu Qingye.

After a moment, Aunt Zhang wiped her tears and said, "What a poor child."

"Didn't you want to buy fruit trees before? Why didn't you buy a few saplings from his family? It would also help him."