Chapter 398: Not taking wages won't do

The kids wanted to help, Gu Xixi couldn't dissuade them; after thinking, she waved and called Shitou over.

Since they're all your friends, you should arrange what to eat and drink during the break later.

The food I set aside is all for you; you must take good care of everyone, no problem?

Shitou patted his chest and said, "It's a small matter; I'll handle it."

Gu Xixi whispered again, "Then I'll go in with your older sister Lv Jing first, so they won't hold back."

Also let your older brother An know.

Shitou nodded in agreement, "Sure!"

Gu Xixi led Lv Jing into the main hall.

After simply washing the dust from her hands and face, a sense of relaxation from being home washed over her.

Gu Xixi flopped onto the kang, stretched out like a big character, and let out a long, comfortable sigh.

Seeing the person who had been away for a long time return, Xiao Hua jumped up and tentatively sniffed its scent.

After confirming it was her, it tilted its fluffy head and rubbed against Gu Xixi's hand.

Lv Jing sat nearby, curiously observing the interior layout and furnishings.

Although it was her first time there, she felt a deep-seated comfort.

Gu Xixi asked, "How is it? If anything feels uncomfortable, just say so, and we'll figure out a solution."

Lv Jing laughed and shook her head, "I feel very relaxed and quite content."

"It's like returning to my home from a past life."

Gu Xixi chuckled and said, "As long as you're satisfied."

"The northwest is usually drier than the capital; remember to drink more water."

Lv Jing also relaxed, lying down beside Gu Xixi, "Following you, I'm not afraid of running out of water, am I?"

Both let out a light laugh.

A few days ago, while still in the capital, Lv Jing had already tried various sweet soups.

Where had she ever tasted these varieties before?

She easily became addicted to them.

She drank at the Xiao He residence, then continued drinking at Gan Yu Ju.

For the first two days, having drunk her fill at every meal, Lv Jing even skipped eating rice.

Until her palate had gained enough experience.

Only then did she, using adult reason, end this childish picky-eating phase.

Lv Jing laughed, "I hadn't tried it before; once I did, what a delicious thing! It's far tastier than ordinary meals,"

"Who would have thought drinking water could be addictive? One must rely on willpower to control oneself from drinking too much."

Gu Xixi gave a noncommittal smile, thinking, "Otherwise, modern people would call this a 'milk tea addiction.'"

"Not an exaggeration at all; it's truly an addiction."

Lv Jing said, "Business at Gan Yu Ju is booming every day; Miss He should be able to rest easy."

"I just don't know if opening a similar shop in the northwest would work."

Gu Xixi asked, "Do you want to open a shop?"

Lv Jing said, "I have that idea, but I'm not in a rush."

"I want to first follow you in work, learn slowly, then slowly think about what I truly want to do and what suits me."

She sold the tea garden and now has some savings.

Following Gu Xixi to the northwest, besides repaying gratitude, she also meant to start anew in a new place.

Gu Xixi said, "Alright, since you've said all that."

"Then let's talk about wages as well—room and board included, and according to northwestern conditions, tentatively set at one string of cash per month."

"Additionally, based on your performance, there will be a year-end bonus."

"In the future, wages may be increased depending on circumstances."

"If you find this acceptable, it can start tomorrow."

Lv Jing startled, "I'm here to repay gratitude; how could I still accept wages? No, absolutely not."

Gu Xixi opened her eyes and stared at her, utterly serious.

"I haven't paid the appropriate price to buy you, so we are not in a master-servant relationship."

"You receiving appropriate compensation for working for me is, first, recognition of your own hard work; second, my paying wages makes it natural to employ you."

Lv Jing pondered silently for a long time, then nodded solemnly, "I accept the master's terms!"

Only then did Gu Xixi smile.

The kids finished eating and each went home.

Aunt Zhang had already tidied the west room, especially replacing all the bedding with new ones.

She came in carrying two bowls of sweet soup with poached eggs, smiling, "Hurry up and eat."

"Little An was tired, so he ate first in the kitchen then went back to the rear courtyard to sleep."

Gu Xixi sat up and said, "On this journey we relied on him to drive the cart; it was indeed hard work."

Aunt Zhang watched the two girls eat and said, "This year's wheat heads are big and good. Not only is ours good, the whole village is putting in extra effort, awaiting a bumper harvest."

"Many people have already planned how to thank you."

"There's still over a month until the wheat harvest."

Gu Xixi rushed back urgently; this is the most important reason.

"The twenty days before the wheat harvest are crucial."

At this time the wheat ears are in the grain‑filling stage; whether one can seize the moment to make the grains plump is the key to a large increase in yield per mu.

It corresponds to the final decisive stage.

Gu Xixi took a sip of soup and said, "It's still early before the grain heads loosen."

"In two days we need to apply foliar fertilizer once; it's the first time the villagers are doing this, so I have to keep an eye on it."

Applying foliar fertilizer differs from traditional fertilizing methods.

Although Gu Xixi had taught the method early on, she still felt a bit uneasy when it came to actually carrying it out.

Besides that, the timing of stopping irrigation before the wheat harvest is also important.

If done too early, the grains will become shriveled; if too late, the wheat may lodge.

One must also consider the amount of water.

Zhang Shen looked at Lv Jing and asked with a smile, "Why is this child just staring at Xixi and not eating anything?"

"Is the egg prepared this way not to your taste?"

Lv Jing came to her senses, embarrassed, and said, "No, no, I love it."

"Just…"

"It seems that when talking about farming, Xixi becomes a completely different person."

She paused, then strove to describe her feelings: "It's just… I feel amazing, very reassuring."

"I just want to keep watching her, feeling that no matter what we do, as long as we follow her lead, we can't go wrong."

Zhang Shen smiled, a little proud, "It's not just you; quite a few people say the same thing."

"Don't let Xixi's young age fool you; whenever the village chief has something to discuss, he comes to her for advice."

Gu Xixi had finished her fried egg and even drunk the soup dry.

She turned to Lv Jing and said, "Today we'll rest; starting tomorrow, at least until the wheat harvest, we'll have to get busy."

"You'd better get ready in your heart."

Lv Jing laughed, "No problem!"

Being busy is fine; she's still worried about having nothing to do!

However, speaking of resting, at sunset the old doctor returned from his rounds and mentioned a name long unheard.

"Gu Lao San's son Gu Tiezhu has been crazy and foolish all along."

"When you weren't around, that couple begged me several times."

The old doctor had already learned from Zhang Shen about the misdeeds committed by Gu Lao San's family.

Gu Tiezhu's madness is entirely self‑inflicted; evil begets evil.

So the old doctor did not directly agree to treat him; he wanted to wait for Gu Xixi to return and ask her opinion.

But just now, on the old doctor's way into the village, Gu Lao San and Liu Shi knelt on the road, blocking it, and kept kowtowing.

The old doctor, helpless, had no choice but to agree to take a look.

As for whether it can be cured, that's still up for debate.

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "Then after you've seen him, is there still any treatment?"

The old doctor, however, pondered and said, "No need to treat."

"Because, even without a detailed examination, I'm sixty to seventy percent sure he's already regained his senses."