Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 38 - 38 039 The Road is Chosen by Oneself_1

?Chapter 38: Chapter 039 The Road is Chosen by Oneself_1 Chapter 38: Chapter 039 The Road is Chosen by Oneself_1 “So this time…?”

Muniang curved her lips slightly, “Shall we discuss the contract first? I heard the shopkeeper wants to sign a long-term contract with me, but this long-term contract might be a bit pricey. I wonder if the shopkeeper can afford it.”

The shopkeeper inwardly clicked his tongue, knowing he shouldn’t underestimate this young lady. It seemed she had been whetting his appetite for the whole month. It was likely impossible to settle a series of dishes for fifty silver pieces like last time, but this was a business deal he couldn’t afford to miss.

The shopkeeper plastered on a smile, “Whatever the young lady’s conditions are, feel free to mention them, as long as our modest establishment can bear it.”

“One hundred silver for one dish.”

“Ah?!”

The shopkeeper chuckled twice, “Isn’t that a bit…?”

Muniang’s smile widened brilliantly, “Your business is doing so well, I’m sure other restaurants must have heard about it. If they knew that I was the one who provided the ideas for this candied series of dishes, I wonder if they would consider the price of one hundred silver too expensive.”

“Hey, no, no, let’s talk this over. It’s just that the price is rather steep; I can’t decide this alone. How about this—I’ll consult our owner and then continue the discussion with the young lady afterwards, how does that sound?”

Muniang agreed readily, “Fine by me! I’m not in a hurry; go ahead and consult.”

Jokingly, she thought, one idea could make money for his stores all over the country; one hundred silver expensive?!

This time the shopkeeper learned to be shrewd, “Then, young lady, could you give me your home address first, so it will be more convenient for me to find you next time?”

“Tupo Village, in the most remote corner on the west side of the village. It’s probably hard to find, but if you’re looking for me, just ask for Qiao Muniang in the village.”

“Alright then!”

“Oh, and I happen to have a tiger skin here that I am worried about finding a buyer for. If the shopkeeper knows any wealthy families, could you help me inquire about it?”

The shopkeeper nodded with a smile, “That’s a small matter. The guests who dine in our restaurant, which one isn’t a government official or noble person? Rest assured, young lady, I’ll inquire for you as soon as possible.”

“Thank you for that. If it comes through, I’ll be sure to give you a finder’s fee.”

The shopkeeper smiled; though the young lady was shrewd, she wasn’t heartless. She always knew how to settle things clearly.

Having finished negotiating, Muniang decided not to stay any longer and left with Mrs. Lin.

“Darling, why don’t we find a small restaurant to grab a meal and then go check out some furniture?”

“Hmm, alright, I’m quite hungry already.”

Carting along in the ox-cart through the streets, they looked for a small establishment to dine in when they unexpectedly spotted Li Qinghe!

Muniang thought she had come to town for the market and intended to offer her a ride back. Just as she was about to greet her, Qiao Yuanzhen came into view.

Goodness gracious! What kind of situation was this?

“Qiao Yuanzhen, are you done with school? I, I, I just happened to be passing by…” Li Qinghe’s words trailed off, her face flushing deeply, stammering.

The truth was she had been waiting there for half an hour because Qiao Yuanzhen was hardly seen in the village. Everyone was busy with farm work, and he would usually stay home alone to read, only coming to town for school every other day.

Qiao Yuanzhen clearly appeared impatient, “What is it?”

“I, I, I, I recently learned embroidery, so I made something. If you like it… just take it.” Having said that, she immediately stuffed a delicate purse into Qiao Yuanzhen’s hands and turned to run away.

Qiao Yuanzhen didn’t think much of it and casually tucked the purse into his sleeve, then left.

Li Qinghe didn’t get far when she saw Muniang’s ox cart in front of a small restaurant. Seeing Muniang staring blankly at her, she felt her face flush with embarrassment, yet she had no choice but to approach.

“Muniang, what brings you to town? I, I… just now…”

“I saw what happened just now,” Muniang said.

“Then you…”

“I won’t tell anyone, nor will I tell your brother.”

Li Qinghe said with gratitude, “Thank you, Muniang.”

Muniang sighed, “Qinghe, you chose your path, and no one else can decide for you. No matter how much I and your brother try to persuade you, you insist on jumping into this pit of fire.”

Li Qinghe lowered her head, “I’m sorry…”

“You haven’t wronged me. If you feel you are true to yourself in the end, that is all that matters. Have you eaten?”

Tears almost spilled from Qinghe’s eyes; she shook her head.

“Eat with us, then. Afterwards, we’ll head back together. It’s not safe for a girl to be alone, from the village to the city is quite far, and the road can be desolate. You were quite bold to come here alone,” Muniang told her.

After eating, they went to order a few sets of furniture at the furnishings store, then Muniang and Li Qinghe headed back to the village together.

Just entering the village, they ran into Mrs. Du. Muniang greeted her, and when Mrs. Du saw Li Qinghe, she quickly said, “Qinghe, where have you been? Your brother has been looking everywhere for you. He seems very angry. Did you upset him?”

Qinghe looked blankly at Muniang, obviously confused, and Muniang was also puzzled, “What happened?”

“I’m not sure myself; you should go home and see,” Mrs. Du advised.

Muniang accompanied Qinghe to her home first, only to be met by Li Cheng storming out and slapping Li Qinghe across the face.

“Where did you go?!” he demanded.

Li Qinghe looked at Li Cheng in disbelief, her bright eyes quickly filling with tears. Muniang immediately stepped in front of her, and Erliang also restrained Li Cheng.

“What’s the issue that can’t be discussed calmly? She just made a trip into the city, accompanied us to order furniture, nothing more,” Muniang said.

Li Cheng, his eyes red with anger, replied, “Just a trip to the city? Then look, what is this?!”

With that, he threw a delicate purse onto the ground in front of Li Qinghe. Qinghe stared blankly at the purse, completely bewildered; it was the one she had given to Qiao Yuanzhen. How did it end up here?!

Seeing Qinghe’s reaction, Li Cheng became even more convinced of the rumors the young men were spreading, his face turning redder with fury: “How can you be so ungrateful? I told you that boy from the Qiao family is no good, yet you refused to believe me. Do you know where I got this purse from? It was in the hands of those ruffians led by Qian Yuan. They brandished this purse around, boasting that Li Qinghe sent them the purse, implying, implying… Ah!”

That morning, the affair of Qinghe giving the purse to Qiao Yuanzhen was spotted by Qian Yuan who began teasing Qiao Yuanzhen with winks and insinuations, questioning whether they were romantically involved. Qiao Yuanzhen naturally refused to admit to such misconduct and threw the purse at Qian Yuan.

Qian Yuan, the son of a wealthy family in town, although not educated, attended the same school as Qiao Yuanzhen merely to associate with bad company. His only interest was in indulging in pleasure and seeking women. Knowing of Li Qinghe as the most beautiful girl in Tupo Village, he was keen to show off the purse he received, exaggerating the story to claim that it meant Li Qinghe was intimate with him—even suggesting she had given him the purse to signify their affair.