Chapter 551: Chapter 506, Selling Seeds_1
Ever since Daohua arrived, Xiao Yeyang’s mood had clearly improved, and both Granny Gu and Gu Jian breathed a sigh of relief upon noticing it.
Seeing the smiles return to the faces of the two elderly people, Caiju and Dongli also secretly relieved their own tension. The previous outburst from the old lady had triggered a relapse of her chronic condition, almost scaring them to death. Now, the anxiety they had been carrying could finally be put to rest. After finishing their chores, they found time to retreat to their rooms to send a letter to Beijing.
“Why on earth did you decide to raise dogs?”
Watching the seven puppies running around the courtyard, Gu Jian couldn’t help but turn towards his apprentice.
Squatting down, Daohua patted Xiaoyi’s head, “Dogs are loyal and have keen noses. I want to train them to protect our home, and if necessary, they can also help find people.”
Xiao Yeyang had heard from Yan Wenkai about Daohua raising dogs and walked over to look at the seven puppies, “These seem like hunting dogs.”
Daohua responded with a look that said ‘you have a good eye.’
Xiao Yeyang squatted down in front of Daohua, “My uncle’s trusted aide also has a hunting dog. It accompanies him in marches and battles and has earned its master several merits.”
Immediately, Daohua said, “Is that so? Would you like to raise a few then?”
Xiao Yeyang, smiling, rubbed Xiaoyi’s head, “You already have seven here, let’s raise them together.”
After thinking for a moment, Daohua smiled, “All right, when Xiaoyi and Xiao’er grow up, I’ll give you one.”
Xiao Yeyang said with a smile, “Didn’t we agree to raise them together? That means they’re mine too, why would you need to give me one?”
Daohua, at a loss for words, “You sure know how to take advantage of a situation.”
Xiao Yeyang asked with a grin, “What, you can’t bear it?”
With a sideways glance, Daohua conceded, “I can’t deal with you. Fine, if you say they’re yours, then they’re yours.”
Xiao Yeyang laughed, “I’ve seen others train dogs, I’ll teach you.”
“That would be great!”
In the courtyard, Daohua and Xiao Yeyang trained the puppies with laughter, while Granny Gu sat under the eaves in a chair, her eyes crinkling with mirth. At the entrance to the pharmacy, Gu Jian sorted through medicinal herbs while occasionally casting his gaze towards the two children, his eyes unusually tender.
At night, because Granny Gu wasn’t feeling well, she went to bed after dinner. Gu Jian also had a habit of retiring early. However, Daohua and Xiao Yeyang were not ready to sleep so soon, so the two of them played chess in the main hall.
“Your skill in chess has improved a great deal.”
“Please, I’ve been reading books and seeking out others to play against. Even a pig would have improved.”
Xiao Yeyang smiled, gazing at the earnest Daohua deliberating over where to place the next piece in the candlelit room, his eyes filled with warmth, “Yes, yes, my Yiyi is indeed the smartest.”
After deciding where to play her piece, Daohua lifted her chin triumphantly, “Naturally.” She failed to notice Xiao Yeyang’s term of endearment. “Hurry up, it’s your move.”
Xiao Yeyang glanced over the chessboard and effortlessly found his next move.
Seeing that Xiao Yeyang had so easily cut off her avenues, Daohua frowned, but soon smiled again, having found a point of breakthrough.
“It won’t be easy to surround me.”
Xiao Yeyang smiled and stayed silent, placing another piece that blocked Daohua’s path while still allowing her room to maneuver.
As Daohua was once again contemplating the chessboard, deciding where to play, Xiao Yeyang reached for a strawberry and held it to her mouth.
The strawberries were specifically brought by Daohua for Granny Gu and Gu Jian. However, after tasting a few, the elderly pair had had enough. Before Gu Jian retreated to his room, seeing the two playing chess, he deliberately placed the strawberries on the table for them to eat.
Daohua thought about the placement of the chess pieces, and when something was offered to her, she instinctively opened her mouth and ate it. After she had eaten, she looked up at Xiao Yeyang, “This is for Grandma and Master.”
Xiao Yeyang laughed, “I notice that neither Grandma nor Gu Master seems to like them much.”
Daohua, “Why wouldn’t they like it? Strawberries are quite delicious.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang picked up another one and handed it to her, “Everyone has different tastes. Haven’t you noticed? Gu Master likes spicy food, and Grandma likes sweet things.”
Daohua glanced at him and lowered her head to eat, “If Grandma and they don’t like them, then you should eat some too.” As she spoke, she saw Xiao Yeyang looking intently at her.
Daohua rolled her eyes, “Help yourself if you want some.”
Xiao Yeyang huffed, “People say it’s only polite to reciprocate.”
Daohua was unmoved, “I didn’t ask you to feed me.”
Xiao Yeyang smiled but said nothing, and continued to feed her. Although Daohua glared at him each time, he kept doing it with undiminished enthusiasm.
After having eaten about a dozen, with the plate of strawberries nearly empty, Daohua, feeling resigned, fed a few to Xiao Yeyang.
Xiao Yeyang ate them with a content smile.
“Right, you need to give me some advice quickly. With the mountain land the Emperor rewarded me, what do you think I should grow there?” Daohua suddenly asked.
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Daohua, “What do you want to grow?”
Daohua, “That’s just it, I don’t know. There are many nobles and wealthy people in Beijing, I don’t think I have much competitive edge.”
Xiao Yeyang laughed, “Grow whatever you want. That mountain used to be under Uncle Emperor’s name. Though it has been rewarded to you quietly and secretly, with this connection, you won’t have trouble selling anything you grow.”
Daohua looked hesitant, “Is that really okay?”
Xiao Yeyang, “What’s not okay about it? You’ve made such a great contribution with the gold mine and Sishan Village. Taking advantage of Uncle Emperor’s limelight, he won’t have any problem with it. Besides, a few hundred acres aren’t enough to make any waves or draw his attention, are they?”
Daohua nodded, “That makes sense. Then I’d like to open a Seed Shop in Beijing, what do you think?”
Xiao Yeyang, “Of course you can. But why did you think of selling seeds? The profit margins on those aren’t very high.”
Daohua placed a chess piece on the board, “I’m not seeking high profits. I just want to spread the seeds I have, which are quite good. Like some of the foreign crops that have come in, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, and such, many people don’t even know they’re edible. It’s such a waste. With the high turnover in Beijing, once the word spreads, it will add variety to people’s dining tables.”
Xiao Yeyang nodded, “The quality of the grains and fruits and vegetables produced on your farm is indeed good.”
Daohua smiled, “Then you agree with me selling seeds?”
Xiao Yeyang smiled, “Whatever you sell, I support you.”
Daohua beamed and placed another piece, “Then I know what to plant on the farms in Beijing this spring.” After finishing speaking, she stood up with a smile, stretching out her hand, “I won. Pay up the bet.”
Xiao Yeyang simply slapped her palm with his hand, “Every time we play chess, you want a stake. I might as well just be the prize.”
Daohua withdrew her hand, looking disgustedly at Xiao Yeyang, “You be the prize? I don’t want you.” Then, she took out her pocket watch and glanced at it, “It’s already the third quarter of the 9 PM to 11 PM period (21:45), time to rest.”
Xiao Yeyang nodded, standing up, “It is getting late.”
Subsequently, they both returned to their rooms to wash up and rest.
In the following days, Daohua and Xiao Yeyang trained little dogs together, running around the village with seven puppies. With things to do and Daohua’s company, Xiao Yeyang gradually forgot about the annoying matters back in Beijing.
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