Qin Mian was in a particularly good mood because he had made money. Although Lei Tie was still expressionless, his relaxed pace showed that he was also in a good mood. He carried all the things they bought on his back while Qin Mian led a water ox and stroked its back and neck from time to time as he walked. The ox was docile in character, it didn’t mind his harassment. It moved forward slowly and flicked its tail from time to time, very leisurely.
Lei Tie looked on in puzzlement.
Qin Mian smiled at him, continued to touch and his words irrefutable, “I’m cultivating feelings with it. When I get familiar with it, I can ride it like a horse to town.” Just now, he didn’t see horses in the market. After all, they were backward in ancient times. Horses were probably controlled by the imperial court as military supplies.
Lei Tie shook his head and threw a glance at the ox thoughtfully. Without saying anything, his eyes fell on the smiling side of his wife’s face.
It always seemed that it took less time to return. It didn’t take long for them to get to the foot of the mountain and see the village below.
When the sweat-soaked farmers saw Qin Mian coming back with an ox while he talked with Lei Tie, they were very surprised. They talked in low voices as their eyes mostly fell on the buffalo with both admiration and jealousy.
“Hey, are that Lei Tie and his wife?” Sister Zhang straightened up and wiped her sweat. She had inadvertently glanced at the way out of the village and saw the two. Surprised, she patted her man.
The sickle in Zhang Dashuan’s hand was askew and he almost cut his own hand. He stared helplessly at his wife before he looked at the road and was stunned, “Yes.”
Sister Zhang said in a low voice: “Such a big ox is not cheap. It seems that Lei Tie really hid the money before parting ways with his family.”
Zhang Dashuan was upset, frowned and scolded: “You mind so much about other people’s family!”
Sister Zhang knew what he was worried about and didn’t take offence. She looked at him with a smile and said in a warm voice, “Alright, don’t I know what you are worried about? Let’s just talk about it in private. Don’t worry, I won’t gossip.”
Zhang Dashuan breathed a sigh of relief and looked at his wife with gentler eyes. He lowered his head and continued to cut the grain. How could he not know his wife was not a loose mouthed person? He was merely reminded her a little more so as to avoid quarrel.
“I’m afraid that the news will soon reach the old Lei’s house and the young couple won’t be in peace again.” Sister Zhang shook her head and sympathized with Qin Mian and Lei Tie.
Over there, Qin Mian and Lei Tie walked into the village, and very soon someone came up from the field to greet to them.
“Lei Tie, have you added a big ox to your family? This ox is bought well, it looks strong.” Aunt Xiulan seemed to be in admiration as she sized up the buffalo and praised. Her clear voice carried a hint of swiftness.
Lei Tie nodded, “Aunt.”
Interpersonal communication had to be relied on Qin Mian. He immediately showed an intimate but not too enthusiastic smile to the woman. “Brother Tie and I are not familiar with ox and we are unable to perceive the good or the bad. Before that, we were worried about whether we would buy a bad one. It’s relieving to hear that from Aunt.”
He seamlessly flattered Aunt Xiulan. When Aunt Xiulan heard that, she felt more comfortable with the only male wife in the village which gave her a good impression. She smilingly said: “Don’t worry, this ox is fine. My parents have two oxen, I’m familiar with them. Whether this ox is healthy, firstly, it depends on its spirit whether it looks spirited enough? Second, it depends on the hair whether it is neat and glossy. Third, it depends on the pace where a stable and steady gait is definitely a healthy one. The easiest way is to look at its appetite. It’s no problem if it can eat.”
Qin Mian nodded and admiringly said: “Aunt knows so much. Before, we saw it eating fresh straw, so we decided to buy it.” At this time, he vaguely understood why the aunt, who he had not known before, came to show up suddenly. She mentioned that there were oxen in her parent’s family, which was to say that her family did not have them. If she had a good relationship with them, it would be easy to talk if she wanted to borrow it.
He patted the back of the ox and said, “Thank you for telling us so much. If you want to use it later, just say it.”
Aunt Xiulan was really happy now. She secretly praised this brother’s intelligence. She laughed and was all the more satisfied the more she looked at Qin Mian. “Then, Aunt thanks you first. You’re still tired after you’ve gone so far. Aunt won’t delay you guys.”
“Aunt, you continue on [working].”
They continued to go into the village and a few villagers warmly greeted them. Qin Mian responded with the same courtesy. Although he knew that they did that only for the ox, he didn’t dislike them. As long as the villagers was no longer pointed out to him and Lei Tie, which spoiled people’s mood for no reason, it’s no big deal to lend them the ox.
When they got home, Xiao Hu sat lazily on the back of his chair and waved his bamboo pole from time to time. What’s unexpected was that there was a boy of the same age next to him, whose clothes were still stained with straw scraps. He squatted on the ground and played with worms. He kept shouting something as he played enthusiastically. He seemed lively.
“Xiao Hu.”
Xiao Hu immediately jumped down and smiled at Qin Mian. His eyes unconsciously looked at Lei Tie’s basket, “Uncle Lei, Uncle Qin.”
The other little boy also stood up and watched Qin Mian and Lei Tie with a bit of blush, eyes moved about and then he also called out, “Uncle Lei, Uncle Qin.” His voice was quite loud.
How could Qin Mian not perceive the little demons’[1] mind? He secretly thought it was funny, but he didn’t tease them. He took out two packages of snacks from the basket. At that time in the snack shop, he had only bought one package for Xiao Hu but then Lei Tie took another package for him, so he bought two packages.
He handed one of the packages to Xiao Hu, opened the other package where there were eight colored pastries in it and took out four for the other little boy.
“You guys have worked hard.”
“Thank you, Uncle Qin.” Xiao Hu happily held the snacks in both hands.
The little boy understood why he got less, he smiled, “Thank you, Uncle Qin.” Unable to hold himself back, he picked up a piece and took a big bite, chewing quickly.
Qin Mian saw it and sighed with emotion. He had tasted it before and compared with modern ones, it was far worse in appearance, color and taste. There is a business opportunity.
“Go play.”
The two little demons ran with delight. This time, there was something to show off to their companions.
“Uncle Qin, if there is anything, I can help you again.” Xiao Hu waved as he ran away.
“This is becoming aware of the benefits of something.” Qin Mian laughed in spite of himself.
“Nn.” Lei Tie waited for him to open the door.
Qin Mian’s left hand hugged his chest and reached out his right hand to Lei Tie as he looked on with a happy smile and without speaking.
Lei Tie was taken aback before he took out the money pouch and handed it to him.
Qin Mian looked at him approvingly with the eyes that said “the young man was promising and worthy to be taught” before he took the money pouch and fished out the key to open the door.
Lei Tie shook his head, afraid that he didn’t find his own eyes laden with pamper.
Note:
[1] little demon = term of endearment for a child; mischievous child
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