Chen Xiaobei smiled and said, "Uncle, since that's the case, we'll take our leave. I'll be back in a couple of days!"
Seeing them about to leave, Cui Changhe enthusiastically invited them to stay for a meal, but Chen Xiaobei repeatedly shook his head.
"Uncle, we can always drink wine. Let's sort out the important matters first and not delay the auspicious date."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Cui Changhe smiled and said, "Yes, yes. Please rest assured, my virtuous nephew Xiaobei. I will follow the local customs and keep everything simple. As long as Mudan and Xiaowen can live a peaceful life, that's all that matters."
At this point, Chen Xiaobei understood. It was clear that the Crown Prince had sent Hu Fan, which had a significant impact on Chen Xiaowen. Now, no matter what Chen Xiaowen wanted to do, Cui Changhe dared not express any dissatisfaction.
Chen Xiaobei and the Old Ancestor walked a long distance in silence. Only after they had left Cui Family Village did the Old Ancestor couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, I never expected Cui Changhe, such a picky fellow, to be so thoroughly subdued by Xiaowen."
Chen Xiaobei did not reply. He actually understood. The reason everything went so smoothly this time was primarily due to the Crown Prince's endorsement. In the eyes of ordinary people, someone who received a congratulatory gift from the Crown Prince was certainly no ordinary person.
Upon returning to Hetou Village, when the news spread, the entire village was in an uproar. No one would have expected Chen Xiaowen's father-in-law, Cui Changhe, to agree to his daughter's marriage so easily.
Chen Xiaowen was, of course, the happiest. He seemed a bit flustered yet very enthusiastic, inviting everyone to his home for tea.
"Alas, Xiaowen, what time is it, and you're still inviting us for tea? You should go home and prepare to treat us to a drink."
Hearing this suggestion, Chen Xiaowen nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, I should indeed treat everyone to a drink."
Chen Xiaowen was clearly very excited. He pulled the Old Ancestor and Chen Xiaobei into his home and first offered them tea.
"Brother Xiaobei, thank you for your help. Without you and the Old Ancestor, I wouldn't have known what to do about this matter."
Chen Xiaobei waved his hand with a smile, "Alright, we're all family. No need to be so polite."
"Oh, and you'll need to prepare some gifts tomorrow. The Old Ancestor will have to make another trip."
The Old Ancestor next to him nodded slightly, "Yes, strike while the iron is hot and settle this matter quickly. This is a joyous occasion for Hetou Village."
As he spoke, the Old Ancestor took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and placed it on the table. "This is a gift list I've written. Prepare according to this. If you can't get everything, we can discuss it later."
Seeing this, Chen Xiaobei understood. He and Cui Changhe had never mentioned this gift list. It was likely that the Old Ancestor had already prepared it.
Especially the Old Ancestor's last sentence was very important. If something couldn't be prepared, then so be it. It meant that if it was available, great, if not, then it wasn't.
Chen Xiaowen joyfully rode his horse to the county town to purchase supplies. Chen Xiaobei, however, was not in such a good mood. He had to start considering how to sell the cabbages.
After much thought, Chen Xiaobei put on a thick cotton coat and decided to go to the vegetable patch to take a look.
As he reached the village entrance, he saw Carpenter Zhang standing by his door. Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, he smiled and walked up to him, "Captain Xiaobei, where are you going!"
"Ah, I'm going to check on the vegetable patch. Uncle, why are you out on the street today?"
"Captain Xiaobei, I'd like to buy some cabbage from you. What do you think..."
Chen Xiaobei chuckled upon hearing this, "Uncle Zhang, what's there to buy or not to buy? You've helped me so much. If you want cabbage, I'll give you a couple."
"No, no, it's not about two or three. I want to buy quite a bit."
Chen Xiaobei laughed heartily, "You can have as much as you want. I'll have someone deliver it to you later."
"Then please send me fifty first."
Chen Xiaobei was stunned, "Elder, I can give you more after you've eaten them. I'm afraid so many will spoil if you keep them."
"They won't spoil, they won't spoil. I have an old relative who lives in the mountains, and it's inconvenient for him. It's almost New Year, and I plan to visit him, so I want to take him some."
"He salts the cabbage and pickles them. It's convenient to eat them anytime."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei suddenly remembered his past life. He often ate things like kimchi, pickled cabbage, and various preserved foods.
Yes, that was also a way.
He had overlooked this possibility.
He could try making some kimchi first to use up some of the cabbages.
When he took them to Feng Xiaoyue's restaurant, he believed he could sell some.
With this thought, Chen Xiaobei's brow relaxed slightly, "Alright, Uncle Zhang, I'll arrange for someone to deliver them to you tomorrow."
"Great, great, I'll go get the money then."
Xiaobei waved his hand, "No need, no need. We can talk about it tomorrow."
After some polite refusal, Chen Xiaobei left.
It was still some distance from here to his vegetable patch.
It was deep winter, and the woods by the roadside were somewhat bleak.
Some fallen dry leaves lay on the road, making a crunching sound with each step.
This caused Chen Xiaobei's thoughts to drift.
Carpenter Zhang's mention of "it's almost New Year" made him feel a pang of nostalgia. In his previous life, the harsh winter also signaled the approach of the New Year.
Every New Year was a time for family reunions. But thinking of his parents in his past life, they must have fallen into endless sorrow during every festival.
And looking at himself now, his parents were deceased, and he couldn't even recall their faces from his memories.
Even Huang Ying had appeared in his life in such a hurry and left him so impatiently.
Carrying a trace of sadness and a multitude of thoughts, Chen Xiaobei arrived at his vegetable patch.
There were still many cabbages in the field. Looking at the endless expanse of cabbages, Chen Xiaobei was truly at a loss.
He found a place to sit down and picked up a twig, placing it in his mouth.
In his past life, he could have lit a cigarette to relieve his distress. How wonderful that would have been.
In this life, without even cigarettes, he had to bear his own worries.
Just then, he suddenly heard a noise. Then, he saw two gray shadows rush out of the nearby woods and dart into the cabbage field.
Chen Xiaobei shot up, "What are those things?"
Soon, the gray shadows stopped, and Chen Xiaobei saw clearly. It was two dogs chasing a wild rabbit.
Watching the dogs successfully bring back the rabbit, Chen Xiaobei laughed.
In his previous life, he had only seen such things on television. This was his first time witnessing dogs chasing a rabbit in person.
With a shout of approval, an old man with white hair and beard emerged from the woods. Chen Xiaobei found his face completely unfamiliar.
Chen Xiaobei quickly scanned the people from the surrounding villages in his mind. None of them matched.
The old man chuckled and walked up to Chen Xiaobei.