"Brother, go rest, rest," Chen Ermao stammered a few words and ran off.
Chen Xiaobei waited until the footsteps outside disappeared before letting out a clang as he threw the cleaver onto the ground.
His body slumped down powerlessly.
At this moment, Chen Qiao'er, who was inside the house, was also startled and started crying loudly again.
Chen Xiaobei returned to the room and spent a long time comforting her, finally coaxing Chen Qiao'er back to sleep. However, he had no desire to sleep himself.
He came out into the courtyard again, leaned against the large locust tree, and looked up at the starry sky, sighing repeatedly.
What the hell kind of transmigration did I get myself into?
Broke and with a dependent, and I still have to be on guard against people trying to snatch her away.
Although I was lucky enough to catch a few pheasants and have a few hundred coins, I couldn't possibly raise Chen Qiao'er with this little money.
What can I even do in my current state?
After thinking and thinking, he suddenly slapped his forehead.
Right. Just like Old Wu, I'll grow vegetables and sell them.
My family in my previous life used to grow vegetables. Once the vegetables from the greenhouses were ready and the off-season produce hit the market, the money rolled in.
Even though it's not off-season now, the leafy greens Old Wu sells are one coin a jin. This is a profitable business.
With the decision made, Chen Xiaobei became excited again.
As soon as it was dawn, he sent Chen Qiao'er back to Chen Dachun's house and headed to the county town again.
He wandered around the county town until noon, bought a large bag of rapeseed seeds, a jar of wine, and some braised food, and then excitedly returned to Hetou Village.
The reason for buying wine and braised food was that he wanted to treat Chen Dachun's family to a drink that evening.
Dachun's wife, Cuihua, had also returned from her parents' home, just in time for this small feast.
Looking at the table of wine and food, Aunt Er, Xioumei, hesitated to pick up her chopsticks. "Xiaobei, if you have something to say, just say it."
Chen Xiaobei picked up his wine bowl and said to her, "Aunt Er, I don't have any other intentions. Qiao'er has troubled you these past few days, this is my way of thanking you!"
Chen Dachun chuckled and raised his wine bowl to clink with Chen Xiaobei's. "Brother Xiaobei, it's nothing major. If you're busy in the future, you can leave Qiao'er at my place. I'll definitely treat her like my own sister."
Chen Qiao'er blinked her big eyes, "Brother Dachun is right, I am your sister."
Her words made everyone laugh, and the atmosphere instantly eased.
After drinking this bowl of wine, Aunt Er, Xioumei, brought up the matter of Cui Hongyu again.
"I saw the village head today. He said that the village has already decided on your matter. He will arrange for someone to tidy up your house, and then Cui Hongyu will move in."
Chen Xiaobei sighed helplessly at this remark. Women only slow down my earning speed!
Besides, there's really nothing to tidy up in his house.
The next morning, the village head, Chen Anbang, indeed brought a few people over.
Some people swept the courtyard, some helped organize the firewood in the woodshed, and some used bamboo poles to clear the spiderwebs from the corners of his house.
What surprised Chen Xiaobei even more was that Chen Anbang's wife brought him two new quilts.
He couldn't understand why they were so willing to invest so much into this, and why they were all so eager for Cui Hongyu to marry him.
In less than an hour, the house was tidied up. Chen Anbang stood in the middle of the courtyard, surveyed the surroundings, and then said to a middle-aged man, "Sanqiu, you can write. Inscribe a couplet to paste up. After all, it's a new marriage, and the house should have some festive atmosphere."
After arranging everything, he lectured Chen Xiaobei, telling him to treat Cui Hongyu well, not to hit or scold her.
Chen Xiaobei knew that if he didn't agree, today's matter wouldn't end, so he simply agreed to everything.
Finally, after getting rid of the village head, Chen Xiaobei quickly took the rapeseed seeds he had bought and headed to the barren land outside the village.
This patch of barren land was about an acre.
Because it was not far from Chen Xiaobei's house, Chen Qiao'er often came here to dig for wild vegetables. The villagers had implicitly agreed that this barren land belonged to his family, so others rarely came.
Another important reason for this tacit agreement was that this land was close to the river and was sandy soil. Besides growing wild vegetables, crops wouldn't grow here.
However, sandy soil was perfect for growing vegetables.
Chen Xiaobei used a hoe to dig a few simple furrows in the ground, then scattered the rapeseed seeds bit by bit, and covered them with soil again.
Then, using the newly bought iron pot, he carried river water and watered all the newly sown seeds.
Perhaps the iron pot never expected that besides cooking, it would also unlock a new function.
The next day, as the sun rose high, Chen Xiaobei's house became lively.
Many children were shouting songs noisily, running back and forth.
Chen Xiaobei was also called over by the village head and had a large red flower pinned diagonally on his chest.
Chen Xiaobei was helpless, but at this moment, he was powerless to resist.
He stood at the entrance for about the time it takes for a cup of tea to steep before he saw a horse-drawn carriage approaching in the distance.
The carriage was pulling a sedan compartment, and he couldn't see what was inside.
The village children swarmed around the carriage, even more excited, shouting to see the bride.
The carriage stopped about ten feet away from Chen Xiaobei. Aunt Er, Xioumei, quickly stepped forward, lifted the sedan curtain, and helped someone out.
This person was dressed in red but did not wear a red veil. She alighted from the carriage.
Cui Hongyu, this was the legendary Cui Hongyu.
Willow-leaf eyebrows, cherry small mouth, and a pair of watery eyes. As the saying goes, her beautiful eyes sparkled, and her graceful smile was enchanting.
Cui Hongyu was even more beautiful than the legend.
However, Chen Xiaobei was not happy at all.
After all, she had already caused the deaths of three men. The thought sent a chill down his spine.
Xioumei helped Cui Hongyu to Chen Xiaobei and coughed gently. "Xiaobei, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and welcome your bride home."
Cui Hongyu, however, was composed and dignified. She came up to Chen Xiaobei, bowed slightly, and said, "Please take care of me, husband."
Chen Xiaobei finally came back to his senses. "Oh, then come with me."
With that, he turned and walked back. His lukewarm attitude made Cui Hongyu a little nervous. She followed him closely into the courtyard.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, Cui Hongyu's face showed surprise. Perhaps she hadn't expected the family she was marrying into to be so dilapidated.
At this moment, Aunt Er, Xioumei, had already arranged for neighbors to help move the dowry from the carriage.
There were indeed many silks and satins, but looking at these items, Chen Xiaobei repeatedly shook his head.
Flimsy and impractical. What's the use of wearing beautiful, shimmering clothes if your stomach is empty?
Finally, the coachman walked in.
He cupped his fists in front of Chen Xiaobei and said, "Greetings, son-in-law."
Then he looked at Cui Hongyu. "Miss, I'll be going back now."
Cui Hongyu nodded. "Uncle Axiang, go back and tell my mother that I am doing well here."
After that, she looked at Chen Xiaobei.
From Cui Hongyu's gaze, Chen Xiaobei saw a hint of pleading.