When Shen Qianzhong was leaving, Huo Xi stopped him.
"Do you want to come work at my house? I'll hire you."
"Xi'er." Yang quickly grabbed her.
What nonsense are you talking about, kid? Although Shopkeeper Shen is down and out, he was once prosperous. He had several shops and a small yard at home that was bigger than the one they rented.
They were just fishing.
Shen Qianzhong smiled at Yang and said it was okay. He looked at Huo Xi.
She is slightly shorter than his son, and her face... well, although she is not as childish as Luo'er, she is still just a seven-year-old girl.
Huo Xi looked at him steadily: "I'm serious. Instead of looking for casual jobs everywhere, why not consider finding a employer who is willing to appreciate you and hire you for a long time?"
Employed by the Huo family? Shen Qianzhong smiled inwardly and looked down at her.
Huo Xi's eyes were serious: "Since you no longer have the capital to run your own business, other merchants will not be able to give you the position of chief shopkeeper. They will not even give you the position of second shopkeeper or important positions. Why don't you consider me?"
Seeing that Shen Qianzhong's face gradually became serious, he offered his conditions: "I will grant you the position of shopkeeper, five or two months of silver every month, and a 10% bonus at the end of the year. And if you don't sign a personal contract, or make a contract, what day If you want to leave, you can stay or leave as you wish."
Shen Qianzhong's pupils shrank.
"You don't have to rush to reply to me. Just give me an answer before the Lantern Festival."
Shen Qianzhong looked at Huo Xi's face carefully. Is this really a child of a fisherman's family? Is he really only seven years old? He glanced at Yang again, wondering if this family would be like him. Their ancestors had been prosperous. Bar?
Seeing Mr. Yang standing there with a stunned look on his face, Shen Qianzhong's thoughts began to change.
He bowed his hands to Huo Xi and Yang: "Thank you for the compliment. I'm grateful in my heart. I'll think about it carefully before visiting."
Huo Xi also bowed her hands towards him: "I will sweep the couch to welcome you."
Shen Qianzhong glanced at her and led Shen Luo away.
It wasn't until the father and son disappeared in the alley under the snowflakes that Yang came back to his senses and pulled Huo Xi: "Xi'er, you..."
"Mom, it's so cold outside. Let's go inside. It's snowing here."
Yang hurriedly closed the courtyard door, frowning, and followed Huo Xi into the house.
Yang Fu was coaxing the crying Nian'er and took him out. When he heard that Huo Xi wanted to hire Shen Luo's father for five taels a month, he was also stunned.
Seeing that Nian'er was angry and stretched out her hand towards her, Yang quickly picked him up and held him in his arms while waiting for Huo Xi's explanation.
"Xi'er, five taels a month...and do we need to invite someone? If you are tired, my sister, brother-in-law, me, and I will be fine. Our family doesn't need to invite anyone."
It costs more to hire someone, five taels a month, and 10% of the profits. Yang Fu felt a little sick.
"Yes, yes, with me and your father, we don't even need Fu'er. Now that it's cold, you and Fu'er can just take care of Nian'er at home." Yang answered hurriedly.
Even if the family has money saved, Yang still can't bear to spend five taels a month to hire someone. She doesn't feel too tired now. And when the Chinese New Year is over, everyone will go fishing again, so they won't be so busy. Already.
"Mom, he may not agree yet." Huo Xi said, putting her hand on the brazier to keep warm.
"That's right, he may not agree." Yang Fu felt relieved, "Xi'er, I'll roast chestnuts for you to eat." He threw a few chestnuts into the brazier and roasted them back and forth.
Yang glanced at her several times, thinking that she would discuss this matter with Erhuai.
On the other side, Shen Qianzhong led his son back to the large rented courtyard. The kitchen was shared, and the father and son only rented a side room. Several families lived in the courtyard, which was usually noisy and quiet.
The father and son returned to the house, closed the door, and raised the brazier.
As soon as he warmed himself up, Shen Luo poked out and said, "Dad, no one is using the kitchen right now. Let's go get it quickly." After saying that, he scooped up a bowl of rice and ran out with the pots and pans.
Shen Qianzhong took a step slower and saw that his son had already carried a bunch of things and went out. When he followed him outside, he saw that his son had already scooped up water to wash rice and put a pot on the stove. He couldn't help but sigh.
My ancestor was once a wealthy businessman in the south of the Yangtze River, and his family had many servants. How could he end up having to compete with others for the kitchen?
Looking at Luo'er again, he is a little one busy in the kitchen with skillful skills... In fact, he should be studying in a scholar's robe with a blue shirt in the academy where the windows are bright and clear, and the sound of books is loud.
The meal was ready, one meal, one dish, and a plate of chicken and duck meat, which was a return gift from the Huo family. It was richer than the usual meals for the father and son.
"Dad, this meat is so delicious!"
Seeing that his son's mouth was dripping with oil as he ate, Shen Qianzhong put another piece into his bowl.
Shen Luo ate deliciously, and he did not forget to say hello: "Dad, you eat too," he kept putting rice into his mouth and didn't stop until he ate two bowls.
Shen Qianzhong watched silently, his heart heavy.
At night, the father and son huddled on the same bed and chatted.
"Luo'er, do you like the Huo family?"
"I like it. They are all good people. If it weren't for sister Xi'er and uncle Yang Fu, dad would never be able to see his son."
Shen Qianzhong's heart clenched suddenly.
After a long while, seeing that his father did not speak, Shen Luo turned to look at him: "Dad, how have you considered what sister Xi'er said?"
"Luo'er, do you want dad to agree?"
Shen Luo pursed his lips: "If we have five taels of silver a month, we can rent a small courtyard with a separate courtyard like sister Xi'er."
Maybe I can still study. Shen Luo bit his lip and didn't say anything.
Shen Qianzhong turned sideways and patted him: "Go to sleep." After a while, he said again: "Dad will consider it."
When the New Year comes, every place in the capital is bustling with activity, and there are endless cars and horses in front of the gates of every government.
In front of the palace of Duke Dingguo, Mu Yan helped Mrs. Cheng get out of the carriage.
"Please greet my second aunt." Xu Jingchang, Duke of Dingguo, was waiting at the gate. When he saw Mrs. Cheng getting out of the car, he hurriedly stepped forward to salute.
"My lord, you are too polite. How dare I bother you to welcome me? It's so cold outside."
"My aunt is an elder, so I'd better call you Jingchang."
"This is inconsistent with etiquette."
"I've met my cousin." Mu Yan bowed to him.
"Cousin Bin." Xu Jingchang looked at the cousin who was given a nickname by His Majesty. His memory still stayed in his childhood, "My cousin has grown so big. I heard he is in the Imperial College?"
"yes……"
The group of people walked into the mansion while chatting. When they saw Mrs. Mu, they exchanged pleasantries again.
A pair of sisters-in-law, one is a living widow and the other is a real widow. Even though they are both in the capital, they meet very rarely.
"Now you're happy, Bin'er is back with you again." Mrs. Xu Mu patted her miserable brother-in-law and felt quite emotional in her heart.
He turned around and glanced at a pair of cousins who were having a lively conversation: "The Duke has now grown up and is able to take on the burdens of the government. Sister, you should feel relieved."
Xu Mu also followed her gaze and saw that the fifteen-year-old Duke of Guo was in his prime, with tall and straight trees. He had inherited his father's hereditary title and would only be better in the future.
With a smile on his lips, he patted Mr. Cheng's hand and said, "You call him the father-in-law of another country. You are his elder."