At dawn, Yun Jin came out of Qiao Mingjin's house and wanted to go to the stable to set up a carriage.
When he opened the courtyard door, he saw Yue Zhongyao sitting on the threshold with his knees bent and his head buried in his arms, holding a small bundle.
Yun Jin didn't say anything, just stared at him, then turned around and went to the stable after a moment.
Yue Zhongyao stood up, glanced into the door, then lowered his head and followed Yun Jin silently.
The two quickly hitched up the carriage.
Yue Zhongyao grabbed the riding whip and sat on the carriage shaft. Yun Jin glanced at him and got into the carriage.
Yun Jin was going to the city to buy some household items for Qiao Mingjin. The family spent a long time cleaning up last night before they finally finished packing.
Cups and tea sets, pots and pans, vases and pots, pots and jars... all porcelain cannot be used.
Fortunately, the quilt and tent are still usable despite being washed and mended. The grains and grains were not damaged much, but the large vats and jars containing the things were smashed. New ones had to be purchased.
If the tables and chairs are broken, let the masters in the workshop repair them. If they can't be repaired, just ask a few masters to make a few more ones.
But the money must come from the Yue family.
Qiao Mingjin was not so generous and took advantage of Wu.
After getting up early, Qiao Mingjin pushed He out of the door and asked her to go to the workshop.
She and Ming Qi just took their time in washing and drying the quilts. There were more than ten or twenty masters in the workshop who had to eat, drink, and wash clothes and clean the workshop. At noon, they also had to prepare the clothes for the handymen and assistants in the village.
After a meal, I have to go to the village to buy vegetables and meat in the morning...
There were many things for her and Xia to do.
Mingqi and Wan'er were very sensible and got up early. They obediently accompanied Qiao Mingjin to eat the breakfast sent by Xia, and then helped Qiao Mingjin pack her clothes and bedding.
Wan'er, a little person, also helped with small things...
At noon, Qiao Mingjin and Mingqi were still washing dirty quilt covers on their well deck.
The rumble of a carriage sounded at the courtyard gate.
Back so soon?
After receiving Qiao Mingjin's instructions, Wan'er moved a small bench in the courtyard and ran to open the courtyard door.
Nowadays, the courtyard door must be locked even if three people are at home. This morning she also told Yun Jin not to forget to buy some big locks.
Zhou Yanqing strode in with Wan'er in her arms.
"Mom, Uncle Zhou is here!" The little thing said with joy.
Qiao Mingjin turned to look.
Sure enough, the young man was walking toward her step by step, holding Wan'er nestled on his shoulder.
Qiao Mingjin rolled up her sleeves, her long skirt was rolled up and tied around her waist, and her trouser legs were rolled up high to her knees. Bai Shengsheng's tender arms and tender calves were clearly exposed in front of Zhou Yanqing.
Zhou Yanqing turned her head away unnaturally, leaned over and put Wan'er down.
Qiao Mingjin was also a little embarrassed. Fortunately, this was the last time he poured water. After pouring water, he only needed to wring it out and dry it on the bamboo pole.
Taking the cotton towel handed over by Ming Qi, Qiao Mingjin turned around and wiped all the water drops on her legs before putting down her trousers and skirt and putting on her cloth shoes.
"Why are you here today? Wasn't Manager Zhou just here yesterday?"
Qiao Mingjin turned around and asked him.
Zhou Yanqing glanced at her legs. Although her sleeves were still rolled up high, there seemed to be nothing wrong. The heat on her face subsided a little.
Fang replied: "Well, there is something wrong."
Qiao Mingjin glanced at him and stopped talking.
Shitou and the coachman happened to come in carrying large and small bags, and loudly replied: "Our master came out before dawn, and was the first to leave the city as soon as the city gate opened."
Zhou Yanqing turned around and shouted: "Talk too much!"
Shitou shrank his neck and asked Qiao Mingjin in a low voice: "Ms. Qiao, where should I put these things?"
"What is it?"
"My father asked us to buy them yesterday. They are all things that can be used at home."
Qiao Mingjin looked towards Zhou Yanqing. Zhou Yanqing felt a little uncomfortable, cleared her throat and said, "They are all bought for the house. If you buy too much, it will take up space in the warehouse."
Qiao Mingjin was grateful in her heart, smiled on her face, and said to Mingqi: "Bring the stones to put things away."
Ming Qi responded and left with Wan'er looking excited.
Zhou Yanqing went up to the well platform and saw Qiao Mingjin struggling to twist the cotton condom alone. She reached out and took it in.
"Let me do it, I don't have to get your clothes wet."
"It's okay. There are spare clothes in the car. How do you twist them? Like this?"
Qiao Mingjin saw how clumsy he was, and his sleeves were already stained with water.
He said: "Roll up your sleeves first."
Zhou Yanqing looked at his sleeves, then put down the quilt cover and rolled up his sleeves.
After rolling up one side, when you roll up the other side, the sleeves you just rolled up slip down again.
Qiao Mingjin laughed.
I'm afraid this man is someone who can only open his mouth and stretch out his hands when the meal comes. He wears such fine satin clothes, but they are no better than cotton clothes.
Then he took two steps forward and helped him roll up his sleeves.
Zhou Yanqing watched her lower her head in front of him, with a demure and indifferent expression on her face. Her thick black hair exuded a faint scent of honey locust.
Zhou Yanqing took two deep sniffs and found the smell even more pleasant.
When the woman raised her head and said softly: "Okay." Zhou Yanqing then raised his sleeves slightly, glanced twice, and curved the corners of his mouth to look at her.
After what happened yesterday, the woman's face showed no trace of bitterness or resentment. She was still as calm as ever, like orchid grass covered with water droplets shaken off after the rain. It stood tall and graceful, inconspicuous, but unforgettable.
A few stray strands of hair fell on both sides of her cheeks, and Zhou Yanqing couldn't help but reach out her hand...
Qiao Mingjin was stunned for a moment, and when he was almost approaching, she shrank back, leaned over and reached into the wooden basin, grabbed one end of the cotton condom, and handed it to him.
"If you can't hold it still, I'll twist it."
Zhou Yanqing felt slightly disappointed.
But he quickly came back to his senses and tightly grabbed the quilt cover she handed over with both hands.
"so?"
"Yeah. If you can't hold it, I can twist it."
It was the first time Zhou Yanqing had done this kind of work, and he was really not used to it. The falling water droplets quickly splashed on the uppers of his shoes that were inlaid with gold and silver.
Zhou Yanqing followed Qiao Mingjin's gaze and looked disapprovingly, seeing that it was just a pair of shoes.
Then he said: "It doesn't matter."
Seeing Qiao Mingjin struggling to twist the thick quilt cover, the water slid down her white arms to the depths of her elbows, and said: "You hold on, I'll twist it."
He quickly followed Qiao Mingjin's example and started twisting.
Sure enough, he was strong and had an advantage. The water hidden in the quilt cover started to flow straight down as he twisted it. The sound was very nice.
Qiao Mingjin laughed: "It's very good. I'm afraid I have to work for an hour or two earlier."
Zhou Yanqing was also in a good mood.
The two quickly screwed up several quilt covers.
Zhou Yanqing looked at his empty hands and secretly regretted: Why move so fast? Wouldn't it be better to save some energy and twist it slowly?
I wish I could slap myself in the face.
Next time, it will be next time. I can’t help comforting myself.
Qiao Mingjin carried the wooden bucket filled with quilt covers and walked to the drying area in the backyard.
Zhou Yanqing saw that she was struggling to carry it, so she grabbed it and walked in front easily. Qiao Mingjin saw it, smiled, and followed closely behind.
Qiao Mingjin wiped away the dust on the bamboo pole, shook off the quilt cover, and spread the quilt cover on the bamboo pole to dry.
"Why don't you grow taller?" Zhou Yanqing saw her worrying about her feet and teased while helping her spread the quilt cover on the bamboo pole.
"If I grow as tall as you, I'm afraid I won't be able to get married." Qiao Mingjin replied with a smile.
Zhou Yanqing glanced at her and said nothing. He turned around and straightened the folds on the quilt cover on the bamboo pole. The corners of his mouth curved.
The two quickly worked together to dry out several quilt covers.
Qiao Mingjin looked at the quilt covers of different colors hanging on several bamboo poles and raised the corners of her mouth in relief.
He leaned over to pick up the empty barrel and turned around.
Zhou Yanqing took two steps forward, grabbed her other hand, and stared at her: "Let me take care of you?"
Qiao Mingjin loosened the barrel held in her other hand.
Zhou Yanqing quickly picked it up and placed the barrel gently on the ground. He reached out with his other hand to grab Qiao Mingjin's hand and refused to let go.
"Promise me and let me take care of you?"
Zhou Yanqing stared at her with firm eyes.
Qiao Mingjin's heart was filled with turmoil.
For a long time: "Are you kidding?"
"I'm not. I'm serious."
After saying that, the two looked at each other for a long time, both of them afraid of missing the slightest emotion on the other's face.
"This is unrealistic."
Qiao Mingjin picked up the wooden bucket on the ground and walked to the well platform.
Zhou Yanqing looked at the empty hands and quickly followed.
In the yard, Mingqi, Wan'er, Shitou and the driver had moved all the things into the wing.
"Mother, Uncle Zhou gave me a lot of things."
Wan'er looked happy and ran over to pull Qiao Mingjin to go to the wing to see.
Qiao Mingjin smiled and let her, letting her daughter's small body lean forward, and pulled her to the side room.
Qiao Mingjin looked at the large and small bags and baskets in the wing, almost filling the entire wing.
There were also several baskets stacked on the floor.
Qiao Mingjin looked through it briefly. Pots and pans, dishes, tea sets, vases and boxes... were all very complete. There were even sewing baskets. Sure enough, they were all items that could be used in daily life.
"Thank you." Qiao Mingjin turned around and thanked Zhou Yanqing who followed him.
Zhou Yanqing smiled, took out two packets from a pile of oil paper, handed them to Wan'er and Mingqi, and said softly: "Take them to the workshop to eat. Didn't some children report to you yesterday?
Remember to thank people."
Wan'er nodded happily, put the oil paper bag in her arms, turned around and took Mingqi's hand.
Mingqi glanced at Qiao Mingjin, who nodded towards her. The aunt and nephew went out happily.
Shitou glanced back and forth at the two of them, and was frightened by Zhou Yanqing's look.
"I went with Zhuzi to unload the cart and fed the horses along the way."
Shitou lowered his head and responded, then hurriedly ran out.
Qiao Mingjin turned around and closed the door of the wing, then turned and entered the study room next door. She found a few secret books she had made carefully from the table and gave them to Zhou Yanqing.
"I have already prepared these books, please take a look."
Zhou Yanqing didn't look at it. He took a few account books and put them aside. He pulled Qiao Mingjin and let her sit on the low couch.
After she sat down, she stretched out her hands to hold Qiao Mingjin's hands, wrapping them tightly with her big palms. Qiao Mingjin retracted her hands.
But couldn't break free.
Zhou Yanqing pulled him tighter and squatted down in front of the short couch.
"I was serious just now, I wasn't kidding. I know you have been suffering alone for the past year, struggling and living hard... It hurts my heart to see you..."
Qiao Mingjin looked at him blankly.
I heard him say again: "Let me take care of you? Let's do it together. I've never been so serious. Promise me, okay?"
The man's voice was extremely gentle, soft and tempting, which tickled Qiao Mingjin's heart.
The person in front of me is clearly very serious.
Qiao Mingjin's vision gradually blurred, and he nodded slowly: "Okay." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations, monthly votes, and your support is my biggest motivation.)
