132, Time to Read and Recognize Characters (2nd Update)
The household suddenly had an extra wolf, and although it took some time to adapt, it was good that the creature knew to behave itself. It played with Dahuang and Routuan without biting random things, and its green eyes were very beautiful.
Xie Zhinuan thought that when she reached town, she should buy a few large bones for it to gnaw on.
After washing up, she went to cook breakfast for the neighbor across the street.
A simple porridge, wild fruit jam-filled buns, cold mixed cucumbers, pickled long beans, and some diced meat fried up-thinking she might not be back by lunch, she also stewed some bird’s nest and left it for Aunt Chen to deliver later, or Yuanbao to come and pick up.
“Miss, are we still doing business?” Aunt Chen asked.
“…” Xie Zhinuan thought for a moment, “If you’re not too busy, we can continue. If it’s too much, let’s call it off!”
What the secret was, everyone was well aware, and Xie Zhinuan didn’t point it out; they wouldn’t expose it.
Just let it be.
Now that there was a grey wolf, Xie Zhinuan let it and Routuan sit in the mule cart, but it was unwilling, insisting on running alongside.
A wolf’s nature is so, Xie Zhinuan didn’t force it.
However, on the way to town, it still scared quite a few people.
But after the initial fright, they realized it not only didn’t bite people but also seemed very well-behaved, following by the cart, not sparing anyone an extra glance.
“…”
They arrived at the store together.
Dong Sheng and Xiaoyuan were quite frightened.
“It doesn’t bite people!” Xie Zhinuan said while sending the silly girl to buy some big thigh bones back.
She then directed Dong Sheng and Xiaoyuan to work at the front, while she went to the kitchen, took two big buckets, entered the empty space, and when she came out, the buckets were filled with spiritual spring water. Thinking it over, Xie Zhinuan carried them out and poured them into the well.
She also left some for the three animals.
Only then did she start washing pots, lighting up the stove, waiting for the silly girl to come back with the meat bones so she could boil them for Routuan and the grey wolf to eat.
When the silly girl returned, Xie Zhinuan already had the water boiling, and the grey wolf looked eager for the bone, so she thought about it and threw one to it.
It happily took the bone to a corner to gnaw on.
Routuan was confused, not having eaten raw meat before, but also willing to try.
Xie Zhinuan threw one to it as well, and after tasting it, Routuan also took the bone to gnaw beside the grey wolf.
“…”
Xie Zhinuan stood in her spot, silent for a long time.
Wolves and dogs have a blood relationship; the wolf simply was domesticated over time, gradually turning into a dog. But in its nature, there’s still the fierceness of a wolf.
She also hoped that Routuan could be a bit fiercer so it wouldn’t get bullied by other dogs in the future.
With this thought, Xie Zhinuan just let them be.
“Silly girl, go and buy more of these big thigh bones, ten or twenty of them is fine!”
“Miss, I’ve asked around. The town only slaughters two pigs a day, they don’t have that many!”
“…”
Xie Zhinuan thought for a moment, “That’s the case, huh? Never mind then!”
For the following days, Xie Zhinuan was very busy. The spices needed to be blended, and after several modifications, she ground them all into powder to prevent anyone from stealing the recipes. The opening date had already been picked out, the first day of August.
She felt it was a very auspicious day.
She was out early and back late. The beds in town were readied, clothes and other items had also been moved over. Xie Zhinuan thought that once the store opened, she would need to find time for reading and writing. She couldn’t just let the days pass in a common, busy whirl.
After all, even if one prefers a life of ease, it’s only considered comfortable if there’s wealth, power, and talent.
For the gentleman across the street, she made refined meals morning and evening, occasionally preparing a dessert for Yuanbao to pick up in town since the round trip was short anyway.
Every beginning was a beautiful one; this was what Xie Zhinuan was thinking.
She placed the newly-purchased books carefully on a shelf to the side and laid out the decently-priced Four Treasures of the Study on the table under the window. She then sat in a chair, assuming the posture of a studious pupil.
The silly girl watched from the doorway, her lips curving into a smile, a difficult-to-describe emotion flashing across her eyes as she said softly, “Miss, Yuan Liuwang is here to see you!”
Chapter 134