It’s not that Bai Zhi disliked Ye Xiu, she just wasn’t used to it. She really wasn’t.
She wasn’t used to being so close to her, and just being able to interact was already difficult enough.
"Xingxing, are you tired? Let me do it."
Although Ye Xiu felt somewhat disappointed, she continued to speak. She thought that Xingxing was just not used to her, or rather, was afraid to believe she could change. It would get better eventually.
"It’s alright, it’s a bit heavy, you won’t be able to carry it."
What Bai Zhi said was indeed true, considering the amount of herbs in the basket was not small. It was a bit heavy, plus she still had to process them before selling them tomorrow.
This batch was of a normal size; they had searched for a long time to find the smaller ones within the coarser, larger bunch. She had only known it was hard to find the big ones before, but now realized that looking for small ones was just as hard...
"Can I help with anything?"
Ye Xiu’s hand, stretched out in midair, awkwardly retracted as she looked at Bai Zhi with a touch of despondency.
Bai Zhi emptied all the herbs by herself, and before she could start processing them, she noticed the front door being pushed open with a bang.
Bai Zhi frowned and turned around to see an especially excited Bai Xiang.
Had he found some money?
"Cousin, where’s Wu Wa?"
As soon as they returned, they grabbed Wu Wa and ran off, and now Wu Wa hadn’t returned yet.
"Wu Wa is washing her face with Bai Fei. Hurry and come with me, I have something to tell you. Auntie, I’m taking Bai Zhi to my place for a moment. Could you please tell Second Grandpa?"
Bai Xiang was completely thrilled, reminding her of the saying: "Heaven never seals off all the exits."
Being pulled along at a swift pace, Bai Zhi saw her usually dawdling cousin move so fast for the first time. What had happened?
"Cousin, did you find some money?"
Bai Zhi finally voiced her suspicion because, in her opinion, aside from matters of money, she couldn’t think of anything else that would make him so active.
"No, why would you think that? And even if I did, what’s there to be happy about finding money? You either hand it over to the adults, or it’s someone’s deliberate drop, the kind that brings bad luck if picked up.
Didn’t Auntie ever warn you about this taboo? Even if you’re short on cash, you mustn’t pick up money at crossroads, got it?"
Hearing this, Bai Xiang stopped immediately, looking at Bai Zhi sternly. It had to be admitted, Bai Xiang seemed quite reliable at that moment.
"I know, it’s just... aside from money, I can’t imagine anything else that would get you so worked up."
Bai Zhi truly didn’t expect Bai Xiang to be so serious about it. Their relationship seemed much better than before when they would only greet each other upon meeting.
As a cousin, he was seriously advising her as a brother would.
"Don’t laugh, be serious. I’m talking to you here, do you hear me? There’s nothing wrong with us liking small money, or working hard to earn money. But some money, you can’t take, and must not even touch, understand?"
While Bai Xiang did like money, he also knew that a gentleman’s love for wealth must be obtained in an upright way; some riches were simply untouchable. Seeing Bai Zhi shocked by his words, he felt he had found his place as a brother.
Lately, the three girls had not been treating him like a brother at all, just summoning and dismissing him on a whim. It was too much.
"I understand, cousin. But where exactly are you taking me? I still need to deal with the herbs."
Bai Zhi promptly responded obediently, especially since Bai Xiang was looking so earnest right now.
"Cousin sister, do you have anything for treating acne?"
Bai Xiang suddenly asked.
Bai Zhi blinked, only then realizing her cousin had a face full of acne.
"Yes." Even if there wasn’t, she would have to say there was.
Bai Xiang’s eyes lit up with an especially surprised look.
"But how will we sell it?"
Hadn’t it been clarified already? For now, they couldn’t even consider this direction. After all, if someone with intentions found out that a few kids could easily come up with these remedies, where would it leave those people’s pride?
Then, would someone unscrupulous come out to snatch it