Chapter 227: Chapter 227 Master Zhang Chapter 227: Chapter 227 Master Zhang Having disembarked from the ox cart, Big Bull carried two baskets of processed loaches and followed Xuexue towards the market.
Auntie Zhang had already set up her jewelry stall and was selling eagerly. Seeing them arrive, she stood up excitedly and beamed with a smile, “Aiyo, Xuexue, Big Bull, I’ve finally seen you.”
Indeed, because of the New Year’s celebrations, they hadn’t set up their stall for quite some time, so it was no wonder Auntie Zhang missed them so much.
Xuexue exchanged pleasantries with her, and then, they set up their own stall.
“Eh! You’re not selling river snails today?” Auntie Zhang asked curiously upon seeing the loaches they had laid out.
“If life weren’t so hard, who would want to go into the cold water to feel for river snails every day? Now we’ve found a new way to make a living, so we’ll put that aside for now,” Xuexue said sincerely.
Auntie Zhang thought about it and agreed. In such cold weather, even dipping her hands in water to wash clothes felt like scraping against a knife, painfully stinging her fingers. She really felt for Xuexue, the little girl.
“Xuexue, what’s this you’re selling? It looks rather good,” Auntie Zhang changed topic and leaned in curiously to look at the red loaches, asking with enthusiasm.
“Flavorful loaches, they’re delicious. Try some, Auntie,” Xuexue replied, picking up a loach with her chopsticks and bringing it to Auntie Zhang’s mouth, her eyes sparkling as she watched her.
Auntie Zhang chewed a few times, “Mmm, the taste is indeed good, so delicious. Spicy and numbing, Xuexue, where did you get these from?”
“Hah?” Auntie Zhang’s face lit up with surprise and a bit of disbelief. She asked again, “Did you really make these yourself?”
“Yes! I did indeed,” Xuexue affirmed.
“Aiyo, Xuexue, you’re truly a clever and skilled young lady. Whoever marries you is blessed with good fortune from a previous life,” Auntie Zhang laughed heartily; after spending some time together, she genuinely liked Xuexue. Not only did the girl have stunning looks, but she was also clever with her hands, able to make all kinds of things. If it weren’t for her marrying a simpleton, her transformation into a Phoenix was completely possible.
“Auntie, don’t praise me too much, it’ll make me proud,” Xuexue laughed.
“My wife is indeed impressive, smart. Auntie, you’re praising her correctly, praising her well,” Big Bull looked at Xuexue, his face brimming with satisfaction.
“Enough with the praises, let’s focus on doing business. With so many loaches, I don’t know if we can sell them all today,” Xuexue said while taking a bowl and filling it halfway with loaches, ready for potential customers to taste.
“Auntie, wait a moment, I’ll save some for you to take home and eat,” Xuexue didn’t forget to say to Auntie Zhang nearby, who usually took good care of them. Now that they had something new, it was only right to give something back.
“How could I accept that, you should keep them to make some Silver,” Auntie Zhang laughed. In fact, she’d wanted some for a while but was too shy to ask. Now that Xuexue had offered, she felt it was only polite to show some restraint.
“It’s no trouble, it’s not worth much money,” Xuexue knew Auntie Zhang was being polite, smiled without saying anything more.
“Come and see, take a look, try our flavorful loaches, if they’re not delicious, you don’t pay a thing, come on over!” Xuexue shouted loudly to attract customers.
Soon a few people came over, “Little girl, what are you selling?”
“Flavorful loaches, uniquely prepared, I guarantee you’ve never tasted anything like it. Don’t believe me? Have a taste,” she said, and handed the bowl of loaches to the man in front of her.
The man picked up a loach and tasted it, smacking his lips while eating, “Hmm, indeed nice, tasty. The loaches are delicious, and the seller is beautiful,” he said, revealing a row of yellow teeth as he laughed.
His companions who came with him burst into laughter, “It seems Master Zhang has taken a liking to this girl. She’s a national beauty, and Master Zhang’s taste is truly exceptional, ahahaha!”